《Taming My Mafia Stepbrother》


 Chapter 1: Night of My life

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Rrrring. Rrrring.


    I let out a lethargic groan, my head pounding furiously as I rolled over on a bed softer,rger and morefortable than I remembered mine to be.


    Rrrring. Rrring.


    That incessant ringing of a cell phone nearby was practically sting my ears to bits. I felt around for my phone, wanting to answer it but my hand came to rest on a hard, naked chest.


    I froze, my thoughts and heartbeating to a standstill, only to start again even more ferociously as my head swam with memories fromst night while I tried to ce why I was in bed with someone else, a man from the look of things.


    I syed my fingers and coasted down the chest. Too smooth and broad to be Kevin, my on again, off again boyfriend I usually hooked up with when I needed my fix.


    RRRRING RRINGGG RRR-


    The annoying ringing was cut short by a pissed off voice demanding in a heavy ent; ¡°What is it?¡±


    My eyes flew open, my heart stilling at the deep, husky voice that was unfamiliar until yesterday¡­ Last night to be precise. Hot humiliation and ice cold fear warred in my chest, my heart sinking into my stomach as the memories came crashing down.


    No no no.


    I could already hear the words, the usation. You filthy slut. Dirty whore. Your own stepbrother you only just met¡­


    How did this happen?


    I sat up in the bed, clutching the sheets to my chest, my heart beating my lungs to death and pumping dread and horror into my veins.


    This can¡¯t be happening.


    Blinking rapidly, I saw my clothes in a heap by the door, my undies strewn on the chair, my shoes lying in one corner of the room.


    I desperately tried to remember what happenedst night that had led to me in bed with my new stepbrother; Luca Salvatore, the don of the entire Italian mafia and most dangerous man in Chicago.


    My mother was getting married to his father; Manuel Salvatore, the retired godfather of the city. She had invited me for the little get together Manuel was throwing to celebrate their union. As usual, Amanda; my mother and I had gotten into an argument about what I was wearing and why I wasn¡¯t even trying to fit in with the crowd and I had drank myself silly to drown her incessant tittering.


    Worthless.


    Piece of shit.


    Mistake.


    The usations were piling up on top me, squeezing my heart of everything I had in me. I could hear his voice, feel his lips, his hands and teeth as he repeated those dreaded words over and over again.


    The used condoms on the floor sealed the deal for me.


    Anxiety racked my bones. A scream climbed up my throat. Sickness churned in my stomach and I swallowed down bile as I wrapped the sheets around myself, rocking back and forth as the reality of this situation dawned on me.


    Whore whore whore.


    I need to get out of here.


    Luca was still talking about god knows what on the phone and mymon sense kicked in, deciding that now was the perfect time to make my escape if I wanted to leave unscathed.


    I stepped out of the bed, almost tripping over myself, thanks to my blurry tearstained vison and managed to put my clothes on.


    ¡°Stop right there.¡± The voicemanded, thick and deep and demanding.


    I swallowed, every cell in my body fighting against the sheermon sense to obey. But there¡¯s not a single man alive that will tell me what to do and the most dangerous man in the city isn¡¯t going to change that.


    I was going to leave him right there, however the sound of a gun cocked in my direction stopped me in my tracks.


    ¡°Turn around.¡±


    I did. Slowly. Grudgingly but only because there was a gun aimed at my head.


    Luca Salvatore was too goodlooking for his own good but the darkness in his eyes ruined it for me.


    How on earth did I end up in bed with a man like him.


    From past experience, I knew better than to mess with men in the mafia but somehow, the reasons had blurred in my headst night.


    He was lying in bed, silk white sheets twisted around him. My face paled at the recent scratches on his body, his heavily mussed hair, the lipstick marks on the corner of his lips, his body.


    My cheeks burned as I remembered the feel of his naked skin against mine, his rough hands cupping my body.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡±


    I blinked, hurt and annoyance eating at my chest, softening my retort because he was currently armed and dangerous. I have heard a lot of rumours about the don. Most people agreed that he was a little too trigger happy and thest thing I needed right now was my murder on his bloody hands.


    ¡°Cara. Cara Torello.¡± The nk look in his eyes sparked with annoyance at myst name.


    That makes two of us.


    ¡°F u c k!¡± He cussed angrily, shutting his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose as he looked up at the ceiling and blew out a frustrated breath.


    He looked at me again, his jaw clenched. Tension and unease coiled tight between us like a tight spring.


    ¡°Pack your shit and leave.¡± He muttered, tossing his gun on the nightstand and folding hisrge arms as he stared at me with unsettling grey eyes.


    I rolled my eyes because that¡¯s exactly what I was trying to do before he chose to acknowledge my existence.


    I could still feel his irritated stare burning my back before I shut the door firmly behind me, hoping to put this day and this experience far behind me.


    I had no such luck because the first person I ran into as soon as I left the room was a disgruntled Amanda. Her eyes widened at my rumpled and haphazard state and I watched as she squinted at me, registering my messed up hair, rumpled clothes and the direction I wasing from.


    ¡°You bitch!¡± She snarled, grabbing my arm and yanking me into an enclosure in the wall. ¡°I took a big risk getting you involved in this family and I won¡¯t have you ruining everything for me before I have even officially married Manuel.¡±


    A panic attack was wing its way up my throat but I swallowed it down and schooled my expression because from experience, I knew to always always plead the fifth.


    ¡°Let go of me. I did nothing wrong,¡± nothing that she knows of anyway.


    Her fingers dug into my skin as she pulled me in and sniffed at me, her face pinching into a scowl. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. You¡¯re just a whore. Always was, always have been. Of course you¡¯d jump right into the bed of the first man you find.


    It ured to me that she didn¡¯t know who I had slept with. She probably didn¡¯t believe her own words.


    I could see why she was overreacting this way when she used to look the other way when it came to matters concerning me. Managing to score a man Manuel Salvatore after years of barely scraping by was a damn near impossible feat. She had the opportunity to live in theps of luxury from this marriage with him, of course she wouldn¡¯t want anyone to ruin it.


    ¡°Look, mama, I didn¡¯t do anything, I promise. I just got drunkst night and had one of the servants find me a room. I just woke up and I¡¯m incredibly hungover and I¡¯ll appreciate if you can hound me about your false suspicions some other time.¡±


    Her hold on me ckened, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, proving my theory correct.


    She didn¡¯t know a damn thing and was just suspecting the worst about me.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m not you mama,¡± she spat acidly as herst jab before she walked away.


    My shoulders slumped and I exhaled another breath I didn¡¯t even know I had been holding and I found my way out of the dreaded mansion.

 Chapter 2: Weddding Shennanigans

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°She¡¯s so beautiful,¡± cried a woman to my left and I rolled my eyes just as another woman scoffed.


    ¡°She¡¯s nothing but a shameless, penniless gold digger. Look how tacky her shoes are.¡±


    ¡°I heard that Manuel didn¡¯t contribute a single dime to her wedding dress. It was the final test of her loyalty.¡±


    The second woman snorted. ¡°That exins that ill fitting dress.¡±


    ¡°Shh! You have to be quiet. Luca is ring at us.¡±


    The mention of my stepbrother¡¯s name had me whirling around in the direction the women were trying desperately hard to avoid.


    He was ring alright, but not at the old gossiping women. Luca Salvatore was ring at me. Molten grey eyes were searing holes into the side of my head as one of his men ryed an information too urgent to wait till the end of the wedding ceremony.


    I frowned, a tiny frown so that he couldn¡¯t use me of tantly disrespecting him and perforate my skull with well aimed bullets.


    What does he want now?


    If I were him, I¡¯d happily forget my existence and not make it known to the whole church that something had happened between us.


    I was used to people staring at me, sometimes in admiration, most times in horror, but that¡¯s not the point. The point is I knew how to live with getting stared at even if they were being unbearingly obvious about it. I knew how to ignore it and continue on my merry way but it was taking a herculean effort fending off Luca¡¯s re.


    Thankfully, the ceremony ended without any altercation and I found myself on thewn of the prestigious Salvatore estate, sipping orange juice and trying to pretend like I was enjoying the reception even though I was sick to my stomach and couldn¡¯t to go home.


    But Amanda had warned me against leaving before I have officially introduced myself to the family and I knew better than to chase away my misery with alcohol.


    Gossip and tant stares poured out of lips as easily as refreshments and I was bing more and more miserable with each passing second, second guessing the life choices I made that led up to this point.


    The only reason I hadn¡¯t lost my stomach yet and braved through the reception was because Luca was no longer a big dark cloud hovering around me. Knowing who he was and the kind of job he does, he was probably off somewhere hacking some poor man to death.


    The reality of the kind of family I was now a part of made me scowl in distaste. Hopefully, after today is done, I wouldn¡¯t be expected to interact anymore with the Salvatores.


    I couldn¡¯t look at the wealth dripping off this ce without thinking of red, splotchy blood and the loud bangs of gunshots. I¡¯m very sure that if I peeled off the paint on the walls, the blood of their enemies and victims would spill out in its ce.


    I closed my eyes against the hacking of my heartbeat and sipped more juice.


    Really, I couldn¡¯t wait for the day to be over. I was already looking forward to heading back to my dingy apartment, climbing into bed in nothing but my underwear and arge tshirt and spending the rest of the holiday binging on The Devil Wears Prada, even though I¡¯ve rewatched it a million times over.


    ¡°Caraaa!¡± Amanda¡¯s shrill call startled me out of my imagination where everything was warm and cozy. ¡°Come here, baby,e and say hi to the family.¡±


    I swallowed and stered on a fake as f u ck smile before turning around to meet my new family.


    Manuel was standing tall and proud and imposing, his arm around Amanda¡¯s slim waist. He intimidated me, that man. He had very thick eyebrows and dark dark eyes weathered by old age and a thick beard and moustache that made it look like he was constantly glowering at someone.


    Despite my good intentions and the nk stare Manuel was currently throwing my way, I couldn¡¯t stop my hands from trembling as darkness covered my vision and all I could hear was the bang of a gun going off and red staining my shoes.


    ¡°This is my daughter, Cara,¡± Amanda¡¯s voice broke through the murky waters as I clenched a hand into fist trying to stop myself from fidgeting like a terrified school girl about to be chastised by her worst teacher.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you,¡± I remembered to say, before the awkward silence could bloom into something thicker and heavier.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°This is your daughter?¡± He asked in a thick and heavily ented voice. ¡°She looks nothing like you, stellina.¡±


    Amandaughed dryly and patted Manuel softly on the chest. ¡°That¡¯s because Cara was adopted when Theo was desperate for a girl child.¡±


    ¡°Theo. That is your ex-husband.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We lost him to a car ident, remember?¡±


    Manuel nodded and kissed Amanda on the forehead. ¡°Of course, I remember, tesoro.¡±


    To me, he said, ¡°You are wee to the family, Cara. I trust that you won¡¯t be giving us any problems as you are now part of the family and we Salvatores must uphold a certain image.¡±


    I gave him a tight smile, wondering what Amanda must have told him about me. ¡°I won¡¯t, sir-¡±


    ¡°Call me Manuel,¡± he cut me short, ¡°we are now family and there is no need for formality with me.¡±


    I smiled and nodded, turning my attention to Gina, Manuel¡¯s daughter who was typing away on her phone, in a world of her own.


    Manuel and Amanda had already left us to entertain the other girls.


    ¡°Hi,¡± I prodded, giving her my best ¡®I got you girl!¡¯ smile. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you. I¡¯m Cara.¡±


    She lifted her eyes up from her phone and regarded me like I was stale, bloody meat. Her eyes immediately went cold as she shed me a sickly sweet smile. ¡°The pleasure is all mine, Cara. Your dress is¡­ interesting.¡±


    I looked down at the gold sequin dress I was currently wearing. It was two sizes too small but it was really cute and had been on sale and I had paired it with my favourite boots. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±


    ¡°Oh nothing,¡± she shrugged, ¡°if your intention is to look like a slut, that is.¡± And she promptly turned back to her phone and walked away.


    My left eyes twitched. Old Cara wanted to chase after her and have thestugh. New Cara knew that there would be hell to pay if our interaction escted into a full blown fight. I had already fucked up once by ending up in bed with my new stepbrother, I just had to get through today without any altercation.


    Suddenly, shouts and screams erupted from one corner of the courtyard and, unable to stop myself, I looked and saw that Luca of all people was holding a poor innocent man at gunpoint.


    Silence fell throughout the entire garden until it was quiet enough for the entire guests to hear him say in a deadly whisper. ¡°Repeat what you said about her.¡±


    ¡°D- Don, I don¡¯t- Please. I can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time, Rico.¡±


    One second. Two seconds. Rico was wasting his time.


    BANG.


    The explosion of the gun made me shake, slushing orange juice over my hand.


    More than one person screamed as Rico¡¯s blood and brain matter sttered on the ground.


    See? What did I tell you? My new stepbrother was a trigger happy mad man.


    I was only fooling myself believing that I could get through today without inebriating myself.


    Sighing, I drained the rest of my orange juice and went to look for some alcohol.

 Chapter 3: Bathroom Encounter

    Cara¡¯s pov


    As soon as I opened the door to the guest bathroom to relieve myself of all the orange juice and red wine that hade back with a vengeance, I promptly regretted it and wanted to turn back around and find a different bathroom with the help of the cute server from earlier.


    But shutting the door and running away would as well announce my defeat because right there, washing the blood of his hand was none other than Luca Salvatore.


    Dark grey eyes flicked over to me in annoyance as I braved the daunting task of stepping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind me, practically shutting myself in with a literal wild animal.


    He let out an irritated grunt deep in his throat and said nothing else, going back to washing his hand. He had taken off his rings and wristwatch and had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, exposing taut, bulging muscle rippling under golden tan skin.


    I hated how attraction for him burned hot and bright and furious in my lower abdomen but I fought to remind myself that I didn¡¯t want a repeat ofst time. My dder felt like it was about to burst open and Luca was taking his sweet time washing his hands, thick red blood swirling around the drainage of the sink.


    My throat tightened. Who had he killed this time?


    I knew it was probably stupid of me to be alone with a hardened criminal and seasoned killer but my pride and ego far outweighed mymon sense.


    Dropping my ss of sweet, sweet wine on the granite top sink, I chose the farthest stall away from him and took my sweet time relieving myself but when I came back out, he was still there, drying his hands and putting on his wristwatch.


    My face twisted into a scowl but I ignored him and walked to the sink to wash my hands.


    I could feel his eyes on the side of my face. It made the air around me thick, heavy and ufortable.


    ¡°¡±Did you have to kill him?¡± I had to ask when the silence became stilffing.


    A darkzy gaze bored into me, ¡°did you know what he said about you?¡±


    I froze. What?


    Schooling my expression into chilling nonchnce, I shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°Well I care,¡± he said, in that deep voice that made my insides jump through hoops. ¡°Apparently, you go to the same school, that you¡¯re easy and you have the sweetest pussy on campus.¡±


    My hands were trembling as I held them together. I racked my brain for a recollection of the terrified young man but I came up short. Did we really go to the same school? Did he really know about me? S h i t!


    ¡°You see how that can be a problem, don¡¯t you?¡±


    I shrugged again, feigning nonchnce. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything, Luca. And why do you care, even? Just leave me alon-¡±


    The word stuck in my throat because Luca was standing behind me, ice and animosity radiating off of him, sinking into my bones and making my teeth chatter. ¡°That¡¯s going to be difficult, micetta, seeing as you¡¯re now part of the family and you have an image to uphold. I can¡¯t have our allies and enemies thinking we can¡¯t control our women.¡±


    My stomach dropped as fury and annoyance took its ce. ¡°Hey, what do you mean control? And I¡¯m not a part of you guys, okay? Let¡¯s get that straight. I¡¯m only here because of my mother and after today, I have zero intentions of ying house with your family.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the one to make that call.¡±


    My heart sank. ¡°W- what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I mean you can¡¯t keep whoring around and you need to pull yourself into the semnce of a respectable woman. You¡¯ll be fending off potential suitors if you don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°And what if I don¡¯t want potential suitors?¡± My voice was small, tight, because he was stepping closer and closer into my space. He was so close to me that I could feel his chest graze my back when I tried to stand straighter, I could almost taste his scent on my tongue.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s too bad, mia cara.¡±


    I swallowed, why did he say it like that? Why did he sound like that?


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. I can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t keep wearing these kind of dresses that make you look like an easyy. Although that defeats the purpose of who you really are.¡±


    ¡°And who am I?¡±


    I felt a tight tug on my ponytail. He was wrapping my hair around his fist and something was turning my insides inside out.


    Easing out of his hold, I maintained a neutral expression as I turned around to face him.


    Jesus, he was even more goodlooking up close, my heart skipped several beats just standing so close to him when his dark grey eyes locked in mine.


    I swallowed and reached for his jacket, gently slipping his button through the hole. ¡°Is that what you think I am?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡± My hands froze against his chest as I looked up at him.


    ¡°I think you¡¯re far worse.¡± His ent was thicker, heavier, his voice deeper.


    Hn, I scoffed. My hands stroked down his chest and rested against his abdomen, a few inches above his belt.


    ¡°And does that turn you on?¡±


    ¡°You rate yourself a little too high, micetta.¡±


    ¡°Hm, so do you care to exin this?¡± My hand slipped between us, where his hardened erection was pushing against my stomach and I rested my hand against the bulge.


    He let out a short curse, nearly stumbling over, his breathing up in short rasps. ¡°Cara.¡±


    He pushed deeper into my hand as I rubbed him up and down, peering up into his eyes and smirking at the pained and sexually frustrated expression on his handsome face.


    He wasn¡¯t stopping me or I would havee back to my senses a long time ago.


    There was a hot feeling in my chest, knowing that I was damning us both straight to hell with my actions, but I couldn¡¯t find it in me to care about the consequences when I was pretty much bringing this powerful man to his knees with just a handjob.


    ¡°F u ck, Cara.¡± He cursed, his hand grabbing the sink and caging me in. He was all I could see now. His delicious scent was all around me.¡±Don¡¯t stop. I¡¯m going toe.¡±


    Something about his voice, the firm and aggressive tone, the order that demanded to be obeyed made me want to do exactly that. Something told me that this man was used to getting what he wanted. He only had to say what he wanted in that tone and it was as good as his.


    So naturally, I fought to disobey him.


    Squeezing softly and feeling something in me explode with need at the rough, gravely moan he rasped out, I leaned up on my toes and kissed his cheek as eagerly as I¡¯d kiss his mouth. And when I was done, I brought my lips close to his ears. ¡°You see, Luca, the problem is; I like sex a lot more than I fear you and there¡¯s not a single man alive that will tell me what to do with my life and with my body. Looks like I¡¯ll be remaining a slut for a long time toe.¡±


    I dragged his earlobe between my teeth, tugging gently and patted him softly.


    He gritted his teeth in annoyance when I stepped away from him and snatched up my winess from the sink and before I made my escape, I turned around and shed a smile at him, although the smile turned into a wide eyed grin when I saw the lipstick marks on his cheek and corbone, his coat and dress shirt askew, his even harder and more visible bulge and frustrated and enraged look in his eyes.


    I tipped the ss in a cheers motion, turned around and left the bathroom.

 Chapter 4: Fratello

    Luca¡¯s pov


    I have never put myself in a position I couldn¡¯t get myself out of since I was fourteen, and never in my life has that been because of a woman.


    But here I was, sitting in my car, palming a raging hard on that refused to go down no matter how many times I jerked off to dirty thoughts of her, her voice, her s e xy little body, nimble little hands and pouty little mouth.


    It didn¡¯t help that I haven¡¯t been able to even look at other women since I met her. The thought of touching someone else to rid me of this aching lust made me tick with repulsion.


    Fuck, she wasn¡¯t even my type.


    I liked my women pliant, submissive, dark haired, eager to please but meek about it. Cara was the exact opposite. She talked too much,ughed too hard, she was the only blonde I have ever met in the entire cosa nostra and everything pointed to the fact that she was selfish in bed; taking what she wanted and not giving a flying f uck about her partner.


    To be honest, I don¡¯t know how I could ever have approached her first. I had met her only once, in a brief introduction I didn¡¯t care about. She was frowning throughout the asion and when she wasn¡¯t frowning, she tacked on a smile that was as fake and cheap as those imitated red soled louboutins I had seen her wear on two different asions.


    She liked to act like she wasn¡¯t excited that her mamma was getting married to my papa. I knew that one year as a Salvatore would do more to alleviate her impoverished life than all the years she has lived as a Torello.


    She probably saw an opportunity to get even more from the family, that was why she sneaked into my room that night.


    I cursed as memories of that night washed over me, making me even harder than I already was.


    And as if my thoughts and desperations had conjured her up, I saw her leave the bodega she had spent thest fifteen minutes in. She was calling out goodbye to the barista that sold her coffee, the barista that was only nice to her and served her oat milk for the price of regr milk every f u c k i n g day of the week because he wanted to f u c k her.


    If he hadn¡¯t already, a nagging voice told me.


    The fact that she may have actually f u cked him before made my hands curl around the steering wheel.


    Better teach him a lesson before he gets any ideas about having seconds.


    She was smiling hard, the sun shining down on her glowing  skin, her long blonde hair I had made the mistake of pulling that time in the bathroom. Now I know what it felt like, how soft and silky it really was and now, I had half the mind to drag her all the way to my bed and f u c k the memories of he away as hard as I can until I forget her face and the feel of her hands, her smart mouth and bold smile.


    She was holding a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine in a brown paper bag in one hand and her favourite coffee in another hand. She was wearing nothing but a thin white tanktop, her full, pert b reasts pushed against the flimsy fabric that barred most of her toned stomach and ck cotton shorts that could as well be panties that barely covered her a s s.


    I rapt my fingers on the steering wheel, clenching it tight when the urge to follow after her became too difficult to bear.


    An irritating itch started behind my neck, darkness curdled my veins as I watched her walk up the stairs towards her apartment.


    I wanted to follow her but f uck it, I won¡¯t let her win.


    I was going to leave, to drive off now that I had tracked down where she lived and caught a glimpse of her to feed my aching lust, but my resolve exploded into bits when I saw her stop before a guy, a preppy blonde guy smiling brighter than the f u c k i n g sun at her. I wondered if she had f ucked him before too. I was starting to realize that my new stepsister was more work than she was worth.


    I shouldn¡¯t care about her, shouldn¡¯t worry who she sleeps with as long as she was being discreet about it.


    But when he reached out and touched her hair, a golden brown tendril that curled slightly and fell down the front of her face, I ground my teeth and exited my car, mming the door shut with much more force than was necessary. The sun burned bright and heavy against my back but it was nothingpared to the moltenva flowing in my veins.


    I walked up to her and I saw the man tighten with intimidation when I came up from behind her.


    Her slender shoulders tensed and she turned around, a scowl on her face.


    ¡°Well if it isn¡¯t my fratello.¡± Her sharp smile could cut through ice.


    I glowered, although dark amusement sparked in my eyes. Italian sounded fascinating on her tongue. Like it was something she hadn¡¯t grown up with.


    I walked closer to her and dropped my voice so that only she could hear. ¡°Do brothers know what their sisters taste like?¡±


    She flinched from me, terror and annoyance in her cornflower blue eyes.


    ¡°Your brother?¡± Blondie asked.


    ¡°Stepbrother,¡± she said firmly, those startling eyes, icy cold on me for a few seconds before she turned around. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter, Tony. You better not start that movie without me.¡±


    He nodded and left.


    She sighed and deftly held her coffee cup in the hand that was alreadyden with the paper bag, pushed her key into the keyhole, opened her door and walked in.


    She was about to shut the door but I intercepted it and pushed my way in.


    She scowled at me before going to drop her groceries on the counter top of her open concept kitchen. ¡°Well, what can I do for you, Salvatore?¡±


    ¡°This thing with Tony, end it. It goes without saying that you can¡¯t be alone with a man under no conditions, since it¡¯s obvious that you can¡¯t be trusted with one.¡±


    She leaned against the wall with her left shoulder, ¡°and what do you say for yourself?¡±


    I leaned closer until the tips of her breasts grazed my chest. ¡°But I thought I was your fratello.¡±


    She sniffed and looked up at me, blue eyes bluer than ice. ¡°What the f u c k do you want, Salvatore.¡±


    I grabbed her hand and ced it on my aching c0ck, hissing when she curled her hand around it. ¡°I want you to finish what you started.¡±


    She was a f ucking tease, because just likest time, she fitted her body into mine and gazed up at me with those f u c k me eyes and just likest time, mymon sense took a hike on me, so that I was only thinking with my d! ck.


    Her blue tipped nails raked down my torso as she leaned up to whisper in my ear. ¡°And what exactly do you want, Luca? Want me to get down on my knees for you? To suck you off? Or how about I bend over for you right now? Would you like that.¡±


    She stroked me softly, cupping my e r e c t i o n with her eager hands and I gripped her fiercely, a deep groan escaping my throat. ¡°You¡¯re still so hard for me, it¡¯s pathetic, you know. You¡¯re pathetic,¡± she whispered venomously. ¡°F u c k you, Luca.¡±


    She stepped away from me and was about to turn away and leave but I gripped her shoulder and hips and bent her over the counter, her ass up, her head forced down.


    Grabbing her ponytail, I yanked her head up and pressed my hardened e r e c t i o n hard against her ass. ¡°Want to repeat that again, sweetheart?¡± I growled icily against her ears, rocking my hips roughly into hers, unable to get my release fast enough.


    She struggled beneath me, yelling at me, ¡°what the f u c k is wrong with you? Get off of me!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± I rasped, taking her tiny cotton shorts in my hands, I ripped it off, tearing it off of her easily, groaning when I saw her beautiful pert a s s on disy for me.


    MY hand syed t on her a s s and slid up her slender hips. ¡°How about I teach you a lesson on finishing what you started.¡±


    ¡°Luca,¡± she warned.


    ¡°Fratello,¡± I growled.


    ¡°What-¡±


    ¡°If you want me to stop, call me fratello.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t you dare- ah!¡± she groaned loudly when I thrust two fingers into her dripping w e t pussy.


    F u c k, she was even wetter than I imagined.


    ¡°Ah, look how wet you are, Sore.¡± I taunted. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m not the only one who¡¯s pathetic, huh.¡± I hissed, f u c k i n g her fast and hard with my fingers while she trembled and quivered mutterring incoherent and unintellgible words over and over again.


    When I noticed that she was about toe, I drew my fingers back and started going at an agonizingly slow and shallow pace, denying her orgasm.


    ¡°What the hell, Luca,¡± she gasped. ¡°Get me there.¡±


    ¡°Say please.¡±


    ¡°F u c k you!¡±


    ¡°Wrong answer,¡± I tsked, undoing my belt and pants and thrusting in between her thighs, denying her the full pleasure of prating her sweetness.


    She was so wet, so f*cking dripping that I almost came in an instant.


    ¡°Put it in me, Luca!¡± Shemanded, her voice trembling with desperation, her long nails wing at my arms.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I pushed her head down until her cheek rested against the t, cold surface of her kitchen counter and mped her wrists behind her back, relishing her helplessness and watching her futile struggles.


    I gripped her hips even tighter, thrusting harder and harder until it felt like my lungs would burst and my veins would explode from the orgasm that tore through me. I pulled out and spilled all over her ass and spine. I was panting hard and relishing the sight of mye dripping between her plump cheeks, her golden skin was reddened in some ces where I had gripped on too tight.


    Something dark, violent and explosive lighted up with satisfaction in me at the sight of her thoroughly desecrated body.


    Mine, it seemed to say, but that can¡¯t be, because now that I finally had her out of my system, I could forget all about her and move on with my life.


    She turned around and red at me and the thunderous, frustrated dissatisfaction on her face was thoroughly delighting. ¡°Really?¡± She demanded.


    I shrugged, calmly pulling up my zipper. ¡°Look for your apology somewhere else. You¡¯ll be getting none from me.¡±


    ¡°I sort of expected that, f*ck you very much,¡± she growled and losing my patience, I wrapped my hands around her slender neck and pushed against her until her back pressed against the edge of the counter.


    Looking deep in those icy blue eyes that fought for breath and failed to hide her fear, I said in a deadly whisper, ¡°be careful how you talk to me, how you look at me. I¡¯ve killed for far less and noone will miss a mannerless whore.¡±


    Something vulnerable; hotter than rage and colder than fear, passed through her eyes before I let her go. She refused to look up at me, staring down at the floor as I left her apartment.


    Momentster, I sat in the driver seat of my car, staring at her apartmentplex.


    I was in the middle of an enormous drug deal with the Mexicans, territory negotiations with the Polish and the Bratva were finding newer, more creative ways to get under my skin but here I was chasing after my stepsister.


    I raked my hands through my hair and contemted my actions. One that won¡¯t repeat itself; I promised myself before I drove off.

 Chapter 5: A Bad Day

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I woke up with an intense feeling of unease. Like I could tell something unpleasant was going to happen. I couldn¡¯t shake it off, it was statically pinned in the bottom of my belly.


    I got out of bed and began prepping for the day regardless. Writing it off as one of the many tricks my anxiety yed on me.


    I decided to y some music and let the magical voice of Ariana Grande bury the unsettling feeling. I sang my heart out in the shower, I sang my heart out as I dressed.


    I was so into the music I almost didn¡¯t realise someone was banging loudly at my door. I toned down Ariana and cocked my ear.


    ¡°Cara, I know you¡¯re in there!¡± Myndlord called out from behind the tatty wooden barrier.


    My anxiety reared its ugly head again. So much for trying to contain it.


    ¡°Mr Edwards,¡± I mumbled as I opened the door to his cranky countenance. ¡°To what do I owe this early morning visit?¡±


    Mr Edwards humphed in response, nodding towards the man I only just noticed at his side. The man handed me a white envelope.


    My confusion was suddenly reced with a suffocating feeling of dread as I read the contents.


    My guts were right after all. irvoyant, irvoyant me.


    ¡°T-two months? You¡¯re giving me just two months to pay off eight months worth of rent and will kick me out if I don¡¯t meet up?¡± I said in disbelief as I ran my eyes over the stupid printed words on the A4 paper.


    ¡°Just as you read, yes. Dy will ensure automatic eviction.¡± The man myndlord had yet to introduce, said.


    My eyes shot to his face and for the first time I noticed how ugly it was. Red-faced, big nose, thin stern lips. They roved over to Mr Edwards and I decided both men could pass as twins. Two hideous twins.


    My head felt light, a vein throbbed in it. ¡°Is this even legal?¡± I managed to let out. ¡°Like are you allowed to do this?¡±


    Mr Edwards¡¯ unpleasant lips morphed into an equally unpleasant smile. ¡°My house, my rules.¡±


    I wished for the hallway ceiling to fall and crush him.


    ¡°See you, or not, in two months,¡± the heartless bas tard said. His horrid smile, intensifying like he had just made the joke of the year.


    I was left standing in the doorway, the paper hanging from my drooping hands. The weight of Jupiter on my shoulders.


    Just my fu cking luck. I was dead broke at the moment, I usually am but this time it wasn¡¯t one of the bad days, it was one of the worst days.


    Where do I even begin with raising the money? Asking my mother for help was out of the question. I couldn¡¯t live through the humiliating speech I was sure to get. Also, I¡¯d rather jump off a cliff than ask her new husband for money. That¡¯d be a huge disrespect to myte father.


    ¡°F uc k!¡± I yelled, ripping up the rent notice to shreds before dumping it on the floor. I stared at the mess for a couple seconds, the stinging sensation of fresh tears brewed in my eyes. I took a huge breath, mentally collected myself, then headed out for another grueling day of job hunting.


    ***


    My eyes watched as the young barista shakingly fixed me a cup of pumpkin spicette. It was ringly obvious he was new to the job. I walked into the coffee shop with a greeting on the tip of my tongue just to not find Glen¡¯s familiar grinning face behind the counter.


    It was a bummer, really, because Glen had a knack for relieving my bad mood with his overall silliness. But he wasn¡¯t here and I was left with a rookie.


    Rookie handed me my coffee and I went through my purse for the money.


    It was almost empty.


    I stifled a groan welling up my throat and considered forfeiting the coffee for a moment.


    Deciding I needed it to get through whatever bumps the day was bound to send my way, I snatched one of the five one-dor bills in it and handed it to him. Watching in despair as he locked the money away in the counter drawer.


    My phone vibrated in my purse and I reached for it as I grabbed my coffee and made my way out of the coffee shop, instantly freezing when I saw who was calling.


    A moment of hesitation and three deep breathster, I finally swiped answer.


    ¡°Hello mama.¡±


    ¡°Cara,¡± my mother¡¯s voice was stern like it always was. I wondered briefly what the issue was this time.


    I say nothing and wait for her to get to the point, my chest heaving steadily.


    ¡°What are your ns for next week?¡±


    I blinked, not at all expectating the question. ¡°Um¡­ nothing much. Just sses and a few part-time jobs.¡± I lied, I was as jobless as a newborn.


    ¡°Well make yourself avable for Friday. Manuel has a function to attend and he wants you there.¡±


    A pause. A long pause charged with the intensity of the crack that was about to cut through it.


    I shut my eyes, ¡°I don¡¯t think I can make it,¡± I said and with my eyes still shut, I waited for it.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think you can make it?¡± My mother repeated before scoffing. ¡°The Salvatores are generous enough to hand you an opportunity to be part of the family but you think you¡¯re too busy for it?¡±


    I steadied my voice before speaking, ¡°that¡¯s not what I meant-¡±


    ¡°Then what did you mean?¡±


    I exhaled a deep breath.


    ¡°You should be grateful they¡¯re even willing to acknowledge you for my sake. Stop being unnecessarily difficult and make time for it.¡± She snapped so sharply I pulled the phone away from my ear.


    The line went dead.


    My fingers curled tightly around the phone as I glowered at it in rising anger.


    Feeling the strong need to focus on something else I sipped my coffee hoping the wondrous taste will flush away some of my anger.


    Nothing prepared me for the sickly sweetness. I choked, coughing out the unpleasant taste before ring at the coffee shop.


    The frustration that threatened to tip me over finally broke through in the form of hot tears.


    I was one step from being homeless and a dor poorer, was to y family with the Salvatores in a week¡¯s time and my coffee which was like my morning therapy, tasted like shit.


    The day couldn¡¯t be any more worse.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I stood there on the road, ring into space and when my phone vibrated in the purse again, I nearly jumped out of my skin. I thought of flinging the thing across the road.


    ¡°Hello,¡± I all but snapped into the phone.


    A pause.


    ¡°Is this Cara Torello?¡± A feminine voice with a Spanish ent sang into my ear.


    I cleared my phone and softened my tone. ¡°Yes, this is her. How may I help you?¡±


    ¡°I am Silvana Cruz and I¡¯m calling to know if you¡¯ll be avable to tutor my son.¡±


    My heart threatened to bounce out of my chest.


    ¡°Oh yes I am- avable. Very.¡± I winced at my prattling.


    The woman went about the details, not stopping to negotiate the pay. I wouldn¡¯t have objected because all that resounded in my head over and over was a thousand dors per hour.


    She asked if I could start today and I kept myself from screaming yes. I grabbed my little notebook and scribbled down the address she recited, thanked her over and over and hung up.


    My entire body thrummed with tion and disbelief.


    A thousand dors per hour¡­


    This was a one in a lifetime gig, a gig that could clear a load of my problems in one go.


    I finished up the rest of my too sweet coffee, not giving a fuck about the taste and pranced off and for my new job. The client lived quite far from my own location but that wouldn¡¯t stop me from walking half the journey. A girl can only do so much with the little money she has. I would take a cab for the rest of it. Arriving in one will do more to bolster my pretense of appearing professional. I wanted to give the best impression.


    I all but skipped along the concrete sidewalk in my nearly worn-out pumps, thinking and nning what to do with the money as soon as I¡¯m paid. I considered moving out to a better apartment but crossed it off almost immediately. That would use up a good chunk of the money. Saving towards it would be a better option. I needed to stick to much smaller things. Things like buying myself clothes better suited for a tutor of a posh client. Groceries, Lord knew I needed five months worth of it with the current state of my fridge. I also had to get a new bulb for my bathroom, the one in it was as good as dead.


    I mused on this for the reminder of my trekking journey and I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost didn¡¯t notice the cab dropping off a pregnant woman a few feet ahead. Thankfully, the woman took her time getting off so I managed to get to it before the driver drove off.


    I gave him my location and proceeded to slip inside but a burly, bald headed guy with neck tattoos creeping out of his suit attire, who appeared out of God knows where, intercepted me. I looked him up and down and moved around him. A huge handtched onto mine and before I could react, I was lifted off my feet and carried to a waiting Ferrari.


    I wiggled and screamed, despair gripping me as I watched two other dangerous looking men scared the cab driver off. My abductor shoved me into the sleek car and my struggles ceased the moment I recognised it¡¯s other upant.


    Sitting beside me is none other than my intimidating stepbrother. He was dressed in an all ck suit that made him appear as a gentleman even though he was anything but. His stern expression spoke volumes, and I knew he was livid. Whatever the reason may be.


    I tried to get off, but the door was already locked.


    The car was suddenly in motion, getting farther and farther away from my original destination.


    My own rage red within me as I whipped around to face him. I was the one being abducted on my way to a godsent job. If anyone was supposed to be mad, it was me.


    ¡°What is this about?¡± I almost screamed.


    Luca didn¡¯t bother to grace me with any exnation but instead threw a question of his own. ¡°What the f uck are you doing here?¡±


    His voice was like ice, cutting through my anger and weakening it with kes of fear. Memory of his hand wrapped tightly around my throat as he coldly warned me the other night in my apartment, shed through my brain.


    I didn¡¯t reply, doing just as he had done and I was rewarded by a muscle ticking in his jaw. I quelled the urge to smirk. I could only get away with a few things.


    ¡°Turn the fu cking car around,¡± I said, attempting to be calm.


    One second Luca was sitting on the other side of the passenger seat but in the next he¡¯s right in my face, pressing me into the door of the locked car.


    ¡°You will answer me when I ask you a fu cking question.¡± He growled.


    I picked up on the dangerous warning in his voice and surrendered. ¡°I got a gig, one that was to pay me a thousand dors per hour but it seems I¡¯ve lost it. All thanks to you.¡±


    My admittance caused him to return to his seat, ¡°you should nevere here again.¡± He simply said, straightening his suit jacket.


    There it was, that unreasonablemand with no exnation as to why. My blood grew hot, threatening to burn through my veins. I held his stare and told him just what was in my head.


    ¡°I will go wherever I want to.¡±


    Something dark shed in his eyes, ¡°this is the Mexican cartel¡¯s territory. If you¡¯re going to sell yourself, you should consider doing it in a much safer environs.


    His words nearly sliced me in half. The bast a rd really did think I was a whore. I loved s ex but that was it. It didn¡¯t mean that I would sleep with any man for a couple of bucks.


    I steadied myself internally, not wanting to let him see how his words affected me. ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn about the Mexicans. I have a job to do.¡±


    Luca reached into his jacket, pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it in myp. ¡°Take this. Forget whatever whore money you were going to get.¡±


    The fu cking infuriating bas tard.


    I red at his stupid money in myp, my hate for him threatening to consume me. He has ruined everything. The client was probably never going to reconsider taking me back seeing as I ked out on our very first meeting. When will I ever get such an offer again? My vision slowly became blurry, the tears threatening to fall. But I refused to cry. I will never award him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.


    The Ferrari hurtled to a stop in front of my apartment building and the doors clicked open.


    I whipped my seething re to Luca, fighting the urge to strangle him with the perfectly knotted tie around his throat.


    He held my stare with equal intensity, daring me to act out.


    My anger surged, ¡°I don¡¯t need your fu cking money. I would never ept it even when I¡¯m starving and dying. Also, it was a tutoring job, not whatever you think it was!¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Flinging the blood money back at him, I stormed out of the car and mmed the car door as my heart pounded in a well blended mix of hurt, anger and indignation.


    The car door mmed again, letting me know he got out after me so I quickened my steps, not wanting to deal with him or see his infuriating face any longer.


    He grabbed me just before I could slip into my apartment and pinned me against the peeling hallway walls.


    For a minute, all that could be heard was the sounds of our angry breathing as we red at each other. My eyes bored into his stormy grey own before coasting down to those sexy lips of his. I noticed his day-old stubble for the first time and a fresh cut in his jaw and I fought the irrational urge to draw blood from it.


    I returned my gaze to his before I could think of more obscene things I wanted to do to him. However, my wild thoughts must have been mirrored in my eyes because he suddenly cursed in Italian before crushing those sexy lips to mine.


    I stiffened reflexively, determined to hold off but my desire was stronger than my resolve. I was weak against that demanding mouth and its intrusive tongue. Secondster I was matching its urgency. Fire for fire, passion for passion. My deep ragepletely meshed into the dirty fusion of lips and tongues.

 Chapter 6: Ignite

    Luca¡¯s pov:


    ¡°Merda,¡± I growled before capturing Cara¡¯s lips with mine. The moment we connected, it was instant detonation. Something inside of me exploded at the softness of her. What had only been prompted by the desire to silence her, to punish her for her rebellion, morphed into something devoid of corrective intent, stripped and untethered until I was bare and raw with lust. My already strained groin throbbed with yearning, for release, for her.


    She infuriated me, maddened me with anger and some other thing so poignant, so new, so excitingly frightening.


    I ravaged her mouth, ravished it, the kiss both an assault and a worship. I wanted more, craved deeper, wanted to brand her with me. To make her submit to me thoroughly, sopletely consumed by me she would be incapable of seeing or hearing anyone else, until the thought of challenging me became extinct from her mind.


    She moaned into my mouth and I nearly lost all restraints. The urge to lose thest thinyer of control was fighting a savage battle with my masculine desire to tear off her clothes and f uc k her senseless in this hallway.


    I pinned her hands above her head and trailed my lips down her mouth to the tender flesh of her neck. She smelled divine; soft, sweet and feminine. My free hand slipped under her skirt and up her inner thigh, eliciting a sigh of pleasure from her.


    ¡°You want this don¡¯t you,¡± I rasped in her ear, delighting at her shiver and the soft moan she let out at my fingers brushing over her s e x.


    My lips found hers again and this time there was no rush, no desperate urgency. I leisurely toured her mouth with my tongue, iming and desecrating it with a need to mark myself, topletely own her luscious mouth and ruin it for other men.


    I can¡¯t help but think of another thing I¡¯d like to put in her mouth. The thought made me growl.


    I pulled back to gaze at her face and the sight of it sent a zap of heat straight to the said thing.


    Dio mio. Her plump, sulent lips thoroughly reddened from my kiss earlier, were parted in pleasure. Her pretty blue eyes were darkened with unfiltered desire, her pretty cheeks, framed by her golden tresses spotted a stain of flush so desiring, so maddening, it was almost torture to look at her.


    She was perfect.


    ¡°You test me, gattina.¡± I said before returning my lips to her neck and I nibbled, bit and sucked.


    ¡°You¡¯re not so easy yourself,¡± she gasped out arching her neck to the pleasure I was giving it.


    ¡°Mi fai impazzire.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± She asked in a breathy voice.


    ¡°It means you drive me crazy,¡± I tranted, my hand now roving up and down her delectable thigh, leaving goosebumps in their wake.


    She gave me another sweet, musical moan.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    I had never been more livid when Sergio, the head of the men I had ordered to keep an eye on her, called to inform me of where she was headed.


    I had never been more livid, but I had also been gripped with something else, a feeling I refuse to process or acknowledge. The Mexican cartel were infamous for their violence against women and her st u pid tutoring job had brought her dangerously close to the heart of their territory. To their den.


    Looking back on it, it had bothered me how much I cared. It was my duty to, she was now family and consequently my responsibility but I wasn¡¯t prepared to care just as much as I would have if it were to be my little sister, Gina.


    I vividly and viscerally remember the cold splinters that had cut their way down my spine the moment I picked Sergio¡¯s call. My st u pid, st u pid stepsister.


    ¡°I want you to promise me you¡¯ll never go back there.¡± I drawled, inhaling deeply, the beautiful scent of her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to promise you anyth¡± she started to say in defiance but gasped at the sudden pressure of my thumb on her panty-d clit.


    ¡°Promise me,¡± Imanded, not freeing her from the tortures my thumb were inciting.


    She groaned in frustration, her eyes shut with the determination to stay defiant but it was only a matter of time before she¡¯d give in. I just knew it.


    I rubbed her clit and she jerked, biting out my name through clenched teeth. In warning or in plea, it was unclear.


    ¡°Promise me,¡± I repeated themand.


    ¡°F u ck! Fu c k you!¡± Her eyes shut tighter. ¡°I promise!¡±


    I gave her onest squeeze before releasing her. Even though it took an herculean effort. I was awfully aware of her nipples straining against her cheap shirt, of the wetness of her panties, the intensity of her arousal, of mine. Of my c0ck bulging painfully in my pants. My mind and my body disagreeing riotously.


    But I released her, repetitively reminding myself of what she was. My stepsister, a mere woman. I will not subject myself to a second mistake. With the first, I had a valid excuse; alcohol. I wasn¡¯t going to give into my useless desires like some damned weakling. I wouldn¡¯t be f u c king don of all of Costra Nostra if I was one.


    I watched her try to regain herposure. Her knees nearly gave out and she held the peeling wall for support. She stared at her feet, hiding the embarrassed blush I knew she had.


    Strangely, I found her embarrassment hot for some fucked up reason. I was beginning to realise that every thought of mine was more fucked up than it usually was when she was involved. I suddenly felt the desperate need to switch the mood. So I thought of something, anything that didn¡¯t involve her up against the wall and wrapped around me.


    ¡°I trust your mother has informed you of the uing function.¡±


    She blinked at me, her embarrassment fading into confusion and it took her a second to fully digest what I had said.


    Then the confusion morphed into annoyance. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be f u c king kidding me.¡± A mirthlessugh. ¡°Are you really talking about that now? After, after¡­¡± she trailed off, her cheeks heating up again.


    Smirking, I said, ¡°Yes I am.¡±


    ¡°You are unbelievable.¡± She fumed.


    I watched her turn around and fumble through her purse for her keys but just when she was about to go into her apartment, I grabbed her waist and whipped her around to face me, her body pressed closely to mine.


    She resisted but I only pressed her closer, my other hand fisting her hair. ¡°You will answer me mia cara.¡± My tone was dangerously low.


    But the stubborn hellcat refused to heed the warning in my voice, her annoyingly talkative mouth staying mute.


    I wrapped my hand tighter in her hair and pressed my knee behind her legs.


    She sucked in a gulp of air before gritting out, ¡°yes.¡±


    ¡°Yes what?¡± I said, my hold on her unyielding.


    ¡°Yes. She told me.¡±


    ¡°And I trust you¡¯ll attend.¡±


    A scoff, ¡°its not like I have a choice.¡±


    My knee jerked and she groaned, ¡°answer me properly micetta.¡±


    She glowered up at me. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good girl.¡± I released her but didn¡¯t step back, I was enjoying watching her squirm out from my presence a little too much.


    ¡°Am I allowed to leave now?¡± Her voice was gripping with sarcasm and malice but I didn¡¯t mind it. I loved to see her pissed, it was amusing.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I returned, gesturing with mocking courtesy and I stepped out from her personal space.


    She gave me the stink eye as she fumbled into her apartment. Her eyes not leaving me.


    I was thoroughly entertained by her childish antics.


    ¡°See you soon sore.¡± I said just before she shut the door in my face.

 Chapter 7: Blast From The Past

    Cara¡¯s POV..


    To pull my hair up or let it fall down in all its voluminous glory. This was my current big decision as I stare at the reflection of my face in the old, blurry mirror of my vanity. I had been at it for a good thirty minutes.


    I usually wasn¡¯t an indecisive girlie but when I had to do something I didn¡¯t want to do orcked motivation for any task, I had a hard time being precise and organised about it.


    Take this stupid event I was to be at in less than two hours for example. I had dreaded it all week, in fact it had been a constant lump in my throat and a heavy rock in my belly. I so didn¡¯t want to go, but the consequences of defying my mother would be way worse than a few torturous hours with the Salvatores.


    F u c k this.


    I didn¡¯t want to see my mother¡¯s haunting face or that of her murderous husband who I couldn¡¯t stand or her equally, or maybe even more, murderous stepson.


    Thinking about my mother¡¯s stepson, I groaned aloud.


    I loathed the thought of having to be in close proximity with Luca again. Not that he never was. He had been an unshakable shadow this past week, I never did see him but for some crazy reason, I felt his forceful presence hovering around me, following me, watching me.


    And strangely, I wasn¡¯t uneasy enough about it as much as I wanted to be. And it irritated me to no end.


    After that incident in the hallway, my mind has been a total mess. I was angry, embarrassed, and my ego was deted. No man had ever made me feel such loss of control since Dave from grade eleven.


    But Luca Salvatore did and I despised him for it. I was the seductress, men wanted me, begged to have me even. I usually held the reins and when I didn¡¯t, it was because I let them take it. Either way, I was still in control.


    But with Luca Salvatore¡­ Gosh!


    It had felt like the total opposite, I had felt like his instrument of pleasure and he yed my body to whatever tune he desired. And I le hght him.


    I was so blinded by a lust so heating I let him take control of my body, I let him work my body to new heights of desire and we didn¡¯t even have s e x.


    I grabbed my brush and ran it through my soft locks for like the hundredth time. Only this time, with more aggression.


    He had been on my mind ever since that day. Had slowly bulldozed his way in, just like his imposing and bullying ass would.


    I hated men like him; arrogant, overbearing and dangerous. Growing up in the mafia world, a world filled with nothing but blood and danger, I had learnt to avoid such men like a gue. But I was suddenly beginning to understand what my blushing female ssmates meant whenever they gushed about their favourite book bad boys. The supposed thrill and excitement.


    I felt a thrill alright but then again, I wasn¡¯t stupid like the bad boys¡¯ female interests. Nothing good coulde out of getting involved with my stepbrother.


    I¡¯ll be damned if I do. I gave my hair one more brush then fluffed it.


    I stared into the mirror for another minute, my choice finally decided on. ¡°Hair down it is.¡±


    I picked up my favourite red lipstick, one of the trendy MAC cremesheen lipstick. I got it at a fifty percent off discount from a hjj some months back and I¡¯ve been obsessed with it ever since. The colour was perfect for my skin tone and lip shape.


    I inspected my reflection for any oddity in my appearance but I found none. I was ready.


    ***


    As I walked into the grand courtyard of the Salvatore estate, I could barely recognise the ce. The decorations werepletely different from the one of my mother¡¯s wedding reception. It almost seemed as if it were two different ces.


    Unlike the soft, flowery garden decor of the reception, today¡¯s event took a much bolder theme. Red roses and some wild flowers bloomed from hanging baskets and the floor of the courtyard was covered in fakewn grass.


    As I took in the opulence of it all, I couldn¡¯t help but think how nice it was to be this rich. Lord knows my idea of redecoration was a printed poster of a badass quote I stole from Pinterest. And maybe a second-hand carpet and throw pillows.


    I wondered what exactly made all of these mafia royalty gather here today. My mother hadn¡¯t cared enough to mention and I was too embarrassed and annoyed to ask Luca. I didn¡¯t even have his contact but I could bet on my tuition fees that he had mine.


    I spotted my stepsister, Gina, with a few other girls of her age. They were giggling and whispering about whatever it is teenage girls are into these days.


    My mind drifted back to my one and only meeting with the girl, still miffed at the unfriendly treatment she gave me. I studied her for a bit, noticing how her smiles andughs didn¡¯t reach her eyes. It suddenly urred to me that the young mafia princess wasn¡¯t just the obtuse, haughty princess I pegged her to be. There were storms behind that pretty facade.


    ¡°Cara,¡± a voice I recognised as my mother¡¯s called behind me.


    I turned around, ¡°mama.¡± I greeted, suddenly feeling self conscious of everything. For the first time since I put it on, I wonder if wearing the backless, dark green dress was a mistake.


    Not like I had a lot of options to choose from anyway. It was either this or a shabbier looking thigh length dress or the one I wore to the wedding.


    My mother was smiling at me, e greet Manuel and his partners.¡±


    I stiffened but I followed her anyway. It took us longer than it should to get to the other side of the courtyard and it was all because my mother would stop and y hostess with other guests. I stood like a log when she introduced me as her ¡°precious adopted daughter¡± not at all fazed by the pretense. It was always how she was in front of people. She never did let anyone see the true nature of our rtionship.


    I¡¯d give it to her really, I mean what other way could she have buried her shitty past if not rebranding her image into a benevolent high society mafia wife.


    I could bet she currently had a charity foundation in the works.


    We finally get to where Manuel and his other criminal friends were seated and my mother repeated the sickeningly sweet introduction she had been doing.


    ¡°Manuel, Cara is here.¡± She smiled at her husband then faced the others. ¡°Gentlemen, this is my daughter Cara.¡±


    I forced a meek smile on my face as the men appraised me. It made sick how their eyes roved up and down my body.


    ¡°She¡¯s beautiful,¡± one of them said grinning at me.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± another one with a long scar running from his eyebrow to his chin said. ¡°We might need to quit our business discussions for marriage ns Salvatore.¡±


    I froze.


    Manuelughed, ¡°now now McKell. Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. Your son is still too busy getting ustomed to his new role as don of the Irish mafia to consider marriage.¡±


    My body loosened a bit at his words but the feeling was short-lived as another of them suggested his nephew. I could feeling panic stomping its way up my body.


    Manuel was silent, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. I registered in rm that he was considering their suggestions. My breaths became irregr, marriage was thest thing on my agenda. I still had school to finish, a lot more to experience. I didn¡¯t want to marry now. However, watching them discuss it as if it wasn¡¯t my marriage they were talking about, as if I wasn¡¯t in the room, made it evident that what I thought about the subject irrelevant.


    This was how it was in the mafia world. Women don¡¯t get to have a say. I suddenly felt nauseous.


    ¡°I believe this is a task meant for me.¡± an achingly familiar voice spoke directly behind me.


    I mentally steadied myself before turning to face my stepbrother, my entire body thrumming alive at the sight of his glorious form.


    He was achingly handsome in the grey suit he wore. His strong jaw clean of the stubble he had thest time. His ck was hair styled of his face, giving him the appearance of an aristocrat.


    I liked it better when it was messy.


    I inwardly groaned at the stray thought, hoping to God that I wasn¡¯t spotting a blush on my cheeks.


    Luca strode forward, stopping directly beside me. Too close for myfort. My skin suddenly alive with awareness.


    He acknowledged his father¡¯spany with a curt bow of his head before continuing, ¡°you don¡¯t need to worry yourself about it father. I¡¯ll be sure to pick the best options for Cara and Gina.¡±


    Manuel considered this for a second then nodded in agreement. ¡°Of course, I trust you¡¯ll do.¡±


    The old men grunted and mumbled but none of them objected.


    ¡°Now if you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯ll like to introduce Cara to a few people.¡± Luca announced and I fought a shudder as his hand rested on my the bare skin of my lower back.


    It wasn¡¯t until we were out of earshot that he spoke to me. ¡°You really don¡¯t own any proper clothes do you.¡±


    The appreciation for getting me out from there died a sudden death. The thank you I was going to say stumbling back down my throat.


    ¡°You seem to forget not everyone has the dirty money you own in abundance.¡±


    His eyes grew dark, ¡°I might not be an expert on the subject but I am sure even poor people are able to afford decent clothes.¡±


    What a jerk.


    ¡°Well too bad for you, I¡¯m not a decent poor person.¡± I returned flippantly, happy at the tiny tick in his jaw my response elicited.


    Whatever he was going to say next was interrupted by a flowery feminine voice.


    ¡°Luca?¡±


    The both of us turned to the direction of the voice and I let out a soft gasp. The owner was beautiful, so stunning I briefly wondered if she was real. She catwalked towards us, her sparkling gaze trained on Luca.


    When she got to where we were standing, she grabbed his waist and pulled him down for a hug.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.¡± She cooed into his ear.


    My eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets.


    What the f u c k?

 Chapter 8: Distractions

    Cara¡¯s pov


    A merry go round with shock, confusion and disbelief as the riders spinned carelessly in my head as I witnessed the scene before me.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    The beautiful woman was still hugging Luca, her hands resting on an intimate part of his body while he blinked down at her. Not at all making an effort to enforce physical boundaries.


    She pulled back after an eternity and beamed at him, her hazel doe eyes shifting to every inch of his face as if they were re-registering it to memory.


    ¡°I¡¯m really happy to see you again,¡± she gushed with a flip of her glistening dark hair. I picked up on the slight kink to her ent. She was Italian and her hands were still linked around Luca¡¯s neck.


    Who was this woman?


    I coughed and the both of them finally remembered I was in theirpany. Luca pulled her hands off him and turned to me.


    The fu c k ing jerk, it had taken only three minutes of the Italian princess¡¯ presence for him to totally forget me and the bickering we had been in the middle of. I cursed him off in my head.


    ¡°Oh,¡± the princess said, her eyes darting from Luca to me and back to Luca.


    Luca cleared his throat, ¡°Valentina this is my stepsister Cara. Cara, this is Valentina.¡±


    That was it? I wasn¡¯t getting any more information on who she was? A friend? A cousin? An ex? Not even ast name? I hoped to God my irritation wasn¡¯t showing.


    Valentina also seemed to be miffed by thezy introduction but she was smart enough to mask it immediately. Her eyes trained on me and I wondered if they were actually staring me down or I was just imagining it.


    She stretched out a well manicured hand. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s nice to finally meet Luke¡¯s stepsister.¡±


    I bit my lip from sneering. Did she just call him Luke?


    I took her hand and shook it briefly, ¡°nice to meet you too.¡± My smile didn¡¯t reach my eyes.


    The smile she returned didn¡¯t either and it was clear to me that she saw me as a threat, an opponent.


    ¡°Wee to the family. It might be a lot to handle considering the fact that it¡¯s a whole different turn from the life you once had-¡± her eyes really were staring me down.


    The f u c k ing b1tch.


    Luca shot her a warning re while I blinked at her, scoffing under my breath. Yeah, I totally despised her prissy a s s already.


    ¡°-but I promise you, you¡¯ll adapt in no time.¡± She finished sweetly.


    She shifted closer to Luca, linking her arm around his. ¡°We have so much to catch up on,¡± she purred, looking up at him but was only awarded with a frown.


    I was sure she had once again dismissed the fact that I was in theirpany, but her gaze coasted back to me. ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other for three months.¡±


    I didn¡¯t expect the exnation to hit me the way it did. Along with the fact that Valentina was definitely not family to Luca.


    My gaze darted to him and I wondered if he had been ying with me all this time while being in a rtionship with her. The thought scratched at me and a bitter bile formed in my throat.


    Luca looked like he was about to say something but I didn¡¯t want to stay to hear it.


    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± I started. ¡°Congrattions on your reunion. I¡¯m sure you both have a lot to tell each other so I¡¯ll take my leave now. It was really nice meeting you.¡± I finished. Not wanting to wait for any response, I made my way away from them immediately.


    I didn¡¯t stop until I got to the champagne fountain and I grabbed a ss as soon as I was within arm¡¯s reach. I gulped down the golden liquid, the sweet-sour taste refreshed my dry throat but it wasn¡¯t enough. I needed a stronger drink.


    The makeshift bar was at the opposite side of the courtyard, an area Luca and Valentina weaved through as they went about socialising. I swore under my breath.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the don of the Sicilian mafia¡¯s daughter?¡± A redhead a few feet from me asked.


    ¡°Valentina Cortini? Her gossiping partner asked in a whisper. ¡°Oh my God, yes it is her.¡±


    Valentina was now in the midst of Luca¡¯s partners who were dons or held other important roles in the Mafia. The men were focused on her, some of them even vying for her attention but she only had eyes for Luca, literally.


    ¡°I thought she was in Italy. Why is she here?¡± I could hear the redhead rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Come on Gianna, you know she was never going to disappear from Luca¡¯s side for too long.¡± Gossiping partner sighed wistfully.


    The two of them shuffled away, with Gianna groaning something about Luca marrying Valentina as soon as possible and getting her off the market while her friend gushed dreamily about how perfect they were together.


    The whole conversation filled me with irritation as my mind spiralled with different thoughts and possibilities as to what Luca¡¯s rtionship with Valentina was.


    The bitch was too refined to be just a regry and regardless of the illegality and illicit nature of the mafia world, they had a very conservative approach towards rtionships between Mafia royalties. Someone like Valentina and Luca wouldn¡¯t just date for the heck of it. A rtionship between them would surely be marriage minded.


    The possibility of Valentina being Luca¡¯s fiancee was higher than my chances of getting a ss of scotch. Luca didn¡¯t give off the vibe of one who was to be bound to someone very soon but then again men never did.


    For all I know, this party could be their engagement announcement. My blood boiled at the realisation that Luca had messed around with me while being engaged.


    I red at him, he had managed to wound my ego three times in just the space of two weeks. The first time at my apartment, the second time in the hallway of my apartment and now.


    How dare him y around with me when he obviously had a fiancee.


    The live orchestra suddenly switched their soft tunes into a louder one and people began to make way for the centre, waltzing softly to the sensuous music as soon as they got there.


    I watched as Valentina tried to cajole Luca to the dancefloor but got waved off. I got a strange satisfaction from it.


    A tall mannot as tall as Lucaappeared at my side.


    ¡°I know this is the most cliched thing a man can ever say but why is a beautiful woman like yourself alone and not-¡± he jut his jaw to the dance floor, ¡°-out there enjoying the party.¡±


    He raised his hands when he peeped my side eye. ¡°No, really, I¡¯m genuinely curious.¡±


    I cocked my head at him. He was handsome, very even. Chestnut brown hair, light blue eyes, chiseled jaw. There was this boyish lilt to his grin that felt light and refreshing. I considered the thought of pulling out of here to a private spot for a quickie. Lord knows I could use the distraction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I heard myself say. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m yet to meet someone interesting.¡± My smile was sweet and suggestive enough.


    He grinned and stretched out his hand, ¡°I¡¯m Cadain.¡±


    ¡°Cara,¡± I put out mine expecting a handshake but he took it and pulled it to his lips.


    ¡°It¡¯s an honour to meet a beauty like you.¡± He dered, looking at me from beneath hisshes.


    I couldn¡¯t help but blush, he was sweet. He asked me for a dance but I politely declined, I didn¡¯t want to be anywhere near Luca and his mafia princess.


    Thinking about them, my eyes reflexively strayed to where they were still seated. Valentina¡¯s eyes stared forlornly at the others waltzing away but I didn¡¯t spare her a second thought because Luca was ring straight at me. His eyes sending hotva coursing through my entire being. His gaze was so potent, so forceful that I looked away, unable to withstand it.


    I mentally scolded myself, I had nothing to be afraid of, it¡¯s not like I was caught cheating. I wasn¡¯t the one kissing other people in their apartments while being engaged to someone else.


    I could still feel his stare on me, the spot it faced burning hotter than a furnace. Cadain was staring expectantly at me, his puppy eyes hopeful. I realised he had insisted on his offer.


    The side of my face burned hotter with Luca¡¯s re. He was watching, he was watching, he was¡­


    I know I shouldn¡¯t, I know it would be stupid and childish and reckless and crazy and¡­ but I wanted him to feel at least a fraction of the irrational feeling I¡¯d been feeling since Valentina showed up.


    I leaned closer to Cadain,¡±I will on one condition.¡±


    Cadain¡¯s expression matched the flirtatious one on my face, ¡°anything.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll tell me where I can get a ss of whiskey and if you get it yourself,¡± I leaned even closer, my lips a few inches from his ear, ¡°we just might see ourselves after this cursed party.¡±


    Cadain brushed a thumb over his bottom lip in excitement and I smiled sweetly at him as he led me to the dancefloor.


    The hotter than a furnace sensation followed us all the way. Never once leaving my skin as an army of goosebumps invaded every single pore.

 Chapter 9: Teach a lesson

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Parties were something I detested. Especially ones with no purpose except to unt wealth and power. Like this one for example, everyone present was only here to show off their dazzling appearance and recent achievements or acquisitions.


    The woman prattled off about gemstones and designer essories, the men boasted about conquering territories and expanding businesses. Aplete mad fest and I¡¯ll rather be in my office at one of my establishments overseeing the management of the syndicate.


    But as one of my father¡¯s favourite sayings goes, all work and no y makes Jack a dull boy. However, this Jack wasn¡¯t a dull boy, I knew how to create my own fun. Women and alcohol existed for that.


    I wasn¡¯t a fan of parties per se, but I enjoyed the socialising. A subtle tactic to get updated on what your rivals have been up to. Made men are usually ten times more guarded unlike normal men. Distrustful, cautious. It takes a lot more to be aware of their activities as they¡¯re always very tight-lipped and stealthy about it. You wouldn¡¯t know when one of them decides to sneak on you.


    But men are still men at the end of the day. Alcohol, female attention and a few ego stroking will disarm a good number them. The ones who resisted to the end are the best of the flock. The honourable men, the formidable opponents. But I wasn¡¯t here for such men.


    I tipped my ss to my lips and took a slow sip of my scotch, watching the guests, observing for any oddity. We may have all gathered here in merry spirits but one can never be too careful. The Russians were still on their one-sided war with us. I wouldn¡¯t put it past them to strike in this moment.


    New guests began to flood in and I let out a few explosives. My fucking new stepmother had invited more guests than I approved. I studied the new faces with furrowed brows, I couldn¡¯t recognise more than half of them, didn¡¯t the woman not understand the importance of caution?


    I was thinking of finding her and having a long talk with her when I sighted my stepsister.


    My ss froze halfway to my lips as awe stunned every bone in my body. Dio, she was beautiful. So beautiful it burned to stare at her.


    Cara strode in, her steps tentative as she took in the scenery of the too sentimentally decorated courtyard. I watched as she watched the people around her, her eyes deep in thoughts. I wondered what she was thinking, Lord knows I would pay money for it.


    She was like a Roman goddess in that dress she wore, the fitness of it entuating her sexy curves. Her golden tresses was down and wild around her shoulders, hanging down to the middle of her back. The makeup of her heart shaped face was minimal but the bold red lipstick on her plump lips made up for the scarcity of it. The dark green of her dress made her blue orbs stand out and I was almost toppled over in their oceanic depth.


    I noticed that almost every man, old or young, married or unmarried was staring at her. Annoyance itched at me and I felt the sudden urge to gorge out their eyes. I frowned at Cara and her provoking form, she was too beautiful for her own good.


    Her mother approached her and the both of them set out to greet guests. Amanda was too cheery and too touchy in a way that rubbed me off as pretentious and fake. Cara clearly looked ufortable with her behaviour.


    I finished up the rest of my scotch when I noticed that they were heading for my father¡¯s table and followed them but I was waid by one of our biggest drug clients, who chose no other time but now to talk about business.


    When I was done with him, I resumed my short journey to my father¡¯s table.


    ¡°She will make a good match for my nephew Salvatore.¡± Someone was saying as I got within earshot.


    ¡°Ah! Your nephew doesn¡¯t even manage himself enough to be bothered about managing a wife.¡± Another sneered.


    Cara, they¡¯re talking about Cara. They¡¯re suggesting marriage ns for Cara. My head felt like it was plummeting from the top of a rollercoaster. I wasn¡¯t liking the discussion at all.


    ¡°I believe this is a task meant for me,¡± I said and every head turned to face me.


    Cara whirled around and the sudden sight of her stunning face up close, almost made me forget what I was saying.


    My father nodded in agreement and I exhaled the breath I didn¡¯t know I was holding. I couldn¡¯t exin it but the idea of Cara getting married, this soon, bothered me like an itch.


    I managed to whisk her away with an excuse and as we were heading farther away from my father¡¯s marriage alliance hungry clique, I spotted several men giving her the double nce.


    I stared down at her, the sight of my palm on her naked skin sent heat to my c0ck. Curse her sexy ass and her sexy dress.


    She was staring, no not staring, she was glowering at me and it took me a few seconds to realise I had said my thoughts out loud. In ssic Cara fashion, she retorted, her blue eyes darkened in challenge. I was finding her difficulty amusing these days so I gave her a retort of my own.


    ¡°Well too bad for you, I¡¯m not a decent poor person,¡± she was saying but when I was going to scold her for being a smartass, a voice called out my name.


    I instinctively turned to the direction and thest person I ever expected to see, waltzed towards me and hugged me.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    I stood unmoving, shocked and confused by Valentina¡¯s appearance. She was supposed to be in her father¡¯s estate in Sicily. Preparing for marriage, is what I have learned. I was clueless on why she was here, hugging me in this moment. Ourst parting hadn¡¯t been pretty. She was crying and cussing me out thest time I saw her.


    Cara made a noise in her throat and I removed Valentina from me, baffled as to why I cared if she took it the wrong way or not. I didn¡¯t owe her anything.


    I introduced Cara to Valentina, leaving out the fact that she used to be my lover, and allowed them to get acquainted with each other. But strangely, I was picking up a hostile vibe between them. Valentina started going on about something stupid and Cara came up with an excuse before practically running off.


    Valentina blocked my path when I attempted to go after her. ¡°You stay with me,¡± she smiled but her eyes showed irritation. ¡°We have a lot to catch up on, remember?¡±


    I frowned. ¡°We have nothing to catch up on Valentina. I might not remember much but I clearly remember telling you I was done with you.¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m not over you yet,¡± she gave me a misty look.


    If she were to be a man, I would have shoved her out of my way. I didn¡¯t advocate for violence against women but I was one second from swatting her to the side.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be getting married in Sicily?¡± I asked after an eternity.


    Her eyes dropped to the floor, ¡°I called off the wedding.¡± She replied, attempting to be flippant.


    I didn¡¯t give a f u c k on why she did. I couldn¡¯t care less if she didn¡¯t either but I asked anyway because one thing I¡¯ve learned is that women are best malleable when you act like you care.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t love him.¡± She responded and I did not like the meaningful look she was giving me.


    ¡°Walk with me Luca, it may benefit you more than you think.¡± Her eyes glinted with knowing, ¡°I learned a lot about the Russians and their borate n that¡¯s going to be executed in exactly five days from now.¡±


    I gave her a leery look, ¡°if you¡¯re bullshitting me, you will regret it.¡±


    Herrge eyes widened in fear but in the next second, she beamed at me, ¡°I promise I¡¯m not.¡±


    I let her link our arms together. ¡°Five minutes, I¡¯ll allow you just five minutes.¡±


    ****


    Valentina dragged me from guests to guests subtly throwing misleading hints on the nature of our rtionship and giving them the wrong idea in general.


    I would have set her straight on a normal day but right now I didn¡¯t give a f u c k. My mind was solely focused on what she said earlier. The Russians were nning an attack in a few days. I wondered in irritation why our spies hadn¡¯t already informed me of the news. I might have to teach them a lesson or two for their tackiness.


    I could see why the Russians would want to strike now, I had just cleared a huge drug deal and wrapped up the preparation of a new business venture. I was at the point where an attack was farthest away from my mind. One could say that this was my period of rxation but unfortunately for them, they are about to find out, and very painfully, that Luca Salvatore never lets his guard down.


    I red at the two women in I and Valentina¡¯spany, sending them scurrying off in fear. Valentina scowled at me but  quickly masked her annoyance when she saw the darkness in my eyes. I was done ying games.


    ¡°Speak.¡±


    ¡°W-well, t-they are nning an attack against you. I don¡¯t really know the details but what I know is that it¡¯s in five days.¡± She stammered.


    ¡°Where did you hear this from?¡±


    ¡°My fiance, or ex-fiance rather. He¡¯s friends with heir of the bratva.¡±


    A storm brewed deep within me. Whipping out my phone, I texted my consigliere and closest friend, Dominic, then sent my capo a text, instructing him to double the security at all of my establishments, especially the ones that masked our more shadier businesses and to send more bodyguards for my family and Cara.


    I was so into what I was, I didn¡¯t even notice when the guests started to dance. Valentina asked that we join them and I shot her a warning re. It shut her up real quick and I went to the bar for a drink stronger than my desire to kill a man right now. I needed something to calm my nerves.


    The barman scurried to fix me a ss of scotch, his hands shaking. I downed the entire thing as soon as he handed it to me.


    Valentina appeared a foot away from me, her movement tentative and careful. A riot was going on in my head, my hands were crackling with the need to punch someone or maybe shoot them, a Russian as the most preferable option.


    I tried to predict their mode of attack; a raid on one or two of my businesses or an attack on one of my family members. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they attempted to get me too.


    My father and sister were as good as safe but it was Cara I was worried about. Her apartment and her movement were too exposed, attacking her would be a walk in the park. My eyes searched for her among the crowd, wondering if she had managed to sneak home while I was upied.


    They finally located her sitting at the champagne fountain and she wasn¡¯t alone.


    The murderous urge I was feeling roared within me.


    F u c king Cadain, younger brother to the don of the Irish mafia was striking up a conversation with her. A stupid flirtatious smile on his boyish handsome face.


    A face I currently wanted to disfigure so bad.


    Cara caught my gaze but severed eye contact almost immediately.


    Guilty.


    Here I was, going crazy about her safety but she was busy flirting with f u c k i n g Cadain. Green seeped into my blood when she leaned into him and whispered something in his ear.


    She was too close for myfort and I balled my fist to stop myself from darting across the courtyard and making Cadain a dead man.


    It would ruin the alliance my family has with the don but I was caring less and less by the minute.


    I was usually a very practical and rational man but I am fast discovering that the traits do not apply where my stepsister is concerned.


    Cadain led her to the dancefloor and the both of them began a slow, sensual waltz. His hands pressed tightly to her waist and hers cupped the back of his neck.


    Red, red, red. All I saw was red and maybe green. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore so I got up and stalked straight for them.


    ¡°Get your f u c k ing hands off her if you want to keep them.¡± I said, my voice low with the promise of danger.


    Cadain frowned at me but slowly turned white when the recognition kicked in.


    ¡°Luca Salvatore,¡± he whispered in something akin to reverence.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know she was your¡­¡± he looked to Cara for help.


    ¡°Stepsister, I¡¯m only just his stepsister.¡± Cara finished for him. Angry mes, brewing in her eyes and cackling all around her.


    People were now watching us but I didn¡¯t give a damn. My attention was solely on her, the angry torrents of energy that crackled between us heating up the space.


    She had no right to be angry. Who knows what would have happened if I let them carry on. Cadain might have lost a finger or two.


    He was smart enough to excuse him and scamper off.


    ¡°What was that for?¡± Cara hissed.


    ¡°What the f u c k were you thinking letting him touch you?¡±


    ¡°How is any of it your business? I¡¯m a grown woman.¡±


    Her difficult attitude was giving me a tick in my brain.


    ¡°You will speak properly with me.¡± I enunciated slowly, my voiceced with ice.


    ¡°Or what?¡± she spat.


    That was it, I grabbed her upper arm and dragged her off, in front of everyone. Not stopping even when our parents called after me.


    She started to shriek but stopped when she saw the look on my face.


    I pulled her into the mansion and down the hallway for my father¡¯s study, shoving her inside then locking the door then turning on her.


    She watched me carefully, her fear a little toote for its appearance.


    I was going to teach her the proper way to speak to the don of the Costra Nostra. And I wasn¡¯t going to be nice about it.

 Chapter 10: Behind Closed Doors

    Luca¡¯s pov


    She was afraid, I could tell from the subtle heaves of her chest and the stiffness of her spine that good sense had finally settled in her foolhardy brain.


    But like I said before, it was a little toote for that. A lesson needed to be taught. One she¡¯ll never forget.


    I stalked towards her and she slowly backed away from me. I felt no need to hurry or chase her, there was nowhere for her to run. No escape. I was the predator and she was my ensnared prey. A thrill of excitement flushed through my veins.


    ¡°I warned you about that mouth of yours.¡± I growled, my voice deeper than ever.


    The need to wreck her scorched me, every fibre of my being was torched with heat. I had been holding back for too long and I was done with it. She was going to discover why disrespecting me, teasing me, making me toe the edge of rage and unadulterated lust, was the worst decision she would ever make.


    I continued to advance on her and she took a step back and back and back until she hit the thick, sturdy mahogany desk. I locked her trembling body in ce with mine. The darkness in my eyes holding her still.


    We stared daggers at each other. The silence in the air charged with the electric energy racing between us. Her eyes still had that defiant spark in it and I desperately wanted to kill it.


    ¡°Many men had lost their lives over the same look you¡¯re giving me.¡±


    Her lips turned up. ¡°So what? You¡¯re going to kill me like you killed them?¡±


    I wrapped my hand around her throat, my grip tight enough to make her choke.


    ¡°No, be p. I am not going to kill you but I will enjoy breaking you.¡±


    The fire in her eyes was doused in fear and a satisfied smirk worked up my lips.


    ¡°You¡¯re sick,¡± a rasp coated with rm left her mouth.


    ¡°Mio, are you only just realising?¡±


    ¡°Get your hand off me!¡± She jerked, her wordsing out in splutters.


    My hand choked her harder. I waspletely enjoying draining the challenge from her gaze. ¡°You should learn how to speak. Meekly and calm. Just like ady would.¡±


    ¡°Well too bad I¡¯m not ady.¡± She managed in a gravelly voice.


    I whipped her around so fast, she yelped. My grip  never leaving her throat. Forcing her legs apart, I jammed a knee between them.


    I twisted her neck a notch and leaned into her neck. ¡°By the time I¡¯m done with you, you will speak like one.¡±


    My movements were aggressive as I bent her over and bunched her floor length dress up to her waist,


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re-¡± her words cut off in a yelp as my calloused palm connected with her bare ass cheek.


    The spot turned crimson almost immediately and the sight of it caused my groin to swell with desire. Mine, she was mine to brand. Not Cadain¡¯s, not anyone else.


