Mad Mafia Love

by Jamila Jasper

* * *

  “Yes?” Nico asked, catching her staring.

  * * *

  “Nothing… Just looking.”

  * * *

  “If you say so,” He replied with a wink.

  * * *

  “Listen, Eve, I’ve got to leave today. But I promise you will be safe.”

  * * *

  “Leave?”

  * * *

  “I need to take care of… things… and make sure that you’re safe.”

  * * *

  Eve wanted to ask more questions but she could tell that Nico didn’t want to answer. Or at least that he wouldn’t answer. She nodded and watched him get dressed. As he dressed, he listed where she could find certain things in the house. The usual — food, TV remote, shower, fresh towels, guns, ammunition.

  * * *

  Eve hadn’t used a firearm since she lived down south, but she figured she could work a handgun in an emergency. Not like she wanted an emergency. As she heard Nico leave and she heard the front door lock, she felt afraid. Eventually, that fear subsided and Eve got used to being home alone.

  * * *

  The next few weeks passed like that. Eve thought that it wouldn’t be long before Nico allowed her to go home. But when he came with two huge duffels of her belongings, she knew that he intended for her to stay in Cambridge for a while. He assured her that the store would be taken care of and that it would be for her safety.

  * * *

  For the first week, Eve felt a sense of release. She didn’t have to worry about the store. She didn’t have to worry about walking the streets in fear. She didn’t even have to worry about cleaning or cooking food. Nico had a woman cleaning and cooking every day. She was Italian, a friend’s wife who needed a little extra cash, and she made delicious spreads every night for dinner.

  * * *

  She didn’t speak to Eve much; Eve got the sense that had been at Nico’s behest. Nico let her make phone calls, but she couldn’t use the house phone. Only burner phones. Eve talked to her sister and her parents, and even Daniella. But she hated lying to them. She told them that she’d needed some time off and that she’d taken a vacation to Cape Cod.

  * * *

  Not a complete lie, but a lie all the same. Eve couldn’t bear to get them involved but the lying was tearing her up. After the second week, Eve could tell they were getting worried. She assured everyone in her life that she was fine, and she started calling less and less, dodging all their questions.

  * * *

  Each day, Eve had imagined spending the whole day with Nico. But that never quite materialized. He would be there in the morning, sweet as ever, always remembering to share breakfast with her. Then he’d either leave or he’d stay on the phone for hours talking in Italian. Eve could hardly understand what he said; she wasn’t sure she wanted to. She was in too deep; she needed to believe that Nico was really a good man.

  * * *

  After hours of talking (or of his absence), Nico would come back for lunch in the afternoon. He never brought anyone to his place except the housekeeper. And he never told Eve what he was doing. Eve was starting to get frustrated. She understood that Nico wanted to keep her safe, but he had no right to treat her like a prisoner.

  * * *

  One evening, after he’d arrived home tired with a cut above his left eye, Eve determined to confront him.

  * * *

  Nico started first before she could say anything, “Are your bruises healing?”

  * * *

  “They’ve been healed for a week,” Eve said quietly, unable to squelch the negativity from her voice.

  * * *

  “Is everything alright?”

  * * *

  It hurt more that he was so sweet and caring. Eve knew that Nico had her best interests in mind, but she couldn’t help this cabin fever. It was worse than a fever. Eve had an increased desperation to leap out of the house and just take in a big lungful of fresh air.

  * * *

  “No Nico. Everything is not alright.”

  * * *

  “What’s wrong? Is it the food?”

  * * *

  “No. It’s not the food.”

  * * *

  “Then what? Er… Online shopping?”

  * * *

  Eve rolled her eyes, “No. I don’t want money from you Nico. I want to go outside. I want to feel like a real person again.”

  * * *

  They were upstairs in his bedroom. Eve had never left. A part of it was her feelings for Nico, another part of it was her fear of being alone.

  * * *

  “It’s not safe quite yet Eve. I promise…”

  * * *

  “Yeah. I get it,” She pouted.

  * * *

  Nico kissed her lips.

  * * *

  “Trust me.”

  * * *

  “How much longer is it going to be?”

  * * *

  Nico didn’t have the heart to tell her that if what he was doing worked, he wouldn’t get to be in the United States with her any longer. She could either run away with him, or they’d never see each other again. Maybe she wouldn’t be so eager to leave if she knew what she would be missing out on.

