Page 24 of Texting My Mafia Savior

I stand at my bedroom window, looking out onto the street. It looks normal. It’s a new house, but the street looks exactly like what I’d expect a middle-upper-class street to look like. There aren’t any cars lurking around, no mobsters waiting to grab me. I try to reason it out in my head. Enzo is dangerous, but I know I made my apology realistic. The only thing that could’ve annoyed him was when Nico stood up to him.

But that wasn’tmyfault. If Enzo’s going to go after anyone, it’ll be Nico, won’t it?

I flinch when my phone vibrates on my desk. Thebuzzingnoise has panic surging to the surface. I need to chill. It’s Nico. That’s surprising. After how we left things—icy compared to the heat that came before—I didn’t think I would hear from him again.

Nico:Are you awake?

Me:What’s happening?Has there been a development?

As I wait for his reply, I wonder if he’ll tell me he made up that stuff about Aunt Lucy. He could have said it to calm me down. I’ve been thinking about it all night, along with everything else. They’ve only kissed once—when they had to, at their wedding. So why did they do it? What purpose could there have been to get married? There has to be a connection to his mob life.

Nico:No. Sorry if I worried about you. This is off-topic. I couldn’t sleep when I got home, so I’ve been doing some work. One girl I’m working with pro bono, helping her on a graffiti charge, has expressed an interest in photography. I was wondering if you’d be interested in meeting with her, helping her. You can say no. There’s no pressure.

I sit on my bed, my foot tapping frantically. Does this mean I’ll be seeing more ofmy uncle? I should realistically do everything I can to avoid it. It doesn’t matter if I want to see him, hold him, kiss him, explore him both physically and emotionally. What Ishoulddo is put this behind me. Perhaps this can help with that? We can meet again, keep it surface-level, pretend tonight never happened. Am I kidding myself?

Maybe I can even pretend I don’t know about the mafia stuff. Just go on with my life, taking it a day at a time. How would I answer this question if I was just his niece, if we’d never kissed, if he hadn’t stood up for me and put us both in danger?

Me:I’d be happy to help somebody in need.I think it’s great, uncle. How much of your time and resources do you give to people in the city?

Nico:Thank you, Arriana.My wife has told me that your photography is very good. She’s certain you’re going to be highly successful. She’s not a photography expert, but she has an eye for visuals from her experience in the art world.

I don’t miss the change in what he’s calling me. My full name now—notArria. And mentioning his wife… it seems we’re playing a game, or maybe agreeing, without coming outright and saying it, to go back to the way things should be.

Me:That’s why I’ve got plans to go traveling. I want to build a portfolio.

Nico:Yes. I remember.One text arrives. Then, immediately, another.

Nico:When?

I stare at the single word. Texts are a funny thing. With no tone, I can put any mood into it I want. It could be an indifferent question, the way somebody speaks when they’re making small talk. It could be an urgent, fierce demand.When? Tell me now…It could be anything in between. It could be nothing. It could be everything. Maybe that’s why I almost prefer texting. I can shape reality the same way I edit a photo. And perhaps that’s what makes it more frustrating, too.

Me:I need to save more money.I want to travel to Europe. Or maybe even go on an African safari. I haven’t decided on specifics yet, but it’s a dream of mine to travel, take photos, see the world, grow as a person.

Nico:Alone?

Again, just one word, leaving me with all the room to speculate about his intent. Is he implying that he wants to come with me? Or is he relieved that I’m not dating someone else? Maybe he doesn’t care, and he’s just being politely interested like any uncle. The difference is we’ve already kissed, already touched. But we’re trying to go back to the way things were.

Me:Yes.The only person I could think of asking to come with me is Lilly, but she’s in college and, anyway, she already told me she isn’t interested in taking time out of life to travel. I can respect that. We’ve all got different paths in life.

Nico:Traveling alone in Europe isn’t safe for a young woman.

Me:You already knew I was planning this.

Nico:I know, but it wasn’t my place to give you the brutal facts before, Arriana.

Me:Why is it your place now, uncle?

I’m being petty. But I don’t care. He’s acting like he has any right to tell me how to live my life.

Nico:Maybe it’s not. But it’s still a fact. I know you want to build a career for yourself, and that’s fantastic. The world is a dark, nasty place, though, Arriana. I’m not saying don’t go, but be careful. Do your research. Don’t think you can disappear in another part of the world and automatically be safe.

Me:I’ll be fine.When I make my decision about where I want to go, I’ll take all the precautions. Please let meknow more details about this girl you want me to help. Uncle.

Again, I’m being petty. Calling him uncle—but heismy uncle. I’m just using it as a weapon, a way to remind him. I do mydo-not-disturbroutine, putting my phone on my desk, getting into bed, and using all my willpower not to check it.

When sleep finally comes—it takes a long-ass time—my dreams put me back in the car with him. He’s got his hand on my core, but this time, he’s under my pants. He’s rubbing hard, sparks lighting up my body. I wake in a sweat. Know what’s crazy? I wake with my hands between my legs, too. That’s never happened to me before.

Grabbing my phone, I read his last text.

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