Indebted to the Mafia King

Chapter Asking for Help



Tony

I don't know what came over me to go after Chloe at her house when I had decided she was better off without me. But when I found out she had left the funeral, I got worried. I needed to check on her, to make sure she was all right. I could still use the 'I'm the Saints' boss' card and no one would suspect I had ulterior motives to see her.

More than that, I needed to confirm if she was married. Sure, I wanted to know if she was feeling okay or if she needed help, not to mention to offer my sincere condolences for her loss, however, every fiber of my being was screaming at me to go and see it for myself.

Nicky had just dropped a bomb on me about Chloe having a fucking daughter. I'd expect she had a husband to back her up and protect her, being so kind and gracious.

But then, why would she need the Saints? Why didn't they stay in Miami where they probably had a more comfortable life? Unless her husband was a nobody with no particular power.

It made me wonder why Nicky was so worried about giving her granddaughter a safe environment to grow up in. Was that just an ordinary thought for a concerned family member, caring for the safety of their loved ones, or was there something else?

Judging from the lifestyle Carlo used to have-even though he was retired before he died-I'd assume it was the latest.

Seeing her looking distraught but also surprised to see me did things to me that I wasn't prepared for. Yes, I had seen her at the funeral, but from afar. In front of her door, inches away from each other was a completely different story. Her kind blue eyes widening at the sight of me, her soft, glowy skin, her flushed cheeks, her sweet scent...it was overwhelming. I could barely restrain myself.

Then she invited me inside, and I pondered politely refusing it. It was a stupid idea, anyone could tell that. But I couldn't say no. If I could have a few minutes of her time just for myself, I'd gladly take it. And that's when my eyes fell over her left hand.

There was no fucking ring there. Not even a fresh tan line from one being there in the first place. Could that mean what I thought it did? Why did I feel such joy by the mere idea of her not being married? "Boss?" Armando's voice pulls me from my reverie. His dark brows are creased as if he has been observing me for a while.

"Yes?" I grumble, a bit annoyed he's interrupted my thoughts. I realize I have been daydreaming for God knows how long, all my work stagnated around me on my desk. There is no light coming from outside since the basement has no windows, so I have no clue what time it is.

Armando looks slightly suspicious and disoriented when he tells me, "Nicky's girl is here and asking to see you."

Chloe is here? Why? What could she possibly want from me?

"Let her come down," I tell him, feeling confused as fuck.

It doesn't take him more than one minute to bring her, and I'm left speechless-not to mention surprised-when I see her showing up with a baby in her arms. It doesn't take a genius to know who that is since I already know Chloe has a daughter. However, the little girl-what's her name? Elena, Ellie... Ellie!-has her mother's eyes. So, anyone would be able to tell she is Chloe's daughter, even those who still don't know about that.

Or am I the only one observing her enough to tell that?

Armando is still behind them, and by the way his eyes are locked on me, I know he's been thinking the same.

It shocks me a little to see her daughter is this big. I was expecting a newborn, or maybe even a few-months-old baby, but definitely not this.

"Can I talk to you for a moment, Tony?" The mention of my name coming out of her mouth sounds like music to my ears, and for the second time in less than ten minutes, my thoughts are interrupted. This time though, I'm not annoyed by it.

I lean back on my chair, taking in the scene before me.

"Sure," I say nonchalantly. "Although, if you came here to tell me that's my kid, I must tell you I'm not interested in being a dad, but I'll definitely give you money if that's what you need."

It was meant to be a joke, but I regret it the moment the words fall from my lips and Chloe winces, her cheeks turning into crimson red.

It makes her look even prettier than usual, but I can tell I made her feel bad by my poor taste at jokes. I shouldn't attempt those. I clearly fucking suck at them.

"I was just joking, I'm sorry," I say right away, throwing my hands up, trying to clear any misunderstanding. The last thing I need right now is Chloe hating my guts. "Sit down, please." I gesture to the armchair in front of my desk.

I watch as Chloe walks toward me and sits down, pulling the little girl to her lap. I look up at Armando and nod, letting him know he can leave us alone.

"So, what can I do for you?" I ask, fixing my gaze on Chloe. Her daughter is distracted by some toy she has in her hands, and surprisingly, utterly quiet-something I was not expecting from someone her age, whatever that is. She must be what, one? Maybe a little bit more?

Chloe shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. I wish I could do something to ease her mind, or at least make her feel safe around me. I know I am not the one making her uncomfortable, but still, it gnaws at me to see her like this, as if she needs to walk on eggshells all the time.

