Five.

(Alfonso’s POV)

Lily had been curious to learn about how to defend herself, today was the beginning of her training. She was also going to serve as my personal assistant so she could learn the ins and outs of the company.

“This is the basic gun you’ll use to learn how to shoot then we can go on from there.” I stated.

“Understood.” She replied with determination which I admired.

“Now to the four rules of firearms safety you should know.” I stated.

“Always treat all firearms as if they are loaded. Never point your gun at something you don’t plan on shooting. The finger shouldn’t be on the trigger unless you are ready to fire. Don’t depend on any mechanical device for safety.” She recited.

I looked at her and smiled, “I see you did your research.”

“I have a hard time sleeping so I decided to read up on a few things.” She stated.

I stood behind her as I tried to help her into position and I felt her tense up when I touched her. Something that has been happening a lot whenever I try to touch her. I was trying to be understanding, I even considered booking her an appointment to see a therapist.

I took a step back, “a gun has a kickback that could hurt you if you don’t hold the gun properly and your stance is important.” I said.

After explaining everything to her, she was a quick learner and she seemed to learn from her mistakes. Something that never happened before but I wasn’t complaining about it.

She hit a few cans, and I was very impressed for the first time she was learning to shoot.

“You learn quick. Once you learn how to load a gun, then I’m sure you can practice on your own.” I commented.

She smiled, “thank you for teaching me this.” She said as we walked back to the house.

“I just feel bad that I never taught you this before. Maybe it would have…” I started and as I placed my hand on her back she tensed up again making me remove it.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She apologized, “it’s just… it’s was a very long month that I was away. But I’m sure that I’ll get back to normal sooner or later.” She explained.

I smiled and shook my head, “it’s no problem. I was thinking of booking you an appointment to see a therapist.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. I just need to be close to my family. I will be fine. Thank you for caring about me.” She said as she kissed me on the cheek and walked ahead of me.

I watched her for a minute before sighing and following her.

“We promised Frank that we will spend the day with him. I hope you didn’t forget that.” Lily said while she was in the bathroom.

“I didn’t.” I replied.

“Good because he has been complaining that you don’t spend as much time with him as you did before.” She stated.

“You’re the one making me look bad with how much time you spend with him these days.” I joked.

I heard her chuckle. And shortly after I heard the shower running.

I slowly made my way to the bathroom, as I watched her shower through the fogged up glass. I missed holding her without her flinching or tensing up. My mind gave me the crazy idea to join her in the shower, I got out of my clothes as I quietly slipped into the shower with her.

“Oh my God what are you doing?!” She screamed.

I sighed not the reaction I anticipated but I could try and ease into it, I thought.

 “I miss you Lily. I miss hugging you without you tensing up, I miss cuddling you while we sleep,” I opened up as I slowly moved closer to her, “I miss feeling your lips on mine, or touching your soft skin.”

Her hands slowly went to my chest, “you do?” She asked in a low voice that it was almost a whisper.

I nodded as I leaned in and kissed her.

For the first time, she didn’t tense up or flinch. I was happy to be able to feel her lips on mine again.

Then out of nowhere she pushed me on the wall.

“Do you love me?” She asked.

“With every fibre of my being.” I replied and she pulled me in for another passionate kiss.

There was something different with how she kissed, but I wasn’t going to let that ruin the moment we were having.

I pulled her closer to me as I carried her. Her boobs pressing on to my chest.

I didn’t know just how much I had been craving for her until this moment.

“Mommy! I’m ready.” Frank’s voice interrupted our make out session.

Lily looked at me and snickered.

“I’ll be right there, sweetie.” She responded.

I frowned, “can’t we just ignore him for a few minutes until we are done here?” I asked with a pout.

“He will come in here looking for us in here, do you want to scar our son for the rest of his life?” Lily replied as she kissed me and I put her down, “don’t worry, we can continue this later.” She winked at me as she grabbed a bathrobe and walked out.

“Mommy, mommy, I dressed myself.” I heard Frank announce excitedly.

“Wow, look at my handsome boy.” Lily said, “but you don’t have any shoes on, let’s go get your shoes.”

I loved this new Lily. She was different but a good kind of different. She was more involved in Frank’s life and was also interested in learning how to run the company. I guess something good did come out of the horrible experience that she went through.

I walked out of the bathroom to find that she had even put out clothes for me to wear. Surprising but I wasn’t complaining.

“Need help putting on those pants?” She asked as she walked back into the bedroom still in her robe.

I smirked, “you are the one who needs help with pants.” I said with a smirk as she was still in her bathrobe. As I pulled her closer to me but my phone rung.

“Don’t answer it.” Lily whispered.

“It could be something important.” I replied as I reached for my phone.

“There is always going to be something important.” She retorted, as she walked to the walk in closet.

I wanted to comfort her. I felt bad that she was putting in more effort yet I wasn’t doing anything in return. But when I saw who was calling, I knew that I had to answer.

“This better be urgent.” I barked at the person calling as I walked out of the room.

I hadn’t told Lily that I was back with the mafia and I knew she wouldn’t like it but I couldn’t hide it from her for long. Living under the same roof, she was bound to find out sooner or later.

“We need you for a job. It’s time sensitive.” The man stated. I could hear the urgency in his voice but I reserved today to spend with my family.

“Why can’t someone else deal with it?” I asked.

“Because only you can be able to deal with this.” The man replied.

I sighed as I looked back at the bedroom door to see Lily standing there looking at me while she leaned on the door frame. Her eyes demanding that I tell whoever it was that I wouldn’t be leaving her or my son.

“I’ll be right there.” I replied and the minute the words left my mouth I could feel her disappointment through the air.

She turned around and walked back into the bedroom.

“I don’t want to leave but it’s important.” I stated as I changed my casual clothes into something more formal.

“One would think you’ll consider your family to be more important than some company.” Lily stated as she put on a pair of sweatpants.

I moved closer to her but before I could touch her she moved away.

I sighed, “I’m doing this for my family.”

“You can keep using that as an excuse.” She said as she gathered her things and walked out.

By the time I left my house they had already left. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to my son but I had to go deal with whatever this was that they had called me in on a weekend.

I walked into the manor. I didn’t understand why the old man insisted on living in this big house yet he was alone. His wife died years ago and his children had moved out, leaving only one who claimed to be interested in taking over the business, Ramon, but he just wanted to depend on his father.

“I thought you left the mafia business, Alfonso.” Ramon, the son of the leader, stated in a mocking tone.

“And I would think you would have grown up and stopped depending on your father.” I replied as I walked past him not sparing him a second glance.

I smirked when my comment wiped the smirk from his face.

“I had a deal that my company and family time shouldn’t be interrupted.” I stated the minute I walked into the study of the old man.

He looked at me as he put down one of his expensive Cuban cigars.

“This matter was time sensitive as you were told.” He stated.

I sighed, “let’s just get on with this. I’d like to go back home and apologize to my wife for not spending the day with her like I was supposed to.”

He smiled.

“Our wives often keep us men in line, as much as we tell ourselves that women don’t hold that kind of power against us.” He commented as he struggled to get up from his comfortable, leather chair. “We need to know exactly what they told our opponent.”

I scoffed, “I didn’t miss spending time with my family just for me to get information from someone.”

“Oh, but it’s not just anyone.” He said as he grabbed a file from his desk and stretched out to hand it to me.

“Okay then who is it?” I asked before I opened the file and saw her and it was as if my heart stopped for a second. “Gemma Ricci.” I whispered.