Bound by love

Chapter 7

Alexander

" So you are telling me that YOUR MAFIA DADDIES HAVE PLACED A TARGET ON MY SON'S BACK!" she screamed in my face and I cowered on the bed using leaning on my elbows. That was quite an anticipated reaction but I must say she looks scary when she is furious. I was lost for words for a moment I did not know what to say to her. Maybe it was in a tiny fear of the possibility of her striking me in the face. I'm surprised that she has not given me a tight slap by now.

" Well, that is one way to put it," I muttered looking at her face. She was red with anger but damn she is still beautiful. Looking at her up close allowed me to admire her freckled cheeks her blue eyes and a beautiful spot on the bridge of her nose. The little things I fell in love with. We looked at each other and her anger seemed to simmer down. Our breaths were mingling due to our proximity. My eyes moved from hers and down to her luscious pink lips. I remember when I could kiss her at any moment I desired but now I believe I no longer possess that right.

I cleared my throat and she moved away from me straightening herself. It did not go unnoticed that she was embarrassed by the little moment we shared a second ago. I discreetly smiled at her. Maya ran her fingers through her now disheveled hair in frustration. The worry lines appeared on her forehead and I could see the fear in her eyes. I know this was a lot to take in but I had to be honest with her. I did not want to hide anything like last time.

" How is this happening? Why are your mafia enemies involving Xander in your disputes?" she asked. I stood up from the bed and she focused on my movements until I was right in front of her. I wanted to take away all her concern but I'm afraid this is the reality of things.

" Those people have nothing on me except the people I love," I told her softly, placing my hands on her tense shoulders for support. I could see that she was on the brink of losing it. I don't blame her. A mother who loves her child would be as scared and worried about their child as she is. " They know that Xander and you are the most important people in my life and I would do anything, absolutely anything to keep the two of you safe," I expressed emotionally placing the palms of my hands on her soft cheeks.

Maya closed her eyes and leaned into my palms. I felt good to know that she still felt good in my comfort. But then as if my touch burned her she pulled my hands from her face and moved a few feet away from me.

" This is all your fault!" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes. I sighed and tried to get close to her but she stopped me with her hand. " Don't come near me."

" Maya I know you are angry right now but pushing me away won't help you either. Just... let me be there for you," I beseeched her genuinely but she shook her head tears streaming down her puffy eyes. I feel so bad right now. All I did since I showed up in front of her was make her cry. It was not my intention but it happened anyway.

" All you ever do is ruin my life!" she yelled at me hysterically. Those words hurt me a lot. Maya was right, I did ruin her life. I got her involved in this life and now she gave life to my son who will also inherit this life. " My life is a mess and you did this. You left me shattered and feeling like the biggest fool on earth and I almost lost hope of ever living until Xander. Now you are here after 5 years just to turn my life upside down. My son's life is in danger and the mercy of some low-life criminals because of our association with you!"

I said nothing in response to her anger because there was nothing I could say to say this felt better than it was. I just wanted her to let it all out even if it hurts like hell to hear her blame me. " You are right Maya, you are very right," I nodded my head at her in agreement. " My mistake was falling in love. I guess it slipped my mind that mafia man can't afford to love and be loved but you know what happened Maya?" I expressed to her and she just looked at me blankly.

" When I saw you, Maya, I lost myself. It was love at first sight and as much as I tried to fight it, Maya, I couldn't. I won't lie to you and say I wished would have ignored each other and done things differently because I don't. What I regret though is that I was not man enough to tell you the truth about myself. I regret that I could not be part of my son's life for the past 5 years because I would have given him all my love. I didn't take the risk when I should have but now I won't be making that mistake. I won't let go of you this time. I will protect you and my son with my life if need be But I won't let you go. I will make up for lost time and will make sure you forgive me for all I have put you through," I declared with determination.

She now looked defeated as if she could not fight with what I just said. I hated myself at this very moment for all the pain and misery I caused. " Everything I went through without you Alex," she sniffed with a croak. " I wanted you beside me but you had abandoned me. You promised me that you would be by my side, you gave me hope of a better future, and you made me believe in everything you said but what did you do in the end?" she asked hoarsely. Her eyes swelled from crying so much. Her words squeezed my heart.

" Tell me what you did!" she yelled grabbing my shirt in her tiny fists. I swallowed before responding to her. " I left." She shook her head and weakly leaned it on my chest. When I tried to wrap my hand around her she pushed away from me. She looked at me for a moment. " You left in the dead of the night, leaving just a measly letter that does even explain s**t! You did not even have a shred of decency to face me and tell me that I ain't it no more. All my hopes and dreams were shattered by just one weightless piece of paper. That's all it took! And I am so angry right now, there is a lot I want to say but I can't... I just can't," she wept falling to her knees.

I stood hovering over her without comforting her. She would not let me anyway. Her anger is directed towards me and I just have to take it. I felt helpless and ashamed. Her shoulders we going up and down as she hiccupped. I let her cry without interruption. She had to let it all out. Bottling things up is never good.

