Chapter 135

Aldo

Eva and Stasia Morozov.

Sisters. Identical twins to be exact. Apparently, they lived on the complete other side of the country where they helped run the Russian division on the West Coast.

I’d never heard of them. The name Morozov didn’t ring any sort of bells in my mind. Although the Marcellos didn’t make it a habit to stray beyond its home borders.

Irena’s smile was meant to reassure me that they would be able to help Layla.

“Who are they exactly?” I asked.

“Eva and Stasia are our distant grandnieces,” Dmitri said.

I wasn't sure how I felt about his use of the word ‘distant’. What exactly did that mean in this case?

Were they distant by means of blood relation, or was it because it was better to keep these two women at a much-needed distance? Or was it both?

“And how is it that they may be able to help?”

Dmitri sat back in his chair and lowered his gaze to the table in front of us. “While their first priority is helping the family run its usual business, Eva specializes in psychological disorders.”

My eyes grew wide and Irena swiftly stepped in.

“We’re not saying that Layla has a disorder,” she clarified. “But it’s clear that she’s deeply struggling on a mental and emotional level and needs someone who can help her work through her problems.”

Good God, I felt utterly drained from this conversation myself. I briefly closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.

“But would these women be interested in flying all the way out here? I mean, New York isn’t exactly around the corner from California.”

“Oh, believe me.” Irena brushed off the thought with a wave of her hand. “The two of them travel constantly. Coming here would be a nice break for them, I think.”

What did I have to lose? I mean, it seemed like my relationship with Layla was already on the fence. I wasn’t sure if she was going to be comfortable wanting to talk to people she’d never been around. ‘Distant’ relatives or not.

“Alright,” I agreed. “If they’re willing to come out here and see Layla, then yes. Layla needs help and I can’t risk losing any more time over this.”

The couple nodded their heads. Irena got up from her seat and made her way over to her phone. “I’ll call Stasia and see what time they'll be able to fly in.”

“Thank you.” I glanced down at my watch and nearly jumped at the time. I hadn’t realized how long I’d been sitting there talking.

“Wait, Aldo, before you head out,” Dmitri started. “There’s something that you ought to be made aware of when it comes to the twins.”

“What is it?”

“Eva and Stasia are highly skilled fighters. Under no circumstances are your men permitted to get involved with either of them. I’m not looking to start a war between the Italians and Russians after so many years of peace. However, if anyone would find a way to trigger that it would be them.”

Lovely. Did I just unknowingly invite two dangerous people into our lives?

“Are you telling me that they tend to live by their own rules?” I questioned dryly.

A light smile curved his mouth. “Afraid so. I’m not saying that they’re going to be intentionally disrespectful. But they tend to have an honesty about themselves that some may consider to be brutal at times. They don’t bullshit around.”

“Noted,” I said.

Irena returned with a bright smile and confirmation. “I just got off the phone with Stasia. She says that she and Eva will be on the next flight out to New York. I told them that they will be staying with us while they’re here.”

Dmitri nodded. “Things are surely going to get interesting around here.”

I fought to ignore the bubbling worry in my chest. All I kept saying to myself was that this was for Layla’s well-being, regardless of the risks.

Layla

I wasn’t sure what time it was when I’d finally found the will to slide out of bed.

After Aldo had left the previous day, I remained under the weighted safety of the blankets and pillows on my bed. There were a few times when someone had come by, knocking on the door, but I ignored them.

I wasn’t in the mood or right frame of mind to face anyone.

I knew what I was doing wasn’t good for me or anyone else. But no one seemed to understand my feelings—least of all Aldo. The fact that he was my husband and he didn’t understand my feelings should have been a clear enough sign.

Things were not going well between us and I didn’t know what to do about it. Hell, I didn’t even know how to approach him without feeling an overwhelming wave of anger and sadness.

And I was somehow supposed to find it in me to talk about everything that had happened. Based on our previous conversations, he wasn’t one to openly confront touchy subjects.

I’d asked him numerous times in the past, is it possible to work as a surgeon and be the wife of a Mafia Don?

Aldo would never answer. He’d find a way around the question and forget the subject entirely. It left me having to find my own place to exist between two worlds. It was difficult beyond belief and for the sake of Eli and everyone else, I kept it all to myself.

I slumped toward the bathroom, desperate for a shower.

Much like my ability to get any proper rest, my sense of hunger evaded me as well. I knew I should try and eat something but I pushed the idea to the back of my mind for now.

I let my clothes drop to the floor as I stepped into the stall and turned on the water. For a good while, I allowed the warmth from the spray to work some of the tension out of my aching muscles.

I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. Did I dare try to approach Eli and see how he would react to being around me? I didn’t want him to think that I was purposely pushing him away; however, I wasn’t prepared to face the possibility of him looking at me with that same look of fear again.

Now that Aldo had stepped back into his rightful role as head of the family, I was no longer responsible for making any immediate decisions or actions on behalf of the family.

Good. But that also left me at a complete loss when it came to my own personal life.

I had no doubt by now that everyone back at the hospital knew about my license being taken away. It caused a pain in my chest like no other.

When I felt the corners of my eyes fill with tears, I was shocked. I didn’t think it was possible for me to cry anymore, yet there I was.

I finished up in the shower and reached for my robe.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Layla?” A familiar feminine voice spoke out.

My brows pulled together in confusion. My voice came out hoarse and weak.

“I-Irena?”

What on earth was she doing here?