The Mafia King's Unknown Doctor Wife novel Chapter 294

But Elena can't focus on any of that. She's suddenly reminded of every childhood memory of walking back home with Joshua. As just a kid, she hadn't questioned why Joshua sometimes insisted on stopping at food trucks to stall their inevitable parting—she just had enjoyed those extra stolen moments.

But, looking back as an adult, most of those detours for a snack happened on days that were otherwise terrible. Whether it was because of pop quiz gone wrong or mafia pressures interfering with her life, Elena had usually been dealing with some problem or another. And then, like clockwork, Joshua would have them stop at a food truck.

"This one never stops here," he'd say. Or maybe he'd state that he just got his allowance and wanted a soda. Rarely, he would mention his feet hurting him and wanting to take a short break—"might as well get something while we're here, right?" he'd grin.

How many times had Joshua just been trying to cheer her up? He might not have known about her ties to the mafia and all the troubles she was facing as the daughter of an angry capo, but Joshua had consistently been there for her in whatever ways a kid could.

Just like he was doing now.

She ate the burrito in silence. Joshua didn't say a word, but something about his posture lightened as he kept his focus on the road.

"We're here," Joshua announced as the car came to a stop.

Elena nodded. This time, she was silent not from heart break but because she was overcome with how much silent care she had been shown. It warmed her all over.

Elena stepped out of the car and smiled.

"Good night," Joshua said.

"Good night," Elena replied, somehow finding her voice. "Thank you—for the ride and the meal."

Elena was surprised that Massimo didn't wake her up—or have the servants wake her up—earlier. Not that she was complaining. The fact she was allowed to sleep in to her eight am alarm was just an unexpected treat.

Massimo just made it seem like there were big plans for the day.

Elena got dressed, hurried through breakfast, and entered Massimo's office.

Elena nodded. This wasn't worth arguing over.

And it's not like she, the pretender Mafia Queen, had any real power. If the Mafia King wanted something, he would not be denied.

"Yes," Elena responded.

Massimo rushed them through check-in at a lavish hotel. The second their bags were dropped on the floor, he was rushing Elena back into the car. She had no idea where he was in a hurry to get to.

But still, she never would've guessed the destination was a shooting range.

"Are we meeting someone here?" Elena asked hesitantly.

"No," Massimo replied. "I'm going to teach you how to use a gun."