Alessio-

The hour or so that I spent at my desk did nothing to help me. Once I knew that Eliana had showered and was in a safe place like the hospital, I thought that I might be able to get some work done, to figure out what was going on and who had broken into Eliana's coffee shop. I was in the middle of explaining the whole thing to Leonardo, who kept asking why I had missed the Capo meeting again, when he asked a question which I hadn't even thought to ask in my haste to make sure that Eliana was taken care of that morning.

"Even if there aren't any cameras in their shop, wouldn't there at least be footage from a store around them that may have caught something?"

"Not sure," I muttered, leaning back in my chair and picking up my cell phone from my desk. Making sure to keep the message short, I sent one to Luca.

Cameras in surrounding buildings?

It was only a couple of seconds before I got his response.

Feeds were cut.

Stop by when you can.

I set my phone back on the desk, hoping that Luca could come by soon. I didn't really want to make idle chatter, I hadn't disclosed yet that I had taken Eliana to her apartment or much detail at all. It felt private for some reason, even if nothing personal had happened. I was sure that my right hand man was dying to know why I had taken such an interest in this little coffee shop and what appeared to be a basic robbery, but he didn't say anything, for which I was grateful. He may be wondering if our presence and association were to blame for the attack as well, he had gotten the same intel about the Russians suspecting our involvement with a store front to launder money. Leonardo was flipping through some paperwork and I let him do so for a few moments in silence before I began to muse out loud, hoping that it would help me piece everything together.

"This was no random mugging. No street thieves plan ahead enough to cut the feed on footage from every surrounding camera in the area, I don't think they could if they tried."

He nodded and hummed his agreement. As I was about to suggest another possibility, there was a knock at the door. I called for them to come in, and I was surprised to see that it was Luca.

"That was fast."

"We were just wrapping up at the scene when I got your text, the witness had just come back and she didn't want a cleanup team so no one had to stay. I brought you her statement, I said that I'd take them back to the station so I stopped on the way. I wanted you to read it before I turned the evidence in, but it'll have to be fast unless we want to raise suspicion."

He held out a folder to me, the first page in it had very feminine, but slightly shaky, writing. I glanced over Eliana's statement quickly noting where the script seemed interrupted or altered, like she had taken a break or set the pen down momentarily. If she had given this at the hospital while medical professionals were stitching her up and she was worried about her boss, it would make sense that she had to take a couple of breaks.

"She mentions that it was two men in suits," I held the paper out for Leonardo to read as well. "Not a random robbery, it's decided."

As my right hand read over the statement, he added, "She says that one had a Glock 19 and the other had a Beretta Model 92, those are hardly street guns either."

"The girl has a surprising knowledge of guns," Luca added. "Most people in a traumatic event don't notice details like that. Sometimes we're lucky if we can even get out a cohesive sentence."

Leonardo looked at him knowingly, "Not sure if anything Eliana does would surprise me. Gun knowledge isn't as rare as the ability to hold a conversation with our boss, yet I've seen her do it without flinching or running away in boredom."

I shot him a glare. He may have been joking, but he knew better than to do that in front of any of the other men. Sometimes just making a joke or sarcastic remark in front of me when I was in a bad mood could have consequences.

"I actually heard one of the other officers say that she was hesitant, more willing to give a written statement than a video. Apparently she was a little disoriented from a hit to the head, probably when she got slammed into the floor, but one of the other officers said she became very alert and anxious."

"She doesn't like hospitals, that's why I didn't want to leave her.... Wait," I commanded, finally comprehending what Luca had said moments ago. Both Leonardo and Luca snapped their gazes up to meet mine at the insistence in my voice. "Did you say that she was already back at the shop? The employee that was hurt, the woman?"

"Yes sir, Eliana North."

I was already grabbing my jacket off the chair before Luca finished his sentence.

He looked after me, concerned. "Sir? Is there something I forgot?"

