Holy shit. The computer screen is making my eyes hurt so badly.
Daniel, Thomas, and I were on a call, but Gianna had called Thomas to do something, and it had been like 30 minutes now, so they were probably getting freaky, so it was just Daniel and me right now.
"Hi, honey, where's Dada?" Daniel asked, to whom I am assuming is one of his kids.
Zayne was currently sick but still insisted on taking care of the kids while Daniel worked.
"Yes, you can sit on my lap, but you have to be quiet, though."
"Is that Yu or Xavier?" I asked.
"Xavier," Daniel mumbled.
"Okay, back to what we were talking about, that lady who was in the hospital who kept following you, that was Elena Rivera. She had the front desk lady at gunpoint to air all of your personal information, but she didn't think to get your credit card info or address, which was dumb. Still, she does know some of Ryder's information, but not his address either, so I don't know what her dumbass was doing," Daniel said.
"Cuss words, Daddy."
"Sorry, baby, but yeah," Daniel said, and I heard him typing.
"That's really annoying." The people you are actually supposed to trust betraying you like that (nothing against the front desk lady) is very annoying.
"She's got my email too; I forwarded you the stuff she sent me," I said.
This is the last thing I have to get done, and then I can go back to Ryder.
My boy, my sweet boy.
I smiled.
"I'm not like Matteo," I read out loud. "Xavier, cover your ears and excuse Uncle's bad words. I am not easily swayed by ugly bitches."
That fucking pissed me off, oissed me off so fucking much that she said that about Leo.
"Do you have Matteo in your house?"
"Sadly."
"Maybe let him see the part about Leo, and he can take care of Elena for us."
"I am not letting him on this."
"Fine up to you," Daniel said.
I continued reading. "I don't give a flying fuck about some ugly, weirdly built bitch. I am not going to give up all of this power to be half-ass liked by that fuck in your mansion, Dominic. I am not him; I am better."
"I know everything about you and that fat fuck, too. Yeah, I said it. I really thought you were faking it. I thought it was all a ploy for power, but you guys are really in love. Now that's crazy. I guess that makes things harder, but I will come when you least expect it, and unlike Matteo's failed kidnapping, I will kill him once I get him. I will kill everyone: that gay bitch, his husband, his two kids, his twin brother, his wife, I'll get Leo, I'll get Matteo, I'll get Isabella, and I'll get Ryder, and I will kill every last one of them. I am not going to play cat and mouse like you and Matteo always do. I am going to kill everyone around you, and there's nothing you can do to stop me," I said and finished reading the email.
"She does realize that you have a lot more power than she does, right? Especially now with Matteo on your side."
"He's not on my side."
"Whatever you say, he is in your house, and I think it's time you show her whose boss."
"I already did. I sent her the address of where she is right now, her Social Security number, her parents' addresses, and the address of her supposed "lover." AND I also signed her up for the military," I said with a smile.
"That's fucked."
"Daddy, no cuss words."
"Sorry, baby, okay, I am going to go check up on..."
A voice, which I assumed was Zayne's, interrupted. "Xavier, leave Daddy alone; he is working." He did sound a little bit nasally.
"Honey, I got him; you go to sleep; I ordered you something."
"Thank you, Daddy, but Xavier, you need to come here and get some school work done," Zayne said.
"Bye, daddy!" Xavier said with a smile.
"I'll call you later; family calls." And just like that, I heard the phone call end, and I stood up. My baby calls too.
I opened the door, and I heard laughing on the stairs.
I started to walk towards the laughter, and then I saw Matteo with his head on Ryder's shoulders, and the two of them were a little too close for comfort.
"Hi, daddy-o," Ryder said, still laughing.
"Hi, what are you guys doing?" I asked, standing in front of them on the lower part of the stairs.
"Talking about you," Matteo said, and then they started laughing again.
And smoking weed, because why are y'all laughing so much?
God, I feel jealous. Oddly jealous of something I shouldn't even be jealous about.
My eyes started to linger on the two of them.
The way he is touching him is just…It's just pissing me off.
