Save Me

Chapter 21

"Milan, you and Matteo are heading to the bar tonight for rounds," Papa states as he knocks on my open office door where Lucca and I have been for the last hour "working."

Picking my head up from the computer where I've been working on the finances for all of the business, yes including the Mafia business, and nodding at Papa with a tired smile. Lucca had a rough night sleeping last night - he kept having nightmares about a "scary man in the corner of his room that kept growling at him."

"Okay, Papa," I agree with a tired voice. "When are Matteo and I leaving, and are we staying until closing?"

"You boys need to be there at eight, and yes, you're staying until closing," Papa answers with a curious expression as he looks between Lucca and me. "Da said we'll take Lucca for the night. Did you not sleep well last night?"

Rubbing my eyes, saying; "Yeah, Lucca kept having nightmares about a "scary man in the corner of his room that kept growling at him."

Papa frowns intently at my reply, humming at what I've said, but doesn't verbally reply because he probably doesn't know what to say or ask because Lucca's in the room with us.

"If you're too tired, I can have Romeo or Alexi go in your place?" Papa offers.

"I'm fine, papa, I promise," I assure him softly because it's my turn to take rounds at the bar to make sure everything is running smoothly, and it wouldn't be fair to my brother or Alexi to have to take my turn, plus I want to see Axel while he's working. "Thank you for watching Lucca tonight, too."

"Anytime son, you know Da and I enjoy our time with him," Papa grins, and his grin becomes even wider when Lucca turns his attention to him from his coloring page. "Go take a nap, son, and I'm gonna hangout with my grandson now."

"Are you sure, papa?" I question, unsure, but I really want a nap, especially if I'm be at the bar until two or three in the morning.

"Yes, go have a nap, son," Papa assures, opening his arms wide as he squats down for Lucca to crash into his body with a loud giggle.

Closing down my laptop, I give Lucca a kiss on the forehead as I pass him and Papa on my way out of the office, and I thank Papa for allowing me to have a nap before working tonight. Shedding my clothes down to my black boxers, crawling into bed, under the covers, and pull the covers up over my head, and leaving just enough of my face exposed to breath properly. I know someone will wake me before I have to get ready for tonight. Da and Lucca wake me at five, so I can shower, dress, and have dinner with them before heading out with Matteo.

Sitting down at the table in between Lucca and Romeo, Mika and Alexi are across from us, and Da and Papa are seated at the ends. We fill our plates, and I fill Lucca's plate for him. We're having lasagna and salad tonight. Yummy. Finishing dinner, everyone helps clean, and when the times arrive for Matteo and I to leave, I kiss Lucca goodbye, making sure to remind him to be good for his grandpa's, and tell my parents goodbye, and head out to meet Matteo at the SUV that we're taking.Meeting Matteo at the vehicle, we climb inside, settling in our seats with Matteo driving.

"How are things with you and Axel doing? You guys seem really good together," Matteo questions as he drives us toward the bar.

My body tints a light shade of pink at his comment, and I softly, but fondly answer; "We're doing good, thanks. I think we're good together, too, and he's really good to and for Lucca and me. He treats us really well."

"That's awesome! I'm happy to hear this! You and Lucca deserve the world after everything you both have been through!" he praises, making my blush darken.

"Thanks, Matteo," I murmur, and he pulls into the bar, parks, we climb out, and head inside.

The bar is busy tonight, which is awesome and pretty normal, especially for a Saturday night. Matteo and I make our way over to the end of the bar closest to us, and wait for Axel to finish with his three customers, so we can talk to him. There are two bartenders working tonight, a bar runner, and two cooks, which is the normal amount of employees for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights because those are the three busiest nights.

Axel finishes with his customers, signals to Hope that he's gonna talk to us for a few as he moves down toward us with a huge smile; "Hey guys! We're slammed tonight which is great! Everything's been running smoothly thus far! Do you guys want anything to drink or eat?"

I love how professional my baby is while he's working, but on a slower night, or a lull if he has time to give me a hug and a kiss, and a conversation he will. The regulars here know that Axel and I are in a relationship, but that doesn't stop people from flirting with my boyfriend, and he flirts back some because we both know it means nothing to him, and that's how he makes great tips.

"That's great to hear and see, Axel!" Matteo answers loud enough for him and I to hear over the noise of the customers and the music that's being played from the D.J. "Can I get a rum and coke, please?"

"Sure can, what about you baby?" Axel replies with an even wider grin at us, and I tell him I'd like a daiquiri.

Axel makes our drinks, giving them to us with a wink toward me, and Matteo and I wander the floor, through the people sitting at tables and booths, and those who are dancing until we find an empty table near a corner, so we can have a decent view of the entire area.