Bloody City: Temptations

Chapter Thirty

"You're not going to stitch it shut?" I ask.

"Not on your bicep, if it was a less used muscle group sure, but it would be better to let your body heal from the bottom of it, until the hole is smaller and has less chance of any infection growing at the base of the bullet hole, also you took it out with a knife like an idiot, you could have left residue that could have given you a serious infection," Aria says calmly though I picked up on the reprimand in her tone.

"I'm sorry nurse Valentino," I say teasingly though I put the note away in my mind so that I wouldn't knife the bullets of future wounds out.

"I'm being serious Alessio, I don't want you to get an infection from a gunshot wound, it scares me enough that you are gone so long, and I'm here in this home waiting for you to get home. I miss you during the day, and there is only so many things to draw in this house," Aria says.

"If something comes up, I'd be willing to let you help with the Familia's business," I say reaching up and cupping the side of her face.

"Actually?" she beams and I nod admiring the optimistic smile on her lips and the bright look in her eyes as she leaned into my touch, something I'd come to enjoy more and more as she did it. Her language of affection was touch, I could tell that much about her, and it was as if she fulfilled a part of me I had buried for the sake of protecting myself from any form of affection or appreciation outside of respect and comradery.

"There are many casinos the Familia owns both official and otherwise, I wouldn't mind instating you as the Manager for one of them, and if things go well maybe I'll make you branch manager for them and the associated hotels," I suggest though I wouldn't do it until after we'd been married for a while.

"I would enjoy having something to do, but don't you already have someone doing that?" Aria asks and I nod.

"I do, but many of them are getting older, or simply have been trying to do things behind my back so I may have to remove them, and because you and I aren't married yet it would be best for us to wait until after we say our vows to let you into the family businesses," I say and she nods.

"You've also been sleeping on my pillow, you changed them around when you found out I was coming home," I point out and she hums while looking down. I liked that she had the confidence to stand up to me, and ask what she wanted from me, but the side of her that was shy and willing to lean into me, to trust me made me want to protect her from all the harms this world could bring to her without question.

"Your pillow smells like your cologne, makes me sleep better, it's stupid, I'm twenty I should be able to sleep normally," she says and I lift her chin so I could look at her.

"Arianna, you have nothing to be ashamed of, I can't tell you what it means to have someone waiting for me when I get home, I've never had it. You've changed my daily life in such a large way while being just one simple change in it. Even if your family never intended it".

She stopped and looked up at me, and slid closer to me before moving to straddle my lap while wrapping her arms around me. If it were known how much she meant to me I'd be dealing with a lot more then just assassination of powerful Underbosses in my major cities. I'd have people questioning my position as Boss of the Family.

"Thank you for trying for our future marriage," she whispers into my ear as she rested her head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her before standing and moving around the bed before I lay back on my side of the bed and shifted my hips to get us to both me straight on the bed though I kept looking to make sure I wasn't making her uncomfortable by being pressed up to her.

"I'm going to try every day to be the best husband I can be for you Arianna, and I know what your statement meant about you doing the one thing all Mafia wives are warned not too. I'm just sorry that it has to be me, I kill people and commit fraud, extortion, bribery, racketeering, money laundering, and various other crimes. I could go to Federal prison for the rest of my life if it was known that I was the Boss of the Salvatorini Crime Family," I say looking into her eyes, eyes that held adoration, and if I didn't know she was smart I'd say negligence. But the truth was more terrifying, she knew every dark secret, knew who I was, and what I was capable of doing, and regardless she didn't care in the slightest about who I really was outside of our home.

"I'd go to the depths of hell if you were there. That's my job as your wife to go where you go no matter how horrible things become," Aria says and I take her hand and place it over my heart.

"Do you feel that?" I ask and she nodded.

"Slowly you're worming your way in, it's a risk to care about anything in this world Aria. I could be dead one day, and I'd be leaving you as a widow," I admit while running a hand through her hair slowly undoing the braid until it all fell loosely like a veil over the both of us.

"I couldn't be a widow Alessio, we are all born of sin, besides I've dragged you over the ledge with me," she says laying down on me.

"I hope not, but I will always stay true to my promise to your family, they did get my word that I would protect you," I say and she nods again before leaning down and pressing her lips against mine. The kiss wasn't hungry or filled with passion it was soft and loving even if I didn't want to admit it. I'd been given a woman who was too good for me, and in return I was given the challenge to protect her, to give her the marriage that was required of us, but I didn't know if I'd ever be able to fully give her my heart after what I saw of my parents own marriage.

"I know you will, and I will protect you," Aria says looking into my eyes as she rested her chin on my chest.

"That's not your job but I appreciate you, Arianna, now go to sleep I know you haven't slept," I say sliding off of the bed and undressing before taking the blanket and neatly laying it across the bed, while Aria carried both my clothing and her own that she'd removed to the laundry bins in our closet. When she returned she slid under the blankets and peered at me as I went to make sure the house was locked along with putting all of my knives and two of the guns away before I joined her in bed with the lights off.

"Why do you keep one gun?" she asks from the darkness next to me.

"Because years in this life taught me to be alert at all times, even in my own home," I say reaching out and pulling her to me. "Now go to sleep, I'm not going anywhere until morning".

She didn't protest, and though I'd expected a question to follow she remained quiet and lay as close to me as she could before she drifted off, and I followed after her into the realm of sleep.
    
    
So I'm thinking the next chapter will be about the furthered conflict between Vincenzo and Fianntino, which will have an interesting addition in how that chapter goes, after I have the Matteo and Gabriella chapter semi planned in my head. Comment, vote, and share. Anyways

Peace✌