For ten days I've been giving Elio a wide berth... well, more like avoiding him like the bloody plague, but that's just semantics, the unimportant detail.

Elio tried to talk to me later that day, but I pretended I was in the shower, very mature. Exactly how a twenty-six-year-old woman, who is a prosecutor, would behave.

I groan and hug my knees to myself, tilting my head back and squeezing my eyes shut as the warm sunlight splays its rays on me. A gentle spring breeze caresses my skin and moves through my open hair.

Elio and Marco found out who those two men at the nightclub were. Turns out, they were Belov's men. If I had gone to them, I wouldn't be alive right now.

Also, Elio began digging up dirt from Esposito's business, handing the information to Marco, and he gave it to me. It occupied my days with preparing a case to present to the court to send one of Esposito's higher-ranked men behind bars.

I wrapped it up last night, leaving nothing else for me to do now. Elio, Marco, and probably Pietro are going over the documents with their lawyer to ensure whatever I've put together won't harm them.

I'm once again left with nothing to do. It gives my brain the opportunity to run wild with thoughts that shouldn't be crossing ten miles radius of my mind.

Whatever the hell going on between Elio and me, is nowhere near a romantic relationship, however, it's out of my control, and the general lack of knowledge of what the fuck is going on will definitely bite me in the ass.

Warily, I think of my last boyfriend, four years ago... maybe not being with anyone for over four years is causing this?

Ugh, I don't have the slightest clue how to handle this growing... tension between Elio and me. Each time we thread close to crossing the very prominent red line separating us, we're taking a tremendous risk, yet it hasn't stopped us. It is beyond concerning. We must do something about it... but what?

A dull knock on the glass snaps me out of my thoughts. Marco steps out on the balcony.

"Hourr lawyerrs arre imprresseda." He doesn't slide the door shut and stops next to the table, drumming his hands on the surface.

"Am I supposed to be surprised, or is that a backhanded compliment?"

Marco grins at me and pushes a strand of his hair away from his forehead.

Seeing his smile reminds me of the plan I've been considering ever since I spoke with Elio. I have no idea how to win over Pietro, except acting as the matchmaker for Marco and him. Surely that'll soften him towards me and make things easier Elio.

But I need Elio's help and I can't receive it if I'm avoiding him.

"Gianni his een LA, do you know hany prrosecutorrs in LA?"

I frown and scratch my forehead. "No, not really. I don't even know the state law. If you guys want to capture him right there, I think I need to make changes."

Marco furrows his brows as he considers my words.

"Or maybe..." I start, but my voice trails down. I can ask for Ruby's help, though I don't want to get her in trouble.

"What?"

"Nothing," I mumble and look away. The garden before me is breathtaking. The flowers planted in patches around the area are vibrant and mesmerizing. I gaze at them, sensing Marco's eyes boring into me.

"We won't 'urt yourr frienda," he says after a while.

"You and Elio won't, but what about the others? I can't put my friend's life at risk."

He sighs. "So, what to do?"

I lift my shoulders.

"Maybe we cana do something to nota let anyone find hout yourr frrienda 'ad a hand een ita," he suggests.

I nibble my bottom lip as I evaluate his words. "It might work."

"Come." He grabs my hand and forces me to stand up.

I stretch my arms over my head as I follow him into the room and tie my hair up in a ponytail. "Where are we going?"

"Elio's rooma."

I freeze a step past the door frame. "Uh... I just remembered," I begin, fumbling for a random excuse. What can I possibly come up with to be reasonable? Dammit.

I retreat a step as Marco turns to me, and I point with my index finger back at the room. "I-I have a terrible headache and I really need to sleep, so yeah, tell me what you guys end up doing."

Amused, Marco echoes, "Sleepa?"

"Yeah, you know, where you get on the bed, under the covers, get all cozy, and close your eyes... we call that sleep, well sort of," I blabber, ignoring him shaking in silent laughter.

He clears his throat multiple times to drown out his laughter before saying, "You 'ave to come."