"No, but if the police are gone and she's alone in that shop, and we've established that this is much more professional than a normal robbery, someone could go back to finish off the job. I didn't think she'd leave that hospital."

"Do you want one of us to go with you-"

"No."

I didn't even address them as I left my office, I was already rummaging through my pockets for the keys to a car. It took me far less time than it should have to get to the shop, I broke just about every speed limit to do it, but I didn't care. My first thought when I walked inside, ignoring the closed sign and stepping through the space where the missing pane of glass should have been, was that Eliana was gone again. I called her name and hurried through the kitchens and offices, but the only thing out of the ordinary, besides basic destruction from the robbery, were sheets of plywood leaning against the wall.

As I was about to walk back out to the street, Eliana stumbled in, cringing and towing another piece of wood with her. She was obviously favoring her arm without stitches, and I couldn't stop the words that came with the worry blossoming in my chest. "You really shouldn't be doing that with your arm in that condition."

I hadn't even considered how badly I would scare her. Her resulting scream was enough to make me realize that Eliana was not only on edge but also inspired a new kind of guilt in me. I had killed people before, I had done horrible things before, but I had never felt the type of regret that I did in that moment when I had frightened Eliana.

Once I led her to a chair to sit for a moment, I could see that she still wasn't doing well. An hour or so at the hospital only seemed to have heightened her anxiety, and the bags under her eyes were becoming more prominent. I wanted to insist that she go home, that she sleep and eat a real meal, but I knew she would never consider it. Instead, I insisted that she let me help her. Her resistance didn't seem to be directed at me, but at the idea of inconveniencing anyone at her own expense. She seemed independant, yes, possibly to a fault. That wasn't really a fair judgment, seeing that I was much the same way sometimes.

Eliana seemed like the type of person who could talk to a brick wall, but she seemed to be in such a state of shock from the past night that she was rather quiet. I didn't mind. After so much time in a high stakes world like my job, it was nice to just enjoy someone's company quietly. I tried to make sure that she didn't do anything that would strain her stitches, but it was easier said than done. She didn't seem to have a lot of self preservation, attention to her own wellbeing, or even notice when she was doing something risky to her health.

When she was putting up the shelf again, stretching her arm above what was probably good for her, I once again couldn't stop the worry. It was an emotion that I was experiencing more in the past few hours than I had in a very long time. She seemed to have that effect on me.

I was pulled back out of my thoughts when I heard her frustrated sigh. She was glaring at the drill sitting on the other side of the shop, the venom in her eyes made me chuckle. "I've got you."

I didn't think as I reached over her shoulders and handed her the drill. She stopped moving for a moment when I braced my hands on the sides of hers, and suddenly I was worried that I had scared her or crossed a line by entering her personal space. I couldn't see her face and I was about to back away when she started repairing the shelf again, and if I let go it would fall, so I stayed where I was. It was difficult to ignore the fact that Eliana was just tall enough to reach my chin, that I could take one step forward and have her wrapped in my arms.

Backing away from her took more willpower than I expected, but as she fixed the final nail, I knew that I needed to give her space. When she faced me again and returned my smile, a breath of relief escaped my chest. I hoped that I wasn't imagining the slight tinge of red in her cheeks, but it could have been anything from stress to anxiety to the warmth of the room now that we had the windows boarded. The light was low anyways, it was probably only my eyes playing tricks on me. I couldn't afford to be thinking about this sort of thing at the moment, not when there was a turf war with the Russians going on.

We were interrupted by the arrival of her favorite customer. Seeing her interact with him made it clear that she was out of her element. She introduced me and I shook his hand, but it didn't take an expert to realize that Eliana was extremely tuned out, her usual kind self of course, but something about her entire affect was more tired. Her favorite customer seemed to understand, and he didn't stay long.