"You wanna show me you walking up the stairs?" I forced myself to ask.
I am not jealous.
I can't be jealous.
"Oh, now you want to see," Ryder said, using the rail to stand up.
I walked up the stairs toward him and reached my hand out. "Yes, I do, and I don't want attitude either."
He rolled his eyes at me and slowly walked down towards me and grabbed my hand.
I helped him down, so we were now at the bottom step.
God, he looks great.
"Are you done with work?" he asked me, letting go of my hand.
"Yeah, for now, a lot was happening, and keeping you and my daughter safe is my top priority."
"What about Leo?" Ryder asked me
I looked up at Matteo. "I hate to say this, but I am not worried about him because his guard dog will move heaven and hell for him."
Matteo laughed.
I hate to rely on him, but Daniel was right. He would be very helpful and could make sure nothing happened to Leo.
"I want you to get better and not live in fear," I said, and he nodded. "Now, come on, show me," I said, lightly smacking his ass, as he nodded again.
I watched him let go of the rail and slowly start walking up the stairs.
One by one.
Step by step with no help. Nothing at all.
He passed Matteo slowly, who was still sitting on the stairs, and I rubbed my mouth as I watched him go.
I can't. I can't think of him like this, not while he's showing me his accomplishments.
I slowly walked after him up the stairs and stopped when he finally reached the top.
He turned around and smiled at me.
His perfect smile, with his perfect full lips, with his warm, glowy skin, with his dark, curly hair down and curly.
His soft jawline and chubby face, his narrow eyes, his everything, it was all so perfect.
"Good job!" I said with a smile.
He started laughing. "Why do you seem happier than me?" Ryder asked.
I grabbed him slowly and pulled him into a hug. "I am just happy that you are making so much progress," I said, squeezing him like my life depended on it.
And that happiness high really got me through the rest of the day, so much for the scary mafia boss, because I can't stop smiling.
Throughout all of his other physical therapy sessions, walking around, and now he was helping Leo cook dinner.
And I caught myself staring more than I should, looking at him like a piece of meat.
God, I should be respectful and nice, but I wasn't.
He was currently slowly moving around the kitchen in his shorts, and I had to keep shutting my mouth and licking my lips.
And then when he sat next to me, all I could do was look at his thighs.
I couldn't even look him in the eye, because I'm a fucking pervert.
Then he decided to skip a bath today, and we were now in my bed, much to my dismay.
And to be honest, it felt so much better than the guest room, the hospital, and even better than it has ever felt before.
Because he was there, he was there and getting better. That's why the bed felt so good.
He was sitting on his side of the bed, holding his knitting stuff and leaning over, trying to figure it out.
I hate myself for looking at him like this, getting sneaks down his shirt, like a fucking pervert.
I mean, he could walk up the stairs now.
That means…He could have sex now.
But I won't mention it unless he does. I will wait forever as long as he is happy.
"You got this; I believe in you," I said. I have no idea how to knit, so I cannot help him, but I can cheer him on.
I watched as he slowly started knitting. "There you go," I said.
"Yeah, but it's not as fast as I normally do it," he said, knitting.
"Yeah, it's fine, as long as it doesn't hurt you."
"I know, but I want to go faster," he whined, and then he stopped knitting.
"Well, you can't unless you start slow first. You have to start somewhere."
"But what if I can never knit fast again?" he asked and turned his head to look at me.
My eyes quickly shot up to his eyes.
"That's fine; you will just do it slowly then; that's okay," I said.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course you would say that."
He moved back so his back was up against my headboard.
"What's that supposed..."
He cut me off. "This is your fault, you know. I wouldn't be like this now if you didn't. Didn't." He was looking for something to yell at me about, but couldn't find anything.
"I know, and I am sorry," I said.
His face dropped, and he leaned over so he was cuddling my side. "I'm sorry."
I nodded.
Mood swings were getting the better of him, but it's not his fault.
I don't even want to baby him, but I feel really bad, and I understand where he is coming from.
I rubbed his back and kissed his head. "It's fine, baby," I said, and he nodded.