  * * *

  Nico sighed, “Not much longer.”

  * * *

  “Why don’t you tell me anything that’s going on?”

  * * *

  “To protect you.”

  * * *

  “Bullshit.”

  * * *

  Nico’s eyes lit up with an Italian fire.

  * * *

  He snarled, “Don’t say bullshit. You have no idea what the fuck I do.”

  * * *

  Eve was taken aback by the tone of his voice.

  * * *

  “Don’t talk to me like that.”

  * * *

  “Sorry,” Nico said, genuine shame welling into his cheeks, “It’s just that I don’t like to talk about what I must do.”

  * * *

  “Why ‘must’ you do anything then?”

  * * *

  “Because it’s the only way to deal with a man like the one I’m dealing with.”

  * * *

  “Maybe if you told me…”

  * * *

  “No!” Nico insisted, “I can’t tell you. Just stay unspoiled Eve.”

  * * *

  Eve bit down on her lower lip, stopping more words from coming out as she realized just why Nico wanted to protect her so badly. He’d lost one lover before, and an adopted child. He’d never even mentioned their names. They had become sad ghosts, ghosts that only Nico could see.

  * * *

  “Fine,” She said, resigned to the fact that she wouldn’t get Nico to let her leave or to open up.

  * * *

  Nico knew what Eve was craving. He could see on her face exactly what she wanted from him. But he couldn’t give that to her — not yet. He wanted her to be safe. He wanted to ensure that he would make it out of Boston alive. These were his last weeks here and he needed to feel safe for a change. This time, he wanted his way out to be complete.

  * * *

  He’d leave Eve with a little something sure, but he couldn’t be with her unless she chose to be with him.

  * * *

  For now, he’d distract her. Nico bent his lips to her neck and sucked a small piece of Eve’s flesh until she moaned against her will. He pulled her backwards and positioned his body on top of hers. He knew that he owed her more than this. He knew that he owed her an explanation or even an idea of what was going on. But for now, this was what he could give.

  * * *

  Nico’s hands wandered over Eve’s body until he reached her voluptuous hips.

  * * *

  “Mmm,” Eve moaned.

  * * *

  Her eyes were closed and her brown skin glistened under the lamplight. Nico slipped her dress over her body. Her bosom seemed especially plump — Italian cooking will do that to you — and her tumm
y felt beautiful and soft. Nico ran his lips down every inch of her flesh, always stopping just above her underwear.

  * * *

  As he kissed her all over except for that spot , Eve grew more and more impatient. She wriggled and bucked her hips upwards to meet his lips. When her convulsing beneath him grew far too intense, Nico slipped off Eve’s underwear easily. Her hips experienced the same thickening of her bosom. Her buttocks had grown full and chubby; relaxation served her well. Nico planted a quick kiss on Eve’s pussy before pulling his hardness out of his pants.

  * * *

  Eve smirked as she watched him approach her with his sheathed cock. She spread her legs wide and he entered her. Eve groaned as she felt Nico’s cock starting to pound her hard and fast instantly. She knew he was trying to take her mind off of everything. And it was working.

  * * *

  Eve groaned as Nico pummeled her furiously. Her pussy tightened around his cock like a vice until she felt herself close to cumming.

  * * *

  “Yes! Don’t stop!” She crooned as she gyrated her hips to match Nico’s furious rhythm.

  * * *

  In a few moments, Eve climaxed. Her body shuddered as she relaxed into the bed and heaved desperately for breath.

  * * *

  Nico continued to pound into her furiously. His body tensed and before long, he’d climaxed too. They went at it again like that for hours, switching positions and most of the time, Eve lay on her back and Nico plunged his tongue between her wetness. He never tired of the flavor of her juices.

  * * *

  Eve knew that this would have to come to an end soon. She couldn’t take living like this much longer. But for now, she could fall into the passion between them over and over again.

  * * *

  The next day, Eve determined that she had to leave. She watched Nico get up and repeat the same old rituals. It was the weekend, so this time he was just on the phone. Eve sat up in bed and went through her new morning ritual. At Nico’s place, everything was posh and fancy. Eve had gotten used to her piping hot morning showers and the luxurious bath products that Nico would bring to her. Eve was sure it was a form of bribery to keep her from complaining too much about how isolated she was over here.

