The Mafia And His Angel by Lylah James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 43

 

 

“They are leaving!” Maddie pouted as she walked into my room. “Artur said they will be gone for a few days.”

I straightened and looked at Maddie with wide eyes. “Alessio is going too?”

She nodded and pouted. “Yeah.”

He didn’t say anything. I saw him last night, yet he never said a word. The thought of being without him made my heart ache.

It had been a week since the first time he kissed me in the piano room. Sometimes during the day, he would take me to the creek. And then we spent most of the night together.

He always bent down and kissed me soundly on the lips. He would steal kisses while I read. Sometimes, he would pull me on his lap. I would lay my head on his shoulder and read while he played with my hair. He never pushed for more.

These days had been the most beautiful. Each day, my heart grew fuller. Alessio had weaved his way into my heart and I didn’t want to let him go. Instead, I embraced it.

And now, I felt distressed at the mere thought of spending even one day without him.

“How long will he be gone?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Artur said a few days.”

“Oh,” I muttered, looking down at my hands, which were twined tightly together.

She stood up. “C’mon, let’s go.”

“Where?” I asked.

“They are probably about to leave now. Let’s go say goodbye to our men.”

When I quickly stood up at her words, she smiled. I followed her out of my room, my heart thumping hard as we made our way down the hall.

As we made our day down the stairs, we saw the men at the bottom. Nikolay and Viktor were talking, while Artur leaned against the wall. Alessio was looking at his phone.

When he heard us, he looked up and I saw his gaze soften at the sight of me.

Maddie ran down the rest of the stairs and jumped into Artur’s arms. I continued to slowly make my way down, keeping my eyes on Alessio. He gave me a small smile when I stopped on the last stair, feeling nervous.

I ducked my head shyly and played with the hem of my dress. I felt him coming nearer and he stopped in front of me. Alessio placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head upward until I was staring into his soft blue eyes.

“I was just about to come up and say goodbye,” he said.

“Oh.”

“Something came up and I have to take care of it. I’ll be gone for a few days.”

I nodded. “I understand.”

Walking down the final step, I stood beside him. I saw Artur dip Maddie low and she laughed. He kissed her soundly on the lips.

I peeked up at Alessio and saw that he was staring at me. He brought a hand up, and gently trailed a finger down my cheek. He brushed his thumb over my lips and then whispered, “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” I whispered.

“Bye.”

Alessio took a step away from and after giving me final look, he turned around, walking away. The other men followed closely behind him and Maddie came to stand beside me.

Letting out a dejected sigh, I brought a hand up and placed it over my chest.

As I watched his retreating back, my shoulder dropped and my chest felt tight.

I already missed him.

As the days went by, I realized how much I needed Alessio. His presence had become addicting. His touch. His kisses. His blue eyes. His gentle caresses. His smiles. Everything about him was deep ingrained in me.

 

***

 

Alessio

 

It had been three long, torturous days without Ayla. Every night, I wished I was with her.

As I walked into the mansion, my chest grew lighter at the thought of being close to her again.

She was constantly on my thoughts.

And I was fucking happy to finally be back.

I looked down at my watch and saw it was almost two in the morning. She would be sleeping right now. My heart sunk in disappointment as I made my way upstairs.

“Tomorrow,” I whispered.

But when I stepped on the second floor, I felt the need to see her. Being this close to her and not seeing her—the thought itself was painful.

Ihadto see her, even if she was sleeping. Just a peek at her beautiful face and I would be happy.

As I made my way to her room, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the door of the piano room open. Was Ayla still awake?

My heart flipped at the thought and I quickly walked inside. My steps faltered when I saw her curled up on the sofa chair, sleeping.

But that wasn’t what took my breath away and made me smile.

She wasn’t sleeping on her chair; instead she was curled up in mine.

Walking closer, I stopped in front of the sleeping beauty.

There was a small smile on her lips, her face looking peaceful as she slept. Bending down, I gently took the book from her hand and placed it on the coffee table.

I turned back around and wrapped an arm under her back and one under her knees, carefully and gently lifting her up from the couch, making sure that I didn’t wake her up. She moaned sleepily, instinctively laying her head on my shoulders.

I smiled and carried her out of the piano room. Pushing her door open, I walked inside and laid her down in the middle of her bed. But when I was about to step back, I felt something tighten around my lapel, stopping me from stepping away.

Ayla’s fingers were wrapped around my shirt. She was still sleeping.

I placed my hand on hers and gently unwrapped her fingers. They tightened slightly but I was able to get them off, keeping my eyes on her face the whole time. When I saw her eyebrows furrow, I sighed and sat down on the bed beside her.

I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Instead, I surprised myself by lying down beside Ayla. I wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her closer. She burrowed further into my chest, as if seeking the warmth and comfort I offered. Her fingers wrapped around my jacket again as she clung to me tightly.

And I was just as content to hold her just as tightly in return.

I placed a kiss on her temple and looked down at her sleeping face. For the longest time, I laid there with her in arms, her head tucked underneath my chin.

Just for moment, I told myself.Just for a few more minutes.