Chapter 10

Landon POV

She took a deep breath “it’s all a lot to process for a one night stand.” She stared through my eyes into my soul. This f*****g woman I would walk through hell for her already!

I didn’t believe all that bullshit of when you know you know, and thought I would just end up with a woman that didn’t piss me off too much just to have kids and shut Ma up.

Kate changed all that!

I couldn’t help the chuckle, yeah one night and I was hooked. “Best one ever. Remember you’re not alone. Did you want me to see if one of the wives who has been through this, talk to you to help?”

She thought about it. “Maybe later, I am just wrapping my brain around it first. Will my family ever be in danger?”

Always thinking of others! I need to watch that as she would probably take a bullet for someone as well. NOT HAPPENING! “No! I will make sure of it!”

“What about if you get angry or don’t want me anymore?”

Still have to kill that fucker who made her this self-conscious “NEVER! And I will swear on my family’s graves. Never will I ever not want you or ever threaten your family. We believe whole heartedly in family. I will do everything to protect them from danger as well. I promise!” she nodded and took another deep breath.

“Do I have a say in my life any more?” f**k! She really has been over thinking this, or thinking it through. I haven’t given her a choice, but she is going to have to get over that.

“Your life will be a little more… restricted, yes. You just need to remember your safety is paramount! You will have at least 2 guards with you at all times but you will get used to it and if you ever feel uncomfortable with any guard, I will change them straight away.”

“You wouldn’t kill them, would you?”

Probably, “Not if they didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Does anyone get hurt like last night often?”

“No. Not normally.” That I am going to admit to.

“Leo said the men who passed, their families will be looked after properly?”

“Yes! They gave their lives to protect Leo. Their families will always be under our protection and will still receive pay” she nodded. You could see through her eyes that she was thinking everything over.

I looked up to Lou and Leo, who were watching her every movement as well, concern in their eyes. Their plates now untouched since we started talking and, for Lou that never f*****g happens!

“Will I have to move to Italy?”

“Yes, only after you finish your job. I will do everything to make you comfortable and ready. We can even go and visit before the move if that helps”, a small smile of appreciation spread on her lips.

“Warning, I am crap at learning languages and I need to check my passport isn’t out of date.” she looked up at me smiling more. It didn’t touch her eyes yet but she was trying. She was trying for me.

“Lou’s Italian is crap and he has been speaking it since birth”, Leo chimed in making her laugh.

“Most speak English but I will get you, not Lou, a translator if you want. There is no hurry. Only when you’re ready to learn it. I will take care of the passport.”

“How will I tell if you’re swearing at me though?” there is my Tesoro!

“Oh. I will teach you all the swear words no problem” Lou had a massive grin on his face. “First will be…”

“No, no it won’t! Always check with me what he is teaching you”. I stroked her cheek.

“Oh don’t worry, I will be checking with everyone” she poked her tongue out at Lou. I know she is making jokes to lighten the situation. If it helps her, she can do it all day, every day for all I care. I wouldn’t normally have the patience for this kind of thing, but for her I would put up with the dumbest comedian.

Old me once wondered if people who did that were weak, but once again she is making me grow. I see the reason now and if anyone ever called her weak they will eat a bullet.

KATE POV

OK, so they said my family isn’t in danger, and I believe him, but should I? I have already worked out Landon’s tell signs when he is twisting the truth or lying, not that I would tell him, but have I really?

I have to move to Italy and live on a big estate with his family, but in a separate home. I just have to remind myself it’s like how I grew up. We lived in a house at the edge of the farm.

His patched up knuckles worried me though. Was he doing everything he could until last night to keep them clean? Are the bloody knuckles a normal thing?

Has he been shot? I haven’t seen anything that looks like a scar for a bullet wound.

What happened to his dad? Or maybe that is for another time.

“Hey!” Lou mocked hurt at my comment about not trusting anything he taught me. It was half true though. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did try and teach me the wrong words every now and then. I can see a cheekiness in him that he only shows to those closest to him.

I took a deep breath as this next question is the one eating me from the inside. “Do you really think I would survive even a week in your world? I can’t even play poker. I’m that bad a liar. How do I know I won’t have my throat slit or a bullet in my head for saying the wrong thing when I have the worst foot in mouth disease?”

“No one would dare f*****g touch you. Do you hear me? No one!” he looked me dead in the eye. His jaw clenched.

“But I constantly say the wrong thing, I would somehow start a war or some other issue then. I’m just the wrong person for you”, the relief of finally saying the fear out loud. And his interruption and anger didn’t help. It proved me right!

