Chapter 4

It was truly ironic that Viola must keep away the one thing she knew Doffy wanted more than anything in the world. She knew the situation at hand would implode sooner or later. Damian has recently started asking about his father and she managed to distract him every time. She was aware she had to come clean at some point.

It was another one of her blessed days off and she used that time to organize the mess that was her apartment. She fed and bathed Damian after they were done dusting and organizing various household items. The little boy was more of a hindrance as he jumped on cushions, was chased by his mother and eventually sinking onto the couch giggling because she tickled him. He was just like Doffy, doing whatever he wanted and even had that mini smirk minus the sunglasses.

His teachers were astounded at his learning curve and he charmed everyone around him and was protective of those he considered friends. She fondly remembered an incident when he came home with finger paint and claimed he had colored Jenny Gray purple because she likes Barney. The victim herself raised a ruckus but he had resolved the matter by drawing her favorite character and presenting it to her claiming she has become the dinosaur's best friend by having him paint her that color.

Fortunately, the color washed off and the little girl's mother took it in good humor. He had a little group in school backing him up for pranks or playtime. It was food for thought.

The doorbell rang and she went to open it, leaving her son to watch his favorite show after dinner and a bath. She wondered who it could be and tentatively looked through. After recognizing the visitor, she sighed in resignation and relief.

'Hello, Rosinante. Been a long time.'

He came in with his usual grimace in contrast to Doffy's flamboyant smirk and gently bopped her head with his fist.

'You've got to be kidding! I was worried sick about you! I thought you and Rebecca might have died!'

'Please, Rosinante. Calm down.'

He took a deep breath and came to sit on her sofa, silently musing at her. He was like his brother that way, observing first and reacting later. She thought to herself how much better it would have been to be attracted to him, but life did not work that way. They shared a warm and platonic relationship. She respected and appreciated his kindness and he looked out for her like a brother would.

'Mama, who is that?'

Viola froze when she saw Rosinante take one look at Damian and everything clicking into place for him. It was ironic her son met the uncle before the father.

Rosinante Donquixote looked at her quizzically and she pleaded with her eyes that she would explain it all later.

'Sweetheart, this is Rosinante. He's my friend.'

Damian's eyes took him in as Rosinante walked around the little boy, marveling at the similarities with his brother. He put his hand forward for a shake and after another minute of consideration, he took it.

Viola watched the scene with mixed feelings, wondering how she was going to deal with the pile of secrets about to burst from a very small can. The little boy showed Rosinante his toys and drawings. They played with action figures for a while when Damian started yawning.

'Time for bed, kiddo.'

'Another few minutes, mom. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease?!

'Nope. You are going to bed.'

'Corazon, give me a few minutes. I'll be back.'

He gestured with his hand to assure her he'll be here. She tucked her son in and came out with a grimly resigned look.

'We are going to need something stronger for this, Viola. Do you have anything lying around?'

They sat around the kitchen table nursing glasses when Rosinante broke the silence.

'This is why you ran away all those years ago.'

'I had to! It was bad enough that Rebecca was involved there at all! I could not let my child grow up in that environment. You can't tell me Trebol and Diamante were ideal parents for the two of you.'

'They were assholes, through and through. But they did give us the skills to survive. They died, by the way. Cardiovascular something or other.'

'I knew Doffy respected them somewhat, but honestly I'm glad. They gave me the creeps.'

'All right, back to you. So, what are you going to do about this? You know, he was bound to find you sooner or later. I get how you feel about the kid, but my brother has the right to know.'

'I'm aware of that. But Damian deserves a better life, a clean mind and bloodless hands.'

'My brother and I lost our parents in the most unimaginable way. I want to live peacefully but you know how Doffy is about those who wrong him. He saw our mother and father get killed, not something to be recovered from easily. Sometimes, he still drinks heavily just so he can sleep. It has gotten worse since you left. He burns for revenge still. He will sit and wait years for the opportunity and strike when least expected.'

'I know that too, since I used to track people down for him as well.'

'Do you know why he's here right now?'

'I presume he's making deals to get a slice of the American Pie. No pun intended.'

Rosinante chuckled while Viola allowed a small smile to escape her lips. She knew she had to tell Doffy he has a son but was doing her best to delay the moment. She sipped her wine and mused the events of her life that has brought her here. Her family dying in a fire caused by electrical malfunctions, being found by the Donquixote's, meeting Doffy and consequently having an unbreakable tie between them.

'It was one of his men who saw you in the streets one day. You are a difficult woman to miss or forget. He took pictures and showed it to Doffy. While he appreciated the information, the man's phone and hand did not receive the same courtesy.'

Viola winced at this. Doffy believed in swift retribution whenever someone threatened or insulted his 'family'. His possessiveness knew no bounds, especially around the executives. She had broken bones as well, but she did it out of necessity while he enjoyed it on a sadistic level. He could be deadly and loving all within the same day. Sometimes, she would get mental whiplashes from these turbulent episodes.

