The Badass Mafia Boss Queen

“What about the victim’s husband?”

“Dead.”

“His lover that you spoke about?”

“Dead.”

“This Frick of a guy.”

“He’ll be dead soon.”

“God, he deserves it for putting me in this mess. I were just a pawn in his stupid game.”

“I’ll make sure to squeeze out an apology from him before killing him. Do you want that?”

Surprisingly, I nodded before recollecting what my nod meant. “I…. I don’t mean it like…”

“You’ll have it Ugo. Anything you wish. Don’t feel sorry about a thing. You want something, own up to it. Now sit on the bed.”

I pulled myself up on the bed hurriedly. “So what now?” My voice was low, all that anger thrown a thousand miles away.

“Do you still think I did the wrong thing having you here with me?” He waited.

I shook my head, “I don’t know.”

“That’s a better answer.” He said. “I know you still have more questions, but I think we’ve had enough for today.”

I honestly agreed with him. I’ve had enough for one day. One more revelation from him, and I might just loose my fuckin mind. I had a lot to ask him, how my father got involved in all of this. How he plans on convincing his family not to kill me, what role I’m expected to play in all of this and a lot more. But for now, I’ve heard enough that could last me for a few days.

“Shower up and come to the living room when you’re done,” Hollis said, interrupting my thoughts. He stood for a minute, looking around in awkward silence, we avoided looking at each other. Then without saying anything else, he turned around, closing the door behind him.

I emerged from the bathroom feeling and smelling like myself again. But when I heard roaring laughter coming from the living room, I knew Hollis wouldn’t be alone.

I skipped through my wardrobe for a simple dress, but all the clothes there were just too beautiful to wear at home. Aside my designer clothes, Hollis got even more outfits for me and strangely, this warmed my heart.

Finally settling for one, I pulled their dress over my head, and took a little extra time to de-tangle my hair. Thanks to Hollis for my readily available hair products.

Satisfied that I was looking presentable enough, I started heading towards the door and perceived something, the smell of food, real food. My stomach rumbled hungrily. I didn’t even know what time it was, but it felt like I hadn’t eaten in days.

My feet started moving towards the source of the tantalizing aroma. I was out of the room in no time. I walked into the living room on Hollis, Maxine and Rocco. The brothers were busy in the kitchen, while Rocco stood at a corner smiling at their jokes.

“Ugo,” Hollis called on seeing me, making me jolt, not knowing he could even see me from his position. “You need to eat,” he added.

“What did you order?” I asked simply.

“Order? No,” he said handing a paper towel to Maxine, who had his sleeves rolled up just like him.

My eyes rested on Hollis’s strong, tanned forearms and his very pricey-looking wrist watch. It looked like a pair to one of the wristwatches I saw in my jewellery shelf. But what was more enticing than seeing him looking casual was the fact that he was now scooping something out of a pot.

“You cooked?” I asked, registering what his presence in the kitchen could mean. Did he really cook? He looked too damn sophisticated to be struggling with dishes and cookers in the kitchen.

But then again that would be a win for me. I wouldn’t have to bother myself so much about cooking. Plus, I’ll definitely eat good food and not end up struggling with tasteless meals.

It’s a win for me. Small wins, I need to start counting them.

“Come sit.” He demanded, putting the plate of food on the dinning table.

I was literally shocked, too surprised and very hungry to object. I sat down and he started scooping out food for me. Two more plates were placed on the table and he put even more food.

Maxine soon joined us and it became a sort of family dinner with a guest.

“Creamy Parpadelle and Asparagus” Hollis said, in the most self-assured, rehearsed way of someone who made and served food frequently to guests.

I tried so hard to picture him serving guests cheerfully and wholeheartedly, but the image refused to form in my head.

“White or red?” He asked, making me look up to find two bottles of wine on the table.

I wanted to sound polite, to bury the hatchet at least for the time being. But being me, I would always do what I know how to do best.

“Don’t you know the answer to that from all the stalking you’ve done of me?”

Maxine’s lips twitched briefly and went back to it’s normal position. He shoved some food into his mouth, minding his business literally.

Hollis insufferable brow arched again, goddammit. “Red it is then.” He filled a glass and placed it in front of my plate.

“Eat.” He ordered and I went ahead.

I felt a bit bothered that I hadn’t spoken with Maxine since I came into the living room. The young man had been nothing but nice to me but at that moment, I had no words in my mouth and luckily when Hollis took a seat, the two men went on without me, discussing about a plane that was carrying people with Molly and the best possible way to go about bombing it. When I couldn’t keep shut anymore, I cleared my throat for the hundredth time to gain their attention.

“Out with it.” Hollis finally said, turning to me.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Ehhh, what?”

“Don’t make me change my mind, Ugo”

I scratched my head lazily. “I was listening to your conversation.” I confessed.

“And?” He queried.