Landon leaned over, grabbing my chin gently but firmly. “Look at me. You never give yourself enough credit and that will change. You are already observant and proven to be good in a crisis situation. We all say the wrong thing and I fix it. That’s my job. You are mine and no one will dare mess with me.”

Landon leaned over, grabbing my chin gently but firmly. “Look at me. You never give yourself enough credit and that will change. You are already observant and proven to be good in a crisis situation. We all say the wrong thing and I fix it. That’s my job. You are mine and no one will dare mess with me.”

“Also, Kate times are changing. We need to change with it and support the people of Italy as much as well. We need someone with a heart and brain to guide us. Ma is currently the heart but with a knife in her hand. We need someone who can see where help is needed.” Leo sat back as he talked.

“That doesn’t sound very gangster, but isn’t that just recruiting making them feel like they owe you?” I can’t help but blurt out. The idea that they think I would be perfect for the Mafia is because I have a kind heart is mind boggling!

“This is not the movies!” Leo took a quick sip of his drink. “They owe us nothing and are never tied to us and we do tell them that. Italy is our home. You cherish your home even if we have been known to rule it with an iron fist.”

“It will never be asked or expected of you to manipulate others to do our bidding. You will only ever have dealings with the… legal side of things. The side you are perfect for.” Landon cut in.

I just took a deep breath and stared at him as my mind seriously went into overdrive again. There was no way I could ethically and consciously have anything to do with drugs, guns or hurting people. I couldn’t live with myself or sleep at night. But could I sleep with a man who was? Even though I already was…

“You are what the organisation has needed for a while now. Ma has tried but…”

“The knife in her hand?”

“Or a wooden spoon, that thing hurts!” Lou winced, probably from a memory, as both Leo and Landon chuckled.

“Everyone you will deal with will be of no threat and it won’t matter what you say to them. I don’t think you would even know how to insult anyone?” Leo chuckled at his own comment.

“Oh you have no idea!” I rolled my eyes at many bad memories of my foot in mouth!

I once accidently told a woman about her fiance’s past fiancé without knowing! Turns out he hadn’t told her the full story of his ex. They nearly broke up that night because of my big mouth!

“And you will never be left alone anyway. I said I would be by your side and protect you and I mean it!”

I am looking into Landon’s eyes again and I can see he is telling me the truth. He whole heartedly believes that… I am what they need and somehow won’t be a weakness. He seems to think that this will work.

“Well, what about religion? Aren’t you guys super religious? I’m not the biggest fan of the church or religion.”

Leo looked up as they all had shocked faces. “How come?”

I shrugged “Most wars and issues in the world are caused by religion. Who’s god is superior. It’s just ego bullshit in my eyes. Sorry, I don’t mean to offend.”

“What do you believe in?” It was Landon’s turn to ask.

“Nature, science, more tangible things.” I shrugged.

Landon for some reason, had a full-on smile.

“What?”

“Always a surprise” he shook his head. “It’s fine just be warned that you will have some old fools try to convert you.”

“Can I order to have them shot in the leg if they start to annoy me?” they all laughed with Louie nearly choking on some food.

“And you say religion brings about violence”, Leo joked.

“Well, having them shot in the leg because of religion counts” I smiled back.

“It will depend on who it is.” He says nonchalantly like I asked if the weather was nice there. “Now you need to eat more. We have a big day of sightseeing”, Landon laughs, shaking his head while putting more food on my plate. He knows there is no way I would ever ask for someone to be shot, but he seems to be enjoying me joking about it.

“We do?” Oh hell yes!! I have never been able to do that as I was always working when I came to Sydney!

He nods and winks at me, making me smile properly.

All the big questions are out, now just for the nitty gritty. Well, I suppose not all big questions but the main ones weighing on my mind.

I still can’t see how this is going to work, but that’s future me’s problem.

I am just going to enjoy myself for the moment and who knows, he will probably be bored with me by the end of the 4 weeks and I just need to find another job. May not even take that long, which brings about an ache in my heart, but I will ignore it for now.

Right now I am going to enjoy myself and pretend I am walking into the world of darkness.

After breakfast, we leave pretty quickly since the day is half gone.

To say I was surprised by going to the aquarium is an understatement!

The head of the Italian Mafia wanted to go to an Aquarium! I loved the idea but couldn’t help the small laugh that came out when we pulled up.

“You truly are full of surprises hot stuff” I gave him a quick k**s as I got out of the car. The smile I got in return would make any woman weak at the knees.

He shook his head and led us through a private door. Of course we had a private tour, even getting to go behind the scenes and find out about all their programs. It was amazing!

I held on to his hand and dragged him around like a 10 year old kid having the time of their life. Everyone just continued to laugh at me but I didn’t care. They were all having a good time as well, which I loved.