She knew he wanted revenge against those who orchestrated his parents murder, which was one of the reasons he kept amassing wealth and power. She wanted her son to have a father he could look up to. Doffy might try to take him away if he knew, being the selfish bastard that he was. She could not allow such a thing to happen.

Rosinante was still mad at her for running away without telling him all those years ago so she plied him with more rum and pictures of Damian as a baby and Rebecca's children were in the mix. As most photos were with them, she could not exactly avoid his questions.

'I see you managed to give Rebecca the life you wanted her to have. She looks happy but honestly, what is up with Goldilocks?'

They chatted for a few minutes and then she called him an uber. As she helped him get into the car, he turned and whispered. She went closer for better hearing.

'Here's something for you to think about. Doffy punishes anyone who wrongs him. Our parents' murderers are a different category. Even I have suffered his occasional displeasure, despite being his brother.

But, in your case, here's the kicker. You have been on the run for five years or so, yet you are alive and unharmed. I wanted to look for you, but he told me not to. He felt that you wanted to be left alone, for your own reasons. I was aware how he was restraining himself even though he said all that. He respects your need for space, no matter what you may think otherwise. Sleep on it, will you?'

With that he got into the car and waved as it peeled away from the curb. She stood there, still processing what he just said and comparing what she knew of Doffy.

She marveled at how he remembered to do so, despite his intake, while she was struggling with too many riotous thoughts in a semi-sober state.

That night, she lay in bed thinking of the day's events. She had been running for a long time along with Rebecca until her niece married Cavendish and settled down with him. She wondered if there was any meaning to all her actions up to this point as Doffy had found her.

She also needed to come to terms about her feelings as well, try as she might deny them. Their relationship or lack of it has been through plenty of murky waters. Doffy, being the secretive enigma that he was, continues to fascinate her still. She knew she felt grateful that he had sheltered her and Rebecca, but the price was steep. He had clearly let her know, in typical Doffy fashion, that she would be with him. It was just like him to presume things would go his way.

To her eternal denial and anger with a mix of desire, she remembered how things started changing between them. She found him compelling from the minute they met but he treated her nonchalantly until her 21st birthday.

It was the night of her many firsts but before that….

She trained hard in physical combat because she kept remembering his alcoholic breath and his hand wrapped around her throat. It was quite difficult for her to go near men which is why Rosinante kept a watch as he was the only one she felt safe with. She was grateful to Doffy but his actions had scared her too.

'Come on, Viola! Put your shoulder into it.'

It was a particularly exhausting session as Rosinante made her do plenty of sit ups, push-ups and stretches. She also had to dodge his attacks while doing all of that. It was quite bizarre.

'I see you're putting her through the ringer'

Viola managed to dodge a left uppercut but was hit with a right as she was distracted by him. Doffy was in his black sweatpants and sleeveless grey basketball t-shirt as he mused over them standing at the doorway with his customary smirk and long, muscular legs crossing each other. A towel hung over his shoulders, perspiration gleaming in his tousled blond hair.

How does a guy look that good covered in sweat?

'Damn it! You distracted me!'

He walked over to her while she checked her face for bruises. She looked at him warily. It was never a good sign if the smirk grew wider.

'Tell you what, Viola. I'll give you a handicap. Land a hit and we'll call it a win.'

'You are so on.'

Their match began, with Viola tensing up and Doffy relaxing. Rosinante cheered them on from his position on the bench. Few of the men had come in, making bets. It was unusual to see the young family head fight.

They circled each other, Viola's thick braid swinging below her shoulders as she sized him up. She threw a right hook which he dodged and then kicked with her right. He avoided that too. She threw a series of kicks and punches at him and missed. He did not try to hit her at all, just kept dodging until she got up in his face and swerved with the heel of her left hand and tried to punch his solar plexus with her right. Within a second, he was barely an inch away from her as he had caught both her hands and twisted them behind her. The movement caused her chest to arch against his.

They were now locked in stares, the fight momentarily forgotten. She could feel his hard ridges against her softness, which caused slow heat to pool within her. The pupils of her eyes dilated as she registered how good his body felt against hers. There was no underlying repulsiveness in her as his eyes lowered to her full, quivering lips. She, in turn, raised her head a little to peruse his mouth which had haunted her dreams. His long fingers were gently sliding over her wrists and up her palms to interlace and unlock her fists. The sensation caused a flurry of excitement to run through her and she mildly shuddered, her breath coming out in pants.

The first few catcalls brought them back to reality as they reluctantly parted. She lost again, but this time, the sting was not quite as sharp. It was softened by the heated feel of him against her which spurred blush worthy images.

'Viola, stop telegraphing kicks and punches with your eyes. You need to focus.'

He left throwing that comment in his wake which made her seethe in fury. Rosinante shooed the whistling men who congratulated her for at least staying on the mat. After they were gone, she noticed him observing her. It was like he was trying to figure out what just happened between her and his brother.

As Viola herself reeled from this encounter, she came to a few realizations. The primary being that Doffy did not repulse her.

The second one left her breathless as she reluctantly admitted to herself what she had struggled with denying. She desired him.

She fell asleep, wondering how far these intricate chains bound her to him and whether she truly wanted to be free of them.