Dangerous Conceit by Ali Lee

Chapter 36

Early the next morning, the low hum of the shower nudged Lexi to make herself get up. She groaned as she scooted out of bed, forcing her aching legs to take her downstairs. With darkness looming outside, no light shone in the house except a small glimmer in the kitchen. She desperately approached the light; the fragrant aroma indicated her preset coffee had finished.

Lexi flipped the switch on the wall as soon as she entered the kitchen and turned it right back off again, spinning around to leave. Then she stopped. No, I live here. She flipped it back on, staring at dark brown eyes as she passed. Lexi inhaled a deep breath and pulled out three empty cups, filling two in annoyed silence. She set one beside Angelo and sat in a chair several seats away.

“Mr. Tomassi,” she said in the most unaffected manner she could manage and mixed sugar and cream in her cup. He watched her. Her tired eyes and messy hair must have showed she either went to bed extremely late or woke up much too early.

She slid him both the cream and sugar. Angelo added cream and stirred before taking a sip of the hot liquid. Lexi continued to inhale the contents of her cup.

“Are you keeping my boy up all night?” Angelo prodded; Lexi was not ready for his mockery so early in the morning. His words caused her cheeks to redden, put off that he could tell from looking at her.

“It’s not even seven in the morning.” She looked at him pointedly. “I haven't had my coffee.” She avoided his question altogether and began sipping the blissful warmth, relieved as it slid down her throat.

Rafa entered a few minutes later, eying Angelo as he handed Lexi one of his over shirts. He knew she would feel uncomfortable if she realized he left bright pink blotches that trailed down her neck. He did not personally care what anyone thought.

Then he set his sights on the empty cup she left near the coffee maker and filled it to the brim. He needed no sugar or cream and started drinking, seeming not to care that the liquid seared all the way down his throat.

“So…how are you healing, Rafa?” Angelo asked. Rafa’s eyes rolled at Angelo's obvious implications and gulped another hot drink.

“Healing fine, Angelo.” He moved to a window behind the table and started peeking through the blinds.

“Expecting someone?” Angelo asked of his suspicious behavior; Rafa’s brow rose with a forming side smirk.

“Yeah. They’re not here yet.”

“Who?” Angelo warned, knowing from the look on Rafa's face that the answer would be a smart aleck reply.

“The moving vans—figured Ella finally kicked you out.”

Angelo cleared his throat, crossing his arms at Lexi’s satisfied grin. “Both of you need to watch it. You have a kid in the house.”

“Yeah.” Rafa moved to the table and kissed Lexi on her head. “Why are you here, Angelo—again?”

Angelo gestured to Lexi. “I came to talk to her—alone.”

Rafa shook his head. “You can't have my wife. All that needed to be said has been said.” He placed his arm around Lexi who thought this discussion should happen two hours later, after she felt more alive.

“She's not your wife yet.”

“Will be.”

“This has nothing to do with the group. I want to talk to her about the wedding.”

“Okay, then talk about it. I'm not leaving her alone with you.”

“Call it a blessing.”

“Right,” Rafa scoffed. “Your blessing?”

“Rafael,” Angelo stated firmly.

“You can't leave me with him,” she said.

Rafa let out a breath. “Whatever it is, it’s important. You can tell. He’s not going to let it go either.”

“Fine,” Lexi grumbled. Why did Angelo have to interrupt her morning peace? She had enough to deal with lately.

“I'll be back in five minutes.” He pointed at Angelo who was waiting for him to leave.

Angelo now had her full attention. Instead of getting it out in the open, he left her hanging in silence. She knew he was doing it on purpose. He liked to antagonize her but she was not a fan of waiting. Lexi stood to refill her cup.

“Don't go anywhere,” he said, causing her to slouch back to her seat.

“You wanted to talk to me?” She looked at him, tired of not knowing what he wanted with her. Then Angelo slid a black box in between them, leaving it within her arm’s reach. She looked at him suspiciously, eying him, then the box at the tips of her fingers and then at him again, making Angelo frustrated with her hesitation.

“Open it,” he finally said and gestured with his chin.

Lexi slowly pulled off the lid and stared at a shiny gold band, her eyes shifting to where Ray sat in the other room. Ray had not left once.

“I don't know what to say.” She took the ring out of the box, an exact replica of what she wanted. “How can I repay you?” she said. She loved the ring but knew it cost much more than what she could repay.

“It cost me exactly what you gave Ray,” he said.

“I know that’s not true…but thank you. This means a lot to me.”

“Take care of him.” He pointed past the door, where Rafa somewhere lurked ready for the five minutes to end.

“I will. All I want to do is take care of him and Maura.” Lexi looked with longing past the kitchen door for Rafa to come in. At six that evening, they would officially be married.

“Well…” Angelo scooted out his chair. “You’re definitely into my boy.” The slight grin never left her lips as she mused about the wedding; her perfect daydream swallowed her thoughts, until Angelo walked over to her and wrapped his palms around her cheeks.

“You will make him a good wife. He needs someone like you. I like seeing you both together like you are.” It was the most heartfelt statement she ever expected him to say as he kissed her forehead, giving his approval. “By the way,” he started to leave but turned back around at the kitchen entryway. “Don't call me Mr. Tomassi anymore. It annoys the fuck out of me.”

With that, he left Lexi alone, in a much better mood than she ever foresaw possible after being alone with the boss.