Indebted to the Mafia King

Chloe

The days that follow are busy but uneventful. After settling in and getting the house organized, most of my time is spent with Ellie while Mom does God knows what in the streets. She told me she's been catching up with the mob wives and finding out how we can be helpful, but with taking care of the house and Ellie, I can't find it in me to worry about that.

In all truth, I don't know if I want to get involved.

I know I have to if I want to be protected and considered part of the Saints. Just because Dad used to be one of them, doesn't mean they have to take care of us forever. Even if their moral code says so.

I got my old bedroom to myself and had Mom's old office turned into Ellie's bedroom, since it is the closest to mine. The house looks the same as when we left it, but I told Mom I wanted to make some changes so we can feel less nostalgic and more at home. With Dad no longer being here with us and many things reminding us of him, I thought it might be nice to make a few changes to the place.

Whenever Ellie is napping, or I get to finally take a break from the house chores, I feel trapped inside...and bored. For the first few days, I struggled to go outside, too afraid to try it. But one day, Ellie was being a handful and I had to be creative and get her entertained, otherwise I'd snap. So, I put her in the stroller and walked with her until the corner and came back.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be, so I've been going for a walk with her during the afternoon for her to take her nap. Today, I decide to take her through a different route, going a couple of streets beyond the limit I settled for myself. I still keep ourselves within the same block, afraid to go out of the neighboorhod.

The weather is great today, no clouds covering the sky, the sun warm and comforting above our heads. I missed Staten Island. People are outside, some jogging, others rushing to get to their appointments, a few taking their dogs for a walk. It's relaxing.

I spot a park a few miles away and consider taking Ellie there. But when I peek inside the stroller, I find her already asleep.

That's when my phone rings in my pocket. I reach for it, and my head snaps from side to side as soon as I notice the private number is calling me again.

Since the day of the funeral, I haven't received any other calls from whoever this is.

Is someone watching me?

I spin around in a full circle, scanning my surroundings for anything suspicious. There's no one around me. No tinted window cars nearby. Not a mysterious man peeking from inside a store.

My finger hits the red button, and I swivel the stroller around, ready to return home. I'm so nervous I can barely think straight. I really hope no one is following me.

I consider calling my mom, but before I get the chance to dial her number, I bump into someone.

"Chloe, honey!" a gentle voice squeaks, and it takes me a second to adjust my vision and make sense of the woman standing in front of me.

"Val!" I breathe in relief, the sight of my mom's best friend and one of the mob wives reassuring me instantly. "What are you doing here?" I ask, hoping she doesn't notice how keyed up I am.

"I live nearby, remember? I was just heading to meet your mom actually," she tells me, but then I notice her brows creasing at me. "Is everything okay? You look a bit pale."

I nod eagerly, not wanting her to delve into it. "Yeah, um...are you sure Mom is at home? She wasn't there when I left."

"She called me and said she was on her way. We're going to get our nails done," she starts rambling with her cheerful personality. "I figured your mom could use some time to herself after everything she went through. You went through," she corrects, her eyes finally landing on the stroller in front of me. Her face lightens up as soon as she spots Ellie. "Oh, if this isn't the sweetest little thing on Earth. She is so cute."

I smile at her proudly. "Thank you."

"Well, since we're heading the same way, we could walk together?" she offers casually, straightening up and adjusting the strap of her Gucci purse on her shoulder. "Unless you're going somewhere?"

I shake my head, relieved to see a familiar and reliable face. My heart is only now starting to calm down, but I still don't feel safe out in the open.

"I was already going home since Ellie fell asleep," I reply, pushing the stroller and starting to walk beside her.

Val murmurs to herself, looking ahead. I wonder why she's going to my house by foot instead of in her Audi, but I rather keep my curiosity to myself. I don't want to indulge her and keep her talking all the way back. As much as I love her, I'm not in the mood to chat.

But she doesn't seem to acknowledge that since she continues talking anyway.

"It must be really hard to do this by yourself. Nicky told me about your lame, irresponsible husband. Or should I say ex-husband?" She looks at me sideways, prying.

Lame and irresponsible would never be the words I'd use to describe Mateo.

