Falling For The Mob

17 Guard dog

Addy

The moment her ex walked in, I could immediately sense the shift in Sam. There was no change in her demeanor, but she had this way of making the air in the room feel thick and uncomfortable whenever she becomes really upset.

For the last week, she kept repeating that she was fine, convincing me to stay out of it. She kept looking at Zoë, studying her whenever she thought that I wasn't paying attention.

I place Mason in the crib in Sam's guest room and make my way over to the kitchen to prepare the first aid kit again. She's already beaten up three security guards and doesn't show signs of slowing down.

Sam has been under so much pressure lately, with attacks from Cacciatrici increasing in both frequency and intensity. Last month they attacked several warehouses, racking up a damage bill of a few million.

I can't even begin to count the lives lost that Sam blames herself for, and it's making it impossible for her to keep her head above water. I wanted to believe that this thing with Zoë would pass, but Sam doesn't seem capable of doing it on her own, so again I find myself sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.

~~~

"Tell me everything."

Zoë chuckles on the other end of the line. "You know, for someone who is almost thirty, you very closely resemble a hormonal teenager."

"Well, you got the hormonal part right, now spill." I already knew I wasn't going home tonight, so I decided to tackle this problem head on and called Zoë the moment she said she was home.

"If you must know, it wasn't as bad as I expected."

"Really? So you're going out with him again?" I do my best to not sound disappointed. Even though I have no control over the situation, there is still a part of me that is hoping Sam and Zoë can figure this out. They could be good together.

"That my friend is a long story. I actually had a great time tonight catching up with him. But as for dating him, I'm not so sure. My mom keeps pestering me about giving her grandchildren, and to her, Vinny is the easiest route. He was sweet, but we aren't compatible anymore. I just feel like I have completely figured him out and there is nothing challenging left."

"So you're definitely done?"

"It's not that easy, I might give him a chance just to get my mom off my back, but it probably won't lead to anything."

"Are you sure there isn't anything else? You just sound a bit unsure."

She begins laughing.

"You are so creepy sometimes, but yeah, I guess you're right. I don't know, honestly, I keep saying that I'm fine and that I don't need anyone, but lately I feel like I have been missing it more than I thought."

"So you miss being in a relationship?"

"I think I'm missing a certain level of intimacy. I'm always just so busy that I have practically zero human connection outside my patients and colleagues."

"I don't know, to me, it just sounds like you need some help dusting your cobwebs off."

She releases an irritated grunt. "Remind me to kill Tony tomorrow."

Zoë

The next morning, I find myself staring at the clock at lunchtime, realizing that for the first time in months I can take a properly timed break.

Sam managed to deliver on every promise the Claymore group made. Just like every other department, mine was running perfectly with healthy growth. To both mine and Dr. Parks' surprise, I actually became quite good at delegating, and there is actually a time in my life for a healthy work balance. The question now is what to do with it.