    I rubbed the tinted flesh softly, drawing a deep moan from her, making her rx into the soothing feeling before I smacked it again.


    She cursed and wiggled against my touch. Her wonderful ass grinding into my bulging arousal. My jaw tightened.


    I pressed her head to the cold surface of the wide table to hold her in ce. ¡°Struggling will only make this worse for you, bambina.¡±


    She groaned into the table but stilled her movements, nearly fooling me into thinking the fight had left her. But I was wrong.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t see the need to if you weren¡¯t holding me down in this unbing position.¡± She spat, her voiceced with malice and spite.


    My lips curved up in a slow smile. Of course she wouldn¡¯t give in this easily. I would¡¯ve been rather disappointed if she did.


    My fierce, little minx.


    I smacked her again, the toughened skin of my palm connecting with her supple flesh in a cracking sound and I relished in her pained yet pleasured cry.


    ¡°From now on, you will speak when I ask you to. Do you understand?¡±


    She puffed and grunted. ¡°You can go straight to hell, Salvatore.¡±


    Another smack. This time harder than thest.


    ¡°That is not the right answer, Cara.¡±


    She bit down on her lips in resistance, her eyes shut tightly. Always ever ready to challenge me to the end.


    I smacked again and again and again until she cried out her agreement.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I growled, now caressing the pleasurable damage done to her beautiful ass.


    The marks my palm left were now a purplish shade and the realisation that I had done this to her caused my nerve endings to hum a song of triumphant desire. I was alive with it more than ever. Not even the thrill of my first kill had felt this virile.


    I fisted her luscious hair and pulled her up until her back pressed against my front. My d! ck twitched at the maddening contact with her round bum. It badly wanted to be in her and I couldn¡¯t agree more with it.


    In this moment, I had shed all semnce to rationality, leaving the driver¡¯s seat to an untamed animal bursting with need.


    ¡°You mess with me, bambina.¡± I licked the sensitive spot behind her ear. ¡°You really should stop doing that.¡± Her delicious scent wafted into my nostrils and I shut my eyes to suck it in. I had never needed air more.


    She moaned and pushed into me. Her skin, hot and alight with dark desire.


    My hand left her hair andnded her waist, leaving shudders in its wake as it crept up her ribs and found one of her sulent mounds.


    She sucked in air as I squeezed on her breast, the full shape of it fit and perfect against my palm. My other hand trailed to her front, slipping beneath hercy panties and dipping my index finger into her wet heat.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Cara gasped, cing her hand on the desk for support.


    ¡°You need this just like I do, don¡¯t you?¡± I growled into her ear. ¡°You want me to f u c k your tight little p*ssy with my fingers.¡±


    I added another finger and began a slow swirling movement. Heaven, she felt like heaven.


    ¡°Luca,¡± she warned.


    ¡°Beg for it, beg me for it micetta.¡±


    A mewling noise left her throat and the little hellcat fought against the pleasure my fingers were giving her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do no such thing.¡±


    I pinched her taut nipples and she moaned aloud, cutting the silence in the study with melodious notes of pleasure. My fingers in her pumped harder, their movement sporadic and erratic, bringing her to the edge and taking her back.


    ¡°F u c k Luca!¡±


    I continued fucking her senseless, loving the way her pussy mped on my fingers. I imagined my c0ck in their stead and my knees almost buckled from the weight of burning want. I pumped into her her like my life depended on it, I needed her like she was air. I wanted to suck her whole.


    She was so wet I could hear the pumping of my fingers, the sounds better than any music I¡¯ve ever heard. I wanted to tip her over the edge, I wanted her to explode on my fingers, I wanted her to mp forcefully on them as she went mad with ecstasy.


    But, she needed to beg for it first so I stopped what I was doing and slid out of her. It nearly killed me to.


    She protested against the loss of my fingers with a sharp groan, her nails scratching at the desk.


    ¡°Why did you stop?¡± She demanded.


    I was now rubbing her clit and the little jerks she made caused an equal reaction in my pants. ¡°I told you you can onlye if you beg for it.¡±


    She scratched harder at the table, ¡°I hate you.¡± She deadpanned.


    I chuckled and mped harder on her clit and she cried out just like I knew she would.


    ¡°Wrong thing to say.¡± Her words were not matching the shuddering of her body, the hotness of it. They weren¡¯t matching the sweat on her skin and the erectness of her nipples. They contradicted the silky wetness between her legs.


    I spun her to face me and the unbridled desire on her face hit me like a forty pound boxing bag. I took it all in; her hoodedshes, her darkened blue eyes, her lips parted in lust. All for me.


    Something broke inside of me.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Please,¡± she squeaked out. ¡°Please Luca.¡±


    She didn¡¯t need to ask again. Shoving her legs wider apart, I drove my fingers into her and fucked her with an intensity so unconstrained it consumed me. I was no longer Luca Salvatore, don of the Costra Nostra but the physical manifestation of scious yearning.


    Her screams let me know she was close and I crushed my lips to her to swallow them up. I kissed her with the same desperate need as I finger-fucked her and soon she was bucking and jerking from the explosive intensity of her cum.

 Chapter 11: Sweet Surrender

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Please,¡± I had heard myself saying, yielding. Something I swore never to do. I had begged the man I was supposed to hate at the moment to f u c k me. Like I was some hen in the mating season with not control whatsoever.


    But I couldn¡¯t bring myself to care. Not right now that is. All I needed at the moment was the mind blowing, body racking release his fingers promised to give.


    Luca slipped his fingers back into my p u s s y and I tightened around them in delight. I moaned at the feel of the weed pration, unable to understand how something so wrong could feel so right.


    Opening my eyes to his beautiful face, I nearly burned by the look in his strong gaze. The fierceness of it was so visceral and physical like a soft blow to my chest.


    I had never been this affected by the look on a man¡¯s face until now and my shameless folds expressed their agreement by mping harder on his fingers.


    A pleasured sound left both our lips.


    ¡°You¡¯re so tight baby,¡± he whispered hoarsely, pressing his forehead to mine as he slowly stroked me, his pace building up with each stroke.


    ¡°Fuck you feel so damn good on my fingers.¡±


    I sucked in a breath, my eyes rolling back in flutters as pleasure curled within me and around me, making me weigh light as paper.


    Shivers shot up my swollen breasts but my blood was hot. I craved more, I was desperate for it and I would beg over and over just to get it. My hands raked into his hair and I ground myself on his hand, matching his forceful pumps as they drew out whimpers from me.


    ¡°Luca,¡± his name left my lips in a desperate cry. Saying all that I couldn¡¯t say at the moment.


    His other hand gripped my hips closer, pressing my form tighter to his taut and warm body. ncing down, I watched as my sensitive nipples grazed his strong chest and I thrusted them even closer. The sweet, torturous sensation driving me to the edge.


    His kissed my corbone, my neck, my shoulder, all the while whispering graphic detailing of obscene promises to me. His words tightening that deep coil in my centre, his ministrations working my folds so hard my legs began to tremble.


    I needed toe and I needed it now. ¡°Please, I need¡­¡± I trailed off unable to finish the plea.


    A deep, guttural sound reverberated in his chest and he stroked my walls deeper and so forcefully I was bucking and crying out.


    He ate up the cries with his lips, making angry muffled sounds into my mouth as his tongue sucked deep on my mine. I returned the kiss with equal fervour and we devoured each other, our tongues performing a mating dance.


    His thumb found my sensitive little bud and new waves of pleasure ran me over. A trickle of arousal dripped down my leg, I could feel a pressure building in my core, threatening to burst through.


    ¡°Luca, I think I¡¯m going- I think-¡±


    Luca pressed tighter on my clit, swirling around it  and working it to new electric heights.


    ¡°Yes baby. Come for me.¡± He growled into my ear, his teeth tugging on the lobe.


    Come for me.


    With that singlemand, my release spouted like a water spring and I was bucking and shuddering and trembling all at once as waves and waves of ecstacy shook me to the core.


    Luca nuzzled my neck, holding onto me as I tried to regain control of my limbs and awareness of where and who I was, my entire mind utterly disoriented from the force of mye.


    We stayed still for another minute and my sex freezed mind thinking about how warm and snuggly he felt.


    I could tell he was staring at me but I was suddenly too interested in a spot on the carpet, not at all ready to meet his gaze and find the triumphant gleam I was sure was there. He had won after all.


    I had begged him to f u c k me. Shamelessly too. How I was going to live with myself after this, I didn¡¯t know.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I would book the next flight to the other side of the globe but my financial situation couldn¡¯t afford me such liberty. I had to deal with the consequences of my action head on and it was that morning in his bed all over again.


    The silence on his end was bing too awkward to bear so I finally raised my eyes to his and the expression I found sent icicles down my spine.


    He pulled away, his face pinched as a hand ran through his hair and a muscle ticked in his jaw.


    He was regretting it. Realisation washed over me like cold water.


    I waited for him to say something, anything to dissipate the thick cloak of awkwardness that now dominated the air but I was only given a passionate string of Italian curses.


    I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me up. But things like that stopped happening since the old testament so I had to escape the situation all on my own without the help of God and mother nature.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s probably wondering where we are,¡± I heard myself say and winced at how dumb I sounded.


    ¡°We should,¡± his low baritone reverberated into the space, making more tense than it already was. ¡°But I think we have some talking to do first.¡±


    That was thest thing I wanted to do.


    I quickly set to straightening up my decadent appearance, looking at everywhere but him.


    ¡°I should head back,¡± I smiled shakingly then without looking at him once, I made a beeline for the door.


    My hands were mmy and shaky as I unlocked the door and dashed into the hallway.


    He didn¡¯te after me and I was immensely grateful for it.


    ****


    I plopped down on my single bed with a tired groan. Relief flooding through my body at being back in my space.


    I checked my phone for the time, I still had an hour more before my night shift at the bar I worked began. It was going to be my first time at the job but I couldn¡¯t muster any of excitement or anticipation. It was just a part-time waiting job anyway. One I wouldn¡¯t be doing if a particr somebody didn¡¯t kidnap me on my way to my biggest job.


    My mind drifted back to what transpired in Manuel¡¯s study and i buried my face into my pillow, regret and embarrassment forming an ufortable knot in my belly.


    ¡°Stupid, stupid, stupid.¡± My legs iled in the air as I chanted the word.


    I couldn¡¯t believe I had repeated the same mistake twice. I let Luca Salvatore conquer my body once again.


    A frustrated breath left my body. The man was my stepbrother for f u c k sake. We might not be rted by blood but we were byw. But I had let him touch me in ces most men didn¡¯t touch. I had wanted it and begged for it rather shamelessly. I wished I had alcohol to me this time but no it was all on me.


    If only I hadn¡¯t stupidly decided to make him jealous. If only, if only.


    It was bing a habit, this self sabotaging behaviour that only seemed to switch on whenever he was near. Luca wasn¡¯t like any other man I¡¯ve been with, he might be the most eligible bachelor in the entire Costra Nostra, but he was also the exact type of man mothers warned their daughters about.


    The type that ruins a woman. Dangerous and off limits.


    But will also give the best orgasms she¡¯d ever experience.


    I groaned aloud and pushed up my bed and I reminded myself that he was engaged, that he was my stepbrother, that he was the son of the man responsible for my father¡¯s death and that I wanted nothing to do with the mafia world.


    My eyes found my reflection in the mirror and my cheeks red at the hickeys I found on my neck as I immediately suppressed the visceral memories springing up.


    Where I craved stability, he was a typhoon, where I wanted sunshine, he was the storm. Getting involved with him would end up very badly for me with him walking out of it unscathed.


    Desire and lust be damned.

 Chapter 12: Retribution

    Luca¡¯s pov


    ¡°We rounded up eight of them, had we been a secondte they¡¯d have torched up the fucking ce.¡± Dominic, my consigliere and closest friend ryed to me, his expression pissed.


    The Russians had just tried to fuck with my biggest drug warehouse. A business responsible for eighty percent of the syndicate¡¯s ie. An explosive left my lips and I tried to reign in my anger.


    A coldugh rumbled in my chest. The fuckers had really tried to sneak me. A move I found beneath them. Not like I would have preferred it but a murder attempt on my father or me would have been a more honorable thing to do. I was disappointed to say the least.


    I turned to my consigliere and the slow smirk on his lips told me he recognised what he saw on my face. I was in the mood for retribution. A good number of my men had sustained injuries during the attack and two had lost their lives in the process.


    I had to avenge them, it went without saying. Blood for blood, a life for a life. It was an unwritten rule that had governed my world for centuries.


    ¡°Where are they?¡± I asked, unable to hide my twisted excitement from my voice.


    Dominic began to roll up his sleeves, ¡°in the basement. Stone has already prepped them up for you.¡±


    ¡®The basement¡¯ was just an euphemism for our torture room. A ce holding records of hundreds and hundreds of agonized screams and anguish. Of the enemies, of the debtors, of anyone that was unfortunate enough to get on our bad side in general.


    I gave a nod of approval and rose from behind the wide desk of my office. The only thought on my mind as I strode down the dark hallway for the basement was how much I was going to enjoy the next few hours.


    A life for a life but in this case, eight lives for two.


    ****


    ¡°I will speak, I will speak. Please just spare me.¡± The soldier cried in pain with a heavy russian ent as blood dripped down from his now deformed finger.


    I set the bloodied plier to the rusted metal table by my side, watching him in sick triumph. It had taken seven deaths, several hours and the ripping of his toes and left index finger cuticles for him to finally speak. The other seven had stayed loyal through the torture and even to theirst breath. And although I felt respect towards them for it, it was all part of my scheme.


    I patted thest standing soldier on his bloodied and swollen cheek. It was not a coincidence that he¡¯d been chosen as thest. Before I took over, I had let Stone, my main captain, handle them for a bit and I had watched them in silence, observing, studying for the tell signs of fear, of cowardice and our guy had passed the observation, emerging as the pussiest among the flock. I deliberately dealt with the others before him to drive him nuts. To break him with the impending dread that was his turn because one thing about torturing lesser men was that they broke easily and the quicker, the better.


    He sobbed, his tears falling to his grotesque toes and I admitted he held off much longer than I expected.


    At the snapping sound of my fingers, his gaze met mine. ¡°You said you¡¯ll talk. So talk.¡±


    The iciness in mymand had him spluttering a few nonsense before he gathered his f u c k i n g balls and spoke, ¡°we had been nning the attack for weeks. We were ordered to burn your biggest drug warehouse then raid your main casino to chase off your customers.¡±


    A cold smile spread across my face, ¡°you were trying to mess up my business.¡± I deadpanned.


    A gulp bobbled down his throat.


    Leaning on the rusted table, I said, ¡°well too bad I already figured all that out. You aren¡¯t telling me what I don¡¯t already know.¡±


    His eyeballs threatened to burst through his sockets when he saw me reach for a knife.


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait.¡± He stuttered in rm, his hanging body jerking against the restraints that bound his wrists.


    I regarded him with bored patience.


    ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± his breaths were hoarse, his chest rose and fell at a quickened pace. ¡°I once overheard my underboss giving my direct captain an order from the don himself. ¡°A daughter for a daughter¡± he had said.¡±


    I frowned at the new information. Information that did not in any way help me understand why the Russians went about doing what they were doing.


    Raising one eyebrow, I stared at the soldier in silence, my expression telling him I wanted more details.


    He shook his head slowly as if sad he couldn¡¯t give anything else but I knew it was because he suddenly realized he was no longer of use to me. He had resigned to his fate too quickly.


    He gave a wistful smile, his eyes harboring gloom and resignation. ¡°That is all I know.¡±


    I nodded in understanding. I didn¡¯t expect an ordinary soldier to hold more sensitive information. It wasn¡¯t how things worked in any denomination.


    ¡°I will make it quick.¡± I promised him. I didn¡¯t have to but I was feeling more merciful than usual.


    His head bobbled in gratitude, relief spreading across his face.


    I reached for my holster and pulled out my gun and the next secondter, the light left his eyes, a bullet hole lodged cleanly between them.


    Dominic was waiting for me outside when I was done with washing off the blood. He had to leave for our main casino in the middle of the torture session to clean up the mess the almost attack caused.


    His face was grim and there were stters of dried blood on his jaw and neck. Blood I knew didn¡¯t belong to him. He grunted at me in greeting and I knew it took a lot more for him to calm our stuck up customers.


    I didn¡¯t ask for the details until we got to the sound proof space of my office. It wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t trust my men, there were just matters only a selected few of them were allowed to hear.


    ¡°We managed to set everything back to order. But I would be lying if I said it wasn¡¯t a close call. The bastards would have really gotten us this time.¡±


    I fixed myself and him a drink, pouring what was left of the decanter into two whiskey sses. He was right about us being lucky. We wouldn¡¯t havee out of this unscathed if not for Valentina¡¯s warning. The attack on us today wasn¡¯t enough to take us down but it would have done noticeable damage.


    I held out one of the drinks to Dominic and he nodded his thanks as he took it. I took a sharp sip of mine, as thoughts swiped through my head. I needed to know the root before I can make my move. It was clear the Russians were serious about war and I was done with ignoring them.


    I needed to find out the why before I can n the how. It¡¯s only been a few years since my reign of don and I cannot for the life of me remembermitting  any wrong against them. Intentionally or not.


    ¡°Contact Grigori and tell him I want everything on the bratva from now dating to the time my father was don. Not a single detail or information should be omitted.¡±


    ¡°Yes boss,¡± Dominic nodded grimly.


    I dismissed him with a wave of my hand and he turned on his heel, already on the order as his hand reached into his pocket for his phone.


    Lowering my frame into one of the thick leather chairs in the centre of the office, I began my favourite thing to do besides torturing enemies and fucking; strategizing. Formting ns and schemes.


    I thought of a thousand ways to destroy the bratva, the ideas flowing easily to my brain. I could easily win over their allies and I could easily nt disunity within them. It was how I handled things, I wasn¡¯t the type to charge head on like some brute medieval warrior. No, there are a lot better ways to go to war.


    I was a powerful man, powerful enough to go head to head with the bratva but with great poweres great responsibility. Hundreds of soldiers along with their families were under my wing. I could not allow reckless pride to influence my decisions.


    My thoughts drifted back to what the soldier had said.


    A daughter for a daughter.


    I didn¡¯t have an understanding of the story behind that but I understood to a degree. My sister or stepsister were the target.


    Gina was under a strict security protocol and I have decided to marry her off to one of our most trusted and lethal underbosses that will protect her with his life.


    It was Cara that gave me a migraine. She was too stubborn to easily agree to an arranged marriage. Too reckless to let the bodyguards I assigned to her do their jobs efficiently.


    And I was too possessive of her to ensure that she did in fact get married to a made man.


    I drew a long breath. I had long epted the fact that I was obsessed with my stepsister. I had quit denying that what I felt for her wasn¡¯t desire. She was a constant thought in my brain, cemented and hardened in ce. I wanted to know where she is, who she¡¯s with at every point of the day. I told myself that the men I entrusted her safety to where only did it for her protection but it was a lie. I made them report every minor detail no matter how random to me. They were my eyes and ears.


    It was funny, really. I had only known the girl for a handful of weeks and she was sessfully lodged beneath my skin in a way no man or woman have ever done. She was sunk deep in my mind, thoughts and memories of her were a constant strain in my pants. I wasn¡¯t even safe from her at night.


    Like I have been doing for days now, I went back to that day in my father¡¯s study. Reliving her soft moans, the feel of her equally soft skin. Of her pert ass pressed into my c0ck, of my fingers sunk deep in her moist folds and I pulled out my c0ck and stroked myself to the memory. My skin heating up, hot and humid with lust.


    I stroked myself, imagining it was her hands on me, her sexy mouth around me. Moaning into me as she drew out my desire.


    I grunted harshly, stroking myself harder and faster as I got nearer to my release. A release I knew would make no difference. Would do nothing to sate this tightness I felt, the fire it seemed like only she could quench.


    My eyes mped shut as I envisioned her, naked and flirtatious as she performed a sultry dance before me. My sexy little hellcat.


    Mine mine mine.


    A deep growl racked through my bones as I came hard, torrents of pleasures flooding through the length of me. I panted slowly as I came down from the high of my release and when I was finally back to normal I let out a humorlessugh unable to stop myself.


    I was currently in the middle of a war but here I was pining after my stepsister. It was reallyughable. I needed to do something about this pathetic feeling. Needed to rid every trace of her from my system and there was only one way; fucking her senseless.


    But I would not do that. It was against the vow I made to myself and my ethics as don. The minx was still family at the end of the day. I decided to fix the problem another way.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    I rang one of the men to send a stripper to the office. The only solution to a woman problem is another woman. I will take out my sexual frustration on the stripper whoever she is and get started with finding Cara a husband.


    She¡¯ll be off limits and no longer a problem if she was owned by someone. The thought alone made blood pound in my head but I ignored it. I was Luca f u c k i n g Salvatore, I could get any woman without having to lift a finger. There was no reason for me to lusting after my stepsister of all people like some sex-starved teenager.


    She¡¯ll be out of my system after I¡¯ve fucked it out and given her to be taken away by another man.


    Out of sight, out of mind.

 Chapter 13: Like Minds

    Cara¡¯s pov


    My waiting job was harder than I anticipated. I was constantly on the move, making repeated journeys from the bar to the customers, the average in a day being about fifty times or so.


    Rico¡¯s, the bar I worked in, was the busiest in the area. And that was solely because of the other services that were provided. A service I had explicitly informed my boss I had no interest in giving during my very brief interview. Rico, my boss, had tried to sell the financial perks of the job to me but I was adamant. I may love to f u c k but it wasn¡¯t something I¡¯ll do for money. I was too proud for that.


    I made my thirtieth trip to customers since my shift began five hours ago, smiling politely as I offloaded the uncapped Heineken bottles from the stainless steel tray in my hands onto the old wooden table. One of the men at the table shed a creepy smile but I ignored it. I always did when one of the customers dared to move funny to me.


    Stupid drunk creeps.


    ¡°You look pissed.¡± Diana, the bartender and the only other female staff who didn¡¯t work extra hours in the back area of the bar, asked when I returned to the counter.


    I like Diana, she was funny and wholesome and had helped a lot when I just started the job. She was the most friendly person I¡¯ve ever met and that says a lot considering the fact that I wasn¡¯t anything but aloof the first time we met.


    It was an attitude I learned to put on over the years. Time and time of getting hurt and disappointed by people has taught me that. It was my very own defense mechanism but Diana had that easy aura about her and I couldn¡¯t help but unclench.


    I drew a harsh breath as I rested my body weight on the countertop. ¡°Just men being men.¡±


    Diana nodded in understanding. She too had been subjected to unwanted advances like me and every other woman that worked here basically. I snorted under my breath, the bar had women that would let you hit for a fee yet it didn¡¯t stop the customers from bothering us.


    ¡°So have you heard?¡± Diana piped out, deftly cleaning the beer mug in her hands.


    I propped my elbow on the cold marble surface of the countertop. My interest piqued. ¡°Heard what?¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    She carefully dropped the mug and picked another. ¡°Rico¡¯s selling the bar.¡±


    I blinked at her, the news taking me by surprise. My boss loved this bar more than he loved his own family. He was so weirdly passionate about it that you¡¯ll find him grabbing a mop and bucket as soon as he spots just a little smear on the floors. It seemed so out of character that he¡¯d want to sell it now, after running it for almost twenty years like he imed to have.


    ¡°Why?¡± I found myself asking.


    Diana¡¯s shoulders lifted in a shrug. ¡°I don¡¯t know, he hasn¡¯t even mentioned it to any of the staff. I just overheard if from one of the whores. The deal is supposed to be sealed by next week.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± I murmured, having nothing else to say. I wondered who our new boss would be and hoped to God that he was as nice as Rico.


    A slurred voice called out for me and I got up with a sigh. Diana regarded me with a sympathetic look then shed me a reassuring smile which I returned before making my way to the already drunk customer, the smile morphing into a robotic one.


    I couldn¡¯t wait for my shift to be over.


    ****


    A sleek ck car was parked in front of my apartment building. Panic spread across my body when I guessed who it belonged to. I wasn¡¯t ready to face Luca Salvatore again, I wasn¡¯t mentally or physically prepared to see him even though it had been weeks since Ist saw him at the party. Weeks, since I felt his presence and his burning touch.


    The back door of the car swung open as I drew closer to it. Sucking in air, I braced myself.


    ¡°Cara?¡±


    My eyes widened in surprise as my stepsister stepped out from the car, an hesitant and equally desperate look in her eyes.


    ¡°Gina,¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± My eyes darted to the too many bodyguards around her, their forms unflinching.


    Her eyes dropped to her shuffling Miu Miu d feet and she worried at her lips. She definitely didn¡¯t fit in a ce like this. Her green sundress and designer essories were a sharp contrast to the dpidation of the ce.


    I had no idea why she would be here and I couldn¡¯t think of any reason. We weren¡¯t close in the least andst I checked she seemed to hate me.


    ¡°Are you just getting off work?¡± She met my gaze and asked instead.


    I frowned, not seeing the need to answer.


    A sigh left her lips. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just-¡± her eyes shut and I knew she was having a hard time containing her emotions. It was a feeling I recognized too well. A bit of the wariness I felt loosened out of my body.


    I watched her as she gathered her breath as if about to say something she didn¡¯t want to. ¡°I didn¡¯t know who else to turn to.¡± The admittance left her chest in a hard breath.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs,¡± I said quietly, motioning to the dark stairway on the side of the building.


    She was hesitant for some seconds but I heard her soft steps following behind me. I stared meaningfully at her when we got to my door and she instructed her human boulders to remain in the hallway. They didn¡¯t look too happy about it but they relented.


    Gina stepped into my space and began looking around. I wondered if she thought it to be shabby and beneath her. It was after all.


    However, she surprised me with her next words, ¡°your space is cool.¡±


    I snorted aloud, not believing her even a second.


    Indignation shed in her eyes. Eyes I realized were simr to her brother¡¯s. ¡°I meant that,¡± she said.


    Deciding to take her word for it, I jumped straight to the point. ¡°Why the hell are you here?¡± I regretted it as soon as the words left my mouth, her expression was back to being worried and anxious.


    ¡°Sorry that came out wrong.¡± I gestured to my only sofa. ¡°Please sit.¡±


    I grabbed my study chair from the corner of the living space and positioned it across her. I sat down and crossed my knees.


    Gina perched on the worn leather, her entire frame tense. She remained mute, suddenly interested in her fingers in herps.


    It suddenly urred to me how serious whatever bothered her was. I mean, it had to be really serious for her toe to me of all people.


    ¡°Gina,¡± I prompted and she pushed out a tensed breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ready. I don¡¯t think I can do it.¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    Her eyes welled up, ¡°marriage.¡±


    Sympathy bubbled in my chest. ¡°Oh, Gina.¡±


    She barked out augh. ¡°I know I¡¯ve been nothing but a b1tch to you but I didn¡¯t know who else to talk to. My brother might not understand nor will my father or your mother who is excited at the thought of nning her first wedding.¡±


    Very typical of Mrs Torello.


    Gina continued, the tears in her eyes now falling down in streaks. ¡°My friends aren¡¯t really my friends and all of them are too marriage-hungry to understand how I feel about this. I don¡¯t even know him. Why would anyone expect me to go along with it?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t an expert on matters concerning the affairs of women in the mafia world but I knew ny percent of their marriages were never out of love. Just business and alliance. But I didn¡¯t say this to her. I didn¡¯t know what to say to her at all but I had a good understanding on not wanting to be forced into marriage.


    I regarded her, angry on her behalf. She was just neen for f u c k sake. I cursed Luca in my head, upsetting women just seemed to be a talent of his.


    ¡°Do you really have to?¡± I asked while being fully aware that she did. It was how it was in her world.


    Gina swatted her tears. ¡°Luca said I didn¡¯t, he said I was allowed to refuse but I know it would be selfish of me to.¡±


    Well I guessed I had med him too early.


    ¡°He¡¯s doing this for my sake, the bratva have dered war on us and Luca is having a hard time ensuring everyone and the businesses are safe. Getting married to another powerful man that would protect me with his life would help lessen the burden but I can¡¯t-¡± she broke off, her expression pinched.


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine being bound to someone I don¡¯t  love.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Selfish I know.¡±


    I didn¡¯t find it selfish, it was her life we were talking about. She¡¯ll have to bind herself to a stranger just because grown men can¡¯t get along with each other.


    I mused about what she had said, a war was going on. I might not be the mafia specialist but I knew the bratva was just as powerful as the Costra Nostra. It was suddenly obvious why Luca hadn¡¯te by in weeks. He was busy trying to protect everything and everyone. Some of the animosity I felt towards him dissipated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s selfish.¡± I told her.


    Her eyes flitted over my face as if she didn¡¯t believe me but a spark appeared in them once they recognized my sincerity.


    ¡°I might not know much about the whole war thing but he gave you a choice.¡±


    Her shoulders slumped, she still believed it would be selfish of her to refuse. This confidante business was really not my forte. I was barely winging my own affairs.


    I tried to go about it another way, ¡°why don¡¯t we do this.¡± I got up and sat beside her on the sofa. ¡°You go on dates with the guy, whoever he is. Get to know him. You never can tell, you might like him.¡±


    Gina considered my suggestion, her expression hopeful for a second before fading back to worry. ¡°But the war-¡±


    ¡°Forget the war,¡± I cut in. ¡°We are talking about your happiness.¡±


    She regarded me for a moment and it pleased me immensely to see light returning to her eyes.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded, a smile spreading on her lips. ¡°Okay.¡±


    I returned a smile of my own. I should add confidante to my resume.


    Sheughed softly, regarding me with a new light. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry for how I treated you at my father¡¯s wedding. I was just overwhelmed by the thought of having a new mother.¡±


    I considered squeezing her hand but I didn¡¯t want to be too forward. ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    We remained silent after that, the both of us not knowing what else to say. When the awkwardness became unbearable Ginaughed, thenughed louder the sound genuine and honest. I couldn¡¯t help myself byughing too. And weughed away the silliness of the situation.


    ¡°How do you feel about shopping with me next week?¡± She piped up.


    I considered the offer for a second and nodded, deciding it couldn¡¯t hurt.


    We exchanged contacts and before she left, she expressed her gratitude once more and promised to update me on the marriage issue.


    I was back to being alone, my mood lighter and brighter. I felt bad for judging her wrongly especially being a lifelong victim of judgment myself.


    I pranced to my bedroom, happy that I now had one Salvatore I genuinely liked.

 Chapter 14: Monsters In the dark

    Cara¡¯s pov


    We all have a random thing that we strangely find therapeutic or calming for our nerves.


    Something that was our own little substitute for nerve pills. It was usually safer and mostly effective and we depended on it in necessary situations.


    Mine was counting, counting numbers, counting things. Just counting. I did it a lot as a child whenever my mother was having one of those maniacal sprees she had. A side she reserved only for me and not any of her sons. I did it when Diego, one of her sons would sexually abuse me. I did it when teachers or students would boldly talk shit about me knowing fully well that I could hear them. I did it when Manuel Salvatore killed my father and disguised it as a car ident.


    Anyway, I loved to count and I had readily agreed to the task of counting the hundreds of our new beer supply. A task the other waitresses usually avoided like the gue. Diana herself would groan andment about how she hated the hours she went at it, repeatedly making mistakes and restarting over and over again.


    I had no such problem though, I had been counting all my life and was a total pro at it.


    I counted the beer by their brand. 150 Heineken beers, 150 Bundaberg, 210 Budweiser. Adding these numbers would give me their total, but no, I was going to count them all together. My reputation ofplicating my own life didn¡¯t only precede me, it governed my life.


    ¡°508, 509, 510.¡± There, not a bottle less, not a bottle more. Just 510plete bottles.


    My work was done for the day, all that¡¯s left is to report to Rico and I¡¯ll be allowed to leave for my noon sses. I scribbled down the numbers in the frayed register notebook and left the stuffy supply room.


    Rico was leaving his office when I got there, a flip phone pressed to his ear. I wondered if it was the new owner he was talking with. He signaled me to leave the register on his desk and disappeared, his steps quick and hurrying as usual.


    I ced the book on top of the messy files and papers on his desk and shook my head. I couldn¡¯t figure out why the man insisted on living pre technologically. It was like he had beef withputers. He didn¡¯t even own a smartphone. Tracking records was ten times harder but it wouldn¡¯t make him get aputer system.


    The waitress taking over from me was already on duty when I returned to the bar. Diana was making one of those magical beer mixes she did, something she refused to tell me or anyone the recipe.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± She asked, not looking at me, her full focus on what she was doing.


    I nodded then realized she couldn¡¯t see me. ¡°Yeah I am.¡± I pulled off the itchy shirt that was our uniform and straightened my tight fitting crop top.


    ¡°Here, try this.¡± Diana said, shoving a ss to me.


    I took a long sip of the liquid then paused at the pleasant taste. ¡°Hmmm, this is good.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    I gave a thumbs up. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    She grinned, pleased with herself.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I stared at my watch. ¡°I really have to leave now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure. But could you please help me take out the trash. It has been sitting in the corner and Rico¡¯s been bitching about the smell.¡±


    I remained silent in reluctance.


    Diana sighed, ¡°well guess I¡¯ll do it. Guess I¡¯ll do it all, I always have anyway. Nobody-¡±


    Groaning, I rolled my eyes and gave in to her maniption. ¡°Okay, okay. I¡¯ll take out the trash.


    She winked at me, ¡°you¡¯re a sweetheart.¡±


    The alley behind the building was dark and it reeked of stale beer and rotten food. I dumped the two garbage bags in my hands into one of therge trash bins and dusted my hands.


    A gust of chill breeze shot through the air, sending goosebumps down my thinly covered body.


    Damn it was cold out here. I didn¡¯t bring a coat and I wondered if I could get to school without freezing to death first. Where was the cold before I decided on my outfit?


    Deciding to use a shortcut, I walked down the alley and cut into another, the path a convenient and closer journey to my academy.


    A tall man in a blue suit burst out from a whorehouse a few feet ahead and my heart lurched in my chest. He staggered on his feet and the excitement I felt died instantly. He was just a random drunk. A woman came out from the same door as he had and pulled his alcohol ridden body back into the building.


    Augh left me. How silly of me to think Luca would be in a ce like this. How silly of me to even care. My emotions have been a mess, I was relieved he finally got off my back but was also disappointed that he did. I wasn¡¯t going to admit it out loud but I missed him somehow. I missed our fights, I missed making him mad, I missed his demanding kisses, his hard body against me, his rough hands on my body.


    Like I said, a mess. It was really a call to experiment how I resented him yet felt an insane attraction for him. An attraction that had me waking up to touching myself at night, his name on my lips.


    I wondered if he did more than just conquering my body that time in his father¡¯s study and the thought sent a shot of panic through my chest. I couldn¡¯t be harboring feelings for Luca. I just couldn¡¯t.


    Forcing my thoughts to focus on lighter things, I remembered Gina and our girl¡¯s day out and smiled at the thought. I was both nervous and excited about it. Half of it courtesy of my disposition to expect the worst of things.


    My reverie was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching behind me. I tensed, instinctively quickening mine. The footsteps matched my pace and I didn¡¯t think twice, I began to run. My pursuer on my tail.


    A hand grabbed my waist and spun me around and I was face to face with a bearded man, leering at me in a way that sent fear crawling up my skin like spiders.


    I recognized the man as the same customer who had been making me ufortable with his suggestive looks whenever he came to the bar. My heart raced as I instinctively tried to yank off his grip on my body, my hands tightening into fists.


    ¡°Hey there, baby,¡± the man slurred, his breath reeking of beer. ¡°How about you and me finally have some fun?


    My stomach churned with unease, my eyes shing with rm. ¡°Like hell we would. Let me go.¡±


    His grip tightened and I winced as his finger dugged into my skin. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking pretend like you don¡¯t want me when you¡¯ve been nothing but a fucking tease.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re delusional.¡±


    He pped me across the face and I screamed, my cheeks burning from the pain.


    ¡°Well I¡¯m going to hit it whether you like it or not.¡± He said, aggressively roving his hands up my belly and down my chest.


    I felt sick, so sick I was going to vomit any second.


    His body was pressed too tight to mine, his disgusting stench all over me. I couldn¡¯t do much while being so caged by him so I waited, counting the seconds as I waited for the perfect moment to strike and when he drew back an inch to unbuckle his pants. I braced myself then swung my knee into his crotch with all my might.


    He yowled in pain and I made my escape. I managed to put a total of twenty feet away from us before he recovered and began chasing. I ran like my life depended on it because it did.


    Despair turned my legs to lead when I found a truck lodged in my only path of escape. Who the f u c k blocks a public path with their stupid truck?


    My assant was getting closer and I hid behind a few trash bins. My heart thumping in my throat and skull.


    I heard his footsteps get to the dead end then his sickughter. I pulled a boxcutter from my purse.


    ¡°Give it up baby, we¡¯ve yed around enough. Come out from wherever the f u c k you are while I¡¯m still being nice.¡±


    He was getting closer and closer and I shut my eyes. Dread holding me still.


    He was now a foot away from me, the trash bins the only thing separating us. I curled my fingers around my weapon tightly and waited for him, I will cut him in the eye to gain an advantage. I might even kill him.


    I was feeling murderous at the moment.


    But I never got the chance to because a pained yell came from him and I heard his body drop to the floor with a thud.


    I stiffened where I was, reluctant to check the new development of the situation. What the hell happened? Did an even more dangerous person decide to take him out and have me to himself?


    A man appeared before me, looking as terrifying as ever. Without thinking I shrieked and charged at him with my boxcutter but was only able to nick him on the arm before he suppressed me.


    ¡°Calm down, I¡¯m on your side.¡± He said in a heavy ent but his menacing voice did nothing to calm me.


    ¡°Let go!¡± I screamed, twisting and jerking like a wild animal.


    The man cursed in Italian. ¡°Luca, my boss is Luca.¡±


    That seemed to get to me. He released me slowly and carefully, obviously wary of the weapon in my hand.


    ¡°My boss is Luca,¡± he repeated and I slowly cooled down.


    The man¡¯s gaze flitted to my right and I saw my assant being hurled up by two other men and dragged away, his body limp and unmoving.


    ¡°Is he- is he dead?¡± I didn¡¯t care, but I wanted to know.


    The man shook his thick head. ¡°No.¡±


    I nodded because I had nothing else to say. Scratch that, I had a lot to say, a lot to ask with ¡°where is Luca?¡± being the very first of them.


    The man bent to pick my purse from the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you to your house.¡± He announced, motioning for me to go before him.


    I forced my body to move, half aware of where I was going. It took me a second to realize that I had initially been heading for school and I told him.


    He nodded grimly and asked if I still wanted to go to school after that and I considered it for a second then nodded.


    The walk to the academy was over in seconds, I was so lost in my head that I didn¡¯t even realize when we got there. Luca¡¯s soldier gave me my purse and instructed me to wait for him to pick me up when my sses were over. I gave him an absentminded nod and he turned to take his leave.


    ¡°Ah,¡± he said as if remembering something else. ¡°Please try not to go through that alley again. We spent minutes trying to find when you wouldn¡¯te out of the bar. My men were going crazy, asking where you went. Things would have been pretty bad if you were hurt. I hope you understand.¡±


    I didn¡¯t, I was still shaken by all that happened but I nodded anyway. Nodding, it¡¯s all I was capable of doing at the moment.


    The soldier left and I dragged myself to ss. I sat all through my lectures, my mind in a faraway ce as I thought of what would have happened if Luca¡¯s men didn¡¯t find me. I had hated the idea of them following me around and had tried to lose them every chance I got. I thought Luca made them follow me to monitor me and interfere with my daily life but I was wrong. He really had been trying to protect me after all.

 Chapter 15: Drums of War

    Luca¡¯s pov


    ¡°What do you mean the Russians are meeting up with the polish?¡± I grunted as I deftly weaved the blow Dominic aimed at my temple.


    He attempted a second hit with his leg but I quickly blocked it with my lower arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m as surprised as you are.¡± Dominic said in a huff before feigning an attack to my sr plexus then aiming for my jaw.


    He got me.


    I tightened my jaw, grinding it as I weed the sweet pang of pain, getting more excited and charged than I was before.


    Since I became don, I hadn¡¯t been in as many fist fights as I had in my teenage and college years. Men were too scared of me to challenge me to one and moments like this was the only chance I got to showcase my fight skills. But it wasn¡¯t half as satisfying as being in a real fight.


    Dominic came at me again and I dodged past him, my elbow connecting with his ribs. I whirled around immediately, a dark smile on my lips. He was the only one who had the balls to challenge me to a fight. The only one who was just as good as I was. We learnt everything we know together after all.


    He took the elbow jab like a fucking champ, his expression showing no indication that he had just been hit even though the side of his torso was turning a deep shade of red.


    ¡°Both the bratva¡¯s pakhan and the polish don tried to keep it under wraps but thank God Grigori is damned good at his job.¡± Dominic said, his eyes intent and I knew he was calcting his next attack.


    I let the information marinate in my mind. That fucking Alesky, if the fucker thinks he can negotiate business with me then go behind my back to consort with my enemies then he¡¯s in for a fucking big surprise.


    Also it was taking Grigori more time than usual to gather intel on the Russians, I wondered howrge their arsenal of skeletons and lores were.


    Dominic made his move, his lunge so quick I barely dodged the blow. Not giving me a chance to recover, he caught me in the chest. I hissed and swung at his shoulder, disarming him. But he didn¡¯t back down, he kepting at me even when his dominant arm was momentarily made useless by my punch. It was one of the many reasons why I respected him.


    He speared at me and we both stumbled to the ground, panting andughing as both our bodies throbbed with the effects of our sparring.


    I got up first and helped him to his feet and we both swung over the boxing ring and headed to the small lockers on the other side of the room. I pulled out two bottles of water from my duffel bag and threw one at Dominic which he caught with his good arm.


    I downed more than half of the bottle, already feeling refreshed as I did. Dominic sipped at his then put it down.


    ¡°So what do you n to do?¡±


    What did I n to do? Well, a lot of my next activities will involve teaching the polish don not to get too greedy.


    I pulled out a towel from my bag and wiped the blood stained sweat trickling down my body. ¡°I¡¯m sure the Mexicans would be pleased at the news, lord knows they¡¯ve been bitter about having to pay the fee the polish charged them for shipping through the polish territory. Knowing their impulsive ass, they won¡¯t even hesitate at the opportunity of suppressing Alesky.¡±


    I reached for my phone and turned it on to check my notifications. No new messages from Sergio and it¡¯s been over eight hours. The soldier usually updated me every two hours.


    I dumped the device unceremoniously in my duffel and gulped down the rest of my water, trying not to freak out about what could have gone wrong.


    Dominic was watching me in that irritatingly knowing manner of his. ¡°What?¡± I spat.


    He shifted his gaze. ¡°Nothing from Sergio yet?¡± He asked.


    I blinked. ¡°What?¡±


    His gaze coasted back to me. ¡°Your stepsister.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. This fucker. How the hell did he know?


    He must have seen the question in my stare because he suddenly said, e on Luca, I¡¯ve known you since you were a toddler.¡±


    My lips curled up in a sneer, ¡°why do you say it like you weren¡¯t also a toddler at that time?¡±


    A soft chuckle left his lips and he stood up sharply, wincing at the pain the movement caused to his side. ¡°I don¡¯t know man, but I think she¡¯s a bad idea, a very bad one.¡±


    I sent him a death re knowing fully well that he was right. Did he think I was a willing participant in whatever it is that was happening with my stepsister?


    He raised his hands, ¡°I¡¯m just saying. Take it as advice from your consigliere.¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t expect my consigliere to be nosy about my personal business.¡± I mumbled.


    ¡°You now refer to her as personal business.¡± He shot me a smug smirk. ¡°Are you that downbad?¡±


    I wish it was his neck I had dislocated instead.


    But he was right, there was no hiding my ufortable obsession with Cara. She was a constant itch in my brain. And my c0ck too. It was stupid but I felt so fucking proud of myself for desisting to see her these past few weeks. It had also been an embarrassingly difficult task too.


    Dominic¡¯s expression was back to serious. The astute bastard was going to say something I already know.


    ¡°You should really nip it in the bud, whatever is going on. Her mother is still the old don¡¯s wife.¡±


    I decided not to award him any reply. His opinions were for me to take or discard after all. And like the wise man that he was, he desisted from pushing the subject, a deep frown on his face.


    The doors of the boxing arena swung open and three of my soldiers strode in. I recognised Sergio among them and I wondered in rising annoyance why he was here and not wherever Cara was, keeping an eye on her.


    Sergio halted when he was a couple of feet from me and bowed in respect. I grunted my approval and waited for him, hoping he had a very good reason for cking off on the very important job I assigned to him.


    Another soldier came in, pulling a beat up man along. Dominic looked from them to me and my brow raised in questioning.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°This is Fergus, one of the chronic debtors from our gambling houses.¡±


    My brow shot up even higher. Fergus or whatever his name was wasn¡¯t a concern of mine. Insignificant beings like him were handled by my soldiers. What the f uc k was Sergio thinking by bringing him to me?


    ¡°And what does this have to do with protecting Cara like I asked you to?¡± I asked, annoyance filling my lungs.


    Sergio visibly swallowed, stilling himself before answering. ¡°We caught him attacking the young miss.¡±


    Something ignited within me.


    ¡°Repeat that.¡± My voice was a deadly growl.


    ¡°He,¡± Sergio red at the shaking form of the bastard on the floor, ¡°followed Miss Cara and cornered her and would have done worse if we didn¡¯t arrive when we did.¡±


    ¡°And how did this happen under your watch?¡± I could barely keep from breaking something, preferably bones, preferably Sergio¡¯s and the bastard¡¯s.


    Sergio¡¯s eyes flickered in fear or embarrassment or both. ¡°She left through the back door and was gone by the time we realized.¡±


    Very on brand for someone as spontaneous and unpredictable as Cara. My anger surged and I felt the strong urge to find her and shake her until she went dizzy.


    Cara had been endangered, something terrible could have happened to her. The thought of her getting hurt turned me to a wounded animal, murderous and vengeful. I was going to raise hell on anyone and anything that so much as tries to touch a strand on her hair.


    I mmed my locker shut so hard that the entire thing shuddered and everyone except Dominic visibly flinched, my steps slow as I slinked to where the man cowered on the ground. I crotched to his eye level, my icy smile contradicting the raging inferno in my veins.


    ¡°What did you do to her?¡± If my voice could cut through things, it would have sliced him to smithereens.


    He backed up, ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything I swear. The bitch ran away before I could. And these guys caught me after that. That¡¯s all, I swear on my life.¡±


    My fist connected with his jaw in a satisfying crack and he screamed in pain. ¡°You¡¯ll mind how you address her.¡± I drawled.


    He nodded like a reprimanded child, nursing the likely broken jaw.


    I was going to do a lot more breaking on him, and I was going to be so brutal that he would beg for death. A plea I would deny him.


    I rose to my feet and turned my gaze on Sergio. ¡°Take him to the basement, make sure not toy a finger on him.¡±


    Dominic got up as well, ¡°I cane along.¡± He proposed but I gave a firm shake of my head, a twisted smile ying on my lips as I bored my eyes into the bastard that had dared to touch what belonged to me.


    He was mine for the killing.

 Chapter 16: Intuitions

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I could tell something was wrong as soon as I stepped into the bar. The air felt tense and heavy and everyone was speaking in hush tones as if they were scared of being overheard.


    Fear. It was one of the pungent feelings that filled the space.


    I spotted Diana and the rest of the waitresses on duty huddled together at the counter, sharing whispers. A thrill of curiosity passed through me. I wanted to know what had everyone excited.


    Pulling the strap of my purse higher on my shoulder, I moved straight for them. Some of the customers noticed me and were giving me weird stares, their gaze making me hyper conscious of myself and confused as to why they were giving me such looks.


    ¡°Hi,¡± I greeted when I got to the bar. The waitresses flinched and drew back like they¡¯d just seen something frightening. Even Diana was staring at me in a way she never did.


    My forehead creased in a frown. What the hell was going on?


    ¡°You¡¯re here!¡± Diana eximed in greeting but she sounded like an rmed cat that just lost one of its nine lives.


    ¡°As you can see,¡± I responded. ¡°Why is everyone whispering?¡±


    ¡°Oh you don¡¯t know?¡± Julietta, the customers¡¯ favorite and not for her superb waiting skills, sneered at me. She never seemed to like me for some reason unknown to me, not like I cared but her unwarranted hostility grated on my nerves in moments like this.


    She swirled a lock of her ginger red hair, ring at me like she always did. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    I blinked at her, wondering what the f u c k she was talking about. This vague conversation was beginning to irritate me.


    ¡°Julietta, what the hell are you talking about?¡± I asked in exasperation.


    Her smile was malicious as if she was ted about finally having me where she wanted. Like she was pleased at the idea of me getting caught at something. But it was just stupid if I didn¡¯t even know what I¡¯d done.


    Have I once again fucked things up? My eyes darted to each and every one of them, did I fuck any of their boyfriends by mistake. I shook my head, that couldn¡¯t be possible, I haven¡¯t slept with anyone since Luca, I hadn¡¯t been able to if I was being honest.


    Diana came out from behind the counter and pulled me several feets away from them, her hand curled firmly around mine. She gave me an uncertain look I didn¡¯t like, a doubtful look, gauging if she knew who I was or not.


    What the hell did I do?


    ¡°You should have told us.¡± Diana finally said, her gaze not meeting mine. It was unlike her.


    I shut my eyes for patience. ¡°Diana I really can¡¯t figure out what I¡¯ve done wrong if you continue to give me obscure sentences.¡±


    She pulled her eyes to me. ¡°I¡¯m talking about your stepbrother.¡±


    I stiffened. That was thest thing I expected to hear. Scratching at the back of my neck, I let out a single ¡°oh¡±.


    Diana was back to her usual self and she seemed almost annoyed? Angry? Disappointed? I couldn¡¯t tell. She had no reason to, I mean it wasn¡¯t a crime to keep from mentioning family at work. I didn¡¯t know about hers or any of the other girls either. Also, how the hell did they find out?


    I straightened my shoulders before responding. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t know it was something I had to mention. Or it is?¡±


    Diana gave me an incredulous shake of her head. It was so subtle I would have missed it if I wasn¡¯t focused on her.


    She scoffed. ¡°No, Cara. You don¡¯t. But when you¡¯re rted to a powerful mafia don who kills at the slightest irritation I just think you should give others a little heads up.¡±


    I let her words sink slowly and I could finally understand what she was getting at. Embarrassment and remorse flushed over my skin.


    It was my turn to not meet her eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t think of it like that. I¡¯m sorry, f u c k.¡±


    Diana watched me for another minute, gauging my sincerity then her eyes softened and she gave me a forgiving nod.


    ¡°How did you find out?¡± I had to ask because I reminder making no mention of the Salvatores on my employment contract.


    ¡°Well¡­ about that¡­¡± Diana¡¯s words trailed off, the fright returning to her countenance.


    ¡°Diana,¡± I pushed.


    ¡°He¡¯s here.¡± She finally said.


    A plethora of emotions threatened to burst out of me. He¡¯s here. Luca was here. And why? Why would he be here?


    ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± she continued, ¡°he¡¯s also our new boss.¡±


    My eyes shed with something unidentifiable. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Rico sold the bar to him? You didn¡¯t know?¡±


    The information cascaded down my spine like cold water. Cold water that was soon heated up with the bubblingva that was my blood. I was mad, very mad but I was also excited and nervous.


    I nced at the still staring, still whispering customers and it suddenly made sense. Everything suddenly made sense.


    That imposing mafia bastard. He had once again interfered with my life.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    Diana gaped at the expression on my face before slowly pointing to the direction of Rico¡¯s office. Or what used to be his.


    I marched to it and stormed inside, my eyes instantly pinning on Luca. Rico spared me an irritated look that slowly morphed into rm when he read my bodynguage. I nced at the files at the table, recognising them to be past monthly reports.


    A scoff left me. He wasted no time with getting started with work like he didn¡¯t have a million other things to be doing with his time.


    He nced up from the papers in his hands and met my gaze.


    Seas and thunder and fire shed within me, his eyes mine, the force so powerful it threatened to pull me across to him. And with dread and rm, I realized I missed him. So very much and it scared me shitless.


    I balled my fist and stiffened, willing my thumping heart to quieten, willing my mind to focus on my initial reason foring here. I was not going to contaminate my anger.


    Rico was the first to speak. ¡°Cara, I see you¡¯ve been told the news.¡±


    He was waiting expectantly for my response but I didn¡¯t care. There was only one person that held my interest right now and he was seated across me in anguid manner, his leg crossed over the other as he drilled holes into me with his grey eyes.


    Rico shuffled, the situation getting awkward for him. He probably couldn¡¯t understand why I was reacting this way. He was probably baffled by the way Luca and I were acting with each other. I didn¡¯t me him, our rtionship confused even me.


    ¡°Leave us,¡± Luca finally spoke and the deepness of his voice resonated through me, reaching to my very core.


    ¡°Yes, Mr Salvatore.¡± Rico responded in a servile tone that didn¡¯t fit him before scurrying out the door not bothering to shut after him.


    I was now alone with Luca and the realization caused some of my fury to fade.


    He rose to his feet and took slow steps to me, their pace heightening my anxiety and anticipation and he didn¡¯t stop until he was an inch away.


    Every nerve in my body hummed at the closeness of him. I was enveloped by the sheer force of him, desire battling with my anger.


    Gathering the rest of my rationality that wasn¡¯t fried by his closeness, I squared up at him. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°What do you think? I¡¯m trying to keep you safe.¡±


    I tried not to dwell on the silly jump my heart did at that.


    ¡°Well you¡¯re interfering with my life and making all my coworkers ufortable.¡±


    An eyebrow raised, ¡°they¡¯ll live.¡±


    I was getting madder once more, jutting my jaw I ordered, ¡°sell the bar back to Rico.¡±


    Dark amusement bloomed in his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so annoying!¡± I cried as anger danced in my chest.


    The jerk only responded with a shrug.


    He couldn¡¯t be bothered, I was going crazy at the moment, knowing I would get weaker and weaker if he continued to show up but he couldn¡¯t be bothered.


    ¡°I am going to resign.¡± I blurted out.


    His amusement was now ying on his lips, ¡°you need this job more than ever mia cara. You won¡¯t.¡±


    He was about to discover how reckless I could be.


    A smirk worked up my lips, ¡°watch me.¡± I said before turning around and storming out like I had stormed in.


    I dashed through the short hallway, half scared of Lucaing after me and half scared that he wouldn¡¯t.

 Chapter 17: Two Can Play

    Double pov


    Cara


    Diana and the others were still huddled at the counter when I returned to the bar, their eyes wide with curiosity and that fright Luca¡¯s presence brought. I threw them an apologetic smile that bnced wobbly on my lips.


    Luca still hasn¡¯t followed me out.


    I tried not to think of how it made my heart sink into my stomach and I pulled Diana¡¯s hands into mine.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m sorry for causing you guys difort. I really am. I quit so you don¡¯t have to worry about walking on eggshells at work.¡±


    Diana opened her mouth to speak but I shook my head firmly. It was for the best. Luca hovering around Rico¡¯s would only bring about chaos. An ignorant, unsuspecting drunk would make a mistake and my trigger happy stepbrother would kill him without a second thought, turning the usually drama-free bar into a bloodbath and I don¡¯t wish for even Julietta to work in such an environment.


    I squeezed Diana¡¯s hands before grabbing my purse on the counter and making way for the exit, trying my best to ignore the multiple pairs of eyes following me like shadows.


    I was one step out of the door, when a hand gripped around my arm and spun me around, bringing me face to face with a very angry looking Luca. A shiver shot up my spine and a gasp left me.


    Luca pulled me out of the bar, not caring about the watching eyes of everyone. I struggled against his hold but my efforts were futile as he pulled me like a half empty trolley down the street and into a secluded area.


    An area I recognized as the alley that I was almost sexually assaulted. My spine stiffened as the memory poured into my mind.


    I was shoved roughly against the wall and locked in ce with both of his hands on either side of my face, his strong masculine scent enveloping me at once. His dark hair was mussed and falling into his eyes like had spent minutes running his hands through it after our confrontation in Rico¡¯s office.


    He was ring hell and brimstones at me, a raging storm brewing in his grey eyes.


    My own anger rose. I was the one currently being manhandled after the mess he created at my ce of work- scratch that, former ce of work.


    I was the one whose job just got botched yet again by him but he got to be angry?


    The audacity


    ¡°Let me go before I kick you in the balls.¡±


    A dark chuckle rumbled in his chest, a rumble that had no reason making my nipples tighten beneath the cotton fabric of my fitted tee. I shook against his hold again and it only made him press tighter into me, his knee bumping into my cervix.


    Oh God.


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t learned your lesson.¡± He said, his breath an inch away from mine. ¡°You still speak without respect, walk out on me and challenge my authority.¡±


    The low deepness of his voice was making it hard to focus on his actual words. ¡°And you¡¯re still a control freak.¡±


    The look in his eyes held dark promises but it did nothing to quell my fury. He always did as he liked with me, expected me to follow through without question and when I didn¡¯t, he drove me mad with lust. It was how it always was between us and I was sick of it.


    Using the next to nonexistent space between our bodies to my advantage, I reached out and cupped the erection I knew he had, sucking in air at how big he was.


    Luca let out a sharp growl but I cupped him tighter before trailing up to his fly, my fingers slowly working at the button.


    I freed his c0ck and began stroking it, slowly and teasingly enough to drive him mad. He grunted and shoved into my hand, his anger instantly forgotten and I allowed myself a smug smirk. Oh how the table has turned.


    I badly wanted to make hime undone. I wanted to strip that control off him for once and make him go wild like he made me.


    I dropped to my knee and took him in my mouth and the curse that left his lips made me thrum with delight.


    ¡°Cara,¡± he growled out my name and it had never sounded sexier. Something stirred in my belly.


    His strong fingers fisted into my hair as I took him in and out of my mouth, loving the way his c0ck jerked at my strokes. I nced up at him and the look on his face sent a plummeting wave down my chest.


    He was staring down at me with a vulnerability I had never seen before and it was doing wild things to my heart and between my legs.


    I sucked down on his tip with the same intensity his eyes stirred in me.


    ¡°Oh fuck baby, your lips feel so good around me.¡± He groaned aloud. His breathing turnedbored, a pant escaping his lips as he mped his eyes shut in tortured pleasure.


    I cupped his balls and sucked his hard-on from base to tip, smearing the pre cum all over the length of him. I was mad with the need to see him shatter under my touch, to have him grunting my name in pleasure. I wanted to bring this powerful man to his knees, make him a trembling mess from the force of the release I would give him.


    I wanted to please him like no woman ever did.


    ¡°Fuck baby I¡¯m going toe,¡± he said in a hiss, thrusting into my mouth like his life depended on it and I took his thrusts to the hilt, my movements getting more desperate. I was going to make hime and in a way he¡¯d never done.


    Luca¡¯s pov


    The sight of my c0ck going in and out of Cara¡¯s mouth threatened to burst me into smithereens. Sanity had long left my body, I was nothing but raw need and desire. Shots after shots of pleasure was torn out of me with every stroke of my erection in her hot mouth.


    She moaned on me, frying thest thread of sense I had left and my hand scratched at the wall to keep from buckling down to my knees. She was fucking going to consume me, ruin me and I will never recover.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I groaned aloud, clenching my eyes closed as pleasure ran me over. ¡°Fuck, fuck, fuck!¡± The pressure was building and it threatened to tip me over. I felt like I was hanging from the edge of the cliff, swinging side to side with a fall inevitable.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Cara slurped at my d! ck and grated her teeth down the length. A hiss left my throat, there was no way this wasn¡¯t going to kill me and when it did, I¡¯ll die happy.


    My eyes snapped open and I stared at her, she was staring up at me, my pre cum smeared around her lips and dripping down her chin. She was so absolutely perfect, so absolutely beautiful, so absolutely mine. Something crashed inside me, and it scared the hell out of me.


    But I refused to dwell much on it, not with my release drawing closer and closer.


    ¡°Fuck baby I¡¯m going toe,¡± I rasped and Cara obliged by quickening the pace of her bops, her movement growing more and more voracious. I gripped tighter in her hair and let the waves of ecstacy sweep me off my feet. A guttural sound tore out of me as my release shot down her throat and she took it all, spurts after spurts, she took all.


    My hands pressed into the wall for support, my body spent and limb from the force of mye. She got back to her feet, the triumph in her glinting blue eyes was as clear as day.


    It suddenly dawned on me what she had seeded in doing and an ufortable knot tightened in chest as I realized it didn¡¯t bother me in the least and I¡¯d let her do it again.


    She leaned into me and ced a soft kiss at the corner of my lips, then moved to my jaw and to my ear, her teeth grazing at the lobe. I could feel my cock stirring again.


    ¡°You see Luca,¡± she rasped into my ear, eliciting a sh of heat that courses through veins, ¡°you don¡¯t have the monopoly of kindling pleasure. I too can I fuck the lights out of you.¡±


    She drew back, licked at the wetness around her mouth, her tongue deliberately slow as she watched my eyes darkened with arousal.


    The fucking little tease.


    She shed me a satisfied grin and backed away, her eyes roving over me onest time. ¡°See you soon, fratello.¡± She said, cheeky and impudent, before running off into the darkening night.


    I remained where I was, dark amusement filling me as one thing slowly became clear to me.


    I was fucked.

 Chapter 18: New Discoveries

    Luca¡¯s pov


    I had a million things on my schedule today; a new firearm shipment to inspect, a meeting with themissioner of customs and border protection, two more meetings with some allies, a subsidiary club inspection and this is just to list a few.


    I was booked and busy for the day but what I was currently doing had no rtion to my tight schedule in the least.


    I leaned back into the plush leather seat of my Bugatti, watching my stepsister walk out of her sixth business establishment just this morning and from the gloomy look on her face, I could tell she had been rejected once again.


    The stubborn airhead had stuck to her word and she hasn¡¯t stepped foot in Rico¡¯s since she discovered I was the new owner.


    This was one of the reasons why I never understood women, they acted rashly and solely on emotions, not caring if the choices they make in the throes of their feelings, worsen things for them. It was risky and self destructive.


    She began moving again and I followed her with my car, the pace matching her forlorn steps. I was irritated and amused and puzzled on how her brain worked. It was nothing I¡¯ve ever seen before, the women I was used to never did anything that threatened theirfort and werepliant with the idea of dependency.


    Whatever suspicions I had of Cara in the beginning were officially debunked. She was a woman who had scoffed in the face of a thousand dors and refused the respect my name could give her.


    A first for me.


    The sun shone brighter, casting a luminous glow to her form and my fucking heart raced at the sight.


    Fuck she was beautiful, so beautiful it fucking hurt to look at her.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, I raised my eyes to the car, clenching it shut as a sigh left me.


    What on God¡¯s green earth was I doing?


    I opened them again and nced back at Cara, if I ever thought my obsession with her was bad then I had fucking underestimated how bad. It became worse after that night she sucked me off and nearly had me dead from the earth shattering pleasure. She was all I thought about, she owned my waking thoughts, owned myst thoughts before bed. I was reminded of her at any hour of the day and everywhere, it was frustrating.


    She stopped in front of a burrito shop and stared wistfully at it, the sad longing on her face pulling at my heartstrings even though I was certain I didn¡¯t own one.


    I suddenly felt the need to buy her a hundred burrito shops.


    My phone vibrated in my pocket, snapping me out of my insane thoughts. I pulled it out. ¡°What,¡± I snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry boss, I- er I can callter if you¡¯re busy.¡± Grigori stuttered into the phone.


    I sighed in irritation with myself. I really needed to get a grip. ¡°It¡¯s fine Grigori, what do you have for me?¡±


    A couple of papers rustled into my ear before he spoke again, ¡°I finally have substantial information on the bratva although I still have to do more in depth digging. They¡¯re really secretive with their business.¡±


    I took in the news, agreeing with the fuckers being secretive bastards. They were known for their proficiency in gathering information but made it difficult for anyone else to do the same with them.


    ¡°I could report all I have so far today if you¡¯re not busy.¡±


    I stared at Cara. ¡°I¡¯m not. Meet me at Il Fantasmo in an hour. I have an inspection to carry out there, we can go over your findings after I¡¯m done.¡±


    ¡°Yes boss.¡±


    I hung up and continued watching Cara, she was staring from her purse to the burrito shop and back to her purse.


    A chuckle pushed out of my lips. She had no financial discipline whatsoever.


    I turned on my phone again and dialed Sergio. He answered on the first ring.


    ¡°Boss,¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving Cara into your hands. Don¡¯t lose sight of her even for a minute.¡±


    ¡°You can count on it boss.¡±


    I paused for a moment, reading the conviction in his words. Hisst mistake was still something I hadn¡¯t let go of and the only reason why I didn¡¯t punish him for it is because he had brought the bastard to me personally and Cara seemed to have gotten familiar with him. But I wasn¡¯t going to ept another mistake.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it soldier and I trust you will keep to it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss.¡± He said without hesitation.


    Cara was now going into the burrito shop. ¡°How close are you?¡± I asked my eyes searching the perimeter for the car I assigned to them. I spotted it parked three shops before the burritos¡¯.


    ¡°I want you to head in after her, find the owner and pay him the money I¡¯m going to send to you and tell him to convince thedy in green that she had won a giftcard, I don¡¯t care how he does it but he must.¡±


    Sergio¡¯s answer was dyed and I knew he was stunned and confused but I didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°I believe you understood that.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yes boss. I¡¯m on it right now.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± I said before hanging up. I opened my mobile banking app and sent him the sum of one thousand dors, spared the burrito shop onest nce and drove off for my first real engagement for the day.


    ***


    Il Fantasmo was one of my smaller clubs that was away from the main city. My father had been against its establishment, it was unheard of to build clubs on the outskirts of the city anyway but I had insisted on it and pushed through with it and now the little establishment pulled more revenue than even some of our city establishments. It was my passion project and because I was who I was, it was a sessful one too.


    I usually made a personal appearance at the ce, showing up at random to see the true state of the ce and business activities. It kept the staff and the soldier managing it on their toes. Lord knows I hate funny business more than anything.


    I killed off the engine of my car and slipped out of it.  The manager was already waiting for me at the entrance along with some other soldiers disguised as customers or bouncers. They bowed their heads with respect and I returned their greeting with a nod, immediately getting started on the inspection.


    The soldiers followed in apprehension, their uneasy gaze fixed on me as I made the rounds through the ce.


    Seeing no issues with anything, I nodded my satisfaction and they all looked relieved.


    ¡°I want to see the monthly reports from thest time I was here.¡± I said.


    ¡°Of course boss.¡± The soldier bopped his head in response, walking closely after me as I headed for the administrative office.


    Grigori was already there, sitting on a plush sofa when I got in. I sat on the only single one in the office and adjusted my dress shirt.


    Grigori immediately handed me a bulky file. Well that was a lot of information to go through.


    ¡°I¡¯ve arranged them ording to dates with the most recent on top.¡± Grigori exined. ¡°There isn¡¯t much important information except on the recent attacks but the ones after them get more interesting.¡±


    I stared at him with raised eyebrows before going through the contents. It was just like he said. The Russians didn¡¯t do much until they decided to fuck with me. ¡°Is there anything important I need to know about?¡± I said, flipping through the papers.


    ¡°About that,¡± Grigori began, his expression turning grim. ¡°I seemed to have discovered the meaning behind the words of the captured soldier. May I?¡± He said, gesturing to the files.


    I handed it to him and he deftly went through the papers before getting the ones at the bottom. I made a mental note to tell him to make the files digitalized next time, these many files were giving me a headache.


    Grigori passed the necessary papers to me and I read through them, my frown deepening with each sheet.


    ¡°It appears the genesis of it all began with your father. Apparently the retired don had wrong the pakhan and hadn¡¯t rectified his mistake.¡±


    I mused through the most catching bit, something about killing the pakhan¡¯s daughter. My jaw tightened in thought, my father wasn¡¯t the type to involve women in his dealings. It was something that had even been a disadvantage to his time as don. He could kill a man in the most gruesome way ever but would never touch a woman. Not after the promise he made to my dying mother.


    So what was this news about a killed daughter of the bratva¡¯s pakhan?


    I set the papers down and rose to my feet, Grigori rising to his as well.


    I turned to where the club¡¯s manager stood, ¡°you¡¯ll have to show me the reports next time.¡± I said, stepping out of the office at once, the two men following closely behind me.


    I had some serious talking to do with my father.

 Chapter 19: Half truths

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Gina asked me over the soft RnB music ying through the speakers of the Alexander McQueen store, pulling a bright purple tulle dress to her body.


    I cocked my head, my face scrunched in an exaggerated thoughtful look. The dress was pretty and perfect for her age, but if we were doing what we had to do, she needed something more mature and demure. Something less gaudy.


    Gina was neen. Only just a baby in adult years and yet, the weight of her unfair responsibilities were catching up to her.


    I respected her for braving through this with a determined heart and brave face. I wouldn¡¯t know what I would do if I was the one in her shoes and I was the older one here.


    My gaze coasted to the left side of the aisle we were in, scanning through the multiple dresses on the clothing racks, each of them more expensive than my apartment rent. They settled on a copper coloured slip dress and my fingers pulled it off the rack. I beamed in delight and faced Gina with an excited grin.


    ¡°This is the one.¡± I said, trailing my palm down the long length of the silky material. It was the perfect dress really, sexy yet modest enough for a high society princess like my stepsister. The cleavage was a humble cut that still teased up the scale of sensuality. The best fitting dress for the mission we were embarking on; seducing Gina¡¯s fiance.


    Just like I had advised, Gina had met him, spoken to him and has be infatuated with an amusing quickness. Her eyes went dreamy at the mention of him and she spoke about him like he was Prince Charming himself.


    Gina blushed profusely, staring at the clothing with awe in her big brown eyes. Because of the nature of her status and that of her family, I usually forgot she was just shy of teenagehood at the end of the day. Moments like this reminded me of that fact.


    ¡°Can I really wear a dress like this?¡± She asked even though I knew that she wanted too.


    I ced the dress in her outstretched arms. ¡°Yes dear, you can.¡±


    When the uncertainty didn¡¯t leave her expression I tried another way. ¡°If you¡¯re going to seduce your husband-to-be, you¡¯d have to first prove to him that you¡¯re a woman and not a child.¡± My words got the desired effect and her shoulder straightened with determination.


    She gripped the dress, staring at me for validation that I gave with a solemn nod. ¡°I¡¯m trying it on,¡± she dered before making a beeline for the changing room.


    I took a small tour around therge store, perusing through luxury items with a vague yearning. I want to be able to afford them someday. I want to be able to thrust out my credit card and not think about the price, only wants and needs. Sighing I ambled for the changing room Gina upied, my chest light with the anticipation of seeing her in the dress.


    My eyes coasted to the men in ck lurking outside the transparent ss of the floor to ceiling windows, watching me like a hawk. Their number doubled was today, seeing as Gina was here too. The biggest of them met my gaze, his expression detached. Sergio, I think that what his name was, was the only one I was familiar with. They no longer bothered to be inconspicuous and I no longer bothered with trying to lose them. I hadn¡¯t since the alley incident. I decided to live with it, if Gina could then I could too. I¡¯ll just treat them as invisible.


    Besides, I choose their unfamiliar presence over my stepbrother¡¯s haunting one any day.


    A big lie.


    Gina finally appeared from behind the curtain, her steps shy and her demeanor coy. My hand flew to my mouth, she looked like a totally different person.


    ¡°It¡¯s so gorgeous, you¡¯re so gorgeous!¡± I gushed, eyes roving all over her form in awe.


    Gina¡¯s cheeks flushed at mypliments and involuntarily straightened her spine. The dress was perfect against the curves and dips of her body, entuating the flushness I didn¡¯t know she had. She went from looking like a girl to a full grown woman with one dress.


    I bounced over to her, grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to the full length mirror. ¡°He¡¯s going to be so floored when he sees you.¡±


    The red in her cheeks deepened as a giggle escaped her lips. She rested her hand over mine and her gaze turned solemn in the mirror.


    ¡°I¡¯m really grateful to you Cara. You¡¯ve been the best.¡±


    My smile was reassuring and I squeezed her shoulder. Spinning her to face me, I spoke. ¡°Now our next mission is to find you the killer shoes.¡± My hands left her as I was scanning the store once more.


    ¡°You should know this,¡± I started as I jumped to the shoes section, ¡°shoes are what make or break an outfit. Hair too. You could have on the best dress but the wrong shoe can ruin the entire look. Same way they can save the look of ackluster dress.¡± I tutored, my hands skimming over a long row of high-heeled sandals with long straps. I grabbed thest one and raised them to an expectant Gina, the shimmery gold of the texture, glinting in the store¡¯s light.


    Gina sped her hands in excitement, her high ponytail swinging behind her. ¡°I love it!¡± She gushed.


    My lips pulled back in a smug grin. Of course she does, fashion agent Cara had picked it after all.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Gina paid for the dress and we stumbled out of the store,ughing and giggling like excited highschool girls. I waited for Gina to announce our next stop when she suddenly smiled at me, a plotting glint in her eyes. I pursed my lips in puzzled amusement, wondering what idea was brimming in her pretty head.


    ¡°What¡¯s that look you¡¯re giving-¡± the rest of my words got swallowed up in a yelp when she mped a hand around mine and pulled me into another store-Vivienne Westwood, my favourite designer brand that I¡¯d never worn- with our bodyguards at our heels.


    My head snapped to Gina and she gave me a sheepish look, her eyelids downcast. ¡°You once mentioned wanting to own a piece so¡­¡± she trailed off and I knew she was good at this thoughtfulness of a thing.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Gina. You don¡¯t have too¡± My words contradicted the heavy pounding in my chest that thumped in protest. It wasn¡¯t fine, I had always wanted to own something by Vivienne Westwood since forever.


    Gina shook her head firmly and linked her arm around mine and pushed me further into the luxurious space. ¡°No. I want to do something for you. Lord knows you¡¯ve done a lot for me.¡±


    And just like that I was pulled from aisle to aisle, my eyes going wide from drinking in all the fine and beautiful pieces. It felt surreal, I never expected to be here, not this soon as least.


    My heart flipped over my chest as the shop attendant handed Gina a turquoise floor length dress with star shaped stones dotting all over the low neckline. She said it was from their recent ocean collection and was currently the only one of three that was left. My shaking hands skimmed across the material, so gently like I was afraid the dress would disappear if I touched it too closely. I felt like I was holding a piece of the ocean in my hands. It was so precious I felt almost guilty for wanting it.


    Something this perfect would be tainted by me.


    Gina nudged me lightly, ¡°you look like you just fell in love.¡±


    I let out a throatyugh not knowing what to say.


    ¡°Wanna try it on?¡±


    I hesitated then nodded deciding it couldn¡¯t hurt. I¡¯ll just wear it, even if it was only for a handful of minutes I¡¯ll wear it and dream a little.


    I took the dress to the changing room, got out of my second hand doc martens first, then my tank top and faded skinnies. My hands quivered as I pulled on the dress, overly careful with my movements. Last thing I needed was ripping the expensive thing.


    When I stepped out both Gina and the shop attendant squealed in delight. I moved to the mirror, my heart bouncing up my throat in anticipation and when my eyes connected with my reflection, the excited organ froze.


    A gasp left me.


    ¡°Dio mio, you look absolutely stunning!¡± Gina gushed at my reflection.


    And I believed her because I saw it too. For the first time in my life, I felt priceless, worthy. The dress hung down my body like it was made for me, Cara, the hem flowing down in shimmering sea waves. I looked like a water goddess, powerful in her own right and it empowered me, made me feel like I could easily take on anything as long as I was wearing it. Clothes really did do wonders for your confidence after all.


    It¡¯s perfect for you. There¡¯s absolutely no need for adjustments or alterations, you¡¯re good to go.¡± The shop attendant said, her words breaking into my dreamy haze.


    Yanking me back to harsh reality.


    Not able to watch my reflection any longer, I tore my gaze from the mirror and forced a smile on my lips. ¡°It really is, but unfortunately I won¡¯t be taking it.¡± I said, feeling the frustrating sting of tears in my eyes.


    I skitted back to the changing room before the treacherous flow dropped and when I got in, I mped both eyes shut in an attempt to contain. I let out a dryugh I didn¡¯t know why the tears showed up, it was just a fucking dress. I was too old to still be crying over one. Betraying memories of childhood disappointments and yearning shed in my head. Maybe my current fraying emotions were a trauma response to the times where I had been promised a new dress but never given one. Ten years old Cara was still carrying all of the hurt.


    Gina was watching me when I reappeared again, back into my original clothes. Her gaze was stripping me bare with the serious regard darkening her eyes. ¡°Do you want it?¡± She asked.


    I gave a violent shake of my head. I couldn¡¯t. It was obviously the most expensive thing I¡¯ve evere across. I couldn¡¯t make Gina buy it for me.


    Gina rolled her eyes like she could hear my thoughts. She uncrossed her legs and got up, pulling the dress out of my limb arms.


    I mourned the loss.


    She pushed it to the staff and instructed her to pack it up, hushing me with a smile when I tried to protest.


    ¡°Cara, we are family. My father and brother are loaded, you¡¯ll be surprised by how much. This is the least of things I could get you. See it as a thank you gift for saving my future.¡± She winked.


    My mouth mped shut because what the hell does one say to that? The dress came back, properly secured in the brand¡¯s signature shopping bag. Gina thrusted it to me and my hand closed over the handles in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m suddenly craving food. We should go find some before we leave.¡± Gina announced, linking our arms together once more.


