TWENTY

I looked at Aurelio and Rose, and it made me smile. It wasn't because he was teasing her for the way she talked, or because she was teasing him for his new haircut. It was simply because if Mom were here, she would love the person Rose has become. I wished I could go back and relive the days with her, not because I would change anything, but just because I would love to feel a few things twice. Rose reminded me of her, while I always felt like I was from somewhere else. Never belonging, yet she loved me anyway.

I stood up, unnoticed by Aurelio and Rose, and sneaked outside, walking down the hallway to check if Elena was still there. Lately, she spent more time here than at her own place. I never knew the reason, but I always assumed it was because Leo was running out of time. 

We all just lived, but no one truly did.

We were all ticking bombs waiting for our time to come, not realizing time wouldn't come again.

Entering the living room, I saw her sitting on the white sofa in her dark blue suit, mascara smeared, hands trembling as she drank the whiskey as if it were water.

"I've been waiting for an hour," she said, raising a glass towards me.

"I see," I replied, walking towards her, and noticing that the bottle of whiskey was already half empty. 

"It's a big house," I added.

"I need a hug," she said, spreading her arms towards me, spilling whiskey over me. I gently tapped her shoulder, taking the glass away from her. 

"I'll take that," I replied.

As she moved away from me, she reached for another glass and drank the rest of the whiskey, stating, "And I need this as well."

"Is Leo worse?" I inquired.

"He said goodbye to Apollo twenty minutes ago," she replied, chewing on the ice, and crushing it with her teeth.

"Is he..." I hesitated, the thought of his passing crossing my mind.

"Not yet" she answered coldly. 

"I've been with the bastard for forty years," she sighed. "I've been his mistress three times before he married me, and he only did it because I begged him to. And now, when he's so sick he can barely walk, I'm the one wiping his ass. And do you know what he told me?"

I shook my head, reaching for her hand.

"He said I caused his cancer, that I am so toxic for him he got sick," she said, the glass slipping from her hand. 

"You know what, Belle? He's one beautifully wrapped piece of shit."

My lips parted in surprise at her words, and she gently placed her thumb over them, closing them back together.

"We painted such a perfect picture for everyone that I forgot how miserable I truly am," she continued. "Don't end up like me, honey, it's not worth it."

"Leo is just a weak man who had to let you down to feel strong again," I remarked, trying to ignore the broken glass on the floor. "Maybe it's time to stop holding onto him just because you have a history with him."

She smiled faintly. 

"At least you know Apollo truly loves you."

"He is all alone now," she said, handing me her car keys.

I rose from my seat with a smile. 

"Thank you."

She settled back on the sofa. 

"I'll just stay here overnight; my drunk legs can't walk the straight line," she said, planting her arm over her eyes, shutting out the sight.

I returned the smile and hurried outside, finding her red Cadillac parked at the front door. As I settled into the driver's seat, I took a moment to appreciate the smell of the leather and cigarettes, then revved the engine to life and began driving toward Apollo, allowing the motion of the car to clear my mind as I drove away.

Apollo

In the last hour, I'd been disposing of Giovanni's remains, ensuring that every trace of him ended up at the bottom of the sea. I could sense the end drawing near, and a growing unease settled in. Perhaps it was just the whiskey fueling my actions, as I had to drown out any remnants of sanity to do what I'd done. But at that moment, I was convinced that I was both intoxicated and deranged.

Collapsing onto a white sofa stained with blood, I paid no mind to the crimson spots. I closed my eyes briefly, but the insistent pounding at the door roused me. Rising to my feet, glass still in hand, shirt undone and stained, pants hanging loosely, I made my way to the door. Each step on the icy marble floor seemed to calm my racing heart. As I swung the door open, my heart skipped a beat once again.

"Belle, why are you here, love?" I asked, a grin spreading across my face.

She leaped at me, still in her pajamas stained with sleep. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her cheeks flushed red as she saw me. Locking eyes with me, she sealed her lips against mine. She tasted like fresh mint, and the scent of English oak made me momentarily forget the horrors I had unleashed just minutes ago.

I pulled her closer, laughing as she buried her face in my neck, kissing and teasing my skin. "Bellissima."

"I missed you," she whispered in my ear.

"You saw me a few hours ago," I chuckled.

"It felt like a year," she replied, smiling up at me.

"What are we going to do about it?" I teased, taking a step, and carrying her upstairs to the bedroom.

But as we reached halfway up the stairs, I couldn't resist any longer. I had to have her, right there on the staircase.

 Lifting her higher so her head was above mine, she leaned in and kissed my lips, her tongue dancing a tango with mine. Slowly, I lowered her down, shedding my shirt and tossing it to the floor.

She sat on the cold floor, her hand sliding over my toned abs until she reached the zipper of my pants, pulling it down. My pants slid to my ankles as I lifted my leg, allowing them to fall completely, leaving me bare before her eyes.

Leaning towards her, I unbuttoned her shirt and slid down her pants. Stepping back, I took in the sight before me, wanting to savor it for as long as possible. Her body shivered from the icy tiles of the stairs. She spread her legs and bit her lip, inviting me in. 

Kneeling, I traced kisses from her breasts down to her thighs until I reached her most intimate parts. My tongue danced up and down as she moaned in pleasure, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pushed my face closer to her.

Teasing her, I glided my tongue inside her, feeling her body tremble. 

Securing my hands on her thighs, I spread her legs wider and lifted her body, making her back arch against the steps. Just as she began to moan my name, I stopped.

Looking into her hungry eyes, I leaned against her, entering her with one swift thrust. She was already tight, and with each movement, her body shook against mine.

With one hand securing her lower back closer to me, I pounded faster, while the other held her jaw as our tongues danced together inside her mouth.

"You're intoxicating me, Apollo," she whispered against my lips, "I can taste the whiskey on your breath."

"Can you taste yourself as well?" I asked, pushing even deeper until her cries of pleasure filled the air, "I hope you enjoy it because I won't be able to stop."

"Apollo, please don't stop," she begged, her desperation evident in her voice.

I smiled, "Beg for it, Belle," I said, thrusting deeper until I was fully immersed within her.

"Please," she cried, her plea filled with need, "I need this, Apollo."

"This is how I like you, Belle," I said, increasing the pace of my thrusts against her, "desperate for me."

She gasped, her nails digging into my back as she tightened around me.

I took her hands and pinned them above her head as I continued to thrust into her, feeling her thighs begin to tremble. Her moans echoed through the room, her body quivering with pleasure, her eyes rolling back as I kissed her lips.

I wasn't finished with her yet. I stood up, pulling her up until she was seated, her wetness spreading on the cold marble. A grin spread across my lips as she drew closer, opening her mouth and taking me inside, teasing with her teeth as I filled her mouth. Tilting my head back, I allowed her to take me deeper, feeling her throat tighten around me until she gagged.

My hands gripped the back of her head, pushing her against me until I was fully immersed. I could see tears in her eyes, but I pressed on until I reached my own edge, leaving her face covered in white.

I retrieved the shirt from the floor and knelt in front of her, gently wiping her face. She giggled as I pressed it against her skin, the sound warming my heart. Afterward, I tossed the shirt back onto the floor and lifted her into my arms, carrying her to the bedroom.

Once there, I set her down gently, and she made her way to the bathroom. I headed downstairs to make a phone call, needing a moment alone to gather my thoughts.