Chapter 42 Chapter 42

Chapter 42 Chapter 42
Sergio

We've been couped in a hotel for two days. Planning our next move while we wait for the renovations of the house. Nobody knows where we really are, only those closest to us, even they don't know our exact location. All our phones and comms are out. The only person from outside we communicate with is Diedrich, my personal contractor.

Angel is getting back to herself, or at least she looks like she is. She's different though, especially after whatever dream she had. She talks more and listens more. Her attention is always on the now. She wants to be involved in the plans of our next attack and she also has some input herself.

Although she looks and sounds stronger, I wonder if the thing driving her is fear. I know what it can do to people, I've lived it once upon a time. I know it can drive one crazy if not monitored closely. But she looks more calm, like she's finally found her ground. Although it makes me happy, it makes me more worried about her.

I want her strong, of course I do, but I don't want her strength built on fear of the unknown. I asked Hope to talk to her woman to woman. I know that she was once in her position because of her dad and I know that she'll be able to relate.

I also don't know how to talk to her right now, she seems too different and I don't know how to handle this version of her. It becomes harder because I want to know what her dream was to understand where this change is coming from. I know she won't talk about it though, not until she's ready.

"She says she doesn't want to lose her newfound family." Hope tells me when I walk into her hotel room.
"Did she tell you about her dream?" I ask her.
"Dream? No, she didn't. What did she dream?"

Hopes question defeats me. I thought that maybe Angela would see a friend in Hope, someone she could trust with her burdens when she can't come to me. I guess I have to talk to her myself. Make her understand that she can is free to share her burdens with me. That she can be open with me.

I drop the conversation and spark up another important one, information on Lorenzo and his son.

"Does your boy have any information yet?"
"Are you ever going to call him by his name?"
"I don't know, I'm still trying to see f he's good enough for you. Plus it's better than what the other guys call him."
"And what's that?"
"Your boy toy." I say with a straight face although I want to laugh, she looks hurt by my answer though, so I keep it shut.
"Yeah, I guess it is." She says, hurt.
"Do you love him?" I ask her.

This is the type of conversation we never have. I've delayed mine as much as I can but at this point I don't think it will be necessary for it. Like she said, for Angela I wear my heart on my sleep for everyone to see.

She looks me straight in the eyes, I can see she's contemplating on throwing my question a curve ball. Between the two of us, she was the one who always feared emotions whereas I embraced them.

"Yes, I do." She answers after she finds what she was looking for in my eyes.
"That's good. Does he know that?" I ask her.
"No, I'm not that brave yet." She answers shamefully.
"Does he love you?"

It's a stupid question, I know. That boy loves her, I can see it in his eyes. I want to know if he's confessed his love for her yet or if he's more like her, afraid of his own feeling.

"Yes. He reminds me every second when he can, especially when I'm feeling unstable." I nod my head at her answer.

Just like the first time I saw him, I don't like him, there's just something about him that feels off. If he truly does love her then good, I just hope my instincts are wrong at this point and this boy is not here for some shit that's going to end up hurting Hope. I don't know how Hope will feel when I kill her boy toy.

"Anyway, he said they're still looking. Looks like they've gone underground."

The thing about people going underground is that I know a lot of people who can find you. My guys are also good at what they do. I won't be surprised if they're trying to recruit soldiers right now, which is one of the most stupid things to do underground because word travels fast.

"If they're underground then it's only a matter of time until word comes out." I say as I head towards the door to leave.
"She said she'd kill for you and your daughter. That you're the best thing to happen to her." She says as I open the door, stopping me.
"Thank you." I say and head back to our hotel room.

The thing about being a mafia boss is that people expect you to always live in luxury, even if you're in the middle of a war and have no place to hide. I've found that hiding in plain sight is the best thing to do. We're in a hotel that is still under construction. There's no serving of food and the elevator is not working yet.

Two flights of stairs later I walk into our hotel room, Angela is sitting by the window holding our daughter, it's the perfect picture. I hope one day we'll have our own kids, expand the family more.

"Any updates?" She asks.
"Nothing, just what I suspected, they've gone underground." I walk up to her and prompt her to stand while I sit and pull her down to sit on my lap.
"Will we ever find them?"
" Yes, soon we'll know exactly where they're hiding.“
"Good." She says and turns to look out the window.

We stay silent like that while in our own minds for a while until she stands up and leaves the room. When she comes back, she's no longer holding Angelina and she walks straight up to me and sits on my lap again, this time she sits facing me and puts her arms around my neck and lays her head on my chest.

We're both tired, so I carry her to the bed for a little eye shut. I'm not worried about her having a nightmare again, she seems too serene to have one of them. I immediately fall asleep when I feel her relaxed in my arms. Not worried, but happy, serene but not relaxed.