Chapter 6 Nera

Russo

It's been three days and I've not yet found Nera. We have no lead and worse, I can't tell Elena that it's been an empty search since. My phone pinged with a notification and I immediately picked it up.

"I've been enjoying the chase," the voice from the other end said. I could recognize it in a beat. That was Rico Monroe, the Don of Boston. Fucking Monroe, we've been enemies since the last Don's death.

"What do you want now, Monroe?"

"Oh nothing, I just wanted to help. I heard you've been looking for a little girl." I could hear him smile through the phone. Rico was cunning and filthy I'm not surprised he is having his fun.

"And?"

"Maybe she's in a place you aren't looking?"

There is no way Rico would call me to help me on a pressing matter. It has to be one thing, he kidnapped Nera.

"You prick! If you hurt her..."

"Relax. She's fine."

"Her mother is worried sick. What do you want? I know you wouldn't call me if you didn't need something."

"I love how smart you are Russo, always ready to provide solutions. Now, here's what you do. Sign the documents my men will bring to your doorstep in a few minutes and I will release your girl."

"Only that?"

He smirked, "Do as you're told and we're good to go, Russo," he said and hung up.

Son of a bitch.

As predicted, Rico's men showed up and I signed the papers. What were in those papers? He told me not to cross the line and gave him the authority to have my head if I stepped foot into Boston. To be honest, I had no interest in Boston's affairs for a long time. It was after the previous Don, Gallagher, killed ten of my men on a trip, I had to send a message back.

After signing the papers, I got to the warehouse Rico mentioned and found Nera, bound to a chair and her legs tied with ropes. I hadn't informed Elena about her whereabouts. Maybe because I didn't want to, and I felt bad. This was all my fault. This girl wouldn't have been kidnapped if I had protected them. When I loosened the restraints from Nera, she was unconscious, and with her dusty face, I could tell she was tired but not starved. At Least that monster fed her.

*******

Elena

Three days and my baby hasn't been found. I was losing my mind sitting in this room and doing nothing. My husband, Russo, promised to bring her back to me. I hope he hasn't failed me.

God, please keep my baby safe, I thought. The whole family was looking for her and I appreciate their support. My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the room door.

"Come in," I replied.

Russo stood at the door with Nera in his arms. My heart practically fell out of my chest in joy. I sprung towards them, taking Nera into my arms.

"You found her."

"I told you I would."

"How did you?" I asked as I looked up at him. Russo's height was at least six f t six, my short height was nothing compared to his.

"One of my enemies held her captive," he said without looking at my eyes. He had this look on his face-like he blames himself for everything that happened.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I called the doctor, he'll be here in no time. For now, she's sleeping, maybe she needs to be cleaned. I checked her body, no bruises."

"Thank you," I whispered with teary eyes. He answered with a nod and went down the hall.

After cleaning Nera, the doctor checked her. She was weak and needed rest. She wasn't hurt either, that was a relief. I hadn't heard from Russo after he left the room, so, after Nera went back to sleep I walked to his room. The house was quiet and the large and murky walls added to its aesthetic.

"What do you want?" I heard his voice behind me as I was about to knock on the door.

"Oh, it's you. I was looking for you."

He walked to where I stood, hands in his pockets, with a curiously raised brow.

"I'm listening."

"I wanted to thank you for Nera. It means so much to me."

"That's fine. It's my duty."

"Uhm...I wanted to show my appreciation. I'd cook dinner tonight. Would you join me?"

He looked at me as if accessing me. Point given, Mr Santoro, but you're my husband and a harmless dinner would not harm.

"I'm not hungry," he said, opening his room door.

I held the shirt from behind and whispered, "Just one dinner. That's what Nera wants. I promise I won't ask you again if you don't want to."

I could hear him breathe, probably contemplating whether to walk out on me or be nice. It was scary, I wouldn't say I find him scary though. But there's just something about my new husband that weirdly intimidates me.

"Okay," he said.

I nodded with a smile and walked out. I could feel his eyes on me as I left.

***

Cooking has never been my specialty. This alone should be obvious. I barely cook, but I cook if I have to. I hadn't called Russo down to eat because I hadn't made anything. Thirty minutes of scrolling through YouTube and I'm perplexed on what to prepare. Maybe pasta would do, pasta and fried chicken are not so bad. I took out the frozen chicken from the fridge and started cooking. In no time, I was done and called Russo down.

"I hope you enjoy it. I'm not much of a cook," I said when he sat down on one of the chairs far from mine.

He quickly took a forkful of pasta and slipped it into his mouth. I looked at him like I was waiting for some kind of confirmation. Anything to tell me if the food tastes good. I guess my husband talked at the dining table because he said nothing. I watched him eat and completely abandoned my food. Slowly, my eyes slipped to the way he held his fork and the way he liked his lips after filling his mouth. It was...searing. I didn't know how much I stared or how I unknowingly gulped at his movements.

And I definitely didn't think I would feel hot all over from looking at my new husband chew food.