Twenty-Seven:
Gedeon
"I'm sorry I attacked you and saying I'd fuck my wife in top of your dead corpse because you kissed her."
Aleksei choked on his coffee at my monotoned apology and Anastasia dropped her knife, letting it clatter loudly as it hit the floor while Nicolai stared at me in pure befuddlement. Both Timor and Lizabeta had gone on their weekly check on our warehouses located in Hell's Kitchen, so it was just us in the house today. I ignored them all and continued to finish the remainder of lunch.
Honestly, I didn't even know why I was apologizing.
After almost a week of awkward tension, I finally decided to apologize first, a first for me. I've never apologized first and I don't think I ever had up until now. I cocked one eyebrow up when no one broke the silence. It was like I grew a second head in their sight.
"Did Dove put you up to this?" Aleksei humorously asked. He set down his fork with his half-eaten beef stroganoff still stabbed into it. Propping one elbow up, he grinned at me madly.
Right, that was why I was apologizing after she persistently hunted me down. To be quite honest, I had no idea if it was for the better or worse that we pretend nothing happened between us. How she was the only woman to date that made me lose all self-control and liked it.
"Yes," I replied, hating to admit she was able to get me into doing something.
He chuckled, shaking his head in pure amusement along with everyone else at the table. "Did she ask with those big doe eyes of hers? Even someone like you couldn't resist, could you?"
"Shut the fuck up."
"I'm sorry I kissed your wife," Aleksei said, looking anything but apologetic.
"You better damn well be," I gritted out, not wanting to push it further by asking why he looked so smug and know-it-all right now.
"I'll let you kiss my special someone when the time comes," he offered while placing his fisted onto his chest and tapped three times, a sign of commitment to his words with a wink. "You know, if the Devil doesn't get me first since I am your best bodyguard."
"Not interested in that bull," I snickered in retaliation.
"Right because you already have your Queen to keep you occupied, eh?" Aleksei joshed, causing everyone to chuckle. "I guess a Queen is the most powerful piece of the chessboard for a reason, huh?"
"Last I checked, she's a pawn, but it's all a lie, huh?" Anastasia chimed in happily while retrieving our dishes. I was beginning to think everyone is just having fun teasing me which didn't happen often.
"Where is Dove this morning?" Nicolai grumbled, looking up from his tablet finally to join into the conversation to everyone's surprise. Including myself since he never cared much about anyone and vocalized his hate for Dove since the beginning. He turned his head over to Aleksei with a deep frown. "Aren't you supposed to be keeping watch of her?"
"Oh, I never thought I'd see the day Nicolai would care for an Italian to ask where she is," Aleksei teased.
"Says the one who humored Ana in making stupid names for them along with Timor."
"She's outside," Anastasia said before glaring at Nicolai. "And they're not stupid."
"Gardening?" Aleksei questioned back and then turned to roll his eyes at Nicolai. "And I trust her enough to know she's not going to, I don't know, run off when no one is looking."
"I don't think she's gardening, she doesn't have her gardening stuff," Anastasia pointed at the small area in front of the door where it's since warped into a makeshift gardening area. I wasn't too taken by surprise with her hobby since she seemed to know a lot regarding plant life. And so long as she continued to steer clear of the greenhouse which she didn't seem to show much interest in, it'll be fine.
I kept my face mutual from any sort of emotions as I got up from my seat. It scraped onto the marble floor, catching everyone's attention while I mumbled, "I'll go check on her then."
Aleksei snorted loudly as he leaned onto the countersink, folding his arms with an arrogant grin. He pointed his fork at me and sighed. "I'm not surprised our love sic—"
He didn't get to finish before I gutted him right in the gut. He dropped his fork, hunching over in agony with a loud groan. That was more like it. He glared up at me while clutching onto his stomach and I was the one giving an arrogant grin now. Fixing my tie, I shrugged. "I thought a bodyguard should always be expecting the unexpected. You need to get your head back in the game."
"Jackass," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm going to get you back on that one."
I flicked my wrist at his comment, making my way out while pulling out my phone to check everything was going smoothly. Since Mateo and I had dinner, he's been more than willing to tell me secrets about the family, especially Gaggi's in hopes that I wouldn't back out on our agreement. Truly, greedy people that were power hungry would never be able to grasp the bigger picture since they were hyper focused onto miniscule things.
Opening the front door, a ray of sunlight hits me followed by the sound of rustling trees and bird chirps. Spring was approaching fast with subtle hints of its arrival. I used to love Spring, because it was my Mother's favorite too. But it quickly shifted to liking the cold where everything was quiet and dead. Running my fingers through my hair to comb it back, I looked around for any signs of her.
And like a magnet, I was able to do so without much effort.
