Chapter 35

Giovanni POV: 

Coldness had crept back up inside Arianna after her sister's feeble attempt at kidnapping, during their argument I saw that hope swell inside of her, only to be swept away by the hurricane of her sister's childish notions. The worst thing was there was a part of Guila however deep down she knew what we were doing was right, she wouldn't be so volatile if there weren't. 

We had worked hard all week shoring up our defenses across the city, protecting our people. It felt never ending for every business we flipped, another was turned. People were being bullied and beaten into submission all over town. They were so used to Domenico's terror that they refused to believe there would be a time without it. What was harder was to belive I was doing this for the good of it, especially with his daughter at my side. I'm sure many of them thought I was mad to trust her, it was only until they met her that they realized their foolishness. 

I had forced her out of the house today taking her to a farmers market instead. It seemed futile trying to enjoy life, but I knew that we weren't nearly over yet. We were only in the prepping stages, blood had yet to be spilled and there was no way we were getting out of this unscathed. Sooner or later her father would come for her, and that's when we would draw our swords. I can only hope that we had done enough to save ourselves. 

"What about these?" She asked holding up some oranges. They were in season and looked beautiful. I didn't know if it was because it was uncomplicated or because we were Italian, but food was where we seemed to unwind. 

She paid the woman as we continued walking though the indoor farmers market, the glass ceilings above us let the sun in and shine on her hair giving her a false halo. I stayed behind her walking quietly and admiring the view as she perused and inspected the food before us. 

She walked over to the seafood and she turned her head over her shoulder waiting for me. I caught up waking alongside her. I want her to enjoy today, hopefully. Using Guilia to piss their father off was a useful tool of distraction while getting ourselves in order, it was a time bomb. We had set it off yesterday. I had taken one of his men openly, he wouldn't be allowed to let that lie. 

She looked over the fresh catches settling on a fillet of grouper. "The citrus will go good with a white fish," She noted as we went off in search of tomatoes and capers. 

I smiled as she formulated a plan in her head, perhaps with her in such a good mood I could sweet talk her into shopping. Let me spoil her one last time, 

She found the ingredients she wanted for dinner staring back at me triumphantly as we headed out of the market and into the cold air. I signaled for one of my men to take groceries home and grabbed her arm taking her towards a restaurant for lunch. 

She rolled her eyes but didn't protest, I had come to find that her independence wavered with affection. Once she knew your intentions to be good she let you take care of her. Our bond forged out of survival now was lasting in trust and admiration. 

We sat down at the small bistro and she looked around hesitantly. "Don't worry, we're fine," I assured her settling the napkin onto my lap. 

"You say that but every time we go out to eat something happens," She pointed out and I paused taking a sip of my water realizing that yes most of the time something caused trouble with us at a restaurant. 

"Not today," I insisted. 

The small restaurant felt cozy we ate our food with good conversation she teased me about always wearing a suit. I reminded her I wasn't American so I knew how to dress. She laughed almost snorting her tiramisu when I asked her if I should start wearing a track suit everywhere instead. 

It took some coaxing as well but I got her to go shopping. It had gotten colder and she needed warmer clothes. I pictured her for a moment wrapped up in my coat, and then suddenly she was in my sheets. I forced the thought from my head, something that was getting harder and harder to do. 

What kind of man would I be to take advantage of a woman in her position? 

Certainly not one that deserved her. I saw her pause in font of some boots admiring them for a moment but then walking past them with a wistful look. I motioned to Luca who grabbed them in her size. 

She spun on her foot and looked at the box in his hands. "Gio no, it's fine besides they're expensive," 

I just scoffed at her when she brought up their price, please who was she talking to? "Come on," I told her instead and kept walking as she continued to insist she didn't need them. No, she didn't need them, but she wanted them, and I wanted to see her smile. 

We ended the day heading back home at her insistence that she had a meal to cook and I was keeping her from it, of course, I was ushered into the kitchen and told to start washing the tomatoes. Somehow I had become her sous chef on the regular, but we knew how to work together so easily I didn't mind. Our regular dances in the kitchen as we cooked a balm to my soul. 

If only we could have been left alone. Just as she started searing the fish my phone rang. I sighed knowing there was no way it was good news. I picked it up praying I could stay here with her instead of face this. 

"They've seized the dicks," Aldo Called on the other end of the line. 

I pinched my nose and sighed. "I'll be there in a minute," I told him hanging up. 

"What's wrong," She asked turning off the stove. 

"I have to go," I told her walking out of the room rolling my sleeves back down, and grabbing my coat. 

"I'll come too," she chased after me grabbing her jacket. 

I turned. "No, you should stay here where it's safe," I tried but she squinted at me. "Please," I begged. 

All I got was a cross of her arms before she started marching towards the door. I shook my head wishing she would listen for once but arguing was futile I knew her well enough to know her mind was made up. 

We headed out to the docks, cop cars lined the port. Chains kept us from entering red tape covering them, a notice was placed on the gate. 

I parked the car and got out buttoning up my jacket as the tool in question came up to me as he saw my car. 

"Detective Mosley," I gave him a forced smile. What an idiot, if was the good guy he so thought he was he'd realize he was a moron for doing this. 

"Mr. Risci we have reason to believe illegal goods are being imported here through your docks with your knowledge," He handed me the file. "We've seized the property and you are being called in for questioning," 

She got out of the car and I saw as he turned his eyes lit up when he saw her I turned my head glaring at him for the audacity to ogle her as he got out of my car. 

"Miss Caputo I have been trying to reach you for weeks," He stepped over to her. "What are you and Mr. Risci doing together?" He asked staring between us with a puzzled expression. 

If he was half as smart as he thought he was he should have been able to figure it out, but he was running around with a toy gun playing detective. 

"I don't see how that's any of your business," She gave him a stern look and I wanted to laugh but I turned my head away and composed myself. 

"In our last conversation you seemed rather rattled by what we discussed I had hoped you had returned to your former life," He spoke to her in a hushed tone. 

Oh please 

"I tried," she bit out. "What reason do you have to suspect Mr. Risci is dealing in illegal goods?" 

He looked back at me and then at her. "We got an anonymous tip," 

She smirked then rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "No doubt from my father, you know Detective you should really be trying to fight one fight at a time instead of letting yourself get caught in the middle. 

"Well considering my attempts at contact have been rebuffed I have to resort to other methods," He shot back. 

"You should realize by now things aren't as simple as they appear, maybe get your head out of your ass before you lose it," She growled and I grabbed her arm walking her back as lover boy got defensive. 

"Get in the car," I opened the door and she did as told. 

As humorous as it was seeing her piss off the Detective it wasn't helpful right now, we needed him to like us so we could get the docks back. I turned back to the moron in question and gave him a pleasant smile tapping the papers to my head in farewell. "See you for questioning," 

He gave me a curt nod stomping off. I drove back to the house not sure how we should start getting ourselves out of this, they wouldn't find anything that much I was sure. Unless Domenico attempted to plant something. If this is how he wanted to play it that was fine, but he should expect retaliation.