Blind Loyalty with the Enforcer

Chapter 3: Mucking It Up

PAULY'S POV

“We can figure it out as we go. I need you, Eleanor. I need you Desperately." My words came out in a breath.

My confession has the opposite of the effect I had hoped that it would. Eleanor's entire body is stiff. Her blue eyes are hollow. Practically lifeless. She's in a panic. And there's nothing I can do but stand like a complete asshat in this shitty hallway and watch. As the woman that owns my soul reacts to my hastily spoken words.

“Eleanor?" I quietly say her name, reaching out hesitantly to touch her arm.

Eleanor flinches slightly, blinking quickly before looking at my hand on her arm, back to my face.

“You want me to go to Philly with you?" She asks a question that surprises me.

Before I can answer, the nosey neighbor in the apartment next to Olivia's comes out to conveniently throw her trash away. The elderly lady sizes us up, her eyes questioning everything. Rolling my eyes, I reach behind Eleanor and open the door, ushering her into the quiet apartment. I close the door and lock us in.

“I know it's sudden. Perhaps it's not even possible for you to leave the firm here… I would completely understand if you couldn't go. It was impulsive," I say backpedaling.

I busy myself with my habitual nightly routine. Checking the windows. Drawing the curtains after me. Even folding the blanket on the sofa to keep myself from wanting to touch Eleanor. From asking her what she was thinking. I silently brace myself for the heartbreak of the excuse that I just armed her with.

“Paul," Eleanor says softly from the center of the apartment, drawing my attention back to her.

Every time I see her it's, like the first time. My breath lodges in my throat. Never have I met a woman who's made me feel so nervous.

“Paul," she repeats my name again.

The sound of it coming out of her mouth is both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Bracing myself against the arm of the sofa, I try to secure a neutral expression on my face.

“I—" she starts hesitantly, fidgeting with her hands. “My entire life I have been told that men only want one thing from me. If it's not my body, then it's my mind. You're the first person… The first man I've ever met who's made me feel like I could trust… well… anyone—"

“You want to know that I'm asking you to go with me to Philly not because I need you to work for me on the behalf of my case?" I interrupt, clarity flooding my vision.

“I need to know where we stand. What this is." She sighs. “When you say you need me desperately, does that mean that you need me to get your sister back? Or do you need me, Eleanor?"

“I need you, Eleanor. Because you remind me, for the first time in a long time, of who I am. Not who I have to be. I need you to go with me, because you anchor me. You connect me to the purpose of why I attached myself to this life. To this work. As for what you are to me, you're my heart… the thing I need to protect. Who I have to protect, I want to protect."

“For a man who says he's not good with words, you sure did kill that speech." Eleanor's face cracks a small smile that instantly warmed my heart.

“What do you say? Will you go with me… help me get my family back?" I ask her again, trying to not beg her.

“Is that your only mission in Philly?" she asks me.

I dreaded this question from Eleanor. Because I knew that every question leading her to the truth of what my new position in the Russo Family actually was, it opened a door for her to doubt the man that I am. The mere idea of her beginning to question who I was made me physically ill.

I knew that Eleanor wasn't one to settle for anything less than the truth. Nor could I ever ask her to. Eleanor was constantly questioning everyone around her. Especially those relationships involved with Marcell and the Russo family. The fact alone that I was now the Enforcer of the family was a red flag in of itself for her to question me as a potential partner.

The truth was that my tiny omission of feelings was me being a chicken. All it did was ease the tension inside of me. It didn't promise her anything. In this world of organized crime, Eleanor was considered open for consideration, and given the green light, Ren could be waiting for the green light. I couldn't blame him. Only a fool would overlook a woman like Eleanor Hart. Only a fool would waste an opportunity to not tell her his feelings.

“My position comes with certain responsibilities," I hesitantly answer.

I watch as she takes a seat in the armchair across from me, instantly feeling like a complete ass for not insisting that she sit down earlier. She unstraps her heels and kicks them off, her body relaxing as she tucks her feet under her legs.

Exhaustion is evident in every muscle of her body. I mirror her, sitting on the sofa across from her. But I leave my feet firmly planted on the ground. I rest my arms on my thighs. My legs ache from the tension of the last few weeks.

“What responsibilities would those be?" she asks. Her voice echoes the pure exhaustion I just observed.

“Marcell has asked me to offer an olive branch of sorts to the Philly syndicate. They have a choice to make. It can either be peaceful. Or—"

“Will you have to hurt people?"

I know what she's asking. She's asking if I'll have to kill anyone.

“I'll avoid it at any and every possible avenue. You have my word," I vow with everything that's in me.

“I'm not licensed in Philadelphia. I'll have to rely on my professional contacts completely. We'll need to trust them to arrange any and all communication with the family court in Philly. It might be frustratingly slow. I won't have access to files or anything firsthand, but I trust them—"

My heart can't help but skip a beat. I try to not let it bleed into my face. But the pure joy that floods my system at her words is undeniable.

“Does that mean you'll come with me?" I ask.

“I don't have the words to label what you mean to me Paul," Eleanor starts, her face serene and more beautiful than ever. “The fear that overwhelms me is the thought of being separated from you. That's enough for me to say yes. I can't… I don't want to be without you, Paul."

“Neither do I—"

“I'm terrified—"

“Nothing… Eleanor. Nothing will touch you, hurt you, while you're with me. Do you understand?"

The thought of her being in the mix of danger is enough to fill my veins with fury. My body responds automatically, growing rigid with protective possessiveness. I've never promised anything with such intensity than promising myself that she won't ever be in fear.

“I understand," she answers me. Her voice is small, but not filled with fear or trepidation. There's a new expression in her eyes as she sits across from me. Lust.

“You and me."

“You, me, and Cheska." she corrects me.

If Eleanor Hart wasn't already dear to me, she's just solidified that. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that she never doubts how I feel about her. That I would burn the world, and everyone in it, to protect her and to have the chance to love her.