Indebted to the Mafia King

Chloe

I thought I'd be strong enough to endure the funeral until the end, but I was wrong. I feel emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and also so damn confused after seeing Tony, even from afar. For a moment, I thought he was coming to greet me, to talk to me, but he never did.

Which was a good thing. I don't know if I am ready to face him yet. I don't know if I'll ever be.

Talking to everyone I haven't seen in a long time was also a bit stressful, with them offering their condolences, asking me how I have been, and trying to keep me updated on their lives.

Halfway through it, I couldn't take it anymore, so I simply left to get some fresh air, and ended up walking home without even realizing it.

My childhood home, a big brick house in a residential neighborhood in Staten Island, comes into view as I turn the corner, my heels echoing on the pavement beneath me. It looks the same as I remember it being when I was here the last time, always neat and well kept. My mother always had high standards when it comes to where we live. She always says people will notice and talk, and she doesn't like giving them a reason to do it by having her house less than impeccable. I've always wanted to tell her that people will talk no matter what, but I choose to keep my mouth shut every time because I know there are things and habits you can't change. My mother is a big example of that.

It's still the middle of the afternoon, but I walk inside trying not to make too much noise, afraid that Ellie might be taking her nap. I hope she's not, otherwise she won't sleep early tonight, but I also don't want to wake her up if she is. Lorenna is watching her today, so Mom and I could attend the funeral. I didn't want to take Ellie with me because I figured it'd be too much for someone so little. Val's twenty-year-old daughter is a great babysitter and someone I can trust, so I decided to leave Ellie at home under her watch.

As soon as I get to the living room, I spot her playing with my daughter; some toys spread on the floor. Lorenna's head snaps up as she hears me approaching, and she offers me a kind smile.

"How did it go?" she asks, her voice soft. Her brown hair is tied up in two braids on each side of their head, her expectant eyes staring at me as I head to the couch and kick my shoes off. "Mama!" Ellie screams as I enter the room.

"As good as a funeral can be?" I reply to Lorenna in a somewhat jokeful tone, squatting down to kiss Ellie. "It was nice seeing everyone again though. It's been so long since I've been in New York."

I scold myself for instantly remembering the last time I was here, when I bumped into Tony, and one thing led to another, and well...I ended up in his bed.

I clear my throat, shaking my head slightly so I can focus on Lorenna and Ellie, who's mumbling something I can't understand, waving her little hand at me while holding a toy that Mom bought for her on her first birthday. Lorenna nods, turning her attention back to Ellie.

"You can go now. It's getting late, and I know you have homework to do, right?" I tell her, and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Ugh, don't even remind me about that. I really hate college, you know?" she grumbles, standing from the floor.

"I know." I chuckle. "Been there too. It will get worse, don't worry."

"Thank you for the encouragement."

I reach for my purse, handing her some dollar bills before I lead her out, and thanking her for being so helpful today. As soon as I close the door behind me, my phone rings on my purse with a message from my mother. 'I'll be home late tonight. Going out with the wives and catching up. Call me if you need anything.'

I'm still getting used to this new phone, so I struggle a little to reply to her text. After my huge fight with Mateo where I ended things between us, I decided to change my number and my phone, in case he had the last one chipped or something.

'Have some fun, Mom. God knows you need it. I'll get Ellie to bed and crash myself. I'm exhausted.'

It feels like I haven't slept properly ever since Dad died. I'm constantly caught in my own thoughts, and whenever I manage to close my eyes and relax for a moment, nightmares of Mateo getting to me and Ellie jolts me awake, making my heart beat so fast that it takes me longer than I'd like to admit to get it back to its normal rate.

I put my phone down and squat to grab Ellie from the floor.

"Come on, baby. Time to go to bed."

Ellie takes longer than usual to fall asleep, but when she finally does, I ponder just crashing on the bed beside her. But I haven't changed from the funeral dress yet, and I'm in desperate need of a shower, so I head out of her bedroom and head to the living room to grab my phone so I can listen to some music while I'm in the bathroom.

My phone rings again as soon as I grab it, as if sensing my presence. I swallow hard, a sinking feeling in my stomach as I see it's a private number. My hands start shaking as I stare blankly at the screen, convincing myself this isn't anything to worry about. There's no way Mateo, or any of his men, found out this number. I just recently got it.