I rest my hand on his hip, and I let out a sigh.
I was better than this. So much better. So why? Why am I acting like this?
I looked down his shirt again.
Like a fucking creep.
He pulled away from me and yawned. Then he took off his glasses.
"I'm going to go to sleep," he said with a small smile.
I blinked. "Of course, baby," I said, letting go of him.
"I'll go turn off the light," I said.
I stood up and sighed as I looked down.
Why?
Why now?
"What's wrong?" He said after he noticed my sigh. I turned around quickly so he couldn't see my problem.
"I just have to go to the bathroom," which technically wasn't a lie.
"Okay, I'll wait for you," he said with a cheery smile.
"Oh, you don't have to; it'll be a while."
He raised his eyebrow. "Are you going to go take a shit?"
I nodded.
I'm sorry for lying, my love.
I said I wouldn't. But. I don't…don't want you knowing how much of a pervert I am.
"Okay, you could have just said that, instead of being all ominous," he said, laughing.
"I was embarrassed." embarrassed by my hard on right now.
"Dude, it's fine; just hurry back," he said, smiling, and then he slipped under the cover, putting his head on the pillow.
"You want me to turn on the TV or anything?" I asked, going towards the light switch.
"That would be nice; give me something to sleep to," he said, and I nodded, grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.
I turned off the light and then handed him the remote.
"Thank you," he said, shifting slightly and changing the channel.
I walked into the bathroom, turned on the light, and shut the door.
I walked over to the toilet, closed it, and slumped down on it with a sigh.
I hate myself.
I reached over and opened the cabinet, and the lotion bottle stared back at me.
I feel guilty doing this, so fucking guilty. But I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to do, especially now, because he is recovering.
Fuck, just thinking about him is making me harder.
I closed my eyes, sighed, and then I heard knocking on the door.
I opened my eyes back up and watched as Ryder let himself in.
"I thought you were going to sleep?" I asked.
I could still hear the television blaring in the background.
"I was going to, but uh, someone's calling you," he said, slowly walking over to me to hand me my phone.
Giovanni Caurso.
Mother fuck.
"Thank you, baby," I said, taking it from him and quickly answering the phone.
"Why didn't you answer your mom's call, you ungrateful fuck?"
"Your dad," Ryder mouthed, and I nodded.
"I didn't see it, Mamma; I'm sorry," I said, because I knew she was there with my dad, BECAUSE they were always together when one of them called.
"It's okay, Dom-ie. Mamma just wants you to come visit," my mom said.
I heard Ryder laughing, and I rolled my eyes, muting the call. "My mom will not let go of that nickname if her life depended on it," I said, and he started laughing.
"It's cute."
"Answer your mother," I heard my dad snap.
I unmuted the call.
My dad is killing my boner right now.
"When? I'm very busy," I said.
"Put the mafia life on pause and come visit," my dad said.
"You know I can't do that."
"Find a fucking way, or I will kill you," my dad said.
Oh. Okay, Giovanni, calm down now.
"Okay, fine, fine."
I was hoping that was the end of it, but knowing my dad, of course not.
"You'd better bring a nice Italian girl home, too. You know, Sandro and his fiancée just got married?"
"Yes, Dad, I was there," I said, halfway listening to what he was saying.
"Well, you should have been first; you are the oldest. Did you and Lova ever…"
I cut him off. "Don't bring her up, and no. I." I looked up at Ryder, who gave me a weird look. "I have somebody. We got engaged pretty recently."
Ryder's face turned red as he flipped me off.
"You got engaged, Dom-ie, and you didn't tell us?" I heard my mom's voice screech.
"Like I said, I have been busy with work; I will come visit, I promise," I said.
"You'd better, you ungrateful brat," my dad said, and like always, he ended the call without saying goodbye.
"Your parents seem lovely."
"I guess," I said, and I stood up.
"I swear Sandro and his fiancée broke up," I said.
Maybe I am remembering it wrong.
"Your brother?"
I nodded.
"I'll tell you all about the family tree whenever we go visit them."