Holding my chin up, I fire back, "You can't take me against my will." And a beat later realize he very much can.

I curse under my breath. Every fucking odd has been against me for far too long. Even though I hate this state of being out of control and powerless again, it doesn't give off the threatening sense it used to have while I lived with my dad.

Reluctantly, I move to him as he waves at the bodyguards still present at my door.

The best personal problem-solving method I've been using ever since I hit adulthood is running away. Just like I ran away from Dad's house, or how I locked out my ex-boyfriend the second I felt he was being unfaithful to me instead of confronting him.

It's easier than solving the problem and significantly less time-consuming. The only complication at the moment is I cannot run away from Elio. I'm stuck and now I have to face him.

Marco, the dumbass, keeps grinning like an idiot on my side as we head straight to Elio's office.

"Is Slava there too?"

"No, she lefta."

My eyes widen as we descend the stairs. "What do you mean she left?"

"She went to Mosco to relaxa."

How pissed was she, that she had to leave? Or maybe Elio sent her away?

Silently we climb the stairs. My pace slows down the closer we get to Elio's study until Marco has to beckon me every five seconds to move.

We reach the room and he knocks once and lets himself in.

Gingerly, I follow. Elio is sitting behind his desk and Pietro is perched on the black armchair, the one with its back facing the library.

My gaze flickers to Elio, and I decide I'm going to pretend nothing was about to happen between us ten days ago, in this very room.

I close the door and reach the middle of the room when Elio speaks.

"I was thinking maybe your friend could help us." He leans back and fixes his gaze on me. His chestnut eyes hold an odd gleam as he tilts his head slightly to the side like he has much more to say, but he's refraining.

Twirling a pen around his fingers, he glances at Pietro before turning to me. "We've worked out the details to make sure nothing would happen to her, and she stays safe."

"Are you sure?"

"Hi perrsonally 'andled eeta," Pietro mutters.

"Quando l'hai fatto?" Marco asks with a frown as he sits across from him. [When did you do this?]

I awkwardly stand across Elio, a few paces behind the loveseat.

"Ever since she's been working on the case," Elio answers instead, never moving his eyes from me.

"E perché nessuno di voi me lo ha detto?" Marco's tone grows bitter, as though he's complaining. [And why didn't any of you tell me?]

Elio shrugs, planting his right elbow on the armrest of his chair, showing off his tattoo of the anchor with a snake draped around it, as he continues twirling the pen. "What do you say, Cerise? Do you think your friend can do it?"

I chew my bottom lip for a second, contemplating. "If something happens to her, I'll kill all three of you."

A corner of his mouth twitches upwards. "Sure."

"Hit's safe," Pietro grumbles and I shoot him a glare and instantly regret it. I'm supposed to mend things, not throw fuel to the flame.

With a sharp inhale, I push my shoulders back and fix my focus on Elio, shoving aside the memory of ten days ago threatening to come forth. "What's your plan?"

"You call her, tell her the thing she needs to do to get the case on trial, and we'll deliver the file by tonight."

I nod and wring my fingers at my sides. "You sure she'll be safe?"

"Positive."

I gulp; with hesitant strides, I move around the loveseat.

Elio sets the pen aside and picks up a phone. "The call has to be on speakers, and don't tell her you're not alone."

With another deep breath to calm my nervous heartbeat, I plant myself next to him and grab the phone.

I glance at the monitor. The screen is dark blue, half of it is covered with a map, and the other half is showing a list of words scripted in Italian or maybe even code phrases. Either way, they're incoherent to me. I shake my head and enter Ruby's number.

Before pressing the call, I turn to Elio. "Can't your men hand it over to a prosecutor where Gianni is?"

"No," he simply replies. "Because Enzo will find out it was my men handing over the information."

"And what about Ruby?"

"No one will even think about considering her. She's not associated with us in any way as far as everyone's knowledge in Cosa Nostra extends."

I tap my finger on the edge of the phone as I sternly look down at him. "If something-"

"Nothing will happen to her," he interjects.

