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Chapter 14-The Four Words

Miranda Barone's POV

Two weeks have passed ever since Slade and I became friends. To be honest, at first when Slade had picked me up to send me to work, it felt pretty awkward. How was I supposed to react about his feelings for me that had supposedly passed the 'just friends' border? But after a few of Slade's inappropriate comments, his moodiness and his usual charming yet snarky self, things were back to normal.

However, we never talked about his admission of his feelings for me. I guess it was a silent agreement between Slade and I to never bring it up. "Where do you wanna eat?"

"I wanna go to that cafe where you brought me before." I suggested and Slade frowned. "What? Which one?"

I pursed my lips, trying to think of the name of the restaurant before giving up. "The one on that day you had to leave early and Mark sent me home."

Slade grimaced, "Why? Let's go to some place new."

I shrugged, "Well we hadn't really eaten there together because you had to rush off. So why not there?"

"Well, I want to try something new."

"Like what?" I questioned with both my brows raised. 

"Just something new!" He snapped impatiently and I rolled my eyes. "Why are you so snappy today? You're so moody." I mumbled the last part to myself and Slade shot me a glare, "Shut up. Lets just look around to see where we can eat."

"Why don't you want to eat there? Whats wrong with that place?" I asked curiously as we entered his car. "Just because." Was his vague answer. "Why the fuck would you even want to eat there anyway?" Slade grumbled.

I narrowed my eyes, "Are you trying to argue with me?"

"No, I'm trying to pick a fight with you." He said sarcastically and crossed his arms over his muscular chest.

"Oh really? Give me five minutes and we can settle the score."

"It's on sweetheart."

***

"Are you ready to get your butt kicked?" I shot at him as I flexed my fingers and Slade rolled his eyes before cracking his knuckles. "Winner gets to decide where to eat. Loser has to start saying vulgarities. Deal?" Slade smirked.

I rolled my eyes, "Deal."

"Ready! Get set go!"

"One! Two! Three! Four! I declare a thumb war!"

Our hands were clenched together and I looked up to see Slade looking down at me with a smirk. "I'm gonna win."

"No you're not!" I retorted as I tried to pin his thumb down. "Why is your thumb so freaking big anyway?" I complained and Slade's amused grin grew wider as his thumb managed to pin mine down. "Looks like I'm winning sweetheart."

"Ugh." I grunted as I tried to pull my thumb away from his grip on mine. I needed a distraction! "Hey is that Dylan over there?" I asked and peered over Slade's shoulder.

"What? Where?" Slade demanded as he turned around. Now that he was distracted, I pulled my thumb away and pinned his down. "Onetwothreefourfivesixseveneightnineten! I won! Lets go eat at that cafe!" I cheered.

"What the flying fuck?! That was fucking cheating!" Slade grumbled and shot me an angry glare. "Hey, I won fair and square. You're just not happy that I won. Now lets go!"

Slade rolled his eyes and started the car engine muttering what sounded like Russian curses.

Pretty soon, we reached the little cafe and Slade scowled at it but I ignored him before entering. A waiter led us to our table and Slade scowled as he slid into the seat opposite mine. "Fucking cheater." He mumbled and I sipped at my water to hide my smug grin.

After we ordered, Slade did so reluctantly, I observed him quietly before stating. "I just realised I don't know much about you. Were you born in Russia or here in America?"

Slade eyed me before shrugging, "Russia. My family moved here when I was three because my father's brother died and my father had to take over the Russian Mob."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Wait, the Russian Mob was always run by your family?"

"Yes. The very old gangs still do. Like the Italian Mafia." He replied shortly and I rolled my eyes.

"I really wish you would stop harping on that. I've told you countless times, my brother is not in the Italian Mafia!" I said defensively and Slade raised his hands up in a surrender gesture. "Alright alright. I'll stop." He patronised and I rolled my eyes again.

I fiddled with my cup of water and changed the subject, "Where is your family now?"

Slade seemed to tense at this new topic and he replied shortly, "My parents are dead. My older brother is living far away from Chicago and away from me."

"I'm really sorry. My parents are dead too." I offered and Slade remained quiet. "Why isn't your brother with you here in Chicago?"

Slade barked out a humourless laugh, "He thought that being in the Russian Mob was something to be ashamed of. He despised having the blood of criminals run through his veins. Being a gangster isn't just for anyone you know. So he left. End of story."

"Oh." Somehow in that statement, it seemed that Slade was warning me. "So when did you meet Erik?" I changed the subject and his shoulders relaxed. "A month after my parents died. That was when I was eleven. Erik was struggling with money issues because of his mother who was always high on drugs. We became best friends ever since. It was about six years ago that Mira entered Erik's life. So ever since that day, I had to share Erik."

I smiled before a puzzled frown appeared on my face, "If Erik and Mira were together for that long and they have Mikael, why aren't they married?"

Slade shrugged before leaning back, "I don't know. Its their problem not mine."

I pursed my lips and Slade raised his eyebrows, "Stop doing that, you look like a fish.

I gasped at him before shooting him a vehement glare, "You're such a jerk!"

"A cute fish?" He offered and smirked. I tried my very best to retain the glare on my face before a wry smile slipped onto my lips.

"Funny. Ha ha." I replied dryly and Slade smirked. "Now, are you finished with your interrogation about my life?"

