13. Sofia

13

SOFIA

I lean back on Angelo’s plush leather couch, my mind reeling from the events of the day. The image of James being stabbed flashes through my mind, and I shudder. But then I think about the auction plan, and a small flame of hope flickers in my chest.

“Angelo,” I say, turning to him, “what do you think about using any leftover money from the auction to donate to James’s family?”

Angelo looks up, his dark eyes narrowing. “Who is James?”

“The insurance agent. The one Jonah killed,” I manage to say as flashes of Jonah stabbing James fly through my mind. James may have been an inappropriate asshole, but he didn’t deserve to die.

Angelo’s eyes soften as he leans in to kiss me gently. “That’s an excellent idea, Fee. It’s thoughtful and will generate even more goodwill.”

As we settle in to discuss the details, I feel a sense of purpose returning. “Okay, so we need to make a list of potential donors and attendees,” I begin.

Angelo nods, pulling out a notebook. “Right. I can reach out to some of my business associates. They’re always looking for good PR opportunities.”

“And I’ll contact my high-end clients,” I add. “Maybe we could offer exclusive fittings or custom pieces as incentives?”

We’re deep in planning mode when the front door opens. Romero walks in, followed by Lou. My heart drops when I see the black eye blooming on my daughter’s face.

“Lucille!” I gasp, rushing to her. “What happened?”

Lou looks down, shuffling her feet. “It’s nothing, Mom. I’m fine.”

Romero clears his throat. “There was an incident after school. That bully from this morning… he didn’t take kindly to being shown up.”

Angelo’s face darkens. “Tell us exactly what happened.”

Lou sighs. “After you left this morning, everything was great. But then after school, Jake Thompson—the bully—he cornered me and some other kids. He was saying mean things, pushing people around. I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing!”

Pride and worry war within me. Lou has such a strong sense of justice. “Oh, honey,” I murmur, pulling her close.

“So, what did you do?” Angelo asks, his voice carefully neutral.

Lou looks up, a hint of defiance in her eyes. “I told him to back off. He didn’t like that, so he tried to push me. But I blocked his push and he ended up falling. That’s when he got really mad and hit me.”

I look at Romero. “And where were you during all this?”

Romero has the grace to look sheepish. "I wasn’t there, Fee. By the time I got there, Lou had already laid the kid out flat.”

Despite everything, I feel a surge of pride. My little girl, standing up for herself and others. But still…

“Lou,” I say gently, “I’m proud of you for defending yourself and others. But violence isn’t always the answer. We need to find a better way to deal with bullies.”

Angelo and Romero exchange a look before scoffing.

“Come on, Fee,” Angelo says. “Sometimes, you gotta show bullies you’re not an easy target.”

Romero nods enthusiastically. “Exactly! You gotta hit ’em where it hurts.” He pantomimes throwing a punch, grinning.

I shoot Romero a withering glare. “Violence. Isn’t. Always. The. Answer,” I repeat, enunciating each word clearly for Lou’s benefit.

Angelo shakes his head. “Look, Fee, I get where you’re coming from. But bullies prey on those they perceive as weak. And Lou here” —he places a hand on her shoulder— “she’s not weak, is she?”

Lou straightens up, her chin jutting out defiantly. “I am NOT weak,” she declares, her voice filled with indignation.

“Damn right, you’re not,” Angelo agrees. “You’re a fighter. You’re strong.”

I sigh, feeling outnumbered. “That’s not what I meant, sweetie. Of course you’re not weak. I just don’t want you getting hurt or in trouble.”

“She won’t get in trouble,” Angelo retorts. “I’ll make damn sure of it. Lou, show me how you throw a punch.”

Lou’s face scrunches up in concentration as she balls her hand into a fist. She holds it up proudly for inspection.

Angelo and Romero lean in, examining her form with exaggerated seriousness.

“Hmm,” Angelo muses, stroking his chin. “Not bad, not bad at all.”

Romero nods in agreement. “Pretty good form for a beginner.”

Lou squawks in indignation. “A beginner ?”

But then Angelo gently takes Lou’s hand. “There’s just one small adjustment we need to make. See your thumb here?” He points to where Lou’s thumb is curled inside her fist. “If you hit someone like that, you could break your fingers.”

Lou’s eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yep,” Romero chimes in. “Gotta keep that thumb on the outside, across your fingers. Like this.” He demonstrates with his own hand.

Angelo guides Lou’s thumb into the correct position. “There you go. Now you’ve got a solid fist that won’t hurt you when you use it.”

