"I'm in the mob Angela." He finally spoke, with great force. He wasn't happy to get it off of his chest but he knew it had to be done. Adriano noticed how her face had instantly paled and she went to take a step back but stopped herself. "The mafia, borgata, familia, Cosa Nostra, whatever you want to call it." He said, straight. Angela was speechless, unable to get a word out of her mouth. She needed time to think.

"No..." she said in disbelief. "They aren't real?" for everyone knew of the mafia, of organised crime and gangs, but she had never thought that the Mafia was a real thing in this day and age, only something people would talk about in books or movies. She thought it had dissolved years ago but what would she know? Angela knew next to nothing about this type of thing but suddenly, everything began to add up in her brain: He was from New York, he spoke Italian, he carried around guns and had guards, he had money and she had never been told anything else about his work except that it was a "family business". Mafia, it was one word that explained it all for Angela. No more questions were needed.

Why had she not guessed earlier? But Adriano couldn't be involved in something like that could he? She thought. She didn't want it to be true, because although she knew little about the real Mafia in New York, she did know something about how they earned their money and what they done for a living. Angela had been somewhere else, and had yet to notice Adriano with his head in his hands.

Once she saw him, the shame radiating from him, she moved a step closer. He had hung his head in shame, the first time he ever felt like a disgrace when explaining what he done for a living. For Adriano felt slight humiliation, having to tell the most pure and kind-hearted person he had ever met that he was a part of organized crime, he was involved in a lot of things that weren't right, that were evil, he had even killed before. He didn't know how this new information he had given to her would make her feel or what she would do now.

He didn't want her to run away, he didn't want her to be afraid or disappointed in him but he would have no reason to be angry with her if she did feel that way. Angela, on the other hand, couldn't explain what was going on in her head at this time. She was confused, bewildered.

"I can't help it Angela, I can't help being this person. Soon my dad's going to retire and I'll have to take over, like he did with my grandfather and what he done with his father. I'll be the Don and I can't change that. This business is what I've grown up around, it's what I've been thought. I'm stuck Angela, I'm stuck."

Angela had surprised herself with what she had done next. She understood what he had meant now, about being bad and being a monster, she knew what he done for a living and for some reason, she couldn't shake the feelings she was beginning to have for him. Whether she wanted to or not, Angela was unable to detach herself from him after her discovery. It felt stranger to her, nothing could stop her from feeling sorry for him as he sat there, stuck in a rut she knew she couldn't help fix. He was born into a life that was full of danger, a mafia life, one that he could not get out off if he wanted for that or not.

All she could do was walk between his parted legs and put her arms around him, trying to comfort him as much as she could.

"I don't want you to be a part of any of this, I won't let you be sucked in. You're good Angela, the only thing I know right now that is good. I'm ruined, I can't let it ruin you too." Angela was startled by how his voice had come out amongst the silence in the apartment. It had sounded like when someone was crying, or on the brink of tears except he wasn't crying, he hadn't shed a tear through any of this but the shear pain that dripped slowly from his voice was evident to her.

He said nothing for a while, just hugged her, his grip getting tighter and tighter. He didn't want to let her go, afraid of what she do next, of what words she would chose to tell him goodbye. This was it for them, she was gone before anything had even started between them but he knew that was how it should be shouldn't it? Adriano only her tighter as minutes passed, a tear slipped from her eye as she leaned into his chest.

Angela wished she could make him feel better, but was still confused by this, by her feelings, by the fact that her mind had completely forgotten Adriano's confession from some five minutes ago. It seemed nothing could stop her now, from feeling the way she did about him. She loosened his grip around her, wiggling a little and pulling away to look up at him but he wouldn't look back, avoiding her eyes at all costs.

"Look at me." She urged gently, putting her hands on either side of his head. Once he managed to keep eye contact, she continued. "You aren't a bad man. I've met a few of those before and you aren't one of them, did you hear me Adriano?" she demanded, speaking truthfully. She thought of how sweet Adriano could be, he was caring in his own way and had shown her kindness since she got here. Although in the beginning, she was afraid, she had warmed to him and now, she didn't want to leave. He just shook his head repeatedly in her hands.

"I'm sorry Angela. I should've never brought you into all of this. I don't know what I was thinking. I should've never brought you here. Adamo didn't try anything this time, but I'm so lucky I got to you before anything could happen." He said her expression crumble just the smallest bit, like she was trying to hide it, the fact that he just said he wished he'd never met her or brought her here. "You only know the parts of me I want you to see, because I'm afraid of what you'll think. I don't want you to leave."

This was the most truth Adriano had spoken in a long time. He was split in two, wishing he had never kept her in New York for her own good, and wanting her to stay with him for his own good.

"I'm not going anywhere, I promise." She meant it but he shook his head at her reply. He knew she may have meant it now and that reassured him a little but it was a promise he knew she would not be able to keep forever.