    We strolled down the wide hallway for the lift leading to the restaurants on the ground floor. The both of us ignoring the stares we were getting because of the scary looking men following closely behind us.


    Gina sighed tiredly beside me and I shook of a tired feeling of my own. Shopping was a more tedious task than it looked.


    We reached the ground floor and headed into a pasta restaurant, sitting at the table closest to the bodyguards. I briefly wondered if they were hungry as well but I shook of the thought. It was none of my business.


    Gina handed me a menu and we ced our orders. She had a thoughtful look on her face as we waited and I suspected she was thinking about her fiance.


    ¡°Do you really think he¡¯d love the dress?¡± She asked suddenly, still looking at nowhere in particr.


    My eyes dipped to the shopping bag on the floor. ¡°As long as he¡¯s not gay, yes.¡±


    A chuckle shook through her and she finally turned to look at me. ¡°Well that¡¯s one way to answer the question.¡± Mirth danced on her lips but I could peep the nervousness crawling back in.


    ¡°What about you, is there someone in particr you¡¯d want to wear the dress for?¡±


    I let out a scoff, ¡°everything I wear is for myself alone Gina. I¡¯ve never felt the need to dress up for a man.¡±


    Something like hurt shed in her eyes and I rushed to tweak my statement. ¡°But that¡¯s just me. I¡¯m not the one in love after all.¡±


    Gina put her jaw on her propped elbow with a sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t know why but I suspected that you did.¡±


    I gave her a yful grin, ¡°well you thought wrong.¡± As soon as the words left my mouth, a voice yelled the word ¡°LIAR¡± at me. I HAD thought of someone, had envisioned his dark grey eyes darkening at the sight of me in the dress as unfiltered desire shot out of him.


    And it had both warmed and chilled my insides.

 Chapter 20: Battle plans

    Luca¡¯s pov


    One of the reasons why I didn¡¯t get a house like my father¡¯s was that the ce was needlesslyrge. The distance from the main gates to the front door took about five minutes. And that was by car.


    I had an overly cautious nature to get a house like it. Lord knows I grew up in a constant state of alert. Security was harder to maintain, housestaffing was harder to keep up with but that didn¡¯t mean an attack attempt on the vi would be a sessful one. Knowing my father, he probably had traps and high end security cameras situated around in the areas the soldiers didn¡¯t touch.


    But then again, I preferred a smaller mansion.


    ¡°Wee sir,¡± Antonio, my father¡¯s butler, greeted as I walked into the grand foyer of the house. He used to call me ¡°young master¡± but had long discarded the term since I became don.


    ¡°Good to see you, Antonio. Is my father in?¡±


    Antonio motioned up the stairs. ¡°He¡¯s in his study.¡±


    The man was always in his study. He spent more than fifty percent of his time as don in the ce and even retirement couldn¡¯t make him quit the habit.


    I climbed up the curved marble stairs, taking two steps at a time. The urgency building up within me.


    I was halfway down the long, wide hallway to my father¡¯s study when a familiar yet unfamiliar voice called out my name. My face squeezed into a frown and I wondered what my father¡¯s new wife had to say to me.


    She scurried to me from the open living space on my left. I wouldn¡¯t even have noticed she was there if she didn¡¯t call my attention.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have disturbed your visit. Are you here to see your father?¡±


    I stared unblinkingly at her in growing irritation. ¡°If you¡¯re sorry, you would say whatever you have to say and be on your way.¡±


    My tone must have been more icy than I intended because she nched in fear and reflectively drew back a step, subtly, but I noticed. I couldn¡¯t pinpoint the reason for the innate wariness I had for her. I never felt I could trust her from the moment she was introduced to the family. Plus, Cara doesn¡¯t seem to like her either so there¡¯s that.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s something I wanted to speak to you about.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°It¡¯s about Gina¡¯s wedding, I was wondering if you¡¯ll let the event be publicized. I thought of inviting reporters-¡±


    Jesus fucking Christ. How unaware was this woman?


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°But I think it¡¯s a good idea for-¡±


    ¡°No.¡± My voice took a warning edge. ¡°Let this be the first andst time you speak of this.¡±


    I moved past her and resumed my short walk to my father¡¯s study, wondering where the hell he found a woman like her. If he wanted to remarry so bad, he could have at least chosen a woman from the Costra Nostra so I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with suggestions like inviting the press to my sister¡¯s wedding when we needed privacy more than ever.


    I knocked twice when I got to the thick double doors before entering. My father was seating at his desk, squinting at some strewn papers on his desk even though he had his reading sses on. He didn¡¯t look up but I knew he noticed my presence. And that was why his eyes remained on his desk, if it were to be a stranger, his gaze would have shot to the door, his hand on the gun strapped under the desk.


    I knew this because it was something he taught me when I was only nine.


    ¡°Father,¡± I said when I got to the desk.


    He finally looked up, an older version of my eyes meeting my gaze. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±


    He got up and came around the desk, not before arranging the papers I perceived to be his estate reports then pushed them to a corner. My eyes found a scratch on the cleared surface and the image of Cara bent over the desk as I spanked her sweet ass shed in my head, sending spears of heat through my body.


    My father moved to the living area of the study and I followed him, forcing the unwanted images to the back of my mind.


    ¡°I rarely see you these days¡± he said once we sat down on the plush leather sofas. ¡°It¡¯s bing an honor to have you visit.¡±


    My lips curved in a wry smile. ¡°Things are more hectic than usual. With the bratva on our necks and all.¡±


    My father¡¯s rxed mood morphed into a serious one, the light in his eyes fading as he leaned forward. ¡°About that, what do you n to do first?¡±


    ¡°I n to find out the root cause first of all. My investigator has been gathering information.¡± With my reason for visiting forefront in my mind, I went straight to the point. ¡°Apparently it all began with you.¡±


    The old don¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion and I proceeded to expand on it. ¡°Something about killing the pakhan¡¯s daughter.¡±


    I watched him stare nkly into space for a minute then his eyes widened as recalling memories came to him.


    ¡°That old fucker,¡± he sighed. ¡°He hadn¡¯t let that go.¡± His gaze found mine again, ¡°well I don¡¯t expect him to, it¡¯s his child we¡¯re talking about.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I leaned in. ¡°Did you really kill his daughter?¡±


    My father blinked at me, affronted. ¡°No. I didn¡¯t. I promised your mother for fuck sake.¡±


    A muscle ticked in my jaw at the mention of my mother. I didn¡¯t want her brought up. Not now and especially not by him.


    I leaned back in my chair. ¡°Well that¡¯s not what the old pakhan thinks and I need to know why.¡±


    My father¡¯s expression took a remorseful turn. He got up and slowly walked to therge window. His hands folded behind him. ¡°The girl was only a child.¡± He began gazing into therge stretch of field before him.


    I rose to my feet and moved to stand beside him. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me a baby was killed because I wouldn¡¯t know how to deal with the angry pakhan if he thinks we killed his baby daughter.¡±


    My father chuckled at my side, still looking out the window. ¡°She was kidnapped by one of my capos then. He had misunderstood my rtionship with Mikhalov and had stolen the girl in retaliation, at least that was the story I was fed at that time. The bastard didn¡¯t do it because of his loyalty to me, he just wanted to get back at Mikhalov for something I¡¯m yet to know of.¡±


    He turned to face me, a faraway look in his gaze. ¡°He ran away with the girl and managed to hide from us for eight years. When we found him, he had already sold the child to the Columbians who imed she died from the fever. I killed the bastard and brought his dead body to Mikhalov but it wasn¡¯t enough.¡± A tired smile appeared on his lips.


    ¡°Mikhalov wanted a recement for his daughter; a daughter of mine brought to him dead.¡±


    I frowned at this. Regardless of what happened, children were innocent and shouldn¡¯t be used to end wars.


    ¡°Luckily your sister wasn¡¯t born at that time but when she was. I doubled all our enforcement and security and waited and waited for him to show up like he promised.¡± His jaw tightened and I could feel the angry panic bubbling inside him. ¡°But he never did, until now.¡±


    His gaze was intense when he said, ¡°promise this old man that you¡¯ll do everything in your power to protect your sister.¡± He paused. ¡°And your stepsister.¡±


    He didn¡¯t need my word for that. I was going to protect them even at the cost of my life. ¡°What was his name? The Capo?¡±


    A darkness spread across my father¡¯s face. ¡°Emilio.¡± He drawled.


    Emilio. I wished I could conjure the bastard and kill him all over again, more brutally this time. Twenty yearster and we were still dealing with the mess he made.


    ¡°Gina would be given to Dante and that leaves your stepsister. What do you n to do about her?¡± My father suddenly said.


    My spine stiffened and my murderous train of thoughts immediately halted. I faced the expectancy in his expression and for the first time in my life, words eluded me.


    My father frowned, the look he gave me bored through my poker expression, suspicion sewn into his frown. Old age hadn¡¯t weakened his keen perception.


    ¡°I met up with the boss of the Irish mafia.¡± My father started, still frowning. ¡°Seems like his younger brother has his eyes on her.¡±


    His words crawled up my neck and into my throat before settling in my chest like sharp knives. I can help him by gorging out his fucking eyes.


    I straightened my still stiff spine and returned to the leather sofa. ¡°Well, we are barely done with settling Gina¡¯s marriage. It¡¯s too soon to be talking about Cara¡¯s.¡± I said, expertly hiding my rattled feelings from my voice.


    ¡°The earlier, the better.¡± My father pushed. ¡°That girl is the least protected out of all of us.¡±


    My throat suddenly felt tight and my skin felt damp beneath my dress shirt. I itched to free another button even though the top two were already unbuttoned.


    ¡°I suggest you consider it and take up on their offer.¡± My father¡¯s voice was unfaltering and even though I wasn¡¯t looking at him, I knew his eyes were still boring into me.


    Although it was what I initially decided to do, the finality of it sent diforting splinters down my spine. My blood roared at the thought of Cara getting married to Cadain. Fucking Cadain, that idiot couldn¡¯t even handle a woman like her. She was going to be bored out of her mind tied to his nd ass. She didn¡¯t fit with a spiceless and spineless bastard like him.


    ¡°Luca,¡± my father pushed, bringing me out of my head.


    My fingers dug into my crossed knees to keep from racking through my hair. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡± I said. ¡°But it¡¯s all I¡¯ll do for now.¡± I added, my tone brooking no argument.


    My father wasn¡¯t satisfied with my answer but he didn¡¯t protest.


    And thank God he didn¡¯t because if I didn¡¯t know what I¡¯d have done if he had decided to push the matter. Smashing the ss table before me is one option.

 Chapter 21: Wine and Dine

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I couldn¡¯t be in the Salvatore mansion without snapshots of the time I let Luca fuck me with his fingers swiping through my head like a slideshow. Even now as I helped Gina touch up her hair in her princess bedroom, I was fighting a blush as Gina rambled about a heroic story of her fiance, featuring Luca. She wasn¡¯t helping at all.


    I finished up with the swirly updo, the stylepletely upgraded from the one Gina¡¯s stylist had done before. It wasn¡¯t that the professional¡¯s work was bad, it was just what it was; professional.


    Itcked the spice and fierceness that would aid in my stepsister¡¯s n to seduce her fiance.


    I stepped back to inspect my work. A satisfied smirk curved up my lips. Dante Fierro didn¡¯t know what was about to hit him.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t even going to break a sweat,¡± I said. ¡°He¡¯s going to be drooling all over you before the night is over.¡±


    Gina put her hands to her face to hide the reddened cheeks I knew she had. ¡°Stop.¡± She purred.


    ¡°Ready?¡± I asked and she got up from her vanity chair, looking stunning in the copper dress I had helped her pick on our shopping date.


    She scooted in her heels to stand beside me and we both did the mandatoryst minute inspection in the mirror. We were perfect.


    ¡°We look like queens,¡± Gina squealed.


    I agreed with her. The turquoise dress she bought me, hugged my frame elegantly and it seemed to look even prettier than the first time I tried it on.


    ¡°We are queens.¡± I dered, sharing an excited smile with her before I took her hand and led us out of the room, the two of us strutting to the hall where Gina¡¯s engagement party was held.


    We would arrive like the queens we were.


    ***


    My heart pounded in my chest and I and Gina walked into the hall. Everyone was staring at us, some of them gawking even. I wasn¡¯t the overly nervous type but this was the first time people were looking at me with a tint of respect, their gaze almost reverent. They usually stared in shock, horror or befuddlement, so this was a first.


    My mama sauntered us, grabbing Gina by both shoulders. Gina stiffened, obviously ufortable with her unnecessary closeness but that didn¡¯t sway my mama.


    ¡°Oh Gina, what are you wearing?¡± She cried, not in any way acknowledging my presence. ¡°Dio! What is this makeup? Why is your hair different?¡±


    Gina balked out of her embrace, a tight smile on her face. And it urred to me that my mother properly harassed her daily with her unwanted exaggerated affection. Amusement danced in my eyes.


    My mother shed me a re, suddenly realizing my presence. ¡°Did you do this to her?¡± Her nose red, throwing the question like I had smeared ash over Gina instead. Or ripped her dress on purpose, or burned her with hot coal.


    ¡°Just thought she needed a little spice up,¡± I shrugged, deftly masking the sting of the harsh treatment she only reserved for me.


    Gina groaned under her breath. ¡°Amanda please, Cara only tried to help me look my best.¡±


    The hostility in my mother¡¯s expression was gone. ¡°But what about the dress I chose for you?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t like it.¡± My stepsister deadpanned.


    Hurt shed across my mother¡¯s face and it had me feeling sorry for her a minute until she faced me again, ready to take out her annoyance at Gina¡¯s attitude on me. It was something she always did, sucking up to people then taking out her frustration on me. She never had the courage to speak up to them. I was the outlet.


    ¡°You stay consistent with your bold choice of clothing.¡± Her voice dripped sarcasm, a sardonic smile on her lips.


    My bright mood was doused in ck, anger heating up beneath my skin. I was saved from whatever scathing line she was going to say next when Gina¡¯s friends scurried over and began gushing over her. Staring at her in a new light.


    The sight made me feel like a proud mother hen.


    My mother returned back to the party she was with, not liking how the young girls had pushed through her, their sole attention on Gina.


    I exhaled a shaky breath and nced around the room. Whew, that ended well.


    Dante Fierro was perched on a pir a few feets ahead, his gaze locked on Gina. Normally, my eyes would have found hers, with a victory smirk but they werepletely focused on my stepbrother who was standing next to him, watching me.


    My body thrummed alive with awareness, my heart galloped in my chest. Every bit of my skin singed with heat.


    The spacious hall suddenly felt ustrophobic, the walls were closing in on me and I could barely breathe because Luca held my lungs with that piercing gaze of his. I cussed under my breath. I had been certain that the sight of him wouldn¡¯t affect me as much since I took control from him thest time we met. I had been convinced my reaction to him was only because l let him conquer my body twice, a psychological response from the physical act but I was dead wrong.


    The man was halfway across the room, doing nothing but staring at me and it was making me ache with a tightness. I jerked my gaze away from him and headed to the bar.


    I needed a strong drink.


    Will I ever learn?


    A sardonic smile curled up my lips, it was deja vu all over again.


    ***


    The night was painfully long, I was torturing myself by counting the minutes to the hour somebody was going to grab a fucking ss, clink it and announce why all of us were gathered in this fucking hall.


    Make the engagement party official and let us all go home and away from men who had us feeling like we were stepping on a frozen river with one foot and into a puddle of hotva with the other.


    I nced at the centre of the hall, Gina was dancing with Dante, smiling andughing shyly at something he was saying. I forgot my ck mood and let genuine happiness fill me. She had been so scared only a few weeks ago, it was d she was able to sort it out. I hoped Dante feels just as much as she does for him.


    My said ck mood returned with a vengeance when my mother appeared at my side, a disapproving look on her face. I sipped my whiskey, trying my best to appear unconcerned.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been doing nothing but drinking.¡± She said that gritted teeth. ¡°You¡¯re fast giving people the impression that you¡¯re an alcoholic.¡±


    ¡°I really hope it¡¯s working.¡± I murmured sardonically, just because I knew it would piss her off.


    Her eyes widened and she fought to appear calm. I drew satisfaction from it.


    ¡°The family of the Irish mafia boss is here. Put that drink down and go convince the former boss¡¯ wife that the wrong choice wasn¡¯t made for her son.¡±


    My entire body went still. I whipped my neck to my mother, my eyes widening in rm. ¡°Why would I do that?¡±


    My mother gave me a puzzled look then a slow smile spread on her face. ¡°I see Luca hasn¡¯t told you yet.¡±


    She reached out and tugged a lock of my hair behind my back. ¡°Oh Cara, it makes me emotional to see you in a wedding dress. I pity the poor man burdened with the responsibility of clipping those filthy wings of yours.¡±


    I backed away from her, my lungs tightening. ¡°w- what are you talking about?¡± My voice was growing louder now and a few people turned to us.


    My mother smiled at them, her teeth mped together in an unnatural way. ¡°Quiet,¡± she bit out.


    I wanted to scream and was considering doing it but my mother read the look on my face and quickly provided. ¡°They¡¯ve arranged for you to marry the younger brother of the Irish boss. Cadain is his name I think.¡± She said, so calmly, so apathetically when my world threatened to tilt on its axis.


    Cadain. The name sounded familiar but I couldn¡¯t care to remember where I had heard it from. My neck snapped to where Luca was, talking to his father and the Irish boss, a grim look on his face.


    It was my future. They were discussing all businesslike and detached. So coldly.


    They were going to force me into marriage, had chosen the groom and all without my notice, my consent.


    My consent. My consent. My consent.


    All my life, I fought to have control. Over my life. Over my body. Over my future¡­ I broke out! I made it. As soon as I turned eighteen, I moved on to be my own woman and I proved it every day of my life working my ass off and figuring it out on my own because I knew nobody wasing to save me.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    My mama¡¯s marriage into this cursed family has destroyed all that. The control I¡¯ve fought to h- to have-


    Cold sweat broke out my neck as filthy fingers stroked my skin and vomit climbed up my throat. I gripped my neck. I felt so sick and I couldn¡¯t bear to be in the room any longer.


    ¡°Cara where are you-¡± I didn¡¯t stop to listen to her, I dashed out of the room and down the bend. Looking anywhere and everywhere not knowing where I was going. I stopped and yanked off my shoes, I needed to find the bathroom now.


    I pushed into the first room on the hallway I found myself in and luckily it was a bathroom. I barely made it to the sink before I gorged out the contents of my stomach. I turned on the tap and let the water wash down the mess, my hands gripping the sink as I red into the mirror.


    Tears streamed down my face, an angry fire roared in my chest. Despair pulled me down into its endless depths.


    I red at my panda-eyed face, a strong feeling of resentment building within me. I loathed my stepbrother and his father with an intensity.


    The bastard had touched me in the most untonic way, only to set me up for marriage with a man I didn¡¯t know.


    I rinsed my mascara smudges with the water and staggered out the room. I didn¡¯t want to return the party. I was too furious at the moment, I couldn¡¯t ruin Gina¡¯s special day by driving a ss shard into her brother¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Hi, are you okay?¡± A masculine voice called out in a strong Irish ent.


    I whirled my head to the owner, blinking as a blonde man came into view. A ghost of a smile appeared on my face, ¡°no I¡¯m not.¡±


    He shuffled, unsure of what to do. ¡°How can I help?¡±


    How can he help? The question swam aimlessly in my whiskey induced head.


    ¡°Cara,¡± a familiar voice called out to me. ¡°Cara I know you can hear me goddammit.¡± Luca cursed, his voice impatient and irritated.


    ¡°I saw her running off in this direction.¡± Another male voice said. A voice I was half sure was Cadain¡¯s.


    What can he do? I stared at blondie as a devious grin crawled into my lips.


    He gasped in shock as I grabbed him by the cor and pulled him around the corner and into a tiny storage room.


    ¡°What are you-¡± he started to say but trailed off when I pulled him in for a kiss, probing into sensitive areas of his mouth. He remained stiff for a moment then groaned into the kiss.


    It was going to be easy. I kissed him with a ferocity, my mouth ravaging his as my body sang with determination.


    I was going to save my future. I was going to ruin my stepbrother¡¯s stupid ns and I needed blondie for it.

 Chapter 22: Means to an end

    Cara¡¯s pov


    In hindsight, I knew that this was a terrible idea but I couldn¡¯t think properly through the angry roaring in my head.


    His fingers were digging into my waist, my hips. His tongue was thrusted down my throat. I was bing ufortable and wondered at what point Luca and Cadain will walk in on us.


    Blondie went on with his sloppy kisses, not at all noticing my withdrawal. I was getting sick of it so I ced my hands to his chest to push him away, mentally preparing myself for the excuse I¡¯d give him I was drunk and dizzy and needed to rest.


    I gave him a soft but firm push, a gasp leaving my mouth as he flew to the opened door. I stared at where he was now sprawled on the floor, myshes fluttering in shock as I tried to pull my intoxicated thoughts together. I mulled over my chances of possessing superhuman strength.


    There were none.


    Pulling my eyes from blondie, I red at the tall form of my stepbrother. Luca stepped closer to me, angry waves radiating off him. For the first time since I met him, I felt genuine fear, the look in his eyes chilled me, the heaving of his chest tightened mine to breathlessness.


    ¡°You,¡± the word had never sounded so dangerous, so full of doom and destruction. Ice splinters spread through every vein of my body, freezing my blood flow. Yet, a defiant flush of heat pooled deep in my stomach.


    Luca drew out his gun and my eyes widened in rm.


    ¡°This,¡± he snarled, his breathing harsh andbored as he adjusted his fingers around the grip. ¡°-is what your stupidity caused.¡± He finished and pulled the trigger.


    Two shots resounded in the tiny room.


    A scream tore out of me as bone-shattering fear ran through me. And when I quieted, a pained cry still pierced the stuffy space. It took me some time to realize that it came from blondie. My gaze slowly shifted to him and I put my hand over my mouth to stop from screaming again.


    Blood gushed out of both his shins. Pooling around him in a small puddle. My eyes snapped back to Luca and the fury that shed in them died a quick death.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    The man before me wasn¡¯t my stepbrother, wasn¡¯t the infuriating man I was insanely attracted to. The man before me was a murderous mafia boss. The don of the Costra Nostra. I had forgotten that.


    Blondie groaned in pain, trying to stop himself from bleeding out on the marble floors. I started towards him to help, guilt heavier than a boulder pressing down on me.


    This is what your stupidity caused, Luca¡¯s words reyed in my head and my heart squeezed. I had done this to him.


    ¡°Move another step and he dies,¡± Luca warned, his tone wrapped in a cold promise of death


    I halted immediately.


    I met his gaze, attempting at firm and unafraid but I was failing. ¡°He¡¯d die if nobody helps him.¡± I shrieked.


    Luca gave me a twisted smile, ¡°and whose fault would that be?¡±


    I tried not to let him get to me. He might not shoot me so brutally or hit me but he can get into my head and mess it up more than it already was.


    If I don¡¯t help blondie, he¡¯d bleed out in minutes, time was ticking. I sighed like a woman with no fight left in her. ¡°Luca please, he needs help. I promise I¡¯ll do whatever you want after but please let me help him.¡±


    Luca regarded me and I knew I had sealed my fate to the devil from the dangerous glint in his stormy eyes. He returned his gun to his holster and I started for blondie but was pulled back, his firm grip on my upper arm.


    I ground my teeth and shed him a frustrated look, wondering what the hell was his problem now.


    He ignored me and called out in Italian and two men came running.


    ¡°Make sure he lives.¡± He ordered and they carried blondie out, leaving with the same urgency as they hade with.


    I red back to Luca, suspicion filling my gaze. ¡°I hope you¡¯re serious about letting him live.¡±


    He stared down at me with a dark look that unsettled me. ¡°I¡¯m sure you heard the order I gave them.¡±


    I did but I didn¡¯t trust him not to let him bleed to death or worse, save him in order to torture him to death. With the easy way he had shot him, I was certain he was capable of doing even worse things and not bat an eyelid.


    I was overwhelmed, I had almost gotten a man killed, witnessed the gory scene with my own two eyes and I wanted to get out of this nauseating room and away from Luca who was the major cause of the overwhelming feeling.


    I tried to break free from his hold but he pulled me roughly to him.


    ¡°We are not done here cara mia.¡± He drawled.


    My heart thumped faster in my ribcage. ¡°Yes we are.¡± I squeaked out and I didn¡¯t think his eyes could grow any darker but they did.


    ¡°The fuck we are. We still have to deal with you.¡±


    A gulp tumbled down my throat and I scrambled for what to say. ¡°I was drunk, okay? I just discovered I was going to be sold like a piece of meat to the highest bidder so I wasn¡¯t in my right mind.¡±


    ¡°The hell you weren¡¯t,¡± Luca ground out. ¡°If I didn¡¯t convince Cadain and his men to return to the party, he wouldn¡¯t have walked in on his future wife swapping saliva with his own cousin.¡±


    I froze. Blondie was Cadain¡¯s cousin?


    Luca watched the effects of the information on my face. ¡°Yes micetta, he would have long been a dead man if your husband-to-be was the one who found the both of you.¡± He said husband-to-be like it pained him to, the wordsing out more strained than the rest.


    I shook my head to declutter my thoughts. With a deep breath I spoke. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m sorry. What I did was dumb and reckless and I apologize.¡±


    Luca tipped my chin with his other hand, holding in ce as he said, ¡°It was dumb and reckless but you¡¯re not sorry in the least. You feel guilty about nearly killing that fucker and you¡¯re pissed your n was foiled but no bambina, you¡¯re not sorry.¡±


    I watched as twisted amusement danced in his eyes and my blood boiled in my veins. What was he now? A mind reader?


    With every strength I possessed, I pushed out of his hold and backed away until I got to the doorway.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m not sorry. And if I find another way to foil your ns to sell me off, one that doesn¡¯t involve killing innocent men then I¡¯ll do it in a heartbeat.¡±


    As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I shouldn¡¯t have said that. Scary Luca was back and so was my fear.


    I didn¡¯t think, I ran out the door.


    Luca dashed after me, catching up with me in seconds. I yelled when my feet were swept off the ground and my body thrown over his shoulder. I bucked and demanded he put me down but a hard p on my ass sucked my demands out of me.


    ¡°Scream again and find out what I¡¯ll do.¡± He warned, his voice chilling my bones and heating my skin at the same time.


    I realized with dread that he was carrying me away from the direction of the party and further into the private area of the mansion. An area I recognized with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.


    ¡°Luca,¡± I rasped but he wasn¡¯t stopping.


    He got to the door of his room and pushed into the space, dumping me unceremoniously when he got to the bed. I sat up in rm, my eyes bulging with fear and something else. Something that was responsible for the hard pumping of my heart and the tickling sensation between my legs.


    Luca watched me with a predatory gleam in his beautiful eyes, I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    My throat was dry so I swallowed. ¡°Why did you bring me here?¡± I asked, croaking out the words.


    He slowly got on the bed and I instinctively scuttled back but he only drew closer. ¡°You made a promise to me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I squeaked, my mind hazy with a tantalizing mix of fear and anticipation.


    He reached out and grabbed the back of my head and pulled me to him. A sharp gasp escaped from my lips as my heart thudded in my ears. He was too close, too close I could taste his breath on my lips. His masculine scent wrapped around me, making me giddy and light.


    ¡°You promised to do whatever I want.¡±


    I blinked at him before the memory of what I had said to save blondie hit me. Indignation rose within me. ¡°You know I was referring to the marriage ns.¡±


    A slow smirk tugged his lips. ¡°That¡¯s a lie, micetta.¡±


    It was. I hadn¡¯t given up on escaping marriage with Cadain and I wasn¡¯t going to.


    I studied Luca¡¯s gorgeous face, his sexyshes, the tiny mole beneath his eye, his straight nose I so wanted to bite, his high cheekbones and chiseled jaw and my heart sang at how beautiful he was.


    My gaze dropped to his lips and I involuntarily bit mine as the urge to kiss him overwhelmed me. I missed his mouth, his tongue dancing with mine. I had gone weeks without his taste and now he was only a breath away from me, I couldn¡¯t fight off the temptation.


    It was stronger than I was.


    My eyes rose back to his, meeting an answering fire in them. The need between my legs grew hotter.


    My voice was barely audible when I spoke. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± I asked, the desire in my gaze bared for him to see.


    His nostrils red and a strained smile spread across his face. ¡°Wrong question.¡± He said, his thumb came up to my lips and he grazed the flesh. ¡°What do I want to do to you? Is the right one¡±


    I let out a soft breath at his words, the knot in my stomach twisting even tighter. I leaned into his thumb, my eyes locking on his. ¡°What do you want to do to me?¡±


    ¡°You have no fucking idea,¡± was his answer before he locked his lips with mine.


    I moaned into his month as soon as our lips meshed together and kissed him with an ardor I didn¡¯t know I possessed. I had missed his mouth on mine so much that I could cry in relief.


    Luca¡¯s hand fisted into my hair, holding me in ce, and kissing me back like a starved man who finally had his hands on food, his tongue making up for the weeks we had gone without. It was messy and cruel, our tongues making slurping noises as we devoured each other.


    We fell back on the bed and kissed like it was ourst time on earth, kissed like it was our only chance at survival.

 Chapter 23: Big Mistakes

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Oxygen and theck of it was the furthest thing from my mind as our tongues danced together. Everything about Luca¡¯s mouth was forceful, demanding like he had something to prove. To me or to himself I didn¡¯t know.


    He imed my mouth with a wild need, his desperation to conquer and possess evident in the way his lips sucked mine and his teeth nged against mine.


    He broke off the kiss and I took my first gulp of air in minutes although the feel on his teeth now grazing my neck threatened to steal it away from me.


    ¡°Did he make your skin flush like this?¡± He licked at the spot behind my ear, drawing a soft moan from me. I was so in over my head it took me a while to realize he was talking about blondie.


    ¡°Did he make you moan like you just did?¡±


    A bite on my neck made me jerk and gasp, the sensation painfully delicious.


    Luca grabbed my chin to meet his gaze and the dark look on his face sent a shiver through me. ¡°Answer me, micetta.¡±


    There was this rawness in his heart-stopping eyes that consumed me. The potency in them letting me in on feelings I was familiar with yet couldn¡¯t exin.


    I ached for his touch, longed desperately for his rough hands against my skin, burning and needy.


    The force of his stare bored into my soul, he was still waiting for my answer and because of my self-destructive disposition, the irrational need to drive him mad, I said something he didn¡¯t want to hear.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    A dangerous fire pooled in his eyes before hardening like jagged steel. My lungs squeezed and so did the tightness between my legs.


    ¡°You¡¯ll regret that.¡± He said and I didn¡¯t doubt the iciness in his voice.


    His hands roughly cupped my breast through the fabric of my dress, kneading then twisting an engorged nipple.


    I cried in pain, the drawn out sound quickly hushed into a puff of dry air as his thumb soothed over the puckered dot.


    His hands disappeared under my dress and he sharply pulled it up to my waist. His gaze on my pussy licked me up like a furnace, I could physically feel his eyes on my skin, leaving hotness in their wake. I couldn¡¯t help the rush of wetness that left me.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Luca rasped as he watched my panties darkening with my arousal.


    An embarrased heat stained my cheeks, he had yet to touch me but I was already wetter than I¡¯d ever been with any man.


    He dipped his head between my thigh and took long sniff, an animal like growl escaping his throat and reverberating through my pussy.


    ¡°You smell so fucking good, bambina.¡± He forced out, his hand digging into my hips as he continued to smell me. ¡°You smell delicious and I can¡¯t wait to taste you, to coat my c0ck in your scent.¡±


    My chest was thumping faster now, heavier as his dirty words fanned my desire into a raging inferno. Uncertainty and fear had long left my body and all I felt was him.


    ¡°I need to see you naked.¡± He whispered harshly before grabbing my bunched dress. He pulled it up my chest and over my head.


    My hands aided him, I was desperate for the feel on his hands on my naked skin.


    He stared at my breasts filling out my redcy bra, desire ring his nose as he reached behind my back and undid the sp. The straps slid down my shoulder and he roughly pulled them all the way down before discarding it across the room.


    My skin red as he watched the swollen flesh, his ability to make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world just from his gaze alone baffled me.


    His hands closed over them and I sighed at finally getting his calloused touch on my bare skin.


    ¡°They¡¯re even more beautiful than I imagined.¡± His tone was low, almost reverent and it caused a myriad of emotions to burst inside me.


    I closed my eyes and leaned into touch, rubbing my softness against the hardened surface of his palms. Ice speared through my blood when his lips found my nipple.


    I moaned out his name, my head growing dizzy with pleasure. There was nothing gentle about his mouth and he sucked and bit and licked before moving to the next one.


    My skin was now damp with sweat but a chill passed through me again and again as his hot mouth continued to assault my nipples.


    ¡°I fucking love your breasts,¡± he drawled on my nipple. ¡°I want to bury my c0ck between their softness and fuck them until Ie all over them.¡±


    His words bounced around my lust clouded mind, a pulse throbbing between my legs. I was growing hotter with want, the need to satiate the stirring in my pussy threatened to consume me.


    ¡°Luca, please,¡± I choked on a whimper as he tugged on the sensitive bud with his teeth.


    ¡°Please what,¡± his deep voice breathed.


    ¡°I need your mouth on me.¡± The plea left my lips with no regrets.


    A guttural sound tore out of his chest and two fingers hooked under my panties and ripped it apart.


    My legs were shoved apart and he gazed down on my exposed flesh with eyes maddened by lust.


    I watched his head dip down to kiss my inner thigh and my hips bucked in response. He nibbled on the skin with excruciating patience, ignoring the fiery need at my center.


    I groaned in frustration, my hips following his touch, involuntarily trying to get him to my folds. Luca chuckled against me, ignoring my desperation.


    When it felt like I¡¯d go mad from his teasing, his lips closed in on my swollen flesh, sucking hard.


    I arched off the bed.


    ¡°Be still,¡± Lucamanded, holding me in ce with one hand on my stomach.


    Whimpers after whimpers pushed out my lips as he drove me insane with his mouth.


    ¡°I imagined doing this a million times over,¡± he rumbled into my folds.


    ¡°I imagined sucking your clit like this,¡± he rasped before sucking down on the tightened bud and causing me to jerk.


    ¡°Oh my goodness,¡± I gasped.


    ¡°I always imagined fucking you with my tongue.¡± His tonguepped at my dripping opening before driving deep into me with a torturing gentleness.


    My fingers fisted the sheets, his ministrations setting a wildfire to my entire being.


    His thumb pinched my clit and I bucked against him, thrashing around as I chased my impending release.


    Fuck. He was good at what he was doing. My eyes rolled back, my lips parted as embarrassing sounds left them, every inch of my skin burned with lust.


    I came with a violent shudder, ripples shot through me like I was being electrocuted. Luca doesn¡¯t stop eating me up and tremors after tremors rocked my world upside down.


    I arched off the bed as thest wave shook through me and I found myself crying out his name. His beautiful name that was both a plea and a curse on my lips.


    I fell back on the bed with a limp thud, teaching my lungs the process of respiration all over again. Luca came up from between my legs, a dark smile on his glistening lips.


    The sight of my juices on his mouth caused a stirring to start between my legs again.


    He rose to his knees, his eyes holding mine as he worked at the fly of his pants.


    I stared, cheeks reddened, as his erection poured out of his pants, bulging and thick with need.


    For me. My heart did a traitorous leap.


    He leaned back down, his movement resembling that of a big cat. My thigh pressed into him and he let out a strained breath that emboldened me.


    I reached out and cupped the pulsing flesh and a stiff shudder coursed through him. It pleased me immensely.


    ¡°You look like you could use some help,¡± I whispered, stroking the length of him.


    His jaw clenched as if trying to hold back but a flicker of amusement passed in his eyes. ¡°What do you say about helping me?¡±


    I gave him a cheeky smile, loving the way his eyes mped shut at the squeeze I gave him. ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯m an expert at giving.¡± I said.


    I realized toote. That was the wrong thing to say.


    Luca¡¯s eyes shed open and the fire in them burned the cheekiness out of me. He swatted my hand away and pushed me down, locking me with his weight above me and his hands on either side of me.


    A dangerous energy poured off him and filled my lungs and stole my breath. For a moment, only the sound of my pounding heart filled the room.


    ¡°Really bold of you to reference to other men while you¡¯re in my own bed.¡± He growled, his voice scratching against skin like an abrasive surface.


    I jutted my jaw. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    His hands trailed the side of my face, ¡°yes you did.¡±


    A scoff escaped me. ¡°I did not. I said I was an expert, something I thought you realized after that night in the alley.¡±


    His eyes turned ck and he suddenly felt bigger above me. I didn¡¯t know why he was so annoyed by the fact that I was sexually experienced. If he wanted a blushing virgin then he should have left me alone from the very beginning.


    But my irritation didn¡¯tst long as melting desire took over when his tip nudged my entrance and thrusted into me with a force that sent pain and pleasure shooting through me.


    My lips parted in a sharp gasp, the feel of his huge cock filling my tight walls overwhelmed me.


    Luca let out a tortured sound, his eyes shut. ¡°You¡¯re so tight, why are you so fucking tight?¡±


    His eyes opened and locked in on mine. He was staring at me with a softer emotion and it tugged at my heart and sent butterflies swarming in my belly.


    He didn¡¯t give me time to analyze the strange feeling when he drew out of me and rammed into me.


    A cry left my chest and an Italian curse poured out of his mouth. He rammed into me again.


    And again and again and that wild fire was reigniting inside me once more, turning me into a screaming mad woman.


    ¡°Look at me,¡± Luca ordered when I closed my eyes in a moan.


    I obeyed immediately, mping shut around him when I met his feverish gaze. He grunted and mmed into me again. I bucked at the intense tremor that passed in my core.


    He raised my legs higher, the angle deeper and better than before.


    With eyes full of dark promises, he spoke in a deep rasp. ¡°You better hold on tight because I¡¯m going to fuck the idea of other men out of your sweet pussy.¡±

 Chapter 24: Carnal lust

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°You better hold on tight because I¡¯m going to fuck the idea of other men out of your sweet pussy.¡±


    The words caused a shudder to zap through every nerve ending in my body and I was alight with electricity.


    I screamed as a sharp, unforgiving thrust sparked my core, more following in the same merciless manner. I took him to the hilt and the sight of his erection spearing me made me more flushed than I already was. There was something sweetly forbidden about the sight and it thrilled me to the very core of my being.


    My eyes found Luca¡¯s gaze and the sinful stare put a hitch to my breath, it made my brain fuzzy and filled with intoxicating lust. I was drugged up by the feel of his c0ck in me. I was hypnotized by those stormy grey eyes.


    ¡°Only I can f uck you this good.¡± He drawled, hiking my leg higher and up on his shoulder, the angle even more deeper this time.


    ¡°No one else but me.¡±


    His thrusts were splitting me apart, destroying my good sense and reason. I had forgotten I was supposed to hate him, supposed to fight him for the control of choosing my own husband and time of marriage. I forgot we were supposed to be step siblings. That what we were doing was despicable, the very same thing I vowed not to end up doing.


    But fuck it if the most despicable acts weren¡¯t the sweetest things in the world.


    Fucking my stepbrother was right there with the sweetest of them all.


    ¡°You¡¯re so wet, so tight, so absolutely fuckable.¡± Luca was saying under his breath. Like a litany. A chant. ¡°Keep taking all of me, baby, only me.¡±


    I mewled at his words, reaching out for his hard warm body, my nails scraping into his muscled back. I was suddenly so desperate to touch him, to feel the powerful tautness of his skin.


    He lifted my leg from his shoulder and ced an open-mouthed kiss on the heel of my foot and the sensuality of the action made more moisture pool at my center.


    Oh gawd.


    He groaned sharply when I mped down on him, his beautiful face pinched in pleasure.


    He started going faster, the new pace ruthless and unrelenting. I was going to explode.


    I threw my head on the pillow, my hands slipped from his back to grasp on the sheets, a pleasured groan shooting out from the pit of my belly.


    ¡°Oh Luca.¡±


    ¡°You feel so good baby. So f ucking perfect.¡± He said through harsh breaths, his hips pping into mine.


    Pleasure was zing a path to my center, my release drawing closer. I was going feral with it as I writhed beneath him, a fire burning between my legs. Sweat dampened my skin, matted my hair to my forehead, trickled down between my swollen breasts. The room temperature was reasonably cool but I was a living furnace.


    ¡°Tell me your pussy is mine bambina.¡± Luca rasped, his hand wrapping around my throat.


    My eyes fluttered open and close, I loved him choking me, and maybe a little too much for myfort.


    However I refused to respond. My p ussy belonged to no man, had never been and will never be.


    A punishing thrust mmed into me and I cried out.


    ¡°Say it.¡± Hemanded in a low, dark voice.


    ¡°F uck you,¡± I breathed out and Luca, the bastard drew out of me, leaving only his tip inside me.


    I whimpered in protest, jutting my hips to get him back in but he drew back.


    ¡°Say it, bambina.¡±


    It was unfair, it was so unfair. I shut my eyes and shook my head, my eyes zing with a mix of defiance and desperation.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    His thumb found my clit, flicking and rubbing the bud, torturing me. My eyes shut tight and I bit my lips to stiffen a groan. I couldn¡¯t bear it so I tried to push his hand off.


    His hand dropped my leg, grabbed mine and pinned in above my head, the other one tightening its grip on my throat. The tip of his c0ck slipped inside me, sliding only halfway in before slipping back out.


    I hate him. I hate him, I hate him, I-


    His chest grazed against my sensitive nipples.


    I f ucking want him.


    ¡°Dere you belong to me bambina and I¡¯ll give you what you want, what we both want. Just say the words, baby.¡±


    My resolve was fading and it made me desperate to retain it so I tried to kiss him but his grip on my hand pinned it harder and held me back.


    I watched as an amused smile spread on his lips, ¡°you bad little kitten.¡± He drawled before rubbing himself against me.


    We both groaned, the sound biting out of me. If I didn¡¯t have him inside me as soon as possible, I would snap, go insane, deranged.


    The first mental patient victim of sexual frustration.


    So I did what I¡¯ve never done before, I submitted wholly to man.


    I fought to find my words, my vocabry, my ability to speak and I looked him straight in the eyes. ¡°Y-yours,¡± I choked out. ¡°My p ussy is yours.¡±


    A triumphant grunt left his throat and he rammed ruthlessly in me.


    ¡°F uck!¡± I cried, hating the way the rewarding thrust shook my entire body as if it was finally free, as if submission to my stepbrother was the best thing I¡¯d done for it.


    I didn¡¯t like it one bit.


    But I love how he mmed into me over and over, fucking me with a roughness I f u c k i n g love. In the way sex has never been until him.


    ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± Luca said with bated breath. ¡°Not Cadain¡¯s, mine.¡± His eyes darkened as he said, ¡°you¡¯re a slut for me alone.¡±


    I pulsed around him and my release drew closer. Luca continued going hard and fast in me, sparking my impending explosion.


    My hand closed around his hand on my throat and I willed him to choke me tighter which he did.


    My eyes rolled back, the sounds of his hips meeting mine filled the room, I was arriving at sinful heaven.


    ¡°I¡¯m so close,¡± I said in a barely audible breath.


    Luca¡¯s hand released mine and moved to cup the side of my face, I leaned into it, sniffing his calloused palm that smelled of my cum.


    ¡°I want to see you shatter around me, Cara mia.¡± He growled, his ent thick around his words, jerking me like a ragdoll.


    I moaned aloud, raising my hips higher to meet his thrusts, watching his ravishing gaze, the pressure building and coiling inside me.


    He pushed me all the way to heaven and I was screaming and bucking and shuddering from the powerful force of my release as I convulsed around him.


    His mouth seized mine, sealing my screams in a ruthless kiss.


    The tremors were endless, zapping through me over and over again, and when it lowered to soft shudders, I waspletely turned inside out.


    Luca bit down on my lips and groaned into my mouth as his own release jolted through him and spilled into me.


    He held onto me to the veryst of the shivering pleasure, breathing hard, our body heat meshing into one.


    I snuggled closer to him when he fell beside me and he closed his arms around me in a tight embrace.


    We spooned like that for another minute before my sex clouded mind slowly became clearer, my rationality sneaking back into my head like a cheating husbanding backte at night.


    I stiffened and I tried to pull away but Luca was unrelenting.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he warned but it sounded more like a plea.


    ¡°What? So we¡¯re just going to cuddle like you won¡¯t shove me to the Irish tomorrow?¡± I muffled into his sturdy chest.


    Luca sighed, staying quiet for a minute. The assh0le usually had an arsenal of retorts ready, it was unlike him to not give a response to my smarty talk.


    I peeped up at him but could only meet his jaw, the man was snuffing the light out of me with his tight hug.


    ¡°Cazzo,¡± he cursed then said. ¡°Listen closely to what I¡¯m going to say now because you¡¯ll never hear it again.¡± He loosened his hold and peered down at me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to marry that fucker, I cannot stand to see you bound to him. Or any man for that matter. Do you understand?¡±


    I blinked at him in shock, surprise, foolish giddiness and confusion. I was momentarily thrown off.


    Luca spooned me closer when I started to ask what he meant, stealing the air out of my lungs.


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not going to repeat myself.¡± He drawledzily.


    I itched to know, was dying to even but I knew I wasn¡¯t going to get an answer from him, not at the moment.


    ¡°I should get back to the party.¡± I piped and he answered by throwing a leg over me, caging me further in.


    ¡°What if my mother starts looking for me? What if she finds us here.¡±


    ¡°Nobody wille into my room, Cara.¡±


    ¡°Even your father?¡±


    ¡°Yes, even him.¡±


    ¡°But they¡¯ll suspect if we¡¯re gone for too long¡± I frowned against his chest in protest.


    ¡°Sleep Cara.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by sleep, it¡¯s barely 7pm.¡±


    ¡°Hush woman.¡± Lucamanded, his hand reaching up to my hair and running through it. I couldn¡¯t see him but I knew his eyes were closed.


    I forcefully shut mine, the questions I wanted to ask eating away at my chest before a calm sleep took over me.


    I slept for a very long time and when I woke to leave, it was nearly midnight.


    Thankfully, the full moon shining into the room offered enough illumination for me to not lose my shit.


    Luca slept soundly, still looking every bit like the powerful male he was even in sleep. Thest thought on my mind before I crept out of the room was that he had murmured my name in his sleep.

 Chapter 25: Business Prospects

    Luca¡¯s pov


    ¡°I never thought a day like this woulde,¡± the young boss said, smiling into his ss of scotch.


    My expression was nk and unresponsive but he pretended not to have noticed it.


    I never thought I¡¯d be sitting in the Irish boss¡¯ terrace, sipping scotch and discussing ns like extended family members either. I hated every second I was spending in his presence. In his bastard of his brother¡¯s presence too.


    My custom made suit felt too tight on my body, the material of my shirt itchy on my skin. And that was maybe because I itched to reach across to punch Cadain in his very punchable face every time he mentioned Cara in that dreamy way of his.


    My eyes coasted to my father and they met the warning frown he was giving me. He was still yet to discover why I was so against the idea of Cadain marrying Cara but I knew it was only a matter of time before he found out. However, his discovery would be irrelevant by then because I¡¯d have long sent the scemo on his ass back to Irnd.


    Completely removed from the picture as he should be.


    I held the Irish boss¡¯ gaze before replying. ¡°Neither did I.¡± I said, my smile dry and cold.


    Cadain grinned, ever true to his image of being the most obtuse of his family. It made me wonder how he got this far without getting maimed or killed.


    His brother obviously caught on my sarcasm and didn¡¯t hold back his disapproving frown this time.


    I couldn¡¯t find it in me to give a fuck.


    My father cleared his throat, quickly changing the subject before we delved dangerously into the path of inevitable gun fight.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity McKell is unable to be here with us. He is the most enthusiastic about this union after all.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Of course he was, everyone knew that the former Irish boss had been pining for a union with the Costra Nostra for many years.


    Aidan McKell put his ss down on the thick terrace table. His dark blue eyes suddenly bright with amusement. ¡°Ah yes,¡± he started in an Irish ent that was thicker than his brother¡¯s. ¡°My father might be one of the greatest men in all of the United Kingdom, but he¡¯s still susceptible to a high blood pressure like any man his age.¡±


    I sipped my own scotch to hide a smirk. Aidan McKell was known for his subtle jibes almost as well as he was known for plucking out the right eye of his enemies.


    My father nodded but I knew he didn¡¯t miss the jab at the former Irish boss. I wondered briefly if the older Salvatore ever suffered something like a high blood pressure, if I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d be convinced he was immortal.


    ¡°My mother wants the wedding to take cee fall. Not that I care when it happens but I want to be certain we wouldn¡¯t have to be dealing with the bratva when the timees.¡±


    The gears in my spine tightened, that was in less than five months.


    ¡°Why so early?¡± I asked in a low voice.


    My father faced me, ¡°they have offered to join us in our fight against the bratva. With both our strength conjoined, we should be able to send Ronan back to Russia by then.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Father,¡± I started, ¡°it¡¯s the bratva. Ronan Mikhalov, the most terrifying man in all Europe.¡±


    Aidan McKell cocked his head at me but I gave him an unremorseful shrug. He might be terrifying to most, but he was nowhere on the same level as the pakhan. This union was only in Cara¡¯s interest only, I could definitely fight my battles without Aidan McKell.


    Ronan Mikhalov couldn¡¯t get to Cara in Irnd if he tried to and that¡¯s only because he was the biggest enemy of the MI6 who were ever ready to apprehend him for his multiple crimes. The MI6 sat in the United Kingdom and so did Aidan¡¯s biggest territory Irnd.


    Cadain leaned in and I just knew he was about to piss me off even more than I already was with this meeting. ¡°We are willing to help regardless. We¡¯re basically family at this point, and I¡¯m ready to do everything to ensure Cara is safe in any part of the world.¡±


    Her name on his lips rubbed my ear like a harsh sponge. What did the little loverboy know about war for fuck sake? I was going to tell him to shut his mouth before I helped him with the task when my father cut in.


    ¡°Luca is right. The bratva is a formidable denomination. It¡¯ll take just more than one alliance to face them head-on.¡±


    Satisfaction filled my chest at his agreement. I didn¡¯t want the Irish messing up my ns by getting involved, lord knows we were about to go from allies to enemies by the time I did what I nned on doing.


    Cara wasn¡¯t going to marry Cadain as long as I lived. Pride will be hurt, trust will be broken but it is what it is. This is a decision I¡¯de to make after many sleepless nights.


    My very first irrational decision.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Aidan said, crossing a leg over the other. ¡°However, that wouldn¡¯t be the case if we had a stronger ally on our side.¡±


    I didn¡¯t like the smug, knowing look on his face. It was annoying and unsettling.


    ¡°Who is this ally you speak of?¡± My father asked.


    Aidan paused for dramatic effect before saying, ¡°the MI6.¡±


    I raised my eyebrow in dark amusement. ¡°You want the Costra Nostra to work with the government?¡±


    ¡°The only thing we¡¯re going to be doing is handing Ronan to them.¡±


    My finger traced the brim of my ss, my eyes never leaving the him. ¡°And you somehow think the pakhan would be stupid enough to get caught by the intelligence agency?¡±


    A smile curled up Aidan¡¯s lips. ¡°With the n I have, yes.¡±


    ¡°And what is this n of yours McKell?¡± I asked, hating the sudden turn of things.


    If he involved the MI6 like he proposed, it would make cutting off the wedding even more difficult. I would be expected to further deepen our allyship by obliging to the wedding as a form of gratitude. I¡¯d be expected to have them around much longer than I wanted.


    I¡¯d be expected to give up on Carapletely.


    My father waited on me expectantly, obviously sold with the offer.


    I rose to my feet. ¡°Well McKell, I¡¯ll admit your offer is rather¡­ tempting but I¡¯ll need to consider all factors and what the Costra Nostra stands to gain and lose before I will give you an answer.¡±


    I nced at my father, conveying my decision to take my leave then my gaze returned to the Irish boss. ¡°I apologize but I¡¯ll have to leave first, there are a lot of things I have to take care of.¡±


    I gave him a stiff nod,pletely ignored Cadain and strode out of there before I shot one of the blue-eyed fuckers.


    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry we¡¯re not taking any new hires.¡± The pizza shop manager said to me, not looking sorry at all.


    My smile was stiff when I expressed my understanding but I was mentally screaming in frustration.


    How hard can it be to get a job for goodness sake? I wasn¡¯t even asking for a position at NASA or the CIA. Just a basic pink cor job.


    I pushed out of the pizza shop and I was so lost in my thoughts I nearly tripped over a pothole.


    I would have fallen face t on the floor if not for the strong hands that grabbed me.


    ¡°You should watch where you¡¯re going.¡± A voice I¡¯ve been waiting to hear all day spoke behind me as I was pulled into a sturdy chest.


    I whipped around to face Luca and couldn¡¯t barely contain the heat that threatened to explode my cheeks into bits. I cleared my throat to regain myposure, embarrassed that he had found me in such an ungainly situation.


    I tried to say something that didn¡¯t show how fluttered or awkward I felt but failed. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    His brow raised, ¡°why? You want me to leave?¡±


    ¡°No I don¡¯t-¡± the smirk on his face made me realize what I almost said so I blurted something else instead. ¡°Stalking must really be a hobby of yours considering how well you¡¯re good at it.¡±


    Luca¡¯s mouth twitched when he said, ¡°well you¡¯re not that hard to find or follow.¡±


    He grabbed my hand and pulled me to where his car was parked, my bodyguards sh my other stalkers parked behind him.


    I was gently pushed into the passenger seat and I acted like I was being taken against my will even though I wanted nothing but to be with him at the moment. I was so pathetic.


    Luca got into the car a few minutes after, hisrge body instantly making the space feel smaller.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked after we hit the road.


    ¡°To your house.¡±


    My eyes shot to him and I was momentarily hit with how hot he looked driving. He was a one-hand-on-the-steering-wheel kind of driver.


    ¡°But I¡¯m currently job hunting.¡±


    ¡°Stop being a stubborn mule and go back to Rico¡¯s Cara.¡±


    ¡°I rather be unemployed than have you as my boss.¡± I said with a huff.


    Luca didn¡¯t seem offended by my response, in fact he looked pensive and rather absent. I wondered what was going on in that head of his, probably innovative torture techniques for his poor victims.


    I, on the other hand, was feeling pretty light and it was because he was beside me. However I wasn¡¯t going to let him know that.


    ¡°I hope you got home safely, the other night. Sergio said you looked rather tired¡± He said suddenly.


    I blinked at him, feeling fluttered again. ¡°You had your men following me?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re always following you bambina.¡±


    I loved when he called me that.


    I forced myself to focus on the conversation. ¡°So, you were awake when I sn-¡± I was going to say sneaked but that sounded wrong. ¡°You were awake when I left?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a light sleeper,¡± he shrugged like that was supposed to help quell my obvious embarrassment.


    I must have looked like a fool when I tiptoed and sneaked around the room with him awake the whole time.


    My indignance kicked in. ¡°But I sneaked out of the mansion unnoticed.¡± I told him, feeling proud and smug.


    Luca side-eyed me and I instantly knew.


    ¡°You told your men to let me through!¡±


    ¡°Well you wouldn¡¯t have been able to get out at that hour if I didn¡¯t order them to.¡±


    I blinked, unsure if I was imagining the mocking light in his eyes. But I peeped the amused smile on his face. Damn him.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± I muttered, turning away from him.


    We fell silent and unlike Luca who seemedfortable with the silence, I was ticklish and restless with the question lodged in my throat.


    When I was tired of pretending to be interested in the buildings we zoomed past, when I couldn¡¯t bear it anymore, I faced him again and blurted out, ¡°So are we going to talk about it?¡±


    ¡°It was just sex Cara.¡± He said and a pang of hurt stabbed at my chest.


    ¡°Well that might mean nothing to you but it¡¯s not the same for me. Things could have been really bad if I wasn¡¯t on the pill.¡± I whipped my hair back aggressively. ¡°Anyways if that¡¯s how you feel we can just continue our lives like nothing happened. Move on to the nexty.¡±


    The look he shot me warmed my insides with heat and satisfaction.


    ¡°The hell we will.¡± He said, his tone low. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want you to see it as a big issue because we¡¯re going to keep fucking Cara.¡±


    I must be broken because that made my cheeks flush.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to be fucking any other man.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not your decision to make.¡± I whispered, shaking off the fog in my head.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± was his cocky response.


    The real questionid on the tip of my tongue and I bit on it in the uncertainty of if I should let it out or not.


    ¡°What is it Cara?¡± Luca¡¯s firm voice broke through my thoughts, causing me to jump a little.


    I exhaled a shaky breath. ¡°Well I don¡¯t know if you just want to y around with me until you hand me over to Cadain.¡±


    Luca swerved into another street before giving me another side eye. ¡°I¡¯m not handing you over to Cadain, I told you that night.¡±


    His voice was so sure and firm but I wouldn¡¯t have made it this far if I easily believed the words that came out of men. ¡°But you haven¡¯t called it off either.¡±


    Luca sighed tiredly. ¡°Cara, I give you my word. You¡¯re not going to marry him. Just trust me.¡±


    Just trust me. Words like that never bode well but I nodded and stayed quiet for the rest of the ride, deciding not to push it.

 Chapter 26: Kingpin

    Luca¡¯s pov


    I watched in thorough entertainment as Cara basically scurried into her apartment building the moment I pulled in front of the old house, her pert ass jiggling in her hurry to disappear from my presence.


    She had been skittish since I had picked her up from the pizza shop, obviously embarrassed about the fact that we had sex, her awkwardness was another consequence.


    Expert my ass.


    I would show her mercy by not going after her, just for today, and that was mainly because I had something urgent to attend to. That aside, I didn¡¯t think I would have been able to stop myself from barging into her apartment and burying myself inside her. It¡¯s been less than two days since I finally had a taste of her sweetness but it felt like it was months.


    I groaned, suppressing the twitch in my pants.


    Unfortunately, I had to head to my biggest club to deal with some things even though I¡¯d love nothing more than to spend the rest of the day with her and make her scream my name all night long.


    Sighing, I pulled back the gearshift, reversed out of the ce and drove back into the road.


    I dialed Dominic¡¯s number and his answer was prompt as ever.


    ¡°Don.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°The Mexicans are pissed and have shut down their operations for now to deal with the mess. Trying to talk through them doesn¡¯t seem like it¡¯d work at the moment.¡± Dominic¡¯s tone was annoyed just like I knew it would be.


    My good friend hated anything that disrupted order and Ronan Mikhalov¡¯s heir was probably now at the top of his ¡®to kill¡¯ list.


    My hand gripped tighter on the steering wheel, the Russians had struck again and they¡¯ve advanced from messing with my storage to messing with my supplier.


    Quite the upgrade.


    My men were already waiting when I pulled up at the club.


    Club Nova was my oldest and biggest establishment. The ce was among the top three clubs in Chicago and was famous for hosting the famous.


    To the outside world, it served as a luxuriously exclusive club, but on the darker side, it was home to the richest junkies and sexually depraved people in Chicago. Top notch celebrities and even powerful men of politics can be found in the VIP areas engaging in whatever sick acts they were into.


    I got out of mymbo, tossing my key to a jittering valet and straightened my ck suit that was now cast in purple from therge neon sign on therge building.


    ¡°Wee boss,¡± my men said in unison, their stance straight and unmoving with respect as I walked through the aisle they formed with their bodies.


    Booming music and shing strobe lights hit me as soon as I got into the soundproof building, I strode straight to the private area, not having to weave through the crowd of dancing bodies as everyone made sure to move out of the way when they noticed me and my soldiers. Most of them probably didn¡¯t know who I was but acted out of an innate impulse to avoid me.


    We moved down the stairs leading to the basement area that was only essible to a handful of men. Dominic was pacing the dimly lit room that was our meeting ground when I strode in.


    Everyone rose to their feet. I put a hand out, motioning for them to return to their seats and took mine at the head of the table.


    ¡°So, what are the details?¡± I said, my tone serious.


    Grigori pointed to the projector and a picture of a young blonde man nked by bodyguards appeared. ¡°So we discovered that Ronan Mikhalov had no hand in everything that had happened.¡±


    I frowned, my eyebrows furrowing into one then the realisation came to me. ¡°The pakhan is retired.¡±


    Grigori nodded solemnly. ¡°Alexei Mikhalov; age 23, height six foot two. He¡¯s Ronan¡¯s only child who seeded him six months ago. He is known for his inflexibility and unforgiving disposition. Every attack on us has been under his months old administration.¡±


    I watched as different pictures of the stuck-up looking prince slided through; one of him meeting the polish boss, one of him arriving at Chicago, one of himing out of Fernando Cruz, the Mexican capo¡¯s biggest club.


    Things suddenly made a lot more sense. Ronan Mikhalov had been quiet for so long to suddenly start acting out. It was his son who was out for blood. The bastard had dealt a big blow to my biggest suppliers because they were stupid enough to do more than we agreed on with the polish.


    That weakling Alesky had run to the younger Mikhalov for help and the pakhan had almost crippled the Mexicans with his move.


    Regardless of how recent his session was, he was not an easy opponent.


    Grigori continued. ¡°The new pakhan doesn¡¯t share his father¡¯s view of letting bygones be bygones hence his desire to seek retribution.¡±


    ¡°How badly are the Mexicans affected?¡± I asked, my finger tapping on the long conference table.


    Grigori typed away on hisptop and a picture of a burned down building came up. ¡°One of their major production houses was destroyed. The cartel¡¯s capo wishes to join our fight as soon as he recovers from the loss.¡±


    Of course he would, the young pakhan had caused him billions of dors.


    My eyes found Dominic. ¡°How badly are we affected?¡±


    Dominic rubbed at his jaw, ¡°luckily for us, our meth shipment had already been sent out before the fire. Unfortunately, our cocaine supply was caught in the ze.¡±


    My fingers seized their tapping.


    Che cazzo.


    That was about 500 million dors gone to the wind. Anger boiled beneath my skin as my eyes bored into the projected picture of Alexei Mikhalov. I wanted nothing but to waste a round of bullets into his body and let careful consideration be damned.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I turned to Grigori, my voice growing gravelly with my anger. ¡°Keep close tabs on his movement and personal activities for now. I¡¯ll pay Fernando a visit.¡±


    I faced Dominic again, ¡°any news of the polish boss?¡±


    ¡°Except gloating about and abusing the power his new ally provided him, he hasn¡¯t taken any significant action.¡±


    A sardonic smile tugged on my lips. I would crush the fucker when he least expected it, he had no idea what wasing for him. I would make an example out of him, use him as a cautionary tale for the rest of the small fries.


    ¡°We will have to deal with Alesky to send a message to the pakhan, one that¡¯d stop him from being too bold with his activities.¡± I drawled.


    Somebody needed to teach the baby pakhan that the affairs of the Costra Nostra weren¡¯t to be messed with. Alexei Mikhalov was going to rethink his next decision where I was concerned. He will soon learn what it meant to mess around with Luca Salvatore.

 Chapter 27: Shame the Shameless

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I was convinced the universe hated me. Like, I knew deep down that I was her least favorite life form and that was why she and her little minions, like the god of employment, were consistently out for me.


    I paced about on the street, watching the familiar building of Rico¡¯s that stood across, my teeth biting my lips in agitation.


    I also med the universe for the recentpse in my usually unshakeable self-will. Much to my rm, I had been doing things I vowed never to do or repeat and also with an embarrassing quickness.


    I took a resigned breath and started for the ce, my hands balled into fists at my side, faux determination fueling my steps, bringing me closer and closer to the tatty wooden door.


    ¡°You can do this, Cara.¡± I encouraged myself. ¡°Just get in there and ask for your job back.¡±


    I had decided to go with shameless, to act all cool and indifferent about it to make the inevitable self humiliation more bearable. You can¡¯t shame the shameless after all.


    My hand was an inch away from the door handle when my legs froze against their will, the entire length of themden with panic.


    I whirled around and scurried back, chickening out, again.


    Ohe on!


    I cast my eyes skywards and pushed out a groan. This was even harder than the time I had to read my history essay to the whole ss in 12th grade.


    It was going to take more than faux determination to do this so I tried to still my erratic pulse and activate my next method: gaslighting myself.


    ¡°My pride wasn¡¯t really worth it anyway.¡± I started, my eyes shutting meditatively. ¡°Times are hard and I need money. I can¡¯t pay my rent with pride, poor people cannot afford pride.¡±


    I turned on my heel and walked back to the entrance. ¡°I¡¯ll only work for a few more months before I find a good paying tutor job and quit.¡±


    My hands wrapped around the door handle and I straightened my spine. I only needed to pretend Luca was invisible. Can¡¯t be that hard.


    With that, I pulled the door open and matched into the ce like I owned it.


    A hush fell over the room and I wished for the universe to grant me one small mercy and make the ground open up and swallow me whole.


    Diana was cleaning a ss at the counter and her hand stilled when her gazended on me. An awkward smile threatened to slit my face apart and my cheeks burned with mortification.


    ¡°Hi,¡± I chirped rather too loudly when I got to the bar.


    Diana only blinked at me.


    I was suddenly feeling an itch on the back of my neck so I scratched at it. Be cool about it, I reminded myself.


    But the least expected happened. Diana¡¯s face broke into a smile and she came around the counter and gripped me in a tight hug.


    I sucked in air, eyes wide in surprise. ¡°Diana?¡±


    She hugged me for a minute more before pulling away, the big smile still on her face. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you Cara.¡±


    It was my turn to blink at her. A flush warmed me at the admission and I cleared my throat into my fist before speaking. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too.¡±


    She shed me a smile then shoved something at my chest. I looked down to find the itchy waitress shirt, the orange logo peeking from the crumpled mess. My eyes returned to Diana, confused and hopeful.


    ¡°Well, what are you waiting for? The customers are waiting.¡± She winked at me.


    My lips drew back in a grin, my chest loosening up as relief washed over me. ¡°On it boss.¡±


    ****


    I eased back into the job rather smoothly. It felt like I never left. I missed waiting tables at Rico¡¯s, I missed everything about the job, even the asional catcalls from the drunk customers. Crazy I know, but their crassness sealed the fact that I got my job back in concrete, made it less surreal.


    I was really back at Rico¡¯s.


    Diana updated me on everything that happened in my absence when my break finally came. And it was a lot. We sat in the storage room, eating Diana¡¯s homemade cookies as she gave me the details.


    Luca had been busy with the ce; there was a sry increase for all staff, better work benefits and there were renovation ns in the works.


    Horrifying yet hot looking men-her words, not mine- now frequented the ce and would usually deal with the scum customers for them.


    I shook off the conceited thought that it was all for my benefit.


    Diana gushed about how Luca made everything better in just a couple of days and pins pricked my skin on how her eyes gleamed when she talked about him. I hated the softness of her tone. She¡¯d run a thousand miles and more if she saw a fraction of what my stepbrother really was.


    When I was tired of hearing how awesome Luca was, I asked what had been bothering me.


    ¡°Does hee here often?¡± I needed to know to figure out how to avoid him if he did. Things were still awkward between us and I don¡¯t know why I was acting like an amateur but I just couldn¡¯t face him properly for now.


    Maybe because let him cajole you into giving up your pussy rights. A judging voice piped up ruthlessly in my head and I snuffed it out.


    Diana ¡°No, not really.¡± Diana said. ¡°Haven¡¯t seen him in days even.¡±


    I refused to ponder on why that caused my heart to sink a little so I shrugged, convincing myself I was happy with the information.


    Our break ended and we proceeded to head back to work, bumping into Julietta who was returning from the one ce in the building I¡¯ll never be. Her eyes shed in surprise when she saw me before narrowing into slits.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°What does it look like Julietta? I¡¯m back, like I never left.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Her gaze shifted so fast to Diana I almost feared she snapped her neck in the process. ¡°You took her back?¡± She asked with a betrayed expression.


    Ever dramatic this one.


    Diana sighed. ¡°Yes, Julietta. I did. There¡¯s now that says I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°But she left, with no pre-informed notice.¡± she whined but Diana was already carting her away.


    ¡°Sweetie, help me sort out the new supply, will you?¡± Diana called out to me before disappearing with a still protesting Julietta.


    I sighed incredulously then headed to the supply room. Julietta didn¡¯t bother me, I was used to getting hated on. It was one natural superpower I had.


    The supply room was rather full and messy and it urred to me that the ce had been neglected since I left. I let out a sigh and began to work.


    I was halfway through sorting through the different beer brands when a deep voice spoke behind me.


    ¡°You know you can just add the numbers and get the total sum right?¡±


    Every nerve in my body froze then went into a frenzy. I didn¡¯t expect to hear that voice today, I didn¡¯t expect-


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to turn around to greet me, bambina? I¡¯m your boss after all¡±


    The voice was now against the prickled hair on my skin, sending ripples of goosebumps across and cold shudders through my body.


    I slowly turned around and my erratic heartbeat thumped when I met Luca¡¯s glowing face and it was etched with an expression that caused heat to erupt through me.

 Chapter 28: High and Dry

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Hot, it was suddenly too hot. My breathing was choppy, my airway felt too tight. The calm in the air had been snuffed out by tingling currents, pulsing in violent waves I felt with a force.


    And it was all because of him, this big and powerful male that was fast bing my very own vice. My very own addiction.


    I was getting lost in those dangerous eyes of his, getting pulled in by an invisible force that wanted to swallow me whole.


    I tore my gaze and lowered it to his chest. ¡°Why are you here?¡± I whispered, desperate to break through the charged silence. Desperate to kill off the intense vibe in the room.


    A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, shooting tingles into my mine. I involuntarily backed away to put a gap between us.


    ¡°Why are you avoiding my gaze?¡± Luca asked with a drawl, leaning on the table beside us, the force of his weight causing the unopened beer cartons on it to nk together.


    I had to sort through them as well and I would have already started on them if he hadn¡¯t interrupted me, showed up when I was least unprepared to see him.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question.¡± Exasperation seeped into my voice.


    His tone grew lower when he spoke. ¡°And you should answer mine.¡±


    I shut my eyes for patience. A frustrated sound traveled up my throat but I forced it back down. I raised my eyes to his in a re and the rxed nes of his beautiful form sent a simultaneous rush of annoyance and flutters through my body.


    He looked delicious in the ck loose dress shirt and pants he wore, like a lover on azy Sunday. The top two buttons of the shirt were undone and the taut smoothness of his chest peeked out from the opening.


    His hair was styled messily, and it reminded me too much of the times I had been the one to mess it up.


    It was unfair, it was so unfair how I had to fight a brewing fire inside me while he looked every inch unbothered. I was the only one left ruined from the night in his bed and I despised it.


    My body was heating under the force of his gaze again but I forced myself not to shy away and instead, stered a sweet smile on my face. ¡°See, not avoiding you.¡±


    He stepped closer and I went around the table. I knew this game too well, I wasn¡¯t going to let him trap me. I could barely hold my shing feelings together.


    A shadow crossed his face and seeped into his eyes. He was getting frustrated and I drew a strange satisfaction from it. Good, let us both be worked up.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Cara, what is it?¡±


    I jutted my chin. ¡°What is what?¡±


    A muscle flexed in his jaw ¡°What the f uck is the problem?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no problem,¡± I crossed my arms, ¡°except the fact that you¡¯re not supposed to be here.¡±


    A sardonic smile appeared on his lips, ¡°you forget I now own the ce.¡±


    I mentally smacked myself. How could I have forgotten, the jerk was now my boss.


    However, I was going to let him hold that one win. ¡°Well you¡¯re interrupting my work, boss.¡± Sarcasm dripped on thest word as I motioned to the beer cartons on the floor and table with a wave of my hand.


    Luca stared intently at me, his eyes trying to figure me out, working and solving through my soul like I was a Rubik¡¯s cube. I didn¡¯t like it.


    I didn¡¯t want him to be able to read me, I didn¡¯t want him to ever see beyond what I allowed people to.


    His eyes darkened as amusement took over the intrigue in them and goosebumps spread on my skin as I panicked at what he must have found.


    I should have moved away when he came around the table but I was unable to, that panicked feeling held me firm to the spot. I gasped when he curled an arm around my waist and jerked me into him, his powerful male scent holding me prisoner.


    His other hand came up to the side of my face, caressing it with his fingers. Icy tingles followed his touch.


    ¡°Just how good did I fuck you to still have you acting skirmish days after?¡± The silkiness of his voice was doing things to my insides, sparking feelings to life.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were an expert?¡± He mocked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be delusional,¡± I said hoarsely. ¡°I just feel guilty, that¡¯s all.¡±


    The shadow returned to his gaze and my breathing picked up even faster as treacherous excitement pulsed in my veins. Taunting him has never ended well for me but I was a moth to a dangerous me.


    ¡°Guilty you say,¡± he growled and I felt it between my legs.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re still siblings byw after all.¡± My heart was now careening out of control as I anticipated what wasing next.


    Something twisted pulled at Luca¡¯s mouth, baring his teeth in a smile that sent trickles of electricity across my entire being.


    He tugged on my ponytail, wrapping it twice around his big hand as he leaned to my ear. His tone took a deadly edge. ¡°Let¡¯s give you another thing to be guilty about.¡±


    I was pulled off my feet and carried to the table, the beer cartons now thrown to the back of my mind. I wrapped my legs around him as soon as he ced me on the surface, my hands curling around his muscled neck.


    His mouth found my neck, trailing kisses and bites up and down the length of it. A cold sensation flushed over me and I let out a pleasured sigh. He ran his hand over my exposed thigh and I mentally congratted myself for deciding to wear the short skirt I had on.


    His hand moved up to my hips and further up to my breast, giving it a rough squeeze. I sucked in air and my fingers locked tighter around his neck.


    ¡°I want my tongue on them.¡± He said, his voice thick with desire. ¡°Take off your shirt,¡± hemanded, tugging at the clothing.


    I slowly pulled the shirt up my body, enjoying the way his eyes darkened with anticipation.


    His tongue ran across his bottom lip when I tossed the shirt on the table and pulled down the strapless bra I wore. His eyes licked my naked boobs, making them grow heavy with arousal.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how much I thought about tasting them again.¡± He said in a hoarse voice, the confession hitting me with a warmness.


    He had thought about me, multiple times. My legs tightened around him to keep my body from floating away.


    A moan spilled out of my mouth when his hot mouth closed around a nipple, sucking on it with a desperation that caused a throbbing between my legs.


    I leaned back to give him more ess, one of my hands freeing his neck to support my weight on the table as he ravished my breast. He switched to the other one and a mewl left me as white spots shed behind my eyes.


    This feeling¡­ it burned hotter than thest. When I thought my boobs would explode from the intense pleasure he was giving them, Luca came up and crushed his mouth to mine. His hand slipped between my thighs and found my heat.


    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking wet.¡± He groaned against my mouth, tugging on my bottom lips. ¡°I need to bury myself inside you right now.¡±


    He didn¡¯t need to say more, my hands found his zipper and frantically worked at it, my desperation making my fingers shaky with their movement. Luca grabbed at my hands, stilling them, his eyes holding mine as he saw to the task himself.


    His erection spilled out, shifted my panties to the side, then entered me in one slow thrust. Luca pushed further until he was buried to the hilt and a drawn out groan pushed out of his lips and mine.


    He started to move, the pace steadily growing faster and harder. We both ignored the noise our fucking caused to the table, I could barely hear the bottles nking in protest. I was fully immersed in the awareness of his sweet c0ck sliding in and out of me, of his hand now pinching on my nipple, of his mouth nibbling on my neck.


    ¡°I fucking missed this, I fucking missed the feel of your snug p ussy around my c0ck.¡± He rasped and I leaned closer into him.


    ¡°Fuck me harder,¡± I pleaded in a whisper and he obliged by mming into me with cruel force.


    The bottles rattled harder, their panicked noise adding more intensity to our frantic movements. Luca fucked me with ack of control that caused  devastating tremors to jolt through my core.


    The urge to touch him filled me and my shaky hands pulled at his dress shirt and disappeared under it. The contact of his taut skin against my soft palms sent shivers through me, Luca trembled beneath my touch and I grew bolder, determination pounding into me. My wandering hands found a nipple and grazed over the nub. A hiss escaped Luca and the sound filled me like a psychedelic drug.


    He reached past me and pushed the cartons behind me to the side, easily like they were just empty boxes that weren¡¯t full with uncapped beer.


    I was pushed down on the table, my hands beneath his shirt caught and pinned above my head. I sucked in a breath at the raw look in his eyes, a shadow of rm shed so quickly I thought I imagined it.


    He had been bothered by my touch I realized as my heart sang songs of delight.


    His thrusts grew more forceful like he was trying to fuck something out of him and I arched my back to take them deeper, curling my toes as heat pulsed stronger within me.


    ¡°That look in your eyes is going to haunt me for days,¡± he rasped harshly as if he hated the thought of it.


    My teeth bit on my lower lip, my heart doing somersaults in my chest. I desperately wished for it to happen, I wanted him to be haunted by me. I wanted to consume his thoughts just like he consumed mine. I wanted to be the only woman in his thoughts because he was the only man that starred in mine.


    I shed him a sweet smile, my tongue wetting my lips. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re about to fall for me.¡±


    His only answer was a ruthless thrust that stole all the air from my lungs but somehow elicited a moan from me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be delusional,¡± he threw my words back at me.


    His lips came down on mine to keep me from responding and he kissed me with a feral intensity, making muffled groans into my mouth as his lips ravaged mine in savage worship.