I groan while Lou practices making fists, her face a picture of concentration. “Like this?”

“Perfect,” Angelo praises. “Now, let’s show you some other self-defense techniques.”

I watch with a mix of exasperation and admiration as Angelo and Romero begin to demonstrate self-defense techniques to Lou. Despite my initial reservations, I can’t help but be touched by the scene unfolding before me.

While I can’t agree with Romero and Angelo’s assertion that violence can be the answer, I do appreciate that they are trying to help my kid, especially when she is the type to not back down from a fight.

“Look, Lou,” Romero says, adopting a fighting stance. “When someone’s coming at you, you want to use their momentum against them.”

Angelo nods, stepping in. “Exactly. Here, Lou, let me show you. Romero, come at me like you’re going to push me.”

As Romero lunges forward, Angelo sidesteps smoothly, using Romero’s momentum to guide him past. Lou’s eyes widen with interest.

“See that?” Angelo explains. “You don’t have to be stronger, just smarter. It’s all about balance and timing.”

Lou nods eagerly. “Can I try?”

Romero has to leave shortly after that, but for the next half hour, I watch as Angelo patiently guides Lou through various defensive moves. He shows her how to block and deflect and unfortunately—over my protests—he even shows her how to properly do an uppercut.

“Just remember,” Angelo tells Lou as he demonstrates where to hit someone. “If you get in trouble for defending yourself, you just call me. I’ll take care of it.”

“Angelo!” I cry out, but he winks at me.

“But you only hit someone if you absolutely need to. Your first inclination should always be how to get away safely. Do you understand?”

Lou nods solemnly, her earlier bravado replaced by a quiet determination. “I understand. Thanks, Angelo.”

I’m struck by how natural Angelo is with Lou. He’s patient, encouraging, and just stern enough to keep her focused. It’s a side of him I haven’t seen before, and it makes my heart swell.

“Alright, tough guy,” I say, stepping in. “I think that’s enough Fight Club for one day. How about we get some ice on that eye and order some pizza?”

Lou’s face lights up. “Can we get extra cheese?”

Angelo laughs, ruffling her hair. “Extra cheese it is. You’ve earned it, my Louisville Slugger.”

Lou beams at the nickname as we move into the kitchen. As Lou chatters excitedly about her new skills, I catch Angelo’s eye. There’s a warmth there, a sense of belonging that I never expected to find. Despite the chaos of the day, the lingering threats, I feel a sense of peace wash over me.

This, I realize, is what family feels like.

After dinner, I tuck Lou into bed, smoothing her blonde hair back from her forehead. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and earnest in the soft glow of her nightlight.

“Mom?” she asks, her voice small. “Is Angelo going to be my dad?”

My heart clenches at the question, a mix of hope and fear swirling inside me. “Oh, honey,” I say softly, “I can’t promise that. But I do know that Angelo cares about us very much.”

Lou’s brow furrows slightly. “He keeps us safe, like a dad would.”

I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “He does. And I know he won’t let anything really bad happen to us.”

“Not even Jonah?” Lou whispers, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.

I lean down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Especially not Jonah. Angelo, Romero, and a lot of other people are working very hard to keep us safe.”

Lou seems to consider this for a moment. “And what about Perfezione? Will we lose it?”

The innocence of her question, the childish worry about our shop mixed with such adult concerns, nearly breaks my heart. “We’re doing everything we can to keep Perfezione,” I assure her. “Try not to worry about that, okay?”

She nods, her eyelids starting to droop. “Okay, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetie. More than anything in this world.”

As I quietly close Lou’s door, I nearly jump out of my skin. Angelo is standing in the hallway, a soft expression on his face.

“Sorry,” he says quietly. “I was just heading up to my room and overheard.”

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough,” he says, stepping closer. "And I meant what I said before. I won't let Jonah or Gino get to you or Lou. You're both… important to me."

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart flutter. “Thank you, Angelo. For everything.”

He reaches out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You don’t have to thank me. I care about you both.”

I lean into his touch, suddenly overwhelmed by the events of the day. “It’s going to be hard, going back to sleeping on the pull-out couch.”

Angelo’s eyes soften. “You and Lou could stay here until we buy the building and renovate it. Give you both a comfortable place to live, not just a cramped one-bedroom. You can stay as long as you want.”

I feel my breath catch in my throat, overwhelmed by his generosity. My whole life, the only man who’s ever truly cared for me has been Zip. I never knew my father, and the other men in my life… well, they’ve been less than stellar.