Her back was turned towards me, her hair blowing softly as it got carried by the wind. In a blue dress and a soft grey cardigan, I couldn't help but wonder if she was cold. It was still in the low fifties on average. I watched her bend down, stroking something and then I realized after it scurried off into the bushes of what happened.
For a moment, I thought my eyes deceived me by what she had done.
Closing the distance between us, I cleared my throat to not startle her. Yet, she turned as if she was already expecting me there. She tucks her hair back and smiles up at me, though it was one half filled with melancholy and another of contentment. Either way, I couldn't quite understand her motives.
"Why did you let your rabbit go?"
She gave a small halfhearted shrug as she stared at where it last dashed after she lets it go. "Because it wasn't mine to begin with. I wanted to nurse it back to health, and I did that."
Puzzled still and not understanding her logic, I cocked my head to the side. Walking to her side, I followed her to where she had been gardening the last few days. Small buds started to sprout from the ground, and I knew the whole place would be filled with flowers soon. I forced myself away from staring and focused back onto her as she bent down to check. "Haven't you grown attached to the thing?"
"Yes," she nodded in agreement. "But I can't keep him because that's what I wanted. He probably has his own family, his own burrow, his own way of living life out in the open."
"Didn't you like Scrabbles?" I asked cautiously.
"I do," she conceded with a small smile, staring at me. "But if you love someone, the greatest gift of all would be freedom. The freedom of choice, wouldn't you say?"
Suddenly, it was as if the world had stopped spinning at her proclamation. Our eyes locked onto one another and I knew what she meant. I don't know if she knew what she meant by asking it, but I was willing to bet my life on it. I massaged the back of my neck, shaking my head. "What if it doesn't come back? What if it gets eaten? Weren't you the one who wanted to save it from getting eaten so I don't get the point in releasing him back to become a prey."
"It doesn't enterally mean he won't be able to thrive on his own. And still what if he does survive? What if it chose to freely come back?" she retorted. "Scrabble has the freedom to choose. I put his pen outside. If he chooses to come back, then I'll see about it then. Why think about something that is beyond my own control?"
She slowly pushed herself back onto her feet. She winces, just barely as she gets up and I fought the urge to ask if she was okay. To anyone else, it was so small, you wouldn't even be able to notice it. Yet to me, it was the most obvious thing. I fought the primal urge to force her back into bed and rest. Since she fell a week ago, she had been moving around as if it never happened though I can see her recoiling whenever she walked. Yet she refused to stay in her room, and even when she did, she refused to stay still.
"How's your knees?" I asked, changing the topic completely as I gently led her to the wooden benches on the side. I noticed she had two books out on the corner along with a half-eaten sandwich she must have brought out for lunch since she still didn't feel comfortable eating with others. My arm rests easy onto her back and I couldn't help but notice that she never shies away from my touch anymore. In fact, it seemed as if she leaned into it. Though I wouldn't dare to let my imagination get too wild either.
I noticed and liked how she hasn't flinched anymore when it came to me.
"They're fine," she answers, hiking up her dress to show me. Her bandages were finally off to my displeasure, but Dr. Benzo said it was fine without it. Even better for it to not be wrapped now and let the body repair itself. Though that doesn't mean I want to fight him on it.
"We still have to put ointment on it later," I reminded her.
"I know," she shyly nodded, "But just reminding you that—"
"That you can do it yourself? I know but doesn't mean I can't help my wife apply it," I finished for her. She's been more than voicing her opinion when I applied ointment onto her healing wound. Every single little discomfort tugged at my heart as I resisted the urge to ask if she was okay.
She stayed quiet after her huff in disapproval. Then, she picked up her book and started reading.
Rather than going back in, I opened my phone to catch up on some emails myself. It had been a while since I had taken the time to sit outside with the sun beaming down onto me. Usually coped up in my office for hours on end, it was rewinding. I could see the need for Dove to always want to stay outdoors, no matter the weather.
Though my eyes didn't miss that once in a while, Dove would lift her head to look over where the shrub was. The shrub where she released her rabbit back into the wild, going against anything I've ever thought she would do. I remembered her petting it, always talking to it like it could speak back. From the way it also seeks her out, I thought the feelings were equivalent to the best an animal can give.
Not liking how hyper focused she had become and not understanding why she would let it go if this was going to happen, I put my phone back into my slacks after about an hour. Getting up, I sighed and extended my hands in front of her. She stares at me with a curious look, confused before I mumbled, "Dance with me."
Her face then morphed into one of amusement. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she placed a bookmark into the book and then she took my hand. The scars on her wrists become more apparent overtime the more I look at it, yet I never knew when the appropriate time was to hand it to her. The thought of doing it, giving her a gift even though I've never given anyone a gift since I was a child struck me as off and new. She placed one hand on my shoulder and intertwined her fingers into mine. Compared to mine, hers was tiny and fragile. "You always ask for me to dance with you at the most unconventional time."
