Salvador

Chapter 7

Mona

I fell asleep in Salvador's arms again. Second night in a row. It needs to stop happening.

Just like yesterday, I've woken up before him.

I leave him lying down on the bed and I sneak into the bathroom. Yesterday is vividly attached to my memory and tears form in my eyes when I look at myself in the bathroom mirror. I save my tears from falling for when I get in the shower.

After I'm done washing my hair, thoroughly washing my body of Diego's groping touch and cleaning my cuts up a bit, I wrap a towel around and get out. I put on my same old nurses attire and start brushing out my wet hair. It's gotten slightly longer.

I can feel my eyes swelling slightly from all that cathartic crying. And i sniffle a little.

I flick through my phone, sitting at the side of the bed I slept on. I receive a notification from WhatsApp suddenly, unknown number. I open it and my heart sinks.

"South America Mona? Really? Just come home, pazza [crazy]"

Papá.

I don't answer. I ignore it. I want to be in denial for as long as I can. I want to avoid this obligation until it's time.

I feel Salvador's head land softly on my shoulder and I turn my phone off quickly and sit up next to him. He crawls into my arms and squeezes me tightly. What the fuck. This is too much vulnerability, I don't know if I can handle this.

"Have you been crying?" He asks me as he sits up, yawning quickly after. I don't know how to answer. "Don't think about what happened yesterday, okay?" He continues, keeping his voice at a soothing, sentimental tone "it's not your fault," he cups my face in his hand brushing his thumb lightly over my cheekbone and looking at my reddened eyes sadly "He's dead because of his own actions." he shows no remorse.

I nod in reply and he grabs my face with both his hands and kisses me on the forehead. "Everything is going to be okay." He reassures me. I don't think it is. But for a split second, because of him, because of the way he's talking to me and holding me, I feel like it might be.

"Are you hungry?" He asks me standing up. I'm starving, but i shake my head. "Don't lie to me," he laughs out "I heard your stomach when I hugged you."

How embarrassing, I roll my eyes at him. "I'm hungry." I say and stand up too, walking towards him. He smiles "Finally," He sighs, maintaining that gorgeous smile "I've been trying to hear that lovely voice the moment I woke up."

So many fucking butterflies.

***

It's Sunday. Salvador left yesterday morning after he made me pancakes and made sure I was alright. They were so delicious. And he's great. But I'm so scared. I think I really like him. How could I be so stupid? If my dad saw me being this weak he would make so much fun. Being weak is not the Capriotti way.

My period didn't turn up this morning. It's ended sooner than usual. Thank fuck. Now I'm desperate to go to the beach and wear a bikini, but it's raining again today.

When I asked Salvador what's going to happen when someone finds out that Diego's missing and where I'd live, he just told me not to worry. Claiming that he could find another landlord and quickly muttering to himself that he "owns the police in this city."

There was no more mention of the tattoos as well. Not a single word. That made me uncomfortable. Salvador is an intelligent man, I'm sure he'll find something or spot something that I do or say or have, that will expose me. A part of me is sure, that he already knows.

But, for today I just plan on sitting on the sofa and watching television. And maybe doing the inevitable thing of answering my dad. Although I think I'll probably just procrastinate that, for as long as possible.

I'm settling into the sofa with tea and leftover, heated up soup when there's banging at the door. Who the fuck is this? I get up and place my soup on the table clumsily, almost spilling it and burning myself, "fuck" I mutter.

My heart starts to beat faster as I unlock the door. Probably because of the chaos last night that started from me answering this stupid door.

When i peak between the gap, it's Salvador. He looks incredible. He's clearly been out in the rain. Wet curls spin in his hair and his white shirt is soaked through. Sticking to his defined abs and pecs. I'm finding it hard to catch my breath.

"May i come in?" He asks politely, and out of breath, with that notoriously alluring smile and a deep, sensual voice that sends shivers throughout me. I nod and open the door wider, allowing him to come in.

"What's up?" I ask, timidly. Did he run here from somewhere?

He places his hands in his pockets and looks down at the floor, smiling slightly. When he seems to have gained more confidence, he looks up at me, and looks deeply into my eyes.

"I couldn't wait until tomorrow to see your face again." He says. I would give anything to hear those words in that voice on repeat.

"I-"

"Would you please go on a date with me?" He interrupts. His face is stern and angry now as if he's not used to asking such belittling questions. His hands are still firm in his pockets and he doesn't remove his gaze from me. "Tonight?" He continues.

I gulp. I don't know how to answer. I can see a twitch of worry in his expression and my heart drops. "Yes." I reply, quickly. How could I possibly say no? It's just a date, right? It's not like we could ever be a proper couple. Mafia enemies can't date. That would be mayhem.

A smile grows on his face. "Right," he says, holding back his smile "I'll see you tonight then. I'll pick you up at eight."

I nod and smile in reply. I can barely remember the last time I went on a proper date.

He turns around and opens the door to leave, but just as he does, he hesitates at the last minute. He looks deep in thought, and I wish I could know what he was thinking. He closes the door. Slams it. And turns to look at me slowly. What does he want?

He walks up to me and swiftly and gently he wraps his arms around my waist. He feels so large and muscular, and my knees get weak at the feeling. He's lifting me up slightly so that I'm on my toes, without even trying. He whispers in my ear "I want you Mona." I shudder.

He brushes his lips on my neck and jawline, leaving gentle kisses. He's dangerously close to my lips. "Can I?" He whispers slowly while looking at my lips with a frightening thirst.

No man has ever made me feel this nervous and lustful before and I'm struggling to fight it off. I nod softly in reply.

He smiles and then quickly presses his soft, warm lips against mine. Pulling me into a passionate kiss. His body is warm and damp from the rain. He brushes his tongue against mine gently. But he lets me control the pace. I love it. He holds the back of my neck and I let out a soft moan at his dominating touch.

Finally, he releases, still holding onto me. It's as if he knows that if he were to let go of me completely, I'd collapse.

He lets me go after a couple seconds and i find it hard to stay upright.

"I have to go Bonita, I'm sorry," I love the way he speaks to me "but I'll see you tonight." He winks, and leaves.

I sigh and fall back into the sofa. It's only nine in the morning, how am I going to get through the day?