    I turned ferocious at his kiss and we punished each other for whateverplex feeling we felt at the moment, mine dating way back before now.


    I came with the force of an exploding dynamite, shaking all through my orgasm. Luca followed me seconds after, breaking off the kiss to bite down on my shoulder. I bucked again at the pain, a whimper leaving me.


    He got up from me, staring at me with an unreadable expression before murmuring in Italian.


    He didn¡¯t bother to trante for my benefit as he fixed his clothes then fucking left the ce, leaving me syed on the table like an item on disy.


    He didn¡¯t need to anyway because I understood that one sentence of Italian. Something crashed inside me like a violent sea wave as I ced bothnguages side by side in my head.


    Cosa mi hai fatto? What have you done to me?

 Chapter 29: Ghosts From The Past

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°You know you could have just asked your fiance to do this with you.¡± I said as Gina and I waited in the lobby of Eva Bridals.


    Gina threw me a chiding look over the catalog she was perusing. ¡°How could I bring him here? You¡¯re more helpful than he¡¯d ever be, besides he is so busy these days.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. Of course, how silly of me to suggest a made man apany his fiancee to choose her wedding dress. There are probably much more fulfilling tasks like perforating people with bullets and discussing world domination ns.


    She had whisked me from my apartment and brought me here,pletely ruining my n to sleep in. Today was my free day, not day off but free day. There was a huge difference between the two.


    Day offs only grant you freedom from your job but doesn¡¯t necessarily mean you won¡¯t have other things to attend to. Things like chores, school, grocery shopping, dentist appointments and so on.


    With free days, you¡¯re leftpletely idle, free from all engagements and tasks. Your ns are limited to sleeping or binging Netflix or surfing the inte or ying your big vibes ylist on loudspeaker.


    I stared across the unfamiliar, unhomely decor of the lobby and a stab of longing hit me. It was a shame really, when else will I be opportuned to have a free day?


    I caught Gina¡¯s gaze and she shed me a smile. She really reminded me of her brother sometimes, she can just be as pushy as him. I mean, I was out here and not curled up in bed like I was supposed to.


    Twodies dressed in the same beige uniform walked in all smiles.


    ¡°Miss Salvatore, Miss Torello, if you would please follow us.¡± The taller one said with professional courtesy.


    I didn¡¯t even bother to wonder how they knew my name and just followed behind Gina as they ushered us into a corridor and up a grand, curved stairway.


    The space upstairs was decorated with more warmth than the lobby. Everything about the theme screamed bridal; floral patterns, soft colours, ribbons, flower vases.


    However, the pleasant vibes were causing an opposite reaction in me. I couldn¡¯t get into high spirits about the wedding when the dread of marrying Cadain still loomed over my head like a dark cloud. I had asked Gina about it and she knew just as much as I did. Women really weren¡¯t involved in ns until they were finalized.


    ¡°Bienvenue mes chers.¡± A male voice called out when we entered arge room that looked like a walk-in closet for a member of the British royal family.


    ¡°I am Louis, your dressmaker.¡± The man who had greeted us said animatedly, the dramatic frills on the wrists of his bright yellow dress shirt shaking about. I winced, he looked rather animated too.


    Tons of pretty wedding dresses hung on mannequins in show sses. They all spoke of elegance and sophistication and whatever adjective rich people used to distinguish themselves from the rest of us. My eyes settled on a low neckline dress with a corseted bodice, now that was more like my style.


    ¡°You are so jolie.¡± The man who greeted us gushed at Gina. He turned to me, ¡°oh, tres belle.¡±


    I blushed. I didn¡¯t know what he said exactly but I knew he was calling me pretty.


    His fashion choice might remind me of a canary but he was an obvious sweetheart. A handsome one at that I reckoned, taking in his pretty green eyes and androgynous facial features. Plus, his hair game was topnotch. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him how he kept the ginger shoulder length waves so luscious and flowy. Lord knows I needed a tip or two.


    ¡°Mademoiselle Gina,¡± he literally sang, his eyes scrutinizing Gina¡¯s form with the passionate spark that had been there since the moment we met him.


    ¡°Now we will choose the wedding dress of your dreams.¡±


    Gina grinned and my heart was full to see her this happy. It was really marvelling how she looked forward with bursting excitement to the same thing that sent every nerve ending in my body into a state of anxiety.


    Each dress she tried on was so gorgeous it was an extremely challenging task to choose.


    I suggested we go with acy fishtail dress with silver details but Louis suggested a silk ball gown with a shimmery train and we spent a good amount of time arguing about it.


    Gina was fed up with our rather funny bickering so she decided on going with my fishtail dress and Louis¡¯ shimmery train.


    Louis ryed the details of the dressmaking and when it could be avable and when Gina was negotiating the delivery date, I wandered away from them, my curious mind taking me around the room and out of it.


    I walked along the spiral hallway, watching other happy brides gush over the dresses they had on. They were really making this wedding of a thing seem great. I wouldn¡¯t know because the idea had been sitting in the dark, dusty corner of my mind until I got involved with the Salvatores.


    I didn¡¯t know what to make of it but I knew I would be terrible with marriage. Marriage meantmitment and I could barely evenmit to the shows I dere as my favorite. Last month it was The Vampire Diaries, this month it was Bridgerton. Next month, it¡¯ll be another show.


    However, I still tried to picture myself as a happy bride which was hard considering the fact that there can¡¯t be a happy bride without an honored groom. But I found myself picturing one, not a faceless conjured groom of my imagination but a real person, a real man, one that shared a striking resemnce to my stepbrother. I¡¯ve never shook off a thought as fast as I shook this one off, ice seeping into my veins and numbing my fingers and toes.


    I couldn¡¯t help it, Iughed. Aloud, bent over my knees as theughter pushed up my throat and out of my mouth. I was hysterical.


    ¡°Is that Cara? Oh my gosh, it is her!¡± A voice I didn¡¯t recognize gushed behind me.


    I stood straight again, my body going stiff at the unwantedpany. I stered a performative smile before turning on my heel to meet three strange faces I didn¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± I said, cocking my head.


    I didn¡¯t miss the scoff of the middle one.


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember us?¡± The one who called out to me said, aghast. She pointed at herself, ¡°it¡¯s me Suzie,¡± then to the other two, ¡°Anna and Bree.¡±


    Suzie, Anna and Bree. Suzie, Anna and Bree. Suzie-


    I went rigid. Suzie, Anna and Bree. Recognition gave way to malice as I stared at the girls that had made my middle school days more worse than it was. All that evil they embodied had aged them a ton, no wonder I couldn¡¯t recognize them.


    What were the chances of running into your middle school bullies at a wedding dress shop?


    ¡°Oh my God, how are you?¡± Bree cooed, scanning my frame.


    Anna, the one in the middle and the ringleader of all of their atrocities then just stared at me with hostility. At least she was real enough to not act like we were long lost friends.


    I gave her a smirk before answering. ¡°I¡¯m good. I¡¯m so excited to see you guys again.¡±


    Suzie smiled and I didn¡¯t know if she ignored the sarcasm in my voice or was just dumb.


    ¡°Us too, ¡± she said, nudging at Anna who shot her a look.


    The megatron bitch looked back to me, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The smile looked stiff and I honestly wondered why she would bother with face fillers at such a young age. We were all still in our early twenties for fuck sake.


    ¡°It¡¯s really surprising to see you here.¡± She said and I shrugged.


    ¡°Getting married already?¡± She asked sweetly, giving my stomach a pointed look.


    I scoffed. ¡°If you think a baby was going to make me tie the knots then maybe you really didn¡¯t know me Anna.¡± I said dryly.


    Her face twitched in annoyance and I was genuinely happy that it could.


    Another too sweet smile appeared on her mouth. ¡°So you already have one?¡±


    ¡°I never said that.¡±


    Suzie and Bree shared a flicking nce before Suzie spoke. ¡°Come on, Anna. She might just be here for someone else. Like us.¡± She faced me. ¡°Anna¡¯s big sister is getting married.¡±


    Anna¡¯s sister was another mean bitch who was practically the belle of Oand high. She spent her highschool years winning every inter-school beauty pageant that there was and seeded with most.


    She would have been perfect if not for her shitty personality. Her sister too.


    ¡°Congrattions.¡± My tone was drier than the Sahara and Anna obviously didn¡¯t like it.


    Her eyes darted, showing her difort. ¡°If I knew I¡¯d run into you like this, I might have carried a spare invite.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t stop my eyebrow from lifting in amusement. The girl was bold to assume I would give a fuck about the wedding, I wouldn¡¯t even go for a million dors. Or maybe I will, a million was a lot so let¡¯s say a thousand bucks.


    Plus who was she to invite anyone? It wasn¡¯t her wedding.


    ¡°That¡¯s so sad.¡± I said, ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s going to be a st.¡±


    Bree looked away to hide her chuckle and Suzie just stared at me. She probably was trying to connect the Cara from middle school to the one before her.


    I was done with their unpleasant presence, ¡°if you will excuse me, I have to get back.¡± I said and I went around them to leave.


    But Anna obviously wasn¡¯t done. She reached out and grabbed my arm, dropping it when she saw the look on my face.


    ¡°I just wanted us to talk more, it¡¯s been years since we saw each other after all.¡±


    ¡°I promise you, there isn¡¯t a thing I want to say to you.¡± I said, crossing my arms.


    Her gaze turned sinister. ¡°How¡¯s Diego, are you guys still joined at the hip?¡±


    My entire body froze, my heart stopped working for a second before dropping to my belly as panic took its stead.


    Memories that were now nightmares shed through my head in snapshots as cold ws scratched at my throat.


    A sardonic smile curled up Anna¡¯s lips, satisfaction oozing from her. Suzie and Bree chuckled into their fists.


    The malicious bitches.


    I wanted to scream at her, w at her eyes and pull her hair from the roots but the weight of my panic held me immobile.


    You¡¯re nothing but a fucktoy


    You can never be worth more than a fuck.


    Say cheese, Cara. You don¡¯t want to disappoint your fans now, do you?


    I shut my eyes to shut down the evil voice, a voice that tormented my nights, a voice that I will never be free from. A pulse pounded in my ears, my belly twisted with a sickening feeling. My head spinned and numbness was taking over my limbs. I could feel my panic attack kicking in.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me you were going to meet friends.¡± Gina¡¯s voice said out of the blue.


    I slowly turned to her, my head feeling heavier. She strode to me, her bodyguards behind her. She pulled me up and I hadn¡¯t even realized I had been bent over.


    A darkugh left me. ¡°¡®Friends¡¯ is a bit much.¡±


    Gina¡¯s gaze was dark. ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Hi, we are Cara¡¯s old ssmates.¡± Anna said but Gina only stared at her like she had bird poop in her hair.


    ¡°We were just catching up for old times sake.¡± Suzie interjected, eyeing the men around us.


    Gina stepped in front of me. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like it.¡±


    Anna¡¯s smug look was now flickering with fear. ¡°Well it seems like we¡¯rete to meet my sister.¡± She turned to me, looking like she just wasn¡¯t taunting me like she always did. ¡°It was nice seeing you again Cara.¡±


    Suzie and Bree shed me a frightened smile and the three of them scurried off, not stopping until theypletely disappeared.


    Gina turned to me, ¡°are you okay?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    I gave a stiff nod, suddenly feeling embarrassed that she had almost witnessed me having a panic attack. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Gina¡¯s eyes were full of worry. ¡°Are you? You seemed really affected by who they mentioned.¡±


    My smile was small. ¡°I¡¯m fine, really.¡± I said, hoping to God that she doesn¡¯t push the subject.


    I could talk about literally anything but him. I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to say his name. The mere mention of it brought a chilling darkness to my soul. My very own tormentor.


    It¡¯s been three years but I was still very much crippled by the experience. I was a ve to it.

 Chapter 30: Inner Demons

    Cara¡¯s pov


    The ride back was tense and stiff and it was all because of me. I was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode and would have if it wasn¡¯t for Gina¡¯s expert tactfulness. She was really raised to be a made  man¡¯s wife. Unlike me, she knew when to shut up and feign ignorance.


    Originally, we nned to have brunch at her favorite restaurant after her wedding dress appointment. That was the agenda before Suzie, Anna and Bree. Right now, all I wanted was to go back to the solitary of my apartment and be tormented by the demon that was my past. As if on cue, a Nikon billboard ad breezed past our zooming car.


    Smile for the camera, you have to look like a happy whore.


    ¡°Cara?¡± Gina called out, staring at myp, her eyes the size of saucers, dismay permeating her face. I followed her eyes down and found the fingers of one hand scratching ruthlessly on the wrist of the other. It was so bad there was blood on the bruised skin.


    I quickly buried the mess into the gap between my thighs.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I let out a shaky chuckle. ¡°Just nerves.¡± I lied.


    Gina was going say something, her lips parted to form the words but I returned my attention to the window. Not wanting to hear it.


    Don¡¯t ask about him, don¡¯t ask about him, don¡¯t ask about him.


    She doesn¡¯t, and if I wasn¡¯t such aplete wreck right now, I would have kissed her in appreciation.


    The heavy silence returned and stayed all the way back to the familiar surroundings of my neighbourhood. I attempted joviality when we pulled up at my ce, trying my hand at pretending nothing ever happened. It was how I dealt with issues like this, a coward¡¯s move I know but I would choose it over getting vulnerable with anyone and letting them in on my woes.


    Just the thought of it made me visibly shudder.


    ¡°I had so much fun today,¡± I said, forcing a cheeriness I didn¡¯t feel into my voice. ¡°Thanks for bringing me along.¡±


    Gina¡¯s look was leery and doubtful but a resigned sigh left her. ¡°I¡¯m d you did.¡±


    I threw her a strained grin and proceeded to get out from the cozy car.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate to call me if you need anything.¡± Gina rushed to say and I instantly knew she knew I was leaving to go beat myself up in my apartment.


    My hand tightened on the door handle and I suddenly felt the irritational need to burst into tears and quit being strong. Nobody had given a fuck until her. Nobody had proposed thefort she was so willing to offer.


    However, I responded with nothing but a nod as I made my way out, watching with a wave as the car reversed away and disappeared.


    I wasn¡¯t prepared for the drooping weight of loneliness that hit me. And I was thrown off by it.


    Being alone was something I was used to. It was something I required in moments like this when I wanted to battle my demons. It was something I needed to temporarily fix myself up before appearing back in public with the devil may care persona I wore like a mascot costume.


    But I found myself craving Gina¡¯spany and the constions she would give. And I resented her for it even though it wasn¡¯t her fault I had be stupid enough to trust her that much. To rely on her that much.


    I jerked my eyes up to blink back the stinging tears of frustration filling them. They should hold back for a few more minutes until I¡¯m behind the safety of my door.


    The walk up to my apartment was a mindless one, one minute I was downstairs in the open air and the next I was pushing into the narrow doorway. I dropped my purse to the floor, my cropped leather jacket following seconds after. I didn¡¯t even bother with my boots before falling down on my bed with a low thump.


    The voices wasted no time in assaulting me, sending rows after rows of the tormenting arrows that were their words and soon I was reliving those nights again. And just like always, there was no one to save me from their cold grasp.


    ***


    I woke up to the incessant ringing of my phone. The moment I opened my eyes it felt like my head was spilting into two. Blurry-eyed, I looked around to register my surroundings; I was on the kitchen floor still wearing the outfit I wore to Gina¡¯s dress fitting.


    Weird, I remembered being in my bedroom.


    My phone rung into the quiet air again and I staggered to my feet to go fetch it, my hand pressed to my head to keep it from bursting into bits.


    I tripped over some empty beer bottles and fell back to the ground.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Ow!¡± I hissed, ring at the bottles I was yet to realize how they got there. I frowned at the mess, what the hell happenedst night? Or was it the next day already? I had no idea.


    The shrill noise of my phone started again and I attempted to get up yet again, this time more careful about where I put my feet. I found the device lying on my couch after a brief, aggravating search.


    ¡°Hello,¡± I breathed into the phone, my voice sounding scratchy and gravelly.


    ¡°Cara,¡± was my mother¡¯s only greeting.


    ¡°Hm?¡± I prompted, clearing my throat. I carefully dropped to the couch, mindful not to set off the splitting headache in my head.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± my mother began in a hesitant tone and I scowled, holding my breath for whatever mood killing shit she was about to drop on me.


    What the hell was she after now? She only dialed my number when she needed to ruin my day with her demands.


    ¡°I¡¯d love for you toe by tomorrow.¡± She finally said.


    My scowl deepened. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to host a little party in the honour of Gina and I just want you to be there.¡± She exined but somehow I could tell it was a lie.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t she just have her engagement party?¡± I asked, genuinely curious. What was with these Mafia royalties and parties?


    My mother released a sharp breath and I knew she was getting irritated. She had no patience when it came to me. ¡°Yes but I just wanted to hold a smaller one with friends and immediate family. Just us womening together to brush over the wedding nning details over lunch.¡±


    I forced down the scoff traveling up my throat. She just wanted an excuse to show off to her ¡°friends¡±. Women that probably didn¡¯t like her and found her insufferable and beneath them.


    What I didn¡¯t understand was why it had anything to do with me. I could have asked but I couldn¡¯t risk the irritant nagging I was sure to get. My head was currently going through enough.


    I sighed. ¡°Okay,¡± I said instead, trying to predict just what in the hell I signed myself up for. I guess I¡¯ll find out tomorrow.


    ¡°Good,¡± my mother replied, not hiding the satisfaction from her voice.


    I tossed the phone to the side once we ended the call and tried to piece myst memories together. I had gotten home, passed out on the bed but somehow woke up on the kitchen floor?


    ¡°Arghhh!¡± I groaned aloud. It was obvious I had drunk myself to stupor and was now experiencing a mega hangover but figuring how I arrived to this point was the real problem.


    I found my phone again and tapped it on for the date. It was still the same day and only thirty minutes past six pm.


    Crazy, Eva Bridals felt like ages ago.


    I opened my message app to see new texts from Gina asking how I was, more like threatening but I knew her heart was in the right ce. A small smile tugged at my lips, I really appreciated her concern. I tapped a quick reply telling her I was okay, hesitating for a second before adding the halo smiley face.


    I was going to drop my phone when I noticed a chat with an unsaved number. Eyes narrowing, I opened the DM.


    My phone dropped out of my hand as my heart sank to my stomach.


    No.


    I picked up the phone again, my grip on it growing shakier as I read each dreadful chat bubble I had no memory of sending. My gaze coasted to the unsaved recipient and my pulse went haywire. It was unknown but I knew the string of numbers anywhere. I had spent a considerable amount of time staring at it and wondering what it¡¯d be like to call it and hear his deep voice traveling down my ear.


    I knew that number by heart just because it was his. I read through the poorly constructed, grammatically incorrect texts I had sent Luca and embarrassment mixed with shame washed over me.


    Your sych an asshole yunno


    Yuo tthink cus. you fuck good you can treet me howevr you like. Leeving me all by meself once you nutted.


    Your un asshole, a huge fucking asshole with a bigg dick.


    Your lucky I love you dickk.


    I hate yuo


    I love your dick but I hyte you.


    Byeee.


    A tortured groan left me and I flung my phone like it was a poisonous viper before dropping to the rest of the couch, screaming into the worn out leather as my legs iled about.


    I deserved to die. I craved death and I wished for it to take pity on me and send me on my way to the afterlife. I couldn¡¯t go on living after this.


    You might have to see him tomorrow. A cruel voice spoke through my frantic thoughts. I screamed again, punching into the couch. I won¡¯t go, I¡¯d call my mother ande up with an excuse. I was never going to run into Luca Salvatore again for as long as I lived.


    I jolted back into a sitting position, the realization that I would still go whether I liked it or not plunging me into despair. My face crumpled and I wondered how I went from trauma-panicking to drunk-texting my stepbrother.

 Chapter 31: Setup

    Cara¡¯s pov


    My leg tapped restlessly against the cold, hard floor, as strategies that would make every spy movie jealous swirled around in my head. My thumb mindlessly moved to my lips and I stopped myself just before I attacked the newly painted cuticle.


    I was pacing the Salvatores¡¯ foyer, ignoring the curious look Antonio, the Salvatores¡¯ butler, was giving me. I focused on preparing myself for my mother¡¯s cursed luncheon and plotting the most efficient Luca-free routes in the mansion.


    I couldn¡¯t run into him today. And if I do, I¡¯ve prepared a box knife sitting readily in my clutch purse, waiting for me to slit my neck if the need arises.


    ¡°Is there anything I could help you with Signorina Cara?¡±


    I whirled around to face him, ¡°Antonio.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Signorina Cara?¡±


    ¡°Does Luca- I mean does the done here frequently?¡±


    ¡°No Signorina.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Do you think he has any reason to be here today?¡±


    Confusion lined Antonio¡¯s face, he was probably wondering the reason for my random interrogation. ¡°Not that I am aware of.¡±


    A heavy weight left my chest and I released a long breath. That was relieving to hear. Eighty percent of my problem was gone.


    ¡°Where is my mother hosting her luncheon?¡± Now all that was left was to sit through the impending hell that was my mother and her friends¡¯pany.


    ¡°At the patio Signorina.¡±


    I smoothened the fabric of the green sundress I bought with my first paycheck from Rico¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s just lunch, can¡¯t be that hard to endure.¡± I said under my breath.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Came Antonio¡¯s reply.


    Gaining confidence from my self assuring speech, I turned to a befuddled Antonio, blew him a kiss and sauntered into the main house, moving through the path to the patio with an ease in my steps.


    ¡°Cara!¡± My mother gushed the moment I walked onto the patio, staring approvingly at my dress. It was pretty modest, to my standards that is. I had paired the off shoulder, knee length dress with my favourite tform sandals.


    My fake smile appeared automatically as I let her usher me to therge dining table in the center of the ostentatiously decorated ce.


    ¡°Ladies, you know my daughter, Cara,¡± my mother said and the delighted look on her face would have fooled me if I didn¡¯t know otherwise.


    I nodded politely at the seated women, shrinking and shifting ufortably under their judgy stares and silent scrutiny.


    ¡°Such a beautiful girl,¡± the youngest looking of the group was nice enough to mention. I smiled to show my appreciation, the blushing look on my face a contrast to my tightened grip on my purse.


    Gina wasn¡¯t among the five faces at the table and the tension in my body grew as I threw an rmed look at my mother. Just what in the hell was this lunch about?


    I fought the urge to scratch at the itching abrasion I had inflicted on my wrists. They worsened due to neglect, I was too fucked up yesterday to have the presence of mind to treat them. It was a good thing the long sleeves of my dress hid the horrible sight.


    Thankfully, the women were done with me and I was allowed to mesh into the gathering fluidly, ignored, just the way I wanted.


    Servers appeared with more food, deftly cing the dishes on the table before whooshing out just the way they had whooshed in. One of them stopped to whisper something in my mother¡¯s ear before leaving and I didn¡¯t miss the calcting smile that curled her lips. I wondered what the hell she was up to now.


    My eyes coasted to the wine on the table and I considered pouring myself a heavy ss before post traumatic stress hit me. Thest thing I needed was alcohol, who knows whose number I¡¯d drunk-text.


    ¡°So what do you do?¡± A small woman in an ufortable looking tweed jacket said, breaking up the trivial gossip that was going on, her voice just as austere as her tight chignon.


    Unease slipped beneath my skin, guess I wasn¡¯t being ignored like I thought. ¡°I- uh-¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still a student.¡± My mother provided beside me, patting softly on my tensed shoulder.


    The woman on her other side scoffed, muttering in a heavy Italian ent about how unnecessary it was to send girls to school when they¡¯d still end up in their husbands¡¯ house. A vein popped in my head and I forced myself from sneering at her.


    What era were we? The 18th century?


    Ufortable tweed jacket took the information with a nod, her neck moving in stiff motions.


    My mother shifted in her seat, obviously unsettled by the random question. It was only a matter of time before they asked something of which the answer would embarrass her and ruin the perfect persona she was trying to establish. Well that was entirely on her, she shouldn¡¯t have brought me here in the first ce.


    Ufortable tweed jacket opened her mouth to ask another question, probably a follow up of herst like ¡°what university do you go to?¡± but my mother had decided she was done with the interrogation.


    ¡°Cara dear, could you please go fetch my stress pills? I seemed to have forgotten it in the library.¡± She turned to her guests, ¡°All that wedding preparations and charity nning is getting to me.¡±


    The women nodded in understanding, probably rting a ton to her predicament. I fought an eye roll before facing my mother, my eyes narrowed warily. It was suspicious how her ¡°stress pills¡± were conveniently sitting in the library of all ces. My mother wasn¡¯t a reader and even her pretentiousness could not get her to act like one.


    She was staring at me expectantly so I got up and proceeded to go get the damned pills. I shed the women a polite smile that announced my leave then headed back into the main house.


    The journey from the patio to the library was unnecessarily long and it had me seething over why anyone would need a house this big. I passed through a curved hallway and tworge living rooms, heaved up a flight of stairs, before getting to the hallway that contained the library and Manuel¡¯s study.


    My pulse skipped for two reasons: one, I was scared of running into my mother¡¯s husband. Two, my mind shed back to the night in the study.


    Luckily, the avoidance gods were on my side today. I got to the library without running into a single soul.


    Feeling happy and relieved, I swung the library door open and swayed inside, my movements more dramatic than a Broadway actor doing a solo musical. My mood was instantly ruined when I realized I hadn¡¯t asked where exactly the stress pills was and I cursed under my breath, half thinking about where I was going to start searching for the teeny tiny bottle in a library asrge as this. The space was two timesrger than my entire apartment for fuck sake.


    ¡°Well fuck me,¡± I muttered aloud before whirling to my right to begin my treasure hunt.


    All two hundred and six bones in my body went rigid. Ten pairs of eyes were watching me in amusement, holding me in ce as whatever business they had been up to was now temporarily set aside.


    My throat bobbed as I swallowed a gulp of mortification, my anxiety spreading across my body in tingles.


    Cadain cleared his throat but I knew it was a chuckle he was trying to disguise. His eyes shone with humor and his smile was warm. My eyes coasted to the man sitting by him, a man I instantly pegged as the Irish boss from his striking resemnce to Cadain. He also had a glint of humor in his eyes but unlike Cadain¡¯s, his made me squirm.


    My gaze traveled through the rest of the unfamiliar men in formal suits, each of them oozing a darkness of the underworld beforending on the man sitting at the head, a deadly expression on his handsome face.


    My heart went into overdrive and I couldn¡¯t stop the punch to my guts the sight of Luca caused. The cold fury in his stare was chilling and heating my skin at the same time, sending my mortification through the roof.


    It suddenly urred to me that I had been yed by my mother. There was no stress pills, she just wanted to send me to the wolves for whatever fucked up reason she had. I threw Cadain a quick nce and I suspected it had something to do with him.


    ¡°Well what do we have here?¡± One of the men said and I squirmed even harder.


    If I didn¡¯t leave now, I¡¯d get pulverized under the weight of Luca¡¯s gaze. So I cleared my throat and mustered up an apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have-¡± I paused to search for the right words, ¡°interrupted your meeting.¡±


    I hopped from foot to foot, the thick tension in the air seeping into the ground beneath my tform sandals. ¡°Um¡­ I just gonna¡­ leave and uh¡­ as you were.¡± I motioned with a lift of my hands before pivoting on one foot and dashing out of there, and I didn¡¯t look back once.

 Chapter 32: Trackstar

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Horrifying embarrassment was pulsing through me as I basically ran through my way back to the patio, my tforms making thumping noises as I cut across.


    ¡°Cara, wait!¡± Cadain¡¯s voice called behind me but I didn¡¯t slow down. I didn¡¯t know what point he had followed after me. I just wanted to get away from everything, him included.


    But I had no such luck, he was faster and soon he was cutting in front of me, breathing hard. I came to a stop.


    He bent over, holding onto a ss disy for support as he took heavy breaths of air. ¡°Give me a minute.¡± He said between pants. His gaze raised to meet mine.  ¡°Damn, you¡¯re a track star.¡±


    My lips twitched despite the situation and he shed me a satisfied grin, standing upright again.


    ¡°I used to be captain of the track team back in highschool.¡± I joked. It wasn¡¯t entirely a lie, I was in the track team but I was definitely not captain.


    ¡°I believe you.¡± Cadain said, still grinning at me.


    There was something about him that put me at ease and I knew it had everything to do with his happy-go-lucky personality. He was funny and cute and I appreciated people like him. We needed less uptight, intense people in the world. Uptight, intense people like my stepbrother.


    However, I didn¡¯t like the intense look Cadain was now giving me. So I tried to shift the vibe. ¡°I could give you a few lessons for a small fee, I¡¯m not greedy.¡±


    ¡°Cara,¡± Cadain began but I cut him off.


    ¡°Do you feel parched? ¡®Cause I sure am.¡± I started moving again. ¡°We better go find some water first.¡±


    I was intercepted again and Cadain¡¯s face clued me in on his determination to say whatever he had to say. I released a tense breath.


    ¡°You must have already heard and I know all of this is sudden but I promise that you won¡¯t have anything to worry about.¡±


    I remained silent, momentarily having nothing to say or maybe I had too much to say it left me at a loss on where to begin.


    ¡°The ns are almost set in ce but I still wanted to speak to you.¡± Cadain inched closer and took my hand in his. ¡°I vow to treat you well, you would notck anything, not even love.¡± He added, his eyes full of thick emotions.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I pulled away, overwhelmed by his deration. On one hand, I felt ttered by his feelings but on the other, it scared me shitless. I couldn¡¯t return whatever he was offering.


    My eyes found his and I wondered why a man like him didn¡¯t make my heart flutter instead. I knew nothing was ever going to happen between us and I wasn¡¯t going to bound myself in a sparkless marriage.


    I sawed on my lips. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I whispered and I genuinely was for having to turn down the first man that possessed such genuine emotions for me.


    Cadain ran a hand behind his neck and I knew he was feeling embarrassed. ¡°I understand if you don¡¯t feel the same way right now-¡±


    I cut him off with a shake of my head. I was never going to feel the same way.


    Cadain stepped closer but I stepped back.


    A deep breath left him. ¡°You never can tell what will happen, you might return my feelings sooner orter when we marry. I¡¯d wait.¡±


    The yfulness returned to his features and he shed me a boyish smile. ¡°But let¡¯s remain good friends for now.¡±


    I inclined my head, appreciating the fact that he was still such a gentleman even after getting rejected by a woman. He was truly better than most.


    ¡°If we marry.¡± I grinned at him, returning the light-hearted vibe. ¡°But I¡¯d love to be friends. You seem like a fun guy.¡±


    Cadain chuckled. ¡°It is what I am.¡± He responded with a wink.


    Marriage with him may not be totally boring like I thought it would be, but I still wasn¡¯t taking the deal.


    ¡°As much as I hate to break up your little bonding, I¡¯m afraid your brother and hispany are on their way out, McKell.¡±


    My spine stiffened at the deep, unexpected voice behind me.


    Cadain¡¯s gaze pinched into a scowl as he looked over my shoulder. ¡°Salvatore.¡± He grumbled.


    Luca¡¯s footsteps clocked closer, their pace slow and unhurried while the beat of my pulse went erratic.


    He stopped right behind me, sending the ease and calm I felt into oblivion and the flutters and sparks I couldn¡¯t feel with Cadain jolted through me like a discordant orchestra.


    ¡°You should leave now to catch up.¡± His voice rumbled through my chest, sliding over me like warm syrup. I tried not to appear visibly affected. Last thing I needed was Cadain finding out about my wild attraction to my stepbrother.


    Cadain straightened his spine, his shoulders setting back but it was pointless. Luca was still taller by a few inches, he was also bigger and fuller and consuming and-


    ¡°We haven¡¯t finished our conversation.¡± Cadain cut through my simping thoughts, ncing down at me. I felt the waves of frustration radiating out of Luca and I knew if I turned around I¡¯d find a darkness in his eyes.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s over now.¡±


    Cadain¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°You¡¯re not the one to make the call. Cara and I are still engaged.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember ever making an official announcement.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still my future wife.¡±


    ¡°Keyword: future.¡±


    I was done with the back and forth. I was right in the middle of it, literally, and I felt the need to intervene before fists start flying over my head or even worse, Cadain getting shot by a trigger happy Luca. Either way, Cadain was at a disadvantage. Luca will grind him to pieces in minutes.


    I spoke before inevitable disaster happened. ¡°It¡¯s fine Cadain. We can always talk some other time.¡±


    Cadain looked like he was going to protest but he sighed instead, giving in. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want. I¡¯ll be seeing you soon Cara.¡± He said, eyeing Luca with animosity before turning on his heel and leaving through the same route he came.


    Tension wasted no time in enveloping me as soon as Cadain¡¯s reassuring presence left. I was now alone with the devil himself.


    ¡°Turn around,¡± Lucamanded and I shook my head immediately in refusal.


    ¡°I have nothing to say to you.¡± I said in a small voice.


    I wasn¡¯t even given a second next before I was roughly spun around,ing face to face with ruination.


    All the air whooshed out of my lungs.


    ¡°Well I have a lot to say to you bambina.¡± Luca growled.


    My breath hitched at the anger erupting from his sturdy chest. It was so dominant it almost snuffed out mine but I pushed on. I had quickly discovered that I could only deal with him if I felt strong feelings like anger or frustration, otherwise I would be overrun by him.


    Swallowed up, engulfed, deluged by the flood that was his powerful pulling force.


    A gulp bobbled down my dry throat and I tried to find my voice. ¡°Well you can say whatever you want to say without manhandling me.¡± I bit out, ring pointedly at his tighttch on my waist.


    His chuckle was humorless. ¡°That I attempted by asking you to turn around but you just never respond to niceties do you micetta.¡±


    He never runs out of retorts does he?


    The set of my jaw was defiant when I forced myself to look up at him, literally. I ignored the violent pitter-patters my heart did. He was insanely handsome and for what?


    ¡°Whatever. You now have my attention so just let it out so I can return back to my mother.¡± Please don¡¯t mention the texts.


    His eyes zed over with cold fury. ¡°You weren¡¯t this impatient with that simping runt.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call him that.¡±


    ¡°It is what he is.¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s not.¡±


    His jaw tightened. ¡°Stop defending him.¡±


    I smiled at him, the satisfaction of ticking him off swelling in my chest. He was fun to rattle. My lips turned up deviously. ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t he my future husband?¡±


    If looks could kill, I¡¯d be dead by now. ¡°You¡¯re not marrying him.¡±


    I brushed off a non existent lint of his suit jacket. ¡°That¡¯s what you said but nobody will agree with you. The ns are still very much in motion.¡±


    He red at me like he was keeping himself from strangling me and a flush of heat pooled between my thighs. I was such a freak.


    Luca¡¯s hand on my waist crept up to the back of my head and his hold was not very gentle at all. He inched closer and closer until my full softness was pressed into his hard, taut body.


    The new position our bodies were in was lightyears away from being tonic and appropriate for siblings, anyone that walked in right now would find a sight for their eyes but somehow the thought sent blood flooding through my veins.


    I was turned on by the thrill of getting caught. It was deplorable. I nced at Luca¡¯s lush mouth, he made me deplorable.


    ¡°Here¡¯s something you don¡¯t know micetta, if I say you won¡¯t, then you won¡¯t. There¡¯s not a man or force out there that would change that.¡± He dered, staring down at me with a severity that pulled at my core in a way that would make gravity jealous.


    I didn¡¯t doubt his words one bit.

 Chapter 33: Soft Spot

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Cara might just be the only one who would mock my authority and get away with it. She didn¡¯t know how lucky she was. If it were to be another, they¡¯d be finding out just how much of a mistake it was as we speak.


    She swallowed at my deration, something akin to reverence spreading across her beautiful face. She licked at her lips and blood rushed to my c0ck as the urge to kiss her filled me.


    I had lost my wits the moment she barged into the library, everything that was being discussed relocated to the rear of my mind. Cadain following after her had sent a raging storm through me and I had skimmed through the rest of the agenda before basically sending the men on their way.


    I reached down to breathe in her scent, the smell of flowers and vani hitting my nose like cocaine powder. God, how I¡¯ve missed being this close to her.


    I had been actively avoiding her ever since that day at Rico¡¯s, needing space to work out how that single fuck time had messed with my brain more than she ever did. Whatever I felt for her was growing dominant and I didn¡¯t know what to make of it. For the first time in my life, I was short of solutions. Cara was one puzzle I couldn¡¯t solve. She was a weakness I could not get rid of or ovee and I hated every bit of it.


    I nuzzled into her soft blonde locks, loving the faint smell of her cheap rose shampoo. She might be a disaster about to happen but she was my disaster and I would never, ever give her up to any man. The alliance with the Irish be damned.


    Staying away from her was pointless, a conclusion I brought myself to admit. It didn¡¯t even matter if she was across the world, in somewhere like fucking Australia, she lived rent-free in my head.


    She didn¡¯t have to be present to fuck up my focus like she had done this past few days. It was because of her that Dominic had won in ourst sparring, it was because of her I had missed a target the moment my father brought up her marriage ns in our shooting practice yesterday. It was because of her I had been so close to nting a bullet in Cadain¡¯s cranium.


    I couldn¡¯t even stay away if I tried to. It took just three days for me to yield and drive to Rico¡¯s just in time to stalk her homest night. She had beenpletely oblivious of my lurking presence just like she was oblivious to the wreckage she brought on me.


    My very own disaster.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you marry Cadain and in a few days everyone else is going to know that.¡± I growled into her ear and her slight shiver pleased me all the way to the twitch in my pants.


    ¡°I might not know much but I know enough to be aware of how that would piss everyone off.¡± She whispered, curving her neck to the intrusion of my teeth.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t give a fuck.¡± I said. Whoever gets offended can go fuck themselves. If McKell decides to cease our alliance for a failed marriage bond then he is a fool. An even bigger one than his father before him. It was clear the Irish always had more to gain from our truce, I could easily rece them with another.


    Cara¡¯s slender hands found my chest, pressing ever so lightly. My skin heated at her touch and my heart thumped so hard I felt it pushing against my ribcage.


    Only she could do that to it.


    ¡°Luca,¡± she whispered and her voice traveled through me like a xylophone tune.


    She was saying something else but I wasn¡¯t listening, I was too busy with nipping on her corbone.


    My hands slid down until it got to her ass, cupping the firm yet soft roundness of it. I wanted to feel my hips mming into them as I took her from behind. It was one of my most revisited fantasies. That and watching her crawl on her knees to me.


    ¡°Luca,¡± her tone was more forceful now and I indulged her with a grunt.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Someone, I think-¡± she trailed off when I grinded my hard on into her.


    God, I was desperate to be inside her again.


    ¡°Someone what bambina?¡± I drawled, kissing the corner of her lip.


    A breath left her parted lips and she blinked repeatedly as if trying to remember what she was going to say.


    It happened so quickly. One minute I was pressed against Cara¡¯s luscious body then standing a few feets away the next.


    My eyes flew to Cara and I wondered where the Amazonian strength had emerged from.


    Amanda walked in a secondter.


    Herrge smile slowly thinned out as she picked on the intense vibe in the space. Her eyes narrowed into slits and her gaze shot to Cara.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Shit. I had been too upied by Cara and her delectable body, I didn¡¯t even hear her mothere in. I had been so consumed by her presence that my sense of security had disappeared, all the hours of training my father gave me down the drain.


    Another thing Cara was responsible for.


    ¡°Am I interrupting something?¡± The question was brittle and harsh and I hated that she spoke to Cara that way.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said and both pairs of eyes shot to me. Cara¡¯s own look like they¡¯d pop out any time soon and a dangerous thought flitted through my mind. What if I confessed to our less than tonic rtionship? What if I threatened Amanda to leave my father? What if I made Cara unquestionably mine?


    Dangerous, dangerous thoughts.


    ¡°No you¡¯re not, mother.¡± Cara said in a slightly shrill voice, glowering at me.


    I ignored her, my eyes zeroing in on Amanda. ¡°I was updating Cara on the wedding.¡± I said, throwing Cara a knowing look.


    Amanda¡¯s frown loosened and she turned to Cara, ¡°really?¡±


    ¡°I just said it didn¡¯t I?¡± I snapped and the woman visibly flinched. I earned another glower from Cara.


    ¡°Yes, mother. That was¡­ what we were discussing.¡±


    She was a terrible liar but I tried not to botch up her efforts by smirking. My lie was going to be less believable if I did.


    Amanda didn¡¯t look fully convinced but she was smart enough not to push it. She cleared her throat. ¡°Well I was looking for you to ask if you- er¡­ ran into Cadain.¡±


    Just like that, I instantly knew she was the one who sent Cara to the library and from the tight look on Cara¡¯s face, it had been a set up.


    My stepmother was slowly making me lose any fucks I might have felt obliged to give as her stepson.


    Cara¡¯s voice was clipped. ¡°I did, thanks to you.¡±


    Amanda appeared ufortable with the sarcastic undertone but I knew it was only for my benefit. She wouldn¡¯t have given a f*ck about how Cara felt if I wasn¡¯t here.


    She slowly faced me, her gaze avoiding mine when she spoke. ¡°I have a couple of things to discuss with my daughter so if you¡¯d excuse us¡­¡± She folded her shaky hands in front of her silk skirt suit. ¡°I¡¯d like to borrow her for a second.¡±


    I didn¡¯t miss the sh of rm in Cara¡¯s eyes. Like hell I was going to leave Cara with her. I knew the moment I disappeared, she was going to grill her about what we had been saying or doing before she arrived. She was also going to press her about f*ckass Cadain.


    Cara was sure to slip up under the pressure of her questions.


    ¡°You can say whatever you want to say to herter. Right now, she¡¯s all mine.¡± I didn¡¯t care for the surprise or shock the double meaning of my words brought to both of them.


    ¡°But I-¡± whatever protest that was going to leave her mouth died a sudden death at the warning on my face.


    ¡°Leave.¡± I growled out themand and she left just as abruptly as she hade in.


    Cara let out a visible sigh, falling against a wooden shelf. The immense relief in her expression made me wonder just how bad her rtionship with her mother was.


    ¡°You scared her.¡± She finally said after a while.


    Annoyance coursed through me. I was pissed that she still cared even when it was obvious her mother didn¡¯t return the feeling.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t find it in me to care.¡± I snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised that you don¡¯t.¡± She retorted, peering up at me. ¡°You even said the same thing when I mentioned that the Irish would be pissed off by your decision.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± I drawled. ¡°Then you should be more careful of how you speak about Cadain in my presence because I won¡¯t give a fuck about what I¡¯ll end up doing to him either.¡±


    She stiffened where she stood, shock, fear and anger permeating her features.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    My smile was sinister. ¡°Oh I would.¡±


    ¡°Cadain doesn¡¯t deserve to be a victim of your vileness.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know you thought of me as vile.¡±


    Her words cut me deeper than I expected. I loathed how she defended him. I hated that she thought of me that way, not that she was wrong but I didn¡¯t want her to ever view me that way. I didn¡¯t know why but I cared about what she thought of me, a lot. And I didn¡¯t want to be the ruthless don of the Costra Nostra to her.


    Add that to the list of reasons why I was fucked.


    ¡°Oh you¡¯d be shocked at what else I think you are. Cruel, pushy, infuriating and rude to name a few.¡±


    I drew back to look her in the face and she trembled softly at whatever twisted emotion she found in my eyes.


    My smile was humorless. ¡°You think I¡¯m an assh0le.¡±


    Her answering smile was deceptively sweet. ¡°Yes, a huge fucking one at that.¡±


    ¡°And it makes you hate me.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t believe how much.¡±


    ¡°But you love my huge dick.¡±


    ¡°I- what?¡± She eximed, frowning at me in confusion. Then the realization hit her and she finally picked up on where I was going.


    Her entire face grew red in mortification. ¡°You read it!¡±


    She¡¯d be surprised by how many times I did too. And by how much it pleased me each time. Never thought a day woulde when my ego would be bursting at a drunk text calling me an asshole with a huge c0ck.


    ¡°Why?¡± She cried.


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°because you sent it?¡±


    Her eyes dropped to the floor. ¡°Well I didn¡¯t expect you to actually read it.¡±


    She looked so damned adorable as she pouted the words, her cheeks redder than a beetroot.


    ¡°I always read my messages.¡±


    A frustrated groan left her. ¡°Just stop, okay.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help the smirk on my face. I wanted nothing more than to taunt her further but I knew her well enough to know she was going to run away and when she did, she¡¯d spend a considerable effort avoiding me like a gue.


    She acted rashly when cornered and I didn¡¯t want to walk into Rico¡¯s the next time I visit to find out she resigned once more or hear she moved to fucking ska.


    Cara was crazy like that.


    So I indulged her by actually following through with her request and I dropped the matter.


    I moved to close the gap between us, watching as her restless movement slowly stilled with each step I drew closer.


    Tilting up her chin, I said. ¡°I¡¯d like nothing else but fuck you with my huge dick right now but I have important matters to attend to, so I¡¯d let you go just this once.¡±


    I sucked softly on her bottom lip then pulled away. It took all of my self control to actually do it. I badly wanted to deepen the kiss but I knew it wouldn¡¯t stop if I started.


    She stared at me in silence and I was d that she did. If she started running off her enticing mouth, the both of us won¡¯t be leaving any time soon.


    I turned around and left, willing myself not to look back to see the aroused look I knew I¡¯d find. My self control could only withstand so much. I was only a man at the end of the day.

 Chapter 34: Spoils of war

    Cara¡¯s pov


    It took me a good minute to pull myself together and gather my wits Luca had so effortlessly disorganized.


    I licked my dry lips and tried to bnce my shaky legs that lost their strength almost since the moment my stepbrother had interrupted my conversation with Cadain. I was proud of myself, really, for holding off all through the rollercoaster of events that had spurred by in the short span of thest thirty minutes.


    Luca and Cadain had almost got in a fight, Luca and I had almost made out in a space where anybody could have walked in with my mother being the one to almost catch us.


    It was a lot, really.


    Plus, he did, in fact, read the horrifying texts. Just another thing I gave him to be cocky about.


    I was maundering my way back to the patio when anky soldier appeared in my way. I dragged my lowered gaze to his face, my eyebrows pulling together.


    ¡°The don said to take you home.¡± His surprisingly thick voice said.


    I squinted at him, trying to ce where I remembered him from. I looked from his face and eyed his form and it was then I noticed my purse in his hand.


    My face pinched into a frown.


    I wanted to refuse, maybe because he had insolently taken my property and was cocky enough to think I¡¯d let him follow me anywhere just because Luca said so. I could make things difficult for him by walking back to the patio and ignoring him. However, the patio was also somewhere my mother was and I wasn¡¯t foolish enough to go back there.


    I grudgingly took my purse from him, feeling a reluctant gratitude for his impressive insight of bringing it to me. I had been nervous about retrieving it myself and facing my mother again, this time without the reassuring presence of Luca to protect me from her badgering.


    My irrational side was still miffed by his presumption though, and my ¡°thank you¡± came out rather forced. He could have asked me to leave with him instead of just telling me.


    He ignored my tone and moved past me without saying a single word.


    ¡°You¡¯d be taking me to work.¡± I corrected in a voice loud enough for him to hear, my irritation building as I wondered if Luca hired or inducted his men based on their simrities to his annoying personality. He was sick and narcissistic like that.


    I straggled behindnky all the way to the waiting car, my heavy tforms trying to keep up with his long strides.


    The journey back was silent, not that I expectednky to suddenly turn chatty. I wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk to his stranger ass either.


    ¡°Ah!¡± I eximed as I finally remembered where I knew him from.


    I caught his gaze in the rearview mirror. ¡°You¡¯re one of my stalkers.¡±


    His expression nched at my choice of description but I was too pleased with myself for recalling his face to care. My memory was simr to that of a goldfish sometimes, so excuse me for feeling proud.


    The familiar building of Rico¡¯s drew up and the car hurtled to a stop. I got out, waved atnky like we had been friends all our lives and jogged the very short distance from the car to the door.


    The bar was bustling and full, the air stuffy with the body heat of the unusually tripled number of denizens.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Where the hell is my beer?¡±


    ¡°I need another mug!¡±


    ¡°Hey waitress over here!¡±


    I found Diana at her usual spot behind the counter, fetching drinks from the bar stash for the waiting waitresses, her movements quick and mechanical. She has always been able to function well under pressure.


    I set to begin my shift immediately and soon I was moving amongst the different levels of intoxicated customers, taking and serving orders.


    ¡°They just keep pouring in,¡± Diana groaned as I returned from serving my tenth order.


    ¡°Tell me about it. I wonder why the bar is super popr these days.¡± I muttered. I expected the ce to lose traction with my terrifying mafia stepbrother now looming over the ce like a bad weather but I was wrong. Our customer base had multiplied significantly and no matter how hard I tried toe up with the reason why, I couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Must be because of the new business.¡± Diana interrupted my thoughts. She reached under the counter and took out an empty crate, before filling it with equally empty beer bottles cluttering up the counter.


    My brows knitted, ¡°what business?¡±


    Diana paused her task and regarded me with a nk expression. ¡°Cara, do you even work here?¡±


    I shrugged. I did but it doesn¡¯t mean I have to be fully immersed in the affairs of the ce. I was just an employee and my interest in the ce was enough for my wage¡¯s worth. There was no going extra mile with me. I¡¯ve learned that all of that bullshit pays no one but the ones on the receiving end.


    I was good at my job and that¡¯s all that matters.


    Diana sighed and shook her head. ¡°Your stepbrother began a gambling business a week ago. Two of the whore rooms was renovated into a space for it.¡± She wiped at a spill on the counter surface. ¡°Most of the men are only here because of it.¡±


    I took the information with a hint of incredulity. Luca had brought one of his dirty businesses to Rico¡¯s. It wasn¡¯t supposed to shock me but it did. It never crossed my mind that he¡¯d turn the ce into other illegal establishment of his.


    My eyes scanned through the menughing and drinking. ¡°Why aren¡¯t they down there? If that¡¯s why they¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°No booze there.¡± Diana replied, amusement ying on her lips.


    A scoff left me. Shrewd, shrewd Luca. Of course he would find a way to make sure the bar was affected by the new business. He was going to exploit them equally. Most of them couldn¡¯t resist a bottle of beer anymore then they can resist gambling their lives away. I couldn¡¯t help but feel admiration towards him. It was clear why he was stupendously rich.


    ¡°Luca sure knows what he¡¯s doing,¡± Diana said, twisting the bracelet on her wrist. ¡°No offense to Rico but that man barely kept the ce together.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°True.¡± I strangely felt proud of hermendation, even if it had nothing to do with me. Luca being the capable man he was wasn¡¯t my business in a way and I had no right getting filled with pride over his capability.


    But I did and it was embarrassingly delusional and conceited.


    ¡°Your stepbrother has done more in such a short time than old Rico had in his proimed years of running the ce.¡± She leaned closer, her posture simr to a stretching cat. ¡°I find it hot so I don¡¯t me Julietta and the others.¡±


    My spine stiffened. ¡°What happened to Julietta and the others.¡±


    Diana rolled her eyes. ¡°Right, I forgot it was you I was speaking with.¡± She pinned me look. ¡°If you were a little less oblivious, you¡¯d have picked on the girls trying their luck on your stepbrother.¡±


    A tightness suddenly wound around my chest. Rage and jealousy rearing its ugly head as a possessive feeling burned in my stomach.


    This cannot be good.


    I was going to ask who and who exactly but Diana suddenly straightened up and resumed filling her crate. ¡°Welp,¡± she whispered. ¡°Speak of the devil.¡±


    I felt him before I saw him, my back alight with a heat I knew emanated from his strong gaze.


    My body spiked alive with swarming butterflies and the awareness of everything else dulled until it was all I could feel and perceive only him.


    He made his way to where I sat and I knew this because the heat in my belly rose with each step he took. Diana nked bottles in front of me, her deftness and expertise suddenly failing her, all because of thetest presence in the bar.


    A presence that drew the focus of everyone else like the point of gravity. A presence that unsettled, disconcerted and excited women with the ease of a gliding eagle.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be working?¡± His low pitched voice said beside me and I tried to stifle the trembling of my rib cages.


    I slowly faced him, preparing myself for the hitting force of his gorgeousness. I was not prepared enough.


    I flipped my hair. ¡°Only if there¡¯s something to do.¡± His handsome face looked exhausted but there was a fiery light to his grey eyes. I wondered why he was here, he had mentioned having a ¡°very important business¡± to attend to back at the mansion.


    My eyes trailed to the stiff set of his shoulders and I wanted to be the one to massage them into rxation.


    His eyes darkened as if he read my thoughts. ¡°My office. Now.¡± He ordered before sauntering away, taking all the tension with him.


    I slid off the bar stool, not missing the foreboding look Diana gave me. She probably thought I was about to get scolded for something I had done wrong. I shed her a weak smile before making my way to the boss¡¯ office, my heartbeat pitter-pattering in my chest.


    If only it was that.

 Chapter 35: Only a man

    Luca¡¯s pov


    I was indeed only a man.


    The meeting with Fernando Cruz had taken a huge chunk of my time, discussing our next course of action, negotiating new arrangements and meeting new suppliers had gone on far much longer than I expected. Plus I had also spent a considerable effort making the cartel¡¯s capo simmer down and think strategically. It was as if the man believed getting his revenge was as simple as hopping on the next flight to Russia and shooting Alexei Mikhalov in the head.


    Cara slipped into the mediumly spacious office, her movements tentative and cautious. She stood at the door as if ready to bolt if there was a need for it. It brought a smile to my face.


    I should have been exhausted after all of my activities with Fernando but the moment I had walked into Rico¡¯s and sighted her sitting at the bar, all contemtions of going home to rest disappeared from my mind. Just the sight of her made my pulse race faster, the fatigue from the long day fading into nothingness.


    I was only a man after all.


    I took in her flushed skin, her flutteringshes, her golden, beautiful hair no longer in the high ponytail she wore it in at the mansion, the locks falling magnificently to her back. She was still in that green dress that did things to me. I was fast discovering that Cara and green were a dangerousbo.


    ¡°Shut the door.¡±


    She hesitated for a bit but did as I ordered, her teeth sawing deliciously on her bottom lip.


    I ached to do it instead.


    ¡°Come here.¡± I said, need seeping into my voice.


    I sealed our lips in a kiss the moment she moved into my arms, slipping my tongue into her hot mouth with a desperation I couldn¡¯t help. She was fast bing an obsession. She was my fix and I needed to have my fill of her.


    ¡°You¡¯ve be all I think about.¡± I said into the kiss, my voice hoarse. ¡°I can¡¯t focus on anything else.¡±


    She sucked in air and leaned into my chest, her fiery touch sying on my abs. ¡°I want to touch you.¡±


    I groaned my approval, also wanting her to touch me everywhere, to mark every inch of my body with her so that it would know her and her alone.


    She worked at my shirt, her eyes glinting with excitement as she undid the buttons. Heat plunged into my crotch at the fire in them. It thrilled me to know that she wanted me almost as much as I wanted her.


    My shirt was tossed aside and she was doing that  sensuous bite on her bottom bip as she scanned my naked torso, her heated gaze making me more aroused than I¡¯ve ever been. Her look was tangible on my skin, torching it alive with awareness.


    Her hands roved my chest, their touch bolder as she brushed over my nipples, eliciting a hiss out of me. She dropped to ce teasing kisses on my defined abs, trailing up to my chest again and nipping on a nipple.


    ¡°Cara,¡± I grunted, my voice taking a warning edge.


    She was now licking my neck and I let out a harsh breath when her hand found my arousal.


    ¡°You¡¯re so hard.¡± She cooed.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tease me, woman. You¡¯d regret it.¡±


    She kissed my jaw, biting softly on it before drawing away, the look on her face made my heart gallop at an erratic pace.


    ¡°I want to regret it.¡± She whispered.


    And just like that, something snapped inside me.


    I lifted and positioned her on the edge of the desk, spreading her beautiful thigh apart, the treasure between nowid exposed. I syed my palm on thecy material of her thong. I loved that she wore sexy underwear, so much that I spent a good number of hours imagining what type and colourid beneath her clothes.


    Hooking two fingers under the material, I ripped the thong down her legs, the sight of her already soaked pussy making my c0ck bulge with desire.


    My eyes coasted up her sex to her nipples straining against her dress, to her hooded gaze framed by her goddess locks.


    I couldn¡¯t believe she was real.


    She was mine. Not Cadain¡¯s. Not anyone else¡¯s. MINE.


    ¡°You¡¯re so perfect.¡± I growled. ¡°So beautiful that I don¡¯t know what to do to you.¡±


    She moaned when my fingers found her heat. I was so desperate with the need to make here undone, with the need to bury myself inside her that there was nothing gentle about how my fingers f*cked her.


    She weed my merciless thrust, restless under my ministrations and soon she was shattering around my hand. I didn¡¯t give her any time to recover as I freed my c0ck and rammed into her the next second.


    I groaned out her name as her walls closed around me ruthlessly and the feeling was so intense I felt I would explode from it.


    ¡°F u c k bambina,¡± I rasped, my ent more present that ever. It usually was when I felt strong emotions and whatever I was feeling now was one that threatened to break me.


    My forehead rested against hers as I began to move, my thrusts growing feverish and harder as pressure heightened inside me.


    Cara¡¯s moans of pleasure were better than any sound therapy. I thrusted deeper in her and the moans grew louder.


    ¡°Shhh. You don¡¯t want everyone to know how good you¡¯re getting fucked do you?¡± I growled, my hips mming into hers.


    Her only reply was a whimper, one I felt down to my very soul. I used to think I didn¡¯t possess one until she came along.


    The tempo was rising and we were drawing closer to the edge of the cliff that was devastating pleasure. Cara wrapped her hands around my neck and pulled me close to her, so close I could feel every sharp intake of her breath against my lips.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting there.¡± She said breathlessly.


    My reply was hoarse. ¡°Then get there.¡± I hiked her hips higher and f*cked her with a wild intensity.


    She came with a force, biting down on my shoulder to keep from filing the ce with her screams of pleasure. I followed her all the way, not desisting from my thrusts as we rode out our release.


    We were both breathing hard as satiety washed over us like cold water.


    ¡°That was incredible.¡± Cara gasped out.


    My palm cradled her face. ¡°You¡¯re incredible.¡± I said with more seriousness than I intended. It was bing really hard to mask the overflowing feelings she stirred up in me.


    She scanned my face, a myriad of emotions shing through hers then her eyes turned joking and she said, ¡°why Salvatore you almost sound obsessed with me?¡±


    My answer was an unflinching stare.


    Her eyes flickered and I knew she was unsettled by whatever she found in my gaze. But I wasn¡¯t going to mask things up for her benefit. She needed to know how much she messed me up.


    Cara tried to step out of my embrace but I locked her in ce.


    ¡°That was great,¡± she cleared her throat, ¡°but I need to get back to work,¡± she said in a small voice.


    I was instantly annoyed. What the f*ck did she think this was? A booty call? ¡°Well I¡¯m not done with you?¡± I growled.


    Whatever protest she was going to make was interrupted by the vibrating noise of my phone on the desk.


    I ignored it.


    ¡°You should get that.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re still talking.¡±


    Buzzzzzz.


    Her face was now pinched with irritation. ¡°It could be important. I¡¯d wait.¡±


    I studied her warily then I reached down to pick up the phone. A look at the caller ID had me dropping the device back on the desk.


    Cara¡¯s expression held questions.


    ¡°Not important,¡± was my only exnation.


    The phone buzzed and buzzed again before going still for a moment then lighting up again with a notification.


    I leaned down to nuzzle Cara¡¯s neck. ¡°We need to talk, bambina.¡± I drawled. ¡°There¡¯s something going on and I know you feel it too.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t prepared for the sharp shove she gave me. I pulled back, my brows knitting at her angry expression.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s too bad that now¡¯s not a good time.¡± She said in a clipped voice. ¡°Diana and the rest of the girls must have picked on how long I¡¯ve been away. I should get back before suspicions rise.¡±


    Taken aback by her sudden hostility, I did nothing as she stormed out of the office, the only thing running through my mind was what I had done to warrant the harsh treatment.


    What the f*ck just happened?


    My phone buzzed again and I answered the call with aggression.


    ¡°What the fuck do you want?¡±


    Valentina hesitated before speaking. ¡°It hurts me to hear you speak so rudely.¡±


    I pinched the bridge of my nose. ¡°I¡¯m going to hang up now and don¡¯t you fucking bother me again.¡±


    Her next words were rushed. ¡°I miss you.¡±


    ¡°And I don¡¯t.¡± I hung up, knowing that was an asshole thing to say but I couldn¡¯t care less. She was practically responsible for Cara¡¯s inexplicable switch up. Everything went wrong from the moment she began bothering my phone.


    I stared at the door Cara had left ajar and no matter how I tried toe up with an excuse for her behavior, I just couldn¡¯t find a usible reason why.


    She¡¯d have to exin the reason herself.

 Chapter 36: Side piece

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Red mist seeped into my skin and burned beneath as I stomped through my way back to the bar.


    I miss you.


    The three word text from none other than Luca¡¯s alleged fiancee yed over and over in my head like an emergency announcement.


    He had been fucking me for the past two and a half months, made me feel special with his bedroom expertise and heart fluttering dirty talk but what? He and Valentina were still a thing?


    The audacity, the absolute, mind boggling audacity of men should be studied, researched and experimented.


    I halted to swallow the bubbling rage ring up my throat, my chest knotting up with the suppressed feeling. I wanted to punch him in the face, kick him while at it. I felt used and I yearned for retribution.


    I loathed the warring emotions swarming in me. I was furious at being yed, unsettled by how affected I was and furious again with the fact.


    A sickugh tore out of me. I felt threatened. I couldn¡¯t believe it. Luca Salvatore and I weren¡¯t a thing. He was nothing to me, I didn¡¯t care who he screwed or married as long as I wasn¡¯t getting webbed into the mess.


    Liar.


    Something arsenic formed in my mouth as I tasted the first lick of green bitterness. I kicked at the wall, hissing at the sharp pain jolting through my toes.


    The throbbing achepeted with the one in my chest. The thought of Luca two-timing, with me as the other woman obviously, made the bitterness trickle into my bloodstreams.


    No wonder he was so reluctant to answer the fucking phone, no one would love hearing their partner¡¯s voice while they fucked their side piece.


    Rage boiled inside me. I hated that I was reduced to such a disrespectful position but what I hated more was that I didn¡¯t hate it as much as I hated the thought of him with her.


    There was this feeling in my chest, heavy, and erratic. It felt too close to panic.


    Never one to exercise self preservation, I let myself envision the both of them together, getting married, being married and I nearly threw up with jealousy.


    Does he call her Bambina too? Or does he reserve a term far more endearing for her?


    My masochism doesn¡¯t stop there and I began to picture them in bed together, my heartpressing with every mental image.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    As much as I wanted to me it all on Luca, I had a lot to be at fault with. I had known from the beginning that he was out of reach, that he and Valentina shared a history dating way back before I came into the picture. Yet, I still dived head first into whatever it was that we had.


    And what was that even? An affair? A lover¡¯s tryst? A fling?


    Was I Luca Salvatore¡¯s sneaky link?


    I barked out augh.


    Valentina must be thrilled to be the chosen one. At least she would understand the sexy Italian he reverted to during sex.


    A few tough looking men I instantly pinned as Luca¡¯s soldiers poured out from the bend at my right. I quickly masked my angry countenance, turning away from them as they moved past me, obviously heading for their boss¡¯ office.


    I heaved a sigh, I¡¯d have to suspend my anger tirade and musings forter. I still had to decide on my next course of action, which actually didn¡¯t need a second of contemtion because a woman with enough self respect would have quit the moment she read the text.


    I, on the other hand, was a woman with an addiction, a dangerous, self sabotaging addiction that was Luca Salvatore. It took a lot more than an instant decision. I was currently like a junkie trying to get clean and if you ask me, I didn¡¯t even know when and how I began to get hooked.


    Diana pounced on me the second I returned to the bar, her eyes alight with curiosity. The customers had reduced to a handful of men and the other waitresses on duty had probably clocked out or had disappeared to their side job. I was relieved that I didn¡¯t have to exin anything to the bunch of them.


    I threw Diana a nce, hoping the guilt I felt didn¡¯t reflex on my face.


    Unfortunately, I hadn¡¯te up with an excuse for my summoning. I had been too upied with being mad and sorry for myself to think about one.


    ¡°So, what happened? What did you do? Are you being fired?¡±


    I settled into a bar stool, wincing at the pain in my boot as I racked my brain for answers to all three questions. ¡°I- uh¡­ we just talked about my absence at a family gathering. Yes, that¡¯s it.¡± I tucked a lock of my hair behind my hair, hoping that it looked just as decent as it was before my romp with Luca.


    ¡°Oh, just family matters then.¡± Diana said.


    I cleared my throat. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m not getting fired or anything.¡±


    Her relief was visible. ¡°Thank God, I know I shouldn¡¯t have even entertained the thought but Luca just strikes me as someone who wouldn¡¯t hesitate to fire his own mother if she fucked up.¡±


    I nodded solemnly in agreement, suddenly curious about the woman that birthed him.


    She must have been a sweet soul considering how Gina turned out but her shoring was obviously her only son. The man didn¡¯t even have the basic decency toe after me and exin himself. The fucking jerk.


    I realized with a bitter feeling that he never exined anything. Not about his actions, not about himself. I didn¡¯t know him at all and it pricked at the back of my neck like a needle.


    Valentina probably knew more than I ever will.


    ¡°So what do you say?¡± Diana asked and I realized I had zoned out on her.


    ¡°Um¡­?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I was asking if you were interested in celebrating my birthday with me.¡±


    ¡°When is it?¡± I asked, my mood picking up. A party was just what I needed. If I was lucky, I¡¯d get to meet hot guys that would get my mind off a particr hot guy.


    ¡°Calm your horses baby,¡± Diana said, chuckling at my sudden burst of enthusiasm. ¡°It¡¯s in a week from now.¡±


    My mood fell back down.


    It plummeted to the very low when Luca reappeared, his men following behind him. His intense eyes instantly found me and I despised myself for the little stumble my heart did. His gaze grabbed onto it and held on and I had to remind myself that he was a cheating bastard.


    Or something like that.


    He paused, something conflicted ring in his eyes. I held my breath in waiting. Silently beckoning on him toe to me, pull us somewhere private and assure me that Valentina¡¯s text meant nothing. That she meant nothing, that it wasn¡¯t just sex between us. I wanted- needed him to finally put abel on our rtionship.


    But he turned away and continued past the bar, past me. I watched him exit the ce with his men, I watched him enter his fancy car and drive off. Probably off for somew-breaking business.


    My heart dipped and squeezed in disappointment.


    He didn¡¯t even look back once.

 Chapter 37: Rat race

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Things were getting out of hand. Alexei Mikhalov was getting out of hand. The bastard had struck again and this time with a more dirty blow.


    I sat eerily still in my car, my arm propped on the door panel as I stared out the window, my eyes narrowed at the foreboding building of the ILSAAP office. I waited in rising fury, my mind a mess of my own thoughts.


    I¡¯d admit I had underestimated the young pakhan, I basically indulged his past attacks. I had beenx about my retaliations and it had fed his audacity, given him an illusion of invincibility where the matters of the Costra Nostra were concerned.


    Dominic strode out of the great building, ascending the wide concrete stairs with a repose that didn¡¯t match the storm brewing in his gaze. He was nked by the two capos that had been apprehended by Jenkins, a pesky, relentless prosecutor that was a lodged pin in my side.


    The bastard had been on my case for as long as I can remember, working harder than the devil himself to take me down. His bothersome nature was always kept in check, courtesy of the DA being on my payroll, and he had never so much as brought any of us for questioning.


    Until now.


    And Mikhalov was behind it.


    I didn¡¯t know what he had on the DA that had him switching sides, Grigori was already digging into that, but whatever it was, it wouldn¡¯t be half of the list of things I had on the dirty government official.


    Dominic got into the car, his sleeves rolled up, his tie askew and his usually sleeked back hair was mussed. And I could just tell how worked up he was, the man¡¯s hair was never anything less than perfect. Jenkins must have tested him all the way to hell.


    ¡°I will kill that fucking asswipe.¡± He growled, darkness clouding his features.


    I tugged on my cuff, sharing his sentiment even though the lowly prosecutor was the least of my problems. Alexei Mikhalov was the scourge that needed to be extinguished. With immediate effect.


    ¡°What happened in there?¡± I asked, my voice carrying something caustic.


    Dominic worked at straightening his crooked tie. ¡°The bastard was asking about Fernando¡¯s new manufacturers and our recent drug transaction with the Yakuza.¡± He quit in frustration. ¡°How the fuck did he know about any of that?¡±


    But Dominic knew how and the look we shared cemented our suspicions.


    ¡°We have a rat.¡± He deadpanned.


    The tness of my voice rivaled the lethality coursing through me. ¡°A soon to be dead rat.¡±


    I nced back at the ILSAAP building. ¡°Grigori will contact you in twenty minutes. Forward whatever he rys to me.¡± I said, my eyes staring daggers at the sanctimonious structure.


    A twisted smile tugged at the corners of my lips. ¡°After that, send our smidoto District Attorney a reminder package, make it known that our generosity can only extend so far.¡±


    Dominic nodded inpliance before getting out of the car.


    As the vehicle began to move, my mind settled on Alexei Mikhalov. My smile grew darker, he yed dirty, just my kind of game and he was about to find out how well I can reciprocate.


    I pulled out my phone. ¡°Dominic, send word to Serbian customs administration, tell them a little Russian birdie has intel on the Serbian mafia.¡± I propped the heel of one leg over the knee of the other. ¡°Let¡¯s give Mikhalov a little allyship misunderstanding to be busy with.¡±


    I could hear Dominic¡¯s smile. ¡°So what¡¯s the real catch?¡± He knew me too well.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to give Mikhalov a prosecution summon of our own.¡± I paused, my smile fading into a grimness. ¡°Leak the intel we have on the Bratva¡¯s moneyundering to the press. Our dear pakhan would have to sheath his ws for a while.¡±


    The goal was to create a crack between the Bratva and the Serbian mafia then watch it all unfold and shatter into fragments because if there¡¯s one thing a breach in trust did, it¡¯s that it never fully reverts to its former state.


    It was an irreparable damage and it always, always went to the dogs. Completely crumbled. Alexei Mikhalov and the Serbian boss would burn it all, all on their own. I had already done my part by fanning the coals.


    ¡°What about the rat?¡± Dominic asked.


    The rat. I just itched to find out who they are. The one with the audacity to sell us out to the Bratva. I was going to bring hell to them when I caught them. I won¡¯t care if they were forced or pressured into snitching. I would make them cry for death.


    I wouldn¡¯t be dealing with all of this mess if it wasn¡¯t for the pettegolo. I would have been with Cara instead, making her exin just what the fuck her problem was.


    My reply was a deathly drawl. ¡°We will find him, and we will make sure the snitch never speaks again.¡±


    I hung up and flipped the device in my hand, waiting in anticipation. It¡¯s been over twenty minutes, Grigori has long contacted Dominic so my gift should have gotten to the DA¡¯s office by now.


    My response should be due in three, two¡­


    One¡­


    BUZZZZZZZ.


    A dark smile pulled at my lips and I swiped on answer. ¡°Chandler.¡±


    ¡°Don Salvatore, what is this?¡±


    I picked at a lint on my jacket. ¡°A little reminder for you. I thought my men made that expressly clear.¡±


    His voice became breathy. ¡°But- but¡­ we are friends. Friends don¡¯t ckmail each other.¡±


    My smile morphed into something dangerous. ¡°We were friends, until you cked off on our agreement and allowed your subordinates to bother my very busy underbosses with their bullshit.¡±


    He sounded agitated when he spoke. ¡°I can fix that. I promise, I¡¯ll- I¡¯ll rectify the mistake.¡±


    I stayed silent for a minute, enjoying the growing heaves of the bastard¡¯s breath as the silence stretched the tension.


    ¡°Chandler.¡±


    He swallowed. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Do you like seeing your name on the DA¡¯s name te?¡±


    ¡°Yes Salvatore-¡±


    ¡°Then you should know what would happen if the whole of America finds out about what sick shit you do in your little pastime?¡±


    I heard a little scrambling and something shatter. ¡°Luca Salvatore!¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You have one second to correct yourself.¡±


    He instantly mellowed. ¡°Don Salvatore¡­¡± he released a nervous chuckle, ¡°it will note to that.¡±


    Myugh was mocking. ¡°That is up to you amico. Handle Jenkins and I might consider you as one again.¡±


    ¡°I promise you, I¡¯ll-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your fucking promise, I need delivery and that¡¯s what you¡¯re going to give me.¡±


    I could hear his head bobbing in acquiescence.


    ¡°Words, Chandler.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good. And one more thing, consort with the Russians one more time and you will watch your life take a nosedive.¡±


    I didn¡¯t wait for his sycophantic response before hanging up and dropping the phone into my jacket.


    I was getting really sick of dealing with spineless bitches. All I¡¯ve been doing recently was handling stronzos and fuckers, with no break in between.


    I was up to my neck so the next person who tries me might be the most unfortunate of all of them. The one that gets to be the scapegoat, and the Polish boss might just be him. I was going to let Dominic handle him but his recent bragging paradesand on my turf for that matterhad be something personal to me.


    Nobody born of a woman was going to disrespect me in my territory, even out of it, and get away with it. I was going to make a scarecrow out of the bastard.


    It took a good thirty minutes to return to Rico¡¯s, courtesy of the city¡¯s hellish traffic. Cara had already clocked out before I arrived and I tried not to dwell on the heavy drop of my heart at the information.


    I wanted to see her, she was the perfect medium to shake off all of the stress, anger and frustration I felt. I returned to my car and instructed the driver to drive me to her apartment, my pulse racing at the thought of seeing her again.


    However, I realized the day¡¯s series of bullshit wasn¡¯t over when a soldier informed me of a minor disturbance going on in my club.


    ¡°Fix it,¡± I snapped, settling into the back seat.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The soldier looked agitated.


    ¡°What the fuck is the problem now Donny?¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t a lot they can do over there. The guest¡­¡±


    My patience was wearing thin. ¡°What happened to the guest?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s Principessa Cortini. And we can¡¯t get her to leave.¡±


    My sigh rivaled a deep puff of a blunt. I mmed the car door and told my driver to go to the club. I was going to shake Valentina for every minute she denied me of Cara¡¯s presence.

 Chapter 38: Cat fight

    Luca¡¯s pov


    When I walked into the VIP room, it was a mad sight. Bottles of vodka and whiskey were littered about, all empty. The frosted ss table was smeared with the illegal powder and a couple of women were tangled up on the floor in the middle of a cat fight.


    ¡°He¡¯s mine, he¡¯s mine, he¡¯s mine!¡± Valentina was saying over and over like a possessed person as she tugged hard on another girl¡¯s hair.


    A muscle ticked in my temple. I picked one of the bottles and threw it against the wall.


    CRASH!


    Their actions stilled immediately and all five pairs of intoxicated eyes flew to where I stood.


    ¡°You have two minutes to pull yourself together and stop making a scene.¡± I growled, my voice tinged with warning.


    They instantly got off each other, their movements slowed and unsteady because of their current state. I winced, it was pathetic.


    Aside from Valentina, I recognized two to be daughters of prominent dons in the Cosa Nostra. The rest, I couldn¡¯t ce a link to.


    Valentina gave me a bright grin as she tried to restore bnce to her feet. ¡°Luca!¡± She beamed. ¡°You came for me!¡±


    The other girls eyed her as she said or slurred, ¡°I told you he woulde for me.¡±


    Well, I certainly did not. I came because my business was at the risk of getting vandalized.


    ¡°The four of you, out.¡± I ordered and they attempted to gather their addled minds as they searched for whatever property they owned.


    I turned to the soldier closest to me. ¡°See that they¡¯re delivered home safely.¡±


    When they left, I turned my whole anger on Valentina. ¡°What the fuck is your problem?¡±


    Her eyes dimmed. ¡°You weren¡¯t picking my calls.¡± She shrugged. ¡°I was sad.¡±


    I inhaled a deep breath. Patience, Luca. She¡¯s a woman. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t you be sad somewhere else?¡±


    Something gloomy crossed her features. ¡°You¡¯re mean to me, I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°And I don¡¯t give a fuck Valentina. Go home.¡±


    She dropped down on a couch, also smeared with the substance. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me toss you out.¡±


    A sigh left her and she looked up at me with those puppy eyes I despised so much. The only woman I¡¯d wee such a look from only gazed at me like she wanted to strangle me, well except for the times we fucked.


    Nheless, Cara never had spared such an expression for me while I got it from virtually almost every woman I came across.


    It was a sick, sick joke by God.


    I marched to Valentina and yanked her to her feet, ignoring her cries of protest as I pulled her all the way out of the dim lit room.


    She red at me, nursing the spot I had grabbed her. ¡°Tu, fottuti bruto!¡±


    ¡°Bada ae parli.¡±


    She immediatelyported herself, zipping her mouth. She lifted her head, trying to appear like the mafia princess she was but it was pointless, my soldiers had witnessed her tussling on the floor, high on coke.


    She fixed me a firm stare. ¡°I¡¯ll leave if you agree to take me home.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in no position to be making bargains or demands, principessa.¡±


    I spotted a crack in her bravado but she pressed on. ¡°You should, it¡¯s your fault after all.¡±


    What in the world did that even mean?


    ¡°My men will escort you home, that¡¯s the most generosity I would grant you.¡±


    Her eyes twitched in annoyance. ¡°Luca-¡± she began but I cut her off, headed back inside to grab her purse.


