Chapter Six-Sadie

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When the last group finally left Brodo, I slumped into one of the chairs at the bar, thoroughly exhausted. Ro grinned at me, and slid a glass of whiskey my way. I hadn't eaten in hours, and right now, just the sight of the amber liquid was enough to make my stomach turn.

"You're a natural at this, Sadie." He winked, reaching across the bar and wiping up the sticky remnants from all the spilled drinks of the night. "Are you sure you're not a bartender back in Colorado?"

"Trust me, my day job is much more stressful than this." I smiled, letting my hair out of the bun it had been in.

Ro arched his eyebrow. "More stressful? We served close to five hundred people tonight."

"But I didn't get puked on and I don't have blood on my shirt. That's a win for a nurse." Not to mention people were only counting on me to serve drinks here, not save lives. Way less pressure. It was fun even.

"Yeah, well, give it some time." Alex chuckled, joining us at the bar. "It's only your first week."

"I'm not kidding! I think you're seriously missing your calling here." Ro grinned. Unlike his friend Dante, he had proved to be quite charming. All night we were laughing and joking behind the bar, and he had been insanely helpful and patient as I relearned how to do all of this. "The people love you."

"Of course, they do." Alex smiled in agreement, giving my shoulders a squeeze. "Everybody loves Sadie. But you've been here all day, why don't you head home?"

"You don't have to tell me twice." I laughed, standing up. All I wanted to do was sink down in a bubble bath and then fall into my bed.

"Let me call a car for you." Alex insisted.

"I live two blocks away, Alex. You don't need to..." My protests were quickly cut off.

Alex shook his head firmly. "Not a chance. This isn't a good neighborhood to be out this late by yourself. And besides, Brandon would kill me if he found out I let you walk home. Give me two minutes."

I rolled my eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. There was no point in arguing with an Avenetti, stubbornness was their calling card. This was a battle I wouldn't win.

Alex disappeared to make his call, and Ro eyed me suspiciously. "You and Brandon?"

"It was years ago." I shook my head, not wanting to get into the details. The less I let myself remember, the better off I was going to be.

All of a sudden, realization seemed to wash over Ro's face, and then he burst out laughing. "Well, I'll be damned."

I looked at him curiously. What could possibly be so funny?

"I should have known you were that Sadie from the moment you walked in here. You're pretty famous around these parts." He smirked, continuing to wipe up the bar.

"Famous?" Now I was even more confused.

"Everybody says you're the reason Brandon is such a hard ass." He chuckled, shooting me a goofy grin. "Now I get it."

I let out a nervous laugh, unsure of how to respond.

"Car's here." Alex announced, coming back into the room. "Thanks again for everything, Sadie. Get some rest." He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and ushered me towards the door. I had the sneaking suspicion that he was trying to get me out of here because he had some business to take care of.

I needed more information to give Herrera but right now, I was so tired I couldn't even think about that.

Alex's driver took me home and waited outside until I was all the way inside my building. It seemed a little bit over kill, but I gave him a quick wave to let him know I was okay. Brandon had always been overly protective and it seemed like Alex was the same way.

Once I got in my apartment, I threw my bag and jacket onto the kitchen counter and started to look for something I could eat. It was two in the mornin so I wasn't going to make a full dinner, but I knew I needed to get something in my stomach. Herrera had stocked my pantry with the very basics, but I would need to go grocery shopping tomorrow to get a few other things. Settling on an apple, I grabbed one out of the fruit bowl and threw myself onto the couch. No sooner had I turned the TV on, than there was a knock at my front door.

"Pizza delivery." A voice called from the other side.

Pizza? I hadn't ordered a pizza. Cautiously, I stood up and crept towards the door. Maybe I was being paranoid, but I wasn't about to open it for someone I didn't know, especially at this time of night. It wasn't a stranger on the other side though, it was worse.

Herrera. Dressed in a delivery uniform and holding a pizza box.

In a fit of irritation, I flung the door open. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Herrera glanced at his watch. "About a quarter past the time you were supposed to get me information about the Avenettis." He gave me an arrogant grin and waltzed right past me into the apartment.

"There better actually be a pizza in that thing." I grumbled, shutting the door behind him. This was the last thing I wanted to deal with tonight.

"Don't worry. There is." He slid it onto the counter and grabbed two paper plates out of the bag he was carrying, dishing a piece of pizza onto both. "I figured you wouldn't have had a chance to get to the store yet, so I thought we could eat while we talk. You're not a vegetarian, are you?"

