AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart skips a beat. Friend? Is that all he sees me as?
The knife slices through vegetables, and the sizzle of ingredients in the pan punctuates our conversation. As we navigate the dance of meal preparation, the banter becomes a thread weaving through the tapestry of the night.
I cast a sideway glance at him. He might only see me as a friend, and maybe that’s for the best, but maybe I can get the wheels churning for him.
“So, Rafe, what's your idea of the perfect dinner date?”
To my surprise, he pauses as if in deep contemplation. I expected a teasing remark, but maybe he’s being serious.
“Well, good company, a bottle of wine, and a dish that's a feast for the senses. How about you?”
“I'd say good company, too, but add a dash of mystery and a sprinkle of danger,” I joke.
The kitchen air is charged with an unexpected tension, a magnetic pull that transcends the ordinary banter. Rafe and I lock eyes, the unspoken understanding hanging in the air like a delicate balance.
As we continue the dance of meal preparation, a shared energy lingers, igniting a subtle spark between us. The proximity feels electric, and in a moment of unguarded spontaneity, our movements sync in a dance that brings us dangerously close. Rafe’s gaze shifts from my eyes to my lips, and I’m ready to close my eyes, to let him kiss me.
The awareness of my involvement with Leo flickers briefly in my mind, a distant reminder of the complex dynamics within the Obsidian Shadows. Yet, at this moment, a surge of wild liberation courses through me. The absence of Derrick's oppressive presence has unleashed a sense of freedom, an untamed spirit longing to break free.
The scent of spices and the simmering sounds of the kitchen fade into the background as the air crackles with an unspoken tension. In that suspended moment, I feel both wild and free, a contradiction to the constraints of my recent past.
But Rafe merely bumps our noses before drawing back and returning to work.
The almost kiss becomes a manifestation of newfound liberation, a rebellious whisper against the shadows that once bound me. Still, even though we didn’t kiss, the dance of flirtation continues, now underscored by a shared understanding that the kitchen, with its secrets and shadows, holds more than culinary mysteries. The almost kiss becomes a symbol of an untamed spirit that refuses to be confined, even within the intricate tapestry of mafia alliances.
Rafe and I prepared a savory and aromatic dish of chicken piccata served with a side of lemon-infused risotto. The tantalizing aroma of the herbs and spices filled the air, creating an inviting atmosphere as the culinary symphony unfolded in the sanctuary's kitchen. The flavors, a delicate balance of zesty lemon, rich chicken, and creamy risotto, became a testament to the shared culinary prowess and banter that defined the evening.
We call the others over to eat, and the shared meal is a temporary respite, a moment where laughter and conversation weave through the communal space. As the remnants of dinner are cleared away, a weighty secret presses on my chest, and I decide to confide in Cara.
“Can we talk?” I ask her.
“Go ahead, Olivia.”
“Ah… in private.”
She nods, and we find a secluded corner, away from prying eyes and curious ears, where the shadows offer a semblance of privacy.
“What’s going on?” she asks softly.
I hesitate. After everything with Sofia, it’s hard to know who to trust. After all, Leo trusted someone who was supposed to be neutral, and Cara’s a former Scarlet Viper who still pretends to be on their side.
But I need to tell someone, and I don’t want to bring everything to Leo when he’s already preparing for war.
“Cara, there's something I need to share with you,” I say, my tone a bit desperate. “It's about what I discovered, the connection between the Scarlet Vipers and the government.”
She nods solemnly. “Go on, Olivia. I'm listening.”
In hushed tones, I reveal the unsettling truths I've unearthed, the threads of corruption that bind the criminal underworld to the highest echelons of power. Cara's expression shifts from curiosity to concern as the gravity of the information settles between us.
“I need your help, Cara,” I say earnestly. “I can't navigate this alone. Can you look into it for me? See if there's any way we can expose this without putting everyone in more danger?”
Cara's eyes reflect a steely determination, a silent promise to delve into the shadows and extract whatever truths lie within. She nods, signaling her commitment to unraveling the sinister tapestry I've stumbled upon.
“I'll dig deeper, Olivia. We need to know what we're up against. Trust me, we'll find a way to expose them without jeopardizing the safety of our allies.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s what I do.” She pats my hand and then lowers her head. “I know you’ve been having a hard time here. I get that. You can’t leave. If the Scarlet Vipers find you… If they can’t get their hands on you, they just might try to use you killing your husband against you. We have some cops on our side, but there are some who are on theirs.”
