CHAPTER 13: MY BRAIN GOES WOOSH!

ALLESSIO'S POV

"I told you it wouldn't be a good idea to bring Haven to the party."

I downed the last of my drink before I turned to look at Fierro. "She lives here. There's a party, and you don't want to invite her?"

"We could have had it in a different place."

Fierro's not a child. We're the same fucking age. He don't need to celebrate it if he doesn't want to. But a party is never just a party when it comes to Idalion. Events like this always have an ulterior motive, and this time, it's about strengthening Idalion's connection with the Senator.

"Then she will find out that you had a party and you didn't want her there," I argued.

Fierro let out a huge sigh. Haven's growing on everybody, and Fierro's not an exemption. She's a refreshing addition to the house that is normally full of hardheaded men. At first, everyone including me was expecting her to act like the brat that we thought she was. She was born into a rich family, and she grew up getting everything she wanted. But the year she had alone with nothing must have been one hell of a push for her to change. She's in the process of changing and growing, and I couldn't help myself from wanting to witness it.

"The way you acted with the senator's woman will create a lot of talks, Allessio. Especially the way you let Haven handle it while you stay behind her looking like she'd tamed you."

That wasn't that far off from the truth, if I'm going to be honest. Haven wasn't the only one changing. "The moment Haven came into this house, people were already talking. When we made those deals with the people trying to go after her, people were talking more. Who cares at this point? Weren't you the one who told me that no one will dare try to make an enemy of Idalion?"

"And you're the one who said that there's an exception to that being the enemies we already had." He looked at the crowd in front of us. Every single one of the men here is capable of taking a life. "If there's two people pointing their guns to her head, even if you kill the first man, what about the other one? Are you willing to take the bullet for her? Something you weren't given a chance to do with Francesca?"

The tension in the air thickened like a dense, heavy fog at the mention of the name. "Keep her out of this, Fierro." My jaw clenched so hard that I wouldn't be surprised if it suddenly broke. "I'm going to let this pass because today is your birthday. Rile me up again, and I might forget that you've worked alongside me for years."

"I'm just saying," he said coolly.

"Haven will be protected. Even if it means I have half of Idalion wiped out just to make sure that she will continue to breathe." My glass made a loud sound when I set it back on the table. "And yes. Even if it means putting myself in front of that bullet."

He studied me in silence for a minute, his face unreadable. Then suddenly, a smile broke on his face. He patted my back with his face full of amusement. "I should talk to Mamma. I'll ask for her wedding book that she compiled over the years for me. I think we can use that for you instead."

My eyes narrowed into a slit. "Are you using reverse psychology on me?"

He shrugged. "Knowing how stubborn you are, who knows how long before you realize what you had just said to me?"

I crossed my arms. Mainly because I want to stop myself from strangling him again. Your mother will give you grief over it, Allessio. He's the son of your mother's best friend. "Cut it out before my patience runs out. I don't need help with Haven."

"I'm not sure I agree with that." He patted my shoulder this time before he took his glass of liquor with him. "I'll get more of this. You go find your woman."

I gave him a look then I shook my head. When he left, I scanned the sea of people, and I realized that I would rather be with the little cat than to be with anyone of these people.

I searched for her to where I last saw her, but to my confusion, she wasn't there anymore. She was just eating moments ago. I would have joined her, but I was caught up in a conversation with someone, and since I saw her talking with Pietro and the date he brought with him, I decided to leave her be.

"Have you seen Haven?" I asked, stopping at Lorenzo's table.

"I think she went inside, capo," he answered in Italian.

Maybe she's looking for the desserts that I told her about. Rosa even made zabaglione for her since it's her favorite.

I walked in the direction of the house, and I went straight to the kitchen, but she wasn't there. I was about to go up and check in her room when I heard a loud sound coming from the entertainment room. I headed there instead, and the smile that spread on my lips was instant when I saw Haven sitting in the middle of the sofa with her back to me. On the TV screen, an animated movie is on pause. Lion King, I think?

"What are you doing here all alone—"

My question was cut off mid-sentence when I noticed her shoulders shaking. I was beside her in an instant, and my fury surged when I saw her tear-streaked face.

I lowered my body, kneeling so that I could cradle her face and have her glassy eyes meet mine. She might have been crying for awhile now since her eyes are already starting to get red.

"Who made you cry, gattina?" I whispered.

She let out a pitiful whimper, and her lips trembled, but she didn't answer me.

"Did anyone say something to you?" My rage kept building as different scenarios entered my mind. "Did anyone hurt you?"

She raised her shaking hand, and I reached for it immediately, searching for injuries. When I found none, I let her hand go so that I could wipe the tears on her cheeks. "I need you to tell me, gattina, so I'll know who to punish."

"H-Help..."

They're dead. Whoever they are, whatever they did, they're already dead right at this moment. "Help with what?"

She lifted her hand again, and she pointed at the TV. My head snapped in its direction, but I quickly looked back at her. "Haven. Tell me what's wrong, please?"

I don't think I have ever uttered "please" for years. Unless my mamma is forcing me to say it, the word is completely absent in my life.

"S-Save him."

Him? The anger I was feeling shifted, and this time it's pointed to the "him" she's talking about. "Save who?"

"Mu... Mufasa."

I blinked. "What?"