    ¡°You¡¯re no gentleman.¡± She said as I shoved the shiny thing in her arms.


    I walked away, leaving her standing there.


    I never imed to be one.


    Cara¡¯s pov


    No matter how hard I tried to stop, I couldn¡¯t stop picturing them together. It came in shes: Luca hugging Valentina, Luca kissing Valentina, Lucaughing with Valentina as he fed her bruschetta. Luca hugging and kissing a pregnant Valentina.


    ¡°Arghhh!¡±


    I marched out of my room and dropped down on my couch, turning on my old TV. I was immediately assaulted with a smutty scene.


    I changed it faster than light but the next one wasn¡¯t any better. A Spanish couple were fighting and it looked like Valentino, the husband, was cheating on his wife, Cami.


    ¡°You said she was just a coworker!¡± Cami was screaming.


    ¡°Ay! She is!¡± The fucker Valentino had the audacity to say.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    I dropped the remote beside me and got cozy on the couch.


    ¡°So, since when do you kiss your coworkers?!¡± Cami threw a flower vase at him. Unfortunately, she missed.


    ¡°Mi amour, calm down.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me to calm down, you cheater!¡±


    Yes girl, tell the cheating snake.


    Valentino moved to her and grabbed her face. ¡°Please carino, forgive me.¡±


    He kissed her nose and pressed his forehead to hers.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I hate that I hurt you.¡±


    A scoff left me and I waited for Cami to push him away.


    She never did.


    I stared in disbelief at the passionate make out scene now happening before my eyes. Clothes were getting strewn across, desire bursting along with tears and empty promises.


    I was disappointed.


    I decided I¡¯ve had enough so I changed the crappy telenov to something else but my TV just seemed to be airing only romance dramas so I turned it off altogether with a groan.


    I got up and made my way to my fridge, hoping to God that I still had some beer left.


    A knock rapped at my door. My eyebrows pulled together as I wondered who would be visiting at this hour. My blood ran cold when I considered it being Mr Edwards. My two months ultimatum was long overdue and I had only been able to off set a measly amount of the payment.


    I stalked to the door, swallowing before I called out. ¡°Who¡¯s it?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Cara.¡±


    Chills spread across my body and spiraled in my chest.


    ¡°Luca? What are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Open the door, bambina.¡±


    I stayed transfixed to the spot, frozen in ce by surprise and the foolish pleasure of hearing his velvety voice.


    You¡¯re supposed to be pissed with him. A reasonable voice piped up and I remembered my anger. It washed over me anew andced into my voice.


    ¡°Go away.¡± I snarled.


    ¡°Cara, if you don¡¯t open this door, I¡¯m going to kick it down.¡±


    I scoffed. He wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Three, two¡­¡± I heard him take a step back. ¡°One.¡±


    Wait, would he?


    I quickly unlocked the door, just in time to find him throwing down his foot. I pulled away to avoid getting crushed by his powerful kick but lost my footing and fell back.


    He caught me before the ground did, his strong arms wrapped protectively around me.


    ¡°You could have just opened the door when I knocked, why do youplicate your life?¡±


    His eyes trailed to the low cut of my silk nightgown and they darkened.


    I blinked at him, unconsciously loosening up in the safe cradle that were his arms, his musky scent reassuring as it took away my initial fear. I couldy in his unwavering embrace all day, knowing I was safe.


    You¡¯re supposed to be angry.


    I snapped out of my trance and wriggled against his hold, making a nasal humph. He sighed deeply and pulled me up, his eyes falling on my wrists.


    They narrowed into slits.


    I quickly hid them behind my back. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°What happened to your wrists?¡±


    ¡°I fell.¡±


    Disbelief took over his stormy expression. ¡°How?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Luca, why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Tell me what happened, Cara mia.¡±


    My heart leaped treacherously at the endearment but I stiffened against it. He probably called Valentina better things after all. Like my precious jewel or some other soapy shit.


    I exhaled an impatient breath. ¡°I told you, I fell.¡± I wasn¡¯t going to let him know I kind of self-harmed myself whenever I was gued by my trauma.


    He regarded me for a moment that had me squirming under his scrutiny then finally gave it up. ¡°Someday, you will tell me but today, I¡¯ll let it slide.¡±


    He pushed past me and walked into my living room.


    ¡°Hey!¡± I protested but was ignored.


    He looked around, hands folded behind him as he took in the crabby sight.


    ¡°Your ce is so you.¡± Hemented and I didn¡¯t know if that was apliment or not. It dawned on me that this was the second time he was in my apartment, the first being the time he had arrogantly followed me up to demand I stop seeing- what was his name? Tony? Yes Tony.


    He had proceeded to fuck me with his fingers and not let me finish then he fucked my ass crack and came all over me.


    He definitely didn¡¯t have the time to appreciate my space. More like he didn¡¯t care.


    I threw him a scathing look, he was still very much an assh0le but gawd he used to be an even bigger assh0le back when we just met.


    His lips drew back in a small smile and I wondered if my thoughts reflected on my face.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I asked in puzzlement when he started taking off his shoes.


    ¡°Preparing for bed.¡± He said and the words weren¡¯t enough warning when he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the bedroom.


    Panic pulsed up my chest. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    He dropped my arm and got busy with unsping his expensive looking watch before cing it on my tiny bedside table. His gaze waszy and amused when it returned to me. ¡°Bed. I¡¯m staying the night.¡±


    My eyes widened in terror. This wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to go. I was going to give him a piece of my mind, call him every bad word there is before ending whatever it is between us and tossing him out.


    My panic addled my ability to speak and the next words that flew out of my mouth didn¡¯t make any sense at all. ¡°Luca Salvatore, are you homeless?¡±


    There was a long pause.


    And then heughed. Like a genuine, heartyugh that warmed my insides and tingled my senses. I have never heard himugh so freely before and I wanted to hear it a million times over again.


    But I blinked away the effect of the sound, storing my arsenal of jokes for another day.


    Wait, there won¡¯t be another day. I frowned.


    ¡°Cara,e to bed.¡± His deep drawl brought me out of my head. I focused back on him and my mouth instantly watered. He was shirtless, when had he taken off his shirt.


    ¡°Put your shirt back on.¡± I said in rm.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°We have to talk, remember? You- you said you wanted to talk¡­ back in your office. Remember?¡±


    Something inexplicable shed across his face but in the next second his expression was back to being rxed. ¡°I did.¡± He strode over to me, ¡°but I don¡¯t feel like it anymore.¡±


    I was picked up and carried to my small bed and the thought of how he¡¯d fit into it crossed my mind. I shook it off.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m angry with you right?¡±


    He put me down with a gentleness that was unlike him. ¡°Yes. For some unknown reason.¡±


    I glowered at him. ¡°You think I¡¯m angry for no reason?¡±


    His sigh was deep and irritated when heid down beside me. ¡°What is the reason, Cara?¡±


    My frown deepened and I focused on thecy frills on the neck of my nightgown. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be with Valentina instead?¡± I grumbled.


    He remained silent and I looked back at him to read what he was thinking. I couldn¡¯t. It was like I was staring at a shuttered window.


    Then a smirk appeared on his face. ¡°So that¡¯s what this is about, jealousy.¡±


    Heat bloomed on my cheeks. ¡°Jealous?¡± A scoff. ¡°Why would I be jealous?¡± I flipped my hair. ¡°I have no reason to.¡±


    I tried to appear unconcerned but it was hard when a million questions ran through my mind. I wanted to know just where he and Valentina started and ended, I wanted to know what I was to him, what we were.


    But asking would make me seem like a pathetic loser even if I was virtually dying to know.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing going on between Valentina and I, Cara.¡± Luca drawled sleepily.


    I waited for him to provide more exnation but he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Now sleep, bambina. It¡¯s been a long day.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Shhhh. Allow me to rest in your arms.¡± His deep voice mumbled.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say to that. And no matter how hard I pressed on the matter it was certain I wouldn¡¯t get any answers tonight.


    I took my time to admire his half sleeping form, he looked so exhausted and it tugged at my heart. It thrilled me that he came to me for rest, made me feel happier than it should.


    I stroked his hair and watched him fall deeper into slumber until sleep pulled me down as well.


    I yawned and snuggled into him, loving the way hisrge body warmed mine.


    And before I drifted off into dreand, I realized I was no better than Cami.

 Chapter 39: The Way It Was

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Luca was nowhere to be found when I woke up. His side of the bed was still warm and I knew it wasn¡¯t long ago he left my apartment.


    My heart dropped in disappointment. I had expected him to still be here when I got up so we could finally even out our long overdue conversation. I might be pushing it, but I had wanted him to stay for breakfast.


    My cheeks heated at the mental image of Luca sitting in my tiny kitchen while he watched me prepare breakfast. We¡¯d eat it before going back to my room for another kind of breakfast.


    I released a groggy breath and pushed out of my bed. My legs staggered to the kitchen and I helped myself to a ss of water. Luca had been in my house, had stayed the entire night, yet I wasn¡¯t able to establish the boundaries I swore I would.


    The realization came with a shitty feeling, a feeling that bothered and pinched at my side like a corset filled with jutting pins. I despised how I lost my bearings with Luca.


    I was usually a very assertive woman when it came to my sexual rtionships, my life might not be the most put together, but I prided myself on the rity and surety that came alongside being sexually liberated. Lord knows it was one of my biggest life wins, taking my past into consideration. I had decided I wasn¡¯t going to be a vulnerable and scarred woman in bed and seeded.


    However, all of that seemed to be pointless now that Luca was in the picture, just one hot look from him and I was forgetting my name. These days it took less than a hot look. A simple thing like a smile was enough.


    He was fast bing my very own kryptonite.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I finished up the remaining water in my ss and dropped the ss on the countertop with more force than usual. I really needed to draw clear lines with him, stop thinking with my vagina and enforce those f u c k i n g boundaries. Nothing good cane out of f u c king with a made man, I knew that¡­ but yet¡­


    Boundaries. Boundaries¡­


    A sickening thought that I wouldn¡¯t be able to do that wed up my chest and I forced it down.


    ¡°Have you forgotten who you are?¡± I said to myself, my spine straightened. ¡°You¡¯re Cara Torello and you eat boys for lunch.¡±


    With those convincing reminders, I flipped my hair and strutted back to my room to prepare for the day.


    ***


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Gina asked, her hands sped in front of her in anticipation, dark brown eyes waiting earnestly for my validation.


    I scanned the invitation card in my hand, flipping it around to get a good look at the back too. ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± I said, meaning every word.


    The cream colored card was elegantly designed with shiny gold and silver details, the bold, cursive font matching the theme.


    You¡¯re invited to the wedding of Gina Salvatore and Dante Fierro.


    I nced back at Gina, touched that she brought the invite to me personally. She had shown up at my door like an excited puppy, not bothering with a greeting as she immediately pulled it out and yelled ¡°ta da!¡±


    I smiled at her, Dante was lucky to have such a cutie. She was the first person I felt oddly protective of and it was a refreshing feeling. ¡°I love that you insisted on having it done to your tastes.¡±


    Gina rolled her eyes hard. ¡°Tell me about it, Amanda literally tried her hardest to interfere with the design.¡± She sat up on the couch. ¡°I mean, why do I have to let her choose every single detail? It¡¯s my wedding.¡±


    I fought to hide my smile. The imposing stepmother lore Gina asionally provided, entertained me more than it should and she didn¡¯t like it. She wanted me to be as outraged as her. What she didn¡¯t know was when you grew up with a woman like my mother, it gets exhausting to stand up to her for every single thing.


    ¡°Just the other day, I learned she changed the flower order from red peonies to white lilies. Can you believe that?¡±


    She had no idea how well I could.


    She swatted a lock of her hair in indignation. ¡°Red peonies are my favorite flowers and I don¡¯t even like lilies but she said my favorite flowers were brazen.¡±


    I shook my head. Of course my mother would say something like that. I¡¯m sure she followed up by saying that the red peonies were my influence.


    Gina was still on her rant. ¡°I told her that the lilies were boring andckluster and she went into full drama mode, crying about how I¡¯ve been acting weird since I started hanging out with you.¡±


    Ditto.


    She scoffed. ¡°Does that even make any sense?¡±


    I spent the next hour validating Gina and when she finally left I waspletely exhausted from saying ¡°that¡¯s crazy¡± and ¡°how could she?¡±


    But now I was back to being alone, I was bored. So bored it felt like I was going crazy. Unable to take it anymore, I grabbed my purse and headed out the door, off for some window shopping and grocery shopping fusion.


    The supermarket wasn¡¯t that far from where I lived so it was a trekkable journey. I sauntered along the curb, taking in the familiar sight of the city. The weather was breezy and perfect and I was d to be outside.


    The supermarket was emptier than usual when I got there which was a plus for a slow, unhurried shopper like me. I liked to browse about, taking my time to make decisions on what vor of whipped cream to choose without strangers clogging up the aisles and darting past me. I hated having to be quick because I¡¯d end up buying something I don¡¯t like.


    I was getting potatoes when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and my eyes grew twice their size and the notification I got.


    Luca sent me a text. I unlocked my phone the next instant and my entire body warmed at what was the most mundane text ever.


    Where are you?


    I dropped my basket before my hands flew over my keyboard. You can ask the men you ordered to stalk me and they¡¯d tell you.


    The typing bubble appeared immediately.


    I couldn¡¯t believe it, Luca Salvatore was actually texting me. I bit my lips, anxious and nervous and excited all at once.


    They did already but I asked to find out if you¡¯d lie to me.


    He was a dirty liar. I knew it was just an excuse to text me. A silly excuse at that. Luca was a bad online conversation starter just like I knew he was.


    I didn¡¯t even know how wide I was grinning when I responded. I¡¯m in my hot neighbor¡¯s house, enjoying all the attention he¡¯s giving me since someone left me all alone in my bed.


    Does your hot neighbor have a death wish?


    My smile threatened to slit my face into two.


    I know you¡¯re at the supermarket Cara.


    Then why did you ask?


    He began to type but stopped and I stood there waiting in growing rm like a fool. Just when I was convinced he was never going to send in a reply, a chat bubble popped up.


    Because I was thinking about you. I missed you.


    My heart stopped for a moment and my lungs seized then the two organs went into overdrive. I stared nkly at thetest message, unable to stop the pulsing beats rattling in my ribcage.


    I couldn¡¯t even do anything when he sent in another text, and another. I waspletely immobilized by the previous one.


    Are you still there?


    Cara?


    Don¡¯t tell me I stunned you into silence.


    It was right there, in the middle of the fruits and vegetables aisle, that I realized I didn¡¯t want Luca to be anything but the cruel assh0le I knew him to be.


    I didn¡¯t think I could survive it if he continued being nice and bizarrely romantic like he¡¯s been sincest night.


    My heart just couldn¡¯t.

 Chapter 40: Wedding Bells

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°You look absolutely stunning!¡± I gushed with awe as I stared at my stepsister.


    It was my first time seeing her in her wedding dress and her beauty stole my breath away. The dress hugged at her curves then billowed elegantly around her feet, her shimmery train trailing behind her.


    Gina twirled around, the train reflecting the early morning sunlight streaming through therge windows on the side of her bedroom. Louis had outdone himself as promised. The dress was indeed one from a dream.


    The rest of her entuated the bridal apparel; her shiny dark brown hair was curled up in a beautiful up-do adorned with diamond stones. Her makeup was the perfect bnce between minimal and powerful.


    She was ethereal.


    She flushed at thepliment, giving me a shy smile but her eyes sparkled with knowing.


    ¡°Mamma mia!¡± My mother eximed as she breezed in, her hands sped together as she gazed at Gina with watery eyes. ¡°You look so beautiful, stellina.¡±


    Gina¡¯s smile was cordial and I knew the two would get along, at least for today. It was a special day anyway.


    My mother filed out, obviously off to some representative mother of the bride business.


    Gina¡¯s happy look gradually faded into a nervous one and I could see the tension tightening into her muscles. I took her hand.


    ¡°Breathe, Gina.¡± I cooed. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry, today is supposed to be a blissful day.¡±


    Her frantic gaze flickered over to mine and I tried to lighten her anxiety with a joke. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re worried about whates after the whole shebang.¡±


    I was rewarded with a tiny gleam of amusement cracking through her unease and I continued, my voice dropping to a teasing whisper. ¡°Or didn¡¯t my good mother give you ¡®the talk?''¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    This time augh left her, it sounded nervous and breathy but a win¡¯s a win. ¡°Oh don¡¯t remind me. She had triedst night but I shut it down as soon as the awkwardness threatened to choke me.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°I¡¯m sure you got a string of reprimands.¡±


    She surprised me by saying. ¡°I didn¡¯t. She uncharacteristically let it go. I¡¯m sure she was just as ufortable as I was.¡±


    It was indeed very uncharacteristic of the woman.


    I adjusted the hem of my dress and Gina¡¯s eyes roved over it.


    ¡°You look so beautiful.¡±


    I grinned at her. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The dress was a silky coral color that stood out from the rest of the bridesmaids dresses. It hugged my curves and flowed around my feet like Gina¡¯s but the design was less intricate than hers.


    I¡¯d fallen in love with it the moment I first tried it on.


    A maid strode in and announced our ride had arrived.


    Gina¡¯s hand in mine grew more tense as her nerves started spiraling again.


    Her anxiety was perfectly understandable. Marriage was a big thing, a life changing experience.


    I shed her a reassuring smile. ¡°It¡¯s all good darling.¡±


    ¡°All good?¡± She asked in a shaky whisper.


    ¡°All good.¡± I said and just like I had done on the day of her engagement, I apanied her out of her bedroom and the two of us made our way for the waiting limo.


    ***


    The wedding ceremony was being held at a church, shocking as it may seem but most members of the Costra Nostra were devout Catholics. It was something I would always find ironic considering they broke basically all tenmandments of the Lord.


    Gina had been reluctant to let go of my hand as soon as we arrived at therge stone walls of the Victorian style building but I had managed to convince her to.


    My own nerves made a rather surprising appearance as I walked into the church and down the aisle. I began to rethink this chief bridesmaid business. I took my spot at the altar, willing myself not to turn around and seek Luca out.


    It was crazy how I knew he was present without looking, all thanks to the st of heat radiating from the very first pew on the left of the auditorium.


    Thankfully, I had to face the altar all through the ceremony, so I didn¡¯t have to look at him¡­


    It took only sixty seconds before I turned my neck to the side. And I instantly regretted it.


    Valentina was sitting beside him, too closely beside him and I didn¡¯t miss the condescending and smug look on her beautiful face when she inched even closer.


    Luca on the other hand was boring me with his eyes, his gaze unwavering and heated. I looked straight ahead, fighting off a shudder that was a result of a messy mix of arousal and jealousy.


    He told me there was nothing going on, I should believe him.


    Dante Fierro arrived, looking sharp and clean. He pped his best man on the back and acknowledged me with a small bow of his head. The subtle yet readable happiness in his expression made some of my nervousness fade away. I was yet to know just how much he cared about Gina but as it appeared to be more than I credited him.


    Love was an almost impossible concept for made men and I had been half scared that Gina was getting herself into an unrequited love union.


    The wedding march began to y and Gina came into view, apanied by a proud Manuel Salvatore. I couldn¡¯t help the sting of tears at the back of my eyes. I remembered the day she came to me, scared about this very day. She hade so far and I was genuinely happy for her.


    Manuel handed her to her groom and the priest began the ceremony.


    I tried to focus on it but I couldn¡¯t. My mind was fixed on the mafia don sitting a couple of feets away from where I stood.


    I nced at his direction to find him conversing with Valentina. Every muscle in my body tensed. I returned my attention to the task at hand, trying to appear unconcerned and indifferent even though an internal scream was coursing through my body, the bitter taste of jealousy filling my mouth.


    ¡°I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.¡± The priest announced and Dante drew Gina in for a soft kiss.


    The guests erupted into cheers, rising to their feets as the newlyweds walked back the aisle, together this time. I and Dante¡¯s best man slowly followed behind and it took all of my willpower not to look at Luca as I passed his pew, his gaze tangible on my skin like a caress.


    Everyone huddled around the couple to render their well wishes and Luca finally took his eyes off me to p Dante on the back and kiss his sister¡¯s cheek.


    I wondered if he was trying to tell the whole church that we were sleeping together. As the Fierros and the Salvatores interacted, along with some other families, Valentina found me where I stood on the side.


    ¡°It sucks doesn¡¯t it.¡± She said, folding her arms in front of her as she stared at the interacting families.


    My sigh showed my reluctance to engage in any conversation, especially an underlying mocking one with her. But I asked anyway. ¡°What sucks?¡±


    She faced me, her smile deceptively friendly. ¡°Being an outsider.¡±


    My fingers dug into my palm but I tried not to show an obvious reaction. ¡°Not really, there are actually a lot of perks.¡±


    Her smile grew tighter. ¡°Like what.¡±


    I looked at her irritatingly pretty face. ¡°I get to do who I want for one.¡±


    She nched, appalled and I allowed myself a smug smirk at the horrified look in her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re just as crass as I expected. I am not surprised.¡± She said, her ent wrapping around the word ¡°crass¡±.


    I snorted, turning back to the conversation still going on between the mafia families. ¡°Don¡¯t lie now, you¡¯re practically clutching your pearls.¡±


    She red at me with unrestrained hostility but the feeling was masked so fast I almost thought I imagined it.


    She moved closer and one perfectly manicured hand reached out for the silver ne Gina had gotten me. It was my first luxury jewelry but it was nowhere as luxurious as the diamond on her neck.


    Valentina fixed the crooked ne. ¡°That is no privilege sweetie,¡± she stared meaningfully at Luca then looked back at me. ¡°It¡¯s all meaningless if it¡¯s not with the one.¡±


    Something gloomy settled into my belly like a bag of bricks as I instantly got her secret message.


    Her eyes returned to mine, glinting with superiority. ¡°There¡¯s no honor in being a passed around whore.¡±


    She left me with that scathing line and I felt my lungs tightening up. It was clear what she meant, it didn¡¯t need a genius to figure it out.


    I desperately tried to call it bullshit but it wed at me, persistent and unrelenting.


    Her and Luca were sleeping together and theirs was just more than a spontaneous fuck.

 Chapter 41: Infiltrated

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Luca had insisted that the reception be held at the Salvatore mansion for security reasons even though the Cosa Nostra families hardly ever celebrated outside the safety of their residence.


    I didn¡¯t know much about the war but from the bits of gossip I heard, it was messy. The Russians or whoever was the enemy were unpredictable and ruthless. An attack at an event hall would be a piece of cake for them.


    I stepped onto the beautifully decorated patio that was the venue and the ce lookedpletely different from thest time I was present. The recliners and deck chairs had been removed, along with the dining table set. Multiple wrought iron tables now upied thewns, with most of them already upied by guests.


    Gina¡¯s red peonies sat in a vase on every table along with luxurious gold ted tableware. More flowers in tall, white flower pots were ced strategically around the space and fairy lights draped low from open patio shade.


    The ce looked like a piece of heaven. Straight out of a fairytale.


    The guests settled in, some of them dancing to the jaunty tune of traditional Italian music.


    Gina and Dante were having the time of their lives, the both of them exchanging sick puppy eyed looks that made me equal parts happy and equal parts bitter.


    The atmosphere became more and lively as everyone was filled with the good spirits of the celebration


    Everyone excluding me.


    I chugged down my fourth ss of negroni before biting into a taralli. The two tastes mixing weirdly in my mouth. Valentina had been attached to Luca for the past hour, already ying into her role of Donna Salvatore even though she was still far from it.


    Nheless, she yed it so naturally and convincingly that anyone who didn¡¯t know better was sure to write her off as Luca¡¯s wife.


    My stomach churched darkly as something ufortable scratched at my skin. I took another chug of my negroni.


    Luca looked over to me and I averted my gaze. This was one silly game I¡¯ve been ying since the church ceremony, staring at him and pretending not to when he noticed. It was indeed silly and I¡¯d even admit it was quite pathetic, but I wasn¡¯t going to let his astute ass read the ring jealousy I knew was permanently etched into my expression.


    New guests flocked and my heart pulsed faster when I recognized the Irish family amongst them. Cadain¡¯s eyes scanned through the guests before lighting up when theynded on me. He shed me a grin that I returned then followed his brother to go greet Luca and his father.


    I hoped they kept their conversations to congrattions and wellwishing and everything that didn¡¯t involve me. I needed a taralli refill so I signaled to the server standing closest to me.


    He red at me and I recoiled.


    The re disappeared the next second, reced by a smile. ¡°What can I help you with, Signorina?¡±


    I blinked at him. ¡°Er¡­ I need more tarallis please.¡± I leered at him as he took my te, shing me a friendly smile before disappearing.


    Well that was weird.


    I paused in thought, shit was I already tipsy? I had just imagined a friendly server giving me a murderous stare for fuck sake. I mean, I have to be a little drunk to do that.


    I sighed and rose to my feet, I needed to do something else or I might end up drinking and eating the night away.


    The dance floor was pretty crowded and it made it easier to blend in. The music was not my kind of styleI was a pop and hip pop type of girlbut the Italian folk music would do. So I danced and I danced, losing myself in the vibrancy of the tune, having the time of my life with the rest of these strangers.


    ¡°Brava! Brava!¡± Someone was cheering and it bolstered my movements. I twirled, I skipped and I whined. My eyes found Gina and I moved over to her and pulled her along, sheughed heartily as the two of us danced, the rest of the guests cheering us on.


    I was bursting with energy and not even Luca¡¯s hot gaze on me could douse it. I danced even harder, moving my hips just the way I knew would affect him and I took every muscle in my body not to turn and find the dark look I knew I¡¯d find.


    I danced with a couple others, mostly men of the Cosa Nostra, ranging from old to young.


    The guests erupted into apuse when my performance finally came to an end and right then, I felt like Beyonce. I suddenly grew shy from all the attention so retreated back into the mansion for some time alone and maybe a ss of water. I had long lost interest in my taralli order.


    I hoped the server wasn¡¯t too pissed.


    It wasn¡¯t even up to a minute since I stepped into therge kitchen before my alone time was disturbed.


    ¡°You never told me you¡¯re quite the dancer.¡± Luca¡¯s deep drawl rumbled into the space.


    A cold stillness fell over me.


    He appeared beside me, taking the ss of water in my hand and setting it on the countertop. I hadn¡¯t even realized I¡¯d still been holding it.


    Warmth slithered up the ce he had touched and I pushed out a breath and looked up at him. ¡°I haven¡¯t told you a lot of things.¡± My voice was a whisper.


    Humor danced in his eyes and they scanned my face. ¡°You¡¯d have to show me some of your moves one day.¡±


    A cheeky smile yed on my lips. ¡°Mm, a private show?¡± I asked and I instantly wished I didn¡¯t.


    Something dark pooled into the depths of his grey orbs as his gaze raked down my body. ¡°And a little less clothing.¡±


    An involuntary image of me dancing before him in nothing but lingerie shed through my mind and I forgot how to breathe.


    Luca inched closer, his body warmth intruding into my space. ¡°Yes, micetta. It¡¯s going to be just as hot as you imagined. Better even.¡±


    His hand grazed my waist, sending teasing tingles straight between my legs. Outside, a wedding reception thrived on with the whole of his family present along with a hundred other guests but all I could think of was him feeling me up and doing more.


    ¡°Luca,¡± I protested for proprietary sake even though I was caring less and less with each touch of his big hands.


    Luca inhaled into my hair and it urred to me that he might be obsessed with it. He was always sniffing or fisting or caressing it. ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to fuck you since the moment you walked into the church looking so beautiful.¡± He drew back to stare into my eyes, something vulnerable yet inexplicable shimmering in his grey eyes. ¡°You¡¯re so devastatingly beautiful.¡±


    Heat bloomed in me and across my face and my heart cartwheeled in my chest. He thought I was devastatingly beautiful. I felt like giggling like an excited schoolgirl.


    His thumb brushed against my bottom lip. ¡°It drove me crazy seeing you dancing with those men.¡± His features deepened darkly. ¡°I don¡¯t want you dancing with any man that isn¡¯t me.¡±


    I bit back a cheeky grin, jealous Luca was my favorite Luca and I was unhinged for it.


    His eyebrows pulled together. ¡°I¡¯m serious, bambina. I¡¯m the only one for you.¡±


    I¡¯m the only one.


    The one.


    I pulled out from his hold as Valentina¡¯s words came flooding back in my head, and everything suddenly became wrong. Us here, his words, everything.


    ¡°No.¡± I said.


    He frowned, angry. ¡°No?¡±


    I fixed him a hard stare. ¡°No. Go back to where you belong, with Valentina.¡± My gaze snapped away in annoyance. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know? That I won¡¯t find out?¡±


    He stepped closer but I sidestepped. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he ground. ¡°What the fuck is your problem now?¡±


    Something red and forceful flushed through me. ¡°You¡¯re fucking Valentina that¡¯s what! And you think you can fuck me as well, have the best of both worlds.¡± I let out a mirthlessugh, growing hysterical. ¡°You probably were never going to call off the marriage with Cadain. You probably just wanted to have me to yourself for a while before sending me off and marrying the real woman for you; Valentina.¡±


    I was just specting and throwing assumptions at this point but I was certain that there was still a sliver of truth somewhere in my wild hypothesis.


    Exasperation seeped into Luca¡¯s expression, he shut his eyes for a moment. ¡°Cara, where the fuck did you learn this from?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t act like it isn¡¯t true!¡±


    Luca looked like he wanted to smother me. He ran his hand through his dark hair, his jaw tightening in restrained anger.


    His voice was a deathly growl when he spoke. ¡°This would be thest time I tell you this: you¡¯re not marrying Cadain.¡±


    I sawed on my lip and waited for the next bit.


    ¡°It would also be thest time I¡¯d tell you that I and Valentina are not together.¡±


    tion sprang up my belly and bounced around. Relief eased into my tensed muscles and I fought back a sigh. It was so stupid how that deration made me. After all of this was over, I was going to analyze just how far gone I was with this man.


    I stilled my erratic heart before speaking. ¡°But she definitely doesn¡¯t see it that way.¡±


    His reply was immediate. ¡°Not my problem and neither should it be yours.¡±


    I wanted to tell him that I didn¡¯t want to deal with a crazy ex hovering around when it was still uncertain what our rtionship was. I wanted him to tell me what we were, I wanted to unblur the lines like I had desperately wanted to for a while now but all that was interrupted by the sudden femaleughter that streamed into the kitchen.


    People wereing.


    I gave Luca a wide berth and wittingly grabbed the box of tissues sitting idly on the kitchen ind as the women strode in. I hoped to God I didn¡¯t look like how I felt, which was a child caught stealing snacks past her bedtime.


    I acknowledged them with a nod before darting out of there, goosebumps breaking out on my neck.


    ¡°Cara!¡± Luca¡¯s voice called after me and I cursed him to hell in my mind. The man just simply didn¡¯t know when to give a fuck and when not to.


    ¡°Fuck! Cara!!!¡± His voice was very much louder now and annoyance and panic bubbled inside me. Was he trying to let everyone know?


    ¡°Dio!¡±


    Another voice yelled and I stopped in my tracks.


    ¡°Dio! Dio! Dio!¡± A woman chanted.


    ¡°Tutti si nascondono!¡± someone else was shouting.


    I spun around, confused at what themotion was about and I met the sight of about fifteen heavily armed men in staff uniforms. My eyes narrowed in on the server that I had asked for a taralli refill and his cold gaze was on me.


    His lips curved up in a devilish smile that chilled my bones and I knew then that I hadn¡¯t imagined the hostile look he gave me before.


    In the next second, chaos began.


    ¡°Porca miseria!!¡± Someone screamed.


    I dropped to the floor, yelling as gunshots erupted around me, sending shattered ss and wood flying. Everyone scrambled to the floor, seeking cover but my stupid body was frozen when I was curled up on the floor, fear holding me down like lead.


    People screamed around me and I was finding it hard to differentiate if it was out of fear or pain. A man dropped to the ground beside me and I let out a screech.


    Dead, he was dead.


    And I was going to die as well, I was going to get caught by a stray bullet or more just like he did. I was going to bleed out here on thewn of the Salvatore mansion.


    I was going to end up like my father.


    Dread settled deep in my belly. Luca, where was Luca? Please God let him be safe, let Gina be safe.


    Let him be safe.


    I began to crawl, protecting my head as I frantically scanned through the chaos for his familiar form but there was so much happening.


    Please let him be safe.


    Arge body dropped on me and I fought to fight it off.


    No, no, no. I chanted in rm. Not another dead body.


    ¡°Stay still, goddammit!¡± An angry male voice ground out and I immediately seized my struggles.


    I nced up at Luca¡¯s beautiful face and my heart sang songs of relief and assurance. He was fine, he was safe, he was here.


    I buried my face into his chest and held on tight, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest. I tried to still my trembling body in his cocooning embrace, assuring myself that we were going to be alright.


    A soldier rolled over to us, refilling his bullets as Luca spat rapid fire Italian to him. He nodded at whatever was said, shooting at an approaching armed server before disappearing just as quickly as he had appeared.


    I screamed into Luca¡¯s chest as the shit resounded over my thumping heart and Luca held on to me.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe, bambina. I will never let anything happen to you.¡± I shook my head but he adjusted above me, freeing one hand to grab my chin.


    ¡°Never.¡± He reiterated, his voice vehement and firm.


    I couldn¡¯t speak so I nodded and he released me.


    ¡°Now I need you to follow me closely. Stay hidden behind me, okay?¡± He instructed as he readied the gun in his hand.


    ¡°Luca, no! We can¡¯t make any movements, not now!¡±


    ¡°I promised you, I won¡¯t let you get hurt.¡±


    I shut my eyes in frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid for me for fuck sake!¡± When I opened them, he was staring at me with a warmth, adoration and I was lost in his gaze.


    ¡°Do as I say, bambina.¡± He finally said and with no energy left to argue, I nodded.


    We darted across, stopping to take cover every time we were shot at. Luca had taken out a total of four men when we finally slipped into the mansion.


    He pulled me up the stairs and through a hallway, stopping at a door before kissing me hard. ¡°Stay here.¡± Hemanded. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    My anxiety began to pulser faster, panic ate away at my chest. I grabbed him as he was about to leave. ¡°Luca!¡±


    He paused, waiting expectantly.


    I gulped and forced myself to make out words. ¡°Please,¡± I squeaked out. ¡°don¡¯t get hurt.¡±


    I was given another breathless kiss.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    He left me and marched back downstairs and as I walked into the door to meet the scared faces of Gina, my mother and some other women, I tried not to let fear incapacitate me.


    I failed.

 Chapter 42: B l o o d b a t h

    Luca¡¯s pov


    It was a fucking bloodbath.


    My men stood guard as I ambled down the hall, shooting at everything that looked remotely suspicious, my shots aimed to kill.


    Three of the soldiers had been shot dead, leaving me with four out of the seven that came along with me.


    I walked over several unmoving bodies, recognizing some more of my soldiers among them.


    Red, hot fury boiled in my bloodstream. The absolute gall to attack no other ce but my family residence and on my little sister¡¯s wedding day.


    Hot fumes puffed out of my lungs as something ck pulsed within me. Alexei Mikhalov was going to regret this day.


    The bastard was obviously reacting in response to the show I put out for himst time. He was pissed and probably nursing the loss of his alliance with the Serbs and his multimillion dor business venture that had shut down indefinitely due to the drama with the press.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation on the patio?¡± I asked, shooting twice at a bratva soldier I sighted in my peripheral vision. The scemo dropped to the floor with a thud.


    ¡°We¡¯ve managed to get the women and children to safety but there are a lot of casualties.¡±


    My face tightened. I could imagine just how many funerals the Costra Nostra was going to be holding.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Che cavolo.


    ¡°Just how the fuck did the fucking bratva infiltrate my father¡¯s mansion for fuck sake.¡±


    A bullet flew past me and my men took cover, I  ducked pushing away a soldier that tried to shield me.


    ¡°Get your ass to the security room and figure out how this mess began.¡± I ordered, pulling off my tie.


    He hesitated but nodded immediately at the cold sternness of my gaze then crouched away.


    Shooting at my new attacker to throw him off, I darted into an alcove, pressing into the wall. Then I waited.


    The bastard who shot me hesitated, making no move and I knew I had to bait him. Fixing my loaded gun in my mouth, I drew out another gun, uncocked and jangled the bullets.


    I heard him start to move again so I quietly moved the unreadied gun to my left hand and put the loaded one back on my right, my finger on the trigger.


    I timed his steps and when he was a few steps away from the alcove, I jumped out and shot once.


    He dropped to the floor, blood pouring out from the hole in his heart.


    Footsteps approached from the other end of the hall and I slipped into the room closest to me.


    Secondster, a bratva soldier came in.


    He slinked around the room, light on his feet as he scanned the space, his muzzle hoisted up in attack mode. I watched him from my vantage point, crouched down on the floor, twisted anticipation filling me as he drew nearer like an oblivious prey.


    His alert stance rxed and he backed me, the bastard convinced that there was no one here.


    A smirk crept across my lips.


    He was fucking wrong.


    I pushed to my feet and stalked behind him, the sound of my steps akin to that of a ghost and I took my time, enjoying his cluelessness.


    The bratva bastard lowered his gun and murmured into his earpiece in Russian.


    But I knew what he said because I¡¯d spent a handful of years mastering thenguage, along with a few others. It was always necessary to know the tongue of the foes.


    No Italian fuckers here. He had said.


    A cold darkness settled within me. He was about to find out how incorrect he was.


    My tone was deathly low. ¡°I beg to differ.¡±


    He whirled around immediately, his hands on the trigger but I hadn¡¯t spent my teenage years perfecting a quick shot for me to get caught by his bullet.


    I shot his grip on the weapon before he could pull the trigger, his hiss of pain a satisfying sound to my ears.


    The gun ttered to the marble floor.


    I stalked over to him, pushing the firearm aside with onezy swoop of my foot before crouching down. I pinned him with a cold stare.


    He red up at me, holding on to his now useless hand.


    I wanted to stomp on it until I¡¯vepletely crushed it.


    I pressed my gun to his temple. ¡°How did you infiltrate the mansion?¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± He spat.


    The grip of my gun smacked him on the face. ¡°I don¡¯t have the time or patience for rudeness. Who were you talking to on the mic?¡±


    His face was glowing red from the force of my hit and blood trickled from a small cut.


    ¡°How many of you are here?¡±


    He stayed mute, his jaw ground in challenge.


    I sighed but I wasn¡¯t surprised. They never broke that easily. I¡¯d only wanted to read the underlying answers in his bodynguage. Most people didn¡¯t know, but their actions gave more insight than the words that came out of their mouth.


    And this bastard¡¯s flickering nces above my head was one tell.


    I gave him an icy smile and I shot him in the head.


    I slowly rose to my feet, deliberately not looking behind me as I drew out my phone, leaving blood smears as I unlocked it and swiped on the screen.


    ¡°Dominic, send a couple of men to the security room. I think our Russian friends have nested there.¡±


    I ended the call with a click, slipping the phone back into my pocket.


    This might just be the greatest ambush I had been dished so far in my reign as don. The smartest and the most ruthless.


    And on a merry day for that matter.


    My fists balled at my side. My father and sister could have gotten badly hurt. Cara¡­


    My throat closed up and I tried to swallow down the angry fear clogging it up.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine what I¡¯d have done if she so much as got grazed by a tiny shard of ss. Just the thought of anything happening to her sent icy splinters shooting through my veins. And for the hundred times since the attack began, I prayed to God that she waspletely safe.


    I never asked Him for anything since the day I was christened. Never asked for strength or power as I relied on mine alone. I never even asked for penance, I had long strayed from the threshold of salvation.


    This was my first request and even though I was literally thest person to make any requests from Him, my sincerity deserved to be taken into consideration.


    I red down at the body before me. Just like I always have done, I will deal with my foes myself.


    ¡°Vai al diavolo,¡± I dered before I stepped over it and walked out the door.


    ***


    It was the fucking rat again.


    Sitting in my father¡¯s study, I listened as Dominic filled me in on his findings so far, a raging storm simmering beneath my skin.


    The same bastard that had outed us to that idiot Jenkins had enabled the attack today. Had brought the enemy into my home, around my family.


    A bought out mafioso on my own turf.


    The storm simmered even harder.


    ¡°Have the police been taken care of?¡± I asked because thest thing I needed was pigs snooping about and thwarting the hot, cruel revenge I was about to serve Alexei Mikhalov.


    Fuck all of that bullshit of it being best served cold.


    The iron needed to be struck when it¡¯s hot.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve contacted themissioner, his underlings have been ordered to ignore reports of the gunshots and desist from investigating.¡±


    Good.


    ¡°Also, the old don is asking to see you.¡±


    I rose to my feet. ¡°I¡¯ll speak with him.¡± Something dark and vengeful washed over me as I threw Dominic a look. ¡°But first, take me to the captured intruders.¡±


    Three of them had been rounded up in the security room. The remaining two have been caught hiding around. My soldiers still patrolled the expanse of the property for any bastard with the prospect of escaping.


    Hopefully they¡¯d get exterminated by my father¡¯s high-end traps.


    I pushed into the room they were kept prisoner, watching as their eyes lit up in fear.


    They probably didn¡¯t think I¡¯de in person.


    Fools.


    What did they expect after attacking my own home?


    ¡°I¡¯d keep it simple, you tell me everything you know and we can all save time and energy.¡± My gaze coasted pointedly to one of the cushioned chairs in the room and one of my soldiers rushed to bring it to me.


    I sat down, propping my arms on my thighs as I leaned in. ¡°Are we clear?¡±


    The look all five of them gave me was a discordant mix of defiance, fear and uncertainty.


    A tight smile curled up my lips. ¡°Have it your way then.¡±

 Chapter 43: Nothing To lose

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Grigori was waiting for me in my father¡¯s study when I was done with the intruders. I had thoroughly enjoyed breaking and mangling them so much that I almost didn¡¯t remember I needed to wring details out of them. To be honest, I didn¡¯t care. I just wanted to punish them for posing a threat to my family and Cara.


    The investigator¡¯s eyes grew wide when I walked in and I wondered just how much of a mess I looked. I hadn¡¯t bothered with cleaning up and probably had blood on my face. My hands were still stained with blood.


    Grigori stealthy masked his initial expression as I got around the wide desk. The taut leather padding of my swivel chair grumbled as I sank my weight on it.


    ¡°I was shocked upon entering the mansion. The bratva caused quite a mess.¡± He mentioned, pulling out histest findings.


    My fist balled up on the desk and I was feeling murderous again. The mess alone on the patio would take weeks to repair, my father¡¯s once untouchable abode was now in the same boat as every other ordinary civilian¡¯s house, its title of invincibility thoroughly desecrated.


    Shooting Grigori a grim look, I asked. ¡°What do you have for me?¡±


    His gaze lit up. ¡°Quite a list of things.¡± He pushed some printed pictures of a few documents I recognized to be slush funds records.


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Grigori gave a solemn nod of his head. ¡°Alexei Mikhalov¡¯s leverage on the DA.¡±


    So that¡¯s why the spineless government official went against me. He was being ckmailed with his corruption. I dropped the papers with a toss. That was no business of mine, I¡¯d be doing a lot more than ckmailing him with his embezzling activities if he tried to go against me again.


    ¡°Also¡­¡± Grigori continued as he handed a new set of files to me. ¡°I discovered some really interesting information about the pakhan.¡±


    I took the files from him, my focus intent as I flipped through the content, dark excitement growing inside me with each turn of the papers.


    ¡°It appears we now know two of Alexei Mikhalov¡¯s biggest weaknesses.¡± Grigori said.


    The dark excitement spread across my lips. Indeed, we did and I was about to have it in my grasp, at my disposal. I was going to tear Mikhalov apart with it.


    My gaze bored into the papers, the audacity of the Russian brat to have such weaknesses yet still parade with the bravery of a man with nothing to lose. Seemed like the older Mikhalov did a poor job of instilling strategic thinking into his son.


    The thought of the looming destruction I would bring him filled me with malignant delight.


    ¡°The war is over once you use it.¡± Grigori prompted.


    Consideration floated in my mind but I shook my head, tucking the files back into the envelope. I would save these forter. Use them at thest minute.


    A sardonic smile tipped the corner of my mouth, guess I was a stickler to the old rules of revenge after all.


    ¡°I have another surprise for him.¡± I said, pushing the envelope to my side. Alexei Mikhalov would deal with that for now, I was only getting started with him anyway.


    The naive prick has sessfully elevated himself to the top one most annoying bastards on my cklist in just the few months he became pakhan. I would apud him for it, nobody else has achieved such a fit.


    My mind drifted back to what Dominic had told me earlier and my expression turned sour. ¡°What about the rat?¡±


    Just the thought of them doused the dark pleasure at having Alexei¡¯s weakness in my palm with cold water. I might have said this before but there was one thing I hated the most in this world, and it was funny business.


    Snitching, pretense, maniption to name a few, fell under the umbre. I wasn¡¯t the type to show mercy on a usual day but I waspletely merciless with these misdeeds.


    They were sins I never ever forgave.


    Grigori locked his fingers on the desk. ¡°We have reasons to believe it was a don in the Costra Nostra. Intel came in about don Torrio, don Russo and don Scuderi walking into an exclusive restaurant thirty minutes after Alexei¡¯s right-hand manst week¡¯s Tuesday at exactly 6:45pm.¡±


    The muscles in my jaw flexed as the ck shroud of murderous rage overtook me.


    Cazzo.


    The three men were close with my father and had been important figures in his circle when he was still don. If it turned out that they indeed betrayed their oath to the Costra Nostra, it would mess up the old man, although he would not admit it.


    ¡°Have you confirmed their betrayal?¡± My voice was cutting steel.


    Grigori shifted in his seat, obviously difited by the darkness oozing out of me. ¡°No, not yet.¡± He shifted again and added. ¡°They will be identified by Wednesday.¡±


    Wednesday¡­ that was next week and precisely five days from now. Chilling eagerness washed over me. I couldn¡¯t wait to gut their throats and pull out their tongues.


    I pushed out of my chair, grabbing the envelope.


    Grigori got up as well, gathering the rest of his files into his brown leather suitcase.


    ¡°Just for security sake, do not speak about yourtest findings to anyone else. Not even Dominic. I don¡¯t trust the ratting don, whoever they are, to not nt ears around him.¡±


    Grigori nodded inpliance. ¡°I¡¯d report back to you on Wednesday morning.¡± He dered before tipping his head and bustling out the study.


    I stared down at the brown envelope in my hand, the bratva would receive my response before the next Monday.


    Wednesday morning, I will deal with the scemos who had the audacity to break the omerta, the oath they¡¯re sworn to and are expected to live by.


    Next week, I will deal with all of that but right now, I needed to find Cara.


    I could barely keep myself from running as I drew closer to the ce I had left her. Half of my fear dissipated when thest of the intruders were caught and I confirmed that she was safe where she was. The other half of it would only fade away once I saw with my own eyes that she was indeed safe. Some things just weren¡¯t trusted based on the words of my soldiers and Cara¡¯s wellbeing was one of it.


    I found her shaking where she sat on a chaise, Gina trying and failing to get her to rx while Dante just stood straight beside his wife like someone who had zero idea on what to do.


    Amanda was the first to notice me and I could barely focus on the insincere relief she disyed over my obviously unharmed form.


    ¡°Oh, thank heavens! You¡¯re okay!¡±


    Cara¡¯s head snapped up and the sight of her shaken expression melting into unbridled relief pulled at me in areas I didn¡¯t know existed. I decided then and there that I never wanted to make her worry.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I wanted nothing more than to go over to her and pull her in for a mind-blowing kiss but we had an audience and it made me irritable.


    ¡°Luca, you¡¯re safe!¡± Gina bounded over to me and hugged me tightly. I held on to her, happy that she was unscathed yet sorry that her wedding party had beenpletely ruined.


    I had made her marry Dante for her safety only for the said safety to be threatened on her wedding day.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you are too, principessa.¡± I said, kissing the side of her head, my gaze flickering to Cara now and then.


    Gina let go of me and returned to her husband¡¯s side. The man acknowledged me with a small bow before saying. ¡°We¡¯re relieved to see that you¡¯re fine.¡±


    I nodded then said in a grim voice. ¡°You¡¯d have to leave for Italy much earlier than intended.¡±


    The two of them were supposed to be bound for their honeymoon in Rome early tomorrow but the recent development will have to change that. My sister needed to get to the imprable safety of our 7788 back home.


    Dante answered with a nod of his own. ¡°Yes, my jet has been readied. We will be leaving tonight.¡± He squeezed Gina¡¯s hand in reassurance when she looked up at him with worry.


    I looked back at Cara, I wanted to reassure her too. I could see the jerkiness of her movements, it was like she could barely keep herself from flinging into my hands.


    That did it.


    I got everyone to leave, ignoring Amanda¡¯s look of suspicion. The door had barely shut behind us when she flew into my embrace. I held onto her like my life depended on it.


    ¡°I was so scared.¡± She admitted. ¡°I thought- I thought-¡±


    ¡°Shhhh bambina. It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    She drew back to gaze into my face with a softness I¡¯ve never seen before. It caused my heart to squeeze with a tightness.


    Her eyes flickered like she suddenly realized how vulnerable she was being. ¡°Well I¡¯m d.¡± She said, releasing me and stepping back.


    I pulled her back in and her gasp was a warm breath on my chin. ¡°Not as d as I am to see you safe.¡± I said, my voice thick with emotion.


    She stayed silent, weighing her words before sighing and letting it out. ¡°You came back, just like you promised.¡±


    My hand cupped her face. ¡°I¡¯ll always keep my promise to you, Cara mia.¡± Was my deration before I dropped down for a heart stopping kiss. Cara instantly opened up for me and I ravished her beautiful mouth. Completely certain that this was what heaven tasted like.

 Chapter 44: Rude Awakening

    Cara¡¯s pov


    It was different, the kiss. It was less carnal, less primitive desire and more concrete and profound and charged with inexplicable feelings between us.


    Luca kissed me with an ardor, his mouth and tongue gentle yet firm, intense yet soft. I didn¡¯t know what to make of it but I knew I loved it.


    A lone tear tumbled down my cheek. I was immensely relieved that he was fine, that those terrifying gunshots that rang over and over did not take him down.


    I was relieved but I was also a whole lot of other things. And these feelings overwhelmed me. Joy radiated through my heart at seeing him unhurt and very alive but I was haunted by the rising panic of my mind breaking ordeal of fearing for his life.


    It was a hard punch to the gut realizing how much I cared. Luca had unconsciously be a significant part of my life, so much I would be devastated if anything happened to him.


    The realization was crippling, sending genuine fear coursing through me.


    He was a mafia don, his life would always be in a constant state of danger and I couldn¡¯t live my life in such a never-ending state of agitation.


    I tried to break off the kiss but his hold was relentless.


    ¡°Luca.¡±


    He sucked hard on my tongue before releasing my mouth. With his forehead pressed against mine and his thumb brushing the side of my face he said. ¡°Don¡¯t, bambina. Don¡¯t say it.¡±


    ¡°But you haven¡¯t heard what I want to say.¡± I whispered, nuzzling into his calloused touch.


    His voice was gravelly, his gaze unwavering as he stared into my eyes. ¡°Whatever it is, I can tell it¡¯s no good and I don¡¯t want to hear it.¡±


    I chewed on my bottom lip. This is the most conflicted I¡¯ve ever been in my life. I wanted to break things off with him to save myself from inevitable ruin but I was weak against his intense grey eyes, his fiery touch, his arousing voice. His beautiful face.


    I knew that whatever twisted thing we got going had no happy ending nor was it in any way long term. I knew this yet I still leaned into his chest, surrendering. He has just been in the face of death, it would be heartless to end things just right after.


    Exhaustion seeped into my bones and I suddenly developed the need to go home, away from the mess of the Costra Nostra.


    ¡°I want to go home.¡± I voiced out, my head still on his firm chest.


    Luca hugged me tighter, his hands stroking into my hair. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home.¡±


    The mansion had been wiped pretty clean by the time I and Luca made our way out, the bodies had been removed and the blood cleaned off, even the shattered ss and empty bullet casings had been swept away. Except for the furniture damage, there was no other indication that a shootout had urred in the ce.


    The ride back to my apartment was silent. The both of us prisoners to our own thoughts. I wondered what Luca¡¯s thoughts were about, probably more important and serious things like his next course of action against the Russians. Thoughts that made mine pale inparison.


    He insisted on staying the night when we arrived at my apartment and I was too tired to argue with him. He waited patiently for me to take a shower even though I took quite a lot of time scrubbing the effects of the day away from my skin. I was going to be gued by the dead bodies I saw for a long time.


    Luca pulled me in for a big spoon the second I was done with preparing for bed.


    ¡°You¡¯re not safe here bambina.¡± He said into the silence, when I had already concluded he was asleep.


    ¡°Hey! I like my apartment.¡± I responded with a joking tone as I poked his hard chest. I felt the need to dissolve a bit of the intensity he had carried from his father¡¯s mansion.


    However, I knew he was right and the thought of some Russian mobsters finding me here sent a tremor reverberating through me.


    Luca nuzzled into my hair. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s safe.¡± When I didn¡¯t answer he continued. ¡°We need to get you out of here.¡±


    I released a tired sigh. ¡°Tomorrow, let¡¯s deal with this tomorrow.¡± I said, knowing fully well that I was never going to agree on him finding me a new ce. We might be sleeping together but I wasn¡¯t going to let him handle my problems like some sugar daddy.


    My lips twitched sardonically when I realized I had said tomorrow. I really kept thrusting problems and dilemmas on it.


    ¡°I¡¯d hold you to that.¡± Luca said and it was thest thing he said before we both drifted off to sleep.


    ***


    I found a strange body in my bed.


    ¡°Hello?¡± I called out.


    I got no response.


    Frowning, I moved closer and poked. One, twice, three times. The person didn¡¯t stir and it annoyed me how sound he or she slept in a bed that wasn¡¯t hers or his.


    With growing irritation, I tugged on the person¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Hello? You¡¯re in the wrong bed goddammit!¡±


    I tugged with more force and they flipped over to face me, their eyes wide open and unblinking. The light in them absent.


    Lifeless.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    A scream tore out of me, again and again and I struggled to scuttle out of the bed.


    ¡°Cara?¡± I heard my name but I was focused on getting away from the body.


    ¡°Cara!¡± The voice calling my name grew forceful and it got through me. I looked up and met the concerned gaze of Luca.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a dream.¡± He whispered, cradling my face. ¡°It¡¯s only a dream.¡±


    I copsed into him, holding on tight as I drew assurance from his warm body. I let him drain out my fear, I let him soothe my troubled mind.


    It¡¯s only a dream.


    Luca rubbed at my back with one hand while the other found my sweat matted hair and began stroking it softly.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± He said. He began murmuring more calming words and soon I was drifting back to sleep.


    The next time I woke up, I woke up alone. Dazed and sleepy, I sat up the bed confused as to where he had gone. Then I began to catch on the hoarse whispering from my living room.


    Luca was sitting on my couch, the streak of moonlight stealing through the small windows the only light in the space.


    I admired how ethereal he looked in the night light through my sleepden eyes. He was a fallen angel all in his dark, beautiful glory. He blended perfectly well with the dark yet still stood out.


    He was on the phone, probably in a heated argument from the way his words sounded sharp and cutting. I tried to pick up on the conversation but it was in rapid fire Italian, way too fast for my poor understanding of thenguage.


    I gave up and was sneaking back into bed when his next line stopped me in tracks.


    ¡°Sta cercando mia sorestra e Gina.¡±


    That one I understood. The blood in my veins went cold and something slithered in the pit of my stomach.


    Who was after me and Gina? What have we done to have anyone after us? I racked my brain for anyone that may have a score to settle with me but drew up short.


    I tried to calm the palpitations crashing in my nervous system as I cocked my ear to listen and I could barely hear him over the loud thundering of my heart.


    I could barely pick up on anything after that. The only thing I managed to hear was bratva bastards and the asshole Alexei.


    But I felt that was enough. I slipped back into the bed, unable to fall asleep, my mind spinning and reeling with thoughts.


    I pretended to be asleep when Luca returned almost thirty minutester, trying not to jolt when his body pressed against me and his hand wrapped around me.


    Iid awake all through the night, dread wing at me that I had somehow been unknowingly webbed into the mess that was the mafia world.


    Somehow and at some point, I had be a target of Luca¡¯s enemies.

 Chapter 45: Sweet nothings

    Cara¡¯s pov


    The next morning, I miraculously got Luca to drop the idea of him finding me a new ce. Well, not without promising him I¡¯d find one myself and move out as soon as possible.


    Nheless, it was still a rare moment of win even though a familiar suspicious inkling had settled in my mind, analyzing his easy capittion amidst my triumphant disy.


    ¡°Fine?¡± I had asked.


    ¡°Fine.¡± He had reiterated, his eyes nk and unreadable.


    Mine had narrowed into slits.


    The Luca I know would have bundled me to an apartment of his choosingcould even be hisand hold me prisoner. My opinions be damned.


    I had every reason to doubt his sudden show of acquiescence. He even gave me two days off from Rico¡¯s, although I stubbornly told him that I¡¯d only be absent for a single day alone. That, he¡¯d pretended not to have heard.


    Instead, he focused on trying to whip up something edible from the sorry state of my fridge and boy did he seed.


    I had gobbled up omelet and hash browns mix, licking my te clean. He was the perfect candidate for that show where people are put in the wild to cook with the least avable food stock.


    I found it impressive and equally intimidating how near wless he was. He¡¯d had time to perfect cooking in the midst of his busy and great life of training to be a leader and bing one. It made me like him more than I¡¯d like to admit.


    Thank God all of his shorings resided in his personality which fed my excuse of hating him even though hate is a word I no longer associated with him.


    He had to leave right after, off to the necessary tasks and preparations that were the consequences of yesterday¡¯s disaster.


    I thought about how the families of the victims must feel, how heartbroken and shattered the attack left them after taking their loved ones away. It reminded me of the time I lost my dad. I knew what it was to deal with the ck, gaping hole that was grief. I could empathize on all levels and I genuinely wished them strength because they¡¯d need it.


    I spent my free time watching crappy telenovs, not at all surprised to find out that Cami and Valentino had broken up again, with the other woman see coworker now in the picture.


    I took it easy with my judgyments about Cami though. I might be many things but not a shameless hypocrite. In fact, I didn¡¯t expect to rte to her on a primal level. She might just be the realest character on television.


    Cami, the bad bitch, got her revenge by sleeping with Valentino¡¯s hot and rich boss and it was a satisfying sight watching the cheating scum nurse his shattered ego.


    I cheered Cami, raising my bottle of soda at the small TV. I¡¯ve decided to temporarily quit drinking alone at home because my PTSD from drunk-texting Luca was still very much prevalent.


    ¡°Cheers to getting back at cheaters!¡± I hooted, trying not to acknowledge the shitty feeling poking at me. At least Cami could get her revenge, I¡¯d somewhat tried that only to get punished with hot, humbling sex. On the second asion, I had nearly gotten a man killed.


    Unfortunately for me, Luca was not Valentino who would throw a tantrum and cry.


    I took an aggressive chug of my soda, the fuzzy, citric taste bing bitter in my mouth.


    My brooding was interrupted by the jolting sound of my ringtone. I cursed, I really needed to change it to something less likely to give me a heart attack.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Surprise quelled my annoyance when I saw who was calling. I swiped on answer.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be getting railed at the moment?¡±


    Gina giggled into my ear, her voice coy when she replied. ¡°Well I have already. A couple of times even.¡± I could hear her wide smile. ¡°Dante just stepped out to go get us a wine refill. And I just thought to call.¡±


    My grin was knowing. ¡°You want to chat about it.¡±


    Gina sighed, not bothering to deny it. ¡°Oh Cara! You didn¡¯t tell me it was this good. The mammas in the church lied, s e x is the best thing that could ever happen. I felt like I was in heaven, Cara.¡±


    I stayed silent, letting her go on and on with her spiel, fully aware that she just needed to babble about it.


    ¡°And Dante, oh my god Cara, my husband is the best. He was so gentle and sweet about it, making sure I was okay at all times.¡± She giggled again. ¡°Plus, he¡¯s so hot! When he took off his shirt for the first time-¡±


    Okay, time out.


    ¡°TMI, Gina.¡± I chided with augh. ¡°Trust me, you really don¡¯t want to let your stepsister know how your husband looks without a shirt.¡±


    A soft chuckle left her. ¡°Right, sorry.¡± Her voice sounded muffled as if she was eating something. ¡°Back to eptable details, Dante has been the most romantic. He even cooks, I never thought made men could do that. My father doesn¡¯t and I¡¯m sure Luca doesn¡¯t know how to as well.¡±


    It was on the tip of my mouth to correct her but I caught myself. She would obviously find it weird that her brother cooked breakfast for me. I didn¡¯t want her getting any ideas.


    However, I could help but blush as the memory of Luca¡¯srge body moving about as he prepared breakfast in my tiny kitchen.


    That was the closest to ¡°romantic¡± we had been in our tornado of a rtionship.


    I forced myself to focus on Gina¡¯s ramblings.


    ¡°Dante had been so intentional with me and I know he¡¯s trying to get my mind off the disaster that was our wedding reception.¡± She paused, leaving me to a short rustling noise before she spoke again. ¡°But I¡¯m happy. Very much happy that even yesterday¡¯s event cannot kill it.¡±


    My mind wandered back to what I overheardst night and my good nature plunged into a darkness. ¡°Gina, about the Russians-¡±


    Another rustling noise, I was beginning to think it was the bedsheets. ¡°Hi.¡± A male drawled in the background.


    Gina cleared her throat. ¡°Um¡­ sorry Cara. I have to go now.¡± Her tone hushed into a delighted whisper. ¡°Dante is back.¡±


    I let out a sigh when the line went dead. It was good that I hadn¡¯t been able to tell her. She didn¡¯t need to be bothered about anything while on her honeymoon or even after it. I¡¯d just hold on to the knowledge alone. Gina didn¡¯t need to know about my chilling discovery.


    I focused on my TV shows, spending the rest of the day on them.


    Luca didn¡¯t return to my apartment like I hoped he would but our long dirty texts made up for it.


    He was quite the sexter and the moisture I had between my legs when we finally said our goodnights was proof. I touched myself after that and I imagined him doing it instead, his voice whispering obscene things in my ears as he rocked my world.


    I resumed work the next day, feeling like the main character as everyone fussed over me like I was a cancer survivor. Apparently, the story Luca fed my co-workers was that I caught ¡°a raging flu¡± and had been quite ¡°delirious¡± from the fever that came along.


    Not only was the man a cold blooded killer, he was one with a vivid imagination. I guess it was a necessary requirement if he had to do what he did to men that dared to cross him.


    ¡°So how do you feel now?¡± Diana asked for like the fifteenth time. It was like the girl thought I could suddenly go into a rpse any second from now.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± Was my reply, yet again.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to rest or anything?¡±


    Oh my god!


    I was going to strangle Luca when I saw him. I was getting really tired of pretending to be a recuperating flu patient.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Really.¡± I assured Diana again but she, along with the rest of the girls, didn¡¯t take my word for it and I spent the rest of my shift being treated like an invalid.


    The journey back home was another weird experience. Luca had doubled my stalkers and they no longer pretended not to follow me by giving me a considerable berth. It was really awkward walking home in the midst of eightrge, mute men I didn¡¯t know.


    At least I knew Sergio from my near rape incident and Lanky I should ask him for his real name from the luncheon incident. I tried to strike a conversation with them but both of thempletely ignored me.


    ¡°Assholes.¡± I muttered under my breath.


    However, Lanky heard me and I didn¡¯t miss the slight upturn of his lips.


    A scheming aspiration filled me, so that was how it is. I vowed to make all of them my best buddies in three months. Charming men was my speciality and they didn¡¯t stand a single chance. I was going to get rid of the stuff formality they reserved for me.


    ¡°Three months,¡± I said to them when we got to my door, ignoring their collective look of confusion as I  entered my apartment, immediately getting busy with preparing for bed.


    Luca didn¡¯t show up again but he contacted me, this time via call.


    ¡°You went to work.¡± He said the moment I answered the call, the words sounding more of a statement than an usation.


    I put the call on the loudspeaker and got busy with drying out my hair. ¡°I told you I wasn¡¯t going to take two days off.¡±


    ¡°So you did. Have I told you that you¡¯re stubborn as a mule?¡±


    A grin spread across my face. I caught myself in the vanity mirror and quickly killed it. I looked like a silly goose. ¡°I think you have once¡­ oh I remember the time you drove me home after my series of failed job hunting.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m telling you again.¡±


    My brush made a ttering noise as I picked it from the cluster on my vanity.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Brushing my hair.¡±


    A pause. ¡°I wish I was doing it instead.¡± He said, then the pitch of his tone dropped lower. ¡°Along with other things.¡±


    Heat ignited in my belly and my grip on the brush grew shaky. My throat was dry when I spoke. ¡°I wish you were here too.¡±


    Luca said nothing and I knew his eyes were growing dark with desire wherever he was.


    ¡°Merda,¡± he cursed before speaking again. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to wrap up this business ande to you-¡±


    All my nerve endings hummed at the words e to you.¡¯


    ¡°-when I finally do, I¡¯m going to fuck you until you¡¯re unable to walk.¡±


    My breath picked up and so did my heartbeat. The coolness my shower provided me disappeared instantaneously as a rush of heat flooded my pores.


    I couldn¡¯t speak as desire was lodged in my throat. Luca sensed my temporary incapability to continue the conversation and the low chuckle he let out went straight to the wet heat between my legs.


    ¡°Goodnight, bambina.¡± He drawled. ¡°Until the next time we met.¡±


    Hourster I was still focused on that single promise, a dull throbbing ache permanently present in my private center. I was so fixated that even the thoughts of Russian assassins breaking in to erase my existence did nothing to quell my feral state.


    And what a good thing it was.

 Chapter 46: Sweeter than pills

    Luca¡¯s pov


    The death toll was a total of forty-eight. Forty-eight people out of the hundred and twenty people that were present for the wedding party.


    I stared at the list of their names projected on the grey walls of the conference room of my main club, my muscles tightening beneath my skin. Fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, all dead.


    A turbulent wave shed in my chest and I pressed my fist on the conference table, even children hadn¡¯t been spared.


    Dominic, sensing the pressure building inside me, flipped the list to something else and I was now staring at a picture of an unfamiliar man. ¡°This is Yarov Kozlov aka the deathsmith and he¡¯s the Alexei¡¯s most deadliest krysha-¡±


    Krysha was the Russian term for enforcer and I didn¡¯t need Dominic¡¯s information to tell that this Yarov fucker was one. He had the empty gaze of one who had sent many men back to their maker.


    I got up and went around the long table to get a closer look at the projected picture, leaning on the edge of the polished surface. I studied the tattooed giant, taking in his blond mane, scarred face and soulless eyes and I wondered what the mere enforcer had to do with anything.


    ¡°-he¡¯s Alexei¡¯s most dangerous killing machine and has risen up the ranks to the pakhan¡¯s innermost circle even though he¡¯s just an enforcer.¡±


    I had my answer.


    Dominic continued, turning his swivel back and forth. ¡°Yarov is highly valued by Alexei and is even said to have influenced some of the pakhan¡¯s crucial decisions. The both of them first met in prison after the young pakhan had been arrested for killing a college mate.


    Yarov got into a fight with a local gang and although he killed all ten of them, the injuries he sustained were severe. The wardens supposedly left him for dead, but Alexei had found him and attended to his wounds. The Russian giant had stayed loyal to him ever since.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s twirling swivel halted, his face pinching into a foreboding scowl. ¡°Yarov hardly ever leaves the pakhan¡¯s side since his assignments are limited to very important targets but these days, he has been caught snooping around our territory.¡±


    I leaned off the table and strolled to the projection, my pointer fingering up to poke the bastard¡¯s forehead. ¡°We¡¯ll have to take care of him then. Before the mostro does something messy.¡± I said, turning to my consigliere, my finger still pressed to the projected face of the enforcer. ¡°Has Satino been contacted yet?¡± I asked.


    Satino was my most ruthless hitman and not once has he ever missed a target. Dead shot, his nickname, had been inspired by his bullet precision.


    It had been a while since I sent him out and I knew the bloody-thirsty son of a gun itched in anticipation wherever he was.


    Dominic nodded once. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s to carry out the job next tomorrow.¡±


    Next tomorrow. That was Tuesday, the day before the rats are exposed. A slow smile worked up my lips, such a pleasant sequence of good news.


    ¡°Tell Satino to deal with Yarov together with the others.¡± I turned back to the projected picture. ¡°It¡¯s only fair that our dear pakhan grieve alongside the Cosa Nostra.¡±


    It won¡¯t be easy taking out the brute enforcer but it was going to be much harder to do if we left him to run amok like a wounded grizzly.


    The deathsmith was about to get clipped by the dead shot. Dark excitement flooded my veins.


    Unfortunately the excitement didn¡¯tst as my next order doused all of it in cold water. ¡°Prepare a meeting with the other families. I need to render my condolences and give them a modified summary of the situation.¡±


    It urred to me that the rat was going to be present as well and the realization left a metallic taste in my mouth.


    Just the thought of sitting at the same table as him along with having to pacify the rest of the old bitching dons that didn¡¯t know any more than to panic caused a vein to throb in my temple. But, it was either that or risk an internal battle for power. I didn¡¯t have the time to deal with any opposition challenging my capabilities, I already had a lot on my te. I could not afford to give Alexei such an advantage.


    My gaze bored into the projected picture of Yarov, and I vowed to make he and every other bratva fucker causing havoc disappearpletely.


    I swore this on my dear mother¡¯s grave and marked an X on the bastard¡¯s unsmiling face.


    ***


    ¡°Tutti bene?¡± Dominic asked once we returned to my office.


    I waved him off. ¡°Everything¡¯s fine.¡± Although my friend was a cold, heartless bastard most of the time, he still possessed an annoying mother hen trait that showed up once in a while and unfortunately for me, I was the sole recipient of the bizarre disposition. I stole a nce at his face and the raw concern on it made me wince.


    ¡°I think you should go home to rest, you look sallow.¡± Dominic said, unbothered by my dismissive attitude.


    My facial muscles squeezed into an irritated scowl. ¡°Jesus Christ Dominic, stop acting like I¡¯m suddenly going to copse to the floor.¡±


    He pinned me with a solemn stare. ¡°I¡¯m serious Luca.¡±


    ¡°F uck you.¡± I retorted, pouring myself a ss of whiskey.


    ¡°You should take it easy.¡±


    My smile was sardonic. ¡°If only Alexei Mikhalov would be nice enough to let me do that.¡±


    Dominic sighed, obviously exasperated. ¡°Fine, do whatever you like. Treat your body like it¡¯s invincible, I don¡¯t give a fuck.¡±


    I didn¡¯t bother with a response and instead took my first sip on my whiskey, flexing my jaw at the delicious bitterness.


    ¡°You should at least get some stress prescription from the doctor.¡±


    This persistent f ucker.


    ¡°Dominic shut up. I¡¯m not my aging father, I don¡¯t need any f ucking stress prescription.¡±


    That finally got him to give it up. He sighed heavily, giving me a don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you look.


    He might be right about me being stressed, anyone would be if they dealt with the shit I¡¯ve been dealing with but what I needed wasn¡¯t some stupid pills. No, it was something much sweeter and hotter and very much human.


    I nced at my watch. I still had about two hours before the meeting with the representatives of the Cosa Nostra families. I could make a quick stop at Rico¡¯s, have stress relieving sex with Cara then return just in time for the meeting.


    I rose to my feet and grabbed my jacket.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Dominic asked, getting up from the leather sofa he had been so casually slumped in.


    ¡°Out,¡± was my cryptic reply.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to see her.¡± He threw me an using gaze.


    I shot him a scathing look. ¡°And what about it?¡±


    A scoff left him. ¡°Are you being serious?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t start.¡±


    ¡°Luca, you¡¯re supposed to be getting ready for the meeting. Not running off to that woman.¡±


    He was beginning to appear really punchable at the moment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to ¡°get ready¡± for anything. It¡¯s not an office presentation.¡± I slipped into the jacket. ¡°Don¡¯t wait for me, I¡¯ll see you at the meeting.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not worth the trouble, man.¡±


    One moment I was ttening thepels of my jacket then grabbing my oldest friend by his the next. I glowered at him in restrained annoyance, trying my hardest not to break his nose with a headbutt.


    I sessfully reined in my rising temper, sheathing the promising ws of violence as I decided not to fight him over a woman. My smile was caustic when I released him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do this.¡± I said, smoothing his wrinkledpels. ¡°We have bigger issues to focus on.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s clinical gaze was unwavering. ¡°Exactly the point I¡¯m trying to make.¡±


    Well f uck his badgering nature and fuck me for being the pacifist.


    My fist connected with his abdomen.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He sucked in a sharp breath, bending over from the pain. He groaned as he pressed a palm to the affected area thenughed.


    The bastard fuckingughed.


    Not that I was surprised, Dominic was sick like that. It just made me all the more annoyed. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re who you are.¡± I said, putting my phone into my pocket. ¡°I¡¯d have broken your jaw if you were to be any other man.¡±


    His tone was sarcastic. ¡°Thank you for your benevolence.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± I was halfway across the spacious office before he spoke again.


    ¡°Should I be worried about you not making it to the meeting? Her sexy ass seems to hold yourplete interest after all.¡±


    I stilled and turned back to him. If I had been near him, I¡¯d have punched him again. ¡°I will be there, keep the other dons in order until I return.¡±


    He nodded, his face squeezing as he went back to standing erect.


    I drew satisfaction from his pain. ¡°And another thing,¡± I said, pinning him a stern look. ¡°You will address Cara with the respect she deserves.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s frown was disagreeing.


    I turned away to open the door. ¡°That is an order.¡± I said before walking out and shutting the damned thing.

 Chapter 47: Borrowed Time

    Luca¡¯s pov


    I found Cara in the supply room, scribbling away in arge ledger. Her whole face glowed with surprise when she looked up and saw me before breaking into a bright smile that sparked my heart and warmed my blood.


    She was that one spot of sunshine in my dark, dreary world. Her blue eyes shone like the sky and her pretty lips beckoned me for a kiss. One I badly wanted to give her.


    Cara cocked her head. ¡°Well this is a surprise.¡± She said, putting aside the thick book as I cut across to her. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you today or the next.¡±


    I pulled her in for a tight hug, inhaling into her golden hair and filling my lungs with her pleasant shampoo scent. ¡°Neither did I.¡±


    She wrapped her slender hand around my waist. ¡°Sergio said you were super busy.¡±


    That made me pull back to look at her face. My eyes narrowed. ¡°Sergio?¡±


    ¡°Mm hmm.¡± She said looking up at me. A teasing glint appeared in her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re getting to know each other.¡±


    I inched closer until I was a hairsbreadth away from her lips. My voice plunged low. ¡°If you really possess an ounce of concern for the man, you wouldn¡¯t taunt me with words like that.¡±


    A zap traveled down the length of my c0ck as her cheeky expression turned into something darker. I could barely keep myself from ripping apart her tight fitting shorts and thrusting into her.


    ¡°He¡¯s forced to be around me and I¡¯m forced to have him around. It¡¯s only fair for us to be buddies.¡±


    ¡°Buddies.¡± I repeated the word, dipping down to nibble the side of her neck.


    Her voice was breathy now. ¡°Yes, buddies.¡±


    My hand slipped down to her firm ass and I gave it a squeeze, enjoying her sharp little gasp. ¡°He¡¯s there for your protection. Not to be your buddy.¡±


    She swallowed before speaking. ¡°There¡¯s no rule that says he can¡¯t do both.¡±


    I drew away from her neck, my gaze returning to hers and holding it.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°I could use more friends.¡± She added with a shrug.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be friends with a man.¡±


    ¡°Luca, that¡¯s a neanderthal lie.¡±


    I dipped down to her corbone to hide my smile, kissing the elegant curve of her tiny shoulder. ¡°You have me. You don¡¯t need any other man.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s different.¡± She rushed to say and I knew she was blushing hard.


    ¡°It would be neanderthal for you to think you can¡¯t be friends with the man you¡¯re sleeping with.¡±


    A gasp of outrage escaped her, followed by a chuckle of disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡±


    ¡°I could be other things for you, bambina.¡± I rasped, my heart racing with how much I meant those words as my hand disappeared under her shirt. ¡°I could be anything you want me to be.¡±


    A harsh breath blew out of her and she shook with a slight shudder. ¡°Luca,¡± she moaned. ¡°Diana would be here any minute.¡±


    ¡°Then we better get to business before she does.¡± I grunted against her throat.


    Her soft hands ran up my waist, sending tingles of heat up my tightened abs as she stroked my hot skin, her next words contradicting her touch. ¡°No, we¡¯re going to get caught.¡±


    I backed away from her and without another word, I pulled her out of the supply room and down the other end of the corridor.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± She asked, barely concealing the excitement from her voice.


    ¡°Somewhere Diana can¡¯t interrupt us.¡± I pulled her along, cutting past an adjoined corridor until we got to a secret door.


    Her eyes went wide with surprise and questioning at the unfamiliar ce. ¡°Where are we? Is this still Rico¡¯s?¡±


    Thetter question made me chuckle. I pulled the door open and gestured her inside. ¡°Yes we¡¯re still at Rico¡¯s. This is just some ce your old boss closed off with no idea what to do with it for years. I renovated it into a secret passage to the whorehouse.¡±


    I pointed to the far left. ¡°That leads outside, serves as both an entrance and an exit for the customers.


