The Mafia's Pet

Chapter 50

Vanessa

I wake up to find Diego seated on the edge of the bed, already dressed in a navy dress shirt and black slacks. His gaze is fixed on my mother's urn, stroking his chin in deep thought.

After our interrupted date two nights ago, he hurried me into the house and left me with Danny while he had to handle "business". I suspect it involved violence, given the urgency, but naturally, I didn't ask. I'm just relieved that he's returned unharmed.

"Good morning, husband," I say, a bit too cheerfully. I refuse to acknowledge just how much I missed him during his absence.

His gaze flickers to me, a slight twitch at the corner of his lips. "Buenos días (good morning), Mama."

I brush off the warmth in my chest. "You didn't get shot again, did you?" I inquire, scanning his body for any signs of harm.

He chuckles softly, a cautious gleam in his eyes. "Nah, it wasn't like that. It was more of a...bureaucratic affair. My tech guy found some information I've been after, and I needed to verify it."

A wave of relief floods through me, loosening the knot of worry in my stomach.

At least he didn't have to kill anyone.

Oh...that's a relief," I manage to say, attempting to keep my voice steady.

"I apologize for being away so long, I did my best to make it back to you as soon as possible."

"Oh, that's okay. Danny kept me company. We played Uno with Aisha and I beat their asses, so I would say yesterday was a pretty good day."

A subtle tension tightens his jaw, and I can't help but tilt my head in curiosity, wondering why my lighthearted response seems to bother him. Yet, he swiftly conceals any hint of displeasure beneath his usual mask.

"Did you have those nightmares while I was away?" he asks, his voice soft as he shifts the topic.

"Nope, your calls before bed seemed to keep them away," I respond, aiming for a casual tone.

Ugh, that sounded too clingy. I don't want him to know how much he means to me, how his voice banishes my demons. I don't want him to realize how much I yearn for him to hold me in his arms every night, how his absence leaves me longing for him every moment he's gone.

I'm barely able to admit that to myself.

"Your mama...tell me about her," he says suddenly, his gaze returning to the urn.

As I think back, it strikes me that in the past three months since I was taken, he's never once expressed any curiosity about her. I find myself wondering why he's suddenly asking about her now.

"She was kind, beautiful, fearless," I begin, memories flooding back. "I know it's cliché to say your mom is your superhero, but to me, she truly was. She was always there when I needed her. Kissed every wound, no matter how small. Spent her days baking treats for us, and we constantly did arts and crafts. We didn't have much, but she made sure we were always happy and taken care of."

His eyes soften, and a hint of warmth seeps into his gaze. "She sounded like an incredible woman. How did she pass?"

I grimace. "Uh, I don't really know. She went to the store one day and came back in an urn. It's not like Antonio talked to us about it. He said we didn't need to know, just that she was dead, and she wasn't coming back."

As the words spill from my lips, I realize how fucking absurd it all sounds, but nothing about Dad's actions ever made much sense. It's becoming increasingly clear that he only ever acted in his own self-interest, with little regard for anyone else's feelings.

Diego's gaze becomes guarded, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his expression. I cock an eyebrow, silently urging him to speak.

He shakes his head slightly, as if dispelling a thought. "I was just thinking... I could get her ashes put into a bracelet for you. So, you can always have her with you. Would you like that?"

"Wow, I would love that. Thank you," I reply with a sincere smile. Dad never offered anything like that. But then again, it's not surprising, considering I was practically his bargaining chip, destined to be locked away in the house until he saw fit.

Diego reaches out to cup my cheek, his touch warm and comforting. "Anything for you, Mama. I'll have it arranged right away." He rises from the bed, his movements fluid and purposeful as he heads towards the door, leaving me yearning for more of his touch. "Come on, let's get you something to eat. We've got a busy day ahead of us."