SHE IS THE MAFIA (BOOK#2)

Chapter 29

*Tempest Pov*

The even breaths on the back of my neck wake me from my sleep. My eyes are slow to open as I look around a room that isn't mine. The heaviness of a muscly armrests on my waist, with a warm body attached to it. I can't stop my smile from spreading on my face as I remember where I am.

Everything feels warm. Inviting. And permanent. My head feels clouded by the fantasies of what a future with Elias would be like. Waking up with him every morning and slipping under the covers every night. I envy this life I conjure up in my mind.

Elias shifts slightly in his sleep, removing his arm from where they lie. I look at the time. It's way too dark outside for it to be this late in the morning. I quietly sit up in bed, looking over at the relaxed face Elias displays. Strands of unkempt hair cover his eyes, and his lips are slightly parted. I watch his chest rise and fall with every even breath.

I am mesmerized by his existence.

Without waking him, I make it out of his room and to mine, taking a quick shower. I have an hour to myself before Elias and I go to work. I sit and maintain my hair, parting it down the middle and making braids. I pin the end up, so they don't sit on my shoulders; it bothers me. It makes me want to cut my hair again. I am tempted to, but I like how much it has grown.

I wander around downstairs, noticing that Annette hasn't arrived to make breakfast yet. The scent of coffee fills the kitchen as I pour myself a cup and assess the details of what happened last night.

Last night.

I feel terrible for what Carlos and Elias are both enduring right now. I make a mental note to call and checkup on Carlos today, make sure he got to Italy safely. Then there is Elias.

I feel guilty for letting him choke upon his words. For letting him suffer alone when I know everything that is hurting him right now. I wish I could tell him that it wasn't his fault, but I know how he thinks. He will think I am pitying him. He will feel as if all of this is out of pity when it is not.

I remember hearing the tragedy of that night. The night Elias lost his childhood innocence. The traumatic night that took his brother away, the night that ruined Carlos's future of having a family. When I heard the story, I was in shock. I had tears willingly flow from my eyes as Carlos told me everything. I wanted to find Elias at that exact moment and hold him. I wanted to hold and tell him I was sorry for ever thinking he was being a misunderstanding. Because... he is just like me. A broken soul who had his life taken away, just like me.

We were always too much alike.
He always knew how much alike we were. But I didn't.

But there is more to him... there is more to him than a sad boy... no. He is far from someone who deserves pity. I know it, and he knows it. Elias didn't move on from his life that easily. He waited years until he could get revenge. A satisfying, yet ruthless revenge.

He-

"Good morning," I hear a raspy voice say. I jump a little, causing coffee to spill over the cup and onto my hand. Luckily, I already put ice in it. I grab a paper towel to clean up the mess.

"Good morning. Sleep well?" I ask Elias, as he approaches me. He stretches out his arms, exposing his muscular core as his shirt rises. I avert my eyes back to my cup of coffee.

"I did. But I had a déjà vu moment when I woke up without you in bed," he takes my coffee from my hand and puts it to his mouth, "I thought you left me again,"

I laugh a little.

He will be the one leaving me this time.

For some reason, there is this tension. This electrifying tension between us this morning. Maybe it's because we slept in the same bed for the first time since we first hooked up. Maybe it's the dark clouds that illuminate grey lighting and a steamy vibe.