Page 45 of A Game of Secrets

"Sure thing, but do you want to go play in the play area for a bit? I'll order it once me and Silas have finished eating," she tells him.

"Okay!" He shouts, running off to the soft play area that isn't too far from our table.

"You've done an amazing job raising him, you are a great mother Lucille, he's a lucky kid." I say to her.

Lucille blushes slightly. "Well he's an easy kid to raise, I'm the lucky one." I nod, debating on whether I should question who his father is but before I get a chance Lucille takes a deep breath and says, "His dad isn't involved, I've raised him on my own through my own choice. Vinny isn't a great guy. I feel I should be honest about that with you."

I notice her hands are trembling, instinctively I grab them and squeeze. "He won't hurt you Sunshine, I won't let anyone hurt you or Teddy. Don't feel pressured into talking about him but know I'm here when you do want to tell me everything."

Lucille has tears in her eyes but nods, "I can't talk about him more than that, I'll try to tell you more in time, I promise." A lone tear rolls down her cheek and bringing my hand to her face, I edge closer and kiss her tear away. She gasps, staring at me as I lean back, still holding her one hand in mine and the other on her cheek. I notice she's not trembling anymore but her green eyes are full of fire and lust.

"La mia Luce don't look at me like that, I can't act on my fantasies here."

She giggles and shakes her head. "Always trying to get in my pants, Big Guy. I better order that ice cream for Teddy, he'll be back any minute for it." She waves a waitress down and orders his rainbow ice-cream with chocolate sauce. "Thank you for this, Teddy really has taken to you. I have a feeling Cole and Linc will be no different. I just ask that if you guys are serious about me, that you understand I'm a package deal with my son," she tells me seriously.

I nod, "We understand, and we will love him like our own. We won't just protect you but him too, from any threat whether you choose us or not la mia luce."

She looks at me quizzically but before she is able to say what's on her mind, Teddy comes running up to us yelling, "Mommy!!! Look who is here!”

Lucille turns and spots a young, brown haired girl hand in hand with Teddy. She looks to be his age, behind them follows who I can only assume is the little girl's mother. She looks similar to the little girl, brown shoulder length hair and large brown eyes like her daughter. Lucille stands and rushes over and embraces the brown haired women in a tight hug.

"Kat! Bella! How are you guys?" Lucille asks happily.

"Hey girl, we are just here to collect our order and my favorite man spotted us. Are you going to introduce us to your friend?'' Kat says, eyeing me up from across the table raising her brows at Lucille.

Then it clicks, this is her colleague and best friend. I smile at them and put my hand out. "I'm Silas, a friend of Lucille's."

Kat smirks but shakes my hand firmly "I'm Kat, I'm Luci's best friend so know, that if you hurt her I'll be coming after you no matter how massive you are buddy. Oh and this angel is my daughter, Bella." I can't help but smile. This chick is crazy to threaten me but I'll let it go as it's coming from a good place and anyone that Lucille cares for isn't in any danger from me, even her brother.

"No plans on hurting her, ever.”

They shout out Kat's order. "That's our pizza Bella, we gotta get going. I'll see you at work tomorrow, love you girl, love you Tedster," she tells Lucille as she ruffles Teddy's hair and then gives Lucille a hug, she whispers something in Lucille's ear that makes her smile.

"Nice meeting you Silas," she nods in my direction then leaves with her daughter to collect their food.

Turning to the table, Teddy noticed his ice cream had been served while we were distracted. "Yessss ice-cream!" Teddy shouts, rushing over to the table and diving into the multicolored sweet treat.

Once Teddy has finished his dessert, I settle the bill and we head back out to my car. Teddy has been talking nonstop about his school, Bella and how he wants to meet up with his friend Alesso soon. When we pull up to their home, I walk around the car to open Lucille's door. "Thank you for this evening Silas, we really enjoyed ourselves," she tells me jumping from the car.

Teddy runs at me and wraps his arms around me and says, "Thanks Giant Man, I had such a great time. Mommy has the best friends."

I'm shocked at the outburst, but I put my arm around him and reply, "Any time buddy."

Lucille is unlocking the door to her home as she turns to Teddy to say, "Go on in, take your shoes off, wash your hands and brush your teeth Teddy. I'll be in in a few minutes." He rushes off inside waving at me as he passes, leaving me and Lucille at the door. I step closer to her and she looks up to me. I bend down and press my lips to hers, but I'm hungry for more than just a kiss, my tongue slips inside her mouth and hers delicately but assertively dances around mine. My hands wander to the curve of her ass and then she pulls back breathlessly pushing at my chest, "Goodnight, Silas," she pants before moving inside and closing the door behind her. I stand there gaping like a love sick fool. The trouble is I'm starting to realize I am a love sick fool when it comes to this woman.

Leaving Lucille's complex, I call Cole to see how the shipment change went. It goes straight to voicemail making me suspicious with what he's occupying himself with. He only turns his phone off if he's murdering or fucking, he best not be fucking around on Lucille.

I call Linc next, this time I get an answer. "Linc, where is Cole? Did he sort the snow shipment out?" I ask as he picks up.

"He did. I've just arrived at the casino to check some footage. Alesso is asleep, Sully is standing guard in my quarters. Cole is playing with some wanker that ran his mouth off about us. He's currently in the chamber having some fun." Linc chuckles as though it's a normal thing. I mean for Cole it is but most people don't torture for fun.

"Right okay, I'm heading home. I'll check he's not getting too carried away."

"You know this has more to do with him feeling helpless for Lucille, right fratello? He needs to exercise his demons" Linc sighs at me. This right here is the reason he's my right hand man. Always offering the words of wisdom and making me see through the fog, enabling me to see the full picture.

"Thanks Linc, I'll be in touch if I need back up, if not I'll see you later."

Once I’ve parked the Porsche I head in and get changed into a white t-shirt and gray jogging bottoms. I don't want to get blood on one of my favorite suits. I head down to the torture rooms and look through the one-sided glass to see Cole standing over a guy who is currently strapped to a rack torture table. Cole can't see me so I take a seat, watching him carefully prepare his various items on a stainless steel table. The man on the rack looks to be in his mid forties, black hair that is thinning on top. He looks to be of average height and build, not too muscly but not skinny either. He is unconscious so I can't tell his eye color but he has a long pointed nose and looks as though he works at the haulage yard with grease and oil on his hands, even embedded into his finger nails. I notice Cole sharpening a knife and glaring at the man. I also notice the mans hands begin to twitch. Cole lets out a low cackle "That's it Paul, it's time to start coming back to the land of the living," his tone even and cold.

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