Her Reckless Lion -Mafia Romance (BOOK TWO)

Six: Dove

Chapter Six:

Dove

It was warm and soft. I felt like I was floating.

It was rather strange and foreign to me. I didn't feel pain. Nothing ached for once.

I got up from where I was and looked around aimlessly. There was nothing in sight for miles. Gently, I moved my arm and legs. All the bruises, welts, and broken bones were fixed. My arms weren't scarred. When I touched my neck, there was no heavy metal collar either. I wasn't trapped in the dark and filthy cellar that I started to refer to as my cage. Getting up, I wandered around without direction, trying to collect my thoughts.

Was I dead?

I stared at my own hands, tilting my head to the side.

Who was I?

What was my name again?

I kept trying to find out who I was as I wandered until something appeared on my line of vision. Or, at least it was something. Her back was turned, but she was familiar. I quietly walked up, the sense of familiarity driving me forward in a race to ease my mind of where I am, and who am I. Finally, she turned, and my breath got caught in my throat. Tears pricked at my eyes as I covered my mouth.

"Mother?"

"Hi, baby," she smiled at me. It was the kind that warmed your heart. She didn't seem to age for even a moment. Neither one of us said anything, I was too stunned to walk, frozen in place as I took more of her in. Her beautiful hair fell over her shoulder, resting just above her hips. Her face looked fuller, and the bags under her eyes were gone. She looked happy for once, free from any form of suffering she faced in the hands of my father. "You've grown so much since the last time I saw you."

I nodded, noticing there was a strong bright light behind her. It radiated warmth and safety, something I've been craving for months. Now, everything that I've been asking for is just a few feet away. Without another thought, I lifted my foot to take a step towards her when a voice rang loud in my head.

"You are my other half. You can't leave me. Not when I just found you."

I stopped midway; my foot still raised to take another step forward. Someone was calling me. I turned my head back, trying to remember who it was. His voice was rough but warm. It made me feel so safe. It made me feel safer and warmer than the light behind mother. It made me want to run back just to hear him speak again. Unlike the monster I was with, he was the exact opposite.

Does such a person exist?

Why does his voice soothe me? Why does it sound familiar?

"I guess it's not your time yet, isn't it?" my mother said. I snapped my attention back at her to see her smiling at me. I loved her smile more than anything else. Yet, I couldn't find it in me to take another step towards where she was. Instead, she seems to float towards me and cups my cheeks. "He loves you, Dove."

Dove. Yes, that was my given name. It was given by my mother.

Dove Genovese.

I frowned at my last name, noticing how off it sounded. It didn't sound right at all.

Was that my last name? Or did I go by something else?

The more I thought, the more the pain in my heart and head started. No, I didn't want to feel. I wanted to forget and be happy. I didn't want to remember, that only led to crying and heartbreak. I finally placed my foot down, ready to take another step towards what was behind my mom. It was an endless bright light. It seems to be warm and inviting; seeming to melt away all my problems I wanted to forget. I was so tired, so—