Chapter 37

I've never known true happiness until I started waking up with Daisy every morning. I really need to get on El about that house she's meant to be finding me. Wouldn't put it past my brother to tell his wife to take her time.

My hand brushes the hair off Daisy's face. She needs to wake up if she doesn't want to be late for work. I know how much she loves her job. She hates her boss, but puts up with the bullshit for the sake of the kids she helps. I wonder if she's ever thought about opening a private practice, being her own boss.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say she wouldn't want me to assist her in making that happen. She's literally the only woman I've ever met who doesn't want anything from me, materialistically. The only thing Daisy wants is me. That and for me to not be the murderous mafia prince I was raised to be.

I can give her that. I think I can. It's not like I want to be in the life. I've done things out of necessity, but if there's a way for me to step back, then I need to talk to Gio about it. I just need to figure out what Shelli was involved in first.

What I read in that journal has honestly shocked me, and it takes a lot to fucking shock me. I almost don't believe it. If I didn't see it scrawled all over those pages in her own handwriting and in words that sound just like hers, I wouldn't believe it.

But one problem at a time. First, I need to wake Daisy up and get her fed before she goes to work. "Baby, wake up." I kiss her lips ever so lightly.

Daisy's hand swats at my face. "Mmm, not yet," she grumbles.

"Fuck, you're cute when you're sleeping. Baby, you have to wake up, or you'll be late for work," I tell her.

Daisy's eyes pop open. "What time is it?"

"Six thirty," I tell her.

"Oh my god, Gabe, it's early. Don't give me a heart attack like that." She closes her eyes again.

"Sorry, but we do have to get up. Come have breakfast, and then I'll give you a ride to your apartment," I tell her while pulling the blankets back, only to stop when I realise she's naked.

Fuck. I didn't think this through.

"I'll get you something to wear," I grunt as I force myself to get out of bed. Because if I don't, I'm going to wake her up by fucking her and then she'll definitely be late for work. Grabbing a shirt out of my closet, I hand it to her and pick up her shorts from the floor. "As much as I want to keep you naked, you need to get dressed."

"I hate you," she grumbles.

"Sure you do." I laugh before returning to the closet to pull down a pair of shorts. I missed my workout this morning, so I'm going to have to make it up after I take Daisy home.

"Are you sure it's okay that I'm here?" Daisy asks.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I don't know. All your brothers live here, Gabe."

"I'm still not seeing the problem." I shrug.

"Are they okay with me being here?"

"I couldn't give a single fuck if they are or not. I want you here. That's all that matters."

Daisy smiles a little at me, but I can see that she's nervous. She hasn't been by the house since El was attacked and she stayed those first few nights. Even then, she kept herself scarce, either holing herself up in my room or hanging out with El.

"It's fine. I promise. They don't bite," I tell her. Taking her hand, I lead Daisy downstairs. The closer we get to the kitchen, the louder everyone is. They're all awake.

"Holy shit, I was hoping that was you. I heard screaming last night, and I was about ready to kill this one if it wasn't you." El jumps up out of her seat and rushes around the table. "Where the hell have you been all weekend? We've been going out of our minds worrying about you." She shoves me out of the way as she wraps Daisy in a tight hug.

"Sorry, I was… preoccupied and left my phone at home," Daisy tells her.

"Preoccupied? Is that what we're calling it when your psychotic boyfriend kidnaps you?" El lets go of Daisy to glare at me.

"Ellie, it's none of our business," Gio says from the table.

"Oh, it's my business. Daisy, blink twice if you want me to get you out of here," Eloise says.

"El, I'm fine, really. It was just a misunderstanding. Promise," Daisy insists.

"Fine, come and eat, and then I'm driving you home." El takes Daisy's hand and guides her to a seat. The only other available chair is on the other side of the table. Opposite Daisy.

"How's the house hunting going, El? Find me anything yet?" I ask.

"Nope, I haven't," she says. "It's hard to find a house with the dungeon requirement you clearly need for your victims."

"Ellie, it's too early for this," Gio groans.

"You can go back to bed, Gio," she counters.

Marcel spits out his coffee trying to cover his laughter, and Vin smothers a piece of toast with butter while Santo is sitting quietly at the other end of the table, just observing.

"You know, in some cultures, kidnapping a loved one to take them away for the weekend is a sign of romance and true love," Vin says.

"Really? What culture would that be, Vin?" El asks.

"The mafia culture," he deadpans.

The table bursts out in laughter; the only ones who don't seem to find the humour in it are El and Daisy. "Next time you need a guardian to deal with your school issues, maybe we should call Gio," El says to Vin.

"Nope, I'm good," he says.

"What happened at school?" Gio asks.

"Nothing," El and Vin say at the same time.

I fill a plate of food and slide it in front of Daisy. She hasn't attempted to get her own since sitting down.

"Thank you," she says, keeping her voice low.

It's odd. She's always so confident, but whenever she's around my family, she goes quiet, like she's unsure of herself. I need to find out why, so I can fix whatever the problem is.

"So, Daisy, what are your intentions with my brother here?" Marcel asks, then adds, "Other than role play and kinky sex."

I kick him under the table. "Shut up."

"What?" He holds up his hands like he hasn't done anything wrong.

"My intentions are purely X-rated, Marcel, and I'm not sure they're suitable breakfast table talk," Daisy says.

I smirk across at her. One thing I have noticed about my girl is that she always goes for shock value when she's nervous and will spit out the most inappropriate shit. I think it's a deflexion technique, meant to take attention off whatever topic she's looking to avoid.

"Right, well, I'm giving Daisy a ride home. We need girl time. You guys can, well, do whatever it is you all do when I'm not looking. And, Vin, go to school." El pushes up from the table. "Come on, Daisy."

"El, James will drive you," Gio says, and his wife stops and spins around to glare at him.

"James can follow me. If he can keep up," she counters.

I look at my brother and spot that vein at the top of his forehead, the one that pulses when he's pissed off. "Fine," he says through gritted teeth.

I stand and walk around to Daisy's side of the table. Take her hand and drag her out of the dining room. As soon as we're out of view, I push her up against the wall and slam my lips onto hers. I push my tongue into her mouth, and our tongues duel until someone tugs at my shoulder.

"Get off her," El says. "Gross."

"You know I always thought having a sister would be fun. Newsflash, it's not," I mutter under my breath.

"Whatever. Come on, Daisy, you and I have things to talk about," El says.

"I love you," I tell Daisy. "And don't listen to her, you know, when she warns you against me."

"I love you." Daisy leans up on her tiptoes and kisses me again. It's quick, and her lips are gone before I can deepen it. "And I'm not sure anyone could warn me away from you, Gabe. I mean, all the red flags are flying and I'm still here." She smiles.

"Thank fuck."

"I'll call you later," she tells me, and I watch her follow El out to the garage.

I really wanted to drive her home, but I also have a lot of shit to discuss with Gio. Once Santo is out of earshot.