At first I had been against the idea of needing any protection. I used to argue with him over his supposed paranoia but after the shit that occurred I was a willing participant in the need for more security. I didn't put up a fight when he said I was to stay at his place and considering how he said it the man wasn't asking at all.

We arrived at his building and when the doors to his home flung open I felt more comfortable immediately. I grew less tense as he led us inside and I settled onto the bed lying on top of the duvet suddenly feeling exhausted. He placed my things into the walk in closet and sat by my side. Glancing his way through my lashes I saw the dark look in his eyes, the intensity in his gaze pushing me to sit up, "I need to go deal with that asshole. Stay here and get some rest," he murmured. "Sounds like an order," I pointed out only to have him squeeze my thigh in response, "It was only a suggestion but whatever you decide to do it happens here and that's an order," he countered leaning in till his lips were inches from mine as if seeking permission. Taking a leap of courage from all that happened I closed the distance firmly planting my lips against his and reached up to grip his shirt in need to feel his body closer to mine. To my dismay he pulled away despite the whine that passed my lips, "I have to go."

"I know..." I sighed licking my lips, the action causing his eyes to drop down to them. "Please be safe."

"Hey, don't worry about me," he assured pecking my nose lightly. I would have giggled at the gesture if it weren't for the serious danger lurking in the air, "and in as much as I would love to stay I'll be damned if I allow that fucker to think he can just walk away..." his jaw clenched, a visible tick showing as his eyes swept over my face, "after touching you."

"Nothing happened; he just yanked me out of the showe –"

"In case you didn't notice I'm a protective man, baby. Just the mere thought of another looking at you too long compels me to pull out my gun so even though I appreciate your need to calm me down," he proclaimed gripping my chin to make me look at him and him alone, "I need to make shit clear that anyone who messes with you is asking for a death sentence." He stood up taking his warmth with him and I was left watching his profile disappear to take on the role he had been groomed for.

Standing up from the bed I went into his closet and took out one of his shirts to sleep in. If I wouldn't get to sleep with his arms around me, I'd settle for having my olfactory senses sated until he returned in one piece. I hadn't slept at all in hours. I had been too anxious to fall asleep and now that I was in his home I settled onto the bed relishing in the feel of the sheets against me. Blocking out the events I threw the covers over me to hide away from the problems and as a result after struggling for a while I fell into a dreamless sleep.

I wasn't particularly sure how long I slept all I do remember was having the covers being yanked off my body. When I felt a nudge at my side I grew irritated at the nagging feeling when I reached out to brush away the continuous poking. Believing it was Nicky I groaned, "You know if you need me to wak –"

"Well aren't you a pretty little thing," a feminine voice said making my eyes pop open to find a woman smiling down at me. The first thing I remember that stuck out to me was the emerald gems that shone with curiosity. They were masked around cat shaped frames as they danced across the length of my body. The lines along her ivory skin nor the scar situated just above one of her arched brows did nothing to dim the light through which her beauty shone. Her jewel shaped face cocked to the side as her pouty lips stretched into a smile that did nothing to dissuade my heart to slow down its pace. She took a step towards the bed and I sat up tucking my legs in out of fear. Taking in my actions she raised her hands up waving them around, "Don't worry, I come in peace."

Relaxing slightly I chuckled at my behaviour, it had already been quite a day such that I was bound to see danger everywhere, "Sorry," I replied sheepishly throwing my legs over to the side of the bed. The feel of the cool ground under my feet was surprisingly soothing to the touch as I stood up, "It's okay, I think I would have reacted the same if I saw some stranger waking me up from my nap," the woman snickered coming to stand before me eyeing my profile.

It remained silent for a while with both of us looking at each other and when I cleared my throat at the look she was giving me she said sheepishly, "Sorry you must think I'm a creep for staring. Its just that when my son finally told me you were here I couldn't help myself, I just had to come see the woman whose been putting up with him," she said and in as much as she allowed the piece of information to slip out so casually I was shocked to be standing before his mother in nothing but his shirt.

Though it reached just past my thighs I could feel my cheeks grow warm at what she must already think of me being in her son's bed. I knew that his mother was there but I never expected to meet her so soon and I would have preferred meeting her when I was fully clothed.

My discomfort must have shown for the woman herself reached out to give my shoulder a gentle squeeze, "Don't be shy, if it makes you feel any better I met Victor's mom when I was sneaking out of his room in the early hours of the morning," she smirked, walking towards the door she paused by the threshold to turn back at me, "I'll be downstairs, okay?"

Nodding my head she smiled once again before clicking the door shut and I found myself smiling at the encounter. I had been quite surprised to learn that he had mentioned me to his mother but it did affirm that he took our relationship seriously. Throwing on some clothes, after giving myself a little pep talk since that was the first time I had ever met someone so important to a significant other.

In my past relationships it had never gone so far to the point we'd start introducing each other to parents. Despite how friendly Nicholas' mother seemed I still found myself walking on eggshells as I walked into the kitchen to find her flipping idly through a magazine. "So Aaliyah that's a really beautiful name, would you mind me asking what it means?" she mumbled looking up at me gesturing for me to occupy the seat across from her.

