Mafia Men III: Marino

Chapter 12

I could tell she felt out of place. We ate quietly and I looked at her.

"Tell me about you" I said leaning back in my chair

"What do you want to know?" She asked and I smiled

"Anything. Everything." I said and she bit her lip and I tried not to stare at her lips. I've been horny since earlier when she dropped her towel and got dressed in front of me. I wanted to rip ever single piece of clothing off her and keep her in my bed. She knew what she was doing but I could go without sex. I could go without it to prove to her that she's much more than sex. She's more than that to me.

"Well long story short. My dad hit my mom. Started hitting us. I turned 18 emancipated. Moved far away. Worked in catering. Met Damian. Got hit some more. Now I'm here." She said not looking away from her plate

I clenched my fists underneath the table. I couldn't believe all that she's endured.

"I'm sorry" I said

"Don't. I'm not weak." She said

"I know." I said "Still the situation. No one should have to go through with that."

She nodded looking up at me.
"You said us. Does that mean you have siblings?" I asked

She nodded. "Yeah my older brother." She said "He stopped my father from hitting me one time and they kicked him out the house. He didn't want to leave me though but he had to because I wasn't old enough. I used to pray for the day I would turn 18 so I could leave. I tried to convince my mom to leave but she would tell me he promised not to hit her again. Each time again and again. She'd say the same thing. I turned 18 and finally got my papers to leave. I begged her to come with me. She wouldn't go. She loved my dad despite what he did to her. She couldn't see a life without him. I called her a coward before I left. That was the last thing I said to her."

I looked at her and grabbed her hand remembering what I had said to her.
"I'm so sorry-" I started

She shook her head wiping her tears.
"No you- you saying that it was all I needed to see the cycle. I loved my mom to death. I just never wanted to be like her." She said

"Loved?" I asked her scared to hear what she'd say next

"He killed her. Slapped her too hard one day and her head hit the counter and she died from the impact." She said crying

I pulled her chair over to mine and I pulled her into my lap. I pulled her into my chest. She cried in my arms as I kissed her temple and ran my hands up and down her back.

"I got you." I whispered in her ear

We sat there in silence for a while. "My father is in prison for it and I haven't heard from my brother in years. Part of me doesn't even want to see him. If I do I'll be reminded of what we went through. Of what I tried to escape." She said

I nodded and she looked at me in my eyes searching for something.

"You freed me from it. From him. And I don't know how to thank you." She said

"You don't need to." I said and she looked at her hands

"Even if I did. I'd have nothing to give you." She said

"Your company is enough darling." I said

"So sex?" She asked and I shook my head

"No. Ellie. Not sex." I said with my jaw clenched. I calmed down and ran my hand along her jaw. "Not sex. Just you."

She stared at my lips and I did hers. I looked away and she made me look at her.

"Why won't you kiss me?" She asked

"Because if I kiss you I won't be able to stop." I said and she stared at me.

"What do you see in me?" She asked

"Everything you don't." I said and she looked down.
"Come on"

I picked her up as I stood up and she laughed. I carried her bridal style down the gazebo steps and through the garden. She looked me in my eyes. She was so beautiful.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked

"To my favorite part of the garden." I said

"I can walk you know" She said

"You feel so much better in my arms though" I said smiling and she shook her head

We finally made it to where I wanted to show her. It was the pond. The flowers circled the pond and the water glistened so clear we could see ourselves in it. She looked at the scene in awe. I carefully put her down to her feet and she stood there taking it all in. She smiled so hard looking at me and I felt my heart warm. She's never smiled like that in front of me and I loved every single second of it.

"Miles this is beautiful." she said and I went over to pick up a rose with less thorns than the others and handed it to her

"You're beautiful." I said and she took it from me looking at it

"I've never gotten flowers before" She said smiling sadly and I shook my head. She walked off towards the pond.

I took the time to text Alphonso.

Me: Set up a reoccurring weekly flower delivery to Ellie's apartment.

Alphonso: Sure thing boss

I put my phone away and went over to her as she watched the ducks swim.

"They're so cute" She said and I looked at her. She looked up at me and stood straight. She held her rose in one hand and tiptoed to kiss me on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything" She said "I'll never forget this."

"Anything for you darling" I said

She yawned a bit and I grabbed her hand pulling her close to me. She leaned her head on my shoulder as we walked back towards the car.

"Maybe you're not annoying after all" She said and I laughed as she stared at me smiling.