Little did she know I just hated the look on her face right now.
Rather than giving her an honest answer, I looked down as I rested my free arm on her waist. To anyone, we probably looked stupid dancing around with no music. We swayed gently to one another, with her leading each step of the way. "I can't help but notice that my wife doesn't flinch or pull away from her husband anymore."
She quiets for a moment, her expression unreadable. She breaks eye contact, looking away as she questions, "Why do you keep saying wife?"
I straightened my back at her inquiry. "Because we are married."
"Not out of anything more than political and financial gain," she reminded, a small, dejected smile on her lips as her grip on my shoulders tightened. "You used to say it out of mockery. But lately..." she trailed off, a small hint of blushed formed around her cheeks like a blooming rose. "I don't know, forget it."
"You can call me husband, I don't mind," I offered, though I mainly just wanted to hear how those words would roll out of her mouth. "Mr. Gedeon Sokoloff and Mrs. Dove Sokoloff. The villain with a thirst for blood that ends up whisking away the pure and innocent princess. Something that seemed to be out of a fairytale, wouldn't you say?"
It has a nice ring to it, Dove Sokoloff.
Her eyes flashed with a surprise look as her pupil dilated when her eyes met mine. Seriously, was it possible to have eyes as clear and beautiful as hers? They were full of life and curiosity, even after everything she's been through. A rare smile rests on her face as she closed her eyes to sway along with me. "You know, I kind of forgot about it, fairytales until you brought it up. My Mother always had big dreams for me, even though we both knew it would never be possible."
"What would that be?"
"A traditional wedding, where I'll marry someone who would whisk me away with a happily ever after," she recalled, her eyes focused on me intensely. And just like before, it had a familiarity to them, the kind that I could have sworn I've seen before. "Mother would say it with such a miserable smile on her face and apologized for not being able to grant me that wish. As a child I never understood why. I never understood why she was apologizing when she's not even a prince that was supposed to whisk me away until I realized much later why. I never blamed her for not giving me it, because I knew if she can, she would have given me the world."
"Any Mother would," I replied honestly and drew in a sharp breath. It had slipped out so naturally, but I've never talked to anyone regarding my Mother's death besides my own Father. Yet with Dove, she always was able to draw information out of me so easily. Maybe it was because I felt like she understood what it meant to lose someone that meant the world to them.
She nodded in agreement. "Yes, and as a child, before I was engaged to...him, I promised her when I was naïve and small something I wished to do at my own wedding. To pay homage to us, and I don't know why I remember now when you talked about fairytales."
"Tell me."
Her smile remained, though it dropped as she shook her head. "It's stupid."
"Tell me," I said, firmer this time.
"I wanted to release two doves, one on behalf of her. One for me. It was passed down for generations...for long as I remembered to release two doves from what Mother told me. She was looking forward to it with her wedding, but Father didn't allow it since it's not of Italian or family tradition."
I blinked a few times. "Your Mother wasn't an Italian?"
If she wasn't, that would be shocking. Much like the Russian family, keeping the family blood pure from any other mixing of races were important to us. I haven't bothered to look up Dove's own heritage because I could care less about their Italian tradition, yet now, I wanted to know.
I wanted to know because of Dove.
She shook her head. "No, she's full Italian. She was sold young into prostitution by her own parents, so she picked up many original and different kinds of traditions and other small feats she taught me. She was immensely engrossed on symbolism and myths."
"My Father," Dove continued, looking away. "Said my Mother bewitched him. That was why he forced her to marry him. My mother thought for a while, it was her happily ever after because he liked to give her gifts and spoil her too. But it didn't take long before his love, or what I assume is love, shifted to something else."
"But why release doves of all things?" I cocked my head to the side, shifting the conversation to something more comforting.
"It symbolizes freedom. What we both crave. It's also meant to symbol peace between a couple," she answered curtly. "I mean, she did name me after the bird. At least, that's what I think she meant to do."
"Which would then symbolize your mother's at peace because you had the wedding and happily ever after she wanted for you," I guessed.
"A happily ever after journey is the most worth it of all," she mused. "She would often say."
Something in her confession struck a chord in me. Just like her eyes, it was familiar.
Where did I hear this before?
"But anyways," she said, cutting me from my train of thoughts. The smile diminished, her eyes pooled with sadness and heartache. And just like when she fell, it was as if I was experiencing it myself. Like someone had taken my heart, and clenched it tightly, choking it until I couldn't breath. Our dance came to a full stop, and she gazed down, shaking her head. "That dream is over anyways, our marriage document has been signed and done with. I mean, I'm happy with—"
Suddenly, I dipped her body, holding her back securely to make sure she didn't fall. Her eyes widened by the sudden movement, her arms tightening around her hold on me. Her hair falls over her shoulders, as she stared at me, with a gapped mouth. At least now, her eyes didn't tug at my heart. My eyes drifted down to her plump soft lips. I wanted to sneak another kiss, to make her head spin and electricity to rock through my body.
