Page 128 of Mila: The Godfather

“Cause that motherfucker has been a moody and heartless son of a bitch for as long as I’ve known him, and then one night, he approached me, and he didn’t seem as cold or as detached from life. I thought he was having a midlife crisis or some shit until he gave me an assignment.” I listen carefully. “He asked me to not only take care of a girl that was part of a family he despised, but to make her laugh and to always be kind. He asked me that shit, can you believe that? I sure as fuck didn’t. Not from the man that would take his gun out if you as much as looked at him wrong.” Bain takes a long pause, then adds. “He always wanted what was best for you and sunshine, even I know that’s love.”

I take a second to process his words and let them sink into my heart.

Love.

What an odd and beautiful feeling.

I was just a girl when I first met him, and he was a man. One that was hard to forget. Apparently, he felt the same way because with just one meeting, he felt the need to protect me the only way he could.

I think about love and how it’s obvious to spot the little things the other person does.

I noticed he hasn’t touched one single cigarette since the islands.

He did that for… me?

“Bain.”

“Yes, sunshine?”

“Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For protecting me all these years and for being my friend.”

“You don’t ever have to thank me, kid.” He stands behind me and pushes the swing slowly. “It has always and will always be my fucking pleasure.”

I smile at that while holding tightly to the ropes.

There’s a ping sound behind me.

His phone.

“Go take a shower and get all dolled up, sunshine?” He says, halting the swing.

Planting my feet on the grass, I turn to face Bain. “Why?” I ask.

A grin takes over his face before he says. “The boss has a surprise for you.”

A surprise?

My body buzzes with excitement.

Surprises didn’t mean much to me before, but now it’s all different.

He is different.

Before heading back to the mansion, I look back at the enormous tree and wonder how. How did he know? I dreamt of a place like this one for myself. A place where I could escape to when the world got too loud.

The tree.

The swing.

All of it.

Not one person knew.

Not even my sisters.

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