Ch.9

Carmine

Growing up, I had imagined mafia don's to be terrifying. I imagined tattoos and piercings. Guns on hand and knives not too far. I had imagined them being ruthless and well, maybe some were. But this woman in my bathroom, was the opposite. The show she puts on made it hard to realize that.

But when I arrived at the mansion and saw her in that state, That broken state. It showed just how human she is and how unlike the others she is. Call me cliché or whatever but she deserves more then a life filled with murder and backstabbers.

•••

Olive

The last few days have been relatively boring. I somehow had traded my life of guns and threats for a new life of binging TV and waiting for the pig- I mean Carmine- to get home.

The flesh wound was still healing but it didn't bother me. The fact that this asswipe has made me look like a lammest is what bothered me.

But I wasn't a fucking coward. I didn't want to leave. I could have handled this like any other situation.

"What are you thinking about?" I turned to see Carmine staring at me from the kitchen.

"When did you get back?" I asked and shifted, the slight movement still causing me to wince.

"A few minutes ago. I said hello but I guess you didn't hear me." He shrugged and went back behind the wall.

I had been in my own little world lately. I often get lost day dreaming about how I could have handled it differently. If I wouldn't have accepted help from this man, I wouldn't have to stay here. I could be home and recruiting.

But instead, I'm here. I can't go back. I'll have a constant target on my back.

"Olive," Carmine reached over the couch and handed me a hot bowl. I smiled when I realized what the dish was.

"I didn't know that you knew how to cook." I smiled and mouthed 'thank you'. Actually saying the words was a foreign concept to my family.

"I looked up a recipe." He walked around and sat next to me on the couch. Being next to him made me feel safer. Although no matter where I go or where I hide, I'm on borrowed time.

Carmine and I ate in silence. I wasn't sure what to say or what to talk about. It was very rare that I got to act like a normal human.

After we finished eating I attempted to help him but he scolded me. I rolled my eyes and adjusted on the couch. My wound was killing me. I quickly got up and made my way to the kitchen. His floors were covered in dirty clothes and shoes. This was definitely a man's home.

"I told you to stay on the couch." Carmine didn't even have to look to tell I was there. I thought I was quiet.

"Do you have aspirin?" I asked and leaned against the wall.

"You can't take anything," He finished loading the dish washer and turned to me. His eyes traveled up and down my body causing me to shiver. Why was he looking at me like that? Fucking weirdo.

"Come here," He nodded to the counter and I cocked an eyebrow. Were we about to reenact some movie scene?

"I want to check on your wound," My face turned red for even thinking about other possibilities.

I shifted over to the counter and before I could attempt to lift myself on it, Carmine did. He gently placed his hands on either hip and lifted me onto the freezing cold counter. Didn't he just cook in here? It should be warm.

"Do you mind?" He asked and held the bottom of my shirt.

"Don't lift it past the wound or I'll chop your balls off." I said with a smile.

"Noted," Carmine replied without hesitation and lifted the bottom hem of my shirt to just above the wound. My face heated as he looked at my now exposed torso. I hadn't shown my body to a man before. Was I supposed to be this nervous? Uneasy?

"Looks like its starting to get infected. Have you cleaned it?" He asked and looked up, our eyes locking. "What's wrong? You sick?" Carmine quickly placed a hand on my cheek and then onto my forehead. I slapped them away.

"What are you doing?" I asked and pushed him away.

"Sorry. Was just trying to see if you had a temp." He put his hands up in defense, "I didn't mean to cross any boundaries."

"Its fine." I nodded towards the wound.

"It just needs to be cleaned and rebandaged. I wish I could give you pain meds but it can cause blood clots and I don't want to have to go get gas to bring you to the hospital." For the first time since I met him he smiled and for some reason I got butterflies.

Stupid stupid butterflies.

"Do you have the stuff to clean it?" I couldn't imagine he did.

"I do, Do you want me to clean it or can you handle it?" He asked with a slight smirk. Who does he think he is?

"I can handle it." I hopped off the counter and managed to not wince. See? I was capable.

"Stuff is under the sink in the bathroom." Carmine moved out of the way and I walked past time, knowing where the bathroom was now.

I closed the door and locked it. I finally felt like I could catch my breath and breathe. His scent was intoxicating. Stupid pig. Why did he have to bring me here? I never had these thoughts before.

I sighed and grabbed the antiseptic and some gauze from beneath the sink. Quickly I discarded my shirt and removed the old gauze from the wound.

It was turning yellow and had puss draining from it. No doubt it was probably infected. I braced myself and began pouring the antiseptic onto it.

"Fanculo! Merda. Puttana." I cursed under my breath and held onto the counter. The pain from the cleaner felt worse then the actual wound itself. Thank god it only lasted a few seconds and it was over with.

I felt a knock on the door and I slightly opened it, shielding my body with the door.

"Here," Carmine handed me something and pulled the door closed again. I looked down to see a white tshirt and some plaid shorts. I was still in clothes from two days ago and hadn't had any choice in the matter.

I was silently grateful for Carmine even if he's the reason I'll be gone soon.