  * * *

  As Eve started to get ready, she began to do things a little differently. Instead of putting on her usual “house clothes”, she wrapped her head up in an African print head wrap and threw on a pair of dark wash denim and a white t-shirt. She saw Nico eyeing her, but she said nothing.

  * * *

  Eve packed her handbag and headed for the door to what had become “their” bedroom.

  * * *

  “What are you doing?” Nico asked, stepping between Eve and the door.

  * * *

  “I’m leaving,” She said, folding her arms.

  * * *

  “No… Eve… I told you it isn’t safe.”

  * * *

  “I don’t give a damn if it’s safe or not. You can’t tell me what to do Nico.”

  * * *

  “You’re right.”

  * * *

  “Then let me pass!”

  * * *

  Eve tried to push past him but Nico stopped her again.

  * * *

  “I just want you to know… It’s dangerous Eve. You know that right? You know how damned dangerous this is?”

  * * *

  Eve looked at Nico defiantly. She didn’t care what he said, he wasn’t going to hold her a prisoner here.

  * * *

  Nico continued, “He was the one who killed those teenagers in the park. Kids. He’s not a good man.”

  * * *

  “I know. But I can’t live my life in fear!”

  * * *

  “Alright. But don’t go home alone. I’ll take you home.”

  * * *

  “Really?”

  * * *

  “Yes really. Against my better judgment.”

  * * *

  “Well you can’t keep me hidden forever Nico.”

  * * *

  “And why not?” Nico roared, “I’m trying to do EVERYTHING in my power to keep you safe!”

  * * *

  Eve pursed her lips shut. She could see a thick vein push itself forward on Nico’s forehead and his face turned red. She knew that he feared something happening to her more than anything.

  * * *

  “I understand that you’re scared Nico, but I need to live my life.”

  * * *

  “Maybe you should be as scared as I am.”

  * * *

  “I can’t… I’m worried, but I can’t live the way you do.”

  * * *

  “Come then, let’s go,” Nico said.

  * * *

  His anger hung thick in the air. Eve knew that she was driving a wedge between them. But something had to be done. She couldn’t let Nico think that keeping her trapped here like this was okay.

  * * *

  “I promise you, things will be over soon.”

  * * *

  “What does that mean?”

  * * *

  “Giuseppe is on the move today. I will be ensuring that he can’t hurt us anymore.”

  * * *

  “And what does that mean?”

  * * *

  But Nico didn’t answer. He didn’t say a word until they got into his car together. And once they were in the car, he didn’t talk. He played violin solos on the radio and hummed to himself as he drove Eve calmly back to her neighborhood. This was almost over.

  * * *

  Eve had a feeling that if she stepped out of this car, she would be stepping out of Nico’s world forever. She’d turned down his protection; her independence might very well be her undoing.

  * * *

  But I have to do this. I need to take care of myself. Eve mused to herself.

  * * *

  Eve and Nico sat on the block across from her house. Nico hadn’t said a word to her the entire drive. She could feel how angry he was from the driver’s seat.

  * * *

  “Nico… Don’t be upset.”

  * * *

  “How the fuck can I not be?”

  * * *

  “So you’re saying you don’t understand where I’m coming from?”

  * * *

  “No. I don’t. Because to me it seems like you’re suicidal.”

  * * *

  Nico looked at Eve with a mixture of rage and caring in his eyes. She could see how badly he wanted to protect her and how angry it made him that she was refusing that protection. In favor of what?

  * * *

  “Why can’t you understand me?” Eve huffed.

  * * *

  Nico wanted to scream out, “BECAUSE I LOVE YOU. CAN’T YOU SEE THAT.”

  * * *

  But he didn’t. Again, his love was a curse. Maybe Eve was right; maybe she would be better off without his protection.

  * * *

  “I don’t want to feel responsible for you getting hurt,” Nico said stiffly.

  * * *

  “Is that it?”

  * * *

  He melted when he saw her brown eyes. But the words still wouldn’t come. Instead, Nico pulled Eve’s face close to his and began to kiss her deeply. She closed her eyes and ran her hands through his hair as he kissed and kissed her. Still, the pain wouldn’t go away. He still wanted to protect her — to stop her from making this foolish decision.

  * * *

  All her time away from her home and her business had caused Eve to forget the very real danger that lurked. Nico couldn’t forget. It had been his daily life for weeks.