After that, we went and did a tour of the famous Opera House. I had to do a school project on it years ago, so knew all its history, making it all the more interesting seeing it up close.

As we pulled into the harbour docks, I got excited about sitting down for a bit as well as getting out on a cruise. What I didn’t expect was the massive yacht we boarded.

It was beyond beautiful with its white and timber interior. I only ever expected to see the inside of a yacht from TV and movies.

All 12 of us packed onto the boat because only a couple of guards weren’t enough.

Just like in the movies, we were greeted by immaculately dressed gorgeous women with a selection of drinks on platters. The guards ignored them, with some doing what I guess is checks of everything and only 3 remaining with us but standing back.

It wasn’t half obvious the crew’s dreamy stares at the guys. Leo, of course, got his flirt on within seconds of stepping on the boat, Louie was taking it slow but you could see he already had one of stewardesses in his sights.

Landon held onto me tight and ignored them all, making me feel secure. I couldn’t help but keep checking if he was looking at any, my nerves still getting the best of me.

Every time he caught me he would smile and k**s me.

We were shown to some couches on a back deck area that was covered but open to the beautiful weather. Landon made sure to snuggle me into his side with his arm around me.

It didn’t take long before the nibble food was brought out. I couldn’t help but gorge myself, it was divine!

We then sailed around the harbour and along the coast, having tea on the yacht as well. Of course the food did not disappoint, so who was I to complain?

And yes, both Leo and Louie disappeared at different intervals with some stewardesses and came back trying to act all calm. I just shook my head and rolled my eyes at them. As long as everyone is a consenting adult, I don’t judge.

I excused myself to go to the bathroom but Landon wasn’t having any of it and said he would show me. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to try and sneak into a room and test one out like the others, but no.

“You go and I will wait out here.”

“OK”. I quickly pecked him on the lips and went and did my business.

I came out to him sitting on the bed. He smiled up at me, “Wait here” he said, before quickly going to the toilet as well.

“Too scared to let me out of your sight, huh?” I asked when he came out, as I didn’t miss how his eyes quickly scanned for me.

He simply smiled and kissed me hard. Just as I started to lose myself to his soft lips, he pulled away winking and leading me back to the deck.

We watched the sun set over the water, me still cuddled into Landon’s side. It was magical! I felt so at home and so adored.

The whole day he had done nothing but touch me, hold me, check up on me, make sure I had eaten enough, drank enough, was having a good time. It truly did make all my worries melt away as I didn’t want it to end.

Not that long after the sun went down we docked thanking everyone for the great afternoon.

It had been the best day of my life and I was fine with it finishing there, but no. The next surprise was a private tour of the Zoo.

I had heard of twilight zoo tours and I had always wanted to go on one.

It was amazing how many animals were awake and more active. Of course, all the predators were awake and extremely active, but the others were a big surprise.

Every time we stopped and the tour guide told us stories as we watched the animals, Landon would pull me back hard against his chest, wrapping his arms around me and k**s the top of my head.

Leo and Louie were so proud when we caught a few of the animals mating. They couldn’t help but hoop and holler and encourage them to “go for it”. The poor guide just blushed, poor woman!

I was surprised that Leo was able to walk around so much with his bullet wound. I nearly forgot about it a couple of times. How often has he been shot where he doesn’t even notice it?

OK, I have to stop thinking about that as the zoo was the perfect end to a perfect day.

We finally got back to the suite just after 1.

“Would you like a bath or shower Amore?”

“Shower will be quicker” I yawned, making him chuckle and drag me into the bathroom.

He undressed us both, slapping my hands away every time I tried to do it. I gave up and rolled my eyes at him.

He then proceeded to wash us both.

“Aren’t you like the head of the Mafia? I can wash myself, you know” I mock pouted.

“A King should always know how to look after his Queen” he winked at me.

“Yeah, until he thinks he has her under the thumb, then he will ignore her like every other husband.”

“Husband huh?” He stood up abruptly from washing my legs and looked me in the eye. You couldn’t miss the spark of mischief.

“No! Figure of speech Mr 5 days! Why am I the one with commitment issues here?”

“Maybe getting married would help you get over those issues?” he kissed all over my face.

I playfully pushed him away. “Maybe not talking about marriage until well into a relationship would help me with those issues.”

He shrugged, bending down to finish washing my other leg. “You started it…”

“And I’m finishing it” he chuckled at me.

Seriously, I have to shut my mouth and be careful what I say around him! That nearly made me have a heart attack and try to run through the wall. Marriage after 5 days! Moving in with him and quitting my job for him was already well beyond my comfort zone.