The kingpin's obsession: Lena

10

LENA

In the beginning. I mean like, the very beginning when things were just normal. Well…as normal as it could be for a girl who had to take care of a sick mother, two teenage brothers, and also do well in school, I never knew I’d someday be walking down the streets of Athens, hand in hand with one of New Yorks most dangerous man who just so happened to be the sappiest lover boy ever.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I looked down at her intertwined hands. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze and I looked up to meet his eyes that were already on me.

“You’re smiling. Was the ice cream that good?” one of his perfectly carved brow shot up in question and I shook my head.

“It’s nothing…it’s just-”

And then I felt it again. This strange feeling that made my stomach churn in disgust and a chill crawl up my back. I felt it when Vincenzo left me alone at that coffee shop, to go get our treats, and now…

I glanced backwards from the place we just passed. I couldn’t even hear Vincenzo's voice over the blood rushing in my ears and my heavy breathing. I knew this feeling. But…he couldn’t be here, right?

Not here of all places…

There, across the road, stood a man in a brown coat. I couldn’t make out any of his features, but years of torment have thought me how to fear that mans presence.

In a sea of motion, the figure was frozen. Watching.

But when I blinked. He was gone.

A small frown rested between my brows as I did a double take of the crowd around us, but he was gone. Or maybe he was never there to begin with.

“You okay, Cara?” Vincenzo shook me lightly by the shoulder and I snapped out of my paranoid haze. He was standing in front on me now, a deep frown on his face.

“Vince…” his name left my lips, almost like a whisper. Just seeing his face reminded me where I was. I wasn’t back home; I wasn’t ten years old. I was here in Athens, with my husband, Vincenzo.

That’s right. That man can’t hurt me here. I’m with Vincenzo.

I kept reassuring myself until I had fully calmed down. I can’t say the same about Vincenzo though. He looked like he was ready to close down this entire square to find the thing that had spooked me quite. But the thing that had spooked me might have just been my own imagination.

“You look pale. Did you see something?” he asked, his head snapped up, surveying the area.

“I just….I thought I saw someone.” I forced a smile on my face. But he wasn’t buying it.

“Someone you know?” he repeated the statement back to me and I nodded. “All the way in Athens?” his sharp black eyes were full of suspicion, but I held his gaze, nonetheless. There was nothing to be worried about.

Vincenzo studied me carefully for a moment, then tucked a strand of my brown hair behind my ear. “You sure? Because you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” the frown on his face never let up. But even when his face was all hard and intimidating like he was about to pull out his gun and empty the magazine in someone's body if they got to near, he still let his soft side peak through. And I could tell he was worried.

I bet he thought he was doing well to hide it from me, but ever since he came back with our desert, I could tell something really rattled him up, but I didn’t want to point it out, because he seemed as though it wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. And even if it was meant to be our honeymoon, I knew he was still taking business calls and checking in constantly with Lorenzo to know how he was handling the organization. He didn’t want to admit it openly, but I knew he was at least relieved to have him take over for the time being.

It’s just too bad that my husband was a workaholic.

I let out a small laugh despite myself. “Vince…” I called his name as I held onto his arm as I looked him directly in eyes—those stormy, ever-calm eyes that saw everything, but rarely ever revealed what he was feeling. Not unless it was me.

“I’m okay, I promise” I said, softer now, reaching up to touch the hand he had on my shoulder. “I’m just tired.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. Ever since we left that dress shop, I’d been feeling lightheaded, but I didn’t want to worry him and up ruining day one of our honeymoon. But I guess this is a good opportunity to head back to the hotel and just enjoy each other's company. Even if I didn’t get to see the beautiful Ionian Islands I saw in the travel guides.

It looked so pretty in the brochure. Bright white pebbles and deep blue waters beneath steep cliffs…but, netflix and chill didn’t sound so bad either.

Vincenzo looked like he was about to argue with me again. But he ultimately just relented with a sigh and kissed my forehead. “Tired, huh? Fine. If you’re certain it’s nothing serious, then we can go back to the hotel for now.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you need anything else before we leave?”

“Do you think we can get some of that ice cream to go?” I flashed him a sheepish grin. That gelato was lowkey incredible.

Vincenzo wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in, pressing another kiss on my cheek, multiple kisses actually, before leaving a lingering kiss on my lips. I blushed from the public show of affection.

“H-hey, there are people here.” I tried to push him away from me, but he just laughed at my expense. The kind of laugh I could listen to all day without getting tired. His laugh was the kind of laugh that could make me laugh to.

“I don’t care, Princepessa” he gave me one last hug before releasing me. “I’ll ask Lucky to pick you some while we head back to the hotel. This crowd’s making me feel queasy anyways.” he muttered the last part out, but I heard him.

“Seriously?”

“Don’t sound so surprised, darling, large crowds just mean it's easier to get stabbed and loose the culprit.” he said calmly. But leave it to the Heir of the New York Brawlers to see the worst possible scenario on such a lovely day like today.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the thought of it. Even if it unsettled me now.

Five minutes later Lucky pulled up with our car before handing the key to Vincenzo and went to join Sanchez in the black SUV in front. Once his security gave all clear, we began our journey back to the hotel suite.