"You weren't joking?"
"Hell no, I am not going there alone, so what better way than to bring my fiancé?"
"Fake fiancé."
"Only fake if you make it fake; now let's actually go to bed," I said, turning him around so he was facing the direction of the bed instead of the toilet.
"Wait."
"What now?" I asked.
"Don't 'what now' me. Why were you shiting with the toilet seat closed?" He asked, turning around to give me this weird look.
I pushed him over to the bed slowly.
"I was trying to jerk off, but my dad killed my fucking boner," I said, and I walked over to my side of the bed.
"Wait, what?"
"Get in bed," I said, and he did as he was told.
"Yes, sir."
"Too far," I said, getting under the covers.
"You jerking off was too far."
He was right.
But in my defense.
Actually.
I have nothing, I am just going to sleep.
"I don't think she ever worked for me," Matteo said.
It was the next day, and Leo insisted on having his little fling in on our meeting.
"How do you not know who works for you?" Leo asked.
His face softened instantly, and he smiled.
Gross.
He pulled out his phone and started typing on it. "I can find out right now, actually."
Fucking weirdo.
Ignoring this annoying ass couple in front of me, there was way too much happening, and Elena was scared for now over the little threat that I sent her.
"Okay, while he is doing that, I think we should go to the conference thing in a couple of weeks; I think it would be a much-needed business trip," Leo said, and I nodded.
"I don't really want to leave…"
Matteo interrupted me. "She worked for me for a couple of weeks and then quit."
Oh okay.
"Okay, cool, do you have any more personal stuff on her?"
"I emailed it to you, but there might be some more files at my house," Matteo said.
"Thank you," I said. "Okay, but yeah, I think we should..."
I was interrupted again, but this time by the door opening.
I straightened myself up, and I smiled at Ryder as he walked in with food.
"Oh, honey bear, you didn't have to do that," I said, standing up to grab the food from him. And then I heard gagging behind me.
I turned around; it was Matteo, and Leo was laughing his ass off.
"You guys are gross," he said, and I rolled my eyes.
I turned back.
"I made you guys all rice bowls. Teriyaki chicken for both you and Leo, and then some tasteless beef for you, Matteo, because you mentioned you have issues with sauce," he said, and I handed them out for him.
"Oh wow, that's very considerate," Matteo said, and he started to eat.
I sat down on my chair. "Thank you, baby."
"Just doing my housewife duties," he said with a smile as he started to steal some of my food.
"You aren't my housewife," I said, pulling him to sit on my lap, and he started laughing.
He was trying to act all shy and cute, so I didn't notice he'd eaten half my bowl of food.
"What were you guys talking about?"
Oh. I don't want to lie to him.
"The hospital lady and then our next steps," I said, and he nodded, feeding me.
"Oh, cool," he said, and I kissed the side of his face and rubbed his legs.
"How are your legs feeling?" I asked.
"They lowkey hurt, but Isabella was helping me by getting all of the stuff I needed out of the fridge, and then I did the chopping and all of the cooking and tried to stay off my feet."
"Oh, that's good, while the food tastes good," I said, continuing to eat the delicious food that he made.
"Did you use the rice cooker, or did you use the stove?"
"Rice cooker, Isabella taught me how to use it because we have a very different one at my house," I said, and he nodded.
"Blame Leo, he spent way too much money on it, and it has a crazy amount of buttons," I said.
I looked over at both Matteo and Leo as they gave me nasty looks. I looked back at Ryder, who kept feeding me. Then I started typing on my computer, making sure I didn't squish him in the process.
"Elena will definitely be there," I said, typing what Matteo had in his email into another document.
"That's kind of the point."
"Are you sure it's not a trap?" I asked Leo.
"Too many big kingpins for it to be a trap," Matteo mumbled.
I took another bite as Ryder shifted on my lap.
I took my hands off the keyboard and started to play with his shorts as I slid my hand underneath them. "You feel warm," I mumbled in his neck.
He started to laugh as Matteo looked at me with disgust again.
