Eva

––––––––

All our trials and tribulations, our sorrows and losses help us grow, which is certainly true when it comes to Carmine and me.

After living with Carmine for a month, the hole in my heart left by Brandon’s death is healing. His apartment has turned into my first real home. Sometimes I can’t believe my surroundings, because I’d given up hope that cold night in the warehouse where I’d only thought of Carmine. While our relationship had been unpredictable and heated from the start, I sensed the caring man inside him when he arranged everything after I lost Brandon. With his choice to protect me, while he didn’t even know me, my life changed for the better. He’s irrevocably carved a special place in my heart as the only man who’s ever helped me; he could’ve handed me over to Roman or the Syndicate, yet he didn’t.

Although I realize Carmine has blood on his hands, I can understand his choices like he can understand mine somehow. He’s never judged me for being an escort, and he builds me up with his affection. We’re the lawyer and the tramp. We’re a match made in the underworld. And love in the mafia is much stronger than any other form because we see the world for how it is: cruel and cold, except for when you’re with the ones you trust, your family.

My family, which had consisted of only Brandon and me, expanded with the entire Syndicate and Carmine’s parents. The strange thing is that we didn’t need to adjust to our new life together, because I’d already lived in his apartment.

Mostly, Carmine acts very agreeable, probably because I try to be as tidy as possible since he’s such a neat freak and I’m often home because I’m still unsure what to do work-wise. However, in typical Carmine fashion, he’s also sometimes fiercely possessive and overprotective.

I detect it in the way he barks orders at me when I arrive at the Astoria on a cloudy Thursday morning. Before I’ve even shut the door, Carmine appears in front of me and commands, “Seriously, Eva! Where have you been?”

I’m not sure why he’s mad, because he knows I was with my friend Kayley, who I contacted again right after everything got settled. “I went for a run with Fallon, Cam, and Kayley,” I reply as he holds up my mobile in his left hand that’s completely healed except for a scar.

“You forgot your phone.” He clenches his jaw, making the dangerously sexy mark on his unshaven jawline more perceptible.

He always demands to know where I am every second of the day. And he absolutely forbade me to go outside without my phone. It’s a challenge, but I’ve learned how to handle him. Furthermore, I believe his protectiveness will never lessen, so I just go with the flow.

I can’t help but blurt out, “Calm your tits.” And I chuckle, making him fake-glare at me. “I’m sorry. I usually never forget it. You don’t have to worry about me so much anymore.” I inch closer as he tosses the phone onto the couch behind him, and he grabs my face.

“I can’t not worry.” He presses a firm kiss to my mouth. “So forget it again, and I’ll be a real ass.”

“Bigger than you were when we met?” I taunt. “That’s not possible, but I do love your protectiveness.” The words tumble out before I realize it.

Fortunately, it makes his whiskey eyes burn with lust. “Say that again.”

With my lips against his, I speak what’s written in my heart, “I love you.”

Carmine’s fingers lace into my hair as he confesses at long last, “Ti amo anche, little thief. I love you too. I’ll always protect you and worry about your safety. I have to, living in this underworld.”

“I know. I won’t forget it again,” I concede, wanting to ease his concerns, and he grins, pleased, before I ask, “Why are you home? I thought you were meeting with Pelayo?”

“I did. We’ve made him an official associate because he’s importing eighty-five percent of our cargo without a hitch. He works like a well-oiled machine, so our business was concluded quickly. But before I came up, I dropped by my mom’s and she sent food for you.” He leads the way to the kitchen.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve eaten more than in my entire life. I don’t know half the food items he has in his pantry and his cabinets are constantly stocked. The abundance of Italian food Carmine has in his kitchen is simply scrumptious. Often, he brings me lunch or takes me out to dinner, and I absolutely adore it.

Once inside the kitchen, Carmine ceremoniously situates me on the counter. Beside my hip are platters of prosciutto and chicken salad.

“What do you want?”

I eye it all. “Everything.” I’ve been eating a lot lately and gaining weight; therefore, I need to go running daily to burn all the calories.

“Then you shall have everything,” Carmine says, fixing me a full plate and giving me a fork.

I spear a piece of chicken, and then I gobble every last piece of food offered, even picking up some pieces of lettuce with my fingers. It’s a party on my palate.

Meanwhile, Carmine shoves himself between my legs and leans into me, over six feet of pure muscle and he smells like sandalwood. He weaves an irresistible spell around me that gets stronger each day.

“I’ll be home late tonight, so I wanted to come by and see you.”

Out of nowhere, I become nauseous, and I put my plate aside as Carmine grabs my ass and pulls me closer to the edge.

When I loop my arms around his neck, he dips his head, nipping my lip and growling, “Open your mouth.”

I do as ordered and taste him eagerly, tangling my tongue around his, and when a moan escapes me, he groans, pushing his groin against me.

Then he pulls back, nuzzling my nose. “While I’d love to fuck you right here, I do have to get going.” He steps back, commanding, “Keep your phone with you.”

I nod, appeasing him, and he places one last kiss on my lips before leaving.

As I watch him go, I can hardly believe that Consigliere Carmine is such a dedicated boyfriend, but it’s fruitless to oppose the strength of his affection, not that I’d really want to. When Carmine loves, he does so with all that he has.

I catch myself smiling while staring at the Chicago skyline, seated in Carmine’s luxurious kitchen, realizing how happy I am to have this chance with him and how fast I’ve adapted to my new life. A life I never would’ve had if Carmine hadn’t saved me in every way possible. He’s given me an existence worth living. Just as Prince Charming made all of Cinderella’s dreams come true, he’s fulfilled dreams I never even bothered to wish for, deepening my unending love for him. And I’ll always fight to hold on to him.

Wherever life takes us, I want it to be with Carmine, always.