The Rock Star and The Mafia

Chapter 49

Alessio knew that he'd handled the situation poorly, in fact, he was a solid gold asshole about it.  He knew it wasn't her fault but he needed someone to be pissed at and she was convenient and he felt like a douche bag now.

If it wasn't for the fact that he had to make an appearance at that damned charity event, he'd be taking her somewhere for a couple of days.  Standing in front of the mirror, he checked his appearance once more.

He hadn't seen Cheri since she ran past him and disappeared.  He knew she was here because he had the means to keep tabs on her.  Frank had already tried once to get his hands on her at The Mansion, so he'd moved them to a safer location.

He'd tortured the fuck out of the henchman that Frank had sent to take her.  Left him gurgling for air, through all the blood that was filling up his lungs.  All Federico and Sal could get out of him was that Frank was still moving around, thus making it hard to pinpoint a location.

Alessio met up with Lorenzo in the kitchen when his second stopped mid sentence.  Alessio turned around and caught a glimpse of his luscious Cheri.  She was in a beautiful red, fitted, off-the-shoulder cocktail dress and shoes that would definitely look good wrapped around his waist.

Cheri noticed his look right away and answered his question before he even asked it.  "There's no way I would embarrass you by having you show up alone.  Just because we're not happy doesn't mean that everyone else has to be given a glimpse into our personal life" she walked past him and a very confused Lorenzo.

"Alessio, what the hell is going on between you two now?" Lorenzo was exasperated now.  "It's a long story and it's between us" Castellano bit.  His under boss shook his head.  "No it's not.  Because if it affects you, then it affects us" he bit back.

"I don't feel the need to discuss my private life with you at this moment, so can we just please go, for Christ's sake?"  Alessio was pissed, mostly at himself because he knew that Lorenzo was right.  There was never a time where Alessio had to be clear headed and have his eyes on one single purpose, to bring Frank Lantana down.

Both men walked to the SUV and found the door open and Cheri already in her spot in the back.  Alessio slid in beside her, wanting to say something but not knowing how to.  "You look stunning, fiorella" he said softly.  She didn't say anything for a bit but then responded with "You look quite nice, yourself."  That was it.

Cheri had never been to the Waldorf and had always been fascinated by it's splendor and now she had her chance, she just wished it was on a happier note.  

She silently made a promise to herself that her and Alessio would speak tonight.  They weren't going to bed with this anger, that's not what she wanted for them.

Sliding out first, Alessio had prepared her for the paparazzi but she was used to this.  It happened everywhere her and her band went.  She put on her best public face, took Alessio's proffered hand and stepped elegantly from the vehicle.

"Ms. Sixx!  Ms. Sixx!" the press yelled out.  "Is it true that you are romantically involved with Alessio Castellano?"  That was one of the more idiotic questions of the evening.  Finally Cheri had enough.  She stopped and turned to one photographer.

"This evening is not about me or Mr. Castellano.  It's about the fine men and women of this beautiful state, who don a uniform everyday, placing themselves in harm's way to keep its citizens safe.  I would much rather focus on this charity and the good things it brings, than to read another story about myself.  Thank you" Cheri said dismissively, took Alessio's hand and walked inside with him.

"You handled that beautifully" he acknowledged.  "Well, it needed to be said and I for one did not come here to talk about myself.  They should learn the difference instead of being the bottom feeders they are" she responded back.

They stepped to the bar, where Alessio ordered a scotch and Cheri ordered a Shirley Temple.  When she was little, her mother would let her order one when they went to dinner.  She would ask for it to be put in a 'little lady' glass.  Cheri always thought she was such a big girl, having a glass that looked like the adult ones.

Noticing the tears forming in her eyes, Alessio immediately asked if she was okay.  She nodded.  "Just a memory of my mom that popped up" she answered.  Satisfied with her answer, he nodded and then asked "Are you ready to circulate?"  Putting her arm in his, they walked into the huge banquet room.

The police commissioner was there,  police chief, chief of detectives and lots of other service personnel.  Alessio received hand shakes and pats on the back from several law enforcement people.  No wonder he tried to keep everything on the up-and-up with the men in blue.  You certainly didn't want to be on their radar.

Cheri got her fair share of attention from the men and women in blue.  She had no idea that this many people had heard her music and knew who she was.  

Her and Alessio were approached by an older woman, her silver hair was swept up in a very elegant chignon and she wore a simple black lace cocktail dress with black heels.

"Ms. Sixx.  Mr. Castellano.  I'm Evelyn Graves, the co-chairwoman of this event.  I just wanted to say thank you very much, to the both of you, for your donations this year.  We were able to reach our goal of one million dollars!"  The woman was excited and rightfully so.  That was fantastic.

Alessio leaned into Cheri once the woman had left them.  "I didn't know you donated" he said.  Cheri faced him for the first time since they'd left their house.  "When we first met and you told me about the different charities you were involved with, I called my accountant and had them make small donations to each of your charities" her answer made him smile.

Despite everything that had taken place with them, they danced and talked, trying to have a good time.  Sometimes it felt like they were their old selves but the unspoken elephant in the room was ever present still.

Cheri was glad when the function started winding down.  She didn't realize how tired she was but this event had really sapped her of any energy or any willpower she might have had that made her care.

Alessio seemed ticked off again and Cheri wasn't going to go on a fishing expedition to find out why.  He just snapped at her, telling her to hurry up and get to the car and for whatever reason, instead of walking with her, he left her lagging behind.

A loud pop was heard above the sounds of the patrons that were outside the hotel waiting on their vehicles.  Screams could be heard piercing the air as well and when Alessio turned around, his heart collapsed at what he saw.

Cheri, his Cheri, was standing there with a look of shock on her face and her hand to her abdomen.  Pulling it back, she saw blood, everywhere.  "Alessio?" she questioned as she started to fall to the ground.

A detective had reached her first, keeping her from hitting the pavement with force.  He was already on his cellphone calling for a bus at their location.  The people could hear the sirens already.

"Cheri?  Cheri baby, stay with me!" Alessio yelled.  "I'm cold" she managed as she heard the policeman yell that she was going into shock and to hurry up.  Alessio pulled his jacket off and laid it on her, hoping to keep her warm.

"My baby" she cried softly as her eyes rolled back into her head.  The last thing she heard, before the darkness came, was Alessio's pain-filled cry for her to stay with him.  She just couldn't though.  She was so tired.  Maybe if she rested for just a minute.