Page 56 of Mila: The Godfather

“I did.” She nods, and I find it amusing how her golden curls bounce with the movement. “I thought you weren’t serious when you told me you enjoyed plants. My apologies. You need to understand that I haven’t met anyone quite like you, but, in truth I don’t know many people.” She starts to ramble in that adorable way that makes my chest ache. “You fascinate me just as much as this garden does.” She says so softly that, for a moment, I believe I imagine it.

You fascinate me…

Fuck.

One thing about her is that she will speak her mind and blurt out truths when she feels comfortable or nervous. I caught that much in our time together so far.

Words get stuck in my throat. I always know what to say and how to act, but I must admit that, for the first time in my goddamn life, I am caught off guard. This girl… this fucking girl with her pretty smile, kind heart, and admirable honesty, has the ability to render me speechless.

“I said something wrong,” Mila whispers, pulling me out of my head.

The tremble in her voice snaps me out of it. Clearing my throat I speak up, “Mila.”

“Yes?” I look at her in one of the dresses I had brought here for her. A yellow sundress with spaghetti straps and a material that hugs her body in all the right places. Her golden curls fall wildly around her face. Eyes that shine brighter than the stars lighting the night tonight.

“Your honesty is refreshing,” I speak. “Nothing you say to me will ever be wrong. That I promise you. Speak freely around me and always speak your mind.”

“You don’t look irate or angry….” She points out while biting nervously on her plump bottom lip. While her eyes stare at my chest, I get caught staring at her lips. What I wouldn’t give to taste them. To finally find out if she tastes as sweet as she looks. I bet she does.

So fucking sweet.

“Why would I?”

She shrugs. “I dunno. Most people make faces I don’t understand while I speak about things I enjoy, but they do not.”

“Those people are cunts.” Her lovely mouth forms an ’O’. “They’re ordinary, and you’re anything but.”

She frowns, and I can’t help myself. I step closer. I stand taller. Much taller and with no shirt on. I bite my lip to hide the smile that wants to take over my face when I catch her licking her lips. She likes what she sees. Good. She also doesn’t retreat or try to hide her face from view like she has done several times before.

I am aware that this situation is insane, but nothing about this feeling in my chest is logical.

I can’t find it in me to care.

When I’m a breath away from her, I reach inside my pocket and hand her my phone. “Tell your sister you are alright.” It’s been hurting not being able to communicate with her sister. I am not a man with morals.

I’ve always done what’s best for me and the clan with zero regard to others’ feelings or wants, but when it comes to this girl, I want to keep my promises. I want to be… better.

Mila lifts her chin and tries her best to hold my stare, and fuck, does she do it. It lasts two seconds more than the last time she did. Yeah, I’m keeping count.

She tentatively reaches for the phone, and when she grabs it, her fingers lightly touch mine, and I feel it. That zap of energy that courses through my body whenever she’s close or when her skin touches mine.

I’m going mad.

I’m addicted.

Before I let go of the phone, I warn her. “The fuckers that are after you might track the call, so to be safe, send, a voice message, and you gotta keep it short, sweetheart. For your safety and to not compromise her.” I feel guilt clawing at me when the light in her eyes dims, but fuck, I’m not risking it. “Trust me. I know this is a lot to ask. But I need you to trust me that I’ll get you out of this alive and back to your sisters. They already tried to take out Arianna and failed. I won’t let them get to you.” She looks up but says nothing. Instead she nods gently and raises the phone close to her mouth.

I watch as she takes a deep breath before pressing the touch screen.

“Sirius. It’s…me, Mila.” Her voice breaks as if her tears are not that far away. “Please don’t worry. I am alive and I’m unharmed. I know that nothing I say will stop you from searching for me, but I promise I’m okay, and I’ll find my way back to you. I… I love you so much.” She sighs heavily before carrying on. “One day. Okay? This is my one day, and I just want you to fight for yours instead of worrying about me.” Her voice, the sadness in it, cuts me deep. “I’ll see you soon, sister. You’ll see.” With that, she ends the message and hands me back the phone. I quickly type the number and press send. Then I throw the phone onto the ground and smash it with my boot.

After a long moment, I clear my throat. “The last thing I want is for you to feel like a prisoner. You’re not a prisoner here, but for the meantime, I need to get you off the radar, and we gotta take some precautions. That means no outside contact and no social media until me or your sister eliminate the threat.”

“I-I know.” She says absently while she taps her chest three times. She’s doing it again.

My own chest squeezes.

Instinctively, I reach forward and pull a golden lock behind her ear. Ignoring her sharp intake of breath, I ask. “Does it hurt?” I watch her face. “Does your chest hurt, sweetheart?”

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