I purse my mouth and glare at him.

"It's the easiest and fastest way. Don't forget, Enzo is a ticking time bomb. It might cost you your life if we don't do something about him."

But I can't sacrifice Ruby's life for my own. The dead body of the judge I'd worked with flashes before my eyes. The note it had came with echoes in my mind, 'the next one will be closer to you'.

I sigh, hoping what I'm going to do won't get Ruby in trouble.

"You have five minutes before anyone gets curious and taps the call," Elio says, before interlacing his fingers.

I suck in a sharp breath and press the call button, throwing one final worried glance at Elio as I set the call on speakers.

She picks up on the third ring. "Hello?" her uncertain voice from the other end of the line makes me smile.

"Hey, Ruby, it's me, Ceri-"

"Oh my God, girl, what's up with you and calling with these shady private numbers?" She laughs. "Anyway, when are you coming back? I miss you."

A sad smile tugs at my lips as I fidget with the pendant of my necklace. "I miss you too... but Ru, I need you to do something for me."

"Sure."

"Do you know any attorneys or prosecutors from LA?"

"LA? Uh... I guess, why?"

Pietro is glowering at the back of the monitor while Marco has moved to the edge of his seat, watching me with wide eyes. I don't glance at Elio, sensing his eyes boring into the side of my face.

"I need you to give a file to an experienced prosecutor. Can you do that?"

She hums as though she's thinking. "Yeah, I have a few days off before my new case starts. What file do you want me to take?"

"You'll receive a file tonight. I need you to hand it over to a strong prosecutor. If not, then maybe an attorney or something. And tell them not to mention you under any circumstances, don't get yourself mixed with the case. I've put ways for them to mention the evidence in the court to be acceptable, so don't let them under any circumstances mention your name. Get them to sign a contract or something to ensure they don't back down from their word, it's serious."

"Okay, will do, but Cherry, in what sort of fuckery have you gotten yourself into? Tell me the truth."

I rub my forehead. "Believe me, the less you know, the better."

She groans. "We were supposed to do the fun stuff together. You've got shit ton explaining to do when you get back."

I laugh and shake my head. "Fine, I will, but I have to-"

"Wait!" she shouts and I frown. "Don't hang up! You won't believe what happened!"

"What?" I anxiously ask, my brows furrowing.

"You know, that leech stuck to Caleb is finally out of the picture. You had to see the scene she made back in the office." She titters, making me giggle along with her. "You gotta come back, girl. You won't find another opening like this for shooting your shot."

Internally, I facepalm and wish I could somehow tell her to shut up without being obvious. From the corner of my eye, I glimpse Elio's furrowed brows and narrowed eyes zoomed in on me, all the while she keeps going on.

"And I think Caleb is worried for you too, or maybe he misses you. The other day, he was asking about you. Now I don't want to get too deep and look between the lines, but it was like the sixth time he asked about you since we spoke."

"Uh, Ruby."

She ignores me and runs on, "Cherry, babe, relax. I'm going to scare off any girl who thinks about getting close to your dream man. And this time, if you don't make a move, I swear to god-"

"Okay Ru," I cut her off, nervously glancing at Elio's tightening expression and Marco's confused one. Pietro is the only person remaining indifferent.

For cleaning up the mess, in vain I try to divert their attention away from Caleb. "I think you're mistaken; I really don't know what you're talking about and I have to go-"

"Wow, what do you mean? Is that a code phrase or something? 'cause I'm not catching on," she pauses before exclaiming, "Ah, I see what you're doing. You're getting second thoughts again, you're letting the opportunity slide right past you. But nope, I ain't gonna let that happen, you hear me?"

I try interrupting her, calling her name over a dozen times, but it doesn't stop her from rambling on.

"And don't start with the bullshit that you're not his type. He cares for you, so you have literally no excuse. I can already picture you in your wedding dress with him, ah," she gushes.

"Okay, Ruby," I half shout, my cheeks growing warmer with each passing second.