I was definitely irritating them, but I didn't care; I just wanted to be with Ryder.
"But they could all be in on it," I suggested.
"You are probably the only mafia boss or the only powerful one that actually has a PhD or any ounce of common sense, so I don't think they are smart enough to all be in on it, especially for someone who barely has made a name for themselves in the mafia world," Leo said, taking bites and typing.
"What does…"
Leo cut Matteo off, "And you barely finished college, so I don't want to hear it," Leo said, not letting Matteo even say anything.
"Gagged," Ryder said, and I started laughing as I kissed his neck some more.
I felt him scooched back more and more on my lap. "You are already on my dick, baby; you can't move back anymore."
Leo stood up angrily. "Okay, you guys are done. Ryder, I love you, but get out," Leo said.
"Don't talk to him like that," I said.
"I'm talking to him very respectfully; we just have to get work done, and I don't need you getting distracted by him because you tend to do that," Leo said with a hint of attitude in his voice.
I rolled my eyes, and Ryder turned back to face me and gave me this sad look. "Am I distracting you?"
"No, baby boy, you aren't; it's my fault."
"Stop fucking babying him. Ryder, get out," Matteo said, also standing up.
"Don't talk to him like he's a dog. I will kick both of you out of here; don't fucking talk to him like that!" I said, and I felt my voice get louder.
I watched both of them sit down.
Fuck. Now I was angry, and I don't like being angry.
"The plan is we leave in a couple of weeks for like 6-ish days; we get one hotel, then we scope out the area and who's going to be there. And finally, we scope out where Elena is going to be and go from there," I said.
"Now we are fucking talking."
Our conversation about our plan continued, and then Ryder interrupted, asking. "What am I going to do when you guys are gone?"
"Stay here with Isabella; I upgraded security so that you will be protected. I'll make sure to FaceTime you every day," I said, and he smiled.
"Okay," he said, and I rested my chin on his shoulder.
"Oh, and I have a gift for you," I said and pulled open one of my drawers.
"A your shape didlo?"
"A what?"
I heard Leo bust out laughing as he leaned over and cackled.
"What's that?" I asked.
I watched as Leo couldn't stop laughing, and Matteo just shook his head.
I feel very out of the loop right now.
Ryder was also laughing. "I am joking, I am joking."
"I'm so confused."
"What's my gift?" he asked with a smile.
Ignoring whatever just happened.
I grabbed the card out of my top desk drawer and handed it to him.
"It's a card to my bank account, because I don't want you to have to feel awkward asking me for stuff. Like, especially when we are gone for a week. And even before and after that, you can order whatever you please. It has a $5,000 limit per day, and if you need more, I can change it for it," I said.
Ryder turned around and looked at me like I was crazy. "You are giving me this?"
"Yes."
"Your bank card?"
"My spare one."
He looked at it with a confused look on his face.
"You are my fiancé, and I guess money is also how I show my love," I said with a smile.
"Is this…"
"No questions, just put it in the back of your phone case with your ID card," I said, and he did what he was told.
I never thought I'd get to feel like this again.
God, I didn't even give Lova access to my bank account.
I mean, we had a joint account, which she promptly emptied when she left me, but never my bank account.
I never thought I would trust someone like this again, but I would give him everything if it would make him happy.
"On days you don't feel like cooking, you just order DoorDash or whatever and just get whatever you want," I said.
"I'll be mindful."
"You don't have to be. You can get the 'your shape dildo' you were talking about."
Leo started laughing again, and so did Ryder.
"Why would he buy one if he has the real thing?" Leo asked, cackling.
"Just in case the real one can't get hard anymore," Matteo said.
"That's not a problem; I'll tell you that much," Ryder said, and now all three of them were laughing.
I am so fucking confused right now. "What is even happening?" I asked.
"I'll show you some good ones," Leo said, and Ryder started laughing even more.
"What do you mean by that?" Matteo asked, and Leo started laughing again.
Hey, as long as Ryder is happy. I am happy.
No matter what he wants. I will give it to him, to make him happy, no matter what.