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Chapter 17

              HERMANN RODRIGUEZ POV.

[Flashback]

“Mom… Mother, look what I got for you!”

“Stop calling me that!”

“But… but what do you want me to call you then?”

“I want you to shut your mouth. That’s what I want.”

“What about the pendant I made for you? Don’t you like it?”

“Hermann, stop! I don’t give a damn about your stupid pendant— you listen, you little bastard, you better disappear from my sight or I’ll blow your head off!”

She was smoking, drunk, her makeup smeared, her hair a mess.  She held a pistol to my forehead, ready to pull the trigger. The hate in her eyes was a chilling reflection of her soul.

[Present]

“Fuck her,” I muttered, lighting a cigarette, trying to erase the flashbacks that circled my head.

“May I come in?” Genevieve’s voice came from the other side of the door.  “Come in,” I allowed.

“Do you have a minute?” she asked, entering.  “Sure, have a seat,” I offered.

“Hermann, I hope you know what you’re doing,” she said, her voice laced with worry.  I hadn’t heard that tone from her in ages.

“Honestly, I don’t, but I don’t want to let her go,” I whispered. “Not until I figure out what I want to do with her.”

A pregnant silence hung between us.  Then Genevieve warned, “Ivy’s a stubborn girl.”

“I’m aware,” I agreed, earning a small giggle from her.

“I don’t like the bond you’re building with Norman,” I said, pouring a glass of wine.

“Norman’s not as bad as you think. He’s actually a gentleman,” she replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I just want what’s best for you,” I said, aware of how possessive I sounded.

“I know, but I’m not fifteen anymore. I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself, Hermann,” she said, taking my hand.  “It’s I who’s worried, Hermann. What happened in Italy?”

“Sebastian’s planning my marriage,” I said.

“That son of a bitch!” Genevieve exploded.  “How dare he? This is unbelievable! I knew that call was more than just a greeting.”

“Well, yes. Now he says he’s got it all planned,” I chuckled dryly.

“Without considering you?”

“Of course.”

“He’s a psycho,” Genevieve whispered, folding her arms.  “What are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing,” I murmured, taking a sip of wine.

“Hermann, it’s time to stand up for yourself. That old wizard can’t control you forever,” she said.

“That old wizard leads the largest and most powerful Mafia in the world,” I snapped.

“So? Just because he’s some Mafia Godfather, he has the right to control your life like a puppet?” she demanded.

“No, but I want what he has. Patience, Genevieve.”
 ______________________________________________

                        GENEVIEVE POV.

“No, but I want what he has. Patience, Genevieve.” He said calmly.

“What about Ivy? What’s her purpose in all this wedding business?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

Hermann froze. I waited. The answer came in a low voice, tinged with a fear that chilled me.

“Something tells me I need her more than anyone else,” he said.

“What’s that?” I asked, looking at his downcast face.

“What’s eating you up?” I repeated slowly.

“Nothing,” he said, instantly shedding the fear and sadness, his eyes turning cold.  “Is dinner served? I’m hungry.”

“I’ll go check right away,” I said, leaving the office.

“There you are, my lady,” Norman’s voice startled me. He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets.

“How long have you been there?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Long enough,” he whispered, approaching me. His arms pulled me close.

“You know if Hermann finds us, you’re dead,” I whispered as he kissed me.

“Then it’s worth it,” he murmured, kissing my neck.

“Stop,” I said between giggles, as his kisses trailed down my neck and his hand slipped beneath my skirt. I gasped, a breathy moan escaping my lips.  He pushed me against the wall, his lips on mine, his hands on my breasts.  “Norman,” I moaned, the name a barely audible whisper lost in the throes of passion.

“Cough… cough… cough…”

A voice broke the spell.  Carlos stood there, a small, amused smile playing on his lips.

“You know there are rooms, right?” he said.

“You know you’d just ignore us, right?” Norman replied, slightly annoyed.

“Dinner is served,” Carlos said, backing away slowly.

“I’ll get Hermann. You get Ivy,” I said, avoiding eye contact as I straightened my clothes and hair.  I knew he wanted to protest, but I couldn’t stay to hear it.

“Dinner is served,” I announced, entering Hermann’s office. He nodded, closing his files and standing.

When we stepped out, I took a deep breath and followed Hermann to the dining table.  Carlos and Miguel were already seated.  Hermann and I joined them, Norman arriving shortly after.

“Where’s Ivy?” I whispered to him when Hermann wasn’t looking.

“She’s coming,” he assured me.

Before we could settle, Ivy descended the stairs in a simple green dress that looked cute on her.  She smiled at me, and I returned the smile. She sat beside Hermann, who couldn’t help but gaze at her extraordinary beauty.  I smiled, then looked at Norman, whose sight was already locked on me.

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