For the next month, Bianca's men along with Seamus and Vladimir's scour NY and NJ for the traitors on the list. Death by gunfire. Chopped into pieces. The crematorium was kept busy with bodies to burn.
While her men were busy avenging her honor, Bianca refused to get out of the bed in Marco's beach condo. Miguel cuddled her body while stroking her arms through her recent loss. Luis stayed close by to deliver medicine and food for them.
The first week was hell for Bianca Petali. Her silky hair frizzled into a mess. Her skin hadn't seen a warm shower or bath for several days. Tears wouldn't stop flowing from her emeralds. Wails of agony left her lips.
Her mind replayed the last moments between her and her daughter. The dream of them becoming a family with Isabella fell apart. Sleep was impossible until Miguel hummed a lullaby. She would sleep over 10 hours a day from the emotional sickness eating away at her.
He took action into taking care of her shoulder wound and making sure she took a bath. He led her into the all-white bathroom and disrobed her with care. Her body shuddered from the warmth that touched her skin. Part of her wished to stay in it forever.
He scrubbed her arms and body clean before joining her in the tub. His arms wrapped around her. Soft kisses on her shoulder before drying her off for new clothes.
He cooked food that was only eaten by one. He offered a small portion, but she only took a nibble. Her stomach growled for more but shrank to his concern. He placed a bowl of dry cereal on her nightstand to encourage her. He turned the TV on as background noise. Anything to uplift her mind.
She wanted to tell him what happened but found no strength in what to say. She felt his kindness was undeserved. She's no longer the strong woman that he loved. More self-hatred added to the pile.
The second week, he found his rib was healing from the medicine regimen. His breaths were no longer shallow. He told Bianca who didn't respond to his words.
She got out of bed for the first time in a while. Her feet took her to the couch in the living room. She wrapped herself in a blanket, leaving no room for Miguel to cuddle her.
When he tried to massage her feet, she kicked him away. Yelling at him to leave her alone. Regret filled her voice.
He listened and gave her some space to sleep. Bianca felt another blanket draped over her. A soft kiss on her head that he still loved her. Heavy tears accompanied her sleep...
The distant look in her darkened green irises concerned him. He held her by the shoulders.
"Mi amor, would you like to see someone?"
She forced his hands down and away. "I'm not weak like you!"
Shame and regret had her cover her mouth.
He took her hand and kissed it. "You aren't weak. Strength is admitting you need help."
She stepped away with guilt driving her feet. "I...don't deserve you. I'm not appreciating your help."
He spun her around. "You don't have to say it."
"Miguel Torres, I order you to leave. The rat has been taken care of. I no longer need your services."
"Well, I refuse to leave."
Her heart rattled. "I ordered you!"
"That's not you speaking. That's your-"
"Shut up! I'm a horrible person. My own daughter hates me. And you will hate me too!"
"I will never stop loving you."
"Elena was more deserving of love than I am. What do you even see in me? I can't give you the family you wanted. I'm not as strong as you think I am."
Heavy tears crawled down her face. When he took a step near her, she backed away.
"You are still the woman I love. Your smile, your eyes, how you carry yourself-"
"So you love it when I'm strong all the time?"
He shook his head. "Not what I meant. It's not just about your leadership. It's your confidence. Even right now, I still love you. I want to worship you from head to toe. Devoting myself to this wonderful goddess I see. Let yourself be in my arms. I will wipe your tears and kiss your pain away."
Those kind words led her to the bathroom where she locked the door.
The knob turned. "Bianca, let me in."
"Am....I worthy of being loved?"
"You are."
"Am I a terrible mother?"
"You're not."
The door opened. He gave her space to exit. She glared at him with those freezing emeralds. His dark chocolate eyes reflected all the love he has for her.
It disgusted her. She wanted him to hate her. To feel how she feels.
"I can't promise you this. What if....Isabella and you reconcile in the future? I have hope that it will happen."
"Hope is for idiots!" she yelled at him.
"Then I'm a lucky idiot. Mi amor, she may or may not be part of your life again. But that doesn't take away the love you showered her with. Our adopted child will be happy to receive that from you. Your heart has a lot of love to give."
Her feet shuffled from his genuine words. Her freezing emeralds almost melt.
"Te amo, Bianca Petali y Signora Orchidea."
Her eyebrows shot up in confusion.
"I love and accept all sides of you," he explained while holding her hands.
She scoffed at him. "Even this side?"
"I do."
Not an ounce of hesitation. She scowled at him.
"To be honest, your angry face turns me on."
A chuckle from her mouth broke free. She stopped the fit of laughter that was going to overtake her.
"You're such a weird pervert," she responded.
