Chapter 9

Like having someone bleeding with a bullet wound is a normal Friday night.

And they called Landon Boss, but then again I called my manager boss some times.

Or maybe when I said it was like a gangster movie I shouldn’t have been joking?

What have I gotten myself into?

I’m normally so astute, yet I was so busy enjoying my time with a hot body that I missed every red flag that was practically hitting me in the face!

I was pulled out of my thoughts by Leo putting his hand on mine and squeezing it. I looked into his eyes, giving him a reassuring smile.

“So big night?” I tried to joke with him.

“Amore, I will get you to take your hand off now” Landon kissed me on the head as I slowly moved. Leo grabbed my hand properly now that I wasn’t putting pressure on the wound, so I walked around to the other side and held onto him tight.

Leo turned his head towards me and closed his eyes. I looked up at Landon, who was watching everything with warmth in his eyes. He quickly moved the tea towel and cleaned the wound before stitching it up as well. Once again, he did it with precision like it was second nature, like he had full medical training.

Maybe that’s it! Maybe he has just had medical training? Yeah good one Kate!

Leo held my hand tightly. I stroked the back of his hand to reassure him.

Is Landon the boss of some type of Mafia?

Am I in danger?

Would he ever hurt me? He said he wouldn’t and was always so tender with me, but how long until that changed?

And why would he be interested in a square like me?

My parents would freak if they found out I had anything to do with organised crime, let alone the boss. Oh and Uncle John! Being a Cop, he would absolutely flip his lid! The amount of conversations we had over the years about the dangers of drugs and hanging out with the wrong people.

I think I am kind of in a room full of the wrong people. What have I gotten myself into?

With my mind and imagination running away, Leo had sat up and Landon had just finished stitching up his back wound. All the while, I kept Leo’s hand in mine, letting him squeeze the life out of it and giving him a reassuring smiles when he opened his eyes.

“Go have a shower, then we will wipe them down again and cover them. Lou grab some of my clothes for him. Someone clean this s**t up”. Landon ordered everyone around as they helped Leo off the desk.

As soon as he was up, Louie helped Leo walk to the guest room as Landon appeared in front of me. “Let’s go and have a shower as well, then we will talk. Remember Amore, you are safe and no one will ever hurt you!”

Yeah, that pretty much just confirmed my suspicions.

I let him lead me into our bathroom, his eyes watching my every movement, every facial expression. He slowly undressed me, giving me soft k****s as he went, then undressed himself and turned the shower on. We didn’t say anything as he washed us both. I watched as the red water went down the drain mixed with soap suds.

Is that a sight I will have to get used to?

Landon dressed us both as I seemed to be in a daze. He dressed me in one of his T’shirts with my P’J shorts as he dressed in boxers and a T’shirt.

It had certainly been a big Friday night!

He led me to the bed and sat down beside me. Taking my hands in his, “I really didn’t want you to see any of this.”

I took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. “Who are you?”

“Remember I will never hurt you. No one will ever hurt you!” he looked almost scared but still determined.

“Are you the boss of the Mafia?” he searched my face, his eyes searching mine looking deep into my soul before he finally nodded.

My mind went blank. Oh f**k!

His hand came up and cupped my cheek, his thumb rubbing gently up and down. I didn’t pull away, I didn’t want to pull away. I wanted to lean into his hand. I wanted him to say it was a joke and then make love to me.

“I…” didn’t know how to react or what to say.

“You are already my everything! I never knew what I needed until I met you. I didn’t know that I needed someone kind, loving and honest that would be the light to my dark.” He took a breath without breaking eye contact. “I know it will be an adjustment and I will do everything I can to keep it all away from you, but I’m not letting you go. I wanted to wait until I knew you wouldn’t try to leave, but I should have known better. But you were perfect! You took charge and were f*****g perfect”. I just stared at him as he kissed my forehead.

There was a knock at the door.

“What?” Landon called, but not too loud and not breaking eye contact with me.

The door opened to Louie. He looked at me with pity and spoke to Landon in Italian, of course!

The moment Louie started talking Landon’s jaw clenched and his eyes went cold. He nodded once Louie had finished talking and quickly walked out, closing the door behind him.

Landon turned back to me, his expression going back to that of adoration, but there was an edge to it now. “Amore, I don’t want to leave you right now, but I have to. Try and get some rest and I will be back as quickly as I can. The guards have been doubled and Leo will be here. You are safe, just rest and don’t try to leave please. I need to know you’re safe. Promise me” he stared at me until I finally nodded my head. He quickly pecked my lips “Good. I will be back as quickly as I can.” He got up and got changed back into another suit.

I just sat there and stared at the door to the walk-in robe, my mind still blank trying to process everything.

He walked back out finding me in exactly the same spot. “Come, let’s put you to bed. Do you need a sleeping pill?” I let him pull me up, pull the covers back and help me into bed.