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Maya

I have to be the most unfortunate girl. The two important men in my life have disappointed me. My father and the love of my life. I did not expect much but what can I say? The people you love the most are indeed the ones who end up hurting you because they are the last ones who you think would hurt you. I gave my all but I came out with nothing but pain.

And every time I try to bury it I can't because you can't just forget about the pain. You have to face it and go through it so you can overcome it. I tried so hard to overcome it. I tried to accept the fact that I wouldn't be someone's priority and that disappointment in my life would be an ongoing never-ending cycle. I'm trying but it never gets easy. I'm trying so that I can give my son all my love without any conditions. I want to give Xander the life I never had because that is what parents want, to make the life of our children more than ours and give them everything we did not have.

Now I don't see that happening. Not in this place and not when he has a target in his back. Everything I tried to put together falling apart and I can't do anything about it as always. This is not the life I wanted. It was supposed to be something peaceful and happy. Me, Alexander, and our little Xander together. I guess the saying, life doesn't always go as planned could not be more real. But then again, what did I plan? My life has been spontaneous it is not surprising that it all went downhill.

" Look, not asking you to forgive me. I know that you went through a lot and I do get it. I just want you to give me the benefit of the doubt. Let me fix this and make it up to you. I want to protect you and Xander. Once all this is over and blown over... I promise to let you have a choice. I won't decide for you. You will either stay or leave and I will still stand by you."

He kneeled beside me and placed his hands on my shoulders. I raised my head to look at him. I saw the sincerity in his eyes. He is being truthful unless he is very good at lying.

I wiped my tears and he helped me by brushing his thumbs under my eyes. " Don't cry anymore. I hate it when you do, especially when you cry because of me." He pulled me into his arms and I accepted his embrace. I don't know why I did. I should have been angry and pushing him away but I guess I'm just exhausted. I've shed too much emotion and I need a hug.

After a while, I pulled away ending the moment between us. It felt good for a little bit but let's not forget the status quo. At least I am a bit calmer now. I stood up and he followed.

" Let's forget about the past. It won't help any of us at this point. It is what it is," I said to him. My eyes were wandering everywhere else but not to him. I wrapped my arms around my body for comfort. " I would like to forget the past myself so I agree. There is nothing we can change about it. But I deeply regret everything I put you through," he expressed and I peered my eyes at him. I saw that honesty again but I won't give in that easily. The past is indeed in the past but the wounds are still fresh in the present. It will take a lot of time until I fully recover.

I nodded my head in agreement. " So what now?"

" What do you mean?" he asked in confusion. " What happens now? Are we still going to be prisoners in this fortress?"

He shook his head with a small smile. " No, you are not prisoners but staying here is necessary for safety." I sighed. I guess even if I argue now I won't win.

" What about Dario? He is a police officer and he can protect me from other officers," I suggested eagerly. He scoffed. " Dario is great but the police department is not so great."

" Why? I trust Dario," I insisted. He rolled his eyes at me. " Yes, I too trust him but protecting you is not a one-man job. The police department is infested with corrupt police officers under the payroll of mob bosses. It would basically mean you are handing yourself in a silver platter by enlisting their protection," he said trying to explain to me. I sighed in defeat. There goes my freedom. I thought I would speak my way out of this but he is determined with this whole protection matter. There is nothing I can do about it. Besides, as he said, it is all for Xander because his well-being comes first.

" Fine then! So how is this going to work? Better yet when is this going to end I won't stand this for long."

" If everything goes well it shouldn't be that long," he says. He sounds so confident but I know that's a load of bull. Things won't go as planned when criminals are involved, macho criminals at that who have a pointless point to prove. " Yeah right!" I scoffed looking away in frustration. All it seems is that I am in this for a long shot.

Not long then we heard a commotion outside. Alarmed we glanced at each other briefly before we headed for the door. Since I did not know my way around I just followed behind him. It sounded like someone was shouting and that voice sounded awfully familiar. Could it be... no that is impossible! But it is a possibility. Let's just find out before I jump to conclusions.

We practically ran down the hallway until we were close enough to hear the words that had me stopping in my tracks. " Did you have to kidnap without running it by me first?! I could have brought them myself for goodness sake! The is no need for hooliganism all the time!" No f*****g way! It is him. He is here and he is in on this? Alexander must have noticed my stupefied expression.

I marched down the rest of the hallway till I found my way to the living room. And there he was with the rest of the delinquent crew. When Dario saw me he was relieved. He came towards me and tried to embrace me but I was still as a log, furious and still processing what I just heard.

" I'm so glad you are alright Maya. I almost went crazy when didn't come back home," he said. " Is it true?" I asked ignoring everything he just said. " What?" he asks in confusion. " Is it true that you have been in contact with Alexander all along?" His face suddenly drops with guilt that immediately gives wem away and gives me the answer to my question. I have been betrayed yet again by the one who is closest to me. I guess they were never wrong when they said, those closer to you are the ones who often betray you. I have already experienced this once before and now for the second time. The third time should be a charm.