Indebted to the Mafia King

*Angelo*

Tatiana falls asleep as soon as she gets into bed, despite being suspicious of me watching her. I didn't really think she'd try to escape through the window, not only because it'd be a hell of a fall if she tried, but also because I have men outside, guarding every inch of the safe house.

But for some reason, I don't want to leave her alone. Despite her tough exterior, there is a sadness in her eyes that just makes me want to be here for her, in case she needs something.

She probably doesn't trust me yet. I'm not entirely convinced I can trust her either, but still... it's nice to think we might be able to get along and help one another out. Her hatred for Oleg seems genuine. I can see the same pain I feel reflected in her eyes whenever she mentions him. What are the chances she's just an extremely good actress? Not likely.

I watch the blankets move up and down slightly, her breathing even. I answer some texts and emails, trying to keep myself busy and kill two birds with one stone. She's been asleep for an hour or so when she groans quietly. Leaning forward, I see her brows are creased as if she's having some sort of nightmare. My hands itch to touch that soft spot in her forehead, wanting to somehow ease her mind and clear away the bad dream she might be having, but that's not my place

I can't lose focus. No matter how fucking hard it is.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes, I take one last look at her and then check the screen. Tony's name flashes on my screen. I walk to the door and out into the hallway. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath before answering the call, bracing myself. I'm sure one of the guys told him about Tatiana walking freely out of the basement earlier, so I'll need to explain my thinking.

"Yes, Boss," I say, pressing the phone to my ear and leaning against the wall.

"I thought you'd have the decency to call me and explain yourself instead of letting me be the one to come after you." Tony grumbles. He sounds irritated, although I note the tiredness hidden in it. He likely went through a lot today as well.

"Sorry, man. I was waiting for her to fall asleep before I called you," I explain. It's not a lie. I just didn't feel like asking for his permission before I made my decision since he gave me full authority to get information out of her by whatever means necessary.

"Care to explain what the fuck is going on?" he asks bitterly.

So much has happened today that I need a second to put all of the events together in my head before I can narrate them to Tony.

"The bride cut the shit out of Sal's arm and slipped him, but we managed to trail her. We caught up to her in a neighborhood near the park. I cornered her, knocked her ass out, and brought her here. When she came to, I started to interrogate her, as ordered, but she decided pretty quickly to cooperate. I think we need to take a different approach with this one, Boss. Give me sometime."

Tony remains quiet the entire time I'm telling him the story, but once he speaks again, he still doesn't sound convinced. "We need information on Oleg and his businesses. You let her out of the basement?" he scolds me. "What the hell do you think you're doing? If it's 'cause she's attractive, Angelo, I can find you another woman. You don't need to fuck our witness." He spews one accusation after another in an angry tone, not even giving me the time to respond to any of them.

I should be offended at what he's implying, but I'm not because I know Tony, and this

is his way of taking out his frustration. I've been on this side of the conversation enough times by now to know that.

My attraction to Tatiana has nothing to do with needing to get laid. I can't put my finger on why I feel so out of control when I'm near her, but so far, I'm handling it, and I have no time to dwell on it right now. "Boss, come on now. You know me better than that .I'm a professional, after all. She seems willing to help. Apparently, she hates Oleg as much as we do."

I hear a sharp inhale of breath before Tony continues, this time a bit calmer. "You need to be careful," he warns me. "We don't have a lot of background on who she is. For all we know, she could be lying straight to your face. Until we know for certain, you can't lower your guard. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that, but we both know very well how a woman can blind us."

"Trust me, Boss. She's not a threat, I can feel it." I'm sticking my neck out based on a brief conversation with the woman, but I need to trust my instincts; that's all I have. "I'll get something useful soon. I promise you. You know I'm just as desperate to get my hands on Oleg as you are. I just need you to trust me this time."

"I do," Tony says firmly, and I believe him. It's one of the many reasons I trust him with my life as well. "That's why I need you to be careful. One wrong move, and we're back to square one. Or worse, dead."

I swallow the bitterness in my mouth, gripping the phone harder. "That won't happen," I insist through gritted teeth.

