The Mafia's Doll.

Night One (8)

"No, Miss Mae, please, sit down," I urged, maintaining a built tone. She obeyed my request despite her hesitation. "I don't have a daughter named Amanda; her name is Gabby. "My nephew is staying here because Gabby is returning to Italy to be nearer to her other family," Miss Mae said, trying to clear up any misunderstandings while remembering every specific. "Gabby worked with me at the bakery, she came months after you started working with the law, I'm certain; You probably haven't noticed because you became so busy that you only come weekly," she continued, chuckling a little. I remained silent, allowing her to continue providing explanation.

My mind instantly flashed back to the day I questioned Amanda Gomber; to the young lady who served us coffee. I felt a wave of relief pass over me, but my mind kept racing. Amanda must have been keenly observing Miss Mae to exploit her memory loss issues. New inquiries followed, such as: Who was Amanda Gomber really? Did she really go by that name? Was she the thief?

"I don't need to hear any more of this," Miss Mae sighed as she rose from her seat. "My medication already makes me paranoid and woozy; hearing about this imaginary stepdaughter is not going to do any justice," she innocently remarked, unaware of the unintentionally help she just provided. I realized that the case I was working on might be getting closer to closure or at least a resolution. Still, there was something uncomfortable about Amanda stalking me, I supposed, by what was with her in the motel when she died.

I have to tell Sergeant Williams about this, but he doesn't know I dug into the Salvatores and Gomber already. With all the lying I've been doing lately; I could be a politician. I wasn't going to let Amanda Gomber nor this Bianchi individual pass by me so quickly.

A series of knocks interrupted Miss Mae's path to the kitchen. She turned back to me, requesting, "Can you please open the door for me, honey? It must be my nephew." I nodded in acknowledgment.

I rose from the stiff couch, and as Miss Mae continued her journey to the kitchen, I walked toward the house's door and unlocked it, pushing it open. Before me stood a figure, towering over me more than usual. Time seemed to stand still, and I nearly stopped breathing. I looked up to see a man with lustrous blonde locks that cascaded effortlessly down to the top of his shoulders. Each strand danced in harmony with an unspoken rhythm, a subtle glint of a nose ring highlighting the sharp contours of his face, adding a touch of rebellion to an otherwise flawless visage. A strange sensation pulsed through my chest—something equivalent to desire. I disciplined myself; this isn't how I should be thinking.

Detailed tattoos decorated sinewy arms, telling a silent tale of a life lived on the edge. These inked masterpieces, glimpsed beneath the tailored sleeves of his clothing, hinted at an unknown past that only enhanced his mysteriousness.

His model-like features—chiseled jawline, piercing gaze, and sculpted physique—created an arresting combination that effortlessly captivated me. What the hell am I saying? My senses screamed at me to buckle down, but the irresistible appeal of this mysterious individual briefly clouded my judgment.

With a cigarette burning between his pink lips, his hazel eyes stared straight into mine. "Are you looking after my aunt?" With his voice rumbling from deep in his chest and the cigarette still clinging to his lips, he added, "I told her I would be here helping." He posed the query as though he didn't genuinely think it was true. I said, "No, sir, I am not," and I opened the door a little wider to let him in. Taking the cigarette out of his mouth, he tossed it to the ground and promptly crushed it between the bottom of his shining shoes. Knowing that not everyone knew who I was, was a relief.

He stepped in, and I closed the door behind him. The man arched his eyebrows as his icy gaze moved to the steps where the bags were lying. I was aware that he wished to ask me questions, but I owed him nothing. Instead, he walked right by me and into the tiny living room. It immediately clicked—her nephew was the one I made eye contact with at Miss Mae's Cafe, the day I questioned Amanda Gomber. I had no idea that a man like that could be Miss Mae's nephew—such a traditional woman. I seemed like Miss Mae hid him. 

This city is too small.

"How many more tattoos are you going to keep getting, Ale?" As the nephew ventured farther inside the house, I heard Miss Mae cry out. I was snapped out of my reverie right away. I had never witnessed Miss Mae's mood swing so badly before. "Hello to you too, zia," the man greeted Miss Mae politely before embracing her. I decided to give them their time and went towards the stairs to pick up my bags for the temporary stay.

The conversation grew louder as I ascended the creaky stairs, and I stopped dead in my tracks. Looking at me, I turned to see Miss Mae and her nephew casually making their way to the edge of the stairs. Miss Mae told her nephew, "Ale, this is Detective Gauthen," with joy. "Detective, this is Alejandro," With his angular jaw clenched, this man's gaze caught my attention.

"Please, just call me Valerie." I offered, my tone steady despite the unexpected intensity in his gaze.

══════════════════════════════════

Though my team was at work, I refused to call them. I couldn't bring myself to form the right sentence nor order to give them on how I am going to dig any deeper in this case. The information Miss Mae gave me in the afternoon had me rethinking everything. There were open folders all over the silk bed sheet, with no sense of order. For hours, I spent hours wandering the bedroom alone with my thoughts. I wasn't knocked out of my own head until there was a knock on the door. Shit. I debated whether or not to pack up this mess in the room as I looked at it. Another knock echoed through the room, narrowing my options.

I let everything be and strolled to the door, hesitantly opening it. The man standing over me greeted me. His eyes were fixed on me as if I were a raw piece of meat as I looked up at him. I couldn't get a word out because he began talking, "Zia was checking if you were okay."I answered prematurely, "Yes, I'm fine." There was a noticeable tension in the air. His expression was unreadable as he stared at me for an extended period of time. I shifted uneasily under his observation, the small space feeling smaller under his weight.

I kept the door open, only enough to show my head and a bit of my torso. He raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, but it immediately dropped, and a neutral expression settled onto his face. "Well, I am taking her out for some time; she said to make yourself at home. There's leftovers in the fridge," Alejandro elucidated, his eye contact so intense that I had to break away. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind," I responded and was about to close the door when he stopped it with his foot.

"And if anything, an extra key is under the outdoor mat." 

Hope you enjoyed! Happy new years

More is to come....

Support me by following my instagram- ytana123