"I shouldn't have been so cold Angela, you don't deserve that. All you've been is kind to me, I just don't know what to do about all of this. I can't drag you into my life, and I know you want things I can't give you right now. We can't have a normal relationship, I can't make you apart of anything I do, it's too dangerous." She was hurt but she understood and agreed in some ways with what he was saying, Angela wasn't quite sure she was ready for a relationship with Adriano either after what he had told her but she still knew one thing: she really liked him and she couldn't help it.

"It's okay, I get it." She said quietly, feeling quite deflated. Angela looked away from him now, trying to find something in the room to focus her eyes on while they were still in the middle of their tight embrace. Adriano noticed and put his hand on top of one of hers, rubbing his thumb gently up and down the soft skin on her hand.

"That doesn't mean I don't care about you Angie." He used his other hand to tilt her head up to him. "I do, I can't explain how much I've changed since you got here a couple months ago." Angela just gave him a small smile and reached up to give him a sweet kiss on the lips. It didn't last for very long but it had still happened and Adriano couldn't forget it. Their foreheads were touching, their eyes on each other for a long while. The room was silent again, both not needing to speak, to say anything at all. Adriano had felt at ease now with her, they didn't need to wonder about what would happen next, or about what had happened before this moment, just stood in silence. Their actions had said enough and there were no more words required. For a while, the only thing they could hear was each other breathing.

Angela was the one to pull away first. She looked up at him; her hands had slid down gently to his arms. Shots of electricity were sent through him from her touch.

"Oh Angie." He whispered, more to himself than her now. He took note of her bruised face and felt anger now. Angela didn't know what was wrong, and just blinked at him for a couple of seconds. "I should've killed him when he hit you." He added through gritted teeth. The thought of the man who Angela had ran away from getting shot in the shoulder had flooded back to Angela and she looked a little scared now, knowing that Adriano had probably done more than shot someone before. All she could do was step away, trying to rid her thoughts of anything like that. Adriano killing people was not what she wanted to think about. He knew he had said the wrong thing to her but that was just the truth, someone hitting Angela with that force had tipped him over the edge and Adamo's man was lucky Adriano hadn't killed him.

It wasn't like Angela thought it was okay from someone to hit her. She knew it was wrong. She wasn't deserving of it and certainly wouldn't make an excuse for any man who done that to a woman, she knew better this time, she was stronger now. It was just the thought of Adriano actually killing someone that made her a little shocked, it wasn't right to her morally.

"Angela-"

"It's fine." She gulped and walked towards the kitchen, opening the fridge and looking inside for something to make for dinner. A distraction was needed for her right now. Once she took the makings of dinner from the fridge, she closed the door and found Adriano towering over her, his eyes trying to warm up a few degrees.

"Why don't we go out for a walk? Maybe get something to eat?" he wanted to brighten the mood. He noticed how her eyes lit up a little at his words, that was exactly what she wanted and needed to do to get her mind of things.

"I don't have anything to wear." She remembered, not wanting to go out in her day old clothes.

"I went out to some things from the apartment, I brought stuff for you." He nodded into the next room where he had put the bag down. Angela had been too preoccupied to even notice.

"I'll go get changed then."

Adriano had busied himself in the apartment while she quickly got dressed into something new. Once she was ready, he grabbed her one of his coats, and put it on her. It was cold out but the snow had stopped , leaving a sheet over the ground. It scrunched under their shoes as they walked, body guards behind and a bit in front of them. They were placed carefully and strategically but were definitely not obvious looking. Adriano thought this was the safest way for her to actually go out.

Angela shivered a little as they walked around one of the squares and lopped her arm through his, huddling closer to him. All he could do was look down at her in amazement, she was perfect. Still unaware of Adriano's gaze on her, she continued to walk and tried to keep up with Adriano's big strides.

They stopped after a while and sat down on a park bench to people watch and pass time.

"Where will we go for dinner?" she asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them both.

"I know exactly where to bring you." He smiled a little at her, she couldn't help but give him a small grin in return.

"And where's that?" she raised an eyebrow at him, looking up now at him. She noticed his scar now, his five o' clock shadow beginning to surround the end of it on his cheek.

"You'll find out soon enough Angie."

"But I want to know now, can I have a clue?" she asked softly, quite curious.

"Shh. Let's stop talking now." He said, a hint of humour in his voice. He placed a finger over her mouth, making her giggle. He put his arm around her tight now before she spoke.

"Whatever." She snorted and rolled her eyes. They took in the view for another while before getting up and heading towards wherever Adriano was bringing them. Once they reached a busy restaurant, that looked very fancy, she thought. Nervousness began to flush over as they stepped into the doors, realising they would be eating here today. A woman to Angela's right stared at her and what she had on once they had arrived in the lobby. Angela tried to ignore her as Adriano took her small hand in his and walked past the line of smartly dressed diners awaiting a table.

After muttering something in Italian to the waiter standing at the desk to show people to their tables, he stood up straight, a nervous look on his face.

