"Seriously?" he gave him a once-over. "I wasn't born fucking yesterday. It had something to do with that waitress of yours. And as much as I would like you to entertain my mind with what is going on there, I cannot be put it the situation where I would have to hide things from Noah. I won't do that. So I prefer not to know."
The thing was, no one really knew how the Capo would react to the news that Elio was dating an outsider. It had the potential to go extremely wrong, however, he had been extremely careful not to reveal things about their job. At least not details that could backfire on them. And as long as he didn't want to marry her, they should be fine. Or that's what he wanted to believe.
But Flavio was right to dismiss him. He didn't know what his brother would do if he found out there was something going on. Made Men didn't trust people. Barely those that were in the Famiglia alongside them. Never outsiders.
Noah would risk a lot by letting his people stretch the rules and him and Elio weren't close enough for him to even consider the option.
He thought of Savannah. She was still in the dark as far as their inevitable end was concerned. It couldn't go further than that. And he hadn’t found the strength within to tell her.
She might not even care. That was a possibility. Especially since outside of the bedroom, she didn't trust him. And trust was necessary if there was to be more one day. So maybe, unknowingly, Savannah was aware of the outcome. She, just like Elio, wasn't ready to admit that this was everything they’d ever have and that nothing beyond it could ever happen.
"Do you think me talking to Noah would be a good idea?"
Flavio stopped. His eyes filled with shock and incomprehension. "It's easier to follow the rules rather than to debate on whether my brother would go the distance for a soldier. You're setting yourself up for serious consequences. You are very well aware of what happened the last time he had to deal with someone who would rather break the fucking rules than listen and obey him. Lynette Selvaggio paid a high price. Don't go down that road."
The occurrences in Seattle had been hanging over the Las Vegas Famiglia like a horrendous nightmare. It was considered a stigma of betrayal that after two years was still as vivid as ever. The topic was given a wide berth. Rarely anyone mentioned it. Especially in the Capo dei Capi's company. What happened with the daughter of the boss could as easily be voted as taboo, judging by how people reacted to even the slightest mention.
So to think that Flavio, who had been a front-row spectator, made a reference to it was surprising. They had never really talked about it openly and Elio preferred it that way. He wasn't keen on bringing up the past. He was just glad that the Famiglia had bounced back under Noah's rule.
"It's not the same and you know it."
The scrutiny Flavio served him with was enough to clarify his position. "Perhaps not, but don't go looking for humanity within my brother. You will be met with disappointment. If not more."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Any exhaustion and fatigue Savannah had been dealing with earlier were long gone now that she’d left the diner once her shift was over. Elio was waiting for her by the doors. She regarded him carefully. He was, surprisingly, wearing casual clothes - black jeans and a tight-fitting white t-shirt. His hair was rumpled and damp. He must have worked out before coming here. Yet all she did was roll her eyes, completely ignoring him and moved past the man.
From the corner of her eyes, she registered the utter shock plastered on his face. He hadn’t expected her to act so cold when just a few hours ago they had been rolling in the sheets, giving in to a pleasure that Savannah had never before felt. And definitely not in such a big amount.
With that in mind, she moved through the parking lot towards the nearest bus stop trying not to cry. Her emotions were all over the place and she felt like a stupid teenager who couldn't control herself and her heart.
She was falling for him.
Fast.
Hard.
And it was overwhelming.
But she couldn't shake the feeling she was greeted with once she had opened her eyes and seen an empty side of the bed. The silence cloaking her house.
Footfalls drew closer snapping Savannah back to reality. Elio was a hunter. And a resilient one. She knew that there was no way in hell she could just flip him off and continue as if nothing had happened. Mentally, she had to prepare herself for the most ridiculous and embarrassing conversation.
"It's nice to know that you're alive and well," he murmured, grabbing her elbow and drawing her towards his hard chest. "Care to explain why you were ignoring my calls and why the fuck you're ignoring me now?"
She shook her head. "I'm not in the mood for your games, Elio."
Elio exhaled and glanced away. He was annoyed. "I didn't realize I was playing any games."
Of course, he didn't. Why would he when sex was just a simple everyday activity for him, whilst Savannah was as far from experienced as they came.
"Leave it be."
She ripped out from his tight grip and trotted away from him.
"Fucking hell, Savannah. I'm not going to fly blind on what your problem is so you might as well just tell me and stop acting like a child," he grunted. Once again he caught up to her, however this time he put his hands on her hips. She wasn't capable of escaping. His eyes settled on her, demanding to meet them.
Savannah felt the heat rising to her cheeks. She was just as hurt as she was abashed. But she knew that sooner or later the words that