I shook my head and took one of the plates from him eagerly. "I've only been there a few days. I don't have anything yet. Can't we talk about this tomorrow? I've been working for the last sixteen hours and I really..."

"I wouldn't even have to be here if you had worn your wire like you're supposed to. What the hell happened?" He growled, taking a bite out of his pizza.

"I told you. They were already suspicious of me and one of the men tried to pat me down for it the other night. I didn't want to take the chance." I folded my arms over my chest, leaving out the part about Dante feeling me up. The memory made me shiver. Who knows what would have happened if Brandon hadn't walked in when he had?

"That's not your call to make." Herrera narrowed his eyes at me. "You're working for us here, Sadie. I don't think I need to remind you what's at stake."

"You don't." I snapped. "But I know them better than you do. And if you want this to work, you're going to have to do things my way. If we make a stupid mistake, the entire thing will be derailed, and you'll force them underground and never get your collar."

Herrera glared back at me, angry that I was challenging his authority, but he considered my words. He and I both knew that I was his best shot at this, and right now, that gave me the upper hand. I was walking a tight rope, and one wrong move could send me toppling in either direction, but if I was careful, I could play both sides. At least until I knew what I wanted to do.

Herrera came across like he wanted to help me, but I knew at the end of the day, it didn't matter what happened to me as long as he got his case. And even though I was still angry with the Avenettis for getting my parents killed, I had to be sure of what I was doing before handing them to him on a silver platter.

"Fine, but I want full reports daily. And if you take one step out of line with this..." He cautioned.

"I won't" I cut him off. "You'll be the first to know if I find anything out, I promise."

Another knock at the door. Who the hell was it this time? Why was my apartment Grand Central Station at two in the morning?

"Sadie, it's Brandon. Open up."

Damn it.

Herrera looked back at me in shock and confusion.

"I know you're in there." He wasn't going to go easily.

"Trust me." I whispered to Herrera. He hesitated at first, but nodded and headed towards the fire escape. I quickly tossed his plate into the trash so there was no evidence. The last thing I needed were more questions from Brandon tonight.

"Just a second." I called, checking myself in the mirror. Why was I trying to fix myself up for him? I let out a sigh of frustration and headed towards the door.

I opened the door and a rush of cold air hit me. Brandon stood with his back to me, in a tight-fitting black leather jacket and blue jeans. At the sound of the door opening, he turned around with a handsome grin on his face, cradling a bottle of wine in his hand. A five o'clock shadow blanketed his sharp jaw line making him look so mature, so damn hot. He was so perfect it almost made my heart ache at the realization that he was once mine and I had let him go.

Pulling myself together, I gave him a tight smile. "How did you get my address?"

"Come on, princess, you know me better than that." Brandon smirked, chuckling to himself. "Are you going to let me in, or make me stand in the hallway all night?"

Unable to deny him, I moved aside and gestured towards the door. Brandon took the invitation eagerly and came inside. I shut the door tightly, keeping it unlocked just in case. I wasn't sure what exactly for, but somehow, I felt safer knowing I could make a quick getaway if I needed too. It wasn't that I was scared of him, it was that I couldn't seem to trust myself when he came around.

"I heard you had a busy night, and thought you could use a night cap." He smiled sweetly, slipping his jacket over the back of the chair. His black t-shirt clung tightly to his chest, displaying each and every bulging muscle. For a brief second, I thought about what it would be like to be wrapped in those arms again, even just for one night. It wasn't a possibility but the thought was still enough to send shivers throughout my entire body. Maybe it was my lack of sleep that was making me so emotional.

Brandon frowned, eyeing the box of pizza on my counter. "Please don't tell me you're eating this shit. Virgilio's is so much better." He picked up a piece, wincing at it and then tossing it back into the box.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I haven't had much time to go grocery shopping yet, I was desperate. And it's not actually that bad."

"Yeah, if you like the taste of cardboard." Brandon smirked. "You can't even call this real pizza. One night I'll take you to Virgilio's and you'll see what I'm talking about."

I bit my lip, letting his words linger in the air. His eyes locked on mine, realizing what he had just suggested. "Anyway," He shoved his fingers through his hair. "I brought this." He grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter and held it out towards me. It was a red blend that we had shared many times before, one that the Avenettis imported as part of their business. "Have your tastes in wine changed in the last eight years?"

His words were almost like a sucker punch of reality, and to distract myself I grabbed two glasses out of the cabinet. "Has it really been that long?"