Oblivious, she giggles while I run my fingertips up and down my hot cheek, paying no heed to Elio's burning scrutiny.

"Okay, okay, just kidding... not really." She laughs.

"Be careful and make sure no one sees you with the attorney you're going to give the file to. Don't let them mention your name for the case, okay? And don't go on dangerous missions."

"Chill, Ginge, someone needs to take care of you. I'm doing great, and don't worry, I'll be careful," she waits for a beat before adding with a giggle, "I'll watch out for your Caleb too, girl. You just focus on yourself and don't get killed doing whatever the hell you're doing."

I squeeze my eyes shut, cursing her in my head before replying in a surprisingly steady voice, "Thank you, Ruby, love you."

"Any time, my favorite Ginge. Love ya."

I hang up, hesitantly, placing the phone on the desk.  I observe the edge of the desk like it's the most interesting thing ever.

A long moment of silence stretches by while Elio studies me with darkened eyes, his mouth tugged downwards. Marco's head is cocked to the side as he watches me curiously.

Fuck.

Fiddling with my fingers, I mumble, "I should probably go, and write some better, detailed instructions for her."

Before I can move a muscle though, Marco questions, "Who ees Caleb?"

"Just some guy from work." I try to play it cool, lifting an indifferent shoulder.

"Cana he be usefula?" Pietro asks, rubbing his chin.

"No!" I sharply answer him and instantly regret my tone as I notice Marco's mouth twitching into a smirk, and Elio's gaze hardening.

"Harre you frriendsa?" Marco probes, a mischievous glint lighting up his hazel eyes as he keeps glancing between Elio and me.

I shake my head and retreat a step. "Not really, merely an acquaintance."

Marco nods his head in an exaggeratedly slow manner barely holding back his grin.

Indistinctly I hear Elio muttering under his breath, "Didn't sound like fucking acquaintance."

"Did you say something?" I arch an eyebrow, challenging him. He has no excuse to speak about Caleb like that, and yet he is. Stupid mafioso.

He holds my stare with a steely glare. "No. You can leave now." He scowls at me and my frown deepens.

Asshole. I roll my eyes, biting back my retort, and march past his chair and desk.

"Whata does Caleb do?" Marco's inquiry halts me on my track.

I spin to face him. "He's a prosecutor."

His eyebrows jump up with surprise. I steal a glance at Elio. It's like he's ready to break someone's skull or kick someone bloody as he clenches his jaw hard and clutches his armrest turning his knuckles white, gripping the pen in his hand so tightly it might snap any second.

"Did you grraduate togetherra?" Unaware, or not caring about the state of his capo, Marco pushes on.

I gulp and turn back to him. "No, he's two years ahead of me."

He nods again.

"So he cana be useful," Pietro says.

Whirling around, I glower at him. "I have already put one of my friends' lives in danger. I won't let you guys drag Caleb into this mess. Keep him out if you want me to work on your side."

"So he eesa yourr frienda." Marco smiles at me, an impish glint lighting up his face.

I squint at him. What is he trying to prove?

I glance at Elio's fuming form, busy glaring at his monitor.

What suddenly crawled up his ass and died?

With a huff, I walk to the door. "I don't know what you're implying, but whatever it is, just don't."

I walk out of the room, not once glancing behind me, even though I feel a set of eyes burning holes through me.

This time, I haven't done anything wrong either. It just seems Elio the asshole enjoys glaring at me. Stupid, monstrous mofioso.

❈ ☯︎ ❈

I wasn't expecting this chapter to turn out so long like I thought this part will be wrapped up in half a chapter and I could get on to the slightly more action-packed part, but oh well.

I hope it wasn't boring for you guys... Hehehe vote if you know why Elio's suddenly acting up xD or maybe comment your thoughts on it :D

Also, from now on, I'll be putting the translations in brackets after the dialogues. Hope it makes your reading experience better ^^

Thank you so much for reading this chapter ^.^

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading ♡