I stared at her through the window as she laughed with the girls. Ellie looked at me and I couldn't look away. I felt a smile creep up my lips and forced it down.
"Cameron!" I heard my cousin yell and I turned my gaze towards him with the beer bottle in his hand
"What?" I asked
"Why the hell would you bring Miles girlfriend here?" He asked
"I'm sorry. I didn't know we weren't invited" I said
"Don't pull that bullshit. You know I don't care about that. My issue is why you would bring Miles girlfriend here to meet his friends before he could do it himself." Christian said and Giovanni shook his head
"Where the hell is Miles anyways?" Giovanni asked
"That's why I came here. I needed to talk to you two. Also, she was cooped up in that house. She needs friends other than me" I said and they laughed loudly
I rolled my eyes. "What?" I asked annoyed
"Cameron you don't befriend women. I've never seen you do that." Christian said
"Ellie and I are friends. Miles asked me to protect her."
I said
"Is Miles crazy? Of all people, he asked you?" Giovanni asked
I flipped him off. "Listen okay, I was the only person he said could keep her safe. I told him I'd do it but I think he's in big trouble. Miles killed Damian Carter apparently a group was not a fan of that. They said they'd hurt Ellie in exchange for Carters life and Miles told me he won't let that happen. I don't know all the details but I think he's working for someone to keep them away from Ellie. He couldn't ask either of you because of your circumstances so he asked me. I told him yes" I said
"Because you want to fuck his girlfriend?" Christian asked and I glared at him
"No. Because I kind of feel bad for him. He seemed miserable when I saw him but he said he'd do anything for her." I said
"You don't think..." Giovanni started looking at Christian
"It's been years" Christian said knowingly
"Hello. Fill me in" I said angrily
"You didn't know Miles then, but I'm sure you've heard of him." Giovanni said "They called him death."
"No way." I said remembering the stories I used to hear about death claiming you or death coming after you in the business
"Three years ago was his last kill. His father trained him from his youth to be a hit man since he wouldn't have no claim to a seat as a leader. He taught Miles how to inflict and take pain since he was little. I heard stories but never questioned it. We were still friends no matter what. Miles never wanted to talk about what he did. Ever. Up until three years ago he had broken. He couldn't bear the void inside his heart from all the killing. He wanted to stop. His father was displeased with him especially after he had signed a contract for Miles to work for a man. Miles refused and the guy got mad that he did and killed Miles father. Although Miles hated his dad that finally broke him. That was the day he was at my doorstep in the rain covered in blood from head to toe with nothing in his gaze but emptiness. He killed the guy and swore not to kill again. That was until Carter came in the picture." Giovanni said
I stared at him in shock.
"I never would have thought. He seems so.." I trailed off
"I know and that's what makes him even scarier to some" Christian said
"You think they have him working as a hitman?" I asked them
"I can't see them recruiting him for anything other than what he's the best at." Giovanni said
"So what should I do?" I asked "How do I help?"
"I'm surprised you want to help." Christian said and I glared at him again
"If I don't get her back in Miles' arms soon I'm going to want her in mine. Him not being around as a buffer between us won't work" I confessed
"First and foremost stay on his good side. Keep Ellie safe and keep your distance from her. Whatever job he's doing is for her and her only so if he doesn't have even that to come back to after this, he might spiral" Christian said warning me "He will kill you Cam. Don't underestimate him."
I nodded looking over at Ellie laughing with the girls. Why did it seem so hard to keep my distance?
"It would be Cameron to fall in love with death's girlfriend" Christian said and I looked at him insanely
"I'm not in love. I don't do love" I said and they both shook their heads
"Mmhm" Giovanni said
"I should get her back before Miles gets home." I said looking at the time.
They stood up from their chairs walking into the house with me. The ladies laughter died down when we stepped in.
"I'm starting to think you girls were talking shit about us" I said and they rolled their eyes. I saw one with blonde hair eyeing me, Kim. She eye fucked me every chance she got. Giovanni went behind Angela where she stood and put his hand on her baby bump. He kissed her forehead and whispered something in her ear that made her bite her lip. He smirked and looked at her. I looked at Ellie to see her staring at them too smiling softly and I saw the want in her eyes.
"Ready?" I asked Ellie and she nodded getting out of her seat
"Thank you all for having me. It was nice meeting you all." She said
"Yes you have our numbers. We'll call you for our next outing!" Lauren said and Ellie smiled nodding
She turned towards the exit.
"Always a pleasure ladies" I said
"Cameron remember what I said" Christian said sternly and I nodded at him before following Ellie out
We made it to the car and I helped her in the passenger seat and I got in myself.
"God I had so much wine" Ellie said
"You better not puke in my baby" I said and she rolled her eyes
"Thank you Cam." She said
"Cam?" I asked with an eyebrow raised
"Well I figured since I can't say the whole name, I'd use a nickname. Is that okay?" She asked and I stared at her lips then to her eyes
"It's perfect" I said driving off
"No like really. Thank you. I haven't had friends since Damian and I dated. I pushed them away scared that they'd find out that he was beating me." My hand tightened on the steering wheel thinking about him putting his hands on her. "I was embarrassed so I pushed them away. I haven't had a time like this in so long and it's because of you so thank you."
"Of course Ellie. That's what friends are for" I said
"You're a great friend Cam" She said and I felt good. They were right I never was friends with women. I never had friends. I was always to myself but to have her appreciate me and call me her friend made me feel good. Like I was important. Like everything else didn't matter. I knew I had to get Miles out this mess before I actually did fall for her. It was a matter of time before I did and when I did I wouldn't let her go. I'd have to fight against death personified for her heart.
YOU ARE READING
Mafia Men III: Marino
RomanceIn this third book of Mafia men. We follow the story of Miles Marino. He takes over Giovanni's seat and meets a woman just as broken as he is. He navigates his darkness, love, and his buried past. This is his story.
