The Start of an Era

Chapter 19

Once I was outside, Ace saw me and quickly rushed to my side. “s**t. This is getting out of hand.” He mumbled. “No s**t Sherlock,” I said and he gave me a small smile. We went to the kitchen and I sat down on a stool. I told Ace to leave. I was probably a bit rude since he helped me, but I don’t care. Jill walked into the kitchen and once she saw me she rushed to me with a worried look on her face. “May I have some ice, miss Jill?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood. She did not even smile, she just went to the freezer and got a packet of ice which I put on my back. “What happened?” she asked. I gave her a weird look. She does know what Christian does... right?

“What do you think?” I asked, trying to test my theory. “I don’t know... you fell?” okay so she does not know what Christian does. “Yeah sure. So, miss Jill, do you have any idea where Jackson is?” I asked. “Yeah, Boss told Harry to take care of him. They are in the garden.” She pointed toward the back door and I thanked her before walking out of the door. Once I was outside, I could not hide the surprise. The garden was huge! It was beautiful. This garden belongs in a fairytale. There are flowers of every colour here and it was a dome-shaped garden with trees as the roof. The fresh air calmed me down and the rays of sunlight made the place look magical. I heard the cutest little laugh and saw Harry sitting on a bench with Jackson playing in the grass with a little butterfly. His laugh was so infectious. I walked over to them, all of my troubles forgotten. Jackson smiled up at me and I smiled back at him, bending down and touched his cheek softly. “Skylar, I am glad that you could join us. Do you want some tea?” Harry smiled brightly at me. “Sure.” I replied, sitting down next to him. It is so peaceful out here. If only it could be like this all the time. I spent almost an hour there talking to Harry about anything and everything. No one here really knows what Christian does. I guess it is better that way as they are in no danger that way. When Jackson started crying, we split ways and I took Jackson back to my room and changed him and gave him a bottle so he could take an afternoon nap. I guess if it wasn’t for Jackson I would have left as soon as I got here, but now I feel like I need to protect this little bundle of joy from the cruelness of the world. I put Jackson down on my bed, barricading him with pillows so that he does not fall off. Once I was sure he was asleep and safe, I walked downstairs on a quest to find a medical aid kit. I looked through the kitchen cupboards and drawers but could not find anything. How do they not have a medical aid kit? I walked to the bathroom and finally found it. I took the disinfectant and the booboo spray. I do not know what it is called so I made a name for it. I walked back to my room and closed the door. I took off my shirt and looked at the damage in the full-length mirror. The purplish-blue colour made me squirm. I disinfected all my wounds that I could reach and had a real struggle trying to disinfect the ones on my back. Suddenly, the door opened and Chase walked in. I did not even try to cover up, because what is the use when all you have on your body is scars and bruises? He looked uncomfortable and scratched the back of his neck. “Uhhm I wanted to check up...” He was cut off by me shushing him and pointing toward a sleeping Jackson. He nodded and whispered, “I am sorry for what he has done. Can I help you with anything?” He asked me and I nodded at him, handing him the disinfectant. “You can clean the wounds on my back. Please.” He smiled and then started cleaning.

Every time I whimpered in pain he would pull back and apologize. I just laughed at him and how fragile he thinks I am. When he was done, I was about to put my shirt back on when the door opened again and Christian walked in. He looked between me and Chase and at my bruises. “I am going to leave now. If you need anything, I am here.” Chase said, and I smiled at him as he walked out of the door. I put on my shirt and turned toward Christian, waiting for him to say something. He seemed to be deep in thought, so I cleared my throat and he snapped back to reality. “Uhhm... Jackson is my son.” He said, not really looking happy but not angry. I guess he made peace with the fact that there would be a little him running around. “Okay... what does that mean?” I asked, a bit confused. “Well, we will have to start by giving him his own room. He cannot live here his whole life.” Was he trying to be funny? “Oh no... You got something wrong. You made him. He would have stayed in your room all his life.” I said, smiling. He laughed a little and answered “Well then, even more reason to give him his own room and finally make his surname official.” I kind of like this side of Christian. I mean, of course, I like it better than the torturing Christian. “Great and, of course, I am going to design his room. And in the meantime, we need to get him the basic baby needs.” I said, getting excited, until Christian looked at me all confused. “What?” I asked. “Well, I thought you would leave as soon as you knew that Jackson was safe... I mean that is why you stayed, right?” He seemed a bit off. Does he want me to leave?

If he wanted me to leave, why not say anything or, even better, why bring me back here? Did he just bring me back to torture me and then kick me out? Well, would I really be surprised about that? “Yes you are right. I guess I will be out by tonight then?” it was supposed to be a statement but it came out as a question. I looked at Christian and he looked a bit sad. Damn, this guy is sending mixed signals. “Oh gosh! Could you just tell me what you want me to do?” I said. “Well... uhhm... I mean if ... you want to ... uhhm stay you can” Well, a nervous Christian is certainly a sexy Christian. “Do you want me to stay?” I asked in a teasing tone. He glared at me and I smiled a bit. “Of course I do.” He said and that left me shocked. Is it just me or is it getting hot in here? “Well then I guess I will stay for a while and see how things turn out.” I said and then at that moment Jackson stirred awake and started looking around. I smiled at him and picked him up giving him his half drank bottle. “Dude you are one lucky guy... you have a mafia boss as your father... just a shame that it is Christian Gonzalez.” I joked and Christian faked being hurt and I laughed a little. “Even though I don’t mind Jackson staying in my bed I really think he would be more comfortable in a crib.” I said and Christian nodded. “Yes we will leave in about an hour to get everything that he needs and he can stay with Chase.” I looked at him confused and then he explained. “You are not the only one that has grown fond of this little human.” He said and left the room.

