Page 40 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

She pulls away cupping my face. “I have to get back to work,” she spoke reluctantly.

“Same, please don’t ignore me anymore, okay? It was hell with eight years of silence. I can’t do it anymore.”

“Promise, I’ll call when I’m done work. Maybe I can pop over?”

“I’d love that. We can do supper together.” I give her a quick kiss, fix her skirt, giving her a wink I back away. “See you tonight,Tesoro.”

Leaving her office in contentment, as I make my way to the elevator my phone goes off. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, father’s name flashes on the screen. I answer as soon as I enter the elevator.

“Hello father, what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Just a heads up. I received an interesting package today.”

I breathe heavily through my nose. “Let me guess, a finger?”

“I fucking wishfiglio, no it was an ear. Who the fuck sent this? And why?”

A goddamn ear. Jesus, by the time we catch this guy there won’t be anything left of him. Why would they be sending father a body part? Oh my God, this is driving me mad.

“I have no clue. I received a finger and a bloody cock the other day. I have no leads, no clues why this prick is sending body parts. Some fucking sicko is going to pay dearly when I get mycazzo dihands on them.”

Father lets out a growl. “We all will catch him. Rest assured he won’t be breathing for much longer.”

By the time I make it to my car I’m seething. Who keeps sending this shit to my family? I’m hoping it’s only father and I receiving these special gifts. They guys have mentioned nothing yet, doubtful they’ll be kept out of it. I didn’t think father would be sent anything either.

It’s around five when Charlie called. I almost forgot that she wanted to head over after work. My mind has been elsewhere all afternoon. I could use the distraction. A beautiful distraction indeed.

“Ada, we have company coming over for supper. Can you be on your best behaviour?” I ask her, as she’s colouring away at the kitchen table.

She looks up at me and grins. “I can try my best. Who’s coming?”

I sit next to her stealing a crayon off the table and start colouring in her book. “It’s um, Charlotte. You remember her, right?”

She halts her movement. “Uh Yeah, do you think she’ll want to play with me? Or do you think I’m too little?”

“I’m sure she’ll play with you no matter what. Why don’t you clean up? She’ll be here shortly.”

She jumps down from her chair reaching for every crayon. By the time she’s done the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it!” she yells. She runs towards the front door. With me following.

She yanks open the door and lets out a squeal. Charlie bends down in front of Ada.

“Hey sweetie. Is it okay if I join you and Daddy for supper?”

She nodded eagerly, pivots then rushes back into the kitchen. “Hurry, supper is almost ready,” she yells at us.

“Oh, you have trouble on your hands.” Charlie informs me.

“Don’t I know it.” I grab her by the waist bringing her in for a kiss. “Come in, please.”

Nerves I’ve never felt before are rushing through my body, this will be the first time any woman has joined us for dinner, let alone stepped foot inside my house, I don’t want to give Ada false hope for where this will go, not that I have anything to worry about. She has already taken a liking to Charlie with the first introduction. Now I’ll see first-hand the chemistry between them both. I show her around while leading her into the kitchen. Ada is already sitting at the table patiently waiting for us. She pats the spot next to her.

“Can Charlie sit next to me?”

“Yes, I can.” A smile lit up her face.

She sits down next to my daughter. A sight I didn’t think I would ever see before. Anna prepared a wonderful shepherd’s pie for us before I gave her the night off. Charlie dishes out like it’s second nature. Ada smiles at her and nods at something she tells her. She turns to me, giving me a smile. I return it with a wink.

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