But Angelo… he’s offering us a home, safety, comfort. It’s more than I ever dared to hope for.

“Angelo, I…” I start, but words fail me. How can I possibly express what this means to me?

Instead of speaking, I act on impulse. I throw myself into his arms, my hands cupping his face as I press my lips to his. The kiss is fierce, desperate, filled with all the emotions I can’t put into words.

Angelo responds immediately, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me closer. I can feel the strength in his embrace, the promise of protection and so much more.

When we finally break apart, both breathing heavily, I rest my forehead against his. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea what this means to me… to us.”

Angelo’s hand comes up to caress my cheek, his touch gentle. “You and Lou, you’re family now. And family takes care of each other.”

As I look into his eyes, I see a future I never thought possible. A future where Lou and I are safe, loved, part of something bigger than ourselves.

It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Without another word, Angelo leans in and kisses me again, but this time, it’s different—full of passion and promise. His lips move over mine with a hunger that makes my knees weak. I respond eagerly, my hands tangling in his hair as his kiss deepens, claiming me with every movement.

His hands grip my waist, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, and it sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine. When he finally pulls back, his breath warm against my ear, he growls, “We should take this into my room.”

“Okay,” I breathe out, barely able to form the word.

He guides me to his bedroom, and I take a moment to admire it. The room is masculine, with dark wood furniture and rich, deep colors that exude warmth and comfort. A large bed dominates the space, the softest-looking sheets I've ever seen. Everything is neat, yet lived-in, a reflection of the man himself.

Before I can take it all in, Angelo is closing the door behind us, and his mouth is on mine again. This kiss is even more intense, more urgent, as if he’s pouring all the emotions he can’t express into it. My heart pounds in my chest as I melt into him, completely lost in the moment.

As Angelo’s lips move over mine, a rush of emotions floods me. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that he walked into Perfezione that day, turning my world upside down in the best way possible.

This has all happened so fast, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Angelo makes my heart sing. He makes me feel alive and, for the first time in a long time, loved .

The kiss deepens, growing more heated as our desire takes over. My hands roam up his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt, and I can’t resist tugging at the fabric, desperate to feel his skin against mine. Angelo pulls back just enough to grab the hem of his shirt and yank it over his head, tossing it aside without a second thought. His body is all strength and power, and I can’t help but run my hands over his broad shoulders, savoring the warmth and firmness of his skin.

Angelo’s hands are on me now, undoing the buttons of my blouse with a skillful ease that sends shivers down my spine. He pulls the fabric away, revealing the lace of my bra, and his gaze darkens with desire. His hands slide to my waist, fingers hooking into the waistband of my skirt. With a quick tug, he has it sliding down my legs, leaving me in just my underwear.

I can hardly think as I reach for his belt, my fingers trembling with urgency. Angelo watches me, his breath heavy as I work the buckle free and pull the belt from his pants.

With a swift movement, he kicks off his shoes and helps me remove his pants, leaving him in nothing but boxer briefs. The sight of him, strong and ready, makes my pulse race.

Without breaking eye contact, Angelo reaches behind me and unclasps my bra, letting it fall to the floor. He takes a moment to admire me, his eyes filled with something more than just lust—something that makes my chest tighten.

Angelo lowers himself between my legs, his lips trailing hot kisses along the inside of my thigh. Every brush of his mouth sends shivers up my spine, my body aching for more. When he finally reaches my core, I gasp loudly, unable to contain the sound. His mouth is on me, his tongue flicking and teasing in ways that drive me wild.

“Oh, God, Angelo,” I moan, my voice loud and unrestrained as he works his tongue against me. He knows exactly how to touch me, his movements deliberate and confident. My hands grip the sheets, twisting them in my fists as the pleasure builds, each stroke of his tongue sending shockwaves through me.

Angelo groans against me, the sound vibrating through my body, and I cry out, the intensity of it all too much to bear. His hands hold my hips firmly in place as he dives deeper, his tongue moving faster, harder, driving me closer to the edge.

“Don’t stop,” I pant, my voice loud, needy. I can’t control the sounds escaping me, each moan, each cry, louder than the last as he pushes me higher and higher. My body is on fire, the pleasure coiling tighter with every movement of his mouth.

When I finally come undone, it’s with a loud, broken cry that echoes in the room. My back arches off the bed, my legs trembling as Angelo doesn’t let up, prolonging my orgasm until I’m completely spent, breathless and trembling beneath him.

