Shadow Love

07|| Sunset

◇Lornezo◇

There's a fucking rat in my organization.

All the plans I had come up with are now ruined. Someone snitched and told Alberto everything. So, for now, I'll keep his princess with me. Lilac isn't going to be harmed in any way but Alberto doesn't know that.

Once I made sure everything was running smoothly, I left the city. Alberto's still in LA and it'll take him a few days to return so leaving as fast as possible was the best idea. I am not a fucking coward but right now, getting rid of the rat is my main concern.

I walk through my front door, the sound of familar leading me towards the living room. My eyebrows furrow seeing my Cane Corso, Axel, all cuddled up with Lilac on the couch. Axel has been a guard dog since I got him. He's trained to attack and protect, not cuddle.

"Capo." Rio nods.

I glance at him and then back to my dog and Lilac. "Axel." I called. Usually, he's at my feet the moment I walk into the house. "Axel." I called again. He looks up from Lilac's lap and then jumps down. I smile down at him when he rubs against my clothes.

"Take him out to the garden Hudson." I ordered. "Lilac, follow me." She walks closely behind me, clutching the ends of her sweater. I roll my eyes. She's acting like I am about to kill her. "Sit." I gesture to the chair in front of my desk.

"Why am I here?" She immediately asks.

Because your father is a fucking asshole. I don't say that though. Instead I say, "Some problems came up."

She raises her eyebrows, leaning back on the chair. "And what's that got to do with me?"

"Your father didn't want you alone in the house."

"He has never had a problem with leaving me alone before-" I cut her off.

"How about you ask him when you see him." I look down at my desk that was covered in files. It's been weeks since I last stepped in here. The only time the cleaners are allowed to clean is when I am around. So, the room is dusty.

"Send the cleaners in on your way out." I open the file closest to me. From my peripheral vision, I notice the way her fingers entwine on her lap, picking at her cuticles. "Don't do that." My eyes remain trained on the file.

"Don't do what?"

"Pick at your cuticles." At my answer, she freezes and looks down at her hands. Clearing her throat she stands, fixing her dress. Without another word, she exits and shortly after, the cleaners enter.

☆☆☆

Massaging my temples, I sign the last page of the contract. For the last seven hours, I've been going through each and every file on my desk. Closing the final one, I face the massive ceiling to floor window to my left.

Lilac sat on the freshly mowed grass, her legs crossed at the ankles. Axel was close by, wagging his tail with a ball in his mouth.

◇Lilac◇

"Good boy." I smile at Axel when he brings the ball back. He places it on my lap, waiting excitedly for me to throw it. We've both really bonded over the past two days. Same with the boys. I have learnt that they're Lorenzo's most trusted friends and live here.

Something comes up behind me, casting a shadow above Axel and I. Axel wiggles his tail barking. I look up, my gaze clashing with Lorenzo's. He puts a hand out signaling to the ball. Our hands touch when I place the drool covered ball in his hand. It doesn't bother him though. Axel runs away from us when Lorenzo throws it.

I pat the spot next to me on the grass. "How was your day?"
"Tiring."

"Are all your days the same? Boring, stressful, tiring. Don't you like even a tiny piece of your day?" The sunset was one you'd imagine in fairy tales. Beautiful. Orange and red hues blending together as the sun slowly disappears into the horizon.

"Being a successful business man comes with both pros and cons. One of the cons is everyday being hectic. Something's always going wrong."

A silence elopes us. A comfortable one.

"Thank you for taking care of me." I blurt out. I've been to fucking embarrassed to bring it up. He must've been so grossed out.

"For?" He looks down at me. Even when we're sitting he's taller.

"Y'know, the other day." I really don't want to bring it up.

He catches on to what I'm talking about and nods. "Anyone else in my place would do the same."

"No, not everyone." I mutter. My ex called it gross. During my period, he didn't like coming near me. He said the blood grosses him out. I was hurt but understood. Not everyone is okay with blood.

He looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to clarify. "My ex was grossed out"

"He's not a true man then. Men wouldn't be able to handle an ounce of the pain women go through. You women are strong. Going to school, cleaning, even taking care of kids. All while having sharp pains throughout the day. If he can't help clean a little blood then he's not worthy of your love or attention."

How can someone say something loving like it's nothing. The way the words casually rolled out of his tongue made me crush on him even harder. If only more men were like him.

I don't know how to respond or if to continue the conversation so I decide to remain quiet. Basking in the silence as the sky turns dark. Unintentionally, my head rests on Lorenzo's shoulder. I expected him to move away. But he surprises me by not caring. His tense body eventually relaxes.

"You're a girl's dream." I look up. His eyes soften and he lets out a deep chuckle. "No, really. You're like those heroes in books that save the princess."

"I am no hero." He shakes his head. "I am a monster. Everything I touch breaks. Especially things that are valuable."

My eyes moved to his perfectly round lips and then back to his eyes that were piercing through me. "Kiss me." I whisper, our foreheads almost touching.

"I can't. I'll ruin you. My touch will burn your delicate skin-" I cut him off by wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him forward.

My move cut him off guard but soon his rough hands were cupping my cheeks, attacking my lips with his. The world around us disappeared and the only thing in my mind was how bad I needed this. How badly I needed to feel his lips on mine kissing me like he owned me. My eyes struggled to remain open, my body overcome by ecstasy. Pulling away, I gasp for air. Lorenzo pecks my lips one last time before fully pulling away. Our lips were swollen but we didn't care. Our gaze doesn't falter when we lean back against the tree behind us.

"How am I supposed to stay away from you now?" His breathy voice whispers.