Losing The Past

Part 22

By the time we got to the little café my nerves were shot, my mask had slipped and I bet I looked a hot mess. But no one said anything, nothing to me and nothing to anyone else either, making it a very awkward ride. I had thought it would be just Viktor and myself going, but he had a group of four other men with us. Right now two men have left the limo, while we still sit here.

After ten minutes, the other two men leave and it is only Viktor and I in the limo, even the driver had left us. I was so confused but nervous at the same time, I was currently trying to hold the contents of my stomach down that the confusion didn't show on my face this time.

"Your friend has just pulled up, we will wait five more minutes to make sure he has come alone and isn't wearing a bug. This is all for our safety to make sure that Catelli doesn't get to us, either of us." I nod my head and turn to look at the café, I was so anxious to see him again.

Viktor's phone rings bringing me out of my stare down with the café window, he says nothing and hangs up.

"Let's go, remember walk beside me and don't say to much." I nod confirming that I have heard him. So we walk together into the café, he holds open the door for me and I can see him watching us walk in. The relief is clear on his face, and it looks like he is close to crying. I am already tearing up and can feel them rolling down my cheeks.

Viktor takes my arm in a supporting manor, but Charlie doesn't like him touching me, his features harden and his eyes watch us closely as we get closer to the bench. Once we reach him I slip into the seat first and Viktor slides in beside me.

"What do you want Ricco? Name your price." Charlie states strongly, like he would do anything for me. Viktor holds Charlies stare for a few tense minutes before speaking.

"Are you tapped? I have already scouted the area up to eight blocks for any of Catelli's men." Charlie lifts up his shirt and shakes it out, showing the top half of his body isn't tapped.

"He doesn't know I am here. He told me I wasn't allowed to meet up without a plan." Charlie admitted, by the pleased look Viktor gave him I guess that was the right thing for him to say.

 Viktor looks at me and gives me a nudge, eyes up Charlie and nods. That is his hint I can talk first, turning towards Charlie I get his attention.

"I miss you Chuck, so very much." I choke up a little, fresh tears roll down my cheeks. Viktor hands me some Kleenex out of his pocket before interrupting Charlie before he could answer me.

"Since you are so eager to get down to business boy, I have a proposition for you. Naomie has informed me of your situation and the promise Arthur Catelli has made to you. I do hope you are not as naïve to believe that you can be 'let out' of the Mafia. The only way out is in a body bag my boy, and as I told you over the phone Naomie has proven herself to me and my family. Come work with me, I am wanting to try and find a way to take over Catelli's kingdom for myself." Viktor put the offer down on the table as straight forward as expected from him.

Charlie smiles and waves to someone behind us, Viktor and I turn around to see Marshal come out from the kitchen, dressed to impress in a nice fancy suit.

"Good evening Mr. Ricco, Naomie. I hope you don't mind me interrupting your meeting. I was hoping to have a few words with you as well regarding my Uncle. It seems we both have the same agenda, and by this we both want my Uncle to 'retire' in more ways then one." he has a seat across from me and this version of Marshal I don't recognize at all.

"Oh how the tides have turned, splendid." Viktor grinned like the Cheshire cat who has won the lottery. "Well and what do I get in return for helping you and what is stopping you from going back on your word?" Viktor asks, almost taunting Marshal.

"Well we do have someone in common," he points to Charlie and me before continuing, "I found out my Uncle was actually planning on killing Charlie and using Naomie to help expand his business in human trafficking. That is not something that sits well with me, and quite a few others that work for my Uncle. This takeover has been in the works for a few years now, but I just haven't had any leverage so to speak." Marshal explains, I look to Charlie who is staring at me, he reaches over to touch me and I turn to Viktor who gives me a side eye and confirmation. I take his hand instantly as a few more tears fall down my cheeks.

"I promise, I am okay." I whisper loud enough for him to hear, but I know everyone else heard me as well because they both turned to look at me with tender smiles on their faces. I knew at this moment things were going to be okay.

"We have business to discuss, are you okay if these two are excused? My driver will take them to one of my hotels to stay for the night." Viktor confirmed this with Marshal before we left in the limo, two of the guards from earlier had to go with us to make sure that Charlie doesn't do anything stupid, but I didn't care. I was curled up right beside Chuck with my arms wrapped around his neck and my face resting on his chest while his arms were wrapped around holding me close as well.

The ride was quiet, but I was thankful. We pulled up to a fancy hotel and the first guard got out and went inside. We were told we had to wait so we did, it wasn't long before that guy came back gave us the card key and got back in the car. It drives off and I am confused, aren't they going to watch us closer. Before I could think to hard on the turn of events Charlie takes my hand and smiles softly as he pulls me in for a kiss.

When our lips meet, everything feels right and I am flying high. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. He gets the memo and pulls me closer as well, he pulls back and closes his eyes as he rests his forehead on mine. We stay quiet as he sits with his eyes closed, I take the moment to look him over and realize how bad he actually looks.

He has black baggy eye bags making his eyes look a little sunken in, he is very pale compared to his normal skin tone, and he had lost some weight. I pull away causing him to open his eyes and just look at me. The smile never once left his lips the whole time.

"Let's get up to the room baby, I just need to hold you to make sure I am not dreaming." he leans down and kisses my forehead as I hand him the card key to the room and we walk into the hotel and straight to the elevator. On the keycard it says VIP room 1183, 83rd floor so at least we knew where we were staying.

The door opens up into a lobby type area, we go in and see three rooms up here, finding our number Chuck opens the door and ushers me inside. The room was more like an apartment, the kitchen, dining and living room was all one large open room. Furnishings looked brand new, the sofa included as it was pristine white, the table was sturdy oak and finished in a red color to match the rest of the room. There were three doors, one to the bedroom, bathroom and a storage room. I kicked off my shoes and went straight into the kitchen to make something to eat as neither of us got supper during our meeting.

"Naomie, I..." he started, but stopped. He wasn't looking at me, he was lost for words. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him and give him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Don't think. This is what is going to happen, you and I are going to have something to eat, we are going to talk and chat but nothing about the situation or what is coming. Tonight is about us and seeing if we still have the same spark we did years ago, okay?" he has tears swimming in his eyes as he smiles widely at me and nods his head before giving me a kiss. I close my eyes and feel his tears touch my face, my heart melted and I knew right here and now that I do still love him.