Dangerous Flames (Mafia Hearts) (21 page)

“
I
was wondering what we‘d have to eat and wasn‘t hopeful.
This sure is a pleasant surprise.” He held the potatoes above
the fire.

“
I’m
glad you like them. I wasn’t sure if you even ate breakfast.”
She pulled the eggs from the top of the flames to stir them before
holding it back over the fire. Breakfast was turning out better than
she had hoped.

“
We’ve
known each other for a long time. Years. But I don’t know much
about you,” he said. He kept his gaze on the sticks he twirled
in the fire while the potatoes started to turn brown.

“
I
know what you mean.” She stared at his profile. The olive skin
and brown eyes were handsome with the square shape of his jaw. He
didn’t have rippling muscles but lean instead.

He
glanced over at her with is intense gaze. “I really am glad you
brought me here. We get to learn all the little things about each
other we’ve missed out on over the years.”

She
nodded even though he had already turned back to the task of cooking.
“Do you work out?” she asked, pulling the eggs from the
fire again and set the pan on the bricks in front of the fireplace.
She hopped from the floor to grab some plates and forks from the
kitchen. While in there, she figured she’d give the kitten some
of the eggs and a small bowl of milk.

“
I
only workout few times a week but I’m not a fanatic about it.”

“
You
don’t like to?” Gabrielle asked as she carried the
utensils back into the living room for their fireside picnic.

“
I
do. You see, it is best that I look like everyone else. If I’m
just an Average Joe then people don’t notice me. Everyone looks
at those buff guys.” He watched her dish up the eggs and make
an extra small dish for the kitten.

“
I
guess you’re right about that. It wouldn’t be a good idea
to stand out from the crowd. You’d be easy to identify.”
She looked up as she took a bite of her scrambled eggs which tasted
pretty good.

“
Mm,
these are great.” As he ate, he stole several glances at her.
He took the last bite and set his plate behind him on the coffee
table. “Have you gone camping a lot?”

She
shook her head. “Just with the friends I made while traveling
abroad. Good thing I knew how to make these or we might’ve
starved.”

“
You
know, we haven’t really hung out at all since…” He
leaned back against the chair, his body turned toward her, “we
were at your going away party. I was fifteen.”

The
smile slowly spread across her lips. He remembered. “I uh…”

He
crossed his arms over his stomach. “I noticed the picture of
the night on your mantle. Do you actually remember that moment
though?”

“
I
do remember everything about the night before I left the States. We
took a picture together in front of the pool.”

His
arms relaxed and he smiled at her. “The picture.”

Heat
crept over her cheeks. “My mom mailed it to me while I was away
and I carried it around Italy with me.”

He
laughed. “Really.”

Damn
she was stupid. She never should’ve revealed that to him. “Yes.
I guess it’s childish.”

“
Not
at all. It’s cute. Are you done eating?” he asked. After
she nodded, he took her plate along with his into the kitchen. Mik
came back into the living room, holding his hand out to her. “Come
on.”

“
Where
are we going?” Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her legs and
pulled them to her chest.

“
To
play in the snow.” He reached out to take her hand in his as if
she didn’t have a choice. But she did have a choice and didn’t
want to go along with his idea.

“
But
it’s cold out there.”

“
How
long has it been since you’ve had a snow day?” He turned
away from her and for a minute, she thought he had given up. That was
until he slipped his socks and shoes on.

“
Never.”

He
grabbed his t-shirt and sweatshirt from where he’d tossed them
earlier, pulling them back on. “Make one snow angel with me and
then come back in if you want. Come on… just one.” He
turned back to her and held out his hand again.

Gabrielle
sighed. “What’s a snow angel?”

His
laugh was rich and sexy as hell. “You don’t know what a
snow angel is? I thought everyone knew.”

“
A
person who doesn’t like the snow wouldn’t.” She
tried to resist but ended up putting her hand in his and he pulled
her to her feet. If Mik wanted her to make a snow angel she would.

“
It’ll
be fun. Trust me.”

She
pulled away. If she had to trust him with her life, she would. Taking
his word that the snow would be fun was nothing she couldn’t
do. “Let me throw on some clothes.”

****

She
disappeared into the bedroom as Mikolas opened the door and went
outside to wait for her. The cold air felt good on his hot skin as he
leaned against the railing and watched the trees sway in the breeze.
It was so beautiful up here he didn’t think he’d ever
want to leave. If perfection existed he had found the place and the
woman. Even though there was no such thing as something being
perfect, he was as close as he would ever come.

Movement
by the woods caught his eye. A twig broke. He squatted down behind
the rail to peer out. Something was over there for sure. Damn it. No
gun on him. A brown figure emerged slightly from the shelter of the
trees. A breath of relief released the panic pressure in his chest as
a deer came out from behind a tree. It looked around slowly, as if it
were looking for its home. No, he didn’t want to ever leave.

The
door opened behind him. The deer darted all the way out from the
trees. The creature stopped with its eyes wide with fright as it
stared at them.

“
Gabi,
look!” Mikolas stood up and pointed at the deer.

She
froze on the porch, staring at the animal. “It’s cute.”
The deer darted back between the trees, disappearing to be lost in
the woods again.

“
Come
on,” he called, and ran down the stairs. He hit the bottom step
and slipped, falling on his butt in a mound of powdered snow.

Gabi
laughed behind him. Before he had a chance to get up, a snowball
smacked him in the back. He turned to her. An evil grin played on her
lips but she broke out with more laughter.

