Destined For The Mafia (18+) (3 of 3)

Chapter 33 - Together

I wake the next morning soaking in my own sweat. It doesn't startle me to wake that way anymore. It's from the same dream as every other night. Or rather, nightmare.

The words echo in my ears as I get up and force myself to the bathroom.

"There is no going back, Cat. Only forward. So do it. Kill me. Make it quick or make it hurt, I don't care. I want it to be you."

I lean over the sink and close my eyes, fighting my brain to forget, but it just keeps repeating.

"I love you. I told you. Now do it. Like you killed the rest of my family."

I rub at my eyes. I splash cold water on my face.

"You did it once. Do you think I deserved it?"

I collapse on the bathroom floor against the bathtub.

"It wasn't me who did this, Cat."

My mouth tries to scream, but no sound comes out.

I can't breathe.

"I'm dead either way."

My arms wrap around my knees and I rock back and forth until Daria eventually comes to wake me up and finds me in the same position as yesterday.

- - -

I sign the contracts Ace has brought over in my office. Neither of us speaks about yesterday. At least not yet. It seems he understands the topic is closed. Good.

I have pulled myself together enough that only one voice haunts me now. A little one with so much weight.

"Why you sad?"

I shake my head and finishing signing the last page. I give Ace the papers and he grins, tucking them in his folder.

"Daddy is sad."

The way Stefano said the words... like he thought I didn't know. That I wouldn't see. I wish he didn't see, but I wish he knew I did at least. Even if it was my own fault his dad was sad in the first place.

"Acey. He makes you smile."

I wish I could explain to him in words that I can't put together why it is different. I don't even know how to explain it to myself, let alone a three year old boy.

Ace hands me the next pile to sign.

"Daddy sees too."

My pen slips, sending a line if black ink down the bottom inch of the page. I swear under my breath and throw the pen across the desk.

"What's wrong?" Ace asks, his grin gone.

Snap out of it, Caterina.

"My son," I say curtly, not wanting to discuss it with him of all people. He would gloat until the end of times. He would be right - as Stefano was - but it means I am wrong. So, so wrong.

"What happened?" Ace presses, ignoring my tone. I shoot him a glare that I know he understands.

"He's fine. He just made some comments." I sigh and shake my head, looking up to the ceiling. "He notices more than I thought he could for his age."

"About?"

"Things he misunderstood," I say plainly, looking him in the eye. His jaw tenses as if he understands exactly what was misunderstood.