"It feels longer." He smiled softly, his eyes a million miles away as he opened the bottle. He poured two hefty glass and then handed me one.

"Well, things have certainly changed for you, Boss." I smiled, trying to lighten the mood a little bit.

Brandon smiled almost sheepishly. "It's not official yet."

"Might as well be." I smiled, leading him over to the couch.

"I still have a lot left to learn." He conceded, as humble as ever. I had never met anyone in my entire life who was as commanding and in control as Brandon, yet so incredibly humble.

"Oh please." I rolled my eyes. "You've been training for this your entire life. You're going to be great at it."

"Well, thank you for your vote of confidence." Brandon smiled, sitting down on the couch next to me, our knees mere centimeters apart.

"Is it everything you thought it would be?" I asked, sipping on the wine. The liquid warmed my throat in a familiar way, hints of citrus and pear nipping at my tongue.

"Not everything." He stared back at my longingly. "You know when I first started on the track to become Don, I fully expected you to be by my side when I got to this point. It's just different than I thought, I guess. Expectations change."

I pressed my lips together, not sure how to respond. I had dreamed about that too, but then my parents were killed, and my life was turned upside down, and Brandon hadn't supported what I felt like I had to do.

"What about you? Is life outside of the Mafia as great as you thought it would be?" He asked.

I blushed softly, darting my eyes away from his. "It's definitely different, but its good."

Brandon paused for a second, staring back at longingly. "Do you ever regret leaving?" I could tell he was desperately wanting me to admit that I did. That I regretted leaving him and walking away the way I had. I couldn't do that though. I was happy with the decision I had made. I had to get Adam away from the Mafia. Did I regret leaving the Mafia? Not with one ounce of my soul. But did I regret leaving Brandon? Absolutely. Unfortunately, the two were intertwined. This was exactly the kind of rabbit hole I couldn't go down. I had a job to do.

I shook my head in response, knowing my answer would sting. Brandon reminded completely still, nearly draining his wine glass. "You know I think about the day you left all the time."

"Brandon," I bit my lip. "I didn't leave because I didn't love you. I had just lost my parents, my entire world..."

"You still had me." He sighed. "And my brothers and parents and a hundred other people around at any time who loved you and would have done whatever it took to help you."

"The same people who let my parents be killed." I quipped.

"That's not fair, Sadie, and you know it." Brandon narrowed his eyes at me, but backed off quickly. "Look, let's not ruin a good night by talking about this" He stood up, quickly changing the subject "Your apartment is beautiful."

I could tell he was trying to treat me with kid gloves so I wouldn't run again. I didn't appreciate being placated, but I wasn't sure how much more I could take tonight.

"Thank you." I followed him towards the balcony. "This is my favorite part." I opened the door and we both stepped into the chilly air. I leaned against the railing shivering as the wind ripped through the air.

"Jesus, you must be freezing." Brandon reached out and started rubbing my bare arms vigorously. To both of our surprise, I didn't pull away, but let him warm me up, before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me tightly into his chest.

"God, I've missed this." The view, the city, having Brandon's protective arms wrapped around me. Star gazing together. Spending the evening just talking with him. I wasn't sure what exactly I was talking about.

Brandon looked down at me, forcing my chin up with his finger. He hovered mere centimeters above me, giving me every opportunity to pull away. And when I didn't, he leaned down, pressing his lips to mine, gently at first, and then full of every bit of desperation I had been feeling these last eight years. He kissed me feverishly, holding me against him as he did so.

It was like all at once, my feelings for him came crashing back. Every touch, every memory was now replaying in my mind and I was aching for more. I knew I was playing with fire, desperate for something that couldn't happen, but it didn't matter.

When he finally pulled away for a break, we were both completely out of breath. When our eyes met, a smile tugged at his lips.

"Brandon..." I whispered softly. "My feelings haven't changed." I fought back tears, so angry with myself for getting into this position. I loved him, why couldn't that be enough?

"Neither have mine." His small smile turned into an arrogant grin, as he leaned down, brushing his lips against mine again.

"I mean about the Mafia. I can't. " I pulled away, not letting myself enjoy another of second of something I knew was impossible. Something that would leave me broken and shattered in unimaginable ways.

Brandon's eyes became unreadable. "I know." He whispered. Instead of pulling away like I expected, he wrapped me in an even tighter hug. I fit perfectly into the crook of his chest as he kissed the top of my head. "I know." 










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