Chapter 5 Meal

Elena

"What do you mean kidnapped?" I asked.

"I-I just left there to check something real quick and..."

"Who...who was the man? Did you see him, Rosa?!" My head was already spinning. I bet I couldn't see clearly, and with the ringing in my ears, I could barely hear all Rosa was saying.

I suddenly felt weak and could barely stand. I staggered and fell back but was held up.

"Come on, you need to sit," Russo said behind me, his hands on my waist-preventing me from falling.

Sit? Sit?! How could I?

"I can't...I can't sit. You can't tell me to sit! My baby is missing, and you're telling me to sit?!"

"I know..."

"Why were you so careless, Rosa?" I turned back to her. "She was with you! I left her in your care, and you just left!"

I didn't mean to shout at Rosa, but I didn't know what to think or feel. What if she's hurt? What if she needs me? I didn't notice how hard I started crying. I didn't even bother to look at the guests staring at me when I held the hem of my dress in my hands and ran to the entrance of the church.

"Elena!" was all I heard until everything went blank.

♤♤♤♤

Russo

"I want every piece of footage from that church. I want every guest that was present to be searched, understood?"

"Yes, sir," my right-hand man, Civo, answered on the phone before I hung up.

I walked to the room where Elena slept, a glass of water in hand. The door was closed, thankfully. After she slumped, the guests guessed the wedding was over. I rushed her home and called Doctor Fred to come over and check her. It was nothing too serious since she was in shock. I hadn't even changed, and I've been watching her since the doctor left.

Elena Bianchi is my wife now, and even though this marriage isn't one built on love-I swore to protect her and her daughter. I walked in, trying not to wake her up, and gently placed the cup of water on the cabinet near the bed.

"Thank you," her voice was barely a whisper.

"I didn't know you were awake. I brought you a glass of water. The doctor said you should drink that when you wake up."

She nodded and looked at the cup of water. Right, I have to give it to her in hand. I helped her sit up on the bed and handed her the glass.

"How are you feeling?" Better, I hope. I'm not fit to babysit anyone. I'm bad at that.

"I'm fine. Have you found Nera?"

"Not yet," I said, hating the way her face fell.

"I have to find her. You have to help me, please."

"I will. But do you know who it may be?"

My guesses are on those Boston mafia who don't keep their shit to themselves and want to try me this season. Those fuck heads don't seem to rest, and I've had it with them. Maybe a little token of one of their men's heads wrapped in a gift bag would do. But, it won't hurt to know if she has any enemies. I don't know my wife well enough and I'm unaware of who she might've offended.

"I don't know. Do you think she's hurt?"

"She's probably fine," I said.

"You don't know that."

"Look, you don't need to bother yourself right now. The doctor said you should rest, and that is what you should be doing. I will find her, I promise."

"Swear it," she said.

I looked at her. My quiet bride has gone all mother hen on me, and I kind of love it? I can understand her worry, and I won't let anyone lay a finger on Nera.

"I promise. You have my word, wife."

"Thank you," she said, her eyes gleaming with hope? Elena Bianchi was my wife now, and even if I knew nothing about her, her little girl shouldn't be punished.

"I'm Elena. I know we haven't really introduced ourselves," she said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"There's no need for that right now; resting should be what you're thinking about."

"As if it's that easy," she scoffed.

"I know it isn't. I'll be in the kitchen; if you need anything, you can ring this bell." I pointed to the bell beside her bed. She nodded, and with that cue, I left.

Later in the evening, I had to prepare something for her. Thankfully, I'm not a bad cook. I took out some spices and placed them on the counter. I hated cooking with my shirt on because they get dirty; I hate them dirty. Any of my clothes being unclean bothers me, so I pulled off my shirt and wrapped an apron around me. While chopping peppers and potatoes, I hadn't noticed Elena's presence in the kitchen until one cough from her shifted my attention back to the room.

"I'm sorry for interrupting. I just needed painkillers for my headache," she said. I didn't dismiss her roaming eyes all over my body but never my face.

Was she shy?

"Sure, I'll get them," I said and rushed to get the painkillers from the first aid kit before handing them to her.

"You don't have a cook?"

"Well, she isn't a cook per se. Sue takes care of the home and cleans; I don't let her cook."

"Oh," she whispered.

"I thought someone like you would have a cook; I mean, this house is big."

"Well, I love cooking so I don't mind."

I handed her a glass of water as she took her medicine. Her eyes landed on my chest underneath the apron as she gulped.

"So do you usually do this?"

"Cook?"

"No-cook shirtless."

"Well, yes-most of the time."

I could clearly see her shyness underneath all that quietness. But she was sizing me up...and I'll admit it kind of gave me this amazing satisfaction.

"So which is better-the meal or the food? Because I know what I'd pick though."

What?

Wait...

Did Elena just flirt with me? And did I just fucking love it?