Breathless and reeling, I barely manage to whisper, “Holy shit,” my voice shaking in the aftermath of the pleasure still coursing through me. Angelo pulls back slightly, his lips curling into a smirk as he gazes down at me with dark, heated eyes.

"You taste so fucking good," he murmurs, his voice low and seductive. “Like goddamn honey.” He leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear. "But I'm not done with you yet, Fee. Not even close."

Before I can catch my breath, Angelo’s hands are on me again, his grip firm but tender as he flips me over onto my stomach. I gasp as he pulls me up onto my hands and knees, the cool air brushing against my heated skin, making me shiver. There’s a moment of stillness where all I can hear is the sound of our ragged breathing, the tension between us crackling like a live wire.

Angelo’s hands trail down my back, his touch setting my nerves on fire. He spreads my legs a little wider, his fingers grazing over my slick folds, teasing me until I’m whimpering, desperate for more.

“You’re so wet for me,” he growls, his voice thick with desire. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to think about anything else.”

I moan at his words, my body trembling with anticipation as he positions himself behind me. The tip of his cock presses against my entrance, and I suck in a sharp breath, my body aching with need.

“Angelo,” I manage to gasp out, my voice a pleading whisper.

He doesn’t make me wait any longer. With one powerful thrust, he’s inside me, filling me completely. I cry out, my fingers digging into the sheets as he stretches me, the sensation so intense that I can’t hold back the loud, unrestrained moan that escapes my lips.

Angelo doesn’t give me time to adjust. He starts moving, his hips slamming against mine with a force that sends me reeling. Each thrust is deep and hard, pushing me closer to the edge with every movement. The room is filled with the sound of our bodies colliding, the wet, obscene noises of our connection driving me wild.

“Oh, God, Angelo,” I moan, my voice loud and desperate as he fucks me harder, faster. The angle is perfect, every thrust hitting that spot inside me that makes me see stars. My body moves with his, our rhythm primal and raw, my mind lost in the overwhelming pleasure.

“Fuck, Fee, you feel so good,” Angelo groans, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. His hands grip my hips, pulling me back onto his cock with every thrust, driving deeper into me until I’m crying out his name, my voice echoing off the walls.

The pleasure builds rapidly, the intensity of his movements pushing me higher and higher until I’m on the brink of losing control. My body tightens, every muscle coiled with the promise of release.

“Come for me, Fee,” Angelo growls, his voice rough and commanding. “I want to feel you come around my cock.”

His words are my undoing. I scream his name as the orgasm tears through me, my body convulsing with the force of it. The pleasure is overwhelming, consuming me completely as I shatter around him, my walls clenching tight around his cock.

Angelo groans loudly, his thrusts becoming erratic as he chases his own release. With a final, powerful thrust, he follows me over the edge, his grip on my hips tightening as he comes deep inside me. His moans mix with mine, the sounds of our mutual pleasure filling the room.

For a moment, neither of us moves, both of us breathing heavily, our bodies still connected. The air is thick with the scent of sex, the room hot and filled with the echoes of our passion.

As the last waves of pleasure ebb away, Angelo slowly pulls out of me, his hands lingering on my hips as if he’s reluctant to let go. My body feels boneless, thoroughly spent, and yet, there’s a warmth spreading through me that has nothing to do with the intensity of what we just shared.

Angelo gently guides me down onto the bed, pulling me into his arms. Despite the dampness of our skin and the sticky aftermath of our passion, I snuggle into him without hesitation. His embrace is strong, comforting, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel completely safe.

His heartbeat is steady under my ear, a soothing rhythm that lulls me into a state of contentment. Angelo’s hand strokes my hair, his touch tender and possessive all at once, as if he’s silently promising that he’ll always be there for me.

I let out a soft sigh, closing my eyes as I press closer to him. “I’ve never felt like this before,” I whisper, my voice barely audible in the quiet room.

“Me neither,” Angelo murmurs, his breath warm against my forehead. “But I’m glad it’s with you, Fee.”

A smile tugs at my lips as I relax fully into his arms. In this moment, nothing else matters—no fears, no worries, no threats. Just the two of us, wrapped up in each other, finding solace in the connection we’ve forged.

As sleep starts to claim me, I hold onto the feeling of Angelo’s arms around me, his body against mine, and the sense of belonging that fills me. For the first time in forever, I fall asleep with a sense of peace, knowing that with Angelo by my side, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.