Monday — January 21

Angela and Nina went jogging around the neighborhood, dropping by a coffee shop on the way home to grab some breakfast that they brought back to the apartment. Angela got Santiago a cup of coffee and some sandwiches too. She purposely went home first and then walked back out, knowing that by the time she arrived downstairs, he would already be on the bench where he usually sat the whole day, if not in the restaurant a few doors over.

He immediately noticed her as soon as she exited the building and crossed the street towards him.

"You need a ride somewhere?" he wondered, folding the top page of his book and putting it down on his lap—though she knew he wasn't really reading it.

With the sweetest smile ever, she sat next to him and handed him his breakfast and coffee, then took a sip of her own. "No. I just thought I'd get you some breakfast. You were up all night, weren't you?"

Santiago gingerly received the paper bag from her. It's not the first time she'd given him food or drinks, but he was still awkward, just like the first time.. Angela thought it was maybe because he wasn't supposed to be relaxed while on duty.

"I'm used to it." He peeked into the paper bag, licked his upper lip, and swallowed, swiftly glancing at her, unsure if he should really eat.

"Go ahead."

"I'll be quick," he said as he was already digging into the bag. He took the first bite of the BLT sandwich and then let out a sigh of satisfaction.

A small smile threatened to show on Angela's lips as she watched him eat his food. She got him two sandwiches, knowing that one wasn't enough for his size. Each sandwich was sliced into two, and each slice was consumed in one or two bites. The pieces were disappearing fast. Santiago was huge—not as big as Rick, though. Rick was like a bear with muscles, while Santiago was broad-shouldered but lean and taller than Gael. She felt like a dwarf next to him. He had a scar that ran from his left ear down to his jaw that should make him look scary, but his eyes appeared warm.

He chugged down the bottle of water that came with the sandwiches and was now sipping his coffee with a tiny satisfied look on his face now that his stomach was full.

She didn't beat around the bush anymore and probed, "Tell me what's going on in New York."

Santiago stiffened and glanced at her as if he had just remembered that she was next to him. Then he stared at his coffee, contemplating.

Angela saw the look of caution on his face. He appeared slightly abashed, having just finished the sandwiches and drinking the coffee she gave him. She guessed that he was probably calculating how much trouble he'd get if he spilled the beans. She could tell he was having a hard time when he clenched his hand into a fist.

"I can't tell you that," he muttered in almost a whisper.

"Why not?"

"I don't know what's happening."

Her brows drew together, and she was annoyed, knowing that he was lying. She tossed her coffee cup in the bin next to her and faced him, folding her arms under her breasts and raising a brow. "That's a load of crap. I know you keep in touch with them. Did your boss tell you not to tell me anything?"

"…"

"He won't get mad if I ask and you tell me.

"…"

"Are you not afraid that I will report you to him, tell him you're not being cooperative?" This was far-fetched. She was the one who came to bribe him—with food, but still—and tried to scare him. There was no shame; she was desperate.

Santiago kept a blank expression. They stared at each other for a while—him determined not to give anything away, and her determined to look intimidating. Though she didn't know if he found a 5'7" woman wearing a pink tank top and matching workout pants intimidating. She probably should have worn something less feminine. He must have thought she was laughable.

"You sure you don't want to tell me?" Angela asked for the last time, glaring at him.

He didn't budge. The man was a stone. Who was she kidding? He probably went through training to stay silent for hours, maybe days.

She wondered if she could steal his phone to get answers herself, but she doubted she could overpower a man his size. She'd probably just hurt herself trying.

Since Angela couldn't get anything from him, she stood up and raised her chin. "Okay. Enjoy the rest of your day," she said, then she crossed the street and headed back towards the building.

Santiago watched her walk away, and then a minute later, one of the building's security came out.

Angela asked the security to drive Santiago away as if she was bothered by his presence, lurking and watching outside the building all the time. She knew the security, so she asked him a favor to tell Santiago to leave but not hurt him. Angela didn't intend for Gael's soldier to actually disappear but only to make his job harder by making him watch her from an inconvenient distance.

That should be enough for him to report to his boss. Maybe then Gael would do something. Should she even expect?

It was infuriating not to get any information. But despite her annoyance, she couldn't deny that it was praise-worthy that Santiago's loyalty to Gael was secure.

It didn't work out for her, though. And now, she was agitated.

"How did it go?" Nina asked when she arrived back at the apartment with a scowl on her face. "I see it didn't go…"

"No, it didn't. The man ate and drank, but he didn't spill. Tsss." Angela punched the throw pillow.

Nina chuckled. "Don't worry, Anj. I'll try to ask if Nolan knows anything."

"Thank you." Angela laid her head on her best friend's lap and let her stroke her hair. Nina's cousin, Nolan, knew some stuff back then. He was the one who told them about the arranged marriage the night of the Lopez Christmas party. Maybe he'd know if something was up too.

It was nine in the morning, and she knew Gael would have already been awake for some time now. He told her he'd call soon, but that was two days ago. Angela was beginning to feel neglected. But at the same time, she was worried that something bad had happened—even Gabby hadn't gotten back to her.

This was what she was scared about when she fell in love with Gael. She just knew she'd fall too deep, and it would hurt so bad. Angela knew pain was part of loving. But was all of this heartache really worth it?

***

Pennsylvania

Meanwhile, Gael had just landed in Pittsburgh with his father, Giovanni, and Val. They were headed towards a hotel to meet Mariano Morelli and Gabriella.

Gael hadn't slept a wink as he and Giovanni planned their next course, trying to think of ways to get Gabriella back and negotiate with Mariano. He couldn't remember when he last slept. Yesterday was eventful during J's funeral. They had been on high alert after Rick reported that their men heard the Ukrainians might attempt to strike, taking advantage of their gathering.

The Ukrainians were a small group of mobsters—ambitious and brutal. The De Lucas didn't take them seriously as they didn't think they were a threat—what with their small group and all. They were nothing but small-time gangsters who wanted to go big but didn't have resources to do so.

Still, the De Lucas didn't take it lightly and increased their security yesterday. So this morning, Gael had been grumpy as hell; even Val didn't attempt to joke with him. The scowl on his face was permanent since the other day.

Just as they arrived at the hotel, his phone rang, and he answered as soon as he saw Santiago's name. "What's wrong?"

Santiago told him about this morning's encounter with Angela and Gael sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He needed some Tylenol for his headache and an overdose of Angela, possibly through infusion.

He hadn't forgotten about her, of course. That was far from the truth. He saw her everywhere even though she wasn't there. He terribly missed her. But he couldn't give in no matter how much he was already losing. The faster he got this over with, the sooner he could go back to her.

"We're late. Let's go," Alessandro urged them and walked ahead, heading towards the private room where they were supposed to meet Gabby and Mariano.

Gael followed his father, but not before he told Santiago, "I'll call her tonight. I don't care what you need to do. Don't keep her out of your sight. I don't need to remind you what will happen to you if something happens to her."