Angel

Part Nine

When I came to, I didn't know where I was or how long I had been out. I groaned softly, sitting up slowly. My head was pounding and it felt like my mouth was lined with sandpaper. I was on a bed in a cool, semi-dark room. The furnishings looked modern and expensive. I looked over and saw a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin on the bedside table. I popped a couple of pills in my mouth before gulping down the entire glass of water. I carefully climbed to my feet and realized my shoes, jacket, and phone were gone.

I made my way over to the bedroom door and slowly pulled it open enough to stick my head out. A long dim hallway greeted me, but I could hear a voice talking in the distance. I headed towards the voice and walked into a living room where Rafael was pacing while he talked on the phone. He was wearing a pair of black, silk pajama pants with a matching robe hung open over them. He stopped pacing and motioned me closer when he noticed me standing there. He was talking in Italian and it sounded important. When I was close enough, Rafael lifted a hand and cupped my cheek, his thumb rubbing slowly back and forth just below my eye, against the dark circles that I knew were probably there.

"Ne riparleremo più tardi (We'll talk more later)," he said quietly, "sì...ciao (yes...bye)." He hung up, tossing his phone onto the couch nearby.

"How are you feeling?" Rafael murmured, lowering his hand. I shrugged, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Where are we?" I asked softly, glancing around.

"I brought you to my place when you passed out," he replied, "I wasn't sure if your apartment was safe." I just barely managed a nod. I was so tired.

"Are you hungry," Rafael asked, "I ordered some takeout earlier?" Depending on what time it was now, the last time I ate was at the bar with Adrian and that was just a few appetizers. Shit! Adrian...he was probably worried. At least I hoped he was. I nodded and he led me towards the kitchen.

"Where's my phone?" I asked, hopping up onto a stool at the massive island.

"It died, so I put it on the charger," Rafael replied, setting out various containers on the counter, "somebody named Adrian kept calling and texting, and Mr. Ronaldo tried calling as well." I nodded as he began piling food onto two plates. It looked like Mediterranean food. He slid onto the stool beside me and we both ate in silence. When I was full, I pushed my plate aside, sighing.

"Better?" Rafael asked, turning in his seat to face me. I nodded, staring down into my lap. I couldn't believe I was here right now. It made my head spin just thinking about how fast things had spiraled out of control.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I murmured, glancing at him.

"Do I need a reason?" He countered and I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"No," I sighed, "it's just...I was kind of a jerk to you." He chuckled softly.

"I have people sucking up to me all day long," he replied, "it's kind of nice to have to work for it sometimes." I let out a little puff of air, shaking my head, but couldn't stop the corners of my mouth from quirking up slightly.

"You ready to talk about what happened?" Rafael asked softly.

"It's kind of a long story," I muttered, "and I would like to let my friend know I'm ok first."

"Adrian?" He asked. I nodded, turning to him.

"Are you two dating?" He asked softly. I hesitated a second before shaking my head. Technically, we weren't.

"I guess I still have a chance then." Rafael murmured. I finally met his gaze and the look of longing in his eyes made my stomach feel fuzzy. Why couldn't things just be simple for once in my life?

I called Adrian back and after apologizing and letting him know I was ok, I asked him to meet at my apartment. It was around ten at night when we finally pulled up to my building. Zane followed us upstairs and told us to wait in the corridor while he made sure it was safe.

"You know I took out two armed bodyguards with a knife," I stated, leaning my back against the wall by my front door, "I'm pretty sure I can handle this myself." Rafael leaned his shoulder against the wall beside me, smirking.

"And it was damn sexy too." He murmured huskily. I rolled my eyes, looking away. Only a gangster like him would think that was sexy. After Zane gave the all clear, we headed inside. I checked on my plants first and was so glad I installed the automatic water feature. They all looked good. Rafael followed me out onto my makeshift balcony greenhouse, whistling softly.

"Impressive," he remarked, "I didn't know you liked plants."

"I needed something to keep me busy on my days off," I said, "I would feel bad leaving a cat or dog home alone all day, so plants it is." We heard a commotion by the front door and hurried out to see what was going on. Zane stood in the open doorway, blocking someone from coming in. Then I heard his voice.

"Adrian." I called out. Zane stepped aside as Adrian pushed past him.

"Milo," he said, rushing up to me, "thank fuck you're ok." He cupped my face between his hands and gazed into my eyes. I felt a rush of warmth flush through my body at his concern.

"I went back to question Mr. Ronaldo and he said you took off after he said the Russians were looking for you," he paused for a second, "what's going on...are you in some kind of trouble?" If he only knew the half of it.

"It's kind of a long story," I murmured, "and I wanted you both here for it." I glanced over and Adrian followed my gaze over to Rafael.

"Rafael Marcello," he asked, confused, "what's going on?"

"You know each other?" I asked surprised.

"Every cop in the city knows him and his family," Adrian stated simply, "did you get involved with him somehow...is that why the Russians are looking for you?" I shook my head, taking a small step back.

"No," I murmured, "this happened before I came here." I started pacing before I realized it.

"Um...I don't know where to start exactly," I said softly, "so I guess I'll start at the beginning," I stopped pacing for a second and turned to the two men in the room currently watching me, "my name isn't really Milo Winters...,"