Taming a Dark Heart - Ch. 6 - The Cottage

*******TADH is my first story and I’m so glad that some of you guys love it. You have no idea how much your kind words mean to me.

This chapter is much softer than the last one and a build up for the next part. So I’m dedicating this chapter to all of the people who have been so positive, helpful and supportive. You know who you guys are-please continue! :) I really do take note of who has been following :) :) :)

Don’t forget to vote and comment so I know if you like it or not!******

(Oh and most of you wanted to see Gabriele, so here's what I think he looks like - let me know what you think? ;) )

...Kara’s point of view...

I was sitting cross-legged in the lounge staring at the necklace Gabriele had put around my neck. I had my iPod in my ears listening to Black eyed peas.
The necklace was stunning. I was sure it was diamonds and not just cubics and when he said that it wasn’t as beautiful as me I felt my heart melt.

I got up and switched off my iPod. I walked to Gabriele’s office door and knocked lightly. When I didn’t get a reply I pushed it open slightly.
Gabriele was seated at his desk on the telephone. He waved me in when he saw me.
I walked over to the desk and sat down at one of the chairs opposite him.
"Yeah, make sure that the club is free. No, I don’t care that there is a burst water pipe- just make sure it’s seen to by the weekend- Capice?"

I was laughing when Gabriele put the phone down.
"What’s so funny?"- He frowned as he asked me.
"You! Why do all you mob people say Capice? Did you all copy The Godfather or something?"- I watched his reaction change from a frown to a smile.
"Wow, I actually got you to smile?"
"What do you mean?"- His smile started to fade.
"Gabriele, smiling is actually good for you. You must have something to smile about, everyone does" – he smiled again at that but didn’t reply and just looked down.
I decided to be brave and just ask him what was on my heart.
"Gabriele, I wana know about my grandfather..." – he looked at me and I think he felt sorry for me. He wasn’t angry, not upset at all-just pitiful.

"Do you mind if I speak to you about that a little later? I want to show you something" – I slowly nodded and followed him.

He took me outside into the garden and I was surprised to see how pretty it was.
He led me to what looked like a granny cottage. It had the same Italian villa look but was really cute. I loved it already.
He unlocked the door and held his arm up for me to step in first.

I immediately got the smell of lavender. I love lavender. I try to use it whenever I can because I find the smell so addictive. The cottage was so amazing. It wasn’t nearly as big as the villa but I absolutely loved it. It looked like the cottages in story books with the fireplace and big poster-bed. A rack of dresses on the other end of the room caught my eye.

"Kara, my mum designed this room and the other night I could smell lavender on you"- I smiled at him. He had taken note of that. None of my other boyfriends had ever noted small things like that.
"Thank-you", I whispered as he walked over to me. I still had my question on my mind though and decided to ask again. "Gabriele. Please could you..." – he stopped me by putting a finger on my lips. He sighed and then spoke.
"Kara, you’re parents just wanted to protect you. They along with your grandfather, decided to keep you away from all the danger and so they cut ties with him. You’re father became a policeman to try to help people. He wasn’t happy to take over from his father, so he refused"
I felt a tear role down my cheek as he mentioned my parents. I hated crying so much. He must have thought I was so weak.
"What about your father Gabriele?" – My voice was shaking a bit.

I looked like I had hit a nerve and thought he may walk out but instead he cupped my face in his hand and pulled me to him closer. He used his thumb to wipe away the tear.
I was stunned at his show of affection but being so close to him was making me want him. I knew he was trying to hold back from kissing me to be a gentleman but I didn’t want to be a lady. I just wanted to be me. I oddly found it a bit ironic that the dangerous Mr Lombardi had more control than me.
I looked at his lips that were ever so slightly parted and decided to go for it.

I leant forward even though my face was in his hands, and pressed my lips to his softly and softly sucked his bottom lip. I felt another tear fall and it must have gotten onto his hand because he started making kisses from my mouth all the way to my eyes, following the trail the tears had followed. I slid my hands up his chest and I felt his defined muscles while he ran his hands over my back. It felt so good. He kissed my whole face and gently licked all my tears away before coming back to my lips. They tasted a bit salty from my tears but it was so good to have his lips back on mine.

It was an emotional kiss, not a passionate one. We played with each other’s lips for a while both forgetting the time or anything around us. It was almost as though we were sharing the sadness we both felt in our hearts through that kiss. It was the most amazing kiss I had ever had.

...Gabriele’s point of view...

What was she doing to me? I felt as though my whole heart had been poured out in that kiss. Holding her against me and in my arms- I didn’t want to let her go.
But I knew I had to eventually.
I felt like she was opening me up. I was so used to girls being all over me but never had a girl had this kind of effect on me.

Eventually I pressed my forehead to hers and looked into her eyes.
"Did you feel it?" her reply to my question was a slow nod against my forehead.

Then a knock at the door disrupted the calm. We immediately broke apart as I shouted come in.
I knew it was Marie-Lou coming to help Kara with her dress.
"There’s a cocktail party we have to attend this weekend. I was hoping you would come with me and that’s why there are all those dresses there" – I smiled a naughty smile and put she put her arms around my neck.
"Are you asking me out Mr Lombardi?" – she asked with one eyebrow raised.
"Only if you want it to be"- and I rested my hands on her hips.

..Knock; knock again on the door...
"One minute Marie-Lou!" – I shouted.
"Okay on one condition? You come to see me perform my piece at college, deal?" – I leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Deal" – she smiled a big smile and pulled away from me going to open the door.
"Hey!"- She and Marie-Lou both practically shouted and then they hugged. Girls.