    Cara¡¯s eyes brightened with this new information as she mindlessly breezed past me. ¡°Wow.¡± Shemended, once she stepped inside.


    A new corridor disappearing into a corner stretched before us, tinted red with the light above us. I watched as Cara¡¯s wide eyes took in the mirrored walls and erotic statues lining the length of the corridor. With my hand on her back, I guided her down the space and around the bend until we came to another door nked by two bouncers.


    The bouncers bowed the moment they saw me, giving way as I and Cara made our way through the guarded door.


    If Cara was impressed before, she was nowpletely wowed as she took in the next to naked women moving about, performing for men or role-ying.


    I leaned down to whisper in her ear. ¡°This is just the fun area. There are rooms for those looking for some privacy.¡±


    She turned to face me and the turned on look on her face as she swallowed at my innuendo caused my dick to stir in my pants. Dio, I badly wanted her beneath me, wrapped around me as she screamed from the pleasure I¡¯d give her. I wanted it so much that I¡¯d kill for it.


    I looked down at my watch, I was running out of time. ¡°As much as I would love to let you feed your eyes, I don¡¯t think I can hold off any much longer.¡± I pinned her with my gaze. ¡°Time to fulfill my promise to you.¡±


    I ced my palm on her back and guided us around the debauchery going on and into the hallway containing the rooms. I didn¡¯t stop until we got to the veryst one, pouncing on her the moment we slipped in and I shut the door.


    We kissed at a feral pace, like people who had been deprived of food and water. My hands roved every part of her body, grabbing fistfuls of her hair, digging into her hips, her ass, her waist.


    I pressed my erection against her, grunting into her throat at the hot sensation. She grinded against me and a hiss tore out of me. cing my arms beneath her ass, I lifted her off her feet and carried her to the king sized bed.


    She pulled off her shirt the moment her back hit the bed and I assisted in tugging it off. Her bra followed and I dipped down to take one puckered nipple into my mouth.


    Cara moaned aloud, thrusting into my mouth as I tugged slowly on the bud and sucked deeply. My hand came up to y with the other nipple and I could feel her deep shiver of pleasure all the way to my dick.


    ¡°I want to touch you like this everyday.¡± I said, my voice wavering with need. ¡°With my mouth¡­¡± Ipped at her nipple, ¡°with my hand¡­¡± my hand pressed harder on the other bud.


    ¡°Oh-¡± She mewled, driving her hands into my hair.


    ¡°With my c0ck.¡± I finished, rubbing my erection on her inner thigh.


    A groan pushed out of me at the friction. I needed to be inside her as soon as possible. I moved from her breasts and kissed her deeply, biting softly on her jaw before disappearing between her legs.


    Raw desire coursed through me before settling in my bulge. She smelled ready for me. Spreading her even wider, I licked her from clit to entrance thenpped at her slick heat, holding down as she writhed about, moaning my name.


    I coated my tongue with her delicious juices, thrusting into her wet walls, a growl leaving my chest at the decadent taste of her arousal. She tasted like sex if it was honey or candy or vani cream and it was all mine to feed on.


    My tongue twirled in her and when she wouldn¡¯t stay still, I nipped at her clit. She jerked above me and I savored her sharp cry of pleasure and pain.


    ¡°Too greedy,¡± I murmured against her, slipping two fingers inside her walls, the tempo growing faster.


    ¡°Oh my goodness. Fuck! Oh fuck!¡± She cried out, arching her spine as she rode against my hands and my mouth on her.


    I worked her harder, drawing out for a little longer and when I felt the time was right, I curled deep inside her, hitting the spot I knew would set her in mes, my mouth sucking hard on her clit.


    She came violently, coating my fingers with a new rush of wetness as she arched off the bed, her whole body trembling with ecstasy.


    I didn¡¯t let here down from her high as I freed myself and mmed into her hot passage.


    We both groaned when she squeezed around me in thest throes of her orgasm. I began to move with zero hesitation, grunting each time her tight pussy mped around me.


    ¡°Oh fuck bambina.¡± I said in a hoarse breath. ¡°That¡¯s it, milk me dry.¡±


    She whispered utter nonsense, her fingers digging into the sheets. Her beautiful face squeezed in pleasure. I took in her golden locks syed across the pillow, her plush boobs bouncing with each time I pumped into her, her tiny waist and full hips and I nearly exploded right then. Just from the sight of her ethereal body.


    God really took his time with her, molding her into the otherworldly beauty she was, every inch of her precious and intentional. I couldn¡¯t believe I had her here in my bed.


    A man like me didn¡¯t deserve her but that wouldn¡¯t stop me from ensuring she was mine forever.


    She arched higher to take me even deeper and I groaned at how fu*cking good it felt. I gripped her hips and thrusted even harder. ¡°Yes, bambina. Be needy for me.¡±


    Cara thrashed around, her cries growing louder as she chased her release. My fingers dug even tighter into her flesh as I drew closer to the brink of mine as well. I was so desperate to be sent over the edge in her snug little pussy like mad man.


    ¡°Touch your boobs for me bambina. I want to see you y with them like I would.¡±


    She obeyed without hesitation, bringing her small hands to cup her flushness.


    ¡°Open your eyes and look at me.¡±


    Her eyelids fluttered open and the hazed desire in her ocean depths sent a shattering wave around my chest.


    ¡°Luca,¡± she moaned then shut them again. ¡°Oh, Luca.¡±


    ¡°Open.¡± Imanded.


    She opened them again and without breaking eye contact, I released a hip and slipped the free hand to clit. ¡°Prove how f ucking wrecked you are for me like I am for you.¡± I growled before mming cruelly into her and flicking on her sensitive bud of pleasure.


    She screamed as she shattered around me, thrashing wildly on the bed. My own orgasm set off from seeing here undone all the while maintaining eye contact as we rode the storm that was our sinful heaven.


    When thest evidence of my desperation for her spurted into her passage, I rolled off her and pulled her into me, suddenly hating the fact that I had to leave.


    As if sensing my thoughts, Cara peered up at me. ¡°You can leave if you want to. I¡¯ll follow after in a few minutes.¡±


    Her voice was forlorn yet sounded as if this was something she expected. I was suddenly gripped with the unexinable need to prove her otherwise. ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave. It¡¯s thest thing I want to do.¡± I tried to say something else but I couldn¡¯t find the words as my eloquence eluded me.


    Fortunately, Cara understood. ¡°But you have to.¡± She said with a small smile.


    I kissed her temple. ¡°I have some stupid meeting.¡±


    Her slender fingers came up to my jaw. ¡°Then you should go.¡±


    I held her closer. ¡°Let¡¯s stay like this for another minute.¡±


    She was stiff for a moment but she melted into me and with each passing second that I had her in my arms, the thought of leaving for the meeting receded to the back of my mind.

 Chapter 48: Busted

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Luca stayed in bed with me for about twenty minutes more in spite of my nagging. He only got up to leave when he got a call and he¡¯d put his clothes back on in a bout of cursing. It had been amusing to see the sulking side of him and I¡¯d captured the moment and stored it in my head to revisit it whenever I think of him. Which was all the time.


    I hadn¡¯t wanted him to leave but I understood he was a busy man with a billion responsibilities. It was irksome how touched I was that he sacrificed some of his precious time for me, making me deepen things that are not even there. I was quickly discovering that I had a delusional streak.


    I could still feel the memory of his parting kiss and from how lightheaded I felt as I put my clothes back on, I was also still very much affected by it. I loved his kisses so much, they were hard and passionate just like sex with him. Kissing Luca was an exciting experience and I enjoyed it almost as much as I enjoyed having him inside me.


    A dreamy smile was stered on my face as I made my way back to the ¡°fun area¡± as Luca described it. I weaved my way around the strotting and dancing half-dressed women, my skin flushing as I imagined doing their erotic dances with Luca as my audience.


    I sessfully got to the exit without bumping into any of the lust hazed folks, an embarrassed blush heating my cheeks and ears so hard they almost sted to bits when one of the bouncers from earlier asked if I had a great time. I responded with a hysterical chuckle, noting the judgy stare of his partner before fleeing down the corridor of sin.


    I mmed the secret door behind me, leaning into it as I took huge chunks of relieved breaths. It was a sensory overload back there. The intense arousal and exhration I felt would stick with me for a long time. So will the nervousness, embarrassment and the hint of shame.


    But will that stop me from returning?


    Not a chance.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    I tried to envision what Luca and I would have done to each other if we were given more time to explore the ce. I imagined acting out my sexual fantasies of him in such a setting, heat pooling in my belly as the imaginations ran wild.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. He must have been there to inspect things like always.¡±


    The husky female voice tore me out of my freaky thoughts, panic setting deep in my chest as I shuffled on my feet on where to hide.


    I ducked into the next passageway, slipping into an open space. I hid behind the narrow door, holding my breath as the footsteps belonging to the voice I heard drew nearer.


    A second voice spoke. ¡°I¡¯m telling you N, he wasn¡¯t just there to inspect things, he was there with a woman. The whores saw them.¡±


    That was Julietta, my heart dropped to my stomach.


    Oh my God! Have I been caught already? Exposed? So soon?


    ¡°Right.¡± N said in a sarcastic tone. ¡°If that was true, who was she then?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t sure, but I think the organ stopped beating altogether.


    Julietta doesn¡¯t speak and with each passing second she remained silent, I died a little. I couldn¡¯t even decide if I wanted to hear her answer or not.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± She groaned, finally saying something. ¡°How the hell do you expect me or the other whores to know?¡±


    All my nerves went haywire when they entered the narrow passageway and decided to stop right in front of the room I was hiding in. My heartbeat thundered in my chest and I was so certain that its loud, heavy thumping would betray my wish to be undiscovered.


    I could hear Julietta¡¯s voice right in my ear when she spoke again. ¡°Whoever the bitch is, she must be so lucky. All the whores have been trying their luck and failing.¡±


    My face scrunched up. Trying their luck with what?


    N chuckled. ¡°You talk as if you aren¡¯t part of them. Your clothing choice grew more brazen since the man appeared.¡±


    ¡°Well would you me me, a girl¡¯s gotta try her luck.¡± Julietta said with an irritating purr. ¡°I heard he wasn¡¯t just any mafia don but the most powerful. Imagine being the girl of such a man.¡±


    I was never bothered by Julietta like I was at the moment. I bit my cheek to stop myself from snorting. Luca¡¯s girl? I could almostugh. She was such an ignorant bird.


    ¡°Really bold of you to aim that high.¡± N responded and the urge to go kiss her cheek filled me.


    ¡°Why? You think I¡¯m not up to par?¡± Julietta asked, sounding affronted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know baby but a man like that only sees women like us as a fun time. A goody. His *real* girl is probably on a cruise ship shooting for some rich people magazine.¡±


    I hated that Valentina was the first woman that came to mind at the description and with it was my heart sinking into my stomach, the Luca induced haze cleared from my eyes.


    I now hated N for being such a cynic. I didn¡¯t feel like kissing her cheek anymore.


    Julietta¡¯s tone was acerbic. ¡°Speak for yourself.¡±


    I heard her stomp away, heard N sigh deeply before following after her. ¡°I¡¯m just being real here.¡± She called after a pissed Julietta.


    I waited another minute beforeing out of my hiding spot, rotating my hip bones to loosen the soreness in them. N and Julietta had kept me in the tight space for far too long.


    Julietta had referred to the other girls working in the whorehouse like she wasn¡¯t a part of them. She might not work full-time like most of them but she definitely did what they do.


    ¡®What about you? You swore never to be there but couldn¡¯t even stick to your decision.¡¯ I shook off the ruthless voice, hating how right it was. I was thest person to judge Julietta.


    I might not be sleeping with men for money but I was definitely not a saint either. I¡¯ve been having sex with my step brother, Julietta didn¡¯t need my criticism.


    I thought back to what N said, not liking the fact that I fit right into the category of Julietta and the rest. I might be the one to have Luca for now but it was a matter of time before he moved on to the next woman.


    There was nothing secure about our rtionship. There never would be. He made that clear of the cryptic answers he gave whenever I brought Valentina up. I couldn¡¯t even call what we had a rtionship, more like an undefined arrangement.


    Something burned in the back of my eyes and I shut my lids to reel it in. ¡°Just enjoy the ride while itsts and stop overthinking everything.¡± I muttered to myself. ¡°It¡¯s how you¡¯ve always done it.¡±


    I needed to put an end to the unwarranted and irrational notion of the promise of a real rtionship. I didn¡¯t even know when I¡¯d begun to nurture the stupid thought.

 Chapter 49: One of The Others

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Dominic was ring at me like I had massacred his prized rottweiler, Caos and left the carcass on the doorstep of his luxury condo. He was pissed at me because I¡¯d made him deal with the rest of the dons much longer than our initial agreement. I ignored him, not giving a fuck. I also had something to be pissed about and it was having to sit through this torture of a meeting when I could¡¯ve still been with Cara, in Cara, cocooned in her magical scent. Even now I still wanted her, my hands scorched with the imprint of her soft skin, my head gued by the sounds of her enchanting moans.


    She was now probably back at her dingy apartment, doing everything but looking for a new apartment like she had promised to do. Not that I cared if she did, I nned on manipting her into moving in with me. And it was why I had pretended to give in to her demands.


    I straightened my jacket, righted the cuff, and adjusted in my seat. I was restless and impatient. This meeting was taking ages.


    ¡°We are worried about the recent esction of events and we need to know what you n on doing about this situation.¡± Don Torrio finally got to the point after saying a whole lot of dispensable shit.


    I stared at him much longer than necessary, studying him for the tell signs of being a rat. His twitchy form wasn¡¯t helping his case.


    Returning my attention to the matter at hand, I decided to leave the role of investigator to Grigori. ¡°We n on immobilizing the bratva by taking out one of their significant strengths.¡±


    ¡°Could you please expand more on that?¡± A voice on my left asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get only what I tell you Ro.¡± I said through gritted teeth. Ro was the only other young don aside me and was also the most bloodthirsty. He never failed to ask annoying questions or nitpick at my decisions and I knew he was waiting patiently for the first flicker of opportunity to take my ce.


    His bitterness worsened when I had beaten him to a pulp five years ago, the broken ribs I gave him solely on him for being stupid enough to hit on my teenage sister. He thought he deserved to be head don for some reason but a weak sleazebag like him didn¡¯t even deserve his current position as the don of the Amato family.


    ¡°The famiglia has to know.¡± The bastard insisted.


    The look I gave him was stony. ¡°Only what is necessary. Don¡¯t interrupt me again.¡±


    Ro¡¯s jaw flexed as he grated his teeth in anger but he wasn¡¯t dumb enough to keep pressing the matter.


    I continued with my summarized report, the rest of them staying quiet all through. Leaving out mentions of rats, the new leverage on Alexei and even our surprise assassination of Yarov and eight other highly important members of the bratva.


    I didn¡¯t want our little snitch running off to spill into the ear of Alexei when Satino was yet to finalize the job. I should be getting feedback on that in a few hours.


    ¡°So I trust that wasprehensive enough.¡± I said rising to my feet to indicate that the meeting was over and that I wasn¡¯t taking any fucking questions. The men nodded, albeit grudgingly, then filed out of the conference room.


    Dominic turned on me immediately. ¡°You were twenty minutes and thirty-four secondste.¡±


    I was friends with apulsive psychopath.


    ¡°You do know you¡¯ve never beente do you? Not until-¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s bizarre here is that you kept track of the time right down to the seconds.¡± I cut into his predictably provoking tirade.


    He shot me a look of exasperation before dropping to matter for a more important one. ¡°Satino called. He changed his kill n to a sniper range, saying it would be more acute and less messy.¡±


    I considered this for a minute. Satino might have never missed in his hitman career but he was one cocky bastard and in the world we lived in, that was a trait that led to fuckups in the end.


    ¡°Send some of our enforcers along just in case.¡± I instructed. The dead shot was not going to like that one bit. He was very likely to finish the job without their help but I couldn¡¯t risk his overflowing ego. The asshole had just changed a well thought out n at thest second for fuck sake.


    ¡°Noted.¡± Dominic said, following me as I headed out of the room and towards the exit of the club¡¯s private area.


    ¡°One more thing.¡±


    ¡°What other thing?¡± I asked in growing annoyance.


    ¡°Alesky.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡±


    ¡°There were reports of him causing a scene at one of our casinos.¡±


    I stopped in my tracks and faced him. ¡°Go on.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s eyes were filled with a dark glint. ¡°He imed that the Cosa Nostra was done for and the casino was going to be his. He babbled quite a lot about the recent shootout and his version was very much exaggerated.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    My bones rattled with boiling fury. The balls of that little shit. My own casino, his?


    ¡°Do you want Satino to take care of him as well?¡± Dominic asked.


    Something sinister streamed through my blood, filling me with malefic intent. ¡°And miss out on all the fun?¡± My smile was sardonic when I added. ¡°Such sphemy needs to be punished personally.¡±


    It¡¯s been a while since I had a guest in the basement. Not since the bratva dickheads that tried to set my warehouse aze. The darkness in me intensified at the prospect of properly getting to fuck a fucker up. The ones I¡¯d dealt with in my father¡¯s mansion hadn¡¯t been that much of an excitement. I had been too pissed, too hasty and too distracted to enjoy it. But with Alesky, I would have the time of my life.


    However, getting his ass hauled here wasn¡¯t just a simple, easy task. The bastard was still a mob boss albeit a stupid and vincible one. ¡°Get the chopper squad to the bastard¡¯s domain. Tell them to shoot everything and anything that lives but spare the bastard. Instruct two of our finest arsonist enforcers to go torch up his main establishments. I want it to be so grand it¡¯d make the news, let the rest of the pup mobs see for themselves what it meant to fuck around with me.¡±


    A smile appeared on Dominic¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re going to take out the Polish mob in a day.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take out the Polish mob in a day.¡±


    The smile morphed into a lopsided grin. ¡°ssic Luca.¡±


    Thest time I¡¯d done something like this was two years ago with the Swedish and I¡¯dpletely wiped them off the face of America, forcing them to make new territories in Canada instead. They had been stupid like Alesky and had gotten their clock cleaned.


    The Polish stood no chance against the Cosa Nostra. They might possess brute strength but theycked ammo and numbers. The Cosa Nostra had all three and more. Taking them out in such a swift, spontaneous manner was sure to expunge the bastards once and for all. Alesky would be spared no time to run to the bratva for help.


    I resumed my walk. ¡°Ensure it happens all in one go.¡±


    ¡°You got it don.¡± Dominic replied.


    I dialed Sergio¡¯s number the second I got into my car and ordered the driver to get going.


    Cara had left work but wasn¡¯t home like I¡¯d thought she¡¯d be.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± I asked, a spark of panic ring up in my chest.


    ¡°She¡¯s at school boss. We¡¯re right outside her ss.¡±


    The spark died and a calm settled in its stead. She was safe.


    I instructed my driver to take us there eager to see Cara in her element.


    The traffic flow was conveniently light so we got there sooner than expected. The academy¡¯s building was a humble modern structure, shrouded by a considerable amount of trees.


    The school was one of those easily essible ces that didn¡¯t have anyone breathing down my neck with questions about my purpose for visiting or double fact-checking my information. I only had to check in the visitors¡¯ ledger.


    But it was a bad thing, a really bad thing. If I could get to Cara this effortlessly, then so would the bratva. The thought of them finding her here sent ice skittering down my spine.


    I took the directions the security guard gave to me, walking past a line of ssrooms before getting to Cara¡¯s. Sergio and the others hovered around, their stance alert.


    ¡°Boss,¡± they all greeted, their heads bowed in respect.


    I acknowledged them with a sharp nod. ¡°How long has the ss been?¡±


    ¡°Nearly two hours, it should be over any time now.¡± Sergio replied and a few secondster, students began filing out.


    Great, the lectures were over. I just needed to pick Cara and cart her out of here.


    It took a couple of minutes before her blonde head finally popped out of the door. My breathing spiked at seeing her and she looked so different with the books cradled to her chest and the blue suede bag slung behind her back. However, her outfit was as bold as always and my throat went dry at the sleeveless top that exposed her elegant shoulders and snatched waist, her jeans snug against her long legs.


    Whatever greeting that was about leaving my lips died along with my smile when a preppy blond dude jogged over to her with a big grin on his face. But it was the smile Cara gave him that caused my skin to prickle. I nearly lost it when he reached out to pull a lock of hair away from her face.


    ¡°Cara.¡±


    She whirled around, her blue eyes going wide with shock. ¡°Luca?¡±


    Preppy boy was standing way too close to her.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I threw her a sour look. ¡°I¡¯m here to pick you up,¡± I said like it wasn¡¯t already obvious.


    My body simmered when she nced at preppy boy then returned her gaze to me.


    They had made ns.


    ¡°Kevin and I were supposed to work on our group project.¡±


    My reply was snappy. ¡°You¡¯d do that next time.¡± I grabbed her arm and turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait, Luca-¡±


    Preppy boy or Kevin, I didn¡¯t give a fuck what he was called, put a hand around mine to stop me. My men instantly circled around him.


    I cocked my head at him and whatever he read on my expression had him dropping his hand like something had scalded it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are to Cara but she doesn¡¯t seem like she wants to leave with you.¡± He said, his voice wavering as he eyed Sergio and the guys.


    Cara tried to free herself from my grip and failed. She let out a huff of frustration. ¡°The project is due in two weeks. Kevin said it was a lot of work and I¡¯m too bad at PowerPoint to ck off for even a day.¡±


    I ignored her, my stare drilling into Kevin and from his bobbing Adam¡¯s apple and flickering gaze I knew he had lied to her.


    It wasn¡¯t ¡°a lot of work¡±, the bastard had just manipted her into spending time with him. If I hadn¡¯t been here, they¡¯d have gone to some ce where he¡¯d try to get in her pants.


    Would Cara let him?


    The thought burned in my chest, stirring an emotion I couldn¡¯t ce. Couldn¡¯t control.


    It took all of my self control not to reach into my pants, pull out my gun and end his sleazy existence.


    My gaze shot to Cara. ¡°We¡¯re leaving. Now.¡±


    I turned for the exit and pulled her along, ignoring her growls of protest. My men stayed back for a few seconds, following after us after ensuring Kevin got the silent message to stay put.


    He did and irritation bubbled inside me on what a spineless bastard he was. Not that I wanted him to challenge, he might die in the process, but I couldn¡¯t help but think that if it were to be the enemy, Cara would have been carted off just like that.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?!¡± Cara yelled when we got to the car.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be allowed in society with your zero awareness and inability to perceive dirtbags.¡±


    She scoffed. ¡°The only dirtbag here is you, you¡¯re the one dragging me off against my will.¡±


    The stare I gave her was long and hard. ¡°Get in.¡±


    ¡°We are not done here.¡±


    I grabbed her once more and practically tossed her into the backseat, slipping in after her. She wriggled to right her unbing position, huffing and puffing as she adjusted.


    ¡°You brute!¡± She yelled again, raising her hand to hit me. I grabbed her hands and pushed into her, pinning her on her side of the door. Deja vu filled me as I recalled the day I¡¯d intercepted her on her way to that cursed tutoring job.


    ¡°Now you listen to me. Your dear Kevin lied to you, you weren¡¯t going to work on your stupid project, he was going to seduce you and get you naked.¡±


    Angry fire red up in her eyes. ¡°And how the hell do you know that?¡±


    My lips turned up in a sardonic smile. ¡°Because I¡¯m a man and if you¡¯ve lived even a fraction of the life I¡¯ve lived, you will smell such a fucker from a mile away.¡±


    ¡°Great, good to know kindreds recognize each other.¡± The moment the words left her mouth, she nched. Regret filling her blue gaze as she read whatever she saw in mine.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean-¡±


    I pulled away from her.


    ¡°Luca-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be best if you remained quiet for the rest of the ride.¡± I said, my voice dark and low as I shot her a chilly look.


    She opened her mouth to speak but thought better and mped it shut, a heavy silence settling in the space.


    I sat stock-still, trying not to think about her words but failing. It resounded viciously in my head, letting me know over and over again that Cara had the lowest opinion of me. She might let me sleep with her but she didn¡¯t see me as someone to be proud of. I was no different from ¡®the others.¡¯


    And it infuriated me how fucking bothered and bitter it made me.


    The feeling was almost gut-wrenching.

 Chapter 50: Makeup s e x.

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I was a terrible, terrible person. A shitty individual, I was no different from Hitler and every other vile human to ever exist. Luca sat inches away from me, his face permanently concentrated on the window, appearing indifferent and impassive.


    But I knew, I¡¯d seen it, the hurt that had cut through his gaze like a butcher¡¯s knife before refracting into my heart, slicing it into halves. I hadn¡¯t thought it was possible, I never looked at Luca Salvatore as just a man so it never urred to me that his feelings could be crushed.


    I wanted to take back my words, apologize over and over, with my words, with my actions, with my body. He might not be patient or calm or soft-spoken or possess the best temperament, but he always had my best interest at heart. The man had shielded me with his body during an active shootout only for me to liken him with the scum of the earth.


    Idiot, idiot, idiot.


    Guilt ate away at my chest like an angry woodpecker. I was indeed a terrible person.


    The ride back to my apartment was unbearably long, the loud silence growing so tense I almost choked on it. Every now and then I gathered up the courage to break it, to tell Luca that I didn¡¯t mean what I said but I chickened out with each time.


    I¡¯ve never felt this deep sense of remorse and guilt before, it was almost as if hurting Luca was a self inflicted pain. My heart squeezed at his gloomy unmoving form. I was desperate to know what he was thinking. Did he hate me at the moment? Did he take the words seriously, convinced that I thought of him that way? Was he deciding to break things off because of it? That I was more work than I was worth?


    My heart plunged like it had just jumped off a cliff. I realized I was scared, scared that Luca would leave me because of my stupid words.


    I threw him a sharp nce, trying to convince myself that I was being overly dramatic. He was Luca Salvatore, not the insecure, giant babies with a ir for exaggeration that I slept with in the past.


    The car arrived at my ce but I couldn¡¯t find the will to get out. I remained in my spot on the leather seat, waiting for something; words, an outburt, a look¡­ anything.


    But I got none so I mustered up courage and spoke. ¡°Luca I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    I still didn¡¯t get a response and it tore at my heart.


    ¡°I really am.¡± I said, opening the car door to leave. My body deted with defeat.


    My door was shut the instant I opened it and I was pinned against it, again.


    All the air in my lungs hitched then spiked, bing one with the fast rhythm of my pulse. I stared straight into Luca¡¯s grey eyes and the fire in them was so impassioned, jumbled with a mix of various emotions and I couldn¡¯t read them. Luca just held me, his heavy breaths the only sounding out of him. I couldn¡¯t get a word out myself as I waspletely captivated by the intense energy oozing off him.


    He turned to the rearview mirror and just with his gaze alone, the driver got the cue and got out, giving us privacy even though it had been just the two of us for a while now. Luca¡¯s gaze faced mine again.


    ¡°What can I do to make you think better of me, bambina?¡± He finally said and the words, they gripped at my soul, dousing it with gasoline and setting it on fire.


    For the longest of time, no one close to me had cared about my perception of them, they only wanted me to care about their own perception of me.


    ¡°Oh Luca! I didn¡¯t mean any of that.¡± I cried out, desperate for him to see. ¡°I had just said it in anger. Believe me.¡±


    His eyes flickered left and right as he scanned the honesty of my words, my expression.


    ¡°Believe me.¡± I reiterated.


    A low grunt reverberated through his chest as he gripped both side of my jaw and pulled me closer so that our lips were inches apart. ¡°I can¡¯t have you thinking the worst of me bambina. I¡¯m fine with others but not you.¡± He admitted, and I felt his husky voice on my lips. ¡°Never you.¡±


    Flutters skittered through my entire body, my mind growing hazy with the confession. Luca Salvatore cared deeply about my opinions of him, no one else but mine. I burned with tion.


    ¡°You¡¯ve said it once at my father¡¯s mansion-¡±


    My brain did a quick shback to the time he was referring to. The day of my mother¡¯s luncheon. I remember calling him all the synonyms for cruel and I winced.


    ¡°You said it today,¡± He rubbed his forehead against mine. ¡°Don¡¯t ever say it again.¡±


    My reply was immediate. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You can get mad at me, I know I can be an asshole but don¡¯t say things like Cara.¡±


    I nuzzled against him. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He closed the tiny gap between our lips, kissing me so softly the feeling was barely tangible. I drew in to deepen it but he drew back, dark desire pooling like lead in his eyes.


    ¡°If you¡¯re sorry like you im, make it up to me.¡± He rasped, staring at me in challenge.


    A charge of lust flooded through my veins. He wanted me to seduce him, to pleasure him.


    And he was going to discover how ready and willing I was to do just that.


    Slowly, I pushed him down the backseat until I was half on top of him, my lips all over his face as I kissed, nipped and sucked.


    I shifted to his neck to leave trails of my kiss, loving the way his throat bobbed each time I sucked down on him. My hands roved the tautness of his torso hidden beneath his silk dress shirt. I worked at the buttons, eager to get to his naked skin.


    I returned my mouth to his, kissing him with a wanton abandon, the sloppy sounds of our kisses filling the space. I slid my hand to his chest, stroking his hard nes that jerked under my touch before diving further down to his waistband.


    Luca made an animalistic sound in his chest when I cupped his bulging c0ck, squeezing and stroking the clothed length of it.


    ¡°Cara,¡± he growled and a burst of heat and passion spread across my belly. I loved when he said my name and I loved it more when he said it in arousal. I wanted him to repeat it over and over in that deep, sexy voice of his as I brought him over the edge.


    I kissed his nipple, then the other, then his well defined abs, loving the grunts he made when I swirled my tongue on the taut muscles and on his belly button.


    I peered at him through myshes, making sure we held eye contact when I tugged on his waistband with my teeth.


    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking sexy.¡± He rasped and my entire being flittered at the words.


    The darkened desire in his eyes sent heat straight to my center, the gaze so hot I thought I would burn from it.


    I undid the button and zipper, taking my time to drag down the pants, enjoying how his eyes went from expectant to impatient.


    ¡°If you keep teasing me like that, I¡¯m going to forget what I asked, shove my c0ck into your mouth and take charge.¡±


    Moisture pooled in my panties,wd the man has a filthy mouth.


    My head was reeling, my body quivering but didn¡¯t give in. Still keeping eye contact with him, I pulled out his erection and stroked it with both hands.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Luca gritted out.


    I moved my hands faster, my fingertips running up and down his impressive length. It felt so hard yet so velvety.


    ¡°Yes, baby.¡± Luca encouraged in a rasp, watching with raw desire as my small hands pumped the veiny shaft, pre cum spilling out the tip. I leaned in and licked it off like a lollipop.


    A curse in his mother tongue hissed out of his lips when I stretched my mouth wider to take him, his  size big and daunting but I wasn¡¯t dissuaded and I took him further in until his tip nudged the back of my throat.


    We both stayed still for a moment, giving each other time to get ustomed to hisrge c0ck in my small mouth. I enjoyed watching Luca¡¯s pinched face of pleasure, fascinated with the heaving of his chest and the tightening of his strong jaw. It fueled me knowing that I was doing that to him and the desire to detonate his restrained control spread all over me like a wildfire.


    I began to move.


    His eyes instantly snapped shut. ¡°Holy shit! Baby.¡±


    I bobbed up and down his shaft, moaning at the sweet taste of him. Grey eyes met mine once more and his hands raked into my hair, pulling tightly on the locks as he began pumping into me.


    I batted myshes as I stared up at him, knowing he loved seeing me in such a submissive position. Months ago I hated it and how it made me feel but with Luca, I didn¡¯t feel worthless or weak, I felt strangely empowered and in control.


    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful, so precious. Fuck bambina, keep taking me just like that until I fill your smart mouth with my cum.¡±


    He looked so vulnerable, so bare, so unguarded and it was all because of me. I have never felt as powerful as I did right now.


    I took him deeper, his words sparking something primal in me. I worked my mouth on him, my hands cupping his balls. Luca went wild beneath me, thrusting into me with a feral passion. My eyes stung at the new pressure but I refused to gag and I sucked and bobbed and grazed my teeth around him.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Luca groaned, throwing his head back as his body erupted into quivers, his hands gripping painfully into my hair as he emptied himself inside my mouth.


    I sucked down on his tip, drawing out more and more of his cum, wanting to drain everyst drop down my throat but Luca had other ideas. He pulled out of my mouth, shaking his c0ck as thest spurt of his release sshed all over my face.


    I shamelessly opened my mouth to get some in it, enjoying the unhinged look on Luca¡¯s face as he watched me. My smile was naughty when I sat back on the car seat and erotically rubbed the cream all over my face.


    If looks could burn, I¡¯d have been a pile of ashes on the car rug.


    Luca threw his side of the door open and got out,ing around mine to do the same.


    I gasped when I was lifted in the air. ¡°Luca what are you-¡±


    ¡°The car won¡¯t do.¡± He growled.


    ¡°The car won¡¯t do what?¡±


    ¡°Give the required space I need to fuck the lights out of you. We¡¯re going up to your ce.¡±


    My brain shut down and so did my heart, all their power zapping into the pulse between my legs as I let Luca carry me up to my apartment, every nerve in my body ready for him to fuck the lights out of me.

 Chapter 51: D a m n The Consequences

    Cara¡¯s pov


    A simple task like unlocking my apartment door was suddenly a very challenging one. My hands were shaky, Luca¡¯s were impatient. We needed to fuck each other before we went mad with desire.


    The door be damned.


    ¡°Fuck it.¡± I whispered as I bounded on him, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.


    Luca pinned me up against the stupid door, the both of us practically trying to eat our mouths off as we kissed with ferocity.


    His hands on my body were so rough I was sure to have bruises all over by the time we were done. Not that it mattered to me, in fact, in some sick and twisted way, I loved the idea of Luca leaving evidence of his unhinged desire for me on my skin.


    He growled into my throat, his fingers digging into the sides of my ribcage. ¡°Can¡¯t¡­ can¡¯t get enough of your taste.¡± He spoke in harsh breaths against my lips.


    My response was a tighter grip on his neck, wanting more of his breathtaking kisses, his hypnotizing spicy cologne, his overall nearness. ¡°Then don¡¯t stop having it.¡±


    I was hiked higher against the door and the heat in those beautiful eyes of his stole my breath and shook my heart. A wicked glint appeared in them and my sleeveless top was ripped off without warning. I gasped at the now shredded thing hanging loosely on my waist.


    Luca buried his face in the crook of my neck, nipping and sucking so hard as he undid the fly of my jeans before dragging it down my ass. I quickly removed myself from him to pull it all the way off then wrapped back around him.


    A groan tore out of me when he palmed my throbbing panty-soaked pussy. I began to grind needily against him, my eyes fluttering close at the delicious friction.


    ¡°I love it when you¡¯re so eager.¡± His deep voice drawled in my ear. ¡°Eager for my hands, eager for my c0ck.¡±


    I ground against his hands even harder. ¡°Luca, please.¡±


    He stilled and I opened my eyes to find a feverish look in his gaze. My pussy throbbed harder irrespective of the realization that I¡¯d just begged him


    The man had made good on his promise, he now owned my desire and I was never going to feel the same when he left.


    There was no going back to before him, only the devastation that was after him. No man will ever fill his shoes, no man will ever fill the void he was sure to leave in my heart that was growing weaker against his beautiful eyes, his sexy body, his filthy words, his possessiveness and everything that was Luca Salvatore. And the sickest thing was I was doing nothing to fight it. A bystander to my own ruin.


    Luca¡¯s tone dropped lower. ¡°I love it even more when you beg.¡±


    A ripping sound followed the words and my now torncy panties dropped to the floor.


    That was two pieces of my cheap, limited wardrobe rendered useless but I couldn¡¯t find it in my lust-hazed mind to care.


    Luca pulled down his pants that he hadn¡¯t bothered to zip up after the blow job I gave him in the car.


    My throat went dry, eagerness flooding my body when his hard, jutting c0ck sprang forth.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    He stroked the length, and my eyes ate up the movement of his hand.


    Luca¡¯s gaze was static on me. ¡°It has never wanted any woman the way it wants you.¡± He inched closer, nudging my entrance.


    ¡°And he¡¯s desperate to own you.¡± He growled, plunging into me.


    Tears burned at the back of my eyes and a whimpering sound poured from my quivering lips as he drove all the way until he was fully lodged inside me, our bodies merged into one.


    I wasplete.


    I hadn¡¯t missed the slip up of the pronouns and it didn¡¯t look like he¡¯d noticed his error. If only he knew how he already owned me.


    I allowed myself a little slip of my own in my head, letting myself think that we were something more, that right now wasn¡¯t just a moment of hot, mind-blowing sex but something much deeper and devout and real.


    Luca drew out and plunged into me again and again and again, his thrusts growing frantic and harder. So hard I was afraid the door woulde off its hinges but I couldn¡¯t find it in me to care.


    More, I wanted more.


    I tightened my legs around his waist, pulling myself higher to take his thrusts even better as he drove me to the brink of ruinous euphoria.


    ¡°Just like that, fuck me harder.¡± I cried as he impaled me deeper. White spots exploded behind my eyes and I felt like a rocket about tounch.


    ¡°You take me so well.¡± Luca grunted against my ear. ¡°Goddammit bambina, your pussy is so perfect. You¡¯re so perfect.¡±


    I clenched around him, turned on by the praise. He growled, nipping my earlobe as his hips were punishing against mine.


    A cry left me when he reached down and bit the top of my boob flesh, soothing the pain with the swirly motions of his wet tongue. White-hot pleasure ripped through me and tears trickled from my eyes. He continued to mark my breasts with his painfully delicious hickeys all the while mming into me and ying me with wicked precision until I writhed with mindless pleasure.


    ¡°Yes baby,e all over my c0ck.¡±


    I got to paradise, bucking like an unbroken filly, wild and out of control. My pulse thundered, my fingers dug into the back of his neck, my lips fell open in a banshee-like cry that was abruptly cut off when he crushed his lips on mine, his tongue slipping between them ruthlessly.


    I momentarily forgot about oxygen, drawing all my source of life from his hot, bruising mouth. We kissed and kissed as the fireworks of my release erupted inside me, Luca¡¯s d i c k going in and out of my quaking p u s s y unrelentingly, his own release imminent.


    I constricted ruthlessly around him, over and over, wanting him to shatter just as I had.


    ¡°F u c k!¡± Luca bellowed as he threw his head back, his entire body rattling and shaking against me as pure, undiluted ecstasy shot out of him and into me.


    It was the most beautiful sight, this powerful mafia don, trembling before me, his gorgeous face etched with dark pleasure, his muscles bunched and heated and glistening with sweat. His hair was also damp and sticky with the erotic wetness that smelled of both his luxury fragrance and his natural, enticing scent.


    Fuck.


    It made me clench around him again, my numb body slowlying back to life. I was utterly awestruck by how I was still able to want him right after the toe-curling, bone-racking orgasm I just had.


    Air hissed out through his teeth and his zing gaze rested on mine. It was at this moment I realized with a sinking feeling that I was falling madly for him and it was no slow, gentle process like a smooth dive into a pool but rather a wild, reckless fall like bungee jumping.


    My lungs twisted and my breathing ceased. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how we¡¯d gone from a drunk one night stand to this.


    Our chests heaved in sync as we held each other with our hands and our eyes. Time lost its meaning as he consumed me with his fervent gaze and if it wasn¡¯t for his body pressed against me, I might have slid to the floor like a noodle.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± I asked in a breathless whisper because I was desperate to know if his thoughts were even a fraction simr to mine.


    The silenceing from him hammered at my chest with rising force but I waited, not backing down until he finally gave me answer.


    ¡°That you¡¯ve fucked me up, everything about you, and I can¡¯t even fault you for it or wish that you didn¡¯t.¡±


    Heaviness pooled low in my stomach, thick and molten likeva as goosebumps peppered my skin. His words still held a vagueness to it, one that left the question of whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. But I wanted it to be both.


    I bit my lips, trying to contain my euphoria that he didn¡¯t want to fight whatever it is that he felt. It was pathetic how delighted I was, his words didn¡¯t evene close to a proper confession but I ate it all up shamelessly.


    ¡°Sono pazzo di te.¡± He added and although I knew whatever he said for his benefit alone and he was likely not going to trante that, I asked anyway.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    His c0ck I had forgotten was still inside me stirred, eliciting a suck of air from me.


    ¡°It means I want to fuck you again.¡±


    A lie, but I was currently too aroused to call bullshit. I wanted him to fuck me too and right now. ¡°Then do it.¡±


    ¡°Oh I will. It¡¯s all I¡¯m going to do until you can no longer move.¡± He grabbed my waist and pulled me away from the creaking door. ¡°Now open this door before I break it down.¡±


    I immediately did as hemanded, willing the lock to turn because he will break down my door and I was already in a stitch with rent and didn¡¯t need a broken door to add to my debt list. The task was quite difficult, seeing as I tried to do it with my legs still wrapped around Luca, my body turned at an awkward angle as I fussed with lock.


    It finally clicked open and relief, trepidation and anticipation all flooded me at once as Luca pushed us inside and shut the damned thing.

 Chapter 52: Pillow Talk

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°One day you¡¯ll tell me the story behind this.¡± Luca said in a thoughtful tone as his thumb brushed over the now healed scar on my wrists.


    We were pressed against each other in my bed, resting or rather recovering from our hours and hours of vigorous sex.


    Just like Luca had threatened, I waspletely spent and couldn¡¯t move without feeling the soreness of my hips, thighs and between them. He had taken me in every part of my small apartment; on the kitchen counter, on the couch, in front of my vanity mirror which was my favourite in my cramped shower stall and finally on my bed where we nowid.


    I watched as his eyes narrowed on the tiny, old scars that were so faint they were barely visible.


    But Luca noticed them and the protective fire in his gaze warmed the blood in my veins.


    I swallowed, pulling the wrist from his loose grasp. ¡°One day.¡± I said, even though I was certain that the day would nevere. I wouldn¡¯t be able to live through the disgust or pity that was bound to show up if he ever learns of my past. I liked the way he looked at me now, with desire, like I was something he craved and I liked It just fine. I wasn¡¯t going to change things by letting him know of my past, it was one aspect of myself that I¡¯d never give to him.


    Never.


    Luca regarded me with a deadpanned stare but I knew he was annoyed. He doesn¡¯t try to force an answer out of me but proceeded to kiss my shoulder instead, his hand running up to the back of my left thigh. ¡°What about this one?¡±


    I blinked up at him, confused. Only understanding the question when his pointer finger traced a crescent moon shape on my skin. ¡°Oh that,¡± I said as I recalled how I¡¯d gotten it. ¡°Just a silly souvenir of preteen rebellion.¡±


    I had hisplete focus. ¡°Tell me.¡±


    I sat up, propping my elbow on the bed and resting my chin on my knuckles. ¡°So I like to refer to this day as: the rise of the phoenix.¡± I said, enjoying the slow twitch on Luca¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± He sounded amused.


    ¡°Yes. I had gotten into a fight you see, with some mean boys in my neighbourhood. They were rude and nasty and I was used to ignoring their mean pranks and jokes. Until that day.¡±


    ¡°You decided you had enough?¡±


    ¡°Ditto.¡± I imitated the shooting of a gun with my fingers.


    Lucaughed and although his eyes werezy with amusement, they also shone with belief and admiration. And it did things to my frail heart.


    ¡°How many were they?¡±


    ¡°They were two, and I beat both of them.¡± I said proudly, my hands touching where his handid over the scar. ¡°This was my only causality, the boys had looked worse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they did.¡± Luca growled against my forehead in a kiss. ¡°They¡¯re also lucky it happened when you were kids.¡± He pulled back. ¡°But it still doesn¡¯t stop me from wanting to find them and give them much bigger scars on the same spot. Hell, I might even cripple the whole limb.¡±


    I hit his half covered chest softly, chuckling but blushing at the vehement tone in the joke. ¡°Let it go doberman, they were just stupid twelve year olds that didn¡¯t know any better.¡±


    It was really cute, the notion of him hurting anyone that hurt me.


    Cute? You¡¯re just insane.


    ¡°If you say so.¡± Luca said. ¡°Let me know when next you have to settle a score. I¡¯d take care of it.¡±


    My blush was crimson. ¡°Banking on that.¡± I said even though I had no intention of doing such a thing. Luca might be making jokes as heid half covered in my sheets but I didn¡¯t for once forget who he was. My enemies were better off in the hands of the cops. I wouldn¡¯t even wish his wrath on the worst of them.


    ¡°Speaking about settling things.¡± Luca drawled, sitting up to my level, the sheets falling off his broad chest. He pressed his lips to mine, kissing me in a way I could never grow tired of.


    I was breathless when he pulled away to look at me, his eyes serious and heavy.


    ¡°We still have a couple of things to settle between us, bambina.¡±


    I blinked away the hazy film that was the effect of his kiss and tried to focus on what he had just said.


    Things to settle between us¡­ my body went rigid. He was talking about the talk.


    Trepidation trickled down my spine like iced water. This is the moment I¡¯ve been waiting for but now it was here, I didn¡¯t want to sit through it. I didn¡¯t think I could take it when he unblurred the lines. Crazy as it seemed, I¡¯d rather have the lines blurred than Luca defining our rtionship as strictly sex. A couple of weeks ago, I¡¯d have been relieved if he did but I was no longer the same as I was then.


    ¡°We both know that what we have going on isn¡¯t just sex.¡±


    My throat tightened. ¡°Do we?¡±


    Luca regarded me with an unreadable expression. His eyes were trained on me unflinchingly, their depths dark and pensive.


    I fought the urge to saw on my lips with my teeth as panic quickened my pulse. What the hell was going through his head?


    He didn¡¯t respond to my dumb reply but instead carried on with the conversation.


    The panic threatened to choke me.


    ¡°However, it¡¯s exclusive.¡± He snapped out the three words.


    ¡°Never heard of fuck buddies who are exclusive before.¡±


    He winced. ¡°Don¡¯t use that term.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s what-¡±


    ¡°Cara shut up and let me finish.¡± He glowered at me until I pressed my lips together.


    ¡°You cannot be with anyone else.¡±


    I forgot I was supposed to shut up. ¡°What about you?¡±


    Luca looked at me like he wanted to stuff something in my mouth. ¡°I¡¯ll be faithful to you, always.¡±


    Oh.


    Butterflies erupted in my stomach. His response, he didn¡¯t have to word it so poetically and solemnly.


    I cleared my throat and put my focus back on the conversation. ¡°Luca, we¡¯re step siblings. Your father is married to my mother. Siblings can¡¯t be in an exclusive sexual arrangement.¡±


    Luca¡¯s expression squeezed again. I guess he didn¡¯t like my new term for our rtionship either. ¡°We don¡¯t share gics, nothing abominable.¡± He ground out.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t make it any less morally and socially uneptable.¡±


    ¡°Cara, stop thinking about what other people would think and focus on what we both want.¡±


    I bit the inside of my lips. What he was proposing was a far better option than marrying Cadain but where marriage with Cadain foretold gloom and unhappiness, Luca¡¯s proposal spoke of an unclear future, danger and heartbreak.


    But I was never the type of girl to y it safe.


    ¡°If we must do this, I have a few terms.¡± I said, trailing a finger down his naked chest.


    Luca¡¯s eyes lit up with something suspiciously simr to hope. ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°First of all, we must be discreet. No one can ever find out about us.¡±


    ¡°Cara-¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know you just told me not to care about what other people think but unfortunately, I can¡¯t and I¡¯m not going to have everyone knowing I¡¯m fucking my stepbrother.¡± I¡¯ve lived with judgement all my life, and I was used to it but that didn¡¯t mean I would intentionally give people something to gossip about. I was tired of being the viin or victim in people¡¯s conversations.


    Luca¡¯s stare was long and hard, his jaw clenched tight. He might go walking around with the cockiness and confidence of hundred men regardless of what and what he did but that was him, not me.


    ¡°Luca?¡± I pressed.


    His eyes rolled hard. ¡°Fine.¡±


    My shoulders slumped in visible relief, that was one down, onto the next.


    ¡°Secondly¡­¡± I trailed off, gulping down saliva as I prepared myself. Gosh I needed a ss of water. ¡°Secondly, I want you to cut down on the possessiveness.¡±


    Dead silence.


    ¡°Kevin, Cadain¡­ what I¡¯m trying to say is that you can¡¯t keep interfering with my conversations with other men.¡±


    His grey eyes had turned ck and I prattled on, my heart pitter-pattering and my nerves rioting. ¡°You need to allow me my own privacy, proprietary and liberty-¡±


    ¡°No man is interacting with you in any way, bambina. Except he wants to lose his life.¡± Was Luca¡¯s deathly growl.


    I shut my eyes for patience and maybe I¡¯d add a prayer for the man to be reasonable. ¡°Luca, no.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Very much yes.¡±


    I opened my eyes to re at him. ¡°I won¡¯t let you ruin friendships for me.¡±


    His jaw was set, his eyes unyielding. It felt like I was talking to a brick wall.


    I sighed, deciding topromise. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do it this way. I can keep my male acquaintances as long as I give them a considerable amount of physical space?¡±


    I could see his mind working. I held my breath as he considered the idea for far too long.


    The answer I got was a curt nod.


    Phew.


    Two down.


    The next one was even more difficult than asking him not to be a neanderthal with a ir for trigger happiness. It was difficult because there was no way I could go around it without sounding like an insecure bitch.


    I cleared my throat. ¡°So, I- uh¡­ I¡¯d love it if we don¡¯t try to change each other or mold each other into¡­ well into what we consider our ideal type.¡±


    Confusion cut across Luca¡¯s face, his lip turned up in irritation. ¡°What the fuck do you mean?¡±


    This wasn¡¯t going to be easy but I had best bitch up and spit it out. ¡°I don¡¯t want you grooming me into some mafia princess like your ex¡­ or exes.¡±


    I swear he was going to drill a hole into my head with that smoldering look of his. I could no longer bear to keep eye contact.


    ¡°I¡¯m not and I¡¯ll never be.¡± I squeaked out, finishing weakly. I waited for him to snap at me for ever thinking he would do that, I waited for him to reassure me, to snort and call me silly¡­


    Or maybe what I was really waiting for was his rebuttal, his disapproval as he exined in clear, concise words why his women should be perfect and wless and likable and collected and-


    ¡°Why would you ever think something like that?¡±


    My head snapped up to his gaze and the sight of pure indignation sent heat seeping beneath my skin and put a hitch to my breath.


    He leaned in and gripped my chin. ¡°I¡¯m not going to groom you into anything. I like your regrly infuriating self just the way it is, do you understand?¡±


    I tried to nod but his strong hand held me immobile so I squeaked out instead. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± He released me.


    Well that went well.


    ¡°Now for my sexual preferences.¡± I said, ignoring the dark amusement settling in his eyes.


    ¡°I um¡­¡± A blush crept into my cheeks. ¡®I¡¯m basically open to anything except degradation and sadistic shit involving a lot of pain. I might enjoy choking and a little spanking but that¡¯s where it ends.¡±


    He agreed with a nod.


    I sped my hands together. ¡°Okay then. What are your own terms?¡±


    He pulled me into him, cupping my ass. ¡°I¡¯m fine with whatever you¡¯re fine with.¡± He whispered against my lips before capturing them in a soul scorching kiss.


    Gawd, I love his kisses.


    I was heavily aroused but was too sore to take him so we were content to kiss instead and we did for minutes after minutes, along with some heavy petting.


    Luca had to leaveter on but he promised to be back as he kissed me onest time. I had walked him to his car, waving like a jolly monkey until the car disappeared out of sight. It was then I noticed Sergio and the others, and they had all witnessed I and Luca¡¯s interaction. Lanky had a smirk on his mouth while Sergio was doing a very poor job of acting like he¡¯d seen nothing.


    Shame and embarrassment washed over me and I ran back up to my apartment like a fugitive.


    Doing this ndestine thing was going to be some huge, challenging work.

 Chapter 53: Home

    Luca¡¯s pov


    They raised their sses, sharing conspiratory smiles at whatever fucked up n they had agreed on. They sat there at the dinner table, all eight of them, oblivious to the end that was toe to them.


    ¡°All set don.¡± Dominic said behind me.


    I put down my military grade binocrs and stepped away from the parapet wall of the sky high helipad, thete evening breeze blowing around me.


    ¡°Santino?¡± I inquired, still staring at the hotel skyscraper meters and meters away from mine even though my natural vision didn¡¯t provide me the high resolution zoomed view of the specific room I¡¯d been watching.


    The room with eight of the Bratva¡¯s top members.


    ¡°He¡¯s stationed and ready for the kill order.¡± Dominic replied, the sound of his gun cocking.


    ¡°Alesky?¡±


    ¡°The chopper squad and the arsonists are prepped and waiting. The other soldiers are hiding in their various positions, ready to strike.


    I turned around to face where he and the soldiers behind him stood still as statues close the helipad exit. All of them waiting patiently for my order.


    The Cosa Nostra was finally going to avenge the lives it had lost. Retribution was only amand away. Adrenaline pumped into my veins and the thirst for chaos filled my lungs.


    I closed the distance between, tossing the binocrs to one of the soldiers who caught it deftly. Dominic handed me a bulletproof jacket and I slipped into it, not bothering with the straps.


    My order came in a thick, firm voice. ¡°Proceed as nned.¡±


    It was fucking show time.


    ***


    The dart flew across and hit bullseye, joining the other two that had been previously thrown. One of my men proceeded to go fetch them for me but I stopped him with a wave of my hand, walking over to where the board hung steadfast on the wall myself, my head cocked in amusement.


    It was almost symbolic. Three excellent aims for the three attacks that were currently going on. Or maybe it was a sign that the Holy Trinity had the back of the Cosa Nostra. Whichever it was, it guaranteed one thing: victory.


    It was what I looked forward to, partly because it was what came at the end. And the end meant everyone could call it a day and go home. In my case, home was a certain blonde, who I had finally talked into a rtionship with me. A rtionship she thought was just an ¡°exclusive sexual arrangement.¡±


    I turned away from the dartboard and moved straight to the living area of the hotel room, grabbing the scotch decanter and the singr ss from the gold rimmed coffee table as I sank into one of the plush seats, immediately fixing myself a drink.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    It was cute how Cara had apletely different idea of what our rtionship was. To her, it started and ended with sex and she somehow was convinced that I was on the same page.


    A smirk tugged on my lips, the woman had no idea of the ns I had for her, for us and none of them aligned her simple notions. For one, there was no end to it. She was stuck with me forever but just didn¡¯t know it yet.


    I wanted nothing more than to be with her at the moment but I had to stay in this hotel suite and oversee things from here. The hotel was the perfect ce because it was located right in the center of where the three attacks were happening. If backup was required, the substitute soldiers upying this entire floor could easily get to the scene.


    The owner of the hotel was a valuable associate of the Cosa Nostra and was a very good friend of my father. He was greatly indebted to him. My father had saved him from the hands of a local gang many years and had nurtured him into the billionaire tycoon he was. Plus, the old don was also his biggest stockholder. Offering free hospitality was one of the many services the businessman gave us.


    I looked at the ginormous clock on the far right of the suite, willing everything to end quickly so I can leave this self imposed confinement and hurry back to Cara.


    I was allowed only a few minutes of silence, thinking about Cara, her cheeky smiles, the funny way she had narrated the story behind her the scar on her thigh, the not at all funny way she had dismissed my probes on the ones on her wrist, the way she had expertly sucked me off, her sexy moans, her goddess body, her sweetly tight-


    Dominic burst into the ce, ending the series of my pleasant thoughts, his expression murderous. I frowned, hating the interruption but my muscles tensed at whatever the issue was.


    ¡°We found the fucking rat.¡± He seethed and I inwardly rxed. Not a bad news then.


    I wasn¡¯t supposed to get a name until tomorrow and it made me wonder why the information wasing this early.


    ¡°He panicked after hearing about the attack on Alesky, figured we might be onto him and tried to run off.¡± Dominic said, his hands propped on his waist in an annoyed manner. ¡°Can you believe the idiot?¡±


    ¡°How was he caught?¡± I asked, swirling the scotch in my ss.


    ¡°Grigori had his men tail him and the other suspects and that¡¯s how they caught onto him.¡±


    I set the ss down with a calm that belied the rush of anger in my blood. ¡°Who is it?¡± I asked, the furycing into my voice as I stared up at Dominic.


    Dominic deadpanned, ¡°Ro Amato.¡±


    I remained still for a moment, the calm before the storm. The next minute, my ss went flying across the room.


    ¡°That fucking bastard.¡± I hissed, springing up to my feet. Of course he¡¯d team up with my enemies to take me out, he was that desperate for my position. Still, the weasel was also a huge fucking coward and was famous for his self-preserving disposition. He¡¯d sooner let everything and everyone around him burn before he¡¯d do anything that¡¯d be detrimental to him.


    It made sense that he was the rat but it also didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Where is he now?¡±


    ¡°In the basement. The chopper squad is on their way there with Alesky.¡±


    I cocked my head at him and he gave a sardonic smile. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m also here with good news. The chopper squad seeded, the Polish mafia poption is now down by a huge percentage.¡±


    Dark satisfaction flooded through my body. My muscles loosened by a fraction. That was one out of three sessfully cleared. ¡°What about our enforcers?¡±


    ¡°Torched the fucking buildings and just like you wanted, it made the news. You should have seen it, it was magnificent.¡±


    I¡¯m sure it was. ¡°I¡¯d see it on the 10pm news.¡± I said.


    Two out of three.


    Now all that¡¯s left were the Bratva¡¯s bosses. I moved across the room to the dartboard and pulled out two of the lodged darts.


    One more victory left, I thought to myself, staring at thest standing dart, my fingers tightening around the other two.


    One more and I¡¯d finally put this day past me and return to Cara like I had promised. My heart swelled with tion as I looked forward to it. In the past, all that I¡¯d cared about on a day like this was a long bath and a strong drink. This was the first time I genuinely looked forward to retiring for the day.


    My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out.


    DONE.


    The single text from Santino said and I released a breath I didn¡¯t even know I was holding. I put the phone back into its ce in my pocket and then I pulled out thest dart.


    Three clean victories.


    Dominic had a puzzled look on his face when I returned to him but I don¡¯t bother with an exnation. There were just some things that even the best people in your life wouldn¡¯t get.


    ¡°Drink with me amico.¡± I said and he instantly got the message, a grin breaking out on his face.


    ¡°All clear?¡±


    I jangled the darts in my hand. ¡°All clear.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s fucking have that drink.¡± My friend said before going over to the sofas and dropping down on one.


    I turned to one of the men standing guard in the room. ¡°Ring for a new bottle of scotch and two new sses.¡± The soldier nodded and immediately proceeded to carry out the order.


    I joined Dominic and sat on the chair facing him.


    It was time to fucking celebrate.


    ***


    It was nearly midnight when I returned to Cara¡¯s apartment. Finalizing things like removing every trace of ourselves from the attacks and ensuring the police officers on our payroll handled the ones we missed took a good stretch of my time. I also had to deal with the annoying pious police officers that were snooping around the hospital where my injured men were taken.


    The media were taken care off and the public would be getting news ming the attack on local gang wars. Aftermath ns were set in motion and I¡¯d made sure to send Alexei the head of his beloved enforcer.


    Now all I wanted to do was lie in Cara¡¯s arms and sink myself into her if she¡¯d let me.


    She looked so adorably precious in her skimpy nightwear when she opened the door, rubbing her eyes with a yawn.


    ¡°Luca, is that you?¡± She mumbled, blinking away her sleepiness.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky it¡¯s indeed me bambina. You have no sense of security.¡± I scolded, even though all my nerves endings hummed at seeing her again.


    ¡°If it was someone else, I¡¯d have clocked them down. I¡¯m the phoenix remember? Don¡¯t underestimate me.¡± She still had jokes even in her sleepy state.


    A smile tore across my face and I entered her apartment, shut the door and enveloped her in a tight hug. Her soft body, her soft scent, her silly jokes¡­ they were all what I lived for.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I woke you.¡± I rumbled into her luscious hair.


    She wrapped her arms around my waist. ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry, you¡¯re here and that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    That¡¯s all that matters.


    I was going to burst from the euphoria those words brought to me. ¡°Let¡¯s get you back to bed.¡± I said, lifting her and carrying her into her bedroom.


    I dropped her on her feminine scented sheets and she sat up, watching with shameless desire as I stripped out of my suit. It made my skin burn and my heart jump-start how she looked at me with such passion. I wanted to bottle up the expression and store it somewhere safe.


    She used to look at me with hatred and irritation and I could roar with gratitude at the upgrade. I wanted her to look at me like that forever, just me, no one else.


    ¡°Were you able to take care of what you said you were going to?¡± She asked when I joined her on the cozy bed.


    I began stroking her hair. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is everything fine now?¡±


    ¡°Almost.¡±


    She snuggled closer to me. ¡°Are you going to fuck me now?¡±


    I pulled back to catch her gaze and the nervous bite of her lips caused my c0ck to jerk in my briefs. Fuck, I wanted to, desperately even, but I knew she was still sore from our afternoon marathon. Plus, her body was heavy with sleep.


    Merda.


    I pulled her back into my chest and drew gratification from the tight embrace. ¡°Sleep, bambina. I know you¡¯re tired.¡± When she wriggled unconvincingly, I added a lie, ¡°I¡¯m tired as well.¡±


    She rxed in my arms and I began to run my hand up and down her back. Soon, her breaths were matching mine.


    ¡°Goodnight Luca.¡± She yawned.


    I kissed her temple. ¡°Goodnight,¡± I whispered, knowing fully well that I wasn¡¯t going to get even a second of sleep.

 Chapter 54: Mystery Man

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t even let me go to the pool unsupervised. Can you imagine?¡± Gina said into the phone, her voice incredulous.


    A smile worked up my face. Yes I could just imagine. I imagined her whining and pouting as Dante calmly exined to her why she needed to be guarded at all times.


    We¡¯ve been on this call that was basically Gina¡¯sints about her husband for the past ten minutes. But they weren¡¯tints per se, just one of those rants people in love made about their significant other even though they aren¡¯t actually ranting in annoyance but because they were feeling endeared by their actions.


    It was just the cutest form of bragging about how awesome their partners were, and in this case, how awesome Dante was.


    ¡°I thought Luca and my papa were overprotective but Dante is on a whole different level.¡± Gina muttered but there was a smile in her voice.


    I switched my phone from one ear to the other as I got cozy in my bed. I¡¯ve been in it all morning, hating to separate myself from the lingering scent of Luca¡¯s spicy cologne. The thought of doing so eventually to prepare for work made me forlorn.


    I picked the pillow that had been used by him for the past three nights and put it on myp before propping my elbows on the softness. ¡°Maybe he needs a goody to unclench.¡± I replied Gina, deciding to y along.


    Gina giggled. ¡°Trust me, I¡¯ve tried. But he always goes back to bodyguard mode right after.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s hopeless, I¡¯m afraid.¡± I joked even though I approved of my step brother inw¡¯s cautious nature. There were too many mad Russians running around. I was d Gina had someone who considered her safety with utmost regard.


    Gina sighed dramatically. ¡°There¡¯s nothing more I could do unfortunately.¡± She tsked. ¡°I have no choice but to ept him just the way he is.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    My chest vibrated with a chuckle as I rted to herst sentence. I had gone from being unable to stand her brother to gradually epting his cocky, overbearing ass and I wouldn¡¯t want it any other way either.


    ¡°When would you guys be returning?¡± I asked, shifting the conversation.


    Gina hummed thoughtfully on the other line. ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s all up to Dante. Maybe I¡¯d get an idea when he stops being a brooding bear whenever he gets updates on the war. The ck mood he has after those long zoom calls is enough to know that things are still bad.¡±


    I meditated on her words and my own mood slowly dropped. I hadn¡¯t been too fixed on the war and when I was, it was solely because of the words I¡¯d overheard from Luca¡¯s secret phonecall the other night. It didn¡¯t ur to me that Luca might be having a hard time with the situation, he was always chill andid-back whenever we were together, ming his exhaustion on a busy schedule.


    I mentally smacked myself. Of course he would, he wasn¡¯t the type to wear his frustration or any other emotion on his sleeve for all to see. He wouldn¡¯t be a leader if he did. I¡¯ve just been too clueless to peep the underlying signs.


    What a useless fuck buddy I¡¯ve been.


    I straightened my back against the headboard. ¡°How bad is it?¡± I asked Gina, hoping she had a bit of substantial information.


    ¡°Dante doesn¡¯t really say much-¡±


    My stomach plummeted.


    ¡°-but he lets me on the general details.¡±


    Enthusiasm filled me again. I was d to get answers from Gina. Asking Luca was always difficult for me and I always chickened out whenever I tried. I didn¡¯t want toe off as nosey, afraid that my questions would push him away. His profession was a very sensitive one and whatever he did as a result definitely wasn¡¯t fit for bedroom conversations.


    You are also scared to know. A voice added in my head.


    ¡°Details like what?¡± I prodded, ignoring the voice.


    ¡°Um¡­ give me a sec.¡± There was a brief nging sound like dishes being carted away before Gina continued. ¡°So, my brother has been able to get back at the bratva guys for ruining my wedding party, I don¡¯t know how but he did. He also found out that one of the families¡¯ don snitched to the bratva and took care of him.¡±


    That was it?


    ¡°Okay¡­?¡± I prodded again, my eyes narrowing.


    ¡°Sorry Cara, that¡¯s all I can give you. Dante says it¡¯s better I don¡¯t know much.¡±


    She was right, the less we women knew, the less likely we¡¯d attract the enemies. I fessed up to what the voice in my head had said earlier, this was also one of the reasons why I couldn¡¯t ask Luca about his job, I didn¡¯t want to know what could get me into trouble. I might be in a sexual rtionship with him, against my better judgment, but I was serious about not getting involved in all of that mafia shit. I hadn¡¯t forgotten about my father.


    I returned to the conversation. ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, enough about me.¡± Gina said in a heavy exhale. ¡°How¡¯s it going for you?¡±


    How was it going for me? Well except for the fact that I was fucking her brother and he¡¯d been sleeping over for the past three nights I didn¡¯t know what other update of my life I could give her.


    I cleared my throat, immensely d she couldn¡¯t see the guilty blush I knew I had on my face. ¡°Nothing much, just work.¡± I mused about how cryptic that sounded so I added. ¡°My stalkers had been doubled since the shootout.¡±


    ¡°Stalkers?¡±


    Oh. ¡°Bodyguards.¡± I rified. ¡°Stalkers is just my term of endearment for them.¡± Getting Sergio and the others to loosen up was a lot of work but I was making progress. Lanky, for one, has starting smiling at my antics.


    ¡°Oh my goodness.¡± Ginaughed. ¡°It¡¯s just totally you to refer to your bodyguards as stalkers.¡±


    It was also totally me to enter a ndestine affair with my step brother but who cares.


    ¡°So,¡± Gina continued, her tone conspiratory. ¡°Is there anyone we need to help you seduce? Like a hot guy at work or something.¡±


    Yes, your brother.


    I shut my eyes, my cheeks growing hotter. Jesus Cara, get a grip.


    Shoving the unwanted thought to the back of my mind, I pondered on what answer to give Gina. I considered cooking up some nonexistent guy but decided against it. I was not a liar.


    Mostly.


    My answer came in a scratchy voice ¡°No, unfortunately.¡±


    Gina clucked her tongue. ¡°Well that¡¯s too bad.¡± A pause. ¡°The truth is that I feel bad for all my babbling about Dante when you¡¯re not in a rtionship yourself. It feels like I¡¯m bragging or something.¡±


    A smile touched my lips. She was such a cutie. ¡°Well, I¡¯d have to be sad about my single state to be bothered. But I¡¯m not.¡± I said, trying to lessen her unnecessary guilt.


    She still wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°Doesn¡¯t make me feel any less terrible.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m notining.¡±


    ¡°Things would be so much better if you also had a partner to rant about, then it wouldn¡¯t feel like I¡¯m boring you.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. I might have felt a little wistful on a few asions but I definitely wasn¡¯t bitter about her cute stories. However, she was convinced otherwise and I found myself saying something else. ¡°To be honest, I might have a little something going on at the moment.¡± I froze, wondering why the hell I said that.


    Gina¡¯s excitement was palpable through the phone. ¡°Oh my God, for real?¡±


    I wanted to take the words back, to tell her I¡¯d been joking and there wasn¡¯t anyone but I didn¡¯t, even when I should. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is he hot?¡±


    The question brought a sardonic smile to my lips. ¡°Very.¡±


    Gina purred into the phone. ¡°So how serious are you guys?¡±


    I wish I had an answer to that. Were Luca and I serious? He did say he wanted to be exclusive. I swallowed before responding. ¡°We¡¯re still taking things slow.¡±


    A cooing noise traveled down my ear. ¡°Does he work with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Technically.


    ¡°Do you like him?¡±


    Obsessed might be the word but, ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Oh my God. Cara!¡±


    Sprinkles of giddiness settled in my chest. I was really enjoying talking about Luca like he just some cute crush, more than I¡¯d like to admit.


    ¡°I¡¯m so excited for you. I really hope you guys work out.¡±


    I refused to ponder on how much I wanted that as well. ¡°Thanks Gina.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± She said dismissively. ¡°So am I getting a name?¡±


    All the thrill and butterflies died at the new question. Shit, of course she¡¯d want to know who it is. I racked my brain on what to tell her, drawing up with nothing. I really didn¡¯t want to give her a fake name.


    But Gina, beautifully tactful Gina, saved me the horror by saying. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, we can call him ¡®the mystery guy¡¯ instead.¡±


    Gadd, I love her and I despised myself for deceiving her.


    ¡°Thanks sweetie.¡± I said, beaming.


    ¡°Again, it¡¯s nothing. Just be sure to update me on everything. Dante barely lets me do anything so I¡¯m bored out of my mind. A cute romantic build up story would do wonders for my boredom.¡±


    I considered it for a second before asking. ¡°Gina, sono pazzo di te, what does it mean?¡±


    A long silence stretched between our conversation and my pulse quickened with nervousness.


    Was it something bad? Like ¡®ugly whore¡¯? Did Luca call me a horse? Or a church rat? A stupid b i t c h.


    I almost jumped out of my skin when Gina suddenly squealed. ¡°Oh my goodness! Mystery guy has it bad for you!¡±


    Goosebumps rose on my sensitized skin. ¡°Does he?¡±


    Gina¡¯s answer was full of conviction. ¡°Yes, it means he¡¯s mad about you.¡±


    My heart might have grown wings and fluttered away. I was hot all over yet a slight shiver coursed through me.


    Oh my God.


    My smile was splitting when Gina added, ¡°I think you might have an admirer.¡±


    Luca was mad about me. I wanted to float forever.


    I was yanked back to the harshness of reality when Gina spoke again. ¡°So your mystery guy is Italian.¡±


    Fuck. I¡¯d just unintentionally exposed the information. I pressed my lips into a thin line. I needed to be careful. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said in a heavy breath.


    ¡°Great then. He might not be mafioso but being Italian would increase his chances of getting epted by my brother.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help it, Iughed.


    ¡°What?¡± Gina asked and I knew she was scrunching her nose.


    ¡°That¡¯s too far Gina. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m going to marry him.¡± I found the whole thing hysterical. Luca trying to win over Luca. Madness.


    Gina sounded confused. ¡°You don¡¯t want to get serious?¡±


    A long breath escaped my lungs. How do I exin to the mafia princess that sometimes, a rtionship was based solely on temporary fun. ¡°Gina, we¡¯d cross that bridge when we get there.¡± I said, tired of talking about a guy that was Luca yet not Luca.


    Fortunately, she let it go. ¡°Alright then.¡±


    I pulled the phone away from my ear and tapped it on for the time.


    Shit. I jumped out of the bed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry baby but I have to hang up now, I¡¯m going to bete for work.¡±


    ¡°Well we can¡¯t have that.¡± Gina said. ¡°It¡¯s been nice talking to you.¡±


    ¡°Same here hon. Let me know when you get back okay?¡±


    ¡°I will.¡± She assured me before hanging up.


    I dashed for the bathroom and began showering with the speed of light.


    I didn¡¯t bother with blow drying my hair once I got out instead I roughly rubbed a towel through it until it was a damp mess. A few strokes of my brushter, the locks became presentable enough.


    I padded into the living room and put the TV on, the sound droning in the background as I dressed up then headed to the kitchen to fix myself something to eat. It was then I noticed the take out on the countertop with a note that said: here¡¯s some real food for you, the state of your fridge worries me.


    I was smiling like a fool when I went through the stic bag. My heart tingling at the expensive looking Italian dishes; chicken ciatore, risotto, focia and even steak. Luca really outdid himself with this order.


    Unfortunately, I didn¡¯t have the time to sit and eat the delicious looking food so I packed them up with a sad sigh and moved to the fridge. I¡¯d have it when I got back.


    I was greeted with another note when I opened the fridge door: Don¡¯t even think about it.


    ¡°Oh my God.¡± I gasped in disbelief. It thrilled me that Luca knew me this well but I was even more thrilled by the fact that he¡¯d stolen my sticky notes to leave me two messages while I¡¯d been dead asleep. I imagined him filling my couch with his big body as he wrote them and my entire body grew warm. I mentally noted to send him a spicy thank you text.


    I took the food to the living room and sank down on the couch, digging into the mouth watering te of the chicken ciatore and sighing at the supreme taste.


    A news reporter was yapping on the TV and I grabbed the remote to tune up the volume.


    ¡°The local authorities have yet to speak on the fire outbreak three nights ago but we have reasons to believe it¡¯s the work of shing street gangs¡­¡±


    I chomped down on a focia as the strawberry blonde reporter went on about the details of the fire. The names of the five business establishments that were burnt to the ground showed up and I nearly choked on the bread when I spotted the third name.


    ¡°Hey, I know that one.¡± I said, squinting at the TV. It was the club Diana had nned to host her birthday party.


    ¡°The owner of all five businesses is still missing and we are urging the Chicago police department to do something about these gang violence activities. The people are panicking.¡±


    The screen cut into a fabric softener ad but I lingered on what the newscaster had said, five businesses burnt to the ground. It might have been the work of local gangs but I couldn¡¯t help but worry about the war with the Russians. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the missing owner and what might have happened to him. It made me fear for Luca.


    A loud pounding on my door brought me out of my head and I took onest bite before padding to the entrance, taking Luca¡¯s safety advice by calling out first.


    ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°Cara.¡± Mr Edwards nasal voice spoke through the door.


    Ice skittered down my spine.


    Something chilly twisted in my chest as I opened the door. Was he here to evict me? Why did he have toe in person when he could mail the eviction notice to me?


    ¡°Mr Edwards,¡± I squawked. ¡°What a surprise.¡±


    The man gave me a tight smile. ¡°A surprise indeed. You obviously should have been ready for my visit, seeing as you refused to pay me my rent.¡±


    I took a lung full of air before speaking. I was sure I¡¯d need it. ¡°About that, I apologize. I almost have theplete sum and I¡¯d pay you as soon as possible.¡±


    His nostrils red. ¡°And when you say ¡®as soon as possible¡¯ how soon are you talking about?¡±


    My throat tightened in hesitation and the lie squeezed out. ¡°Next week?¡±


    Mr Edwards let out a harsh bark ofughter before pinning me with a hard re. ¡°Sorry princess but your time¡¯s up.¡± He nodded to his side and before I knew what was happening, six big men pushed past me, knocking me out of the way and barging into my apartment.


    My eyes grew twice their original size when they started touching my things, yanking at them and tossing them out in the hallway.


    No.


    I dashed for one of them, pping at his back as I wrestled for my coffee mixer in his hands. ¡°Let fucking go!¡± I shrieked.


    I noticed another one reaching for my TV and I ran in front of it, blocking him from taking it. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking touch my TV.¡± I seethed in warning but he elbowed me hard in the ribs with unnecessary force and shoved me aside, so hard that I fell to the ground.


    I watched in helpless dismay as he carelessly pulled at the plug, snapping it out of the socket and carted it away.


    No. No, no, NO!


    My ribs burned. Tears streamed down my face, dread burned deeply in my blood as I got up and tried futilely to stop the bigger men, my heart beating out of my chest and my body bursting with rage.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch that!¡± I yelled at the men hellbent on thrashing my apartment, my space.


    My home.


    Loud footsteps thundered into the apartment and I sighted the familiar faces of Sergio and the others. They fought at the men and soon had them subdued to the ground, while Mr Edwards got a p to the face when he questioned who they were.


    But it was already toote, my TV was lying in the hallway and so was my vanity chair, my bedside table and a whole lot of things. My curtains had been ripped down, my rug upturned, my crockery smashed to the ground and worst of all, my delicious food was now a discarded goop on the floor. I didn¡¯t even get to finish up the ciatore.


    That was thest f u c k ing straw.


    I fell to the floor and began to cry.

 Chapter 55: Judgment Day

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Cara wasn¡¯t at Rico¡¯s when I arrived. Delia, or was it Diane? Whatever her name was, also didn¡¯t know why Cara was yet to clock in. Cara wasn¡¯t the tardy type but it has been over an hour since her shift began. Worry ate at my chest and something dark took over my thoughts.


    I stormed out of the bar, whipping my phone out of my pocket to dial Sergio when coincidentally, a call from him vibrated through the device. I answered in a millisecond.


    ¡°What the fuck happened?¡± I boomed, taking rmed strides to my car.


    ¡°Don, Signorina Cara-¡±


    My blood roared like crashing waves at the mention of Cara¡¯s name, my windpipe closing up with the thick cloud of dread intent on choking me.


    She better be alright, she better be f ucking safe. Or hell will break loose.


