Kingpin (An Italian Mafia Romance) by Ws Greer

wondering about what happened to him, too. How did he end up with a concussion, and what the hell is really going on in his life that puts him in situations where someone can give him a concussion? There’s a lot of questions, and as we stop in an abandoned parking lot behind an apartment complex in Belleville, I’m ready to start getting answers. But it’s Dominic who starts talking first.
    “So, there’s something I been meaning to tell you,” he begins, his Italian accent seemingly getting stronger by the minute. “I’ve thought a lot about it, and all the shit that went down at River City made me really think about it. About you. About us. I’ve learned that life can be extremely short. One minute you’re lounging in an expensive casino office, and the next minute you’re on your back with a knife to your throat.”
    I feel my heart drop into the floor of the car.
    “This isn’t easy, Alannah, so just bear with me here, alright,” he keeps going. “Umm, I know we’re getting older all the time. I mean, we’re fifteen now, and we’ve known each other for four years already. But the truth is, since the day I met you when we were in the fifth grade . . . what I’m trying to say is . . . what I need to say is . . . I think I’m in love with you, Alannah. I think I been in love with you since the day I pulled that asshole off of you your first day of school. I think I been in love with you since the first moment I ever saw you. You’re the best thing in my life, and not having you be a part of me is the only thing in this world I’m afraid of.”
    I let out a sigh as my body heats up, and I get a million goosebumps that all have legs to crawl across my sensitive skin. I look down at the air conditioner to see if it’s been switched to heat, but it hasn’t. I clear my throat, trying to buy time to think of a response, but Dominic keeps going.
    “I know that’s probably a lot to take, and I don’t mean to overwhelm you. I know I’m different from the other guys in school. My father and I aren’t a normal father and son, and I know my life’s the complete opposite of yours. I’ve seen the guys you’ve been dating, wishing with all my heart it was me, and when it would end, a part of me would be happy, because they were never good enough for you anyway. That guy you went to homecoming with tonight was an asshole, and he didn’t deserve to be in the same room as you, let alone be your date for the night.
    “All things considered, including our differences, nobody will love you as much as I do, Alannah. I’d give everything to protect you, and I’d be as loyal to you as I am my own family. I mean that. I want you to be mine, and I want to be yours. So I don’t wanna hide how I feel anymore. Life’s too short for that. I want you to know how I feel about you, and to be honest, I think you feel the same about me. If I’m wrong, just tell me, but I don’t think I am. Am I wrong? Is it just me who feels this way?”
    I feel tears climbing up, stinging my eyes as they reach the summit. I’m overcome with emotions, and I know I was supposed to tell him something important just now, but I can’t remember what it was. All I can think of is how good it feels to hear him say he loves me.
    He loves me.
    “You’re not wrong,” I reply as the first tear achieves its goal of reaching my cheek. “I didn’t know how I felt for a long time, but I know with absolute certainty now. I love you too, Dominic. I do. I love you.”
    My brain tries to remind itself of what I’m supposed to tell Dominic, but my body is no longer willing to wait until my brain figures it out. It goes rogue, and my hand reaches up and pulls Dominic’s mouth to mine like it has a mind of its own.
    It’s the first time we’ve ever kissed, and now that it’s happening, I wonder how I ever went so long without doing it every single day. It’s like I’ve discovered the air my body’s been craving, and now that I’m breathing, I