Monet and the Mobster

Chapter Seven

(One of Ashley's pictures.)

"Nicole." I hear a soft voice call. "Nicole, wake up." The voice is closer and sounds very familiar, it's on the tip of my tongue, who's voice is that. "Mom." I feel myself mumble before falling into nothingness.

"Nicole, I know you can hear me. We're here." I hear mom say, running her finger down the length of my nose. "Come on, it's so beautiful." Without opening my eyes, I know where we are. It's my favorite memory, back when the family was whole. "Nicole come play with me." Kaydence giggles.

I decide that I want to see them, more than anything in the world, I open my eyes. I'm not in my five-year-old body, I'm my twenty-year-old self. I climb out of the van and rub my eyes as I stand beside mom, watching the sun rise. "See, I told you it was beautiful. You'd miss all the beautiful the world has to offer if you slept the day away." She smiles, wrapping me in a hug.

Kaydence runs up and makes it a group hug. I start sobbing and they pull away, each taking one of my hands. "Don't cry lady-bug, we will see you someday." Kaydence smiles, giving my hand a squeeze. "It's not your time yet, you have so much to offer the world. By the way, good job on landing the hunk." I pull them into a hug before I feel something pulling me away from them. "Wait, I want to see dad." I yell.

Pain erupts all over my body and I start coughing. "Monet, stay calm so we can pull the tube out. 'Tube, what tube?' I think. Before anything else can happen I slip back into nothingness.

Kyros POV

Monet's been out for three weeks. They took the tube out yesterday when she woke up but I guess all the stress sent her back into a coma. Ashley blames herself, she said she had a feeling but ignored it because she thought it was just her hunger getting the better of her. She said they should have listened to Andrea and he would still be here.

Mistakes happen, even though I am missed that my well-trained guards ignored their gut instinct, I can't take my anger out on them because Monet is the only one that occupies my mind since it happened.

"Boss, you wanted to plans for the casino?" I nod, "Set them on the desk, please." Her skin used to be tan and warm. Now it's pale and cold. She's skinnier, not eating a nutritious meal for weeks has made her skin and bones. She's still beautiful.

For the next four hours, I look over the plans for the hotel and casino we are working on and make notes and ideas. I was hoping Monet would help with the designs, Ashley isn't the most level headed person and get's aggravated easily when she can't figure something out.

I guess I fell asleep because I come to with the feeling of someone playing with my beard. I open my eyes and are met with the bright green ones of Monet's. "You look good with a beard." She smiles. I place my hand over hers and kiss the palm of her hand. "You scared the hell out of everyone." "I'm sorry." I shake my head, closing my eyes as I enjoy the feeling of her touch.

"I, can I ask a favor of you. The last one." I look at her and see tears welling up in her eyes. "What is it?" "My dad, he's alive." Without her having to ask, I nod. "I'll find him." She gives me a small smile, squeezing my hand as a thank you. A gasp comes from the door and a sea of blonde hair strangles Monet.

"Ouch." Monet laughs but you can tell she was hurting. "I'll get the doctor." I say, giving her hand a small squeeze. "Monet is awake, can you get the doctor." The nurse nods and I pull out my phone.

"Mahka, I know I said you could spend the day with your wife and kids, but I need you to find Monet's father. He's alive."

Monet's POV-