A Mob Boss's Family (Book 2 Of The New York Mafia Trilogy)

20. His Troubled Mind

Adele woke up to the sound of running water. She rubbed her eyes and looked around her. She didn't see Francesco on the bed so it meant he was in the shower. The door to the bathroom was half open so the sound had woken her up. Adele looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was hardly two in the morning. She was wondering why Francesco was awake.

Adele heard the shower stopped and she could hear him getting dressed. She closed her eyes as she heard him leaving the bathroom and felt his presence. She felt him getting close as she heard his deep breaths. Then she felt his lips touching her forehead gently as he whispered " I love you so much. The only woman I ever loved and ever will."

Something in his tone of voice bothered her. Something was wrong. She just knew it. She felt him sit down at the edge of the bed close to her. She heard him speak again " What am I going to do without you. From today onwards, you are the only thing left for me. I have nothing left now. Nothing left to lose. Absolutely nothing.... but you." She then felt him get up and leave.

Adele wasn't sure why suddenly she felt so much pain. She felt his pain in his words. What had happened? She thought to herself. She decided to find out. She opened her eyes and saw him standing at the far corner of the room looking at the fire place. He was standing there with something in his hand. Then she saw him looking at the object in his hand. She heard him whisper " Goodbye." To her horror she saw him throw whatever was in his hand into the fire place.

Adele was curious. She got up and walked to Francesco. He turned around and questioned " Sweetheart. You are awake. Why?"

Adele spoke " I just woke up. I had a nightmare.... What's that you threw into the fire place?"

Francesco spoke " Nothing important sweetheart."

Adele tried to look past Francesco at the fire place but he blocked her path " Sweetheart, I said its nothing."

Adele found herself touching his chest. She found herself embracing him. It was all instinct. She felt something was wrong and she acted. She embraced a surprised looking Francesco and whispered " It's going to be ok. Whatever it is that's bothering you would be fine. We will get through it."

Adele felt Francesco wrapping one arm around her waist and moving up his other arm to her hair caressing her gently. He whispered "I can't believe it..... You referred to us. You said we will get through it. Do you know how much it means to me?"

Adele pulled away slightly and looked into Francesco's eyes worriedly " Francesco.... What is going on? What is the matter? I can feel that you are sad. You just threw something into the fireplace. What was it?"

Francesco sighed " Sweetheart. It doesn't matter. Why don't you get back to bed?"

Adele shook her head " I am your fiancée now. This ring on my finger is not just a piece of metal. It's a vow. I am ...... your woman Francesco." Adele couldn't even believe how easy it was to talk to Francesco now. Words came naturally to her lips. It felt right to hold Francesco. It felt right to want to care for how he felt. It was as though a barrier had been lifted from between them. The way Francesco was looking at her was also different. She felt like a door had been opened into Francesco's heart and she wanted to get as much out of him before it closed. He didn't even have his cold detached expression that he carried. He looked troubled, pained and torn.

Francesco looked at Adele intensely and a worn out smile came to his lips " Thank you sweetheart. When you say you are my woman. I feel like my heart is about to skip a beat. I love you. I wish you could help sweetheart but its too late."

Adele spoke " Please. Let me in. What is it on your mind? At least tell me what you just threw into the fire place. I am dying of curiosity if not from worry."