"Okay ladies, I’ll leave you to it" – I walked off and heard them both giggling as they closed the cottage door.

********************
...Kara’s point of view...

I knew that I had to work tonight and wasn't in the mood. I was digging in the closet looking for those skanky work clothes when I realized that the pants still had a tear in them.
I buzzed Marie-Lou and she came up with her needle and thread.

"Hey Kara, do you really think you should go back to that place? Is it safe?"
Well I hadn’t actually thought of it in that way. But I was sure James would be there anyway.
"Well, James will follow me and besides I don’t have much of a choice" – she looked a bit sad at that but then continued.
"So what needs stitching?" – I handed over those stupid pants and she began threading the torn patch back in place.

"I hope you don’t mind me asking Kara but how are things between you and Mr Lombardi?" I frowned at her a bit confused.
"Well I mean you two seem to be getting very close if you know what I mean?" – She smiled and nudged me raising her eyebrows in an excited manner.
"I duno what you’re talking about Marie-Lou..." – I knew I was a pathetic liar but I wasn’t sure if I was even ready to admit to myself that I...well, was falling for him.

She giggled at me and when she was done handed me the pants.
"Thanks Marie-Lou, I’ll see you later" – and I hugged her as she left the room. She was so sweet to me -like a sister, kind of.

***************
Later that night I got to work. Things were normal. Jackie and I served so many people again and it was really full for a weekday. James was always somewhere around. I realized that I didn’t know him at all. He was always so quiet and distant. The only time I saw him open up was when he had laughed at me at the breakfast table for spilling my juice. I also thought about seeing him shouting at that agent Paul. I wondered if Gabriele was aware of Paul.

"Hey, how come you are so deep in thought little lady?" – A familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I looked to see Danny sitting on a stool in front of me with the cute smile of his. It just made me smile.
"Little Lady huh? I should be asking you why your here old man?" – He screwed his face up from my burn. It made me laugh to see him pull his face like that.
"Ha ha, well after you poured half your juice down my pants it doesn’t leave me with much pride does it?"
"mmm well that’s true and I really shouldn’t be putting you down for your leg- I mean after all if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be here" – I leaned over the bar and hugged him. I went stiff for a while but then I felt him relax. It was the least I could do to say thank-you.
"Kara, what the ...., get back to work you lazy ass" – I let go of Danny and felt my anger rise. I wanted to badly to punch him. So bad...

But before I could, Danny stood up standing right against him. Danny wasn’t as tall as Gabriele but he stood his ground against an overweight and drunk Vinny. I could see his ears went red from anger and even I was a bit afraid of him. I couldn’t believe how he had gone from being so sweet to being the complete opposite in seconds.

"Listen here you punk, you better just shut up. You don’t talk to a lady like that" His eyes were narrowed and he was stiff.
"And who the hell are you to tell me what to do. I’m the manager around here and I can do whatever the hell I want!" – Vinny slurred and shouted in his drowsy state.
"Apologize now or else..." - By now there were people looking at the situation. I looked over for James and saw him just standing far away on the other end of the room. Very strange for a bodyguard...

"Or else what you idiot?" – Vinny smirked and took a step closer to Danny.
Without another word Danny jabbed his crutch into Vinny's gut making him fold over and eventually fall onto the floor in pain.

I was so angry with Vinny that I smiled as I watched him crumble. I walked over to his side and shouted – "I quit, and by the way – you’re the ass, not me!"

Danny hooked his arm through his crutch and whispered in my ear – "Gabriele owns this place and I’m the new manager" – He had this cocky smile on his face as he said that.
That explained why Gabriele had been here the other night.

I walked back behind the bar gave Jackie a hug and told her that I would speak to her soon.
"I’m gonna try find another job too girl, see ya..." – Jackie told me in my ear as I left the club with James behind me.

*******************
...Gabriele’s point of view...

I was sitting in the lounge thinking about Trey and the fact that he would probably recover. Part of me was not happy about that but I also couldn’t disguise the fact that he was my only brother. Apart from my mother, he was the only family I had left.

I was also thinking about the party coming up. I didn’t really like those kind of affairs but had no choice because I knew that it was a vital meeting for business associates and the lot.
Especially a Russian who I was meeting to make a deal for... well, it doesn’t matter.

Then all of a sudden Kara came marching in. She looked angry. I immediately stood up, worried.
"Did something happen? Are you okay?"
"I just quit my job. I don’t know what I’m gona do..." – she threw herself down hard onto the couch and rested her head in her hands. I looked at her and realised that I knew what would cheer her up.
I got up, walked to the kitchen and grabbed two slices of bar-one cake and two glasses of milk. All girls love chocolate. I was sure she would too.

She smiled when I walked back and I felt good to have cheered her up so quickly which was unusual for me...
"Thanks Geeves" – she began laughing at her own joke as I sat down next to her and began eating my cake.

We sat and ate our cake while she told me what happened at the club. She also told me how Danny had come to her aid. I really liked the kid but I didn’t like to see her with him for some reason.

"I’m actually excited for this party Gabe, I hope I fit in though" – she put her last piece in her mouth. She looked like a five year old because she had two chocolate marks around her mouth. I leaned over and licked them off her with my tongue.
"Hey that’s ticklish, and you owe me now!" – she jumped onto me tickling everywhere she could find. I was laughing for the first time in a very very long time.

***Heddi, Tessa, Carrie, Alyssa and Tay-Tay: thank-you for making me laugh and smile with your comments on chapter 5. Thanks for being so loyal! Hope you guys keep commenting :)***