It begins with us.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ava's POV

The warm air brushing against my skin was a welcomed relief after the events that had taken place moments ago. I hugged myself, running my hands up and down my arms while that image replayed back in my mind. Repulsion was all I felt as his black eyes narrowed in on me, disgust shivered up my spin as he grabbed himself in front of everyone, licking his lips as he looked directly at me. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself in certain situations when the time calls for it, but this? This was something else initially. I've had boys and men stare at me, their gaze lingering a little too long, but I'd never felt the wave of uncertainty as I did today. There was something in those hollow eyes that honestly shook me to my very core. Like this man was born with no soul, just a shell of pure evil residing within the depths of his body. I'm far from religious, having never stept foot inside a church before, but this encounter left me sending a silent prayer up to the heavens.

"Are you ok?"

My head snaps to my right, seeing the concern in Yaakov’s eyes and frown on his face as I simply smile up at him. It was the fakest smile I could muster, and he saw straight through it as his frown deepened. I let out a sigh of defeat, looking down to the ground as I shake my head.

"No"

I sigh out, feeling his warm touch on my bare arm that instantly makes me catch my breath.

"It's OK not to be Ava"

God! This man was something else. He had a way with words that honestly made me melt for him. How is that even possible!

"Even the bravest of people can be left feeling uneasy. Especially when Uri is involve."

I look up at him as he mumbled the last bit of his sentence, my curiosity getting the best of me as a question that has been swirling around inside my mind escapes from my lips.

"Even you? With the...well with the line of work your in?"

His eyes widen slightly, that devilish smirk I crave so much makes it's was through his heavy set beard.

"And what is it do you think I do Ava?"

Fucking seriously!

I was expecting him to answer the question! But of course! Mr Mafia has to irritate me by answering a question with a question! Was I expecting anything less? I narrow my eyes, not wanting to give him the upper hand as I throw another question his way.

"Is it too hard for you? To answer someone's question?!"

I demand, crossing my arms over my chest as I wait for his answer, my foot tapping against the foot path grabs his attention, raising his eyebrows as he chuckles softly.

"Didn't realise I was dealing with a child, my mistake"

I watch dumbfounded, my mouth dropping open as he walks off without me. One of his men is already standing by the car, door open as he swiftly slides in, not spearing me a second glace while I roll my eyes at his behaviour. And he has the nerve to call me a CHILD!

"Are you coming? I have an important engagement that I would rather not be late for"

He calls out of the opened car door while his gaze is glued to the phone in his hands, fingers firing against the screen as I huff with irrational at this man's obvious abuse of power. Well fuck him! Two can play at this game! With my head raised I turn on my heals and move in the direction of the second car. My heals hit the ground hard as one of his men moves quickly to open the car door, a worried look appears on the young man's face but I don't care, Mr Asshat can ride back all by himself.

"Thank you"

I grunt out, dropping into the seat and cross my arms over my chest.

"Everything ok?"

"Yep"

I pop the P as Rivka's chuckling bounces around the car, my focus remains out the window of course as the car begins to merge into the traffic. All I want to do is scream at the man for getting under my skin. Referring me to a child has struck a nerve while the man couldn't even answer my question. This whole secretsy bullshit about who he is, or what he does is just that, bullshit. Did he honestly think I wouldn't have questions regarding it all for fuck sake! I get that people are guarded, keeping secrets close to themselves, but after everything I just hoped that he would be open about something with me.

"So my dear, are you going to continue to look out at the view? Or are you going to tell me what my son has done to make you look like you took a bit out of a lime."

I nibble on my bottom lip, turning my head slowly as I focus it on Sofia sitting beside me. She looked elegant as always, sitting straight with one leg crossed over the other, her hands resting on the fabric of her black Chanel pencil skirt while all I felt was embarrassment by my behaviour. Here I was, a grown woman acting like a child.

"Sorry"

I whisper out as she shakes her head with amusement.

"I didn't ask for an apology, Ava."

She smiles while tucking her dark brown hair behind her ear.

"Will you take some advice for an old woman? Someone who knows a thing or two about how to handle men that take amusement in getting under the skin of the women they love?"

What. The. Actual. FUCK!

I stare back at her with my mouth open wide, just like the first time I had breakfast with her while I swallow the lump that has began to form inside of my throat.

"I..um..well..I"

That was the best I could do as my body began to heat up, feeling like I have just been caught red handed with my hand deep inside the cookie jar. My heart begins to race as I rub my sweaty palms over the material resting on top of my thighs. Sofia doesn't even look surprised as she continues to stare at me, waiting for my answer while my brain frys off in all directions of what she had just voiced. Despite the sweating and my brain's ability to form a proper sentence, all I really want to do is grin like a fucking idiot.

"He..really?..how do..um"

I stammer as Sofia begins to laugh, looking even more beautiful as I am taken back by surprise. My eyes move to Rivka who is just smirking at me with satisfaction, knowing full well that I have just exposed my feelings towards her brother.

"Ava, I know my son. He may think he can hide his emotions, but what he doesn't seem to notice is that everyone can see the way he looks at you."

My cheeks begin to flame a deep red, remembering when I kicked him from underneath the table because of the lost look that was planted on his ridiculously handsome face. I knew what he was thinking, because I had been thinking the exact same thing. Remembering what his tongue felt like when he licked up my neck, the feel of his ruff hard hands gripping my thighs. I couldn't wait to feel it all again. But did he in fact love me? I knew what my feelings were for him, having come to the realisation only yesterday but, I had yet to whisper the words to him. I had never felt this way before, and having my heart broken wasn't on my to-do list, so I needed to tread carefully.

"Ok...so what is the advice?"

I tried to sound brave but I know I failed miserably, my voice wavered slightly as I wanted desperately to know what secrets Sofia was willing to share. I thought about asking her directly about Yaakov, but I felt like I would be crossing a line somehow, betraying him in some way. I wanted to know the truth, but I needed to hear it from him, not anyone else.

"Don't back down, don't show your frustrations, and always have the upper hand, especially when it comes to Yaakov. My son is many things Ava, and has a sharper mind than most, he knows what to say and when to say it. He will use this to his advantage, you just need to remain two steps ahead of him."

Well that's easier said than done.

She reaches over, placing a gentle hand over mine as she smiles.

"And I'd be more than happy to help you achieving it"