Bred In Violence (A Mafia Romance Book One) #𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏

Chapter Seven

Sophie

I missed him. How was that possible? I have only met the man once in my life, yet I couldn't stop thinking about him. His crooked smile, his smirk that tugged at my heart every time I got to see it in the few hours I spent in his company. His voice, everything about him impressed me.

He reminded me of the male leads on those daytime soap operas granny and I loved to watch.

Despite all this, I could sense danger in him. I had learned a long time ago never to ignore my sixth sense. My mind suspected Raphael wasn't a man I should trust, but my heart didn't seem to agree.

Enough of this, I chastised myself. I got up, picked my jacket from the seat, and walked out. It was Thursday, which means I have a date with Gabs. I wanted to cancel, but she would insist on knowing the reason, and I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone about Raphael or any of it.

I remembered Bruno too. His phone call has been giving me sleepless nights, almost as much as my thoughts for Raph.

Oh God, please don't let me get myself in trouble, I mused.
I had enough to deal with as it is.

I just wanted to go home,  I needed to be alone, but then again, I knew the meeting with Gabs would take my mind off my thoughts for a while, so I drove to Aldo's.

I arrived after a few minutes. Immediately I stepped in; I felt it, the ambiance of the place. I had forgotten how soft and soothing the music at Aldo's was. It was also Italian, and although I did not understand the language, it was relaxing. I spotted Gabs sitting at our usual table; she wore a white blouse her long black shiny hair fell to her shoulders. She was beautiful.

She had been a cheerleader in high school, and she made sure everyone knew I was her best friend. Despite my poor background and infamous father, no one dared to bully or make fun of me. She always had my back.

"You're late," she said as I slipped in the opposite seat.

"I know, traffic," I said remorsefully.

"That's always your excuse," she shot back.

"It's always the truth, every single time," I defended myself.

"Hmm," she said, giving me a look that clearly told me she wasn't buying it.

She was right. I was lying, but only today.

I'm usually held up by traffic, but today I delayed in the office debating whether I wanted to come over or cancel though I couldn't tell her that. Not if I wanted to keep my secret. 

"Are you okay?" She asked, her face looking concerned

"Of course I am; why shouldn't I?" I said as I chuckled.

"You have been very quiet and distracted recently? You would tell me if you had any problem, right?"  She continued, placing her hand in mine, which was resting on the table.

"You know I would," I say, my eyes fixed on our hands. I didn't want to look into her eyes; Gabs was very perceptive. She would know I was lying, not that I was certain she didn't already know.

I have never kept any secret from Gabriella, and to my knowledge, she has never kept one from me. This is the first secret I haven't shared with her; of course, I will tell when the time is right, but not now, not when I don't understand it all myself.

I had a feeling I was going to be in a very murky situation. My life was about to change in a very tremendous way, and I couldn't change it even if I tried, neither did I want to. I was excited and scared at the same time.