I shot him a pointed look, "I wasn't interrogating you! I just realised that I hardly know much about you and I'm overly curious."

"Thinking too much about me?"

"No!" I denied and flushed. I hurriedly ducked my head down so he wouldn't see my cheeks turn red. Sometimes, I hated having such pale skin. It was way too obvious when I blushed.

"I can see your cheeks, they're the colour of tomatoes."

"Just eat your food!" I snapped and Slade chuckled, amused before he began eating.

***

I leaned against the seat contentedly as Slade drove me home. I really had learned more about this enigma who was sitting beside me. Even though Slade and I weren't talking, a pretty comfortable silence enveloped around us. I had thought it would be awkward and uncomfortable but it seemed that we were okay with this comfortable atmosphere.

I couldn't help but grin to myself like an overly excited high school girl on her first date. Why? Because, Slade Kolosov was holding onto my hand. It was pretty random to be honest. My left hand was simply on my lap as I gazed out of the window and suddenly his larger one took mine and interlaced them. Stunned, I looked down at our joint hands before gaping up at him.

Slade didn't even return a glance back at me but continued to drive silently. And that was about ten minutes ago. I sighed inwardly and continued looking out of the window, a hint of a smile playing on my lips.

"Fucking hell." Slade cursed as his hand suddenly pulled away from mine. Immediately, I missed his hand holding onto mine. I glanced at him and frowned, "What?"

"Someone's tailing us." He gritted out through his teeth before speeding up. "Really? Where?" I questioned and glanced into the side mirror. A black sedan was tailing behind Slade's car and was coming dangerously close to us. "Oh I see." I gasped and Slade swerved to the left.

"Make sure you're wearing your seatbelt." He reminded before making another sharp turn to the left. I was already wearing it but didn't comment as I looked into the side mirror again. Now, our followers were alert, they seemed to realise that we knew that they were tailing us and as a result, they were trying to catch up with us.

"They're coming closer!" I warned and Slade cursed before making an abrupt illegal u-turn on the road. Loud beeps were made at us and because of that turn, I hit my ankle against the car door.

I winced in pain and leaned forward to inspect my ankle when I spotted a lacy item on the car floor beside my feet. I inhaled sharply and bit my lip when I realised it was a black lacy thong. I hadn't seen it earlier when I had got into the car because it wasn't really obvious as the car mats were black and the item was also black so it blended in.

My stomach twisted and my lips pressed into a thin line. All happy and giddy feelings were gone now. What did I expect? Slade and I weren't exclusive, why was I feeling so betrayed and hurt? But he had admitted his 'feelings' for me hadn't he? How could he have slept with someone else when he felt something for me? Or maybe more than one 'someones'. My lips tightened at that thought and my hands clenched into delicate fists.

"Why is there a freaking thong in your freaking car?" I questioned frostily.

Slade glanced at me because of my cold tone before swearing in Russian and groaned, "Not now Mel. I'm trying to keep us alive." With that, he made another harsh turn to the left. I sat back stiffly trying my hardest not to show any emotion on my face. Especially how hurt I was feeling. I didn't like wearing my heart on my sleeves.

Slade made another hard turn to the right and this time, our turn was so abrupt and unexpected that the driver of the black sedan crashed into a building. I gasped at the sight and Slade quickly speeded away from that area.

"Mel?"

"Mel."

I'm ignoring you. Can't you see that? I shouted mentally as Slade called my name again.

"Mel. Come on. Don't be stubborn." Slade warned.

I was stubborn? Ha! I could be the definition of stubborn if I wanted!

"Miranda."

Now, his tone was getting a little annoyed and I continued to look out of the window and ignore him. Slade growled before slamming his palm onto the dashboard. I jumped from the loud sound before continuing to look out of the window.

We continued to drive in silence, this time, the atmosphere was harsh and tense. When we reached my apartment, I turned to open my door but before I could, Slade locked it.

"Unlock the door." I demanded as I turned around to face him annoyed.

"Mel. Talk to me." Slade frowned in irritation. His hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He was holding onto it so tightly until his knuckles were turning white.

I glared at him, "You have someone's underwear in your car."

Slade frowned, "So? Its not mine if thats what you're worried about. I'm definitely not into cross dressing."

I growled and it took all of my strength not to punch him in the face right there and then. I reached over and pressed the button to unlock my side of the door. Once I was outside, I slammed the door shut and made my way to my home.

"Mel! What's the fucking problem? I don't get your female mood swings. Stop glaring at me like that, you look like a deranged kitten."

I screeched loudly before slapping him viciously in the chest. "What's the problem? Don't you get it? You tell me you have feelings for me but you still see other women!"

Slade glanced down at me, understanding in his baby blue eyes. He looked at me quietly for a moment. His gaze so intense that I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. I didn't want to show him that I couldn't be under pressure. 

 "I really want to kiss you now."

I gaped at him but I didn't know why I said it-those four words. But perhaps it could be due to all these feelings and emotions I had for him. Every single emotion in me that was invoked by Slade Kolosov from the very first time I had met him until now. All of them surged over me like a tidal wave and I shivered at the feeling

I looked up at him, lips parted and I said the four words that would ultimately change everything between us. "Then why don't you?"

And immediately, his lips claimed mine.

***

Dedicated to Privishti_ for her comment in the previous chapter.