Desires In The Shadows

5. Chapter

Ghost’s POV

Ever since I left her, I haven’t been myself. I haven’t slept at all these last few days. Whenever I close my eyes, I see her face.

That day, when I visited her, I didn’t leave right away. I stayed in the shadows and watched as she broke. She collapsed to the ground and cried. In front of me she tried to seem tough, tried not to show how terrified she was when I mentioned the Cosa Nostra, but her body betrayed her.

For some reason I feel like her life so far hasn’t been too happy. Her eyes tell a lot: there’s pain, bitterness, sorrow behind them. What could have happened to her? She’s too young to be this hardened.

And even if she is—why do I care?

I don’t get paid to shoulder other people’s problems! That would be true, except she wasn’t the one who borrowed the money. She shouldn’t have to die for it.

I turn in the bed, trying to fall back asleep, hoping I can delay getting up a little longer. Because once I do, once the day starts and then ends, Lorena Bazzi will be dead.

I have to repeat it to myself over and over: it’s not my problem. There’s nothing I can do.

That’s not true. I could do something. I just don’t know if I want to.

She doesn’t have many options. She either pays, or she dies. There are exceptional cases, but they’re extremely rare. There are laws, and they apply to me just as much as to every other member of the mafia. If you don’t stay in line, you break the command — and you pay with your life.

Doesn’t matter if the person is a friend or an acquaintance — there’s no place for sentiment. There’s only one exception, which has never once happened: if the person is your wife or husband. Then even the boss’s hands would be tied. The Ten Commandments, our holy law, bind him too. The second commandment: Never look at another man’s woman! The husband has authority over her. The debt still has to be paid, but the woman would be protected.

Why the hell is this even crossing my mind? With me, her fate would be worse than death.

I’m a monster, an executioner, a ghost. I have no feelings, no family. I’m alone, and that won’t change.

I finally manage to get out of bed. I live alone, with two dogs. They’re my companions. I took them in when I was at an illegal dog fight. More precisely, I’d been sent to collect money from one of our members. The man died, and the dogs would’ve been left to their fate. So I saved them, and they’ve been living with me ever since.

I go to the kitchen to make myself coffee. Thor and Hector are lying on their blanket until I walk into the room. Then they follow at my feet, tracking my every step, or rather — guarding me.

Evening comes too quickly, and I have to leave. But tonight, I’m going alone. I’ve never done that before, but really — what could a twenty‑three‑year‑old, fragile girl do to me?

When I step outside, Scott is already in the car with my other two men. When I get into the passenger seat, they all nod toward me. They don’t speak to me, they don’t even look at me. Scott starts driving and doesn’t stop until we reach the little flower shop.

Before he can turn off the engine, I speak.

“You don’t need to stay. I’ll handle this alone. If I need you, I’ll call.”

My tone is commanding, and never — I repeat, never — do they disobey my orders. Maybe Scott thinks that since I took him under my wing, he can get away with questioning me.

“Ghost, do you really think that’s a good idea?”

I snap my head toward him, and he shrinks back a little, lifting his hands defensively.

“Sorry. If you need us, you’ll call.”

That’s more like it. I get out and watch as the car disappears at the end of the street.

I’m late — she closed over twenty minutes ago, but she’s still here; the light’s on in the back. I walk to the door. I’m surprised to find it unlocked.

She was waiting for me. She knew I’d come.

The moment the door closes behind me, I hear footsteps. I turn. She stands before me, a gun in her hand. Pointed straight at me. Quick-witted, fiery, and unbelievably bold. I like her more and more.

“You surprised me this time, little girl, but it won’t get you far with me.”

Her hand trembles around the gun. That’s how I know she’s never held one before.

“We’ll see about that! If you don’t leave and stay away from me, I’ll shoot!”

I haven’t laughed or smiled in years, but now I do. A warrior sss, wild and damn brave — I’ll give her that.

I spread my arms in front of my chest.

“Go on then. Shoot me. You’d be doing the world a favor.”

—I was telling the truth. One less problem…

“But if not me, someone else will come.”

“I can’t pay, and you know it. I have nothing but this shop.”

She takes a step toward me.

“Don’t come closer or I’ll pull the trigger!”

I know she will. That’s not even a question. One more step, and I hear the click as she squeezes it. I act faster than she can realize what’s happening. I take the gun from her hand, twist her arm behind her. Her back presses against my chest, her arms trapped between our bodies.

“How? Why didn’t…?”

“Why didn’t it fire? Oh, little girl,” I whisper at her ear.

“You should’ve taken the safety off first.”

Her body trembles — I can feel it. Now she’s afraid, and she lets it show.

“I don’t want to die, please!”

I don’t like that she’s begging. It doesn’t suit a woman this proud.

“Help me, please! I’ll do anything!”

She shouldn’t have said that.

I don’t think before speaking, but for some reason this woman affects me.

“There is one solution.”

My voice carries danger — I hope she’s smart enough to hear it.

“What is it? Whatever it is, I’ll do it!”

Wrong answer, little girl.

“You have to marry me.”

Too late to take back the words.

I’ve completely lost my damn mind.