"I'm a submissive who likes to please his dominant boss."
"She's not here."
He cupped her face with his hands. He gazed into her soft emeralds. Telling her that he sees her. Her heart fluttered. She turned her back to him while going into the living room.
He saw her sit on the couch. Her head directed at the shoreline through the sliding glass door. Eyes focused on the repetition of the waves crashing and leaving. He silently kept watching her from a distance as pink and orange streaks announced the end of the day. Adjusting the dimmer to give her a relaxing atmosphere. The starry night added to it.
Silence sat between them until he broke it. "If I cooked breakfast for you naked, will you eat?"
She spun around to him. "W-What?"
He waggled his eyebrows. "I mean I will wear an apron, but you will get food and a show."
Her body trembled from the imagination. Her tongue licked her lips to his satisfied smile.
"How would you like your eggs?"
If it was possible, fertilized. "Scrambled. "Will....I get you as a side?" she asked.
"All of me," he whispered.
His sensual whisper warmed up her cave. That dimpled smile wanted her to drop all of her clothes. For his thrusts to make love and take the pain away.
She stomped her foot in defiance. "Don't you dare smirk."
"Will I be punished?"
Her cheeks turned red. "Just....give me space."
"Okay."
"Is...that cereal still good?"
He handed her the bowl of chocolate flakes. She took some in her hand and took a bite. And another. He smiled as she ate the bowl clean.
"Would mistress like more?"
She nodded. He returned with another bowl that she devoured before sleeping on the couch. Miguel draped a heavy blanket to keep her warm.
"Love you, goddess."
She woke up to the smell of sizzling bacon, scrambled eggs, and buttered toast. The smell lured her off the couch and to the kitchen. She blinked numerous times. Miguel delivered on his promise. A green apron on his torso while exposing his toned ass.
She wanted to smack and bite down on it.
He turned to her with that dimpled smile. "Morning, Mistress. Breakfast is ready."
Her lips closed the distance between them. Driving her tongue into his mouth. Her hands grabbed his bare cheeks. He placed her on the counter before turning the stove off. Their lips reunited with his lustful hands reaching under her shirt. She grabbed his staff to get back at him.
"Wait!"
He stopped and backed away a bit. "Sorry. I rushed things, didn't I?"
Her feet touched the floor to make a plate. "No. I'm just not ready. But you had me going."
After sitting down, she took a bite. Foodgasms from the cheesy eggs and crispy bacon. Miguel smiled from her finishing the plate.
Her emerald eyes met him. They hardened a bit with lust.
She pointed at him. "Take care of yourself for me, right there."
He didn't hesitate to adjust his apron. He gave her a full view as he stroked his staff with purpose. Her fingers traveled beneath her pants to join him.
"Oh, Mistress. I want you."
"You will get to -ah- play Dominican golf next week."
"Only when you're ready," he grunted.
Dirty words flowed between them before they finished. His thick rope of love fluid landed near her chair.
"Clean that up," she ordered with a smile.
"Yes, mistress," he panted. When he was done, he planted soft kisses on her feet that made her feel like a god.
----
In the third week, she managed to take a shower on her own. Her body lingered in the warm water, refusing to leave. A knock on the door brought her back to reality. She walked into a warm towel that he had ready for her. She appreciated that with a tender kiss.
After getting dressed, she found the strength to tell him what happened between her and Isabella. His jaw dropped from what her daughter had said to her. He held his loving boss close to him.
The feeling of depression re-entered her mind. She begged him not to leave her side. His arms wrapped around her, refusing to let go of her for a moment.
The next day, he heard the shower faucet on. The door was locked. He knocked on the door. No response. He found a bottle of whiskey was missing.
Fearing the worst, he kicked the door down, knocking the door off its hinges. Bianca's body shook from what he did. The warm water hits her clothes while she was drinking from the bottle. He exhaled a sigh of relief.
"Sorry, I was worried. I will fix the door."
A brief grin appeared and vanished. The faucet turned off from his hand. He lifted her into his arms without any pain.
"My hero," she slurred.
After putting the bottle away, he changed her clothes.
She pulled him into bed with legs wrapped around his back. "Take me."
"No, you're drunk."
"You don't want me?"
"Not like this. I want you to remember each ovation I will give you."
She pouted before agreeing to his terms. He hummed a lullaby that lulled her to sleep.
"I love you, jefe," before kissing her cheek.
He woke up to her squirming in his arms. Eyes still closed.
"Isabella, come back."
Her words broke his heart. "She will come back to you."
He repeated it until she fell back to a peaceful sleep. His nostrils take her in lavender perfume.
He didn't care how long it would take. He will be there to uplift her spirits.