No matter how objective I tried to keep my mind, no matter how much I told myself that even being in her presence put Eliana in danger, I couldn't make myself leave. There was no rationality to it, why I could leave a man in a pool of his own blood, but when Eliana flinched at the sight of her boss', I couldn't let her go through with it and I offered to clean it instead. Eating alone was usually something I did as a ritual alone, but sitting and sharing a cup of coffee in her presence was one of my new favorite things. I could leave my men to fend for themselves, but I couldn't handle the thought of her walking back to the hospital alone. I was not used to rationality taking a backseat to anything in my life.

That thought plagued me as I went through my day. I dropped her off at the hospital, sure that this time she would stay there since her boss would be waking up soon. It gave me a little bit of time to consider what I was doing, how rash the whole thing was. The best and wisest thing would be to walk away, never speak to her again and for a clean break, to never set eyes on her. My chest tightened at the thought, and selfishly, I knew that I could never go through with it. The most that I could manage would be a day or two since there was so much danger surrounding the situation.

That's what I pledged to do. I told myself to stay away from her for at least twenty four hours, to trust that nothing would happen while she was with her recovering boss. Based on the way that she described their relationship, I knew they were close. Hopefully they would spend time in each other's company and rest and relax. They deserved it.

That didn't make the worry go away. It stayed with me as I slept that night, it was definitely there when I woke up, and it plagued me all throughout the day. I justified a trip to get coffee by telling myself that it had been at least twenty four hours, I needed the caffeine, and she may not even be there. I could tell myself that any rational person would still have the shop closed, but Eliana seemed to be a whole different type of devoted.

The warm glow in the windows told me that it was indeed open when I arrived. I had the urge to both chuckle and sigh, but I was glad that at least someone could keep her company while she closed, since it was the most vulnerable time as far as a lack of witnesses.

Eliana was looking down when I walked in, wrapping silverware and napkins. She glanced at the door when she heard it open, and the cold night breeze brought in a draft with me. It blew her hair out of her face, but I couldn't tell if the red cheeks and slightly watery eyes were because of the sudden change in air, or something else.

There was only one couple at a table nearby due to the late hour, so I didn't feel bad leaning against the counter and taking her attention. "I wanted to stop by and check in. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. A little tired still, but I think I'm always tired." She gave a grin that didn't reach her eyes. "How are you?"

"More concerned with the person who got stitches and a concussion yesterday, but insists on working alone. Did you at least get some sleep?"

"Sort of... I mean, they told me not to really sleep for about twenty-four hours."

Eliana seemed to be holding back, but I couldn't figure out what or why. We weren't extremely close friends by any stretch of the imagination, but I liked to think that she would at least tell me if something was wrong. She had seemed alright yesterday, so what had changed?

"How is your boss?"

"He'll make a full recovery from his injuries."

I definitely wasn't imagining the tears and the catch in her voice this time. "Eliana, is everything alright?"

"It will be. There's just some stuff to be figured out."

"Can I help in any way?"

She glanced at me sadly, "No, but thank you. Ezrah was discharged today, so that's a load off..... Sort of. I think it'll help to just sleep in my bed and find something to eat."

I thought about her apartment, more specifically her refrigerator. I doubted that she had taken the time to go grocery shopping in the past few hours, and there had been almost nothing when I was there. An idea came to my head, and I checked my watch.

"I forgot to do something. You close in about thirty minutes, right?"

She nodded, about to say something when I turned towards the door, already calling over my shoulder, "I'll be back before you close to pick you up for a ride home, alright?"

"No, Alessio, you don't have to-"

I was already out the door, with a singular mission on my mind. Cutting it close on time, I kept true to my word and was there right before she locked the door on her way out. She turned as she shoved her key into her bag, unable to conceal her grin as I pulled up to the curb.

"My own personal driver? I'm starting to get used to this."

She didn't even attempt to protest this time, instead Eliana just reached for the handle and slid into the warm interior. Just being outside long enough to reach the street had turned her cheeks red and she shivered slightly. It was getting colder by the day, the nights were already freezing and it wouldn't be long until the days were as well.

