A fairytale without name (Rose and Marco)

Chapter 20

Marco

After the call had ended, it was so hard for me to concentrate on what everyone was talking about. If I could, I would go straight to her place, make sure she was safe and try to explain. What was there to explain? She was right about everything she accused me of. I led her on,letting her believe that something would happen between the two of us, when I was not ready at all. I want her so much but I have to be the one to protect her, to keep her out of this mess.

I really can't understand how things got so out of hand. Not only did the Irish retaliate O'Bryan's death but they had approached other smaller Italian families talking them into an alliance against my organization. War was about to break out and I was in the middle of the greatest crisis my family had ever witnessed. Trying to reassure everyone that things were under control was useless at the time.

Our alliances were fragile; my authority was questioned every day as blood was spilled on the streets of New York and every other city under our command. I had to take action, make some tough choices and keep my family united.

Tonight was meant to be the night my plan was set to motion and my mind was anywhere but here. Men were talking, but I couldn't hear a thing. In the basement of one of our casinos, protected from curious eyes and ears, every trusted member was present to offer their help and opinion. Fortunately, none of my men turned their backs on me, no matter how alluring the Irish proposition was. I was grateful for their loyalty and I was ready to return that trust.

Trying to end it as quickly as possible, I kept checking my watch. I told her it would take me two hours tops. Would she be awake waiting for me? Would she be sober? How would she react seeing me again? A light smile appeared on my lips thinking about her. My brother noticed and whispered in my ear to get my shit together and act as a real Don. I hated it when he was right. This was not a time for me to smile or be happy.

Three hours later and after everything was settled, everyone had their orders and I was finally free to go see her. I could no longer drive around by myself. It was too dangerous. We had no idea who might be watching me. I picked Luca as my driver. He is about my age and we always got on well.

Arriving at her place, I let Luca know that I would call him to pick me up when I would be ready and spotted the man in charge of watching Rose, in the park opposite her house. I gestured for him to come closer.

"Did she leave her apartment? Did anyone visit her?" I asked keeping my voice low. He informed me that he had only been here for an hour but the man who he was supposed to replace left earlier than he should. So he had no answer to either question I was asking him. Dario, the soldier who was supposed to be here until midnight, never picked up his phone. That was strange. Something was wrong, but I needed to see her first and then I would deal with anything else.

Waiting for the elevator to come, I remembered how scared she was when we entered it two days ago. What else was she scared of? Was she ever going to tell me what happened to her three years ago? I might have read her files, but I wanted her to trust me, to share her deepest secrets and fears with me.

Standing outside her door, I took a deep breath and practiced a speech. After knocking a few times I started to get worried. Could she have gone to sleep? It was late but she said she would wait. I tried to call her but it went straight to voicemail. As I was ready to leave, the next door neighbor appeared and informed me that Rose was not at home.

I guess every building has at least one tenant that doesn't mind their own business but I appreciated the lady's indiscretion. She saw Rose leaving with a small suitcase in hand. She seemed to be in a hurry and took a taxi that had already been waiting in front of the building. Thanking her for all the information, I made a mental note to warn Rose about her nosy neighbor and the nonexistent security of her building.