"Handsome and wealthy, but with no interest in making things right when you got pregnant?" she carries on. "Leaving you by yourself? This is unacceptable! Mateo should be helping you with the little one."

Handsome and wealthy? Maybe. Those could be words to describe him, but they don't even scratch the surface of who Mateo really is.

A beast? A cruel, heartless man? Evil incarnated? That's more like it.

I can't believe my mom went on to talk about my personal life and told Val what I've been through. I hope she hasn't told my secrets too. Val doesn't seem to know everything, but still, it leaves me upset to know my mother couldn't keep her mouth shut. I understand she might be going through a lot and needs to blow off some steam, but gushing about my life isn't right. I trusted her with a huge burden, I don't want everyone knowing about it.

Sure, to be fair, her telling Tony about Ellie wasn't that big of a deal. As if he wouldn't know I'm carrying a baby around town, especially since he has eyes everywhere, and I am one of the Saints' women.

I have so many things I want to say in response to Val, but I keep them to myself. The less she knows, the better.

She keeps the one-sided conversation going until we get to the house, with me eventually murmuring a word or two so as not to leave her talking to herself completely. I don't like being rude and I don't want her to think I'm not enjoying her company.

Which I am. I just have a lot on my mind right now to be fully present.

I fumble to get my keys from my purse when Mom heads out the door. "Oh, Chloe! Val! You're already here," she gushes, looking from me to her friend.

"Yes, bumped into Chloe by the park and we walked here together. Are you ready to go?" Val asks her with excitement.

"Sure," my mom says, adjusting her expensive sunglasses on her face and bowing down to kiss Ellie.

"Actually, Mom, do you mind having a word for just a minute? I won't take long, I promise," I interject in a low voice. If I sound too suspicious, I'm certain Val will ask what this was about as soon as I'm out of reach.

My mother looks at me with a concerned face and nods, telling Val she won't take long. She helps me inside with the stroller, but we don't get far from the foyer.

"Is something wrong?" she asks bluntly.

I take a deep breath, not wanting to accuse her of anything and risk being unfair. "Mom, you can't go around mentioning Mateo's name."

"I didn't go around mentioning his name. I told Val about it. She's my best friend. You know she won't say anything to anyone," Mom counters.

"I know, but still. It is dangerous. Not only for us, but for her too."

"Don't you think you're exaggerating? It's Val we're talking about," she insists.

"Exaggerating? Mom, are you being serious right now? I've been getting calls from a private number ever since we arrived in the city. Eduardo basically threatened me when we left on that plane. Do I need to remind you how serious this is?" I hiss, lowering my voice in case Val is behind the door, eavesdropping. She means no harm, but she loves a little gossip.

My outburst seems to pull my mother back to reality. To our reality.

She gulps, shifting on her feet uncomfortably.

"You know what Mateo is, and the power he holds. So, please, please be careful," I carry on, feeling my energy drain from my body.

Mom takes a step forward, her hands reaching for my shoulders as she steadies me and forces me to look at her. "We are safe here, darling," she reassures kindly. But no matter how many times she tells me this, I still can't believe her. "We're with the Saints now. You have nothing to worry about."

"How can you be sure?" I whisper back.

"Because I know. Tony guaranteed he'd watch over us, and all the other Saints too. Try and relax a little. You're still so young. You shouldn't be carrying the weight of the world by yourself." My mother leans forward and kisses me on the cheek before heading to the door. "Call me if you need anything."

The door slams behind her and I sigh. Why can't she understand the gravity of our situation? Why can't she see how bad this is for us?

Maybe it's partially my fault. I told her the truth, but not all of it.

I left some of it out.

Mateo is violent; a man who doesn't care about anything or anyone but himself.

A cartel God, in all aspects. Drugs, skin trade...I'm afraid to guess even worse.

And he is coming for me. It's just a matter of time. There's no way he's going to let me go so easily. And what kills me is that I can't do anything about it. I can't protect myself. I can't protect Ellie.

I could never live in a world where he takes her from me. Just the thought of it makes me want to vomit.

But I know someone with as much power as him. Someone who might be able to help me.

Someone who will do everything in his power to protect me and my family.

With renewed determination, I swallow my pride and decide to go after Tony.