WebNovels

Chapter 20 - CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Breakfast

Rio's POV

I walked downstairs, thoughts tangled around Elena like a damn noose. That woman? She's gonna be the death of me.

I spotted Marco leaning on the kitchen island, peeling an apple like it was the damn calm before chaos. Morning light filtered in,six something,but sleep had skipped town hours ago. Not my first all-nighter, won't be my last. Hope Elena's catching some rest.

"Elena! Elena! Elena...I like her she's trouble ..,"he snorts biting on a piece of his apple .

"How's she doing?" he asked turning on his stool to fully face me .

"She's okay," I said, my hand reaching for the whiskey bottle before I even realized.

"You like her?" Marco's question stopped me mid-pour. Death glare locked onto him.

"No, I don't," I snapped, then gulped the burn down my throat. Whiskey always tastes better when you're lying to yourself.

"First person, female or otherwise, who's ever talked to you in that tone without you putting a bullet through their head," Marco said, setting his knife down, apple half-eaten, eyes sparkling with shit-eating grin.

Pain in the ass, he likes pushing my buttons.

"That's because she works for me," I said, voice low, "and attitude's part of the package. I don't like her."

I poured another drink before Marco snatched the bottle away, placing it on the other side of the counter .

"Dude, it's six in the damn morning..drink coffee or something.,,"he scoffs , playfully but he does care .

"What did you want to talk about?" I sat back on the stool, fingers drumming on the island's surface.

"Right, the guy you shot..in Elena's apartment" Marco's voice shifted, serious allover sudden . "Got some info out of him."

"Storm sent them ..They are all a team now ,your dad and Storm .."Marco said casually

"My dad and Storm sent them?" I blinked. Was Marco drunk?

"Yeah," he said flat.

"Your insane Marco that's not possible," I paced, fingers running through my hair "My father hates that asshole. Never. Would. Work. With. Him."

"Him and Alfredo, different story. But Storm? Deal's real," Marco said, eyes sharp as knives. "They want the key. Split whatever's in that vault . Power sharing."

Everything inside me froze. This was bigger than I thought.

"How do we know he's not lying? Maybe it's a bluff," I said, trying to reason, but damn, the weight of it all pressed down hard.

"He's Storm's nephew," Marco dropped the bomb like it was nothing.

What the fuck?

"How? He had my father's mark. My dad wouldn't let Storm's men work for him."i say looking at Marco like he's suddenly insane .

"He switched sides when the deal went down. Your dad outranks Storm ,and since they are a team now ... storm's nephew wanted to work for your dad Instead," Marco shrugged.

"We can't take anything at face value. Need proof,..he might be saying it just for the sake of..find out about that " i say, seating back down on the Stoll.

"I'll do some digging see what I can find" Marco said, tapping my shoulder before leaving me with my spiraling thoughts.

I grabbed the whiskey, glass filled to the brim, and drowned my confusion in three sharp gulps. The key , an object tied up in this deadly chess game none of us fully understand.

Storm and my father? Enemies turning allies to grab the ultimate prize. Storm who took everything from us, who might have been involved in my mother's death. I've waited too long to get close to him, but when I have the chance? I'm ending it.

I needed answers. Now.

Shoving the bottle away, I hurried upstairs. The house was quiet, dawn seeped through the blinds like a cold truth. I locked my room behind me, the silence thick as a tomb.

A hot shower was the only relief. I stripped and stepped under the scalding water, muscles melting into the heat. My mind was a warzone of questions.

What's become of my father? Why is he tangled with these enemies? Alfredo, Storm… they want to break us, and maybe he's letting them.

Quick shower, towel wrapped, I stepped to the closet ,the sea of suits, the armor I wear to play this deadly game. Slight differences in texture and price, but all sharp, all designed for war.

Thirty minutes later, dressed to kill in my tailored suit, silver watch hugging my wrist, chains and rings glinting cold, I caught my reflection. Same ruthless king.

I grabbed my keys , Mercedes Benz Jeep, because style is survival ,and headed downstairs.

The smell hit me like a memory , fresh pancakes.I freeze for a second on the stairs taking it in . It reminds me of my mom's pancakes .

I walk to the kitchen, footsteps light.

In the kitchen, Elena was there, syrup dripping on pancakes like a promise. Black skirt riding high, legs that should be illegal, red bottoms, and a white blouse tucked in tight, her hair in a no-nonsense bun with those teasing strands loose. Pearl earrings, light makeup,perfectly dangerous.

"Hey. Coming to work?" I asked,smile on my face already knowing the answer. Would've preferred she stay. Safer. But she was made of fire...and she's stubborn as hell .

"Yes, Rio. Would I dress like this to lounge by the pool?" Her sarcasm was sharp as a knife.

"Sit, let's eat together," she said, smiling. The thought of her, my wife, making breakfast… It twisted my gut in the best way.

"Stop smiling like a creep," she teased, chuckling as I sat.

She brought plates and coffee, the kind that wasn't office-grade but perfect. I couldn't help the small smile sneaking out.

"What's up?..why you smiling like that ..you never smile it's creeping me out" she teased sipping coffee.

"Nothing. Just… happy for company," I said, biting pancakes.

"Alone here?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah," I said, mouth full.

"Anyone come around?"

"Martha does," I said.

Her eyes went wide. "Who?"

"My housekeeper. Sweet woman in her forties," I said.

"Oh. Thought it was Sam's sister. Freaked me out," she said, relaxing.

I laughed,sipping the heavenly coffee.

"Not a fan of hers, huh?"i ask

"Long story," she said, getting up and grabbing our now empty plates and cups .

I followed her to the kitchen, leaning on the door way as I watched her wash the dishes.

"Got time."i shrug .

"You like tea?" she smirked.

I blinked. What the hell does she mean Tea?I mean we've already had coffee.

She laughed. "Tea's gossip, Rio. What, you're a fossil?"

"Oh." I leaned back.

She finished the dishes and jumped on the counter legs crossed leaning back with the palms...

This woman makes even seating down on a damn island look sexy as hell.

She spilled the real tea,Jacob, Sam's ex, cheated with Sam's sister Martha, who's now pregnant. Messy. Martha's a bitch.

I shook my head. "Damn."is all i manage to say because what the hell am I supposed to say.

"Time to go," she said, hopping off the counter.

I grabbed my keys, leading her outside, hand on her back.

Should I tell her everything? Nah, not yet.

I opened her car door, helped her in, slid into the driver's seat, and drove.

This whole morning encounter and breakfast with her shouldn't make me feel like this. But it did.

The drive was quiet with soft RNB playing on the radio my hand casually resting on her thigh warm .

Mine . She didn't move it so I smirked and drove with one the other hand smoothly throwing glances her way as I watch her patch up her gloss .

She's making my heart starter.

Since when am I a lovesick puppy?

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