“
That’s
it. You’re going to get what you deserve.” He pretended
to start up the steps, but she sprinted to the end of the porch and
climbed over the railing. He ran around the porch to where she jumped
into the snow on the ground below. She laughed so hard she had
trouble standing, giving him the advantage of going back down the
stairs to her.

“
Stay
away from me,” she screeched as she ran across the yard. Her
laughs echoed through the cold air. He ran after her, but she ducked
behind a tree. When he went one way, she darted another. He lunged
for her, the snowball slamming into his chest stopping him short.

“
I
will catch you sooner or later… make that sooner!” He
lunged for her again. She turned and tried running passed him, but
his arms went around her waist, sending them tumbling to the ground
with Gabi on top of him.

“
Looks
like I got you instead.” She looked down at him. Her face was
pink from the cold, her breaths came out as puffs of air. Snow
started to fall again, snowflakes tangling in her hair.

He’d
tell her. Today. While they were playing in the snow. It couldn’t
be a more perfect time to convince her that she was all that mattered
to him.

“
It
does look that way, huh?” His mouth moved closer to hers.

She
moved closer to him. Shit. Here it comes. She’s going to kiss
him back. Maybe, just maybe, this would be the day it all happens.

“
I‘m
cold,” she whispered and then rolled off him. “Show me
how to make a snow angel, so I can go back inside.”

He
stayed in the snow, shock vibrating through his body. She had almost
kissed him. He knew she was going to but why had she stopped? He
stared up at her as she held her hand out to him.

“
Come
on.” Her smile was bright as the wind tousled her hair. He put
his hand in hers and climbed to his feet. Not wanting to let go,
Mikolas stood there without saying anything.

“
Snow
angel?” She raised her eyebrows. “Or do I get out of
making one?”

“
Oh.
Right.” He let go of her hand, his fell to his side.

“
Okay.
We need some fresh snow where we haven’t made any footprints.”
He walked over to the other side of where his SUV was parked. He
pointed. “Right over there would be good.”

“
What
should I do next?”

“
Lay
on your back in the snow.” He crossed his arms over his chest
and hoped the fire was still going inside. It was getting pretty cold
out and the snow didn’t seem to want to stop falling.

“
Like
this?” She lay down with her arms across her chest.

“
Put
your arms and legs out wide.” She did what he instructed, and
then he said, “Now move them back and forth fast.” He
laughed as he watched her.

She
stopped. “You’re messing with me, huh?”

“
No.
Stand up now.” Mikolas took a few steps back.

Gabi
stood and walked over to him. She turned and beamed. “Mik, it
looks like an angel!” Her hands clasped together as she looked
at the shape with excitement. A warm feeling started in his stomach
and spread up to his heart as he watched her burst with simple but
wonderful happiness. “But I’m freezing.” Her teeth
chattered as she said the words.

“
How
does some hot cocoa sound? I know I’m ready for a mug.”
He glanced over at her and smiled. “Don’t say no because
a snow day isn’t complete without a cup to warm you up.”

She
slipped her arm in his and turned toward the house. “I’d
love some.”

And
he loved her.

Chapter Thirteen

Johnny
planned on killing Enrico today right here in the restaurant and
that’s all there was to it. He needed to get into his “Johnny”
persona to fulfill this act.

The
people walking around the restaurant had no idea they had a killer in
their midst or members of the mob coming for lunch. They walked by
him without even a glance. They should look at him though. Give him
praise and admire him since he was better than all of the people in
the place. Probably had more money than most of them, too. Once he
accomplished the hit on Enrico ordered by the Regusa Family.

Here
Enrico came wearing his fancy expensive suit, shiny shoes, and fake
smile. He said hi to a few people as he passed them. They had no idea
they had just said hi to a soon to be dead man.

“
Nice
to see you again.” Enrico pulled the chair out and took a seat
across from him.

“
How
are things?” Johnny watched as Enrico signaled for the waiter
with a flip of his hand. Enrico sure had power but Johnny was going
to snuff it out like the flame on a candle.

“
What
can I get for you, Mr. Medini?”

Enrico
kept his seriousness as he said, “Filet mignon with a baked
potato. A rum and coke from the lounge. And a glass of iced water.”

“
And
for your guest?” the waiter asked.

“
He
would like the same.”

As
if Johnny didn’t have an idea what he wanted. Couldn’t
Enrico let him order for himself? This was just ridiculous. The
longer he stayed around Enrico, the more he couldn’t wait for
the old man to be dead. He couldn’t take being a peon to the
Family anymore.

“
What’s
up?” Johnny asked, knowing there had to be a reason for getting
the order to meet Enrico here.

“
I
have a message job for you.” Enrico took a sip of his water.

“
Whatever
you want.”

Enrico
took a piece of paper out of the inside of his jacket and passed the
small rectangle over the table to him. He picked it up, looked at the
name scribbled on the paper, and then slid the order back. He knew
Enrico would destroy the paper as soon as they left the restaurant.
The guy listed on the paper found his lucky day because Enrico asked
Johnny to do the hit instead of Mikolas. Enrico would be dead long
before the hit could be expected to be taken out and when that
happens the Family would be in such a chaotic frenzy that nobody will
be paying attention to small details like the message job Johnny
didn’t fulfill. What a surprise all of them will have. Enrico
Medini was going to be dead by Johnny’s hand. Dead. Life
couldn’t be any sweeter.