"Right away Sir." The young man replied to Adriano who seemed to just walk in and chose any table he wanted in the restaurant. The one he had chosen was very reserved and on it's own in the corner of the beautifully decorated restaurant. Angela just followed him, looking with curiosity at everything around her. The waiter was scurrying along behind the pair and pulled out Angela's chair for her as she sat down. He gave them menus and then walked briskly away and back to the front of the restaurant. They looked over the menus and soon ordered.

"I'll have to get you a new coat, one that isn't twice as big as you." He laughed a little, making conversation as they waited for their food.

"I'm fine really, you don't have to." She said shyly.

"As much as I think you're cute wearing my clothes, you might need something that fits you a little better." He grinned.

"I can't help being this small, what can you do huh?" Angela smiled back at him across the table.

"I've never met anyone as short as you. It's funny."

"I'm sorry we can't all be giants like you." She rested her chin in her hand, looking over at him and thinking. "If you think I'm short, you should meet my mother. She's short than me."

"Is that even possible?" he snorted, causing her to squint her eyes at him in mock annoyance.

Once they were done their food, they headed home, taking their time and strolling along. Angela took everything in, the high rise buildings, the business of the traffic and the people as they walked back home. The sky had turned a dark navy blue and all she could see was different coloured lights all around. It was getting late now.

They finally reached the apartment and went upstairs, followed by the guards who had went along with them on their trip. Once inside, Angela and Adriano spent some time in front of the TV, wrapped up together under a blanket. Adriano noticed Angela dozing off to sleep on his shoulder and decided it was probably time for bed.

He picked her up, placing her gently in his arms as to not wake her. Her eyes cracked open as soon as he took his first step. The look of panic Adriano saw on her face for a split second from waking up but then it turned to one of confusion.

"Adriano? What are you doing? Put me down." She squirmed a little in his arms but he continued to walk.

"I'm bringing you to bed, stop moving."

"I have two legs to walk on, that's what they're there for now let me go." She replied.

"If you keep moving I'm going to drop you." He said, causing her to stop immediately. Adriano laughed out loudly at her reaction. Once he placed her on the bed, he walked to his drawer and threw her a shirt of his to wear to bed. It hit her in the face and he only snorted again with laughter.

"Idiot." She grumbled before heading for the bathroom ,leaving it slightly ajar while she got changed. He couldn't help but peak in for a split second before getting into something to wear to bed himself. Once she was ready, she left the bathroom and made her way over to the bed. Adriano managed to catch a glance of her appearance, before she jumped into bed and let out a loud yawn. He soon followed her and turned off his light on the bedside table.

Once the room was in darkness, she let out a deep sign and the two moved closer to each other. Adriano had chosen to not wear a shirt to bed, and his dressing from his wounds a couple of weeks ago was still on to cover the nearly-healed scars the stab wounds would leave. Angela couldn't help but be surprised when he moved even closer to her and turned on his side to face her. The close contact and the feel of skin on skin was getting too much for her. She was remembering back to the night they had shared but wanted to stop right now.

"Alright?" he asked her, getting distracted as he reached over slowly and traced his fingers up and down the exposed skin on her arm, as if knowing what she was thinking.

"Y-yeah." She nodded, finally finding the words to open her mouth. She had diverted her attention to the feel of his fingers on her arm and gulped loudly. The feeling in the air had changed, it had converted from calmness to tension, a building tension between the two. Angela opened her mouth to speak again and quickly closed it again, lost for words. She was amazed that an action so small could make her react in such a way that her mind had clouded over completely and was foggy.

"Adriano-" she went to talk but his lips were on hers now, wanting and needing to close the gap between them. She leaned in and wrapped her hands around his neck while he took her face in his hands, licking her bottom lip for entrance. The kiss was then deepened, making her roll on her back as he fixed himself on top of her. His hands glided up and down her body, hitching her shirt up as he explored her body, his lips never breaking away from hers. His kisses were intense; they left her gasping quietly for air once they took time to breath. She looked into his dark lustful eyes, his powerful stare made her want more.

They both where this was going as Adriano went at it again, trailing soft kisses down her neck and over her shoulder. He helped her lift her shirt over her head, both never taking their eyes off of each other, still saying nothing. Adriano took in her appearance for a moment before kissing her lips again, this time the kiss lingered, it was soft and gentle. Angela had reached up and wrapped her hands around his back. She was the first to speak, because although she didn't want to remember the conversation they had just a few hours ago, it had come back to her at this very moment.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked breathlessly looking up at him, making him stop what he was doing. He nodded slowly after a moment of thinking. Of course he wanted this, of course he wanted her. He meant what he had said earlier about not wanting a relationship with Angela, but that was for her own good only. He knew he wanted her, every part of her. And he knew he needed her, badly.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Are you?" he needed to ask the question also but she didn't respond with words, only turned over to straddle him, putting her lips desperately on his again.