Indebted to the Mafia King

Chloe

Reuniting with Ellie and my mom felt overwhelming, although bittersweet. Even though I was beyond relieved and grateful to hold my daughter in my arms once more, my heart was shrinking by the minute, not knowing what Tony was up to. The Irish King's bar I was brought to is surprisingly comfortable and welcoming. I was even more surprised when I found Cal playing with Ellie. The way she laughed at his exaggerated movements and jokes, I don't think I've ever seen her this enchanted with another man before.

After I settled down from the flight and kissed and hugged my family, Cal asked one of his employees from the bar to bring me something to eat. Mom and Ellie already had dinner since they arrived here earlier, and when the waitress returns with a tray filled with burgers, fries, and a chocolate milkshake, I almost let out a moan of pleasure.

Only now have I realized how starving I am. I can't even remember the last time I ate. So much has happened in the past twenty-four hours that it's hard to keep track of everything.

I didn't feel like eating anything on the plane, though, I was too stressed out and worried to consider putting something in my stomach. I surely would have thrown it all up.

Even now, as I take a bite from the most delicious burger I've ever tasted in my life, my stomach feels like it's tied in a knot.

No one is saying anything, and even when I try to ask Cal about Tony and the Saints, he only shakes his head and ignores me, turning his attention back to Ellie. It's annoying, to say the least. I hate the fact they all keep hiding things from me, even when I should be one of the first ones to know what the hell is going on with my husband.

I am, after all, the queen of the Saints... aren't I? Isn't that what they keep calling me? So, why the hell can't I know anything?

"Cal told me what happened to you," my mom says, coming to sit beside me on the couch in Cal's office. I keep my attention on my food tray, but I nod at her so she knows I'm listening. "Are you okay?" Her voice is low, hesitant, and I'd even say, scared. I finally look up at her, seeing a darkness cross her face and eyes. It feels like she has finally understood the gravity of the situation we're in. I mean, she always knew, but I don't think she really had a good perspective on what we're fighting against.

"I'm fine, Mom. I'm just worried about Tony and his men," I tell her, my voice equally quiet. "I don't think I've ever seen Mateo that mad before. He seemed..." I clear my throat, pushing away the image of Mateo's evil face from my brain. "He looked insane."

"Oh, sweetheart," she muses, pulling me into a tight embrace, almost suffocating me. But I don't push her away. My mom might look tough on the outside most of the time, and even though she is one of the strongest women I know, if not the strongest, I also know she has a kind heart.

She doesn't always show it, but I bet she felt terrified when she heard about what happened to me back in Vermont.

"I just want this all to be over," I murmur against her hair, wrapping my arms around her and reciprocating her hug.

"I know, I know.... It will be soon," she assures me, her hand smoothing my hair. "I'm sure Tony will be here soon." God, I really hope she's right.

Hours pass, and Ellie falls asleep after playing with Cal for most of the evening. Nothing else happens in the meantime, and my anxiety has reached a new peak. I can barely stand still, pacing from side to side in the office, trying to eavesdrop on any conversations the Irish Kings are having. But they sure know how to talk in secret.

The sun is almost rising when Armando finally shows up. Alone.

I mean, not completely alone. Some of the Saints are with him, but Tony is nowhere in sight. Armando looks exhausted, so do his men, but they never lose their professional posture as they walk into the room.

"Where's Tony?" I blurt before greeting them.

"We're going home," Armando informs me instead, not even hiding the fact he is outright ignoring my question.

"Where is Tony? What happened?" I insist, the pleading evident in my voice.

"He's still in Vermont," he finally answers.

"Is he all right?"

He nods at me, gesturing at the door, and urging me to move. Mom picks Ellie up from the couch, and we head outside where a car is waiting for us.

"Armando, can you please drop me at Val's? I have some things to discuss with the wives," she requests, leaning back in her seat.

I look at her, my brows creased in confusion. "What are you going to discuss with them? Why am I not included?"

"It's nothing important, honey. And you surely need some rest. You can call me if you need anything, though. But I suggest you take the day off and get some sleep. These last few days have been traumatic. Ellie can stay with me, if you want." Her tone is kind, and I don't believe she's hiding anything from me. I think she just needs a distraction from all of this. I don't blame her. I wish I could have something to take my mind off things for a couple of hours too. I am exhausted. But I don't think I will be able to rest until I am certain Tony is fine and out of danger. Until then, my eyes will be wide open.

"It's okay. Let her stay with me. She also needs to sleep in her own bed," I reply.

Armando drops my mom at Val's and drives us to the mansion in Staten Island. It feels strange to be back here. This is my home now, but it doesn't feel like it, knowing Tony isn't around. Funny how we get used to something so quickly. I go upstairs to put Ellie in bed, and when I return downstairs, Armando is standing in the middle of the living room, his arms crossed acrossf his chest while he paces anxiously.

"Do you want me to prepare something for you and the guys to eat? You must be starving," I offer.

He shakes his head at me. "No need. We'll have another group take the first shift so we can all rest. We'll take the night shift. I'll be in the house next door though, so anything you need, just call me.” "Thanks, Armando." I take a deep breath, studying his stoic expression. "Are you really telling me the truth about Tony being okay? You wouldn't lie to me about that, right?"

"He's fine, Mrs. Bellini. I promise you," he assures me with a soft smile, probably the first I have ever seen on his face.novelbin

I stare into his eyes and decide to believe him. Even if he isn't allowed to tell me anything, I still don't think he would lie to me. Maybe partially omit the truth or ignore me, but I don't think for a second that he would look me in the eye and lie straight to my face.

"Thank you," I say again. He nods and excuses himself, closing the door behind him.

The silence that follows is overwhelming. I ponder what to do. My entire body aches, and I am exhausted, but I'm not going to be able to sleep for a bit. I'm more anxious than ever. But maybe I should try and get some sleep. If Tony returns home, or if we have to move again, I need to be in my best shape.

Ellie might wake up soon as well, so I need to be at least rested so I can watch her.

I go to my room, and despite my expectations, I do end up falling asleep sooner than I'd thought I would. In fact, I black out for hours, only waking up when the sun has already set outside. Darkness envelopes my bedroom completely when I open my eyes.

I force myself out of bed and rush to Ellie's bedroom, afraid she might have woken up while I was asleep. But she is still sleeping so heavily that I need to get close enough to make sure she's breathing.

A loud noise of what sounds like plates crashing to the ground catches my attention, and I instantly freeze. Is someone invading our home again? My trauma catches up to me, but I force it out of the way. I need to trust the Saints. I need to believe they won't make the same mistake again protecting this house.

Maybe Mom is back home and preparing something for dinner, I try to convince myself.

Walking out of Ellie's room, I silently close her door and head downstairs. Whoever is in the kitchen is making a whole lot of mess, not managing to do it quietly at all.

There is a delicious smell of food invading the house though, so I am certain it's not an enemy before even getting to the kitchen.

And when I arrive, my jaw drops as my eyes fall on Tony, his back turned to me as he tries to set the food he clearly brought home from some restaurant onto trays and ceramic plates.

"Tony?" I call, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turns to me in a rush and the softest smile spreads across his lips. My heart feels like it's about to explode.

I can barely contain my happiness as I dart toward him, throwing myself into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist. I press a kiss to his lips, taking in his scent and tightening my arms around him, trying to convey all of my feelings through this simple act.

There aren't enough words in my vocabulary to express how grateful and happy I am to see him here-whole and alive.