“No, I don’t like taking anything unless I absolutely have to.”

“No, I don’t like taking anything unless I absolutely have to.”

“Of course not! So f*****g perfect! Try and sleep, I will be back soon”. He kissed my forehead and quickly walked out.

I lay there for a long time staring at the lights of the city, I didn’t even close the curtains, my mind and body just not working.

I was dating the head of the Italian Mafia, so it would seem. How the hell did that happen?

I nearly jumped when I heard the light knock on the door.

“Come in” I croaked, so even my vocal cords were in shock.

Leo gently opened the door, blinding me with the lights of the hallway. “s**t sorry. Alexa lights off in the hallway.” His gruff voice whisper yelled with his accent.

I really couldn’t complain about being around that accent all the time.

I opened my eyes again. I reached over and turned on the lamp.

“Are you ok?” My mouth blurted out as he walked in with only a bit of a limp but other than that, he looked like nothing had happened.

He chuckled, it sounded a little like Landon’s, which surprised me. “I was going to ask you the same thing. Do you want some water or something to eat?” I shook my head. “Do you mind if I have a seat?” he motioned for the bed.

“No please”, I sat up and moved back against the bedhead.

“I am so sorry you had to find out like this.”

I just nodded my head at him. “Did any of your… did you lose anyone?”

“Yeah we lost 2. Great men too.”

“What will happen to them?”

“We will fly them home and give them a proper burial.”

“Do they have families?”

“Yeah Mike does. His kid is only 3 or something.”

“Will they be looked after?” he looked at me confused. “Will the family get a payout or something to look after them now that he is gone?”

He smiled at me. “Yeah, Ma always makes sure the family are well looked after.”

“Good”. I looked down at my hands. What else could I really say? It was really none of my business. I can’t believe my mouth ran away and asked all that!

“We look after our own, you know.”

All I could do was nod.

“Ah well, I should let you sleep. I just wanted to say thanks again, you know for… being there for me”

“Of course. Are you in pain? Do you need me to get you something?”

“Nah I’m good, thank you! Try not to think too much about it all, OK?”

“Is Landon going to be OK?”

He laughed “yeah that man is pretty much bullet proof” what?? “Sorry. That wasn’t the right thing to say, was it? Sorry!”

I let out a little chuckle and shrugged.

“I’ll let you sleep now. If you need anything, just let me know. You’re family now.” and he walked out letting my brain process that.

I am now family.

Am I now technically part of the Mafia?

I must have fallen asleep at some stage because I woke up wrapped in Landon’s arms, our legs intertwined. I lay there for a bit before my bladder said I desperately needed to get up.

I was enjoying the peace before all the hard questions and big talk that was going to have to happen today.

I tried to untangle myself but he pulled me closer and held on tighter.

“Mr Cling Wrap, I need to pee.”

He opened one eye “then you’re coming right back.” His thick sleepy voice was so hot!

“If you say please, I might think about it.”

He smiled “Please”, then let me go.

I went and did my business and also brushed my teeth. They felt disgusting! I think I forgot to brush them last night with everything that happened.

I walked back out to find Landon sprawled out on his stomach snoring his head off.

I stood there admiring him.

He really was stunning!

Every muscle in his back and shoulders were sculpted art. So defined and so lickable!

I looked at the rose again, picking up my necklace. They were almost identical, but then again, most full bloom roses are.

I looked on the back and was surprised to see the initials LR. I would have to ask about that later.

I was still exhausted from yesterday, so I hopped back in the limited space that was left. For a king-sized bed, he certainly made it feel more like a single.

I fell asleep again before my brain started back up again, thankfully.

We woke up to a knock on the door. Somehow, I was completely entangled in Landon’s arms and legs again.

“What” Landon grumbled from somewhere in my hair. I’m surprised he didn’t suffocate!

“Lunch is ready, love birds,” Leo yelled out without opening the door. “I will be back in 10 minutes if I don’t hear or see anyone.”

“He will too”, Landon grumbled, making me laugh. He moved me around so I was facing him.

“Are you alright? I can tell him to go away?”

“I’m ok. We just need to talk about a lot of things later.”

“Yes we do Amore. Do you want to take a shower first?”

I just nodded as it might help clear the sleep fog ready to deal with the day. It was a Saturday so we had the whole day to work out the plan before we got on the plane tomorrow.

LANDON POV

I watched the gorgeous a*s walk to the bathroom still feeling like s**t. The pep in her step was still gone, the twinkle in her eyes gone and the warmth in her laugh gone.

f**k!

I will get it back though! It will be my mission to get it back!

Last night was so f*****g f****d up with one thing after the other.

First the w***e, second Leo being shot and turning up here! She hadn’t even recovered from the first thing when she was thrown head first into our hole. And now she knows! But the way she handled it and looked after him blew even me away!