"Fine. Okay. Call me as soon as you get something. And have the guys back you up if you need them." Tony hangs up before I have the chance to say anything else. I close my eyes again, leaning my head against the wall and allowing myself a moment to breathe. I should get some sleep, but how can I do that when I need to keep an eye on Tatiana?

I'm putting everything at risk here, and as Tony mentioned, I can't make a single wrong move, or this whole mission is over.

"Fuck," I breathe, running my fingers through my hair. "Sal?" I call, heading toward the stairs.

I find him on the bottom floor, looking up at me with curiosity in his eyes.

"Can you watch her room while I take a shower and grab something to eat?" I ask. "I'll take the night shift. I just need a few minutes."

He looks a little leary, and I see the bandage peeking out underneath his sleeve, but he knows hsi place. "Sure thing. Take all the time you need."

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"Thanks, man." I pat him on the shoulder as he passes by and heads toward Tatiana's door positioning himself against the wall just like I had been a minute ago.

Less than an hour later, I'm clean, fed, and back at my station.

"I'll sleep on the couch. Call me if you need my help," Sal offers.

"What? Do you think I can't handle her on my own?" I tease, a smirk forming on my lips.

Sal grins back at me and shrugs. "Not if she pulls a fucking knife on you." He chuckles and walks away, disappearing around the corner.noveldrama

I step into the bedroom again and return to the armchair. Tatiana is still in the same position as before, so I take that as a sign that she's deeply asleep. She might not wake up any time soon, so I allow my eyes to close for a few minutes, trying to rest my mind.

What seems like only seconds later, a scream pierces the darkness, and I'm suddenly wide awake, my eyes searching the room for a threat.

I'm used to waking up to screams-but before, they've always been mine.

My eyes adjust to the darkness, and I can now see Tatiana sitting up on the bed, breathing heavily, her hand on her chest as she forces air into her lungs. Her hair is wet from sweat, plasteredto her forehead and cheeks.

"Hey, hey, hey." I approach her cautiously, not sure if she's fully awake. Her wide eyes find my face. I sit beside her on the mattress, trying to be as cautious as possible so as not to freak her out even more, but she barely moves when I touch her shoulder. Heat radiates up my hand, so I slowly pull it away.

"Everything is fine. It was just a nightmare," I reassure her softly.

It takes her a couple of seconds to meet my gaze, her eyes out of focus as she stares at

me.

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"You're safe," I tell her firmly. "I'll get you some water."

I stand and head to the mini-fridge across the room, grabbing a bottle and bringing it

to her.

I watch as Tatiana slowly lifts the bottle to her mouth, lavishing the water as if she's

been in the desert for days. Some of it drips from her mouth down her neck, and I look away, scolding myself for letting my perverted thoughts get the better of me.

I could lick that water right off her jaw.

She gives me back the bottle, now empty, and her eyes soften a little. "I-I'm really sorry about that," she says, her voice raspy from sleep, and perhaps from screaming. "I don't normally have nightmares."

I dismiss her with a shake of my head. "It's only natural after everything you've experienced," I reassure her, guessing that must be true.

She nods slightly, but says nothing.

"Listen, I know this situation isn't ideal, and you probably don't feel safe here, but as long as you're with me, and we can help each other out, you don't have to worry. You also don't have to trust me completely. Just trust that I hate Oleg more than anyoone, and I'll do everything in my power to stop him-once and for all. So, you can hold on to that."

She holds my gaze like a tether that reaches deep down inside of me and anchors somewhere behind her eyes I may never see. Her tongue darts out to lick her dry lips, and I swallow hard, trying to focus on her eyes, but whenever I look into those blue pools, I'm sucked into oblivion, so lost and numb that I don't even know where I am. Tatiana lifts her hips slightly, settling on the bed, and the madness that has plagued me since I first saw her trembling in the alleyway has my cock twitching and my mind racing.

Pulling myself away, I head toward the window and open it a crack, letting the cold breeze call me as best it can.

"You should go back to sleep," I suggest, not daring to look back at her. "I'll be here,

so don't worry. Nothing will happen to you. We can talk tomorrow." I end the conversation before she can even think of extending it.

I can't do this tonight, not when my entire body is screaming at me to climb into that

bed with her and pull her against me, making her forget about all the shit she went through today.

I'm beyond fucking screwed.