"I feel like I need to give you an explanation first," she begins, locking eyes with me. "Mom and I decided to come home because we didn't want to go to Miami in the first place. It was Dad's idea, and at the time, it seemed to be the best choice for us."

I nod, indicating I'm following her story. "I figured as much. It is good to have you both back, if you're worried about—"

"That's not the reason why I came," she cuts me off softly, dismissing me with a shake of her head. Her expression is deadly serious, her jaw so tense I can almost hear her grinding her teeth.

Why the fuck does she look so worked up?

Then, with a swift move, she takes her phone from her pants pocket and puts it on my desk between us. I frown at the device, wondering what she could possibly want.

"Is it possible for someone to track me through a private number?" she asks bluntly.

She's in fucking trouble.

I can tell just by analyzing her the dark circles under her eyes, her pale lips, the tense shoulders, the constant glances she throws over them to see if someone is behind her, the way she holds onto her little girl as if she could escape from her fingers at any minute...

Now it all makes sense.

That's when my eyes fall down her arms and I see red.

There are fading bruises on her wrists, and even though she has sleeves covering most of her arm, I can see a few almost invisible scars when she moves slightly to adjust Ellie on her lap.

It takes me a moment to compose myself. All I want to do is fucking kill the bastard who did this to her. To smash my fist all over his face until he can no longer feel anything. To cut off his balls and feed them to sharks. To send him down the ocean with a fucking anchor tied to his ankles.

But I don't want to scare her. She looks spooked enough already, so I need to tread lightly here.

"What's his name?" I hiss through clenched teeth.

Chloe shakes her head eagerly, refusing to answer my questions. She swallows down and looks away from me. "I just need protection, Tony. I'm worried he might come for Ellie. I can handle myself. I've been doing this for so long, but Ellie..." she trails off, her voice breaking.

My feelings are all over the place by hearing this. I want to comfort her, to hold her in my arms and assure her she is safe with me and nothing will happen to her-or her daughter. It breaks my heart to know she's been going through all of this when I could've kept her safe.

But I'm also fucking pissed and wanting to murder the motherfucker who caused this.

"I'll get you a new phone and have this one destroyed, or thrown in the Hudson, whatever you prefer," I assure her. "One of my men will also check in on your house every night to make sure no one is watching you or your family." Chloe just nods, looking exhausted and drained. I don't press her for an answer, or urge her to talk to me, instead focusing on the little girl on her lap who is now staring at me.

It's my time to shift uncomfortably in my chair. It's like the baby knows all the bad thoughts I have rolling inside my head. I feel judged.

But then she grins at me, as if she's telling me she approves of everything I want to do to protect them.

The corner of my lips curl up on its own accord. Ellie is really cute. For a moment, when she smiles at me and her little dimples make an appearance, something inside me snaps. It's like I'm seeing my brother in front of me-the young version of him at least. But that is obviously a figment of my imagination. I have so much in my head lately that I'm starting to see and imagine things again.

I shake my head to dismiss that stupid idea and focus on Chloe again. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" I ask. "I can fucking kill the bastard for laying his hands on you."

Chloe snaps her head at me, her eyes narrowed as if analyzing me.

"Sorry for the language," I attempt to joke again, nodding at Ellie, and hoping I can break the ice a little.

An almost nonexistent smile appears on Chloe's lips, and my stomach churns.

"There's no need for that, but thank you, Tony. Really."

She gets to her feet, preparing to leave.

"You can come to me whenever you need, Chloe. Anytime." I tell her before she turns her back to me. She holds her daughter tighter and nods at me, her eyes firm on me.

God, I wish things could have gone differently between us all those years ago. If I had been honest about how I felt, if I hadn't been stuck up, afraid to face my feelings, things could have gone differently for her. She would never have a fucking bastard laying his hands on her because I'd make sure to chop them off before he had a chance to think twice about his actions.

But then, I'd be the one married to her. The baby in her arms would be mine. I'd be leading a life the same way Dante and Eleni are leading now. And I promised myself I would not go down that path.

It isn't for me, and I made peace with it.

When Chloe leaves, I turn my attention to her phone that is still in the same place she left it. I unlock it, glad she doesn't have a password on it. I get to her recent calls, frowning when I see the last couple of calls have been from the private number she mentioned.

I try calling it back, but an automated message tells me the line is no longer in service. It is a stupid attempt, but I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't try it anyway.

Reaching for my own phone, I dial the number of one of my most reliable men who I'm certain could help me with advanced security measures.

"Dice," I say when I hear him answering on the other side.

"Yes, Boss?" he replies with a firm voice.

"Do you have some time to do some hunting today?"


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