    ¡°-herndlord had shown up and thrashed her ce. We got there before more damage could be done to her possessions and we rounded up the hired thugs.¡±


    Although relief the size and depth of the Pacific washed over me, budding fury pounded in my veins. ¡°You were supposed to be watching her apartment, how did this cunt of andlord get to her?¡±


    ¡°He hade in through an alternative entrance we knew nothing about until now,¡± Sergio all but spluttered at the dangerous tinge in my voice.


    The hotness in my blood should be melting my skin by now. I wanted to punch the man until I made a pudding out of his face. ¡°You knew nothing about it?¡± I growled into the phone. ¡°Did you not survey the apartment grounds like you were supposed to soldier?¡±


    ¡°We did-¡±


    I¡¯ve had enough of his ipetence. ¡°I¡¯d deal with youter, keep that fuckingndlord and his thugs where they are. I¡¯m on my way.¡± I hung up, not waiting for his reply.


    Sliding into my car, I revved the engine on with the urgency of a firefighter and I drove the fuck out of there.


    I found several of Cara¡¯s possessions strewed carelessly in her hallway when I arrived. The thugs responsible for it, knelt grudgingly in her living room and were tightly watched by Sergio¡¯s men, their knives out. The bitchassndlord sat on Cara¡¯s couch, a trembling mess as Sergio and Nino loomed over him.


    I ignored them all, my gaze narrowing on Cara where she was slumped against her bedroom door, her tiny form shuddering with suppressed sobs. With every step I drew closer to her, my heart squeezed tighter and my anger surged.


    ¡°Bambina,¡± I called softly when I got to her and bent to her level but she didn¡¯t look at me and the dismayed expression she had on her tear stained face, the defeat guing her beautiful features, cut at me like a jackhammer and my anger came to a boil.


    I pulled out my gun from the waistband of my pants, turned to the thugs and shot one of them in the arm. The bastard howled like a coyote, falling back as he writhed from the painful piece of metal now lodged in his upper arm.


    Cara jerked beside me. The sound of the gunshot made her far away look disappear, finally getting her to notice me, recognition seeping into her gaze. ¡°Luca.¡±


    I held her face with my free hand. ¡°Yes baby. It¡¯s me.¡±


    Her eyes flickered about like she was still trying to make sense of things. ¡°They¡­ they-¡± she looked around the mess that was her apartment and fresh tears began pouring out her troubled blue orbs.


    I crushed her against my chest and let her soak my jacket with the tears all the while ring torrents of death at the thugs who had scooted away from the one I had shot. Fear and rm had settled in their features as they now knew the gravity of what they were dealing with. Who they were dealing with.


    Cradling Cara in my arms, I pushed to my feet and carried her to the bed. She grabbed my arm as I began tucking her in.


    ¡°I¡¯d be back, baby.¡± I promised her. ¡°I just need to take care of this.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt anyone.¡± She whispered and that brought a dark, humorless smile to my lips.


    ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee that.¡±


    She shook her head with a vehement force. ¡°No. Please Luca, don¡¯t.¡±


    I regarded her for a bit. How could I win against that heart tugging look in her eyes.


    ¡°Promise me.¡± She insisted.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯d just have a chat with yourndlord.¡± I ground out before kissing her forehead and jaw. My voice became softer. ¡°Don¡¯t move from here okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± She said in a shaky breath.


    I left her and walked out the door, sparing her onest nce before I shut the thing. I waited to listen for any sign that she was getting out of the bed. When I heard nothing, I took slow strides to where herndlord sat frozen in fear.


    ¡°Who are you people?¡± He asked in a quaking voice, once I stood in front of him.


    I noticed the food I¡¯d gotten Cara, sitting messily on the floor and my jaw tightened with my anger. She was supposed to eat all of that.


    The look I gave herndlord was long and calcting as my mind worked on what to do with him. Unfortunately, the option of hurting him was out. I could kill him, shoot him between the eyes and he¡¯d be dead before he knew what was happening. Painless, no hurt involved.


    Sergio yanked him out of the couch and shoved him to the floor. My furious gaze remained locked on him as I sank on where he¡¯d been sitting. I studied the bastard¡¯s frightened face, reading him from his facial features and expressions alone. And from the faded cut on his left eyebrow, his nose that obviously had been broken twice or more, I could tell Cara¡¯sndlord did more than just leasing wretched apartments. My gaze dropped to his trembling hands, the weasel was obviously into some shadier business.


    My eyes shot back to his face. ¡°Your name.¡±


    ¡°Walter- Walter Edwards.¡± He supplied immediately.


    I leaned back on the couch. ¡°Exin what the fuck this is.¡±


    He adjusted his position on the floor, eyeing Sergio and Nino before stuttering. ¡°She- she owes me rent. I gave her a notice that expired four months ago. She knew what to expect when she didn¡¯t meet the terms.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t give you the right to vandalize her property.¡± I growled, hating the fact that I couldn¡¯t crack his jaw like I badly wanted to.


    ¡°Forceful eviction is legal.¡± He muttered under his breath but I ignored him, my mind on the fact that Cara had omitted any mention of her debt.


    Something ufortable scratched at my chest. The woman had never once said anything about it and the fact that she withheld the information annoyed the hell out of me. It was disappointing that she didn¡¯t trust me yet with important issues like this. I fuck her and then I cuddle her afterwards, bring her food and spend more time in her apartment than I do in mine. How clearer could I make it known that I wanted to be part of her life?


    Also, it fucking gnawed at me why Cara was owing something as simple as rent. As Amanda¡¯s daughter, my father was supposed to pay a stipend to her ount every month. Either the old don wasn¡¯t doing what needs to be done as her stepfather or someone is making sure that the money doesn¡¯t get to her.


    My silence must have given her stupidndlord the wrong impression because he suddenly added. ¡°I hope you now realize what this would mean for you thugs if I decide to press charges.¡±


    It took just a single cold smirk from me to make Sergio kick the idiot in his ribs. And the soldier kicked him hard. Walter Edwards yelped from the pain, pressing his arm to the affected side as he doubled over.


    I might have promised Cara not to hurt him, but my men hurting him without a spoken order from me didn¡¯t count.


    ¡°Watch how you speak to the don.¡± The soldier warned.


    Walter Edwards eyes grew twice their size and his red face paled. ¡°D-d- don?¡±


    I motioned for Nino to bring him closer before leaning in until we were eye to eye.


    He tried to recoil away from the darkness oozing from my body and dripping in my voice but I grabbed him by his scruff and when I spoke again, my anger was thinly controlled. ¡°Yes, Don. Do you know who I am Walter Edwards?¡±


    He shook his head immediately, his gaze averted and I knew that Cara¡¯sndlord here was a dirty liar.


    It didn¡¯te as a surprise when ordinary civilians knew me. I¡¯ve appeared on TV countless times for a wide range of reasons for them not to. However, most of them didn¡¯t cower like Walter Edwards here when they recognized me. He didn¡¯t recognize me as what most outsiders knew me to be: a businessman. Walter here, knew me as don of the Cosa Nostra.


    The bastard dabbled in the underworld one way or the other like I had deduced.


    I gripped him tighter. ¡°You¡¯re one lucky fe and that¡¯s all thanks to your nice tenant. She¡¯s the reason why I¡¯m going to spare your stupid ass instead of feeding you to sharks like I initially nned on doing.¡±


    His eyes shed to Cara¡¯s closed bedroom door, gratitude heavy in them. ¡°She can keep the rent, I have no need for it anymore.¡±


    I pushed him away and rxed into the couch once more. ¡°You¡¯re not doing us a favor here, Walter. You¡¯ll get your fucking rent and after that, you¡¯ll never in your miserable life bother Cara again. She¡¯s under the protection of the Cosa Nostra and disrespect to her means disrespect to me. Do you understand?¡±


    His head bobbed like a bobblehead.


    My gaze switched to Sergio. ¡°Inform Dominic to wire him ten thousand dors.¡± Thendlord gaped me and I added. ¡°What? You need more?¡±


    He shook his head with much vigor than needed. ¡°No, no. It¡¯s just¡­ that¡¯s double the amount Cara owes me.¡±


    The look I gave him was stony and his eyes dropped to the floor.


    ¡°Get up.¡± I snapped and he obeyed immediately. ¡°Make sure you give Sergio here your ount details and don¡¯t ever let me hear about you again.¡±


    I nced at the shaking thugs, hating the fact that I¡¯d have to let them go as well. ¡°Take your minions along.¡±


    The soldiers watching holding them hostage shared confused nces as the thugs got up. They probably were wondering why I¡¯d let them off so easily.


    That made all of us.


    Walter Edwards stuttered his bank ount details to Sergio who noted it down on his phone. ¡°Thank you. Thank you.¡± Thendlord said over and over again before scurrying out the door. His thugs on his heels.


    Tension pierced into the air, thickening and vtile and my men gathered in front of me, their stance unmoving yet taut with dread of what came next. They were right to worry, what I nned on doing to them was no simple punishment and I will carry it out in due time. Right now, I needed to check on Cara.


    ¡°Make sure you find that alternative entrance in the next ten minutes.¡± I told Sergio, springing to my feet and straightening my crooked jacket.


    ¡°Yes don.¡± He hurried to reply.


    I turned away from him, from all of them and headed to Cara¡¯s room, knocking once before going in. She sat where I¡¯d left her on the bed, biting frantically into her nails, and she seemed to have withdrawn into her head again, not even noticing when I sat beside her.


    ¡°Bambina,¡± I said, touching her knee and she flinched. ¡°Easy, it¡¯s just me.¡±


    Her eyes reflected her worry. ¡°What happened out there?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I gave her knee a squeeze. ¡°Yourndlord won¡¯t being back.¡±


    She nched. ¡°Did you?¡±


    ¡°I promised you I wouldn¡¯t,¡± I all but snapped, annoyed that she¡¯d even think I would harm the bastard even after I promised not to.


    She rxed and let out a sigh that was both relieved that I kept to my promise and dismayed for whatever reason. ¡°I¡¯m homeless now.¡± She whispered with a sad smile and the fresh tears brewing in her eyes tore at my chest.


    Something fiercely protective filled my veins. ¡°Not on my watch.¡±


    I watched as confusion cut across her face before her eyes widened with indignity. ¡°Tell me you didn¡¯t do something crazy like bully Mr Edwards into selling the entire apartment building ¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do something crazy like bully Mr Edwards into selling the entire apartment building.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed at me in suspicion. ¡°Luca, what did you do?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°I paid your rent, just like anyone else would. See, not crazy.¡±


    It was sick of me but I preferred the rising annoyance radiating off her to the sad, devastated state she¡¯d been in before now. I suddenly got the urge to make her even madder.


    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll still let you stay here.¡±


    Her face twisted into a deep scowl. ¡°That¡¯s not up to you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± I drawled before lifting her off the bed.


    She drew in a sharp breath at the sudden action then began fighting against my hold. ¡°No, we will not. I won¡¯t let you fix my own problems.¡±


    I ignored her and carried her into her bathroom, putting her gently to her feet in spite of her squirming. ¡°Strip,¡± Imanded.


    She gaped at me. ¡°What?¡±


    I went around her to get the bathtub faucet running. ¡°You can¡¯t bathe fully clothed can you now?¡±


    ¡°Luca, I¡¯m not going to take off my clothes. We¡¯re still talking.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still talking.¡± I corrected, facing her again.


    Her anger was now palpable and the fierce look she gave me was having the opposite effect on me. I didn¡¯t feel threatened by it, the twitch in my pants was proof that I was feeling something entirely different. Dio, she looked so hot when she was mad.


    ¡°You know you¡¯re responsible for my incapability to pay my rent.¡± She said all of a sudden, throwing me off.


    I blinked at her, wondering what the fuck she was on about now. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You botched up my $1000 per hour job, remember?¡±


    It took me a few seconds before it came to me and I snorted. ¡°Cara no one was going to pay you a thousand dors per hour for a tutoring job.¡± She scoffed and I lifted an eyebrow at her. ¡°I basically saved your life, you ungrateful brat.¡±


    It was her turn to snort. ¡°I¡¯m sure you did.¡± She folded her arms beneath her gorgeous, gorgeous boobs and I fought to stay focused on the conversation.


    ¡°I tried giving you the money, remember?¡± I reminded her. ¡°You flinged it at me.¡±


    She winced with exasperation. ¡°Well that was because I didn¡¯t work for it.¡±


    I sighed tiredly. ¡°Cara, strip and get in the tub.¡±


    She jutted her jaw. ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    A twisted smile pulled at my lips. ¡°Do you want me to rip your clothes off and haul you into it instead?¡±


    She nced down at her little ck skirt and indigo mesh topbo. Her gaze shot back to me. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    The smirk I gave her did, in fact, convey that I would.


    She cursed and began taking off her sexy clothes, gracing me the sight of her even sexier body. ¡°This conversation isn¡¯t over. I won¡¯t let you fix my housing problem.¡± She bit out as she struggled with her tight skirt.


    I reached for her and pulled her into me, taking over the task, fully aware that the battle she was intent on fighting was long over before it began.


    She wasn¡¯t staying another night in this dump and that was final.

 Chapter 56: Aftermath

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Luca didn¡¯t skip a routine. The man went through everything, even better than I¡¯d have done it. Every inch of my skin was scrubbed clean, not a single spot went unnoticed by him. I had gonepletely shy when he cleaned my boobs and in between my legs. I¡¯d let the man fuck me to damnation but there was something even more decadent about him washing my private area.


    He showered my hair with more care and attention in the twenty minutes he spent washing it than I had in all my twenty-two years on earth. Working through the long length with gentle patience, kneading into my scalp with the expertise of a hairstylist.


    He did all of these while stopping at intervals to turn my insides to jelly with soft, delicious kisses.


    It was therapy.


    I was carried back to my room and ced gently on my vanity chair and then got the best blow-dry of my life. Luca dried every inch of my body before he hand-picked an oversized tee, a pair of shorts and panties from my small wardrobe before slipping me into them.


    I felt sated and coddled at the end of it all, my body growingzy andx from the premium princess treatment. Sox I forgot I was supposed to be mad at him, that he was trying to control my life. It was research worthy how he was simultaneously good and ruinous for me, my strength and my vice.


    I slipped into my bed and waited for him to join me but he didn¡¯t, instead he got busy with packing my clothes into a beat up duffel I¡¯d forgotten I owned. ¡°Luca, what are you doing?¡±


    He doesn¡¯t stop stuffing my clothes into the bag. Heat bloomed in my cheeks when he grabbed a couple of my panties and bras.


    ¡°I told you, you¡¯re not staying here.¡± He said that so simply like it was supposed to cover for everything.


    I sat up in the bed. ¡°And I remember refusing to that.¡±


    He shot me a quick nce but said nothing as he zipped up the duffel and carried it out of my bedroom.


    I jumped out of the bed and followed him. ¡°Luca,¡± I prodded, noticing that half of the mess had been cleared up. Sergio and the others must have gone at it while I was getting bathed by Luca. My cheeks red, had they picked on that?


    Luca dumped the bag on my kitchen counter and his gaze was exasperated when he looked at me again. ¡°I¡¯m taking you out of here whether you like it or not. If I have to fling you over my shoulder I will.¡±


    I must be mentally ill because as much as that high-handed statement infuriated me, the idea of Luca doing just that sent heat pooling in the pit of my stomach. ¡°Like I¡¯d let you do that.¡±


    An incredulous glint appeared in his eyes, amusement ying on his lips and I hated how the fact that I wouldn¡¯t be able to do a thing if he did hung between us like a banner.


    ¡°You¡¯re forcing me out of my home.¡± I cried dramatically, practically grasping at straws.


    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your home is a dump with half of its furniture lying in the hallway.¡±


    I was genuinely offended. ¡°Well this dump has been my sanctuary for five years now and I will not let you insult it.¡± His eyes clouded over and I started to think my words got to him.


    Sike!


    ¡°You have five minutes to grab anything you¡¯d like to bring along.¡± He said, crossing his strong biceps.


    The hope crashed and a sigh left me. So much for thinking. I turned up my nose at him. ¡°But you said you paid the rent. What happens to it now?¡±


    ¡°I only did that because someone made me promise not to do the other thing I could have done.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe my ears. ¡°Are you ming me?¡± I squawked at him. ¡°I stopped you from harming a man but what? I¡¯m at fault?¡±


    ¡°Basically, yeah.¡±


    Oh he was shameless.


    ¡°You have three minutes left.¡±


    ¡°You know, most people already know this but there¡¯s this thing called liberty, choice. And what I¡¯m choosing to do is not letting you order me like I¡¯m one of your men Salvatore.¡±


    His eyes gleamed with something dark. ¡°So we¡¯re back to Salvatore.¡±


    cing both hands on my hips, I snarled. ¡°Damn right we are.¡±


    He let out a dark, humorlessugh and a storm brewed in his eyes. ¡°Go. Pack. Your. Things.¡±


    A slight shiver coursed through my spine at the deadlymand and my knees nearly buckled into submission but I stood my ground. If I keep letting him walk all over me, he¡¯d basically use me as a doormat. I can¡¯t have him thinking he could make decisions for me and expect me to go along with it without question.


    But a good chunk of my bravery seeped away when he started to stalk towards me. The air suddenly felt suffocating the moment he invaded my personal space, trapping me where I leaned on the counter. He stood really close, too close that my head felt light and my hair ends rose in awareness.


    His thumb reached up to brush over my bottom lip and the single touch sent a current zapping through my chest. ¡°What am I going to do about this stubbornness of yours?¡± He asked in a low, silky voice that was clouding my senses.


    I held on to my defiance like it was my lifeline.


    His other hand was now rubbing up and down my waist, making goosebumps pepper on my skin. He was breaking my resistance and it was only a matter of time he¡¯dpletely crush it into nonexistence. I became desperate.


    I caught his thumb with my teeth and sucked down on it hard, watching as his eyes red with desire, his breathing going unsteady. I swirled my tongue around and nipped at it.


    He tried to pull away but I grabbed the thumb and my kisses trailed all the way down to his palm, swirling my tongue again at the centre.


    Luca let out a sharp hiss when I left his palm to bite on his bunched shoulder. He drooped against me, his hands digging into my ass as I continued driving him crazy with my teeth and tongue.


    I worked up to his ear in a trail of wet kisses, sucking firmly on his earlobe before purring against his ear. ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can do. My stubbornness and I are one.¡±


    A low chuckle rumbled through him. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    I kissed his Adam¡¯s apple. ¡°Yes, Salvatore. You either take it as it is or leave it.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re forgetting something bambina.¡± He drawled.


    ¡°What?¡± I whispered absent-mindedly, taking my business of inhaling his masculine scent very seriously.


    His hands came up to fist into my hair. ¡°That if I cannot drive it out,¡± He pulled my back my my locks and the wicked glint in his gaze froze my heart over. ¡°I can always tame it.¡± He finished and I was given no time to react when he hiked me on the countertop and dragged me to the edge.


    My next words were swallowed up in a ruthless kiss that made me feverish with lust. I let out a sharp yelp of pain when he nipped on my bottom lip, hard.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    He pulled away, giving me a smug smirk as I red at him. ¡°That was for calling me Salvatore.¡±


    The petty asshole.


    ¡°This,¡± he continued, slipping a hand underneath my big ass tee and rubbing tightly on my nipple. ¡°Is for defying me.¡±


    My anger was immediately forgotten and I leaned into the rough pleasure of his hand on me, a moan escaping my lips. His mouth found the sensitive spot behind my ear and I was so into the shuddering sensation his grazing teeth elicited that I didn¡¯t even realize he¡¯d pulled my shorts halfway down my legs.


    I looked down at my bare thighs and the sight of my darkening blue panties made me flush all over.


    Damn I was wet.


    Luca ripped the flimsy material down along with my shorts and they dropped to the floor at his feet. The coldness of the countertop bit into my ass cheeks, adding to my arousal.


    Luca kicked the discarded clothings to the side and settled between my legs. I sucked in a harsh breath when he roughly spread them wider, the pads of his fingers pressing into the soft skin of my inner thighs. Cool air brushed over my bare pussy but his burning gaze singed up the coolness.


    Just when I thought I¡¯de from his hot, lustful look alone, a finger slid inside me. Then another one.


    My moan was louder this time, followed by unintelligible mumbles as Luca curled his fingers, a fire igniting in my core.


    My head threw back when he began pumping inside of me, my folds opening up shamelessly to take him better. Luca¡¯s other hand found my clit and I felt like I¡¯d die right then, the pleasure too intense.


    ¡°Oh gawd,¡± I gasped, sliding off the edge of the table. Luca caught me and pushed me back, working me like a drill.


    ¡°You¡¯re so stubborn and as much as it pisses me off, I find it extremely hot.¡± He drawled against my neck. ¡°Because I get to fuck you into submission.¡±


    The tightening coil in my sprung loose and I exploded around his fingers in a scream, shudders racking through my body in a way that made it seem like it was the earth shaking instead.


    I slumped against Luca, boneless and limp. He held onto my spent body for another minute before lifting up off the counter and setting my still jellylike legs on their feet.


    ¡°That was incredible.¡± I said in a breathless whisper.


    His gaze was dark and smug. ¡°That, bambina, was the taming of your stubbornness.¡±


    When I sneered at him with narrowed eyes, he leaned closer and kissed my jaw, his hot breath on against me when he spoke. ¡°Yes, Cara mia.¡± He kissed the corner of my lips next. ¡°Now go pack what you need so we can go for round two.¡±


    Excitement flooded my veins along with desire at the promise of another orgasm and I bounded to my room and it was only halfway through my packing, when I heard Luca¡¯s low chuckle from the living room, that I realized that I¡¯d obeyed hismand.


    Eagerly.

 Chapter 57: Pasta and Lobster

    Double pov


    LucaCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Watching Cara try her damnedest to pretend she didn¡¯t want the food before her might just be the most entertaining sight. The woman had been sulky from the moment I finally got her to pack and leave that danger zone of her apartmentformer apartmentand drove her here at Sto, my family¡¯s Italian restaurant.


    She had even refused to choose from the menu, putting the poor waiter in a state of distress, and I ended up having to make the order for her.


    Apparently, she did not take being manipted too well. And she handled it like a little brat. I, on the other hand, felt zero remorse. The apartment gave me the creeps and to say that I was d to have finally gotten her to leave would be an understatement.


    Regardless of her anger, she needed to eat. I pushed herrge te of spaghetti bolognese closer to her. ¡°Refusing to look at the food won¡¯t make it disappear, Cara.¡± I said, watching as she angled her body even further away from the table.


    A frustrated breath left me. Refusing to look at me won¡¯t make me disappear either. She had barely eaten anything the entire day, all thanks to Walter Edwards. It still pricked at me that he was unscathed and alive wherever he was.


    I tried not to dwell on the soft pang her disregard brought to my chest. It pissed the fuck out of me, I wanted this woman¡¯s attention at all times. Taking on the tone I used as don, I said. ¡°Cara, eat.¡±


    I and mymand went ignored. Gawd, this woman was stubborn.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t start digging into the food, I¡¯m going to haul you on myp and force-feed you.¡±


    That earned me a re. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    My smile was wicked. ¡°Try me.¡±


    Her gaze darted around the fairly packed restaurant and returned to me, her angry blue eyes widening as she registered that I would make good on my threat even with the audience. The mental image made my body fizzle with need, not the force-feeding part but the part of her sitting on myp with everyone here as witnesses. Witnesses to the fact that she was mine.


    I was given onest death stare and then she picked up her fork.


    I watched in thorough amusement as her reluctance withered with each time she dug into the pasta and soon she was taking huge mouthfuls of it while managing to look insanely adorable.


    I could watch her eat all day and as much as I wanted to do that, I had to make an important enquiry. I pulled out my phone from my pocket, spared her onest nce and texted my father.


    Just found out that Cara hasn¡¯t been receiving an allowance.


    His reply was prompt. That can¡¯t be, I¡¯ve been paying it since the month after the wedding.


    My forehead creased with a frown. What ount do you pay it to?


    Amanda¡¯s, she insisted on handling Cara¡¯s finances.


    There was it. The answer to the mystery.


    Typing bubbles floated from my father¡¯s end. I could ask her about it.


    I let the suggestion flitter around in my mind but I decided against it. I wanted to confront the woman myself and I wasn¡¯t going to be all nice about it like the old man would be.


    No father, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll handle it myself.


    Okay, son.


    My fingers hovered above on the screen as my mind pondered on the issue. My father¡¯s wife better have a good excuse why Cara¡¯s money hasn¡¯t been getting to her because if it turned out she was keeping the stipend to herself like I suspected, well I wouldn¡¯t know what I¡¯d to her.


    Cara¡¯s overly conscious attitude with money and why she had been so desperate for a job suddenly made better sense. I had written off the former as a frugal nature and thetter as her mulish will to oppose me. She might have quit working at Rico¡¯s to spite me, but her vigorous job search wasn¡¯t just to prove a point, this I now realized. She had genuinely needed one.


    I put my phone away only to meet Cara¡¯s antagonizing re. ¡°It¡¯s bad manners to text at the table.¡± She said through a mouthful of her pasta.


    My lips turned up in azy smile. ¡°You¡¯re the one talking with food stuffed in your mouth.¡±


    She ignored me and went back to eating. And I was content to watch her.


    After another minute of silent munching, she spoke again. ¡°Are you just going to watch me?¡±


    That was the agenda. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Her brows furrowed. ¡°What about you?¡±


    It was silly how that show of concern inted me with delight. I might as well just starve myself if it meant I¡¯d get it again. I leaned into the table. ¡°As much as your concern for the state of my stomach pleases me, I¡¯m fine with just watching you eat.¡±


    She scrunched her nose, turning it up haughtily, miffed that she¡¯d broken character. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I cared, I don¡¯t. I just found it weird I¡¯m the only one eating. No one might have told you yet but your stares make people ufortable.¡±


    Amusement rose in me. ¡°Thank you for the observation.¡±


    She stabbed into a chicken breast. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± She huffed, busy with her food once more.


    I ordered dessert when she was done and although she whined and fussed about being full, she ate up the slice of chocte-chip meringata and shyly requested for a second. Her anger long forgotten.


    I made a mental note to feed her Italian pastries when next I pissed her off.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± She asked after I¡¯d settled the bills and guided her out the restaurant for the parking lot.


    My shoulders stiffened as I unlocked the Bugatti, knowing fully well she wasn¡¯t going to like my answer. It didn¡¯t stop me from saying it anyway. ¡°My ce.¡±


    Her anger returned the second the two words left my mouth and my chest heaved in an almost sad sigh. So much for driving it away with tasty desserts.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t listen, do you?¡± She ground her teeth. ¡°I am not moving in with you.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, that¡¯s not up for debate.¡±


    She threw her hands up in frustration and I tried not to notice how the movement caused her oversized tee to stretch across her sexy bust.


    I failed.


    My heartbeat pulsed in my dick as the image of how they looked without the clothing burned hot in my brain. Gawd, I was forever horny around her.


    She, on the other hand, waspletely oblivious to my plight. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting our agreement.¡± Her voice dropped to a hiss as her eyes darted to the people loitering about. ¡°Nobody can know about us.¡±


    ¡°And nobody will know.¡± I snapped with rising annoyance. This stepbrother-stepsister situation was really making things difficult. It was an irritating obstacle, one I itched to get rid of. Cara wouldn¡¯t be so uptight if we didn¡¯t have the tags sitting between us like the great wall of China. The urge to sabotage my father¡¯s marriage filled me and I cursed under my breath.


    She turned away from me with a curse of her own before facing me again, all glorious angry beauty. ¡°Luca, people are not dumb. Moving in with you is all they need to put two and two together.¡±


    My teeth bared back in a groan. I practically struggled to say the next words. ¡°We¡¯re step siblings. There¡¯s nothing bizarre.¡±


    ¡°To you.¡±


    I was done with the conversation. Coming around the car to where she stood, fire for my blood and icicles for veins, I yanked the passenger door open. ¡°Get in and don¡¯t you fucking make a fuss about it.¡±


    The threatced in my caustic tone must have gotten to her because she suddenly nched for a second, only for the fire to return to her gaze the next. But she did what she was told and I was relieved on her behalf. I tried to close the door calmly but I was bursting with furious energy and it closed with a m instead. If she flinched, that was her problem for getting me worked up.


    Cara


    If I ever said my step brother¡¯s personality was improving, I lied. The man was still as ill-mannered as ever. He had mmed the door after me, gave me a death stare then marched to his side of the car, opened the door in the same brute manner as he¡¯d opened mine and mmed it as well when he slid.


    Uncivil might be a better fitting word for his character.


    I tried to make him see reason, understand why us living together was the worst idea in the history of ideas but his phone rang and he held up a finger.


    ¡°Sergio,¡± he grunted into the phone.


    He listened for another minute while I tried to getfortable in my chair. My stomach was stuffed full with food it felt like I was a six month pregnant woman. I¡¯ve never eaten this much in my life and it was all Luca¡¯s fault. I nced at him to find his eyes boring into me, intense yet unreadable.


    ¡°Is that so,¡± his low timbre responded to whatever Sergio said on the other line. ¡°Let me know if there is any development.¡± He hung up and started the car.


    I waited until we¡¯d reversed out of the parking lot and hit the road before speaking up. ¡°So I did my homework and I have a couple of apartments options.¡±


    I got no reaction from Luca, not even with an angry look and he doesn¡¯t give me one until we stopped at a red light. I refused to meet the re that burned into the side of my face. The car grew stuffy with the tensed silence and I could taste it on my tongue and feel it on my skin.


    A weight melted off my chest when he finally broke the cloying silence. ¡°Some men were caught lurking around your old apartment.¡±


    My head shot to him. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, they were able to escape.¡± He exined, gripping the steering wheel so had that his knuckles turned white. ¡°We have reasons to suspect that they¡¯re bratva soldiers.¡±


    I nched, fear creeping up my spine with it¡¯s cold hands.


    Luca¡¯s stare was intense. ¡°If my decision to have you move in with me wasn¡¯t absolute, it is now.¡±


    I said nothing, still rendered numb from the news. Some men had been in my home, well former home, but it didn¡¯t make it any less frightening. It had been my home up to this morning and if not for Mr Edwards¡¯ intrusion, if not for Luca¡¯s adamancy, I¡¯d have been there when they came.


    The fear wrapped around my lungs and twisted.


    ¡°Cara,¡± Luca called, his voice now softer. ¡°You have to understand that this is for your safety. I can¡¯t have you living just anywhere now.¡±


    I chewed on my bottom lip, the subject of my safety warring with the subject of my reputation. Another would easily pick the former but when one had been through half of what I¡¯ve been through, they¡¯d realize how much thetter was just as important.


    Luca pushed out a frustrated breath. ¡°It¡¯s either my ce or the mansion.¡±


    That got me to react. The mansion? Like where my mother and your father lived?¡±


    A wry smile pulled at his lips. ¡°Yeah, that one.¡±


    No fucking way.


    The red light was now green and Luca¡¯s attention returned to the road.


    I¡¯d first jump into a pool of acid before I live with my mother again. I shot Luca a nce, hating that he¡¯d won.


    Again.


    ¡°Your apartment better be half as cozy as mine.¡± I bit out even though I knew my apartment wasn¡¯t up to half a quarter of what his must be. But I was feeling spiteful and didn¡¯t give a f u ck. ss distinction be damned.


    A low chuckle reverberated through him. ¡°I hope it¡¯s to your liking.¡±


    I hope it wasn¡¯t because leaving it and him when the time was right would be more harder than my weak self will could take.

 Chapter 58: Homecoming

    Cara¡¯s povProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    When Luca said I was moving into his ce, I¡¯d imagined a spacious,fortable apartment with zero warmth and a city view. I had even gotten a little more creative and conjured up a Hadesir sort of dwelling. Nothing prepared me for the fucking state of the art penthouse that was thirty times bigger than most people¡¯s apartments.


    The moment the elevator dinged open to the foyer, my jaw hit the floor that stretched out in grey marble tiling with white iys. I basically floated across the foyer like Alice when she firstnded in the wondend, my eyes alight and I moved down the short wide hallway that contained only two openings. The first was an open four-panel pivot patio door that led to a forest-y terrace with an infinity pool.


    Holy shit.


    The man had a fucking infinity pool in his house.


    I bounded into the other opening I discovered was the living room and my eyes grew even wider.


    The space was asrge as a hall, the walls an immacte white colour with two thirds of them upied by huge floor to ceiling windows. A half wall kitchen upied nearly the entire stretch of the other end, stacked with food stock sitting visibly in transparent wall mounted shelves in a doorless pantry.


    Pans and pots of all kinds hung from wall mounted hooks, all shiny and looking like they¡¯ve never been used. The whole kitchen looked like it hadn¡¯t been used with its squeaky clean grey marble countertops and kitchen ind. An 8-seat dining table was next to the kitchen, looking all luxurious with its plush seats and gold rimmed ss surface.


    ck, wide asymmetrical sofas and armchairs formed a half moon sequence in front of therge windows, arge faux fur rug lying beneath their metal legs.


    Arge arch opened into another hallway I deduced to contain the stairway and other spaces. I looked up to the high ceilings with drooping chandeliers and inbuilt white lights.


    The entire space was incrediblyrge yet didn¡¯t feel hollow and empty and maybe that was because of the multiple statues, paintings and flower nts that decorated the ce. Even the strict color choice of ck, grey and white couldn¡¯t kill the vibrancy.


    I just couldn¡¯t believe that this was going to be my home until further notice. The reality exceeded my expectations. It made me genuinely perplexed why Luca had slept over in my wretched shoebox of a ce when he lived in a house like this.


    It was basically a resort straight out from the Maldives.


    The ce was beyond my league yet it was every inch Luca. I could picture him doing the most ordinary things in this extraordinary ce and it somehow fit.


    ¡°So, still refusing to stay here?¡± Luca drawled behind me.


    I wiped off my dreamy expression before turning around to meet his annoyingly handsome face. The biggest understatement I¡¯ve ever made hissed out of my lips. ¡°It will do.¡±


    His eyebrow quirked and the corners of his mouth lifted in a roguish smile. ¡°I¡¯m d my humble abode meets your standards.¡±


    I fought back a twitch of a smile. He was so fluent in sarcasm which was my favorite kind of humor and it made it impossible to stay mad at him.


    Remembering my luggage still in his hand, I tried to reach for it, feeling bad that I let him carry it all the way here. He swatted my hand away.


    Well, I tried.


    ¡°So where do I sleep?¡± I piped, eyeing the archway. ¡°How many rooms are in there?¡±


    Luca began making his way there and I skipped along to match his pace. ¡°Two guest bedrooms and aundry room on the left, one guest bedroom and a gym on the right-¡±


    We haven¡¯t even gone up the stairs and we¡¯ve already counted three bedrooms. Luca let me get a quick peek at the mentioned areas and I noted how big the guest rooms were. It made me curious to know how grand the master bedroom must be. I stole a nce at Luca, would he let me see the room as well? I mean he had seen mine and slept in it so it was only fair.


    I was led up the curved floating staircase to the second floor and my mind was blown again. There was a second living room, three more bedrooms including the master bedroom, Luca¡¯s office, a library and a sauna.


    My awed gaze met Luca¡¯s and I¡¯d never felt unequal to him like I did at the moment. ¡°Which one of these rooms will I be using?¡±


    His eyes clouded over. ¡°That one.¡±


    My eyes followed the direction he was pointing to and they widened. ¡°But that¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°Yes, bambina. My bedroom.¡± He said dryly before turning away and headed just there.


    I swallowed and trailed after him. ¡°Why yours?¡± I asked even though I was delighted that he wanted me in his space. I noted the distance between the room and the others; too long. I wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep a wink knowing he was that far yet still close.


    ¡°Because I want you there.¡± He stopped to open the door and the intensity in his grey eyes when it met mine made me inte with flutters.


    He opened the door to a darkly furnished room that was bigger than my former apartment. A king-size bed sat in the middle and to its left was a big window  with an overlook of Chicago city. The space was quite airy and I could already tell that I¡¯d befortable nesting here.


    A blush spread across my face when I nced at the bed again. Our activities were going to be a whole new level of creative in a bed like that.


    Luca left me to unpack, not before leaving me breathless and dazed with a passionate kiss. He had a couple of calls to make and some reports to go through unfortunately and told me to find him in his office if I needed him.


    I was done with unpacking in no less than ten minutes. There wasn¡¯t much to unpack and used up only twopartments of the huge shelf Luca had cleared out for me in his walk-in closet.


    With nothing else to do, I decided to explore the ce, noting the endless rows of suits that hung on racks and the various array of ties and expensive watches. It felt surreal to be in the space Luca got dressed. Would I have the honor of witnessing him dress up tomorrow? My nerves tingled with anticipation.


    When I¡¯ve taken in every single corner of the bedroom, I slipped out and toured the rest of the floor. After minutes of aimless wandering, Inded at his office door, indecision taking over my bones as I lost the ability to knock on the door. Although he told me to find him, I didn¡¯t want to interrupt whatever serious business he was upied with. He¡¯d already spent more than half of the day with me, I shouldn¡¯t be anymore greedy. I backed away from the door and padded downstairs.


    I wasing out from the archway when I heard voices approaching. I froze, apprehension splintering across my belly. Who were they? Luca¡¯s men? Or had the men from my old apartment found me here? I went cold with fear. Hide, I needed to hide.


    ¡°Look who we have here.¡± A man with reddish brown hair and a wicked gleam in his dark eyes drawled.


    His partner also came into view, his own expression theplete opposite. Serious and unsmiling.


    I found both to be frightening.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I demanded, backing away.


    ¡°I could ask you the same, sugar.¡± Reddish brown hair said.


    The other man said nothing as his unsettling gaze ran over my form, the crease between his forehead tightening even harder. His cold hazel eyes met mine. ¡°You¡¯re Cara.¡± He deadpanned.


    I wasn¡¯t given even a second to affirm because the other guy suddenly cut in, ¡°Who¡¯s Cara?¡±


    I might be imagining it but the frowning dude seemed to be ring at me for some reason. I didn¡¯t even know the man.


    ¡°The don¡¯s stepsister.¡± He responded, the word ¡°stepsister¡±ing out with a sneer.


    I didn¡¯t imagine that now, did I?


    Reddish brown hair¡¯s face pinched with confusion. ¡°The boss has a stepsister?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Santino. The old don has been remarried for months now. Do you ever know anything?¡± Frowning dude bit out.


    Santino, as I¡¯ve learned, shed me a roguish smile. He stretched out his hand. ¡°I could kick myself for not knowing a beauty such as yourself had been added to the family.¡±


    I took his hand, an awkward chuckle escaping me. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I, personally, have to remind myself of the fact everyday else I forget.¡±


    Santino¡¯s smile grew into a full-blown grin, his perfect teeth on disy. He faced frowning dude. ¡°I like her already.¡±


    I like him already too.


    ¡°I suggest you refrain from repeating that in front of Luca.¡± Frowning dude drawled, spearing me with a knowing stare.


    My entire body grew hot with mortification. The man knew, he knew I was just more than a stepsister to Luca. It was why he appeared hostile from the get go.


    Where was the window? I think this is the part where I jump to my death.


    ¡°Ignore him,¡± Santino said to me. ¡°Being sour is his default setting.¡±


    Frowning dude was already heading upstairs, his gait as standoffish as his attitude. I frowned, he hadn¡¯t even bothered to introduce himself.


    ¡°I gotta go now or Dominic and Luca are going to start the meeting without me.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Assh0les, the both of them.¡±


    Dominic, that was the asshole¡¯s name. I mused through what Santino had said. To be honest, I did see a simrity between Dominic and Luca when we¡¯d just met. Luca was still very much an assh0le but he was my assh0le and could be a sweetheart when he wanted to. My mind shed back to earlier when he¡¯d bathed me and washed my hair.


    Santino was giving me a curious look and I realized I was straight out daydreaming. I flipped my hair to mask my embarrassment.


    ¡°So Santino huh? I can tell that you aren¡¯t socially-challenged like them.¡±


    A hearty chuckle left him. ¡°Please call me Santi.¡± He began walking past me, his steps slow. ¡°I hope to see you around Cara. We can bond over our tales of being victims of rude assh0les.¡± He winked before disappearing up the stairs.


    I grinned, I really liked Santino. He reminded me of Cadain, even though that aura of innocence wascking. Santino might be a fun guy but I could still peep the darkness behind that mischievous sparkle.


    Dominic on the other hand, disliked me for fucking the boss or maybe I was just being paranoid. Whatever the reason was, he was obviously a new addition to Cara¡¯s haters club.

 Chapter 59: M*rder plans

    Luca¡¯s pov


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve already gotten her to move in with you.¡± Dominic said the moment he stepped into my office.


    I sighed. Of course he ran into Cara on his way here. A woman as inquisitive and curious as she was would not have been cooped up where I¡¯d left her. ¡°I hope you were nice to her.¡± I said dryly, not looking up from myptop.


    Dominic sank down on one of the chairs in front of my desk. ¡°I didn¡¯t send her running to you in tears, did I?¡±


    That got me to look at him or more urately, re at him.


    The bastard smirked.


    I went back to the boring spreadsheet report I was reading and I¡¯d only gone through a single column before my spine stiffened. ¡°Where the hell is Santino?¡±


    Dominic leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. ¡°Probably hitting it off with your blonde chick.¡± He said with so much indifference I wanted to punch his pretty face.


    ¡°And you let him?¡±


    He threw me azy look. ¡°Why? Afraid she¡¯s going to discover he¡¯s more fun and dump your ass?¡±


    I might just straight up kill him at this point.


    I sprang out from my swivel, ignoring Dominic¡¯s low chuckle as I marched to the door. I was greeted with Santino¡¯s devilishly handsome face the second I swung it open.


    ¡°Hey, don. Hope you-¡±


    My fist connected with his jaw.


    He toppled a step back, his hand flying to where my fist hadnded. ¡°What the fuck!¡±


    ¡°The things women do to men.¡± Dominic¡¯s irritating voice piped behind me.


    In a way, he was right. I was overreacting. Cara and Santino might have just engaged with nothing more than small talk. But it didn¡¯t stop me from being pissed that they did, that Santino had the balls to even look at her. The feeling was irrational but there was no rationality where Cara was concerned.


    A dark edge crept into my voice. ¡°Interact with my stepsister again and I will fucking kill you.¡±


    Santino spat blood on my fucking carpet. ¡°Jeez man. What¡¯s gotten into you?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s the other way around. You get into a nice ass, the nice ass doesn¡¯t get into you.¡±


    I shut my eyes, a vein popping in my head. ¡°Dominic, shut the fuck up.¡± I ground out at the same time Santino asked, ¡°Why are we talking about ass?¡±


    Dominic leaped up from hisnguid position and straightened his suit jacket. ¡°Whenever you guys are ready, we can get to business.¡±


    I spared him a hard re, then Satino, before I took aggravated steps back to my swivel chair. The two men followed after me, upying the seats at my desk.


    ¡°You still owe me an apology.¡± Santino grumbled and I ignored him.


    So did Dominic. ¡°So, the men caught lurking around your girlfriend- er¡­ stepsister¡¯s apartment have been identified as Polish soldiers.¡±


    I quelled the treacherous leap in my chest at the word girlfriend. It was what Cara was to me after all, the only problem was getting her to ept it too which was hard because she seemed to be with me solely for the great sex we have. The familiar prick I felt whenever the thought came to me, punctured my ribs mercilessly, my mouth filling with something bitter.


    ¡°It looks like they want to do onest damage before they arepletely forced out. Your stepsister might be the target.¡±


    A cold sensation crawled down my throat and burst into something violent and protective. I¡¯d burn the world before I¡¯d let them get to Cara.


    Santino cranked his chair closer. ¡°Why would they be after the chick? She¡¯s not even a mafia princess.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s gaze bored into me and I red right back. Santino instantly caught on.


    ¡°Fuck! You¡¯re screwing your own stepsister? Isn¡¯t that a vition of the tenmandments or some shit?¡±


    I threw him an exasperated look. The fucker had more blood on his hands than most men, who made him the moral judge?


    His hand came up to his bruised jaw thoughtfully. ¡°Things suddenly make sense.¡± A mock frown appeared on his face. ¡°Such a pity, we really vibed well.¡±


    Darkness crept into my lungs and I was filled with murderous intent. ¡°Shut your ass up or I¡¯d make you do so forever.¡±


    Santino gave a devious smirk but he didn¡¯t speak again.


    I tugged hard at my tie, it was suddenly too tight. ¡°We need to elerate our n. Double the number of our soldiers on the street, send out bounty hunters, contact the local police officers on our side. I want every dispersed Polish mobster hunted to extinction.¡±


    Now that their seat of authority was destroyed, thep dogs were running around loose and wild. I¡¯de up with a detailed n on how to finish up the job of expunging them but now they were after Cara and I needed to speed things up.


    ¡°Got it.¡± Dominic nodded.


    We spent the next hour and a half going over other issues that needed to be addressed then came up with a preparation n in case the bratva pops up with another attack. Santino was given a new task to take out the next polish bastards to sneak around Cara which meant he¡¯d need to be hovering around and I didn¡¯t like that one bit.


    ¡°What are you doing about Ro and Alesky still locked up in the basement?¡± Dominic asked when we were done.


    Satino slung an arm behind his seat. ¡°Yeah what about them? Can I take them out? Tell me I can take them out.¡±


    ¡°Calm your trigger happy fingers.¡± I said. ¡°They¡¯re mine to handle.¡± I purposely kept them there all these days to drive them mad with trepidation. I want them to suffer mentally before I get started on making them suffer physically.


    Santino¡¯s sigh was dramatic. ¡°I was really looking forward to a good kill.¡± He muttered like we were talking about fucking bird hunting and not about humans.


    I knew I was thest person in the whole universe to judge himwhat I¡¯d nned for the fuckers was way worsebut the hitman asionally said things that threw even me off.


    Cara was nowhere to be found by the time we moved downstairs. I took a nce at my watch, it was well past 9pm and she had probably gone to bed.


    My bed.


    My body thrummed alive. Cara was here, in my house, in my bed. And I would get to see her beautiful face every night and every morning, sink inside her whenever, hold her, smell her, hear her. I had no idea how I was going get any work done now she was here, willing to let me fuck her if I asked.


    Fuck.


    ¡°Also,¡± Dominic started right when we got to the elevator doors.


    My lips pressed together with impatience while Santino rolled his eyes hard. The consigliere always had something to say at the veryst minute.


    ¡°Aidan McKell has been asking for a meeting.¡±


    My face tightened into a frown as I already knew why.


    Dominic¡¯s expression told me that he did. ¡°So you¡¯re really going to call it off?¡±


    My nod was immediate.


    ¡°Call off what?¡± Santino asked.


    ¡°The wedding.¡± Dominic replied tly.


    The hitman¡¯s nose scrunched up in confusion. ¡°You know what? You guys carry on, I¡¯d just get busy with texting my nexty.¡± He pulled out his phone. ¡°I¡¯m too lost for this bullshit.¡±


    I was now Dominic¡¯s sole focus. ¡°This could affect the alliance we have with the Irish.¡±


    ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that?¡± I had considered the oue a thousand times in my mind and concluded I didn¡¯t give a fuck if it does. The alliance with the Irish is not my most profitable nor is it my most valued.


    Dominic pinched the bridge of his nose before asking. ¡°Is she that important?¡±


    I let the question marinate in my mind and the answer was yes. Yes she was, and with each passing day, she bes even more important.


    However, I didn¡¯t give him this answer.


    I bounded back and jogged up the stairs the moment the elevator doors slid close, my heart thundering in my chest as I drew closer to my bedroom. It was like the feeling you get when you¡¯re approaching home after a long, exhausting day, which was crazy because I was already home.


    My eyes instinctively flew to the bed the second I stepped into the room, taking in Cara¡¯s lying form. Sheid on her side, her back to me, wearing nothing but a tube top andcy panties, the duvet tossed aside. My c0ck thrummed to life in my pants, fuck she was so sexy. So hot she consistently torched a fire to my entire being.


    Not taking my eyes away from her, I took off my watch then my shirt, my pants following right after. I paused for an indecisive moment then dropped down my briefs.


    This was a process that I only did in my walk-in closet and I have done it consistently for years. It was practically a habit.


    But I¡¯d just broken that habit and that was because Cara wasn¡¯t in the walk-in closet. She was here in the room. In my bed.


    My blood grew hot and so did my c0ck.


    I slipped into the bed, taking care to be gentle and calm so I don¡¯t wake her. And then Iid there unmovingly, staring at the beautiful back of her body. I didn¡¯t touch her even though I badly wanted to, to the point that it hurt.


    I did my best to contain myself and my burning need for her.


    I failed.


    Moving closer to her, I winded my hand underneath her body and pull her softly into me, fighting a groan at the feel of her ripe butt pressing against my aching c0ck.


    Fuck!


    I stroked down her arm, down her hips and back up. I knew I should let her sleep peacefully, that she might be tired from the ordeal herndlord put her through but if I didn¡¯t have her tonight, I would die.


    Selfish, I know. But that¡¯s how badly I needed her. She was a drug and I was her addict.


    She let out a soft moan when I grazed the space between her closed legs and it emboldened me. I slipped my hands between her lush thigh and stroked and her rewarding moan warmed my body.


    ¡°Luca,¡± she whispered and it was pathetic how thrilling it was to hear her say my name. The four letter words had never sounded better.


    ¡°Yes? Bambina.¡± I said, sliding my fingers further up her legs to heat.


    She parted them to give me more ess and I almost went wild when my fingers slid into her panties and touched something sticky.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She was wet for me. Her pussy, mine.


    I groaned and pressed into her neck, biting softly as I attempted to rein in the beast inside me that fought to break free.


    ¡°Touch me some more.¡± Caramanded breathlessly and I obliged her.


    I dipped into her wet heat, stroking her, rubbing her, pinching her.


    She jerked with a groan and into my dick and I fought myself from flipping her t on her back and moving between her legs.


    I ripped the fucking panties and my sexual frustration was channeled into my ministrations, my fingers pumping into her with zero restraint. .


    ¡°Oh, yes!¡± Cara cried, squirming around my hand.


    I hiked her top leg apart to go even deeper and she was content with hanging the sexy limb in the air. My tongue licked behind her ear and she angled her head back to kiss me.


    The kiss was messy, sloppy and unhinged.


    Cara came in shatters, convulsing around my fingers and I hissed sharply as her butt jiggled into my bulge. I couldn¡¯t wait anymore, I drove into her stilling pussy.


    She yelled and I roared in pleasure, taking on an immediate fast pace, my lifted hips pping into her ass with uninhibited thrusts.


    ¡°I¡¯m insane for you.¡± I said gruffly against her ear before nipping it. ¡°You rip my control, you drive me mad with need for you.¡± I grabbed under her hanging leg, my hands biting into the skin of her inner thigh.


    ¡°You drive me crazy yourself.¡± She admitted in a moan.


    My thrusts grew even rougher. ¡°I know, baby. But it¡¯s not enough, not even a fraction of what you do to me, what you¡¯ve done to me.¡±


    ¡°Luca-¡± Cara whimpered.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ruin you like you ruined me. I¡¯m going to make you live for me like I live for you.¡± My hand underneath her slipped into her tube and pinched her nipple and her cry of pleasure refracted into my feral c0ck.


    Fuck, it felt like I was about to explode into bits. I was raging hot and all the cells in my body danced with something greater than lust. Something suspiciously close to what I¡¯d been certain I¡¯d never feel, never sumb to.


    Cara began to jolt off the bed as she chased her orgasm, dating closer to the fireworks of pleasure.


    ¡°Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!¡± She yelled and I mmed into her even harder.


    Her orgasm came in ripples and with a scream, my thrusts remained consistent, my dick pulsing with the feeling of her orgasmic walls contracting around it.


    I came with a force, an animalistic sound tearing from the depth of my core.


    Our release carried on for a couple of seconds and I kissed Cara all through the crackling bliss.


    ¡°It¡¯s all you, no one else.¡± The words slipped out of my mouth. I felt Cara freeze against me, waiting for me to take it back, to apologize and tell her it was my sex hazed mind talking.


    I never did.

 Chapter 60: Distractions

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Luca said with finality.


    ¡°Ohe on. It¡¯s just a harmless birthday party.¡±


    It¡¯s been four days since I moved in with Luca, three days of hot, dirty sex, sexy banter and nourishing food. Four days without our recurring bickers and disagreements and the I-hate-Luca-Salvatore moments. It was quite an impressive streak since all we¡¯ve been doing recently is fight, fuck and fight again.


    But right now, as we red at each other from the opposite sides of his kitchen ind, our sd dressing long forgotten, it was safe to say that the no fight streak was officially broken.


    I took on a stance thatmunicated my unwillingness to back down. ¡°I had promised Diana I¡¯de. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m disappointing her now.¡±


    Luca had that hard, intimidating look he had whenever he was set on his decision. His eyes darker than the night. I¡¯d have cowered if it didn¡¯t piss me the fuck off.


    ¡°You¡¯re in no condition to be partying.¡± He said, a hard edge to his voice. ¡°There are bad men after you.¡±


    And whose fault was that? My bark ofughter cut through the quiet air. ¡°Why don¡¯t I just crawl into a hole and hide away forever because of that.¡±


    Fire red in his eyes, if I¡¯d been standing right in front of him, I probably would have gotten burned. ¡°Don¡¯t act sassy with me, woman. This is for your own good.¡±


    I went ahead and did just that. ¡°Control freaks say that all the time.¡±


    A grimace pulled at Luca¡¯s features. ¡°Protecting you would be harder since whatever club your friend chose to host the party isn¡¯t my domain.¡±


    ¡°Along with a thousand other ces in Chicago. Would you also keep me from visiting them? You can¡¯t keep me locked up in the name of protection.¡±


    He said nothing and his silence was enough answer that he would. The sick bastard would have me sequestered from the world.


    My eyebrows knitted together as my re intensified. He might have bullied me into moving in with him or maybe manipted was the right word but I wasn¡¯t going to back down on this one. I was going to be present for Diana¡¯s birthday party. To hell with his overbearing ass.


    Diana had postponed the party twice, the first one due to personal reasons and the second being that her previous chosen venue had been torched to char. The girl had long marked her birthday for fuck sake, she deserved to have this party once and for all with friends to cheer her.


    I was going to be one of those friends.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Luca said and I waspletely thrown off bnce.


    My eyes narrowed to slits as I worked through what game he was ying now. Luca Salvatore didn¡¯t give in easily unless he had an ulterior motive. This I knew from past experience.


    The corners of his mouth lifted in a sardonic smile when he read the suspicion in my expression. ¡°I¡¯m serious. I¡¯d agree on one condition.¡±


    Lips pursed, I prompted. What is it?¡±


    ¡°That the party be held at my club.¡±


    I rubbed at my eyebrow. ¡°Luca, that¡¯s not up to me. It¡¯s not my birthday party, remember?¡±


    He came around and inched into my space. ¡°Talk to your friend, convince her.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t feeling so clear headed now that his smell was filling up my nostrils and messing with my focus. ¡°Luca-¡±


    ¡°There would be perks.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I arched a brow.


    ¡°VIP room, free drinks.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a bad business bargain.¡± I said even though my mouth twitched with humor. He was really doing it all and just for me. This shrewd businessman was making a very unprofitable deal just so he could ensure my protection. My anger detes and fizzy bubbles erupted in my belly instead. I was extremely ttered.


    ¡°It is.¡± Luca said with heavy emphasis, wanting me to know the length he was going. It made me want to kiss him hard.


    I peered into his eyes, my voice taking a softer and shaky tone. ¡°Free drinks? Now that might get Diana to agree.¡±


    His hands came up to push back a stray lock. ¡°Yes. Chardonnay, bourbon¡­ just say the word.¡± He leaned in to kiss my eyelid and when he pulled back, he had the softest, warmest look in his eyes.


    I swallowed. Gawd this man and his whirlwind of moods. He stayed giving me a whish with the way he could go from angry to smoldering to sweet.


    I moistened my dry lips. ¡°But it¡¯d be weird, nobody would believe their boss wants to host their birthday party out of the goodness of his heart.¡±


    His lips curved into a scheming smile and the gleam in his eyes was doing this to me.


    ¡°I¡¯d tell her it¡¯s an employee bonus. She¡¯s quite the hardworker after all.¡± His husky tone dripped down my skin like honey.


    His voice was hypnotic. His eyes were hypnotic. The man was putting me under a spell.


    Wait, he already had.


    He mistook my inability to utter a single word as hesitation. I couldn¡¯t speak because the look was giving me robbed me of my vocabry. And his fingers caressing my bare stomach might be a second culprit.


    ¡°Say something bambina. I need to know you¡¯re onboard.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I whispered because what else was there to do when he was giving me a smoldering look that made me want to fuck him, his hand on my skin was frying my senses and I still get to go to the party.


    ¡°Good.¡± He nuzzled into my neck, his voice hot against my flushed ear. ¡°Now I want a reward for being such a diplomat.¡±


    I cupped the back of his neck and pulled him for a ravenous kiss, my other hand running up his hard chest. Right there in hisrge, spotless kitchen, I showed him just how much I was pleased by his diplomacy.


    ***


    ¡°Oh my God, Cara. This is like the best birthday news I¡¯ve gotten in a while.¡± Diana squealed. Her mood has been ecstatic since she returned from Luca¡¯s office. Apparently she easily bought his employee bonus excuse on why he was practically sponsoring her birthday party.


    She began tracing lines on the countertop of the bar, a dreamy look on her face. ¡°I thought The Arena was the dream venue but I was mistaken.


    ¡°Club Nova is like the biggest club in all of Chicago! Who¡¯d believe my job here at Rico¡¯s would get me an exclusive pass to the VIP area?¡±


    Yeah, who would? Bosses don¡¯t make such exceptions no matter how talented and good of an employee you were. Hers was just a crazy, overprotective person but she didn¡¯t have to know that.


    She froze for a second, lost in her head before a rigidity came over her body. I was given a leery look. ¡°You had nothing to do with this right? Like you didn¡¯t say anything to your stepbrother to get him to do this.¡±


    Shit.


    ¡°Of course I didn¡¯t Diana, why would I?¡± The lie rolled off my tongue. Well, technically, it wasn¡¯t actually a lie. Luca had proposed the idea himself, I¡¯d just agreed to it.


    Her lips pursed as she gauged my honesty. ¡°Really?¡±


    I shifted in my barstool feeling like a bacteria under a microscope. ¡°Yes. We don¡¯t even speak that much.¡±


    But we fuck that much and bicker that much and I¡¯m living in his girnomous penthouse.


    I fought the urge to wince.


    Diana considered my words for another second then she brightened and went back to being happy and excited about throwing her birthday party in the VIP section of club Nova.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I know Club Nova¡¯s owner. Well I don¡¯t actually know the man but yeah.¡± Diana said.


    I agreed with her wholeheartedly. Spending time with Luca sometimes made me forget he was a billionaire mafia don that owned famous businesses. I couldn¡¯t believe I knew him either. Or that he wanted to be with me for whatever reason.


    As much as I was d to celebrate with Diana, a small part of me was also looking forward to the party for a selfish reason. I needed the distraction. My nerves have been nothing but frazzled these past few days, thoughts of when next we get ambushed upied my mind. Along with getting kidnapped or killed by whoever wanted to use me to hurt Luca. I dreaded the day Alexei or whatever the Russian boss¡¯ name was would finally get to me.


    I was still very much haunted by the fact that some men had found my former apartment and if they were able to, they could find my academy. I nced at a still grinning Diana. They could find Rico¡¯s too.


    A shudder ran through my body.


    Luca had promised to protect me with his life and a man like him never broke his promise but I just couldn¡¯t help but be ridden by fear. It was sickening, the constant state of apprehension. If I could get my mind off things for even a few hours, I¡¯d dly take it.

 Chapter 61: Tattletale

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I could see why Club Nova was one of the best.


    It was insane.


    The people, the music, the atmosphere¡­ everything brought out a vibe that forced you to forget all things and get down to party.


    Getting into the club had been a bit of a process even with our exclusive pass and Diana had been a little miffed but it had given me the opposite effect. These days, tight security was myfort.


    My nerves had been a mess¡­ until I¡¯d walked into the neon-lighted building and my mouth fell open.


    I¡¯d thought the hexagon shaped exterior of the building was impressive but I was in no way prepared for the interior. Massive disco balls hung from a dome shaped ceiling, adding sparkle effects to the equally massive space. There were uniquely formed booths everywhere but they were designed in such a way that gave a lot of dancing space for the lit club goers. Or maybe that was just because the ce was huge.


    The ce had a Garden of Eden theme to it, with huge, wild pot nts and glowy water pooling at the center of the ce. I wondered how that worked out for drunk, high visitors and how often someone fell into it then a drunk and probably high off her ass redhead staggered around it and stepped right into it.


    I sucked in a breath, but she didn¡¯t fall. The glowy water was fucking in the ground. My mind was blown.


    Just like in the whorehouse at Rico¡¯s, sensual statutes were situated around and were even more decadent by conservative standards there was one with a man giving a woman back shots.


    Wow.


    ¡°This is better than I¡¯d imagined!¡± Diana yelled over the booming Cardi B music.


    I turned to meet her eyes alight and a crazy grin on her face. I could rte, the ce was like entering The Cave of Wonders.


    ¡°This way.¡± The bouncer that hade along with us said before leading us through the ecstatic crowd, my bodyguards at my heel.


    I suddenly didn¡¯t want to be in the VIP area anymore, I wanted to blend in with the people and soak up the intense energy. I would never get to be in a more heated party crowd.


    Just like I predicted, the VIP area was much quieter and less rowdy. There were several doors that looked like mirrors, lining the yellow tinted hallway. And I only realized they were doors when we passed by a slightly opened one and the sight I beheld for approximately one second, was more stimting and perverse than any porny indie movie I¡¯ve ever watched.


    We were led into a more secluded room around the corner then our bouncer disappeared, leaving us to Sergio, LankyNino, I finally learned and the rest of the guys I really needed to learn their names as well.


    The moment Diana and I walked into the dimly lit space, a simultaneous ¡°oh my God¡± left our mouths. The ce still has the concept of the regr area but with more luxurious furniture, our own servers and an array of booze taking up half of the east wall.


    Just how much did Luca use up to establish the ce? And just how much does he make from a night here? I narrowed in on one of the bottles, it was a fucking Russo-Baltique Vodka. Not even my tuition fees for three years could buy it.


    Diana¡¯s other friends started trooping in minutester and the party began.


    ¡°Happy birthday to me bitches!¡± Diana yelled, popping a bottle of Chardonnay. Luca had kept his promise. My cheeks tinted pink when I thought of him.


    We drank, danced, yed naughty games, danced and drank some more. It was just us girls and we were having the time of our lives.


    I had drunk so much my dder began a protest so I giddily told Diana I was going to find the bathroom.


    ¡°Oh! Yes baby, go flush out those babies.¡± Diana slurred, making no sense.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    My reply was slurred as well. ¡°I on¡¯t fink we can pee babies Diana.¡±


    We met each other¡¯s gaze and erupted into a fit of giggles.


    ¡°Okay, okay. I really need to go before I piss myself.¡± I said, jumping to my feet. The sharp movement made me feel like I was an astronaut in space.


    Diana waved me off then returned to the drunk gossip the other girls were engrossed in. Apparently, I wasn¡¯t the only one engaging in a forbidden rtionship. Kiara, Diana¡¯s ex-roomate was fucking her mother¡¯s boyfriend.


    Sergio and Nino frowned at me the second they saw me but their disapproval only made me giggle, I was too lit to care about their stuffiness.


    Even after my drunken protest Sergio insisted that Nino apany me and the man did even all the way to the toilet. Then again, I was too drunk to care. I pushed into the high end bathroom and got busy with freeing my groaning dder, a sigh leaving me when I dropped on the toilet seat.


    I jiggled my legs as I waited out the long pee, thinking about Luca again. Was he here as well? Was heing to see me? Would he fuck me somewhere around if he did?


    I hope he does. I¡¯d barely gotten a glimpse of the man since the morning he agreed to let mee to the party. Work had taken him away from me after that and I almost never saw him in the mornings before he left and when he returnedte at night, I was too sleepy to even hold up a conversation so we just cuddle to sleep instead.


    I missed him.


    My pee finally finished its Guinness world record stream and I wiped and flushed and stumbled out. I was in the middle of washing my hands and making faces into the lipstick smeared mirrors when two women breezed in.


    ¡°And he saved me from the girls, sent them out and took me home.¡±


    I immediately stiffened, hating that I recognized the voice.


    Valentina flipped her long, straight as a pin, dark hair behind her cropped leather jacket preening as herpanion gushed about how whoever she was talking about was so into her.


    Fortunately, they were a little into their conversation and hadn¡¯t noticed me yet. I quietly rinsed off thevender scented hand soap, turned off the faucet and proceeded to get the hell out of there.


    I was one step out the door when Valentina called out. ¡°Cara?¡±


    Fuck, I¡¯d been so close.


    I whirled around, pasting on a smile I didn¡¯t feel. ¡°Um¡­ Valentina? Oh my God, hi.¡±


    Valentina¡¯s mouth lifted in a subtle sneer before she turned to her friend. ¡°This is his stepsister I was talking about.¡±


    Her friend instantly closed up, giving me a nasty stare.


    I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Just what I needed, another total stranger that hated me. The girl looked me up and down, the action making her strawberry blonde bob, move like a hanging review mirror decor.


    Her lips curled into an equally nasty smile. ¡°Well, I guess we don¡¯t have to worry then. I don¡¯t see an appeal.¡±


    I nched. Excuse you?


    She faced Valentina like she hasn¡¯t just insulted me. ¡°He took the time to ensure that you¡¯re okay and even drove you home. It¡¯s quite evident who is on his mind.¡±


    My anger at being insulted gave way to a sharp strike of ache. They were talking about Luca, have been talking about Luca. The ache intensified as I re-registered the small talk they¡¯d walked in with to memory, more consciously now.


    Valentina said something about Luca saving her and taking her home. My blood rushed, when the fuck had he had the time to do that?


    Valentina stepped closer, a malicious smile on her beautiful face. She had this royal prettiness, the kind of beauty fit for princesses, everything about her features was elegant and not even her bold red lipstick could take it away.


    A beauty fit for princesses. I will never rte.


    ¡°It¡¯s a surprise to see you here.¡± She eyed me and my hand instinctively came up to smoothen my little ck dress. I was suddenly d I¡¯d gotten it even though it made my ount bleed, it was the hottest thing in my closet right now.


    Valentina¡¯s gaze returned to mine. ¡°Who are you with?¡±


    I don¡¯t miss the condescending undertone in the harmless question. The bitch was implying I was here with a man, not that it was a bad thing or her business for that matter, but snotty brats like her think it¡¯s vulgar to do shit like that. And it pissed me off because they are also never innocent. It was just a pretentious, hypocritical and psychological warfare. One I will not be engaging in.


    Straightening my spine, I said in an indifferent voice. ¡°My friends. We¡¯re here for my girl Diana¡¯s birthday.¡±


    Valentina¡¯s smile died and so did her friend¡¯s. They had been hoping I¡¯d buffer and scramble if I¡¯d been with a man like they thought I was. But the thing the bitches didn¡¯t know was I still wouldn¡¯t give a fuck if that was the case.


    ¡°Your friend must be really capable then. Seeing as she brought you guys to Nova.¡± She said, eyeing me once more. ¡°The club isn¡¯t easy to get into.¡±


    My smile could cut through ss. ¡°Oh Diana didn¡¯t bring us here, Luca did.¡± I said, and lord, the look on Valentina¡¯s face was the most satisfying shit ever.


    Her friend¡¯s gaze darted to her confused and Valentina was too busy buffering to supply her anything.


    What did they say about your enemies falling into the pit they dug out for you?


    ¡°He did?¡± Strawberry blonde asked in a shrill voice. She scoffed, ¡°Everyone knows Luca Salvatore doesn¡¯t do charity with his business.¡±


    It was really making me mad how they were convinced Diana and I couldn¡¯t have gotten here on our own. They were right but fuck them.


    I walked past Valentina for the mirror, fluffing my blonde curls when I got to it. ¡°He doesn¡¯t, but when ites to certain people in his life¡­¡± I faced the bitches again. ¡°He does.¡±


    Valentina¡¯s friend let out another scoff while Valentina had a twitch at the corner of her eye.


    I was enjoying myself.


    ¡°That¡¯s not something I¡¯d be c*ocky about,¡± Strawberry blonde said,ing through for her friend. ¡°Men do all sorts of things for a hit all the time.¡±


    My jaw tightened. The bi*tch was calling me a h*oe and even worse, she was insinuating that Luca was the type of creep to do nice things just for s*ex. An outrageous nder. ¡°I don¡¯t think Luca is a man that rtes to that.¡± I responded with thinly veiled restraint.


    Valentina stuck up her nose. ¡°Of course. He¡¯s bigger than that. He¡¯s just being a good family leader, it¡¯s what he¡¯d have done if it were to be Ginny-¡±


    Ginny? Did she mean Gina? I chuckled under my breath in disbelief.


    ¡°-It¡¯s no secret that Luca is big on duty.¡± Her devious smile slid in ce. ¡°That¡¯s why he¡¯d alwayse running whenever I needed help.¡±


    Her words pierced me like a spear and I suddenly had no retort. Luca did that for her?


    Valentina had a triumphant reaction at my obvious distress, her hand flying to the ne on her neck. I recognized it as the one from Gina¡¯s wedding.


    ¡°Luca has always been caring, it makes him quite famous among our circle.¡±


    She said ¡°our circle¡± like she was talking to someone from outside the circle. Someone that was me.


    She nced down at the jewelry. ¡°This was from the time I lost my dear brother.¡± Her eyes coasted back to me. ¡°I¡¯d been so sad you see and he bought the diamond to cheer me up. But what we did after the gift was the best part.¡±


    My lungs closed in on itself as a tightness throbbed in my belly. The unpleasant touch of jealousy ran through every inch of my skin. Her words, it reached down to my very core and festered into the tightness I was feeling.


    It¡­ ached.


    Valentina and her friend shared smug, catty smiles and proceeded to exit the bathroom.


    As Valentina stopped by me, she gave onest remark. ¡°You must be really thrilled to have such a man as a stepbrother. Imagine how thrilled I¡¯d be to have him as my man.¡±


    I fell against the granite sink and didn¡¯t bother with stopping the lone tear that trickled down my face.

 Chapter 62: Run-in

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Nino went from pissed at my many minutes of bathroom break to concerned at the crumpled look I knew I had. I ignored him, even when he asked me what the problem was, my legs practically wheeling back to the party.


    I didn¡¯t want to speak to anyone, much less him. He was a man, a made man for that matter, he¡¯d never understand what I felt at the moment. He would never empathize with the messy, heartbreaking feeling the encounter with Valentina had left me with. Men like him didn¡¯t do feelings and knowing this fact was what cracked at my ribcage andpressed my heart.


    Made men didn¡¯t do feelings but Luca did with Valentina. I felt sick, which was a bad thing because I was heading farther away from the bathroom.


    ¡°Did something happen?¡± Nino asked again as he kept up with my fast pace, trailing closely behind me.


    Groaning inwardly, I said through clenched teeth. ¡°No, Nino. Stop asking.¡± I wasn¡¯t about to let him know that I¡¯d just gotten gagged by Valentina. I¡¯d rather choose death by the guillotine than tell him of my pathetic woes caused by my lover¡¯s ex.


    Yikes.


    Luca had sworn he and Valentina were done but it was obvious their shared history still had them tethered together.


    There were just some rtionships that were never over even when the parties involved imed it was. Valentina would always be around, Luca would always prioritize her like he had the time he ¡°saved her.¡± She was a princess and a princess was always in distress. Luca would alwayse running.


    An ufortable knot twisted in my stomach, I will never surpass or even match whatever it was they had in the past.


    My time with Luca was limited and the two of them might just return together by the time I¡¯m out of the picture.


    It made me green with envy and sour with foreboding rejection.


    I met a pacing Diana when I returned to our VIP room. Two of the girls were passed out while the rest were still chatting and drinking. I was about telling her of my desire to leaveValentina had put me out of my party moodwhen she sighted me and burst into tirade.


    ¡°I knew men at clubs were douches, especially drunk creeps but I¡¯ve never met a sober and intentional douche before.¡±


    My hand came up to scratch at my temple. I was utterly confused. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The man I just ran into! He was a disaster!¡± She cried, eyes dted, cheeks stained with a pink coloring.


    My eyes squinted and I unconsciously put aside my own issues. ¡°What man?¡±


    Diana ced her hand on one hip. ¡°After you left, I went searching for the bathroom¡­¡± She trailed off and I realized she was trying to get her intoxicated mind to remember properly. ¡°I- um¡­ I think I got lost at some point but I ran into this boulder of a dude, literally, and I apologized but he was so mean and basically talked down at me like I was some dumb teenager.¡±


    It was quite hard to follow through because have of her words were slurred and mispronounced but I got the gist of it. Guess it wasn¡¯t just me that had to deal with rude encounters on her bathroom break.


    I scanned Diana¡¯s expression, the stranger must have been extremely disrespectful to have the usually easy going woman this angry.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never met a more rude person, and I¡¯ve dealt with drunk uncouth men for a good chunk of my years.¡± She scoffed to the ceiling. ¡°Might be his narcissism but the jerk thought I wanted to make a move on him, that I had orchestrated@ our chance encounter. Can you believe that?¡±


    ¡°That some bullshit.¡± I frowned, affronted on her behalf. Narcissist might really be the term for the douchebag whoever he was.


    ¡°I know right?¡± Diana rolled off her tongue, pleased by my validation. ¡°I mean I couldn¡¯t deny he was hot and built like a greek god and was probably the most beautiful man I¡¯ve seen but I was just trying to find the bathroom for God¡¯s sake.¡±


    Now that was intriguing. I reached for her hand and brought us to a couch to sit. ¡°He was hot? Maybe that¡¯s the reason for his character failing. He let it get to his head.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Diana said with a passion then proceeded to rant and rant about this ill-mannered, narcissistic jerk she had met for no more than two minutes.


    The party was over soon. The celebrant was too pissed about her rude stranger to continue the celebration in good spirits. She med the douchebag for ruining her good mood so she was taking this really personal.


    We woke the sleeping girls then all of us proceeded to traipse back to the regr area, my bodyguards trailing around us. It was really amusing to watch one of Diana¡¯s friends hit on Sergio. The poor guy looked so distressed and at loss on what to do. And the look he gave me was a loud cry for help. I decided to save him by pulling the girl away and starting a convo on the one thing she¡¯d talked about ny percent of the time at the partyher golden retriever.


    The crowd was still going strong by the time we got to the regr area. Some of Diana¡¯s friends decided to continue the fun leaving just Diana, Kiara, golden retriever girl and me. We weaved our way through the turnt up crowd and had to go through a little security procedure again before we were allowed to leave.


    I took a deep breath the moment we stepped into the chilly night air. The desire to go home growing stronger and stronger.


    And more dreadful.


    I hoped I¡¯d be able to shut the fuck up and not ask Luca about Valentina¡¯s story. I was a dog with a bone when I was bothered by something and I almost never rested until I had answers. But this was different, I was deciding to have more faith in Luca.


    I remembered the night I¡¯d moved in with him. The things he¡¯d said while he fucked me. You had to be into a person a little more than usual to say things like that right?


    Yes, it was for certain that Luca Salvatore was into me. But the problem was why. Unlike women men could be crazy about you for various specific reasons. And it¡¯d look like they just like you for you but that was a big fat lie. A man could chase you around the globe just because he¡¯s obsessed with your tits.


    Luca most likely was into me for the sex, like all the others. I was sexy and witty and had a fun personality, this I knew. It made men crazy with the idea of taming me. It was how I got entangled with Luca after all.


    All of this wouldn¡¯t have been a problem if not for the stupidplications of my heart. For the first time in my life I wanted more from a man, I wanted Luca to see me beyond the sex appeal and oh how insane it drove me that I couldn¡¯t figure out if he did.


    It was an itch on my skin but I was scared to scratch at it and uncover theyers. I was scared that Luca would affirm my suspicions that I¡¯d always be second to Valentina, whether or not they¡¯re still together.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 63: Deal breaker

    Luca¡¯s pov


    There were different grades to the meetings of two or more made men. The lowest was for harmless negotiation, and right above it was for long term alliances or bonds. These were the two positive reasons made men gathered together, at least positive on their own ends. Benefits like profit, connections, security and peace were guaranteed more than half the time and the parties involved didn¡¯t need to worry about a crossfire happening out of the blue.


    Not always anyway. With made men, there was no telling. Anything could go wrong in the blink of an eye.


    However, my meeting with Aidan McKell was far from these lowest grades. The grade was far above the bottomyer, surpassing the positive scale. I was not meeting the Irish boss for a friendly chat about business propositions or profitable unions.


    I wasn¡¯t meeting him to bear good news. No, I was here to disappoint him, to shake the alliance we had. This grade bordered on the dangerous scale, the scale of disagreements not unions, losses and not gain.


    In a meeting with a grade like this, there was need to worry about a potential crossfire.


    This sort of meeting was never held at the homes of the involved parties because of the risks and probable negative oues.


    You made marriage alliances at home but you don¡¯t break them there.


    I walked into Orion, the five star restaurant famous for it¡¯s guaranteed privacy. Thousands and thousands of dirty negotiations and secrets has been made and shared within the closed, sound proof booths of the ce. I did the customary weapons pat down before I was led to the booth McKell waited in. My men followed closely behind me, their senses alert for potential threats.


    ¡°Salvatore,¡± Aidan McKell greeted with an outstretched hand, when I walked into the spacious booth.