Eliana's silence had begun to worry me slightly. I didn't mind the quiet, especially when I was working or thinking, but I knew this was abnormal behavior for her. Of course, I didn't expect her to bounce back from what had happened two nights previously, but something else was wrong, I could tell. I wanted to hear her voice, to believe that she was happy and ok.

"So, how was work?"

Her voice was relatively quiet compared to the rumble of the engine, "It was alright. The other employees were asking a lot of questions about what happened and where Ezrah was, but I don't think they're worried. It's not like I'd let them close alone anyways."

"Do you always close?"

"Most nights, but if I was going to take one off, all I have to do is ask Ezrah..... He doesn't like leaving them alone but lately.... He hasn't been feeling well."

She shifted in her seat, tucking a piece of loose hair from her bun behind her ear. Eliana glanced down at her lap as well, and you didn't have to be an expert in body language to realize that she was still bothered by something. "You mentioned that you were still in school, have you had enough time to do your class work?"

"I think so."

"Enough to sleep as well?"

She remained silent and I worried that I had angered her, but when I cast a look I noted that she had a guilty grin on her face. "I guess I'm still learning the balance. What about you? A productive day at work?"

"Good enough," My thoughts flashed to one of my men in the hospital and the concern with the Russians. "It was a little hard to stay focused, but you know how that can be."

Her apartment was so close that I didn't have to elaborate. As she climbed out of the car and wrapped her sweater tighter around herself, I opened the trunk and pulled out the grocery bags. She stared at them, "What's that?"

"You said that what you wanted was food and sleep. I've got the food part covered, if you don't mind company."

I was suddenly worried that she would rather be alone, that it was a bad idea to suggest it. As I stood there, holding out the bags like an offering, a huge smile spilled across her face and she nodded, "I'd like that."

I locked the car as she held out a hand, "Can I help carry some of that?"

Stepping away to dodge her grasp, I gave her a disapproving look, "When those stitches come out in a couple of weeks."

Eliana rolled her eyes, but there was something brighter in them, a lightness that wasn't there before. The loose deadbolt was opened with her shivering hands, but it wasn't much warmer inside. Once I had followed her in, I was able to piece together the turned off heater, the bags under her eyes, and the plate where she had left it the last time I was here.

"Eliana, have you been back to your apartment since I was here with you before?"

The guilty look that she cast over her shoulder was enough of an answer. She set her bag down by her couch, flipping on the lights as she went. It was much later than usual for dinner, that was for sure, but there was nothing for her to eat here so I set everything on the counter, pulling off my jacket and rolling up my sleeves, and got to work. I heard the water running in the sink as she washed her hands and stepped up beside me, her elbow brushing my own.

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"Tortellini soup and ziti, my nona's recipe of course."

"That sounds amazing," She breathed. "How can I help?"

"By taking a break for a few minutes. Your job requires you to be on your feet all day, no matter how comfortable your shoes are, you can't tell me your feet don't hurt."

"I can't let you do all of this alone."

She stepped forward to make a point, but I was prepared for it. I swung my arm around her shoulders and pulled gently, spinning her away and grabbing her waist as she stepped back. She was so light and I was pretty sure underfed, so it was no effort to lift her up a few inches and set her on the counter behind us. I held my finger up at her shocked protests.

"Eliana, I can handle this. Stay put, take a break."

She stared intently at me for a moment, but then nodded, holding her elbows. "I can't say that I'm surprised with the Italian food."

I paused, "Do you not like Italian? I can make something else, although I don't know if it'll be as good, this is just what I learned how to make growing up."

"No! No, I absolutely love Italian food, don't get me wrong. It makes sense with you growing up in Italy and everything. Did you like it there more?"

I had to think of a diplomatic response for that question. "It was.... Different. I liked growing up there, but here I found a job