The same day.
Knock!
I stood in the kitchen washing the dishes while listening to mellow jazz to get my mind off my parents.
“What are you doing?”
I looked over my shoulder at Savio and shrugged.
“Washing dishes.”
“Why?”
He stepped in the kitchen and stood beside me at the counter.
“Cleaning helps me think.”
“I pay Marilyn to clean.”
“I gave her the day off.”
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Only one day.”
“Nothing from your parents?”
“No.”
“It’s not like they can really cut you out of their lives.”
“Do you ever regret anything you’ve done?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Killing, kidnapping, or torture.”
“Who says I do those things?”
I dropped the sponge in the sink.
“Savio, be honest. You’re a mobster.”
“I’m a businessman.”
“Who gets what he wants by hurting people.”
“If that were true, you wouldn’t be here.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Always right.”
“Never one to shy away from your ego being enlarged.”
“Something tells me your parents will come around soon.”
“If they don’t?”
“Life has a way of making things happen.”
“If that were true, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“Why not go out with Rena?”
“I thought you hated when I went out?”
“I do, but you’re not helping yourself being stuck in here thinking about your parents.”
“Giving them time.”
“Time is something I don’t have patience for.”
“Is this the businessman or the mob don?”
“Both.”
“You admit to being the largest cartel in North America.”
“I admit to being the owner of the biggest family-owned business”
“I’ll try your way.”
“Which is?”
“Making things happen.”
Later that night, the door opened, and I ended the call.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here, McKayla?”
“Mom, I want to talk.”
“Your father isn’t home.”
“Let me explain.”
“You’re married to a killer.”
“Can we talk about this inside?”
“No, leave now.” She stepped back and shut the door in my face.
I wiped the tears and headed back to the car. Savio grasped my hand.
“Give them time,” Savio said.
“Easy for you to say.”
The car backed out of the driveway and turned left toward the stop sign.
“What can I do?”
“Nothing.”
We reached home and parked the car. I jumped out, ran inside, stripped out of my clothes, and slid under the covers. I felt a hand brush against my face. I groggily moaned and turned over to see Savio sitting on the bed.
“You hungry?”
“Not really.”
“Rena called.”
“Okay.”
“I think you should get out of bed.”
“I like the bed.”
He snorted.
“My parents have always been there.”
“I understand.”
“They hate me so much.”
I sat up against the headboard, and the comforter fell below my breasts.
“Eventually, they will come around.”
Savio caressed my cheek.
“I should call Rena.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
He moved the cover back and helped me out of bed.
“Give it a few days and then contact her again.”
“Giving them another day will probably have them trying to disown me.” I chuckled.
Same night.
I sipped the wine while listening to Rena complain about the latest issues she’d been having with some guy she met at the store. I looked around at the couples in love and wondered if I would ever experience such a love. Our waitress came and filled our glasses with wine.
“Sorry, my babbling is annoying you.”
“Not your fault.”
“You wanted a night away from thinking about your parents.”
“Savio said to give it time.”
“He’s right.”
We sat in a local restaurant owed by Savio.
“Weird to hear you agree with him.”
“I know.”
I blew out a breath.
“Lost my appetite.
“Try calling your dad.”
“He’s working.”
“Then let me distract you with my love life.” She grinned, started on the latest dating issues.
“Anything new?”
She smiled wiggled her brows.
“Tell me about them.”
“Nothing crazy, but a few dates around town.”
“I’m glad.” I bit my bottom lip.
Rena placed her hand on top of mine.
“Hey, things will work out with your folks.”
“I hope so.”
My world has erupted into chaos.