The device vibrates in my hand for almost a minute and then it goes straight to voicemail. Whoever was calling doesn't leave a message, but also doesn't try again. I can't relax though, my entire body tense and shivering with fear. A knock at the front door scares the shit out of me and I almost drop my phone on the floor.

Who the fuck could it be? Mom is not supposed to be home until late at night.

Maybe Lorenna forgot something?

I am probably just being paranoid, I tell myself.

Shaking my head, I inhale sharply, steadying myself before opening the door. I glance at my arms and pull my sleeves down, hiding the healing bruises Mateo left me with when he found out I was coming to New York. Whoever is outside doesn't need to see them.

Praying that the person on the other side hasn't come here to harm me, I pull the door open. My jaw nearly drops to my feet as I find ice blue eyes staring back at me.

"Tony?" My voice comes out in a hoarse, sharp whisper.

Being so close to him like this does things to my body that I was definitely not expecting. It's been so long, but it feels like it remembers Tony so well, the magnetism between us almost palpable.

"Sorry to show up unannounced," he says apologetically, offering me a side grin. Ah, this voice...I missed it so much. "I didn't have the chance to offer my condolences at the funeral, but when I searched for you, I found out you had already left."

I'm aware that I'm still staring at him, but for some reason, my body is not cooperating.

"Ah, thank you," I finally mumble in response. "And yes, I just needed to get out of there, you know?"

"I know. I'm really sorry for your loss," he adds sincerely.

"Thank you. Do you want to come inside?" I offer, but regret the words that came out of my mouth immediately.

No, Chloe. This is a terrible idea. Why would you invite Tony inside? Besides, Ellie is upstairs. What are you thinking?

"Sure, if I'm not intruding," he agrees, and all I can do is step aside so he can come in.

As soon as he crosses the threshold, his musky, cedarwood scent hits my nostrils, and I'm momentarily taken back to the night we spent together two years ago.

Get yourself together, Chloe.

Why am I feeling like this?

I close the door and head toward the living room so Tony and I can talk comfortably, and hopefully with some safe distance between us. I gesture at the couch while taking a seat on the armchair across from it.

I can't help but notice that he seems tense and a bit out of place. I don't blame him. It is a bit awkward meeting like this after so long, especially in such a situation.

Our eyes lock again, and I can feel my heart shattering into tiny little pieces.

Tony clears his throat and asks, "How have you been? I mean, before all of this...happened."

I lean back on the chair, considering his question. I can't tell him the truth. I can't tell him my life has been a nightmare ever since I married Mateo. The only good thing I have is Ellie, but I also don't want to bring that up now. Not to him

anyway.

"All right, I guess." I shrug. That's when I notice his gaze lowering to my left hand, as if searching for something. Is he...checking if I have a ring?

No, that can't be it. Why would he care?

That's just wishful thinking.

"Er...do you want something to drink?" I offer, hoping to break the ice and ease the uncomfortable silence that has settled between us. "Actually, I have some things to do today, so I can't stay long. I just wanted to...see you."

His hesitation catches me off guard. Am I wrong to read too much into this?

He said he wanted to see me. Why? Just because he wanted to offer his condolences, or did he...miss me?

Tony stands from the couch, surprising me. My eyes widen slightly and I jump to my feet as well. I didn't think he was in that much of a hurry.

"Oh, okay. Sure, you are a busy man after all. Thank you for stopping by though."

"Of course," he muses.

I guide him back to the door and open it for him, watching as he walks outside and turns to look at me.

"Before I go, I guess congratulations are also in order," he says.

"What for?" I frown, confused.

"For becoming a mother."

I feel like I've been punched. My chest tightens and I have to remind myself to breathe.

I don't need to think hard to figure out how he heard about it. My mom probably let it slip during the funeral.

No wonder he was looking at my ring finger. He must have thought I am married.

It'd be expected, and it had been my plan to go through the traditional road before I found out I was pregnant with Ellie. Having a baby out of wedlock would be seen as a huge stain on my family, and therefore, the Saints, since they are all super conventional.

If only he knew.

My lack of response seems to make him uneasy, and he opens his mouth to say something else, but decides against it. And just like this, he leaves, leaving me staring at his back as he climbs into his car and disappears down the street.