Chapter 37
Dante
“You know Vassily’s not the only one who’s going to trouble you.”
I sighed while rubbing my face with an open palm. “I know.”
“Nonetheless, he’s right. Sol is a name either they fear or adore and they will find the one who owns it. I don’t think you don’t know what happens after that.”
“I know.” I mused. “You can’t stay here, Leo. I can’t let you drag down with me. Just because I quit doesn’t mean you have to.”
He snorts in response. It held sarcasm and amusement at the same time. “What the hell are you saying, Angelo? Just because you quit doesn’t also mean you have the right to decide for me.” He steps towards me, placing his hand on my shoulder showing his support. “I wish nothing more than to support you, fratello mio. I will follow you- willingly.”
My lips lifted upward in amusement. “So you’d rather live an ordinary and normal life than living a life in thrill?” His hand retracted before shrugging.
“What do you think? You chose this life over wealth and fame. I’m gonna choose mine with my best friend.” I stood stunned at his answer. Leo has always been loyal to the family- to me but I didn’t know he was this loyal to me.
I shook my head in amusement, letting out a laugh. “I didn’t know you are this loyal to me, Leo. No wonder Hailynn was jealous of you.”
Leo’s face suddenly frowned. “The hell, Angelo.”
My arm went around his shoulder as we went inside the house for breakfast. Just in time when Leo and I took our seat, Hailynn walked in the dining room who had just changed from her pajamas.
I was staring at her when she walked towards her seat and sat down. My eyes didn’t remove from her even though she already started eating her breakfast. I was woken up when I felt Leo nudging me.
“What?” I growled. Both eyes widened and gave me a startled look.
Hailynn stopped eating and eyed me as if I was crazy. I cleared my throat suddenly feeling awkward because of my overreaction.
“Is there something wrong?” She asked with a frown.
Of course there is! We haven’t talked properly ever since you ignored me. Leo was shaking his head in amusement but resumed eating anyway.
“No. Eat your breakfast, amore. Do you feel nauseous or anything?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine now.”
---
“Come, amore mio.” I instantly wrapped her around my arms, kissing and embracing her possessively.
After our breakfast, I pulled her back to our bedroom. I wanted to talk to her since she had ignored me last night. I couldn’t sleep thinking about her and the twins.
“I hope you… ignored whatever you heard from Vassily. He was just being a brat.” I didn’t let her go as I spoke. I wanted to say believed but let’s face it. What Vassily had said was true.
“I heard him right, Dante. You know he only spoke the truth. Why do you think I was angry at you when I learned I got pregnant? I didn’t want to live a life knowing our lives will always be in danger. Yet you surprised me by deciding that you left everything of the mafia behind for me.”
I cupped her cheeks with my hands as I looked at her beautiful soulful eyes. “So you trust me then?”
Hailynn grinned. “I do.” She then placed her arms around my neck. Her huge bump was pressed against my belly. “For once, I wanted to let you decide not basing on my feelings, Dante. That’s why I let you be.”
I couldn’t resist an ear splitting smile. My hands couldn’t stop roaming around her back affectionately. “Let’s be real, amore. Solo tu.”
Her eyebrows knitted in a frown. “Only you, amore.” I bent down and captured her lips
---
Hailynn
Yesterday with Vassily.
“You alright?”
Leo ran after me and followed me to the bedroom. He crouched down with one knee bended to the floor as I sat down on the bed.
I nodded hesitantly.
“You sure?” I nodded again. “The twins?” I nodded once more. “You don’t look alright, Hailynn. If you don’t tell me the truth, Angelo’s going to forget he has a best friend.”
I sighed. “I’m fine, Leo.” I drawled.
“Obviously, you don’t look fine. I would’ve stopped asking if you are.”
I pout while looking away unsure of what I’ll say. “I heard everything they said, Leo. Perhaps what your friend said is right. Angelo doesn't belong here.”
“Why do you think that?” He asked in a frown. “I hope you’re not questioning why he chose you.”
“Dante was groomed to be the leader of the mafia… of your family. His uncle specifically made him his heir. He gave everything to him, Leo, and yet he let it go just like that. And for someone like me.”
I was so happy when he told me the news. That he’d rather be with me and renounce his title. I realized I was actually being selfish that I let him choose me over his family that he’d been with all his life. Yes, I wanted that but the thought now made me realize that I was only thinking about myself.
Leo shook his head. “I think you’re forgetting everything he told you just after listening to that idiot Vassily. The only thing that he was wrong about saying was Angelo didn’t belong here. Only Angelo knows where he belongs. Only Angelo could decide for himself. And if he wants to be with you then no one can stop him.”
I laughed with little sob as tears started to fall to my cheeks.
“Hey, hey. Don’t cry.” Leo said in alarm while wiping the spilled tears. “Are you still unconvinced?”
I shook my head. “You’re a really good friend, Leo. Even though I’ve been annoyed with your irritating presence always following Angelo everywhere.” He smirked in amusement at my statement. “But thank you. I really have been trying to suppress my insecurities. With a man like Dante, it’s really hard but he never stops showing his affection to me or how he really cares for me.”
“Is that why you’ve been teasing him a lot? Were you testing him?” There’s a knowing smirk appearing in his lips.
I nodded in a shy smile. “A bit.”
He laughs. “Damn.”
“Leo.” He raised a brow questioningly. “This will sound strange but don’t tell Dante what we’ve talked about.”
His eyebrows knitted together in a frown. “Why?”
“Right now, he thinks that I’m angry or sad with what just happened. I want to keep it that way. Just for this time, I want to let him decide. I want him to think without me bothering him.”
“If you keep this up, he will only pursue you even more.”
“Perhaps it will also cross his mind that I’m being extremely inconvenient right now and he’ll consider going back.” He only looked at me with his dark eyes as his response. I sighed. “Let this space make him think what he truly wants.”
He exhaled. “You sure you want to do that? You know there’s a possibility that he will be furious if he feels a little distrust from you.”
“One last time, Leo, and I promise I won’t ever question his love for me again.”
He reluctantly nodded.
---
“Did you get your answer then?” Leo asked as he accompanied me in my afternoon walk in the garden.
Dante was still fast asleep in our bedroom. He was probably exhausted cause he couldn’t sleep well last night. It’s hard for him to sleep every time I ignore him. So I let him rest right now.
I let out a small smile. “Thank you, Leo. You’re truly his best friend. I can’t believe you would quit the mafia for him, too. I guess I’m thankful that he has someone right now who could support him, you know.”
He was quiet for a moment before replying. “I didn’t like the previous life I have nor do I like it. Cara’s father adopted me so it was only natural that I joined the mafia. We grew up together though it’s not the same with being childhood friends but we did train and learn together. My loyalty not only lies to the family but also- especially to Angelo. After all, I was brought up to be his second in command.”
“Your relationship with him reminded me so much of Ethan and I. I love him. He’s my family, my friend, my partner. We’re orphans so we only have each other.”
“May I ask a personal question, Hailynn?”
“Sure.” Leo suddenly stopped walking, making me stop as well.
“Have you finally moved on?”