Thirdly, I had to then leave her and deal with the fuckers who ambushed Leo. There was no way they were getting away with it! My men did well finding them so quickly!

And I know there will be a fourth thing when she sees my hands. There was no way I was standing back when they shot my brother and killed 2 of my men!

I cleaned my hands up as best I could before I went to bed last night and gave my clothes to Lou to destroy quickly.

I got out of bed reading my messages and went to go see Leo. It wasn’t his fault all this went down and I want to make sure he knows. I would never blame him for this s**t.

I walked out to find the dining table full with Leo and Lou sitting on the couches waiting.

Leo looked up. “How is she?”

“In her head.”

He shook his head “I’m so…”

“Don’t! You did nothing wrong. We got’em last night.”

“Yeah Lou told me. After you left, I went and spoke to her to check up on her.”

Anyone else other than him and Lou and I would have ripped their balls off right now “And?”

“She was more worried about me and the guys. I was honest and told her we lost Mike and Zig. She asked if they had families and if we will now look after the families”. He looked up shaking his head. He now got it, he knew why she was mine, why she was perfect! “Don’t f**k this up or I’ll kick your a*s and chase her myself!”

“You won’t get a f*****g chance!”

“I saw the necklace too. Good idea! Also, word got back to Ma. I think she has already sent the invites out for your wedding.”

f*****g great, I should have seen that coming. She hears everything, knows everything.

“I hope you warned her to back off for the moment.”

“Hell no, that’s your fight. I warned her how gentle Kate is though and how she is going to have to calm herself.”

We all laughed, shaking our heads. There was no way that was going to happen, she would be demanding grandchildren by Wednesday!

I let out a big sigh as I scratched the back of my neck. I now had issue number five, keeping my mother at bay until Kate was ready for that tornado!

Don’t get me wrong, my Ma was amazing. She was almost equal head with my dad for all those years.

She is loved by everyone who knows her and feared by everyone outside of her close circle. She’s always packing and could take down any of my best men.

Everyone trusted, instantly becomes family. She will shower them with love and smack them over the head with a wooden spoon if they step out of place like her own children. Break her trust though, and you will have a bullet in your head.

I know she will adore Kate although she will also worry about if she is strong enough. I know Kate is though and she will trust my judgement.

“I’ll call her later. You good this morning?”

“Yeah, not bad only the leg is annoying. Will there be any more clean up needed?”

“Nah, Marcus has it.”

“I’ll wait a couple of days, then head home then.”

I nodded “We are heading to Melbourne tomorrow anyway for 4 weeks, so best if you head back.”

“4 weeks?”

“Kate has to give notice to her work. I know she won’t break her contract and just get on a plane. I need to go at her pace.”

“And prepare her for Ma!”

“So I have to deal with a mamma’s boy as well?” her beautiful voice filled the room. She had a big smile on her face but it still didn’t reach her eyes.

“Yep”, both Lou and Leo laughed together.

“Don’t worry, I will just tell her Leo wants her to set him up.”

“Don’t you f*****g dare!” I knew that would rile him up. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the death stare he was giving me.

“Language!” Lou reminded him.

“Sorry Kate!” In just over 12 hours, Kate had him under her spell as well.

She laughed at him. “Are we going to eat or is the food for decoration?”

“That’s my sister-in-law!” Leo jumped up and almost sprinted to the food, almost forgetting his leg until it reminded him and he hissed in pain.

f**k!

Kate suddenly had a faraway look on her face, going back into her head with just one f*****g comment. I could have f*****g punched him on one of his wounds!

I walked over cupping her cheeks in my hands. I slowly brought her face up to mine. “Ignore the i***t. He probably forgot your name. He has a condition where he forgets every woman’s name except his mother and sisters”. This made her smile and come back to me.

“I do not!”

“Weren’t you like banging some chick for over a month and you still couldn’t remember her name?”

“All lies, it was Lydia!”

“You mean Linda?”

He stopped piling his plate for a second to look at me. “You sure?”

“So is that going to be one of my jobs, to help him remember his flavour of the minute’s name?” she laughed as I helped her into her chair.

I was seated at the head as always, with her beside me on the right, Leo on my left and Lou next to Kate as per protector. He has already offered to do the job, which I wasn’t surprised about.

“You would go insane after a week”, Lou piped in with his mouth full.

Kate was slowly putting little scraps of food on her plate. Everyone pretended they didn’t notice.

“How are you feeling Leo?” she looked at him with concern. She has the biggest f*****g heart!

“Good as new thanks to my nurse” he winked at her, making me narrow my eyes at him, but I stopped as she chuckled gently shaking her head.

I couldn’t stop my hand as it reached over grabbing for hers squeezing it. She instantly saw my knuckles and looked at me. The worry in her eyes stopped my heart instantly.

“You OK?” she whispered as she inspected them.

I lifted my hand to hold her chin and make her look at me. “The question is, are you OK?”