I am happy to hear that Jackson has people who care for him other than me, of course. I quickly got everything ready and when we were ready to go, I handed Jackson to Chase after telling him that if Jackson was hurt or something was wrong, I would castrate him. He took it as a joke at first, but after I gave him the ‘I am serious’ look, he gulped and agreed. Now there is nothing but silence in the car on our way to the store. It is surprising not an awkward silence well until he decided to open his mouth. “Do you really do the books for 45 mafias?” He asked and when I was reluctant to answer he laughed and said “I knew it was too good to be true.” He kept on laughing and when I did not react once again he seemed to doubt himself. “You really do the books of 45 mafias?” he seemed shocked. “Well I guess now it is only 44 because you chased my biggest job away.” I said. “Well tell me how much she paid you and I will pay you that amount.” He said in all seriousness. “Can we leave the mafia talking for the torture chambers?” I asked and yet again I should have just kept quiet. He glared at me and looked a bit angry. “I could have done way worse.” He said. “Yes you could have, but that does not change the fact that it still hurts.” I said. “Oh please don’t be such a baby it is not that bad, besides now you know not to lie to me again.” He made it so casual I was actually surprised with how messed up that is. “I never lied to you I just did not tell you.” I said in a quiet tone. “Yah and you should have told me before we went to that damn woman.” He said. "Yeah like you go to your kidnapper and tell them that you are working for 45 mafias. You do know that working for just 2 mafias could get a person killed. Now imagine working for 45 mafias at once.” I looked at him and he seemed to be in thought. “Yeah, that could be serious damage. So I do have something to keep you here.” I laughed at his answer. “You mean blackmail? Even after I told you that I would stay.”

He just can’t accept the fact that I will stay. He still thinks that I will leave him. “You were bound to leave some day. I only showed you the beginning of what I turn into, so what happens when you see all of it?” he asked.

I have found Christian Gonzalez’s insecurity. He is scared of himself. That seems a little confusing, but I guess when who you are drives everyone away it is bound to happen. “Then I will just have to suck it up.” I said and he looked at me surprised. “That is what you say now.” He looked back to the road. “Then I guess we will have to wait and see but I can assure you that you will not get rid of me that easily.” I smiled at him and he gave me a small smile back as we stopped at the store.

We went straight to the cashier who just happened to be Alex. I smiled at him brightly. “Skylar, how nice to see you again.” He said. “You to.” I kept it short and sweet. “So why have you not called me yet?” he asked me. I felt an arm wrap around my waist and when Christian started talking I knew he was jealous. “Because she is taken. Now get someone professional to help us.” Christian said from behind me. I could not help but feel comfortable in his embrace. I felt his chest against my back and his warm breath on my cheek as he talked to Chase. Chase just scoffed and went somewhere. I turned around expecting Christian to take his hands off of me, but he kept his arm around my waist. “Damn man! That could have been a fun night.” I said in a playful tone. “That is what I am here for.” He smirked and I felt the heat creep up to my cheeks. I was about to reply when a familiar voice came from behind me. “I thought you said he was gay,” Lucia said as I turned to her. “And I thought we told Chase to go find someone professional.” I said with the same amount of venom in my voice. She looked at me stunned and then turned her attention to Christian.

“Soo... now that we have established that you are not gay. How about that drink?” She tried to sound seductive. Keyword being tried. “That would be great. When do I pick you up before or after you get someone who can actually help us?” Christian said, and I guess we will have to work on the rejection because he just confused the heck out of Lucia. “Does that mean we still get a drink together?” she asked. She must not have seen Christian’s arm around me because she is acting as if I am not here. “No! Now go get me your manager.” He said, getting annoyed with her. She huffed and walked away stomping her feet. As soon as the manager walked out, I was relieved because we could finally get this over with. She was older and looked very professional. Even though Lucia and Chase were gone, Christian still had his arm around me. I did not mind because who would complain when a hot guy holds you like you are his property in public? The manager helped us and in an hour we got everything that a baby would ever need. Like a crib, stroller, car seat, feeding stool, changing table, toys, more than enough nappies and formula and, of course, everything was only the best quality. Even though Christian seems like he does not like Jackson, I know that deep down he cares for him. After we ordered everything, Christian told them to deliver it, but when he wanted to give his address, I quickly stopped him and gave her my old address. When everything was done, we were on our way to my apartment. “Why did you give her your address when it would have been easier to just take everything straight to my place?” He asked. Do I really have to explain this to the mafia boss of the biggest mafia? “And risk someone finding out where you live?” I asked and he seemed to understand. “That is what the security is for.” He said, looking proud. “Yeah, but when someone really wants to get in they will.” I said. He looked into space a moment and then said “Double.” “What?” I asked, confused. “Let me pay you double what Estelle used to pay you and you get to keep working with the other mafias.” He said and I was kind of shocked.

“Are you sure you want me around?” I asked, a bit unsure. “I kind of need you around.” He said honestly. That was quite unexpected. “Fine, I will take the deal but on one condition,” I said, and he looked at me skeptically. “Yeah...” he hesitantly said. “I do not want anything from you. So that means no pay.” I said like it was nothing. “How am I supposed to know that you are going to work hard if I do not pay you?” He asked and I just smiled at him. “I work for 44 mafias, don’t you think that I get paid enough? And I will work for you because it gives me something to do.” I said. “Like 44 mafias is not enough.” He said smiling. “Is it a deal?” I asked. “Fine. Deal.”