Indecent Pawn

Chapter Fourteen

Antonio and most of the guards left abruptly to Carmine’s home. Allison was consoling Carlina because she was distraught. The commotion going on in the house is what roused her out of an already restless sleep. Thinking inappropriate things about Antonio made it especially hard. The last thing he really said to her was ‘you should know,’ saying she really wasn’t a good judge in character. That statement alone cut pretty deep and sadly she agreed with him. Who was she to judge his cousin or anyone else for that matter? Looking at who she was married to would tell it all.

Just one look at his disturbed face, any selfish thought of her feelings being hurt didn’t matter anymore. If she were his woman she wouldn’t waste any time comforting him before he left. The sadness was evident with a simmering volcano of anger just below the surface. From the spurts of rushed conversation, it seems that Carmine may have been murdered. The women were on strict lockdown until he returned and maybe even a bit longer. Carlina was dead set against laying down for she was fearful for her own child.

Making Antonio promise to return to her safely with nothing but seriousness in her tone. He’d kissed her on the cheek and regarded Allison with a brief glare before tearing his gaze away. Leaving she wondered what the look meant and she wasn’t going to ask neither. The other guards Matteo, Salomone, and Rosario were the main ones left on the grounds to keep them safe. Allison had to admit she was a little on edge as well, wanting to make sure he was safe and sound. She was sorry for his loss but she didn’t want anything to happen to him in the process of trying to get answers.

“They’re back.” Carlina said frantically running to the door. Allison had been in the kitchen fixing them some tea in hopes of soothing their nerves.

The entire day had gone by without so much as a word from him or his boys. As much as Allison wanted to see about him, she remained rooted in that spot. Surly he didn’t want her crowding his space. It wasn’t like they were family. The guys filed into the kitchen with solemn and worn expressions on their faces. She knew they were tired both mentally and physically. It was drawing on eight at night. They’ve been moving since the wee hours of the morning.

“Can I fix you guys a plate? I made dinner.” Allison offered.

“That would be nice. Thanks.” Gio said.

“What is it? It smells good.” Roberto asked. There were a total of five men sitting at the table. Even the guards that were left behind were in the kitchen now. They were convinced they couldn’t eat nor relax until everyone else returned home.

“It’s a shrimp, crawfish, and crab etouffee.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a creole dish. Basically a gravy full of spices over white rice. Garlic bread on the side.” Just from the description they were curious. Taking five soup plates, placing them on a dinner plate Allison proceeded to add a bed of rice and finally the etouffee. The space between the soup plate and dinner plate, she added a slice of garlic bread. Serving each one of them their dishes and she waited for their response.

“This is delicious.” Matteo groaned. Everyone else at the table only groaned and grunted their praises.

“Marry me, please.” Rosario joked. The guys laughed at his foolishness.

“Maybe in another life, Rosario.” She giggled.

“Alli, this is really good. You are a really good cook.” Roberto said. He’d just recently started to call her Alli and she didn’t mind. This would be the first nick name as a grown up. Derek had always barked her full name or called her demeaning names in place of it.