Page 37 of Pain and Possession

I can feel their stares on my back watching the interaction with curiosity.

May has always been nosey but Frank too?You're better than this.

Noè ignores me completely, flashing a warm smile at Frank, "Chef's choice."

Frank cackles, slapping his hands together, "Coming right up! I'm Frank, it's nice to meet a… uhm friend of Olive's."

"Her boyfriend actually."

"No!" I say a little too loudly. Before May practically jumps from her seat, I swear she floats to us cooing the entire way over, "No need to be shy, sweet girl. Such a handsome man at that."

"Come on woman don't bug the kids and be nice Olive. You'll never find a husband if you scare off all your suitors." Frank scolds me as he pulls May into the back leaving me here with my tormentor.

I could scream, I could tell Frank he's been harassing me. I know he'd kick his ass, but I also know how dangerous Noè is. Trent has barely crossed my mind, haven't given him a second thought aside from when I've slipped my hand between my legs in the middle of the night. Remembering the taste of Noè as he fucked me beside his corpse. This is different if he ever hurt Frank or May, I would never forgive myself, I would never forgive him.

Noè reaches out quickly capturing my wrist before jerking it to his lips, kissing it lightly, "You seem to be missing something little doll." His grip is tight and uncomfortable.

I frown trying to pull from him, "What?"

He reaches in his pocket, when I see the delicate silver chain brandishing the charm of his family crest my anxiety doubles down.

"You've been inside my house!" I whisper shout, looking at him in horror.

"Do not take this off again. It shows who you belong to. That you're mine." He keeps my wrist locked in his firm grasp as he clasps it. The tiny action makes no sound, but it feels like a jail door slamming in place.

A prison sentence.

"Let go of me creep. I am not fucking yours."

He jerks me down roughly until his forehead is pressed into mine, his warm skin sending goosebumps over my arms, "Take it off again and I'll have the crest tattooed into your skin. You will wear it either way."

He kisses me deeply, softly, as if he's been starved for my taste. I only now realize my body has been pining for his.

"Oh Frank, look!" I hear May cry from the kitchen, the pride and excitement in her voice makes embarrassment turn my cheeks no less than a hundred shades of red.

"Dammit woman, stop spying!"

I jerk backwards expecting him to resist when he doesn't, I stumble into the table behind me making it screech along the floor.

"So fucking sweet." He groans reaching down and adjusting himself.

I hate you. I hate myself for wanting you. For... missing you.

"Why are you here?"

"My legs were getting stiff from being in a car all day. I have a flight to catch in a few hours and I wanted to see you before I left." He gives me a smile as if everything about this isn't wrong.

"Good, maybe the plane would crash." I mumble before heading back behind the counter.

"I would only haunt you if it did."

I scoff, "Don't you already?"

Much to my annoyance Frank and May adore Noè. I grumble around, closing up as they sit cooing over the most dangerous man in New York. I can tell by the look on Frank's face he knows exactly what kind of man Noè is. They speak with a familiarity that sends chills down my spine.

It doesn't take long to overhear that Frank was a friend of his uncles before he passed. Probably another family member Noè murdered. I try to ignore how sick my stomach feels at the idea of Frank, the man that took me off the streets, gave me a home, food, love and above all a chance, is affiliated with the mafia.

Why are you surprised? Everyone is. New York is their playground, and we're rats in their trap.

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