Love Shot

Chapter 21: Sisterly bond

The next day

7:30am

CARLOS'S POV

I rolled up the sleeves of my dress shirt until my elbows and I left the first two buttons undone. I adjusted my belt and neatened up my hair. I was getting ready for a meeting with Miguel. It's actually not much of a meeting, more like a coffee date thing. Miguel and I are close, not as close as I am with Lexi, Matteo and Alexander, but close nonetheless. Miguel, Natasha, Jade, Gabriel and I formed our own squad a few years ago, during my first year as don of the Devil's Mafia.

If I'm being honest, I never liked Gabriel, even when we were kids and especially when he went after Nadia. How do you date your cousin's ex a week after the breakup, regardless of whether there were feelings involved? But he was like that for as long as I can remember: competitive. I was quite close with his sister, Jade, though. She's takes party animal to the next level, like her brother, but the difference between them is that Jade actually respects boundaries and she's more humble.

I met Natasha at one of Dad's meetings, where she was present with her dad. We ditched the meeting and we've been good friends since then. She's an quiet and sweet person but she's got a hidden rebellious side. I was the one who convinced her to ditch the meeting with me. Her parents were very strict on her, which would explain why she was terrified of ditching with me, but I made it happen.

I met Miguel within the year I became the don. He's my business partner, a CEO of a big company, and he often helps with my sales and transportation of stock. We developed a bond and I'm closest to him. Apparently, him, Gabriel, Jade and Natasha knew each other too so we formed a squad. Gabriel had some weird ass name which we all dismissed.

Anyway, Miguel wanted to catch up and I'm sure he wants updates about Astraea and I. Not that there's much to tell other than our make up and shifting into the friendzone which I hate with a strong passion. We were so in love. We had sex. I saved her from that so-called mother and uncle of hers. I made her smile by dancing with her, which she wouldn't stop smiling about that night. I stayed up all night to find her and make sure she was safe. Sure, a friend would do most of that but it holds a deeper level of sentimentality to me. Those were the moments I let my guard down and allowed myself to feel something for someone. I'd do anything and everything for Astraea. I'd give anything to hold her in my arms and kiss her sweet, feisty lips into oblivion right now. I miss her. I can't do what I want to do if we're friends. But if it makes her happy then so be it. If that's what it takes to get her back then I'll do it. I'll put my desires aside if it means she could wholeheartedly trust me again. I'd do it for her. Astraea is my weakness, and I can see it. My family and friends don't have the control she has over me. Not being able to show her that is something I fucking hate.

I took a deep breath, getting rid of the scowl on my face. I put on the ring Astraea got for me and slid my phone into my pocket before leaving my room and going to my car. Before I left the house though, Dad stopped me.

Angelo: You've been busy lately. I haven't seen you around much.
Carlos: Leading a mafia is a lot of work.
Angelo: I know that Son, I was once there too.

Dad came up to me and put a hand on my shoulder, making me turn around to face him.

Angelo: You're distracting yourself.
Carlos: There's nothing to distract myself from.
Angelo: Are you sure? You're definitely not distracting yourself from the shift your relationship with Astraea has taken?
Carlos: We made up but we're keeping it...friendly.
Angelo: Ouch.

I chuckled, which made Dad smile.

Angelo: What's on your mind?
Carlos: I hurt her. She doesn't trust me.
Angelo: It's only natural. It wasn't our secret. It was yours and you hid it from her. Remember, she's been hurt countless times by the people who were supposed to love her. This situation reopened that wound. You've at least made progress. You're not ignoring each other.