Chapter Sixty - Fletcher

I sat in the leather chair in the corner of the room and watched her sleep. My scotch glass from the minibar sat on my knee as I contemplated my life.

My love. My…our future.

Quitting had never been in the cards, but neither had love.

Love wasn’t something I thought was in the cards for me. Now, I was willing to give everything up for it.

Sliding my free hand over my face, I tore my gaze away from Ava to my cell phone sitting on the arm of the chair.

I needed to call my father though I wasn’t sure he was in the right state of mind to talk. Maybe I didn’t speak to my father. Maybe Ava and I fled the city, went overseas and started over.

However, I couldn’t ask her to leave Houston if she didn’t want to. I didn’t want to leave the restaurants behind.

Groaning, I tossed back the remains of my scotch and grabbed my phone as it vibrated in my hands.

A familiar number flashed on the screen.

“Hello?” I answered.

Mr. Capello sighed on the other end. “I never wanted this to happen.”

I walked toward the suite's balcony and shut the sliding doors to avoid waking Ava from sleeping. “You didn’t mean for what to happen? For my dad to get put in the hospital, my brother to get shot, or for my house to be set on fire?”

“I didn’t know Heidi was going to do that. She takes things into her own hands at times. It’s…exhausting. And childish."

I tightened my fingers around the railing. “Now you know why I found myself a wife. I’d rather eat nails than marry your daughter and I hope she knows that now.”

“Listen, son, I meant to hurt your father, not you. I knew destroying the restaurant would get to him, I didn’t think the old man had it in him to hit back so hard. I never meant for Heidi to retaliate.”

“Well, she did. My brother is in the hospital and I’m dealing with potential trauma from my wife. She never asked for this. But, this isn’t your problem. Do you need anything else? Or did you just call in an attempt for me not to press charges against Heidi?” I scoffed. “Because that’s not going to happen. She needs to pay for what she did. My mother's library is ruined. My memories..." I choked out.

“I figured as much. I'm truly sorry about that. I just wanted to call and say I was sorry for Heidi. You won’t get an apology from her. She’s too stubborn. But I never meant for her to take it this far.”

He ended the call before I could respond. Not that I had anything to add to the conversation. My head began to spin from the alcohol and stress. Turning my back to the bars, I slid down until I sat against them.

I couldn’t go on like this. I thought I could, but I couldn’t. Resting my eyes, I listened to the street traffic below.

If this meant taking a pay cut and living off a restaurant owner's salary I would. I would do anything to keep Ava safe.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?"

Her soft voice forced my eyes open. She stood at the balcony door with her arms wrapped around her stomach. “I’m fine,” I said.

She stepped out as a humid breeze picked up her hair and tossed it around her shoulders.

I opened my legs and arms for her. She sank in front of me and leaned back against my chest. Her soft scent wafted over me and instantly calmed me. “Did something happen to your Dad or Levi?”

“No,” I said, sliding my fingertips up and down her arm. “Nothing happened to them. I decided not to go back tonight. I had some food delivered for them. You needed the rest and I didn't want to disturb you."

She looked over her shoulder. “So, you decided to sit out here on the balcony and drink?”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “I have to quit for us.”

She turned slightly. “Quit the mafia? How is your dad going to feel about that?” she asked.

I shrugged and hugged her tighter. “He was obviously okay with that life. I can’t imagine why. Maybe because he didn’t have a connection with my mother that I have with you? Or when we came along she was occupied and didn’t mind him not being there.”

“Is this like a gang? Once you start you never leave?”

I laughed. “It would be, but since my father is over it, I think I can leave without too much trouble.”

“He’s gonna be mad,” she said softly. “I hope he doesn’t blame me.”

“It’s not you. It’s me. I’ve grown and fallen in love. These past few days have been so stressful. I’ve been so out of it. I can’t live this way and keep you safe. It’s the mafia or you. And I choose you. I’ll always choose you.”

Ava turned until she was on her knees in front of me. She put her palms on either side of my face and stared. “I don’t want you to choose between your family and me. But if you have an option, even if it means moving, I’ll always go with you. No matter where we move to. No matter what.”

She pressed a soft kiss to my mouth and I looped my arm around her back to keep her close. “What’s next for us?”

I breathed in her scent as she sat back on her knees. “I talk to my dad once he’s in the right mind. Then we finish the gallery and…I’ll run the restaurants. It’ll be the same, but different.”

She hesitated. “Do you think the Capellos…”

“No,” I said. “I spoke with Mr. Capello. He called me earlier and said he never meant for Heidi to do what she did. I believe him, to be honest. She’s crazy if you haven’t noticed. Plus, she’ll get jail time no matter how much money they have. I’m not worried about her anymore. I’m just worried about us.”

She nodded. “Okay then. To the future, right?”

“To the future.”

Her phone began to ring from inside, and she got up to grab it. I followed her and shut the door behind us.

“Hello?”

I heard a loud voice on the other end that I assumed was Charlotte. Ava sighed as she sat down and nodded to no one.

“I know, Char. I just now woke up from a nap. I’ve had a very long day. Yes, we’re all fine. Duke is fine,” she said, looking over at me with a smile. “He’s at the hospital with Levi. Levi was shot. Yes, we're all fine. We’re in a hotel right now, trying to rest.”

Charlotte took over the conversation and I felt she was treating Ava like a daughter rather than a sister. But Ava didn’t seem to mind.

“I know, Char. Can I just call you tomorrow? It’s late and I’m hungry.” Ava groaned. “I will call you tomorrow, I promise. Okay. I love you, too.”

She ended the call and flew backward against the bed. “She is so needy sometimes. Goodness. She hates not being the first to know about something, too."

“She’s worried. It’s a good sign.”

She rolled over to her stomach. “I know. It’s just annoying.”

I grabbed two water bottles from the fridge and gave her one. “I’ll order us something to eat. Anything in particular?”

“Whatever you feel like. I could eat a horse.”

I caught her pretty blue gaze and she tilted her head. “What is it?”

“I’m ready to start a normal relationship. I’m tired of this. I want to work, and come home to you every day without the worry of being attacked.”

“We’re only a few steps away, right?”

“Right. Email Bree and tell her we need the gallery ready within three weeks. I want you to have something to do when things go back to normal. I promised you that gallery and you’re going to get it.”

Ava stood up slowly and walked over as I began to flip through the book of local restaurants on the kitchen table. “You know I don’t have to have that. We do have a contract but it means nothing to me.”

I cupped her chin. “I know, Ava. But because you mean everything to me, I want you to have everything you’ve ever wanted.”