She grabbed my collar, looking at me with a mournful expression that was touching my black soul. "Poor Simba. He's so young! Do something, please! You can save him, right? If there's anyone who could, it's you." When I just stared at her, she started bawling again. "I paused the movie because if I played it again, Mufasa will die, and... and... Simba will be heartbroken!"

It's impossible that she's drunk. As far as I know, she only had two glasses of wine. She was a party girl, so I know that two glasses won't be able to knock her out. Unless...

"Gattina, I need to know something."

"He's dying!"

I sat beside her and I pulled her towards me. She didn't need more encouragement because, to my surprise, she climbed onto my lap and cried on my chest.

Fuck it. I fish out my phone from my pocket, and I call Lorenzo. He answered in just one ring. "Entertainment room. Bring someone with you. Now."

I throw the phone on the space beside me before I wrap my arms around the woman that is sobbing so hard that one would have thought that someone close to her really died.

"Haven, baby. What dessert did you eat tonight?" I kissed the top of her head while I made comforting circles on her back. "Your answer will help us save Mufasa."

She looked up at me, her face red from crying. "Really?"

"Really."

"Umm... I had the pudding thing. The one I like."

"Zabaglione. What else?"

"And five cannolis. I feel so hungry, which is weird because I ate a lot already."

I caught a tear that fell down her cheek. "Is there more? Did you eat any dessert from the party?"

Her lips trembled again, but this time it was combined by the look of guilt. "I don't want to answer that. It's a secret."

"Why is it a secret?"

"I don't want you to be mad at me," she whispered.

I brush my nose with the tip of hers. "I'm not going to get mad."

"Promise?"

I'll punish her, but it's something she would like in the end. "Promise."

She raised her forefinger. "I had one."

"One what?" I asked, even though I already knew what to expect.

"A chocolate lollipop shaped like a maple leaf." She covered her mouth on the side and whispered, "I think something's wrong with it. It's so yummy, but it made my brain go woosh! But I'm okay now. After I ate Rosa's desserts, I felt better."

Cazzo. "That's not maple, gattina."

"It is."

"The chocolate lollipop. It wasn't shaped like a maple leaf."

"Yes, it is!" She pursed her lips. "I know what a maple leaf looks like. I went to Canada before!"

"Gattina. It's not a maple leaf. It's cannabis."

"Cannibal?"

I want to laugh at the same time that I want to spank her ass raw. "Marijuana. You ate a marijuana chocolate lollipop."

Her eyes widened, and her jaw went slack. Then she gasped loudly and covered her mouth. "Oh no. I don't do drugs!" Her eyes filled with tears again. "I'm going to jail!"

I couldn't stop myself from laughing anymore. The situation was so hilarious, and the woman in my arms is so fucking adorable for her own good.

"Why are you laughing at me? You're happy that I'm going to jail? I... I thought we had something. I thought you liked me. I mean... you like kissing me, hugging me, touching me, and..." She pointed downwards, and my highly inappropriate cock twitched when I understood what she meant. "And you know."

"I do like eating your sweet pussy, gattina."

Her cheeks flush. "Are you going to do it now?" Before I could answer, she shook her head as if she's trying to force herself to focus. "No! I'm going to jail, and Mufasa is going to die!"

For a moment, I thought she forgot about her furry friend. "You're not going to jail. Have you forgotten who I am?"

"Oh!" She clapped her hands together. "You're a mafia boss!"

She really loved that term. I understand since the one we prefer calling ourselves could be a mouthful. "That's right. So you won't go to jail. I'll slice the necks of those who will try to put you there."

"Aww!"

Fuck. How is she making me hard even though I want to bust a gut by laughing?

"But what about Mufasa?" She looked worriedly at the TV. "He fell so hard. What if he died? Who will protect, Simba?"

Fortunately, it was the moment that Lorenzo chose to arrive with Adriano. They look on alert, as if prepared for whatever is waiting for them. I don't think they'll be prepared for this one in particular.

"You called, capo?" Lorenzo asked in Italian.

"Carry the TV out."

He and Adriano shared a look, but they nodded. They went to the huge TV and removed it from the wall bracket.

"What are they doing?" Haven asked worriedly.

"They're taking Mufasa to the doctors." I glanced at my two men, who looked stupefied. "Right, Lorenzo?"

"Uhh... yes?" he said, his words coming out as a question.

Haven clutched her chest. "But... but he's a lion."

"We're... uhh... taking the TV—" Adriano winced when Lorenzo elbowed him. "We're taking it to the animal doctor."

"A veterinarian," Lorenzo corrected.

I lifted my chin to the men who were both grinning. They quickly took the television out of the room.

"Oh, that's good! He'll be okay then?" Haven looked at me with a hopeful expression. "He won't die? He fell pretty badly."

I tuck her hair behind her ears. "Don't worry, gattina. Everything will be okay. For now, how about I put you to bed?"

"I don't want to be alone. If I'm alone, I might fall asleep, and I wouldn't know what will happen to Mufasa."

"Then I'll stay with you. I'll wake you up when there's news."

"Really?" When I nodded, she beamed. "You're the best!" She looked around us as if she's afraid that someone will head. "Can we do that thing first?"

"What thing?"

Instead of answering me, she bit her lower lip and moved her hips. Since she's sitting on my lap, my cock responded in a second. She doesn't even need to do anything. When she's around, it feels like I'm always half-hard.

"Tomorrow, gattina."

She pouted. "Why not now?"

I nipped her lower lip. "You'll know tomorrow."