Moving on shaky legs towards her, I took a seat and plastered on my best smile, "Thank you, it actually has two meanings. One in Hebrew which can mean rising and another in Arabic which also means exalted, my mother gave me that name," I replied, when I had asked her why she gave me the name she just shrugged and said she found its meaning imperative in establishing my place in life. It ensured that I never feel inferior but have a positive attitude by seeing myself as the best even when in doubt. "It was actually Victor who thought it would be a great idea to name our son, Nicholas. My husband was always a fan of Greece and its culture," she chuckled reflecting upon her spouse, "so I guess it was only appropriate the mini version of him had a Greek name."

"I hope you don't mind me saying this..." I breathed looking up at her nervously at confessing one of the thoughts that had emerged in my mind the more I associated with Nicholas, "but I wish I had met him. Nicky talks about him a lot." Her smile widened, "Vic would have liked you for sure," she replied and just when I found myself growing comfortable her smile dropped as she continued to look at me, "I know how worried and stressed Nicky gets regardless of how much he tries to hide it, he's like his father in a lot of ways. And I hope you don't mind me saying this as well but I heard about everything that happened, are you alright?" she questioned. I stiffened looking away at the reminder of the horrible memory and the harm that was about to befall me, "Considering I haven't broken down so far I'm fine. It's a lot but I'm fi –"

"Dear, I know what it's like having to live on edge, constantly looking over your shoulder. It's not easy, you've already seen a glimpse of the toll this life takes on one's body with Marcie," she remarked frowning at the condition her niece was in. "You went to see her?" I asked earning a simple nod from the woman. "I know how hard it is to lose someone you love. Everyday you find yourself caught in a tug of war between sadness and happiness. Because it's like one second you find yourself laughing at something you hear and then the next second you want to cry cause you can't call them to tell them about it," she admitted and that alone scared me. The idea of not being able to have those I love with me was a hard pill to swallow because that was what life held within it – death.

"You're a strong woman," I noted making her chuckle at the statement that held nothing but truth for how I already viewed her. "Please, I'm n –"

"Yes," I stressed looking her deep in the eye, "you are. And I don't need to spend years upon end getting to know you to pick up on that."

"I was wrong," she replied rubbing her chin in a manner that kind of reminded me of Nicky when he was thinking, "Victor wouldn't have liked you, he would have loved you if you're throwing sweet compliments around like that," and I found myself laughing at the fact that she may be right about that.

***

It had been unexpected meeting her, despite my reluctance she insisted on me calling her Eva. For the rest of the day we got to know each other a little more. Her willingness to open up made me feel ridiculous for ever being scared to be around her and she managed to keep me away from worrying too much about Nicky.

With the sun safely tucked away to make way for the moon we found ourselves still laughing reflecting on stories that stemmed from experiences we came across. She was situated on the stool nursing a glass of wine whilst I was by the stove making dinner for us. It was the least I could do after she had gone out of her way to make lunch.

"I swear, you should have seen his face when the doctor produced the needle. The next thing you know he was face down on the ground, out cold," she stressed making me snicker as I stirred the stew I had decided to make whilst listening at the latest story of the day about Nicholas as a child getting a shot. "And you wonder why I waited so long for you to meet her," the intrusion made flutters emerge inside my belly at him being back.

Despite how much I wanted to react I remained by the stove and turned around keeping my composure when I saw him leaning by the door with his arms crossed observing us. "It's my job to tell embarrassing stories about you," Eva replied standing up to give her son a hug. "And considering it took you this long for me to meet her, I deserve to tell her everything," she reached up pinching his cheek making me giggle at the way he flushed. The tough mobster was gone to be replaced by a boy being chastised by his mother. She turned to let me know she'd set up the table and left the room but not without giving his cheek one last pinch.

"God, she's embarrassing," he groaned moving further into the room. "I think she's sweet. Besides I happen to find it funny how you're scared of needles," I replied laughing despite the dark look he was giving me.

He didn't give a response at least not in a manner that wouldn't make my chest constrict from his sudden close proximity. With the stove behind me, I had nowhere to go when he placed his arms on either side of me. I was in a cage but if you ask me I had no problem being held hostage and all the issues came swarming back as I reached up to place my hands on his hard chest, "I missed you," he admitted staring down at me. The confession warmed my insides turning them to mush. "I missed you too; luckily your mom was here to keep me company. By the way a little heads up that the most important woman in your life was coming would have been nice," I huffed smacking his chest lightly. He chuckled wrapping his arms around my waist pulling me in, "I didn't really put much thought into it; I guess I just didn't want you alone waiting up for me."

"Please," I scoffed hooking my hands around his neck, "don't act as if the idea of me waiting for you doesn't make you feel some kind of way."

"Under normal circumstances yes but after everything that's happened toda –"

"Don't," I cut him off firmly not wanting to revisit that topic; he pursed his lips and quietly nodded his head. He understood that in comparison to him I wasn't used to being exposed to the dark side of things yet. "Hey, lovebirds can you please hold off until I leave at least?" Eva chuckled walking into the room to stare at us wearing a knowing grin.

Feeling awkward I pushed him away but not before hearing the man lean forward to whisper in my ear, "The second she leaves, I'm coming for you my little gazelle." I was left feeling lighter than usual with what he said which I tried to label as just him purposefully messing with me. But as we sat across from each other throughout dinner the looks he gave led me to believe otherwise that Nicholas Walsh hardly joked in regards to intimacy.