Page 39 of Alessia
“Who do I need protection from? And have you ever thought that I could be perfectly capable to take care of myself? I have lived in this city for a few years now, you know. It’snot like it’s an extremely safe city to be in.” Sarcasm dripping off my tone.
Two waiters walk towards our table and put down a lot of tiny plates and dishes with the best food I ever smelled. Alessia nods at them silently and they walk back to the kitchen.
“What can I do?” Alessia asks, her eyes search my face.
“I don’t know… Maybe you could start by talking to me instead of telling me what to do and where to be. If you want me to stay, you need to make me your equal.”
Alessia fidgets with her fingers, she looks nervous. What the hell? How can she be nervous, she’s a fucking mafia princess, or queen, or whatever. They don’t get nervous right? Do they? I wish I could see inside her brain, she’s so tough to read.
“You said that I’m in the line of fire now. Don’t you think I should know why? Who do I need to look out for? Don’t I deserve that at least?”
Alessia doesn’t say a word. Lost in thought, I think. I pick at the food, suddenly I have lost all my appetite but I still try some of the dishes because my stomach is growling. Alessia starts eating as well, so we eat in silence. I bet this is nothing like the dinner she had in mind. I can’t help it but I need to set some boundaries. She might be the dominant one between the two of us but that doesn’t mean she can just walk all over me and dictate my life. People have crossed my boundaries way to many times in my life and I’m done. I’m done with pleasing everybody and saying yes to them. I’m done setting myself on fire just to keep others warm — my light doesn’t need anyone’s permission to shine.
After dinner we drive back to her place in silence, tension hanging in the air. Once we’re parked, I step out and walk towards the elevator. I don’t even bother to wait for Alessia. I need a bath and sleep and tomorrow things will look different. I walk past Alessia’s room to the one she picked for me. When I open the door, I see that everything except my furniture was brought here from my apartment. I open one of the boxes that says clothing and flip it upside down on the floor. I find a pair of leggings and a big, oversized jersey to sleep in, I lay them on the bathroom counter and run the bath. Steam fills the bathroom, I pull open the cabinets and find lavender oil and pour it into the water. Maybe that will calm me a little, or enough for me to fall asleep. Once the bath is filled up, I step in and immerse myself in a cloud of warmth and bubbles. All of a sudden it feels like every muscle in my body aches.
Alessia
I sit and stare out at the grey wall of the parking garage. What the fuck happened tonight? How is it possible that one moment we’re eye-fucking each other in the car and the next she’s pissed off and walking away? I get where she’s coming from but she needs to understand that there are things I need to control. I can’t just let her do everything she wants without a care in the world. It would be irresponsible and stupid. Gianni is still out there. Now that the other Dons have met her it’s only a matter of days before Gianni finds out. He will come after us. I hate that I don’t know where the asshole is hiding. Somehow, he’s always been five steps ahead of me in the last sixteen years. A knock on the car window startles me from my thoughts.
“Are you okay, boss?” Elio asks from the other side of the window. I hadn’t even seen him walk over to me. I step out of the car and rest my hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a lot of stuff to process.”
“Anything I can help you with?”
I let out a little laugh. “I don’t think so, unless you want to be a shrink for my girlfriend and me?”
“Yeah, I think I’ll pass on that one. I have enough trouble understanding women as it is, let alone the two of you.” Elio winks.
“I’m going upstairs. Will you please make sure my brother and sister are ready at ten tomorrow morning?”
“Will do, Ma’am.”
“Thank you, Elio, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
I walk over to the elevator and push the button for the third floor. Once I’m upstairs, I don’t hear Harper anywhere. I walk through the hall and step into my room. The room is dark and there’s no sign of her anywhere. I leave my door open and walk over to her room. I can see the light underneath her door. I knock on her door but she doesn’t answer. I sigh and walk back to the kitchen. I need wine and a lot of it.I pick one of the bottles from the rack and grab a glass from the shelf and take them to my room.
I set down the glass and bottle next to my bed and strip down. I can’t even bother to shower now. I’m done for today. I pull back the covers and climb into bed, pour myself a glass and sit back in the cushions. I take out my phone, I need to just not think for a while. I open TikTok and start scrolling while sipping my wine. Today was exhausting and tomorrow will be worse with my father’s funeral. I’m so ready for all of this to be over. After another glass of wine, I feel my eyes getting heavy. I set down my glass and phone and try to get some sleep. It only takes a few breaths for me to fall into a restless sleep.
12 - Alessia
The next morning, I wake with the sound of rain on my windows. It hasn’t rained in weeks but today, of all days, it rains. How ironic, on the day of his funeral. I drag my ass out off bed to take a shower. I can’t wait for today to be over, the insincere well wishes, the fake tears, it’s all a charade. I pick one of my black suits from my closet and match it with a black silk blouse and black Doc Martens. No heels today. If everything else is uncomfortable then at least my feet shouldn’t be. I walk into the hallway, still no sign of Harper and knock on her door again. I try the door handle and it opens. I don’t want to invade her space, she clearly needs it, but I can’t help to peek around the door. She’s still fast asleep in a mountain of pillows, the sight is adorable. I close the door and head for the kitchen to make myself coffee, a double espresso should do the trick while I read my emails and the news.
At ten the elevator dings and Lorenzo and Bella walk into my apartment, both dressed head to toe in black. Lorenzo wears a suit similar to mine with a dark navy button-up and shoes. Bella wears a long figure-hugging black dress, on her head she has a wide brim fedora which shields her face from prying eyes. Out of us three she’s the saddest, her eyes are red rimmed and puffy from crying. I walk over to her and pull her into a big hug, trying to comfort her. I might have not been a huge fan of our father but that doesn’t mean his death is leaving me indifferent. When he was home he did all he could to give us the best days, especially when we where little. It was later, when I was older, that he stopped seeing me as his daughter and more like his heir and business partner. That was when my dislike for him started, I needed him as my dad then, not as my teacher. My heart breaks a little at the sight of Bella. When I let Bella go, I look over at Lorenzo. He’s been quiet, no funny sarcastic jokes. Instead, he keeps looking at the floor like it will change if he blinks. I walk over to him and lift his chin so that I can look into his eyes.
“Hi big sis…” His voice cracks.