But I held back.
"I may not be the Prince you're looking for," I began. "But that doesn't mean I can't be better than him. It doesn't mean that I can't give you what you deserve."
A happily ever after in this fucked up world you're dragged in.
I couldn't force myself to promise her a happily ever after she wants. In this world, everyday could be your last. I wasn't a God by any means, but I've already had a lot of close calls.
I gently set her back onto her feet as she stared at our foot, a blush forming again on her cheeks and spreading downwards. I knew it almost reached the top of her breasts, because I've seen her blush heavily when I'm making her come. I've become addicted to seeing this side of her, seeing her with a bountiful of emotions no one else had seen before.
Mine.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fought against the groan. I realized how time seemed to go by whenever I was around Dove. It didn't take a genius to realize it was probably Timor or Lizabeta calling me anyways too. I looked down and cupped her cheeks, rubbing her cheeks with the pad of my thumbs. "Well, I got some stuff to take care of back in my office. Will you be okay out here alone?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Behave, and don't stay out too long either," I continued. She rolled her eyes, and a grin made its way to my face. "You know, someday your bratty little attitude of yours is going to get you over my knees and spanked."
She gently pushed me away, her cheeks flamed.
Making my way upstairs after getting into the estate, I was thankful I didn't bump into anyone. I had no clue if they actually saw me dancing with Dove outside. I knew if they did, they would for sure tease me when they had the chance later.
I barely had my ass in the chair when my phone went off for the third time already. Fishing my phone out to see it was Lizabeta calling, which usually meant its either a good thing, or a bad thing. She never bothered to call unless it was dire, and I just hoped it wasn't the latter.
And seeing how Timor wasn't calling me but her, it didn't sit well in my stomach.
"Give me the stats," I demanded right away.
"Gedeon, someone infiltrated one of our warehouses and blew up millions of dollar worth of supplies."
"Are you fucking with me?" I snapped on default, shooting up from my chair. Hells Kitchen's factory was one of the main operating business and storage in New York. One of the first base of operations since Father took over in alliance with the Irish mafia. Gripping onto my phone, I was surprised it didn't snap under the pressure as anger coursed through my veins. "How much can be savaged?"
"None. The whole three warehouse, all sixty thousand square feet are gone. Police are on the scene too."
"Fuck," I roared, pushing everything off the table in pure anger. I allowed it to, letting it take hold of me and the thirst for blood rang in my ears. They're going to fucking pay. Not with me, but they started something with the Irish too. It's all-out gang warfare and I already had a suspicion who did it.
"We were able to capture someone though," Lizabeta informed on the other line. "But you're not going to like it."
"The hell are you going on about," I bit out harshly.
"All I'm saying is, you should have left the whole operation marrying an Italian out of this," Lizabeta chuckled dry on the other line. "You're in for a shit of a storm now."
"Fucking put Timor on the damn line if you're going to make me dance around your riddles."
"Can't," she sang on the other line. "He's busy throwing his body in the trunk. It's an Italian."
"Of course, it fucking is."
"He has a warning for you, well, more for Dove from Robert Gaggi. Who's that in relation to Dove anyways? You know what, I don't care," she paused for a moment and I heard the car door slamming. "He was sent as a suicide mission to bring you a note from Robert from what I can tell. He wasn't even trying to escape."
"Spit it out."
"Robert said for Dove to come back, or he'll slaughter everyone."
I chuckled humorously. If Robert Gaggi thinks I'm going to let go of Dove easily just like that, he has another thing coming. Not only did he blow up millions, he was driving to show who was the alpha in this damn city. I raked my hair, tugging at the ends. "I'll like to see him fucking try try. Where the fuck are you? I'm coming to meet you now to see the extent of the damage and deal with it myself. I don't want him to have some sort of tracking device embedded in his skin or some shit like a dog."
"Meet at Ophelia's Bar in Chelsea?"
"On it." I grabbed my suit jacket and laptop since I knew it was going to be a while before I can get back to the estate with a massive attack like this. The last thing I needed was Dove going about without anyone watching over her on the cameras. When it came to her, I trusted no one and now that she was a living target, it made things worse.
Because everyone was going to find out soon what I refused to admit to myself.
I now had a weakness, and it wouldn't take long till everyone else knew.
I'm so sorry for the late update! I got caught up on my job working overtime the past few days!
New chapter is up! I hope you enjoyed it! Next update...I'm thinking (crossing fingers) Tuesday!