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It has been a long week, but Marco and I have spent every minute of each day together, holed up in my small apartment, and aside from the dark cloud of danger that is hovering over my head, it has been amazing.
After our initial talk when Alf left, he didn’t ask any more questions, which I am glad about. Because I can’t tell him much more, not without him being pulled right into the situation. The less he knows, the better it is for him… and his health.
We were the picture of domestic bliss all week. Marco used my computer to work, and I spent time reading and cooking. Alf popped over again to check on me, not at all happy that Marco was still with me, but he stayed for a little while and talked which is a big step for him. He took out my stitches which was such a relief, and now my hand is healing well, and I can use my right hand more and more each day.
Marco snuck out during the early hours of this morning so as to not be seen, and after catching up on some much-needed sleep today, I arrived at the bar early. I am on tenterhooks knowing that I may get a visit from two of the men I have been thinking about constantly.
Sebastian still hasn’t arrived this week, and the fact that he can’t give us a date or a time has me on edge. He is trying to be careful and not be followed, I know, but every time the door to the bar opens, my heart leaps into my throat. Not that he would come through the front door, but still, you never know with him.
Then I think about Marco. He only left me this morning, but my body buzzes and my heart beats for him constantly. He mentioned he may pop into the bar to watch me from a distance which I know is a bad idea. A really bad idea. But he is so amazing; my stomach has been full of butterflies all day and my thoughts are a jumbled mess. It just feels so right with him, so good.
The fact that they might be here at the same time has me so sick to my stomach, and I feel like I need to throw up. I know that Sebastian knows about Marco since this is not something that Alf would keep from him. He is going to kill me for being involved with a guy, but of course not just any guy. One of the most well-known men of Boston no less.
But like everything my life has become lately, I will just try my best to keep off everyone’s radar. I am hopeful that Marco and I can do that together, and while he doesn't know the extent to the danger I am in, the fact that he spent the week with me proves that he is making a huge effort. I just hope those paparazzi don’t follow Marco here tonight.
The bar is already busier than usual, with more women in here than any other Saturday night. It’s good for business but bad for my privacy, and Alf keeps flicking his eyes my way. He is unsettled, and I know that he will tell me to retreat out the back soon, but I feel bad because that will leave him all alone out here. Sofia can help out which is great, but his casual staff member is away this weekend so we have no back up.
The reason Sebastian and I chose Boston for my relocation is because Alf and Sofia are here and can watch over me. I am also close enough for Sebastian to check up on since he is still in New York. Given that the bar Alf owns is small and neighborly, working here has allowed me some sort of normality while also being away from prying eyes. Papa’s men have only been here twice looking for me, and that was in the first month of my disappearance. They haven’t been back since, so we know we are safe, for now.
My natural brown hair is now dyed a vibrant red, and I try to wear different contact lenses each day. I have also changed my look. I no longer wear the designer clothes I grew up in, but I am trying to look a little more understated, like a librarian. I sometimes add glasses, especially when I go out in public. Tonight, though, I am wearing jeans and a black t-shirt and my hair is pulled back in a high pony. I look like a college student ready to get to work, even though I finished college a few years ago and successfully completed my degree in communications with honors.
I am busy serving customers, moving as fast as I can to get to as many people as possible, so I feel him before I see him. The bar is so crowded that I can’t see past the first row of people lining up for drinks, but in my body, I know that Marco is here. My heart starts racing, and my body has the shivers, so I get busy trying to serve the ladies at the bar. It is then that I hear two of them giggle and chat to each other.
“Oh my god, he is here!” the first one practically screams to her friend.
“Told you, I know where to find him.” The second one grins mischievously.
“Why would he come to a place like this? It just doesn’t make sense? Oh, he has a cute guy with him too. Should we go over and say hi?”
“Let’s have a few drinks first, I need some liquid courage.”
I immediately know they are talking about Marco, and I want to punch their stupid giggly smiles off their faces. But I have had plenty of practice schooling my emotions, so I smile at them instead, pretending I hadn’t heard anything they talked about and take their money.
When I turn around from the cash register ready to serve the next customer, I look up and come face to face with the man who has turned my world upside down. He is smiling at me, one that reaches his eyes. He looks genuinely happy to see me and that nearly melts me on the spot.
He is wearing a white shirt, which shows off his dark features and brilliant blue eyes perfectly. He leans on the bar, showing off his strong forearms, and I not-so-subtly check him out because he is so goddamn sexy.
“Hey, baby,” he states like it is the most natural thing in the world to say to me right now. I look to the side to see Alf busy serving customers down the other end of the bar. Looking back, I see Marco has followed my gaze and has now drawn in his eyebrows in slight concern.
“Hey,” I say softly with a small smile which has him grinning again. I like his smile. His teeth are so white and pure, his lips the perfect size and shape. It reaches his eyes and he has little wrinkles that show how genuine he is. When he smiles, he looks every inch the king of this town.
“This is Jake,” he says, lifting his hand to the man standing next to him. He has told me all about Jake, they are best friends, and Jake heads up his security. They have been through a lot together, and I am excited to meet him.
“Hi, Jake,” I say, friendly and confident with a smile. Even though I saw him here with Marco during his last visit, I am startled by his good looks. He is also big, like really big. Clearly, he is a body builder.
“Hi, Frankie, good to finally meet you. This guy doesn’t stop talking about you,” he replies, with a nod. “Can we get two Peroni’s, please, because I know he won’t order as he is too busy looking at you.”
“Sure thing,” I say with a giggle and blush as I reach down to the fridge to pull out two beers. As I stand back up, my eyes flick to the door that leads out to the back of the bar. The hair on the back of my neck sticks up, and I know, without looking, that Sebastian is back there. I stand staring at the doorway in shock and anticipation, waiting for a sign and I get it. Sebastian moves slightly into the light and looks directly at me, motioning me with his head to go to him before disappearing into the darkness again.
I turn and place the two beers on the bar and open them quickly, fumbling with the bottle opener and nearly spilling them both. Marco looks at me concerned.
“Is everything okay, baby? Do you know that guy?”
I stop abruptly, my eyes go wide and quickly flick to his, and I am stunned for a moment. Of course Marco would have seen him. Oh my god, I can’t believe he saw him. My eyes flick from Marco to Jake and back again. I am sure I have a look of guilt on my face. Marco is looking at me, but I notice that Jake’s eyes are steely and looking directly at the back door. Oh my god, oh my god, I start to panic a little inside. I pull myself together and place the beers in front of each of them.
I clear my throat to help me gather my thoughts. “Here, they are on the house. Have a good night,” I say and I quickly turn, but Marco catches my hand and pulls me back slightly, not letting me go yet.
“Just tell me you are okay,” he says barely above a whisper, but I hear him clearly. His eyes are searching mine, looking for any reason for my sudden change in demeanor.
