Wife to the Boss

Compromises

O L I V I A

"Good morning."

My eyes open at the sound of his voice. I feel my lips pull into a smile as his own press down softly against me.

It had been a week since the incident.

I don't remember much. I just remember there being this massive explosion and suddenly I was waking up in the hospital.

I was grateful to have no injuries aside from a few cuts. Though I hadn't been worried about myself.

Every day I would beg Alessio to find out if Kimberly was okay.

She had been treated and checked at the hospital here briefly before Joe and her parents hurried her back home.

The only news I had was the baby was okay and Kimberly had a small cut on her cheek.

I tried to call her every day but my number had been blocked. When Joe came to see her he had confronted Alessio while I was still recovering.

I knew Alessio was keeping the full truth from me, but basically her parents and Joe both want me to keep away from her since I'm so "accident prone."

I can't say I blame them though.

I felt horrible just knowing I was the cause of Kimberly getting hurt. I really didn't expect to have to run from more crazy, bad guys already.

Plus, they had no leads.

I tried to pry as much as I could from Alessio when he was around. He was always so hesitant to bring it up at all.

He was just pissed it happened and his men had been working nonstop all week.

They were able to locate a van nearby that had been on the scene but was shortly abandoned and set on fire in an alley about an hour later.

It sucked knowing everyone was in an uproar over this and they had nothing to go off of yet. Alessio had admitted he was out conducting business with some of the clubs and had no idea his phone was gone.

He had stated he'd already gone through security footage and his guards were tracking down everyone who had been in the VIP of the clubs while Alessio was there.

I knew he had the money and smarts to figure it out, it just seems that him having nothing yet is really weighing down on his mood.

"How are you today?" I ask him.

He shrugs a little and sits at my side. His dark hair is a mess and I can tell he hasn't been sleeping.

Even with the dark circles and stubble on his face he's still so handsome.

"Nothing," He replies. "I'm working on it though."

I reach out and touch his hand. "I know you are. Don't drive yourself crazy with this."

"Easier said than done, Olivia."

"I know,"I frown and look at my hands in my lap. "Have you...have you heard anything? Anything at all about Kim?"

He looks over," No, love."

"I don't blame them," I sigh sadly and look out towards the rising sun. "I'm a walking warning sign. I'm always causing trouble."

"It's not you, Olivia."

"Really?" I roll my eyes. "Have you seen what happens to me?"

He looks over and glares. "I'm the reason this happens, Olivia. The Romano family is the reason you are in these situations."

"I just...I hate knowing they really don't want me around her."

"Give them time."

I nod a little. "I'm trying...I just miss her a lot. I really wanted things to feel normal. I guess I'm just destined to always ruin something."

"Olivia..."Alessio starts up. "You know I won't force you into something you don't want. If you need more ti-"

"Stop!" I say harshly. "Stop! You always jump to that."

His dark eyes look me over slowly. "I'm just reminding you. It hurts to even mention it but I won't be that person."

"Maybe you are the one with cold feet." I argue.

He snorts, "I've been begging you to marry me."

"I said yes, didn't I?"

"Yeah," He teases and moves to wrap his arm around me. "After you nearly died."

I slap at him playfully. "Shut up!"

"We need to talk about next steps."

"What do you mean?" I eye him carefully.

His jaw flexes and he gazes back out towards the window. "They are discharging you today."

"I know." I say confused.

"I'll be bringing you back home, Olivia."

I feel my insides squirm and tighten. I knew he would jump to this.

"Alessio, please!"I groan loudly. "It doesn't matter where I go! I haven't even been out here long yet and school just started."

"Olivia, it really isn't up for discussion." He says sternly.

"It never is with you."

He ignores me. "I'll have some people bring your things back over the week. We can get you switched to a school in the area."

"I like it here, Alessio," I shake my head. "I've had the plan to move back to New York since I left. My childhood friends are here and my school is like no other."

"I can't protect you here."

"You have hundreds of guards!" I huff and fold my arms. "There are tons of people of yours located in every city."

"I need to be the one to protect you,Olivia," He stares back at me. His expression hard. "I need to be the one to care for you."

"I've worked so hard for this, Alessio."

"I'm not saying you haven't. You are the most talented person I've met and anyone would be lucky to have you create art for them."

I roll my eyes,"Flattery will get you nowhere right now."

"Make this easier, Olivia." He pleads and runs his hands through his hair.

"You stay here with me."

He looks up at me with tired eyes. "You know I can't do that."

"Have some guards stay posted somewhere close."

"I can't-" He mutters into his hands. "Mateo..."

"What?"

He peaks at me. "Mateo can stay with you."

"That is...weird."

"Olivia."

I hold my hands up. "Anna?"

He thinks for a moment. "I don't know..."

"What if it is just for a few months? Let me finish semester and see how things go with her out here."

"Possibly."

I smile a little bit and lean over to kiss his cheek. He looks over at me and his dark lashes cast shadows across his defined cheekbones.

"You know how to work me over." He accuses.

I smirk at him and my hand creeps across his upper thigh. I feel his own hand clamp down over my own and he pins me there.

"I'll come home at semester if you are still this concerned."

He looks me over again and sighs. "Fine."

"Really?" I perk up.

He nods and laughs a little," Yes, love. This is what couples do."

"Hey! I'm the one who has always told you that." 

He leans over and plants a kiss firmly on my mouth. I melt into it and let my hands travel up the length of his back.

I could stay here forever in his arms. I miss him every single day he is away.

I know I want to marry him. I want to be with him, but I still need to have some of my independence.

I don't want to be that girl everyone thinks only made it this far because of her husband. I want to be known for my accomplishments I spent hours slaving over.

New York is that place for me. Dreams are made here.

"Compromised." Alessio says randomly.

I pull back a little and stare at him confused. "Huh?"

"We compromised, right? We came to an understanding."

"Yes?" I stare back at him and am not sure if he's going crazy from the lack of sleep.

"I'm just not normally good at compromises," He chuckles. "It will take some getting used to."

"We can't always get what we want."

"You can when you're the don," He taps my nose. "You are the only one who can tame that side of me."

"I know."

I feel a smile crawl across my face again as he wraps me into his arms. Our lips meet as we fall back onto the bed beneath us.

The entire world seems to shift with our energy.

This is home.

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