10. Michela

Chapter 10

The early morning sunlight filters through the blinds, casting a warm glow on the room. I blink a few times as my eyes adjust and roll over to find the bed beside me is empty and cold. I'm in Ryan's bed, alone. I sit up, the crispness of the morning air causing me to shiver slightly as I slide out of bed.

After my feet touch the cool wooden floor, I glance around, looking for my overnight bag. His room is neat, a stark contrast to my own chaotic space back home, so I easily find it sitting next to the closet door.

I grab a t-shirt and a pair of shorts from my bag and pull them on. My nose perks up as the faint scent of coffee wafts through the air, guiding me toward the door.

As I walk down the stairs, I hear the clinking of dishes and the hum of a soft tune. The familiarity of the scene brings a small smile to my face. I turn the corner and there he is, standing at the stove, his back to me. Ryan's wearing gray sweatpants and a navy-blue t-shirt, his dark hair slightly tousled.

"Good morning," I say, my voice still laden with sleep.

He turns, a smile spreading across his face as he sees me. "Morning, kitten. Breakfast is almost ready."

I walk over and wrap my arms around him from behind. "I missed you when I woke up."

"I'll make it up to you." He glances over his shoulder at me and winks. "On my knees."

My heart rate accelerates, and I barely resist the urge to fan myself. "I'm going to hold you to that. Can I help you?"

"Have a seat and talk to me while I work. You cook for me all the time, and I want to return the favor, but breakfast is the only meal in my repertoire."

I pad over to the kitchen island and slide onto one of the stools, watching him expertly flip a pancake. "I love pancakes," I say, resting my chin on my hand.

Ryan chuckles. "Coffee's ready if you want a cup."

I pour myself a mug, wrapping my hands around the warmth of the ceramic. The rich aroma soothes me, and I take a sip, letting the caffeine flow through me before moaning, "I needed that."

"Fuck." Desire flashes through his eyes as he stares into mine. "You're making it hard for me to finish cooking our meal."

"Oops." I'm not sorry. Seeing how much he wants me sends happiness flowing through my soul.

He turns off the stove and joins me at the island, setting a plate of pancakes in front of me. "I want to talk to you about something," he says, his tone shifting to something more serious.

My heart drops as my emotions ping-pong from extreme happiness to intense dread.

I nod as my hunger completely evaporates.

Ryan takes a deep breath, the kind that signals something important is about to be said. "Lorenzo knows about us."

I blink several times, wondering if I heard him correctly. "What? How?"

"He called me last night and asked to meet. He's in town."

I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping this is just a bad dream. Things with Ryan are going great, and my brother is here to ruin it.

My stomach drops all the way to my toes. "Did you meet with him?"

Ryan reaches across the island and takes my hand. "Take a deep breath, kitten." He slowly rubs his thumb over the back of my knuckles, soothing me. "I survived my meeting with him. He was angry and felt betrayed. But I told him that I fucking love you and I'm not giving you up."

My eyes widen. The weight of his words settles over me, a mix of dread and relief. "How did he take it?"

"He isn't thrilled, but he didn't murder me on the spot." Okay. That doesn't sound too bad. I start to relax until Ryan adds, "There's more to tell you."

"There always is with Lorenzo." My brother's position in organized crime means nothing is ever simple. These last few days in town with Ryan have shown me what normal life is like, and I don't think I would survive going back to my brother's world.

"The Grimaldi family started a war with the other families. Marty Cierra was gunned down in front of his family." Tears fill my eyes at the thought of the man I've always considered an uncle being killed. "All the other families are on high alert, and your brother wanted to take you back to New York." No freaking way. I open my mouth to express my thoughts on that idea when Ryan covers my lips with his finger. "And I told your brother hell would freeze over before I let you go."

"Oh." My mind is completely blown at this turn of events, and I don't have any idea what to say. "This complicates everything."

Ryan leans in, his eyes searching mine. "We'll figure it out together. We're going to stay at Dante Arakas' compound together until things blow over."

His words bring a sense of calm amidst the uncertainty. I nod, feeling a flicker of hope. "My brother approved this?"

"It was his idea." Now I know I woke up in the Twilight Zone. "Don't worry, kitten. We'll get through this and move on to bigger and better things."

"I love you." It feels weird to say the words out loud after keeping them to myself for so long.

"I love you, too, kitten." Ryan leans over and kisses me until I forget everything except him. "Now, eat up. You're going to need all your strength for what I have planned for you."