    I took the hand and shook it firmly, warningly as I noted the tightness of the Irish boss¡¯ grip and the darkness lurking in his eyes.


    My smile was devoid of amiability. ¡°McKell.¡±


    We took our seats on the only chairs of the round dining table, our men standing behind us, unmoving like boulders. Aidan¡¯s men reached into their coats softly and so did mine.


    We might not be allowed to bring in guns but men had been fighting wars with knifes and daggers way before the invention of firearms.


    McKell spoke first. ¡°Is there a reason why we haven¡¯t heard from you concerning the wedding between my brother and your stepsister?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer immediately and it was intentional. Silence in tense situations like this tended to break through the unreadable demeanor of the other person. It was always good to read potential enemies, predict their actions, that way you¡¯re never caught off guard.


    My silence grew louder in the enclosed space and the Irish boss¡¯ jaw tightened even harder. A ghost of a smile appeared on my lips.


    ¡°Yes, there is.¡± I started, looking him dead in the eye. ¡°The wedding is off.¡±


    Aidan stifled a frown but his ring blue eyes betrayed his attempt at a poker expression. ¡°I will ask just one question, why?¡±


    I reached for one of the two sses on the table and the half drunk whiskey decanter, poured myself a considerable amount and began twirling the ss in my hand.


    I don¡¯t take a single sip.


    ¡°Why¡­¡± I repeated, fascinated with the golden brown liquid. ¡°Because there¡¯s no longer need for it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m following.¡±


    My gaze found his again. ¡°Cara no longer needs to marry Cadain for her safety.¡±


    ¡°And why is that?¡±


    ¡°Because I said so.¡± I said, my voice level. His interrogation was beginning to annoy the fuck out of me.


    A hint of a sneer tilted the corner of his mouth and he sat back into the backrest of his chair. ¡°Your words were different four months ago.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Four months have passed, decisions change.¡± I responded.


    I couldn¡¯t believe I was throwing away a convenient alliance for a woman I¡¯d only known for four months. If someone in the past had told me I¡¯d be doing this, I would have shot them in the foot.


    The woman herself couldn¡¯t be bothered, considering the fact that she had been acting weird since the night she returned from Diana¡¯s birthday party. She¡¯s been looking at me weirdly as well, like I was growing an eye out of my forehead. The frustrating part was that she refused to tell me what the problem was and insisted that there was none.


    ¡°You cannot make such a decision at your own convenience, Salvatore.¡± Aidan¡¯s voice took on a warning edge.


    I cocked my eyebrow at him. ¡°Actually I can and I did.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    His men reached further into their jackets and I pinned him with a hard stare.


    ¡°This could break years of peace.¡±


    I returned my ss to the table. ¡°If it does then it would be very disappointing.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to say that when you¡¯re the cause.¡±


    ¡°Mind your tone, McKell.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare warn me Salvatore.¡±


    His men were now drawing their weapons, slowly but years and years of dealing with mobsters told me that their attack would not be half as slow.


    My men mirrored them immediately.


    ¡°I see what is brewing.¡± I said, looking pointedly at the men. ¡°You do not want to do that. It¡¯s unwise, do not ruin years of peace over a failed marriage bond.¡±


    Aidan scoffed out loud, no longer bothering with hiding his emotions. ¡°That¡¯s the thing here Salvatore, it¡¯s not about ¡°failed marriage bond¡± you wasted our time, disrespected us and what? You¡¯re backing out? After the deal we had?¡±


    ¡°There was never a deal, nothing was finalized, nobody was promised anything. Get over it McKell, there are much bigger issues.¡±


    Aidan¡¯s nose red. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that this would backfire? That we might turn on you like you have turned on us.¡±


    He didn¡¯t say it but I knew what he meant by turning on me.


    A dark smile pulled at my lips. ¡°Do as you wish, McKell. But let me warn you that the moment you do that, you will be barred by the Cosa Nostra. I wille after you and I will not be lenient.¡±


    I righted my gold wristwatch. ¡°But before that,¡± I carried on, amusement filling me. ¡°Have fun trying not to get killed by the bratva first, especially when they discover that you connived with the MI6 to trap their revered former pakhan.¡±


    Aidan McKell froze. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    My scoff came with a smirk. ¡°Not if we¡¯re allies.¡±


    His re showed his intention to punch me and I silently dared him to. ¡°Are we allies McKell?¡±


    The silence that settled after the question was long and charged with the promise of outrage and a knife fight. I was more than prepared for it but I knew it wouldn¡¯te to that. Aidan McKell was a smart man.


    He swallowed tightly as if it pained him to before speaking. ¡°I want to bepensated.¡±


    My hands came together in a firm p. ¡°Consider it done. My consigliere will contact you concerning that.¡±


    I rose to my feet and put out a hand. Aidan looked at it like it was thest thing he wanted to touch but he did, and the handshake of conclusion was even stiffer than the first.


    We were done almost a secondter. Aidan poured himself a ss of whiskey, his eyes not leaving me as he took a long sip. He raised his ss at me, his eyes shining with his intent.


    I picked mine and we clinked the heavy cut sses.


    ¡°Cheers to more years of union.¡± Aidan said a little forcefully, resentment underlying in his tone.


    My lips twitched with dark amusement. The man wasn¡¯t infamous for holding grudges for nothing. Then again, I¡¯d virtually ckmailed him after breaking off a union his father was crazed about. He was probably pissed at the thought of having to deal with the man and for that I sympathized with him.


    The old Irish boss was mad as a hatter.


    ¡°Cheers.¡± I said and we drank to the avoidance of what could have been a very severe war.


    We made our way out together even though our men were still wary of each other and hadn¡¯t taken their hands off their concealed weapons.


    ¡°As always, I admire your diplomacy.¡± I said once we stepped out of Orion, our cars already in waiting.


    A sardonic curve appeared on Aidan¡¯s lips, softening the hardness of his expression a notch. ¡°Not as much as I admire your shrewdness.¡±


    I shed him a smug smile. ¡°Get home safely, McKell.¡±


    His reply was a curt nod and we proceeded to get into our cars.


    It was when I slipped into the backseat and instructed my driver to move that I mused about the things that¡¯d have gone wrong. With a different oue, Aidan and the Irish mafia would have been thetest enemies of the Cosa Nostra.


    And it would be all because of a certain woman I was desperate to own.


    Now that Cadain waspletely out of the picture, what I needed to do was to make sure that no other man fixed himself into it.


    I needed to make Cara irrevocably dependent on me. So much that her whole world would center around me and me alone. It was a devious n but it was the only way I could keep her.


    I was going to make her fall hopelessly in love with me.

 Chapter 64: Spoiled Plans

    Luca¡¯s pov


    All ns to have lunch with Cara and maybe a good fuck time blew to the wind the moment my father texted a cryptic singr sentence.


    Come to the mansion.


    Well, that was fast. It was fascinating how quickly words traveled. I hadn¡¯t even gotten home from The Orion but the news had somehow reached the old don.


    Something dark filled me. It looked like the Irish boss was more hurt than I thought.


    ¡°Take me to the mansion.¡± I instructed the driver, spending the rest of the drive preparing myself for the nagging I was sure to get.


    I really wasn¡¯t in the mood.


    The great double doors of my father¡¯s mansion opened to the foreboding expression of Antonio. I recognized the look, it was one he always had whenever I got into trouble and was about to get whooped by my father. It was so very familiar that it made me viscerally remember the emotions that went through me in those situations.


    Fear, dread and rm.


    I chuckled within my chest as I reminisced the childhood dilemmas.


    ¡°The Signor is in his study.¡± Antonio supplied without prompt and I could tell things were more serious than I expected. The major hint being my father was somewhere other than his beloved study.


    I found him sitting cross-legged on an armchair, smoking a fat roll of cigar. His eyes coasted to me and they hardened. His expression was cold, still but I saw the underlying currents like I¡¯ve always done.


    The old don had always possessed the impressive ability to hide his emotions expertly. He could appear like he¡¯s thinking about tedious reports when in reality, an angry fire is roaring inside him. Looking like a frozen pond but feeling like the North Sea was a saying myte mother attributed to him.


    He only let people see what he wanted them to see, when he wanted them to.


    ¡°I came as soon as I saw your text.¡± I said, sitting on the chair across from him. ¡°Why do you want to see me?¡±


    He had that done fucking bullshit me stare of his. ¡°Aidan McKell called me.¡± He said in a leveled voice.


    My gaze remained impassive but internally I was ticked. Fuck that Irish motherf uc ker.


    ¡°Why the f uc k would you do something like that?¡±


    ¡°I trust he supplied you with the reason.¡± I said as I undid the button of my suit jacket. ¡°There was no more need for the marriage.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense (in Italian). Marrying the girl to them is the best thing for her in a time like this.¡±


    ¡°The blows I dealt the Bratva will have them recovering for months toe. And it¡¯s obvious I wouldn¡¯t wait for them to do that. I¡¯ve got the situation under control, I¡¯m going to end this war with the Bratva in victory.¡±


    My father snuffed out his cigar with a little more vigor than needed. ¡°I trust your capabilities son but sometimes that is not enough. You need external help to strengthen your ns.¡±


    The tick I felt now pulsed in my forehead as annoyance unfurled inside of me. ¡°If you trust me like you im, father, you shouldn¡¯t doubt my capabilities.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Why exactly are you opposed to this union?¡± He asked in a tight voice.


    Because Cara is mine and no one else.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think Cadain is right for her.¡± Partly the truth. Cadain wasn¡¯t right because he wasn¡¯t me.


    ¡°We¡¯re not ying matchmaking. This is a business about her security and our joint power.¡±


    An irritated breath escaped my lungs. ¡°Both of which I¡¯ve told you I didn¡¯t need the Irish to ensure.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d always need help, son. No matter how powerful you are.¡±


    I rubbed at my temple. I was getting worked up. My words came out through clenched teeth. ¡°I will ask for help when I need it.¡±


    My father stared at me long and hard and I was unable to read what he was thinking. He had always been hard to read. His gaze left me and he got busy with lighting his cigar once again.


    ¡°Unfortunately, the Cosa Nostra don¡¯t have the luxury to afford such patience. We are at war.¡± He said thest sentence like it wasn¡¯t already ringly obvious.


    Not waiting for me to respond, he continued. ¡°Since you botched up the first one, you should ensure n B goes right.¡±


    My hackles rose and my eyes squinted with wariness. Just what in the world was he going on about?


    ¡°Don Cortini promised to connect you to the Ndrangheta on the condition that you marry his daughter.¡±


    Like fucking hell I would.


    I sprang to my feet, throwing a furious hand through my hair, a sardonic chuckle vibrating in my chest. ¡°Is that your solution to everything? Marriage?¡±


    ¡°When you¡¯re an old man like me, you¡¯d understand why forming alliances is better than going to war alone.¡±


    I pinned him with a hard re. ¡°I am fucking don of the Cosa Nostra. I do not need to get shackled with anyone just so I can fight my enemies.¡±


    My father heaved a sigh. ¡°Luca-¡±


    ¡°You are my father and I will continue to pay you the honor you deserve, but heed my warning when I ask you to never bring this up again.¡± I growled my nose ring in thinly concealed anger.


    The anger was so forceful I had to choke it down. It marred my vision with red. I wanted to break something, punch something and it took me all of my self control not to.


    How dare he suggest I marry Valentina just to curry favors from her father? After defeating Alexei what would happen next? Why will I shackle myself to the woman for life in exchange for a victory I was already close to securing? There was a fucking reason why I¡¯d never proposed to Valentina in spite of her relentless chasing.


    I refuse to reduce Cara to the position of my mistress. I refuse to ce her second over some stupid connection to the fucking Ndrangheta.


    My father was still intent on pushing the matter. ¡°I ask that you think it over.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to think about.¡± I said, already walking out of the living room and not stopping to look at him when I added. ¡°I¡¯d pretend this conversation never happened.¡±


    My strides back were furious, my blood pumping hot in my veins. I was on the verge of going up in mes and I genuinely felt pity for the next person to get on my nerves.


    Laughter traveled out of the foyer as I neared it, my steps halting altogether when I sighted the people exiting the ce.


    Valentina and Amanda walked arm in arm, chittering about something I didn¡¯t give a fuck about. They saw me and froze immediately.


    My eyes burned into their linked arms and I wondered when they¡¯d had the time to be that close.


    I trained my gaze on Valentina. ¡°What the fuck are you doing here?¡±


    Amanda nched, looking at Valentina then back at me. ¡°I¡¯d invited her over-¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t speaking to you.¡± Was my rude cutoff.


    Valentina was staring at me with a mixture of fear and that sick admiration I hated. ¡°Ever the polite character Luca. It¡¯s nice to see you too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t act smart with me. Answer the fucking question.¡±


    ¡°I came because your stepmother invited me for lunch.¡± She responded, her hand tightening around Amanda¡¯s.


    I red at both of them like I could pulverize them. Valentina was now getting invited to lunch? Just after I had been hit with the terrible suggestion of marriage to her? A twisted smirk worked up my lips, I was beginning to find the whole situation hrious.


    ¡°Would you be joining us?¡± She had the nerve to ask.


    My only reply was a nk expression before I crossed past them and turned into the foyer. Then something came to mind and I whirled around to face them again.


    ¡°Amanda,¡± I started, ¡°about Cara¡¯s allowance, you wouldn¡¯t know anything about why it hasn¡¯t been getting to her, would you?¡±


    I watched as the woman¡¯s face wentpletely pale, her bottom lip quivering. ¡°I-i-it hasn¡¯t? I had no idea.¡±


    She was so guilty it stinked. The urge to throttle her overtook me. The fucking vile witch.


    ¡°I promise to look into it.¡± She rushed to say at the furious re I knew I had.


    ¡°You better do and make sure every outstanding cent is paid to her.¡± My voice took on a deathly warning. ¡°Or I will intervene.¡±


    Her nod was immediate and I was so sick of the sight of her I turned around and made my way out of the door, making a mental note to contact Grigori. It was high time I looked into my father¡¯s wife.

 Chapter 65: Act like a don

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Seeing Luca in his element might just be the hottest thing ever. The man was a freaking sex god even when he was doing non sexual rted things.


    Like sitting in a business meeting, listening solemnly to whatever Dominic was saying.


    I reached for my cup of coffee on the center table of Luca¡¯s second living room. Coffee that was still very much full even after fixing it ten minutes ago. I pretended to read the thriller novel in my hand, all the while stealing furtive nces out the window at the meeting happening on the terrace below. The window provided ample coverage that allowed me to ogle to my fill.


    Santino was the one talking now but I barely registered it, my focus on my stepbrother turned passionate lover and soon to be heartbreaker. Luca leaned forward on the table, propping an elbow on his armrest, making his thick biceps bunch effortlessly under his dark blue beach shirt. His index finger curled over his lips, his expression serious and thoughtful. Harmless posture but it had my pulse racing with desire.


    Gawd he was so hot. He could do the most trivial thing and will still make erotic models or pornstars look pale inparison. That pose coupled with his dark hair fluttering in the open breeze was magazine cover worthy.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I¡¯d sat by the window, watching the man make ns to conquer the world. I don¡¯t even know why I felt I had to watch him this way. We were sleeping together, literally. We lived together, sometimes showered together¡­ dressed up together.


    But this was the mostfortable I¡¯ve been while looking at him in days. I¡¯ve been a total wreck and it was all because of Valentina and her infuriating ability to ruffle my feathers. Or maybe it was less about Valentina and more about my unusual insecurity.


    Maybe it was even more about my unhealthy load of feelings for Luca that brought about the strange insecurity.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I stayed there ogling at Luca like his enchanted victim but the meeting was soon over and the men began taking their leave. Dominic remained for another round and this one seemed to be more personal. It seemed to be heated too if the clenching of Luca¡¯s jaw and the devil¡¯s stare he gave Dominic were any indication.


    I tried to read their lips but it felt like they were speaking in Italian but that didn¡¯t stop me from picking on three words in Dominic next sentence.


    Valentina, opportunity, Alexei.


    Confusion seized my features. What the hell did that mean?


    The conversation carried on and it frustrated me I wasn¡¯t about to pick up on anything else except those three puzzling words. Why did Dominic mention Valentina? What opportunity was he talking about? What does it have to do with the evil Russian dude?


    I couldn¡¯te up with a usible theory for the life of me and it grated on my nerves and left a throb in my head. Great, one more thing to be frantic about. Thanks a lot Dominic.


    Technically, it was my fault for eavesdropping, I could have gone through my day without knowing the dense information but I didn¡¯t like the man much to own up to my faults in this scenario.


    My phone buzzed in the pocket of my boy short with a notification and I nearly jumped out of my tensed skin. I fetched it and looked through the intruding message with impatience, my frown slowly morphing into a gape of disbelief.


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I was looking at so I wiped at my eyes, blinking rapidly, then I looked again.


    ¡°Holy fuck!¡± I eximed in a breath, staring nkly at the amount of zeros in the credit notification.


    Twenty-five fucking thousand dors, currently sitting in my ount of all ces.


    And it was from none other than my mother.


    A finger came up to my temple as my shock intensified, the throb in my head a violent pulsing. I jiggled my legs beneath the center table. Was I dreaming? It was either that or my mother had been taken over by an alien.


    A bemused scoff left me. Why the f u ck was she sending me money? A whooping sum of twenty-five grands at that. The woman barely ever gave me pocket money growing up.


    I really wasn¡¯t in the mood for whatever games she was ying.


    I was debating whether to call or text when my buzzed alive with an iing call. From her. My hand hovered above it in indecision as I gauged how mentally prepared I was for a conversation with the woman. My nerves has been a wreck these past couple of days and my mother was sure to twist the knife.


    But I decided to go through with the cursed convo now thanter. Get things over with.


    ¡°Did you get the credit notification?¡± My mother said without a greeting. She never did when she called.


    I unconsciously began to fiddle with corners of my novel, my body taut. ¡°I was just about to call you.¡± I exhaled deeply. ¡°What¡¯s the money for?¡±


    ¡°Not you acting like you don¡¯t know. You ran to your step brother like a little snitch.¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    My lids fluttered in utter puzzlement. What the hell was she talking about? ¡°I have no idea what you mean mother. You¡¯d have to be more clear.¡±


    Her tone was scornful. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend with me, child. You reported me to that assh0le because you¡¯re an ungrateful money-grubbing brat.¡±


    If I took a breath deeper than the one I just inhaled, my lungs would shrink. ¡°Mother-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent you the money.¡± A scoff. ¡°Did you think I wanted to steal it? I just wanted to keep it for you, set up a trust fund for youter.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand-¡±


    ¡°Why would I have trusted someone like you with such amount of money? I¡¯d asked Manuel to reduce the monthly sum but he refused.¡±


    I could now hear the throb in my head. ¡°Mother, what money are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t act you don¡¯t know it¡¯s your allowance money!¡± She said in a hiss.


    ¡°I had an allowance?¡± The news took me by surprise and my head felt hollow and misty until four things started to be clear.


    One, I had an allowance. Two, my stepfather had been it paying monthly. Three, my mother had been pocketing it. Four, Luca had found out and probably threatened the life out of her.


    Regardless of the three crucial aforementioned points, my brain decided to fixate on the fourth. I nced at where his handsome ass sat below, my body sizzling with a warm feeling.


    How could I not be confused when the man kept doing things like that, leading me on, making my heart flutter.


    ¡°¡­ your step father and brother will soon discover for themselves when the money ruins you. Until then, I¡¯d wait.¡± My mother was saying or rather snarling into the phone.


    I¡¯d forgotten she was still talking. My mind retraced to the point of the conversation. She had been stealing from me but she was being totally unapologetic and shameless about it, saying a whole lot of bull and ming me for it.


    It made me flushed with anger. ¡°It is quite disappointing that you¡¯d want to keep my money for whatever reason you think is enough justification, especially when you can get double the amount from your billionaire husband.¡±


    A sharp gasp cut through my spiel but I didn¡¯t stop. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have done all of that, I am not interested in the money in the first ce and I never will.¡±


    ¡°You crude little-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll send you back the money, you can have it all to yourself. Good day mother, it was nice hearing your voice again.¡±


    I hung up. And I gulped in a load of breath and pushed it out, the tension seeping out of my constricted lungs.


    My mother began calling again and I let it ring and ring. When I was fed up with the incessant ringing, I put the phone in DND and tossed it on the center table.


    It didn¡¯t matter what happened, it didn¡¯t matter how years has passed, my mother was still the cruelest to me. I didn¡¯t give a fuck about Manuel¡¯s money, I¡¯d first live in a cardboard box and survive on moldy bread before I¡¯d take any cent from him. Not when he¡¯d taken away the only person that ever loved me, killed him right before my eyes. I wouldn¡¯t have had to grow up with a woman like my foster mother if the old don hadn¡¯t done that.


    ¡°It better not be me you¡¯re thinking about with an expression like that.¡±


    My eyes snapped up to the deep, velvety voice of Luca and they were greeted with his glorious form. I could never get used to how gorgeous he was.


    My smile was automatic as it always was whenever I was graced with his presence. ¡°There¡¯s no need to be scared, you¡¯re safe.¡± I joked.


    His answering smile pulled at my heartstrings and it was a wonder how I never projected the secret loathing I had for his father on him. Believe me, I¡¯d tried but lost in the face of his powerful pulling force.


    It made me loathe myself instead. I couldn¡¯t even hate the son of the enemy. Instead, I was letting him rail me day in and day out. And I would even let him do more.


    Luca¡¯s gaze coasted from me to the table and I could have sworn something hot coasted off my body as well.


    ¡°Reading and drinking coffee.¡± A pointed stare at the lukewarm drink and I watched his eyes dance with amusement. ¡°The coffee, it looks¡­ cold.¡±


    I quickly picked it up and took a generous gulp. ¡°It¡¯s perfectly steaming and fresh.¡± I said after the heavy swallow.


    But Luca wasn¡¯t fooled because his gaze moved to the window and his amusement darkened. ¡°You must have sat here for a while.¡±


    I stiffened. ¡°Not that long, just about¡­ ten minutes.¡±


    His eyes were back on me and his mouth hinted at a smirk. ¡°But your coffee is cold.¡±


    ¡°I told you that it isn¡¯t.¡± I grumbled, my nose scrunched in hypocritical indignation.


    ¡°Ten minutes you say,¡± he looked down at my novel and I instinctively held it to my chest. ¡°Should I have you treated for dyslexia? ¡®Cause it appears that you might have reading struggles.¡±


    My brows knitted into a frown.


    ¡°You¡¯re still on the preface of the book.¡± He rified.


    I red at him as we both realized I had been caught. My cheeks red with mortification.


    ¡°How long have you been watching me, micetta?¡± Luca asked, not longer fighting to hide his smirk.


    I sighed, resigned. ¡°Not as long as your inted ego thinks. I was bored and I wanted to see how a meeting went.¡±


    ¡°Did you?¡± He asked,ing closer.


    He stood right in front of me, all six foot gorgeous four inches of him towering over me. My breath quickened and my throat went dry with his mouthwatering form.


    I didn¡¯t know how I was able to speak at this point but I did. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Luca¡¯s hand came up to thread in my hair. ¡°So what did you observe?¡± He asked, his voice low andzy.


    My belly gurgled with ava of lust. His waist was eye level with my face, if I could reach into his cks and pull out his c0ck, I could suck him right where I sat. Theva dropped deeper down my belly, all the way to the throbbing between my legs.


    I peered up at him. ¡°That you look so fucking hot in don mode.¡±


    I could burst from the re of dark desire in his steel depths. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed and his hand tightened in my hair. ¡°Is that all?¡± The question came out in a voice rougher.


    I moistened my lips. ¡°Yes.¡± I breathed. ¡°But it made me think¡­¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°That I wanted you to fuck me in don mode.¡±

 Chapter 66: F*ck like one

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Luca¡¯s gaze was heavy on mine, the maic weight of it reaching into my soul and pulling at it.


    ¡°You want me as don?¡± He rumbled into the crackling silence and right into my hammering heart.


    ¡°Yes.¡± I whispered, every part of me meaning it. I was feeling awfully submissive and I wanted him tomand my willing desire. I needed to be consumed by him. Only he could relieve me from the burdens of my anxiety. Only him.


    Even when he¡¯s responsible for ny percent of it.


    Luca¡¯s other hand cupped my face and his thumb ran across my lips. ¡°I want you to suck on it like you didst time.¡±


    I made zero hesitation and took the thumb in my mouth, loving as his nostrils red, his eyes intent on me.


    ¡°If we¡¯re going to do this, you will obey my everymand. You will not challenge me or refuse me.¡±


    I audibly swallowed, understanding the gravity of my request. If I wanted him to fuck me as the don of Cosa Nostra and not Luca Salvatore, I needed to treat him as that. I¡¯d have topletely surrender to his authority, no questions asked.


    Luca wanted no y pretend.


    My pulse ran wild and I considered backing out for a second, my eyes dropping to the floor. Being at the mercy of a man wasn¡¯t something I was a fan of. Myst experience had left me with years and years of unpacked trauma and emotional scars.


    But with Luca, it would be different right? I knew he¡¯d never hurt me physically but could I trust him not to hurt me emotionally?


    I sawed on my bottom lip, suddenly feeling hesitant.


    ¡°Cara, look at me.¡± Luca ordered in a voice sopelling, I obeyed immediately.


    ¡°Tell me what is on your mind.¡±


    I arched my neck to the soft strokes of his fingers on the back of it, shivers running through me. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ nervous.¡±


    Luca held me by my chin, his intense gaze boring into mine. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I lied. I was fully aware why and it all stemmed for the shit that bastard Diego put me through.


    A stubborn bitch like you only responds to force. It is your fault I¡¯m doing this.


    The memory made me shudder.


    Luca crouched in front of me at once, his hands taking mine. ¡°There¡¯s something you¡¯re not telling me, bambina.¡± He said softly, his eyes searching for answers.


    My smile was wobbly and my voice shaky. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. You¡¯ve been distant. I¡¯ve seen you staring off more than once. I¡¯ve seen you look at me like there¡¯s something you wanted to say. Is it me?¡± His jaw ticked and his eyes mped shut as if whatever he was going to say next would kill him. He opened them again. ¡°Are you tired of me? Of us?¡±


    I blinked at him in bewilderment, shocked that he¡¯de to that conclusion. ¡°No¡­ no, Luca. I- that¡¯s not it.¡± I said with a shake of my head.


    ¡°Then what is it?¡±


    What was it¡­ I¡¯m falling deeper for you each passing day while you feel nothing more than infatuation for me. I fear you aren¡¯t over Valentina. I am afraid you¡¯d discover about my past and leave me like you should. I¡¯m scared that you¡¯d hate me and be disgusted by me.


    No man will want a messed up bitch like you. Diego¡¯s cruel voice piped up at the back of my mind.


    It was my turn to shut my eyes. When I opened them again, they met the worry in his.


    My heart shattered. The crash, my logical side warned me about the crash but I hadpletely ignored it. I was responsible for my own fall.


    Luca nudged my hands, still waiting for my answer. I inhaled slowly before giving him one. ¡°I just feel overwhelmed by everything that has happened, the men after me and all.¡± I lied again.


    He regarded me and I could tell he knew I was lying. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed and his hands left mine.


    I mourned their warmth.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you speak to me, bambina?¡± Luca asked, his voice stretched with frustration. He got back up, a hand running into his hair. ¡°Why do you keep things to yourself? You can trust me Cara.¡±


    I yed with my hands in myp, my gaze dropping once more. I could trust him, but it wasn¡¯t that easy to do. It took more than one trial to trust someone and with what I¡¯ve been through, I¡¯d need a thousand of them.


    Things would be so much better if I had Luca¡¯s love to rely on. I might trust his protectiveness, I might trust his sense of duty but those were something he could easily give to another. To anyone. To the next woman after me.


    I wanted his heart, hisplete devotion like he had mine. I wanted to have that surety that there won¡¯t be anyone else but me like there won¡¯t be anyone else but him.


    But I didn¡¯t  have his heart so I had to protect mine even if I¡¯d already given him a huge portion of it.


    Luca¡¯s eyes were hardened. He was angry but for my benefit he refused to show it.


    ¡°Fine, if that¡¯s what you want.¡± He said in a strained voice.


    I nodded and whispered. ¡°Thank you.¡± Genuinely grateful he was letting me off the hook. If he decided to persuade me, I knew I would give in and that would mean I¡¯d be totally at his feet, my heart in his possession. I¡¯d bepletely dependent on him, like a person with cocaine addiction.


    However, his expression told me he didn¡¯t care for my thanks. He looked almost hurt that I insisted on holding back and it nearly made me break my resolve.


    He drew closer to me again but made no move to touch me. ¡°Do you still want me to fuck you or is that offer off the table as well?¡± When I hesitated, he started to pull away, a sigh leaving him.


    I grabbed his hand to stop him. ¡°I- I still want you to¡­¡± I trailed off unable to finish my sentence.


    Luca was looking at me with a strange expression and then he turned away with a curse. ¡°Fuck! Bambina.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t understand the reaction and was given no time to process it when he suddenly said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you what you want but remember, we¡¯re going to be doing it my way. You¡¯re going to say yes to everything I want. You will be totally at my beck and call. And you¡¯re going to beg for every release I will give you.¡±


    Yeah he was angry alright.


    His words should have triggered my fight or flight response. Should have me kicking past him and fleeing to safety. But they didn¡¯t and that was because it was him, the only man that¡¯s ever touched so close to my heart. The only man that had protected me since my father.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Also, if I was going to finally ovee the hold my foster brother had on me, if I was going to break through my trauma I needed Luca for it.


    ¡°Yes.¡± I nodded in acquiescence.


    I would let a man dominate me again and this time I would love it. It would be of my own ord.


    I would be willing.


    I let Luca lead me away from the sitting room and down the hallway to his bed. Once we closed the door behind us, he left me for the bed and I remain where I was, knowing fully well he wanted me to.


    ¡°Strip.¡± Hemanded and I hesitated for a second before loosening the straps of my halter top and pulling it over my head.


    Eyes, darker than the night, heated my bare chest.


    I worked at my boy short and a couple of secondster, I had it and my thong joining my top on the floor.


    Luca ate me up with his feverish gaze. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hand cupping his erection. He hadn¡¯t even started with me yet and he was already so hard. I was doing that to him. My pussy thrummed with heat.


    ¡°I want you to crawl to me.¡±


    I stiffened at themand, the shake of my head instinctive. Memories, multiple of them began to flood my head.


    ¡°You agreed, bambina.¡± Luca¡¯s low growl brought me out of my head. His voice, it was firm but also warm. Commanding yet assuring.


    The memories died a quick death.


    I dropped to my knees and began a slow, sensual crawl to him, my skining alive at the uncontrolled need in his eyes. He watched intently as I moved to him with the grace of a feline, my hips swaying with each movement, my boobs doing the same. I bit on my lips, my eyes holding his gaze. His strokes on his hard on grew rougher, his chest was heaving, his posture was taut.


    And it was then it hit me. There was power in submission. Here I was on my knees but I had the man more feral than he¡¯d ever been with me.


    It was enthralling.


    I realized that if I wanted to have Luca Salvatore wrapped around my finger, I had topletely surrender to him first. Stroke his pride into dependency, make him crave for my surrender.


    If this was my shot to make him fall in love with me then I¡¯d dly take it.


    I got to him and sat on my haunches, waiting for his next order while giving him my most docile expression.


    His gaze bored into me and the look he gave me spoke of his desire to devour me and I badly wanted him to.


    ¡°That,¡± he started, his voice tight, ¡°was even better than my fantasies.¡±


    I tried not to react outwardly even though my body singed with delight. Luca Salvatore had fantasized about me, I was smug with pleasure.


    I leaned even closer, rising to my knees. ¡°What other fantasy of yours do you want us to act out?¡± I purred, fluttering myshes at him.


    His hand left his rock hard c0ck and wrapped around my throat, the pressure light. I wanted him to make it tighter.


    A dangerous gleam appeared in his grey eyes, a devious smile curving on his lips. His voice was just as dangerous when he spoke. ¡°There are many of them but my special favorite is you, tied up in my bed as I deny you pleasure over and over before finally fucking you to oblivion.¡±


    It took all of me not toe right where I knelt on the floor.

 Chapter 67: Life Sentence

    Luca¡¯s pov


    There were only two things in life that could beat a man like me; a bullet through the heart and mother nature herself. Every other thing, I could and would ovee.


    But, as I watched Cara get on her knees and crawl to me with the grace of a feline predator, and after careful reconsideration, it slowly came to me that there was a secret third and it came in form of the blonde man teaser with the body of a goddess and the wits of Odysseus.


    My stepsister, Cara Torello.


    She was now kneeling at my feet, peering up at me with those hypnotizing blue eyes that burned the hottest. I took in her flushed naked skin, her taut pink nipples, her small narrow waist and the sensual curve of her hips and I knew for certain that she was going to be my ruin.


    And my redemption.


    This five foot six of gorgeousness held the power to make or break me, a man with a vast army at hismand, with world powers in my pockets. It was so ridiculous I couldugh.


    I¡¯d escaped death a hundred times but I felt like I could die from a fucking heart attack just by looking at her.


    Gawd she was so beautiful.


    My fingers tightened around her throat and the moan that hummed through her sent my blood rushing and pounding in my ears.


    With my grip secured on her throat, I gently pulled her up and sat her on myp.


    She licked her lips in anticipation of the next order I¡¯d give, her body trembling with eagerness.


    My passionate little kitten.


    She was ever responsive and ready for the pleasure I would give her, never held back from giving just as much as she received.


    But all of that ended with sex. Outside it, she wanted nothing else from me. Not my love, not my care and especially not my help. Even worse, she refused to trust me and see that I wasn¡¯t kidding about being different from the bastards she¡¯s been with in the past.


    I gave her all of me but only got a part of her in return. It made my heart burn and my throat constrict painfully. For the first time in my life, the woman I truly wanted, needed like my next breath, didn¡¯t return the feeling.


    I crashed my mouth to hers and the kiss was savage, forceful, almost frightening in its intensity. I wanted to crawl inside her soul through her mouth and build a nest there, mark my name. Cara¡¯s hands wrapped around the back of my neck, her fingers scratching at my skin painfully. I groaned into her mouth, wanting her to mark me as well, leave physical reminders that I was hers.


    My hands fisted her hair and held steady as I drank deep from her delicious mouth, eating up her little mewls of pleasure.


    I feasted on her mouth with the urgency of a starving predator and when I finally released her, it was toe up for air. We stared at each other, panting, refilling our lungs with oxygen.


    My words came out in choppy breaths. ¡°Time for the next stage.¡±


    Her eyes blinked repeatedly in confusion but I gave her no exnation or time to ask questions when I moved her off me, stood and headed to our walk-in closet.


    When I returned a secondter, she still had on a look of puzzlement.


    I raised up the ck tie I¡¯d gone to pick. ¡°Time to tie you up.¡±


    She was doing that sexy thing with her bottom lip as I stalked closer but I could see the nervousness in her eyes.


    I stood legs apart before her, my pointer fingering up to trace her wet, swollen lips. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do anything you don¡¯t like, bambina. I need to know you¡¯re certain about doing this.¡±


    She worried her lips again. Gawd, she really needs to stop doing that.


    ¡°What if I won¡¯t enjoy any of it? Even if I want it?¡± She asked in a croaky voice.


    My gaze burned into hers. ¡°You will.¡±


    She gulped. ¡°I guess this is it then.¡±


    ¡°Yes or no, baby.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She was flipped over immediately and I got busy with tying her wrists together, tight but not tight enough to cut off her blood flow.


    ¡°From now on, you¡¯d only speak when I want you to but if something isn¡¯tfortable for you, you¡¯d let me know by using the word red. If you like what I do, you say green. If you¡¯re not sure, say yellow. If you need to speak, notify by saying sir.¡±


    When she didn¡¯t respond, I growled. ¡°Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she rasped.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Luca-¡±


    I pressed her into the mattress. ¡°Yes, sir. Bambina.¡±


    A groan pushed out of her. ¡°Yes¡­ sir.¡±


    ¡°Good girl.¡± I said, smacking her ass cheek. It jiggled and I suppressed a grunt of arousal.


    Pulling her all the way to the middle of therge bed, I positioned her until her ass was high up in the air, her legs spread apart. She wiggled, trying to support her weight on the bed with only her head and a shoulder since her hands were securely bound behind her back.


    The sight of her naked body spread out on my bed like an uncovered main dish on a tter made me shake with feral need. I fucking wanted to have her, all of her.


    I dropped down until I was face level with her luscious ass, licking my lips in anticipation.


    Cara moaned when I swiped my nose down her ass crack but that was just the beginning of her moans. I was going to worship her behind, every inch of it. I was going to eat her out until she¡¯s dripping wet with desire and begging for my c0ck.


    But first¡­


    I rose to my knees, rubbed her and-


    Cara cried out at the sharp cracking contact of my hand on her ass cheek.


    I smacked the second cheek this time and her jump is just as fulfilling.


    My entire body was thrumming with something dark and thrilling, I wanted to draw out more screams from her. I wanted to have her ass fucking red and numb.


    ¡°Those were just a warm up.¡± I growled. ¡°The next ones would be harder. Tell me if you want that.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± She whispered, wiggling her hips.


    I smacked her again. ¡°Use your colors.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    She whispered something incoherent before crying out. ¡°Green.¡±


    Dark satisfaction sailed through me and I didn¡¯t hesitate to oblige her.


    Cara squealed and squealed each time my rough palm connected with her already red, sensitive skin, squirming harder as the painful pleasure intensified. Her whole body trembled, her skin was damped with sweat, her pussy was already making a mess that trickled down her inner thighs.


    It was driving me crazy.


    I smacked her one more time, then gently stroked away the sting, waiting for the pain to fade away, stoking the pleasure of the next.


    She cooed below, rubbing herself against my hand and my c0ck burned hot when her desecrated ass grazed it.


    Fuck, the rush of adrenaline that shot through my body should¡¯ve killed me.


    ¡°Ready for round two?¡± I grunted.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    My next blownded, even harder this time. But my little kitten weed it with a cry of pleasure, ever ready to take what I give her. My heart stirred with a blend of admiration and reverence.


    She writhed harder, waiting for another.


    Wanting another.


    ¡°Fuck, baby. You love this, don¡¯t you? Me assaulting your willing ass.¡±


    Her answer was a whimper and a push against my groin.


    I gave her what she desired. ¡°Let me know when you want me to stop.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop.¡±


    Crack.


    ¡°Is that a green?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She moaned. ¡°Green.¡±


    So I smacked and smacked seven more times, watching with red nostrils as she grew even redder, restless, heated.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    I gently fondled her tender flesh. ¡°Yes, bambina.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going toe.¡±


    My hand didn¡¯t stop smoothening over her butt and then I dipped down between her cheeks, finding her drenched center.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to do that.¡± I warned with a drawl. ¡°I¡¯d decide when.¡± My pointer finger shoved into her heat.


    She gasped aloud, moving wildly again as I swirled and twisted inside of her.


    When she started to grind against my hand, my c0ck, I pulled away, loving her groans of protests as she pressed her face deeper into the sheets.


    I might not be able to make her fall in love with me, yet, but I can make her yearn desperately for my hands and c0ck.


    I pinched her clit, working it in the same torturous manner. I pulled into her, my other hand reaching to grab a breast.


    She moaned, shuddering as I worked her clit and pinched her jutting nipple.


    ¡°Sir, please.¡± She begged on a cry.


    ¡°Beg again.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡±


    The word reached into my chest and lodged itself right in the middle of my heart. ¡°Fuck! Woman.¡±


    I seized all my torture on her, fisted into her blonde curls and pulled her back then drove into her with a force.


    A cry left her and a guttural rumble shook through me. I began to move with a surge of exhration that made my pulse take off at a thundering gallop.


    I held her hair tighter, my other hand closing around her bound wrists and I rammed into her, loving as her pussy milked my thick, aching dick.


    Cara screamed wildly below, pushing back to meet my savage thrusts.


    ¡°Do you like how hard I fuck your sweet cunt?¡± I asked in a voice I could barely recognize.


    ¡°Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes.¡±


    I yanked on her hair. ¡°Sir, call me sir.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She cried.


    I went faster, matching the building intensity expanding in me. It was only her, only her could turn me into a mad man like this.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I eximed. ¡°Take all of me, baby and let me take all of you.¡±


    I pounded into her over and over, loving how my hips ground into her red tinted ass. Mine, she was mine and I will ensure it. I will break through her walls and tie her down with me. I will make sure she never gets to leave.


    The room was filled with the sounds of our bodies, our pants, my grunts, Cara¡¯s whimpers. It was like being in paradise.


    No, it was paradise and I traveled so far into it, got so lost in the drowning weight of pleasure, that I almost missed the soft sounds of racking sobs.


    My Cara, she was crying.

 Chapter 68: Bitter Truth

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Luca stilled behind me, gripping tightly on my waist to keep from falling. ¡°Did I hurt you baby?¡± He asked, his voice so tender, so gentle like it would hurt him if he did hurt me.


    It made me bawl harder.


    I didn¡¯t know why I was suddenly crying. This feeling inside me, it was so overwhelming, so uncontroble and much bigger than I. Bigger than I could handle and it refused to stop growing, it festered and festered and soon it would eat me whole.


    Crash, the voice said I would crash.


    Fuck! Who was I kidding? I loved this man, irrevocably. Hopelessly. With all of my heart, soul and body I love Luca Salvatore.


    ¡°Bambina-¡± He soothed, turning me around and pulling me to him and the fear and concern in his eyes pierced into my lovesick heart.


    I blew out a pent up breath. ¡°No, Luca. You didn¡¯t hurt me. I¡¯m just- I¡¯m just enjoying all of this a little too much.¡±


    His grey depths were searching, his hands holding my face like I was a porcin doll. ¡°You¡¯re not lying to me?¡±


    I shook my head, letting out a shakyugh. ¡°No I¡¯m not. Women cry over things like this all the time.¡± I said, sorry to have thrown my gender under the bus but I didn¡¯t know what other excuse toe up with. I couldn¡¯t tell him the truth, that I now know I was madly in love with him. In fact, I think I¡¯ve known for a while but just chose not to ept it. I also might have unknownly loved him since almost the beginning but I¡¯d unpack all of thatter. Right now, all I wanted was the sweet, wrecking pleasure he would give me.


    The relief emanating from Luca was palpable. ¡°Okay.¡± He exhaled heavily. ¡°It¡¯s good you¡¯re okay.¡±


    I pressed my breast into his chest, his natural heat sending tingles shooting through my nipples. ¡°Yes. Now go back to fucking me.¡±


    Lust returned in his eyes and one of his hands left my face, gliding down to my ass. I sucked in a sharp breath when a finger drilled into my wet heat from behind.


    ¡°Tell me what you need, bambina.¡±


    I rolled my ass against the finger but it wasn¡¯t enough. ¡°I need you to fuck me hard until I¡¯m sore, make mee over and over again. I need you to never let me go.¡±


    I need you to love me.


    Sea storms and thunderstorms shed in his darkened eyes and I could read the effects of my words on him. I was pushed down, my head connecting with the bed in a soft thump. My knees were jolted apart and Luca settled himself between them.


    He raised my tied wrists above my head and locked them in ce with arge hand.


    ¡°Your wish is mymand.¡± His said with a grunt, the both of us ignoring the fact that we had just derailed from our initial agreement.


    Luca pped at my pussy.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Once. Twice. Three times.


    Then he thrusted into me, to the hilt and began to fuck me like a possessed man.


    I arched off the bed to meet his thrusts and let him wreck my pussy, our eyes not leaving each other. A stray tear tumbled down my cheek and Luca leaned in to kiss it away.


    ¡°I will never hurt you baby.¡± He rasped against my cheek before his eyes rose to mine again. ¡°I¡¯d die before I do.¡±


    I nodded like a bobblehead. ¡°I know, Luca. I know.¡±


    He grunted and pushed harder into me, drawing out several moans from my mouth.


    Soon, those moans turned into banshee cries as I erupted inside, quavering and shooting to outer space. Luca came with me and we rode out our ecstasy together, the wavesing over and over again without stop.


    Minutester, we were still shuddering and panting and I almost blurted it then and there that I was in love with him. I contained myself, staying mute as he held on to me, showering soft kisses all over my face and shoulder.


    I warned you of the crash ¡®The voice¡¯ echoed in my hazy mind and I buried my face into Luca¡¯s hard chest to hide from his mind reading gaze.


    Now that I¡¯ve crashed, I didn¡¯t know what to make do of it.


    ***


    ¡°You refused the money?¡± Luca¡¯s tone was incredulous, his hand freezing over the tie he was in the middle of knotting.


    I corrected my lipstick at therge, luxury vanity he¡¯d gotten for me. ¡°Yes.¡± I replied flippantly, ncing at his reflection in the wide mirror to catch his reaction.


    His eyes were wide with disbelief and amusement so I guess no bout of anger then. I suspected the hot blowjob I¡¯d given him just an hour ago contributed greatly to his currently chill demeanor.


    Usually, the man would¡¯ve been pissed that I let go of a huge sum like twenty-five thousand dors. He was always frustrated with my indifferent attitude towards huge money, imed that I¡¯d never be rich if I kept at it. I always responded by telling him choosing to be greedy and obsessed about money wouldn¡¯t guarantee I¡¯d have lots of it either.


    ¡°Why?¡± Luca asked, his expression still calm.


    It was good to know that we¡¯d still be on good terms by the time we leave for Rico¡¯s, God knows I was tired of our constant bickers and altercations.


    I made a mental note to always fuck him before discussing serious or sensitive matters. ¡°I don¡¯t need money from my mother.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t from her but my father.¡±


    Exactly.


    I rubbed my lips together to blend in my lipstick, avoiding Luca¡¯s reflection when I said, ¡°still connected to her.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want him to know about the bitterness I carried because of Manuel Salvatore. It was one more notch to my mental record of things to cart away if I wanted to continue being with him. Things that should nevere into light.


    ¡°You need the money bambina.¡±


    I turned around to face him, trying to ignore how his pale blue dress shirt fit his muscled torso like a glove. The man was so huge and built it was hard not to be stimted around him.


    I quelled the urge to fan myself. ¡°Of course I do. It¡¯s why I work.¡±


    Luca resumed knotting his tie, his eyes fixed on me. ¡°You know you don¡¯t have to.¡± He said pointedly.


    A frown squeezed in my facial muscles. ¡°Yes I do.¡±


    ¡°I have more than enough money to take care of you, bambina.¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m fine with the one I earn.¡±


    ¡°You know you could get tenfold of that if only you stop being stubborn.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to take your money Luca.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t earn it. It¡¯s as simple as that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to earn everything you receive. Sometimes you have to let someone else gift you.¡±


    ¡°Not with money.¡±


    Luca finished up with his tie, a ragged sigh leaving him. He regarded me in that calcting manner of his and my hackles rose with suspicion.


    ¡°Fine.¡± He snapped. ¡°I¡¯d let it go just because I don¡¯t want us to fight over it.¡±


    I watched as he ground his jaw, trying his best to bite back whatever he was going to say next. It was probably some asshole shit that would make the fight he wanted to avoid erupt the second the words left him.


    I didn¡¯t want to fight with him either so I mped my mouth shut as well.


    He slipped into his navy blue jacket. ¡°How many more minutes do you need to get ready?¡±


    I looked back at my reflection and did a quick evaluation. ¡°Five?¡±


    ¡°Make it three, we can¡¯t have you arrivingte to your precious job.¡±


    I whirled around again but he was already walking to the door. ¡°It¡¯s your only source of living after all.¡± He said, without even stopping to look.


    What a spiteful asshole.


    It took all of my self control not to hurl my hairbrush at his receding frame.

 Chapter 69: Done Deal

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Just like I suspected, Amanda wasn¡¯t Cara¡¯s biological mother. No real mom would treat their daughter the way the woman treated Cara, except if they were deranged.


    My muscles tightened more and more as Grigori ryed more points to this discovery, my body thrummed like live wire in my ergonomic swivel chair. Anger progressed inside me, my stepmother really put Cara through a lot. I was enraged for the poor child who had grown to hold the heavy weight of the emotional residues of her terrible childhood. It made me want to find Amanda and waterboard her for every time she hurt my woman.


    This anger burst out in crackling energy, filling up every corner of my office when Grigori started speaking about some foster brothers. Amanda¡¯s sons.


    ¡°Pause, backtrack.¡±


    Grigori scratched at his nose. ¡°There¡¯d been several reports by neighbors on how badly Amanda¡¯s two sons, Diego and Mario bullied the Signorina. Reports that were heavily denied by the donna.¡±


    ¡°No father?¡±


    Grigori shook his head. ¡°Died in a car ident two years after the Signorina was taken in.¡±


    ¡°What about the social worker assigned to Cara?¡± I asked in a deathly calm voice even though I could already guess the answer.


    ¡°She was also in on it. Buried every record of the reports at the new donna¡¯s request for a couple of bucks.¡±


    My jaw screwed shut and an angry curse squeezed out of me.


    Cara had no ally as a child, none of the people entrusted with her protection were on her side. She had been totally alone, had been mistreated with no one to save her. A sharp feeling of something strikingly simr to empathy pierced right through my heart, it ached with sympathy and burned with rage.


    I wanted to hurt who had hurt her, all of them.


    ¡°Where is the social worker now?¡±


    ¡°She passed away three years ago from liver cancer and is survived by no one. No kids, no husband, no siblings.¡±


    In other words, she was alone to her very painful end. Karma had done the work for me, excellently at that.


    That left Cara¡¯s asshole foster brothers and her witch of a foster mother. It would be easy to deal with the bastards, there wasn¡¯t a lot my father could do if I suddenly made them fall off the face of the earth. But with his wife, I¡¯d need to be more creative. The evil hag was still his wife whether it made my insides prickly or not.


    I¡¯d just have to teach her a lesson through her sons.


    I spinned slightly in my swivel. ¡°What do I have to know about these Diego and Mario?¡±


    ¡°Mario dropped out of college when he was twenty, joined a local gang and is now serving a lifelong sentence for the first degree murder of a rival gang member. Diego on the other hand used to be a dealer before he cleaned up and got into CSU. He¡¯s now studying for his Juris Doctor degree in the University of Amsterdam, fully funded by the old don.¡±


    A fucking criminal trying to rebrand as awyer, interesting.


    ¡°Get someone to keep an eye on them until I decide what to do with them.¡±


    ¡°Yes don. Do I also get someone for the new donna?¡±


    ¡°No need. Also I want to track Cara¡¯s childhood before the sted family.¡±


    My voice dropped into a low growl. ¡°And Grigori?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Don.¡±


    The look I gave him was full of warning. ¡°Don¡¯t ever refer to her as donna in my presence again.¡±


    He nched. ¡°Forgive me, this would be thest time.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Amanda may be my father¡¯s new wife but she¡¯d never be worthy of the title of donna. It was reserved for myte mother alone and she was never going to be reced, especially with someone like Amanda Torello.


    I dialed Sergio¡¯s number the second Grigori left the office and just like always, the soldier was prompt with picking the call.


    ¡°Where¡¯s she?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still in school, don.¡±


    ¡°Have there been any suspicious person slinking about?¡±


    ¡°No, don. No one. We¡¯re still keeping an eye out regardless.¡±


    I heaved a heavy breath. ¡°Good. Do that. Also, make sure to let me know when she returns home.¡±


    ¡°Will do that boss.¡±


    I hung up and fell back into my swivel, spinning it to the side, my eyes shutting and my hands curling tighter around my phone.


    Cara was safe today again, no wandering Polish prick with a vendetta or fucking Russian enforcer had gotten to her up to this point. It calmed my blood yet rattled my nerves at the same time.


    I¡¯d first light the streets of Chicago on fire before I let something happen to her but it couldn¡¯t stop me from worrying like a paranoid mother.


    Worry, it was one feeling I hadn¡¯t been exposed to until I met my stepsister. I¡¯ve never had to worry about anything in my life, not my first fight, sh with rivals, not the burden of being don of Cosa Nostra.


    Yet, here I was, obsessing over the safety of a small blonde with zero security consciousness.


    A wry smile turned up my lips. My bambina was so bad at it that someone ten inches away could be gearing up to shoot her and she still wouldn¡¯t catch on but the second a person thirty feet away starts talking shit about her, she would know. And she¡¯d confront them because she never let anything go by her.


    My brows snapped together as I pondered on thest bit. These days, it seemed like she was doing a lot of that, letting things go by her. I see her looking at me like she had something to say but she never does, I sense her wanting to ask questions but deciding against it.


    Letting things go.


    It frustrated me to no end. Her trusting me was a huge step in my game n of making her fall in love with me, I couldn¡¯t own herpletely when she reserved a huge part of her. It drove me mad that I didn¡¯t know what ran through that pretty head of hers.


    ¡°Just what in the world do you hide from me Cara mia.¡± I puffed out with exasperation. My patience was running thin waiting for her to open up to me all on her own. I was never the one for patience.


    ¡°Don Salvatore, this is Donny from the security team. My apologies for bothering you but we have a situation here at the VIP entrance.¡± A frantic and equally pissed voice sailed through the inte on my desk.


    I frowned as I reached for the device and pressed the talk button. ¡°What is the situation?¡±


    ¡°The Irish boss¡¯ brother is demanding to see you, refusing to leave until he does.¡±


    My frown deepened. ¡°Let him in.¡± I instructed after a brief consideration, wondering what the hell Cadain was here for.


    It took less than three minutes for the fucker to burst open my door and storm into my office with four of my soldiers at his tail.


    I waved them up and they bowed and filed out, but not without eyeing the Irish fucker first.


    I spinned my swivel back to it¡¯s original position. ¡°Why are you here, McKell?¡±


    Cadain glowered at me, eyes zed with anger for whatever reason. ¡°Revoke your decision to renounce the marriage.¡±


    My eyebrow shot up.


    Cadain stepped closer. ¡°Cara and I should marry as previously nned.¡±


    My smirk doesn¡¯t match the heat simmering low in my chest. ¡°Quite bold of you to barge into my club, cause a ruckus while demanding to see me, barge into my office then make a more ludicrous demand.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t stop us from being together.¡± He snarled, hands balled at his side.


    ¡°You¡¯re a delusional fuck if you think Cara is with you on that.¡±


    ¡°She will learn to love me.¡±


    Sweet Mary, mother of God. I was one second away from shooting him between the eyes. My teeth were clenched when I said, ¡°not your call to make.¡±


    ¡°Not yours either but here we are.¡±


    I regarded him with a long, cold look, the thought of him sinking into the Antic ocean as dead as a dodo growing more and more appealing.


    ¡°I will forgive your insolence just this once. You¡¯re very lucky you¡¯re rted to the Irish boss. If not, you won¡¯t be leaving here the same way you walked in, alive.¡±


    Fear permeated his features but he quickly masked it with his foolish anger. ¡°I leave for Irnd for a while only for you to go back on your word!¡± He all but cried like a hurt child.


    I drew in a wound up breath. ¡°There was no word to begin with. I never promised you anything.¡±


    ¡°The wedding date was set!¡±


    ¡°Without my approval. Your family chose to treat it as more than what it actually was, which is a proposition from your end.¡±


    Cadain turned away to rub roughly at his face. ¡°We were going to help you.¡± He whipped around to face me again. ¡°I was going to take Cara to Irnd and keep her safe.¡±


    A caustic smile appeared on my lips. ¡°I expressly remember telling you that I didn¡¯t need you to do either.¡± I pushed to my feet and moved to therge window panes.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to let you take Cara from me.¡±


    My gaze shot to him, chilling and dangerous. ¡°You should leave while I¡¯m being nice.¡±


    A sardonic chuckle left his lips. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know you want her for yourself? You think I don¡¯t see the look you give her? The way your eyes follow her whenever she¡¯s in the room.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how it happened but the next second, I was away from the window and right in the face of the bastard, my hand fisting his coat, the other pressing the muzzle of my gun under his chin.


    Cadain went pale with fear, shocked at how quickly I¡¯d one upped him.


    ¡°You seem to have forgotten who you¡¯re speaking with.¡± I said before smacking him with the grip of my gun.


    He tumbled to the floor, his handing up to where I¡¯d hit him.


    ¡°Was that enough reminder for your stupid brain?¡±


    He looked up to re at me but said nothing.


    I trained my gun on him. ¡°I could shoot you for the disrespect you¡¯ve shown me, send you back to your brother with a bullet stuck in your arm.¡± I cocked the gun and he scuttled back.


    ¡°What do you say Cadain? Want to run your mouth some more? Give me more reasons to make you bleed by my gun?¡±


    He swallowed tightly and shook his head, albeit grudgingly.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± I said, tucking away my gun even as I fought the urge to make good on my promise. The audacity of the dipshit to challenge me right on my own turf, for what was mine. He was lucky he was directly rted to an ally, if he were to be just another cousin, he¡¯d be leaving here in a bodybag.


    I thought back to what he¡¯d said, that Cara would learn to love him and I kicked him in the ribs just for the sake of it.


    ¡°I hope you¡¯ve learned your lesson today.¡± I ignored his wheezing and yanked him up before pushing him to the door.


    ¡°Now leave before I change my mind about shooting you.¡±


    He staggered for the door, hesitating for a brief moment before disappearing and closing it behind him.


    I punched the wall the moment the door clicked shut and that was because I knew. I knew what that linger had meant, what it stood for.


    I may have gotten Cadain clocked for disrespecting me but it did nothing to quell his desire to chase after Cara.


    Cadain would be back again and this time, I might actually get to kill him.

 Chapter 70: Group Presentation

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Thank you Dn and Wanda for the excellent presentation.¡± Ms. Mitchell, my fashion design professor apuded as the two students stepped away from the front of the ss.


    My hands held tightly around my notebook when she called up the next duo, my heartbeat thumping because I knew I and my partner were up after.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The jitters I felt wasn¡¯t because I was unprepared rather it was just due to the natural anxiety everyone had the moment before something of huge importance happened.


    I was nervous as fuck and rightly so because the project presentation wasn¡¯t just any presentation but a crucial determinant for my GPA as a fashion design pregraduate. Failing the presentation would mean a repeat year.


    One I couldn¡¯t afford the money or time for.


    Out of my corner eye, I noticed Kevin¡¯s consistent nces three rows below and just like I¡¯ve been doing since that day Luca stopped us from leaving together, I ignored him.


    I¡¯d also quit being partners with him and had chosen someone else. A girl this time so I didn¡¯t have to worry about sleazy ulterior motives. Kevin had tried to get us back as a team but I¡¯d refused.


    My resolve to pretend he didn¡¯t exist hadn¡¯t dissuaded him from trying to get back on my good graces though. He was determined to earn my forgiveness and my trust back which I¡¯d admit was impressive especially after the scare Luca and his men had given him. He never actively approached me except when we¡¯re in ss like this because it¡¯s the only ce Sergio and the others couldn¡¯t be. They would have beat the shit out of him if he tried to approach me anywhere else.


    His determination would be cute if I forgot what he did wrong but I didn¡¯t so I just found it annoying.


    He¡¯d soon find out how set in stone my own determination could be once I put my mind to it. I wasn¡¯t going to take him back as a friend, ever. I didn¡¯t have enough trust to allow that. I was already using up the feeling on one man alone.


    The students were now concluding their presentation and my breaths grew even more erratic than they already were. I released my death grip on my notebook to wipe beads of sweat on my forehead.


    You can do this Cara. You will ace the presentation then your final exams then begin a new journey as a fashion consultant.


    Aside from my true dream, fashion consultancy was the only thing I could envision myself doing, bringing people¡¯s biggest dream style to life. I¡¯ve always had a knack for style, it¡¯d always been a fun interest of mine but what I truly wanted to be was something else. Which was a child welfare worker, someone to be there for kids who were alone, kids like me.


    I knew that a career path like that would never guarantee me a generous earning rate and that was why I also chose to be a fashion consultant. God forbid I result to taking bribes from abusive foster parents like my social worker had. I¡¯d first stab my own eye before I be someone like her.


    Fashion consultancy job would be my major source of sustenance and hopefully, fundings for the little outreaches I nned to do one day.


    The students finished up their presentation and I braced myself, waiting for Ms. Mitchell to announce I and my partner next. She did and I sucked in a huge breath before I rose to my feet and headed for the front of the ss, determination filling my bloodstreams.


    I would give it my all.


    ***


    ¡°Cara, Cara wait!¡± Kevin called after me as I made my way out of the ssroom.


    My good mood on how well my presentation had gone grew passive with each step that brought him closer to me. I quickened mine, knowing that he¡¯d stay away from me the moment I got out of door to where my bodyguards waited outside.


    Fortunately, I got to them before he got to me.


    ¡°Hi guys! Did you miss me?¡± I chirped, watching from the corner of my eyes as Kevin came out and continued down the hallway, his head bowed.


    Nino had seen him and the nasty look he gave the poor dude¡¯s retreating form scared and warmed me simultaneously. The man had slowly morphed into a simr version of Luca and was the most protective out of the group. He was basically our resident Luca. Not that I¡¯d ever admit it but it felt really nice to have strong, capable men looking out for me.


    Sergio gave me one of his soft smiles that I was still getting ustomed to. The man used to have a permanent scowl on his face so his new spontaneous show of warmth appeared just as scary.


    ¡°You might need to give me a warning before you smile like that Sergio, my heart needs the preparation.¡±


    Nino snorted, the others suppressed their snickers and poor Sergio¡¯s ears burned red.


    Damn, he made it ringly obvious that he wasn¡¯t used to been flirted with. Which was his fault because no woman was going to approach him with the expression he had on most of the time. Instead, they¡¯d be scurrying to the opposite direction the second they sighted him.


    He cleared his throat before speaking. ¡°The boss is waiting for you at home.¡±


    The leaps of my heart waste no second. ¡°Already, I thought he was busy untilter tonight?¡±


    ¡°He was,¡± Nino answered me. ¡°ns changed.¡±


    I said nothing as we took our leave, hating the unhurried steps the guys were taking, it took all of me not to run to where the car was parked.


    I haven¡¯t felt such excitement like this before since thest birthday I¡¯d spent with my dad. He¡¯d promised to take me to the aquarium the day before and I¡¯d been a bundle of thrills throughout the night unable to sleep. I was even worse when the day finally came, so excited and impatient that I¡¯d worn the wrong pair of socks and my dad had only noticed when we got to the aquarium. I hadn¡¯t cared, my little self was only focused on having the time of my life and I did.


    That was one of my best memories and happiest moments.


    Just the thought of seeing Luca brought about such happiness. I felt like seven year old Cara all over again. I missed him, greatly, which was ridiculous because thest time I¡¯d seen him wasst night when I was curled up in his warm embrace after a terrific series of orgasms only he could give me and now I was going home to him waiting, my pussy throbbed in hopes of getting another.


    The car couldn¡¯t get home fast enough and the elevator was even worse. I practically jogged the moment the glossy steel doors slid open to the foyer.


    I found Luca instantly, standing at the ginormous windows in the living room, looking like a living sculpture. I sprinted to him and bounded around him, hugging him tightly as I buried my face into his neck.


    When I lifted my head to look at him, he was staring at me with dted pupils. Also, I noticed that his body was stiff.


    I tried to pull away, disappointment and hurt stabbing cruelly at my chest.


    Surprise caught me when he jerked me back into him. A hand rose to tuck away a stray blonde curl from my face. ¡°I¡¯m just surprised bambina. You seem so happy to see me. You have never been like this before.¡±


    I flushed with embarrassment, suddenly feeling shy. I was also short of replies to give him. It didn¡¯t really help that I was wrapped around him like a ko to a tree.


    Luca caught on my unusual coy demeanor and a pleased smile broke out on his face. ¡°Did you miss me?¡±


    My nod came before my thoughts.


    Shit.


    Luca¡¯s smile grew bigger and I was filled with the immature urge to punch him.


    ¡°You did.¡± He couldn¡¯t keep the tion from his voice.


    ¡°Only a little.¡± I mumbled.


    ¡°If you say so.¡± He mocked.


    Our eyes met and we began grinning at each other like fools.


    God, I was so happy at the moment. If this was how love felt then I wanted to be in love everyday until I die.


    ¡°Is this Netflix premium?¡±


    My head shot to the direction this voice came from only to meet the horrified faces of Santino and some older man I haven¡¯t seen before and the disgusted face of Dominic. They were all sitting stock-still at the dining table, their tes abandoned. I hadn¡¯t even noticed them there, I¡¯d been too zeroed in on Luca.


    I jumped away from Luca, my cheeks heating up so bad I was certain it was redder than a beetroot at the moment. They had seen me jump on Luca like a wild cat, had witnessed our embarrassing interaction. I wanted to fade into nothingness.


    I shot Luca a dirty re when he had the audacity to let out a low chuckle. He pressed his lips together immediately but they still twitched with mirth.


    ¡°Oh, didn¡¯t see you there boys.¡± I attempted to be casual but failed woefully. I sounded like a dying ostrich.


    ¡°Yeah, we gathered.¡± Santino said, a smile twitching at his lips. ¡°You were too busy eye fucking each other to notice.¡±


    My cheeks were going up in mes at this point. I turned to Luca for help but he looked away, a stupid smile ying on his lips.


    The fucking traitor.


    I hated that he was blessed with the ability to not be mortified in a situation like this. I on the other hand wanted to take out my eyes, ears and mouth so I wouldn¡¯t have to see, hear or speak to anyone.


    As if sensing my urge to flee, Luca grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him.


    There was no exnation, the man was downright insane. I tried to pull away again but it only made him tighten his hold on me.


    What happened to never letting anyone know about us? Not that it mattered now, we¡¯ve already been caught in apromising position and Dominic was already aware about our rtionship, Santino probably knew as well but we could have at least pretended for the other man¡¯s sake.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I hissed.


    He ignored me, giving the men a pointed look.


    The older man was the first to take the hint. ¡°I¡¯m off to gather more information on-¡± he caught himself, his eyes darting to me. ¡°I¡¯d be sure to be sure to report any updates as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Alright Grigori.¡± Luca said to the man.


    Grigori nodded before scrambling out with impressive speed.


    ¡°We¡¯d be leaving as well.¡± Santino said, pushing Dominic to the direction of the exit.


    Dominic shrugged him off, eyes squinted at me. ¡°What about Cortini¡¯s new proposal you promised to discuss?¡± He asked Luca.


    Luca¡¯s voice was thick with warning. ¡°Tomorrow is another day, Dom.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, man. Let¡¯s go get youid or something to take off all that work steam.¡± Santino said, pushing at him again and this time, Dominic let himself be dragged off.


    ¡°Try not to get caught by someone else.¡± He said in a dry voice before disappearing with Santino.


    I turned to Luca immediately. ¡°He really isn¡¯t a fan of me is he?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Dominic. He obviously hates me.¡±


    ¡°He hates everyone.¡±


    ¡°Me especially.¡±


    Luca pulled me to his front and locked his arms behind my back. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it bambina.¡± He nuzzled into my neck.


    My breaths grew choppy. ¡°Am I?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I let him drop kisses up and down my neck until I waspletely breathless then I remembered something and I jabbed him in the ribs.


    He coughed out air. ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°Hopefully there won¡¯t be a next time but if we¡¯re ever caught again, try to salvage the situation will you?¡±


    ¡°I would if the people who caught us didn¡¯t already know about us.¡±


    I gaped at him. ¡°Santino knows? The other man knows?¡±


    Luca was holding me again, not at all looking like someone that had just been hit in the ribs. It made me ponder if my blows were that ineffective or he was just stupidly strong.


    I hope it was thetter.


    ¡°Yes bambina they do.¡± He kissed the corner of my lips.


    ¡°Who else knows about us?¡± I rasped against his lips.


    ¡°No one that I know of.¡±


    I pulled back to stare at him. ¡°Are you saying someone else might know about us?¡±


    He sighed. ¡°That wasn¡¯t what I said at all.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s the implica-¡±


    ¡°Gina is returning tomorrow.¡±


    I forgot what I was going to say, tion brewing in my chest. ¡°Really?¡±


    He kissed my nose. ¡°Yeah. My father wants to throw a wee party for them the day after. Just a small gathering with family and close friends.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see her.¡± I sighed.


    ¡°I know. Now stop talking about others and focus on us instead.¡± He said before capturing my lips.


    I opened up to his probing tongue and let him kiss me senseless. When he broke away, I could barely remember where we were.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking of you all day.¡± He whispered hoarsely.


    ¡°Me too.¡± I admitted.


    ¡°I missed you so much I thought I was going crazy.¡± He said before lifting me up and carrying me to the direction of the stairs and up the steps, all the while drinking from my mouth like a dehydrated runner.


    He doesn¡¯t hesitate to show me just how much he¡¯d missed me the second we got to our room and I matched his ravenous hunger equally because I¡¯d missed him just as crazily too.

 Chapter 71: Dinner Date

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I stared at the multiple clothing racks all filled with clothes being trolleyed into the room by a few female staff I¡¯ve never met before.


    My eyes shot to Luca, full of questions.


    He avoided my eyes when he said, ¡°They¡¯re all yours.¡±


    I must have been gawking at him because he added defensively, ¡°you don¡¯t have to keep them if you don¡¯t want to. Just pick something you¡¯d wear to the wee party.¡±


    His words sounded snappy and there was a slight scowl on his face but I found him cute. Never thought I¡¯d be using such a word to describe the man but here we are.


    I was suddenly in the mood to tease him. ¡°But you said they were all mine.¡±


    He shot me a side eye. ¡°I did. But you get to decide.¡±


    I canted my head, my lips drawing back in a teasing smile. ¡°Luca Salvatore understanding choice? Is the world ending?¡±


    My words earned me a dirty look.


    ¡°Well since it¡¯s your natural instinct to reject anything and everything I give you, I figured I¡¯ll give you a choice on the matter.¡±


    That caused me to frown. ¡°Inurate. I just reject your money.¡±


    His expression was incredulous. ¡°Which is the bedrock of all human wants and needs.¡±


    I turned to the lines of hanging clothes. ¡°I beg to differ.¡± I said as I scanned through the luxurious looking fabrics.


    How the hell was I going to pick out my outfit for Gina¡¯s wee party? The clothes were so much that I¡¯d probably need the whole day and some of tomorrow to go through them.


    ¡°After she¡¯s done choosing, discard the ones she didn¡¯t pick.¡± Luca said to the staff.


    I whipped around so fast I nearly sprained my neck. ¡°Discard? You¡¯re just going to throw it all away?¡±


    Amusement danced in his beautiful grey eyes. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t wear them now will I?¡±


    ¡°But-¡± I turned back to the dresses. ¡°They are a lot. Can¡¯t you donate them or something.¡±


    Luca¡¯s hands slipped into the pockets of his cotton chinos. He was giving me a wry look. ¡°If you didn¡¯t notice, all of them lean towards your taste in fashion. And no offense but normal women wouldn¡¯t appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I have excellent taste.¡± He was such a consistent jerk.


    He gave me that ¡°if you say so¡± look. ¡°Just pick whatever and leave them to deal with the rest. Can¡¯t have our room looking like Saks Fifth Avenue.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    He faced the staff. ¡°Help her with whatever she needs.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I asked when he turned to leave.


    ¡°My office, I¡¯d give you space to get ready.¡±


    I bit my cheek. ¡°You aren¡¯t really going to throw it all away, are you?¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer but kept walking instead.


    ¡°I know what this is, you¡¯re trying to manipte me into keeping them.¡±


    When he looked back at me, he had an expression that said he found me amusing. ¡°It¡¯s not really maniption if you¡¯re aware of said maniption.¡±


    When I couldn¡¯te up with a smarty response, he added, ¡°choose what you want already, bambina. Or we¡¯re going to bete.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d keep them. I¡¯d keep them all. And I¡¯d sell them on the ck market and use the money to buy years supply of burritos.¡± I rambled like a crazed woman after him just because I was feeling petty and immature.


    ¡°Just like I said before, it¡¯s your decision.¡± He said before closing the door after him.


    I whirled to the three women he left me with. ¡°That was definitely maniption. I know it. What do they call it¡­ aha! The illusion of choice.¡±


    The women were looking at me like I was crazy then surprisingly, their faces warmed into understanding and pity.


    The shit men put us women through, it was a universal experience.


    We got to work after getting acquainted and we spent the next hour sifting through clothes. Luca was right, they were really my taste and I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to find him and hump him or bolt for the exit at how well he knew my style. They were all my size too, same with the underwear- the man had even included my favourite brand ofcy lingerie for fuck sake.


    I was at loss on what to decide on, every piece was appealing. Then I set eyes on a midnight blue crossover wrap dress and I knew it was ¡®the¡¯ outfit.


    I picked up the asymmetric, knee length dress with a thigh high slit. The material was soft, stretchy and shiny, making it look like it was a piece of a star lit night sky. The neckline was pretty modest enough for a gathering my mother would be present in.


    It was sexy but also not doing too much. I couldn¡¯t wait for Luca to see me in it.


    ¡°Alrightdies, time to transform me into a goddess. The mission is to wow my maniptor.¡±


    I was ready by the time Luca returned to the bedroom and the look on his handsome face was priceless.


    His gaze scanned me from head to toe, taking in the swirly loose knot my curls were in, then my figure in the form fitting dress. His eyes lingered on the slit on my left thigh then dipped to the ck stiletto heel boots I¡¯d paired with the dress.


    My skin heated at the amazement in his eyes when his gaze returned to mine. I knew he loved how my eyes popped against the dark hue of my dress. I knew he loved how my hairstyle left my slender neck exposed.


    ¡°So what do you think?¡± I asked, doing a little twirl.


    His reply came immediately. ¡°That you¡¯re the most beautiful being in the universe.¡±


    I was blushing hard.


    He came closer still licking me up with his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re fucking breathtaking. That dress looks so gorgeous on you. So gorgeous that I itch to take it off.¡±


    Every part of me swelled. I inhaled shakily, feeling his words sink down through my skin and settle into my veins.


    Eyes shut, he drew in a long controlled breath. ¡°We better leave now or we won¡¯t be able to.¡±


    I caught my lower lip between my teeth, torn between leaving with him or seducing him for a quickie. I took in the hungry look in his expression. He was sure to mess up my hair or even tear off my panties.


    Nuh uh. No can do, I wasn¡¯t going to let him ruin the hours of effort my passionate attendants had dedicated. Fiona, the biggest one, had expressly warned me about how easy it was to ruin my two toned lipstick, Eunice had warned me about the few pins holding up my curls and Da had let me know that my dress would crease at the slightest squeeze.


    ¡°Yes, we should.¡± I said even though the words came out huskily.


    Luca grabbed a causal coat from the walk in closet and threw it over his tucked white tee then he took my hand and assisted me downstairs, all the way to the waiting car.


    The ride to the Salvatore mansion was an excruciatingly long one and that was because the man kept fondling my hips and legs and doing nothing more. I was wound tight like a spring by the time we arrived.


    ¡°Cara!¡± Gina eximed the second we got to the patio.


    I received her tight hug with equal passion, genuinely d to see her again. I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d missed her this much. ¡°I¡¯m so happy you¡¯re back.¡± I said when we pulled away.


    ¡°Me too.¡± She looked me over. ¡°You¡¯re stunning.¡±


    I grinned at her. ¡°And so are you sweetie.¡±


    She was no longer the coy, innocent princess. Her appearance was more mature and it leaned towards sexy. She was gorgeous in hervender off the shoulder midi dress. Dante was one lucky man.


    My mother acknowledged I and Luca¡¯s presence with a fake smile and while I returned the gesture to both her and her husband, Luca just red at her like she was a gum stuck on his shoe.


    Fortunately, she didn¡¯t ask why the two of us arrived together or point light to it. Maybe she was forgoing her colossal witch persona just for today.


    The rest of the guests arrived and we all settled around the 16-seat patio table that was filled with tasty food and pretty ornamentals. Luca had tried to sit beside me but I chose to sit next to Gina instead. He hadn¡¯t liked that and I could tell from the thin press of his lips and the grinding of his jaw as he sat next to an empty chair instead. I felt sorry but I didn¡¯t want to give my mother more reasons to suspect us.


    Small talk ensued around the table as everyone munched away. I entertained myself with Gina¡¯s tales about Rome, loving how her expression matched each story she told.


    I asionally stole nces at Luca only to find him staring right back at me. It made me feel stimted and hyperventted at the same time. He might as well hang a sign on his head that said ¡°I¡¯m interested in my stepsister.¡±


    ¡°I hope I am not toote for dinner.¡±


    Every head turned to the direction of this new voice. Valentina stood a few feet from the table, wearing a provocative red dress and jewelry so shiny they were capable of rendering a person blind. She covered the small distance then stopped again, giving me a malicious stare before turning to Gina.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to have you back Ginny. You don¡¯t know but Chicago hasn¡¯t felt the same without you.¡±


    I fought a loud snort while Gina blinked at her in puzzlement, probably wondering where all this wasing from.


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks.¡± My stepsister replied.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Luca asked in a voice so hostile it warmed me with deep satisfaction.


    ¡°I invited her.¡± Manuel said out of the blue.


    Luca shot him a dark look. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Just thought to since she would soon be part of the family.¡±


    It was as if I was hit by a hundred and fifty pound boulder.


    ¡°Father.¡± Luca growled in warning at the same time Valentina sank daintily in the empty chair next to him. The seat I¡¯d have been sitting in if I wasn¡¯t restricted by the scandalous nature of our rtionship.


    ¡°What, son?¡± Manuel¡¯s expression was also hard. ¡°She¡¯s going to be your donna. I see no issue.¡±


    My fingers tightened around my gold fork. Air, I needed air in my lungs.


    Luca¡¯s gaze cut to me, his eyes full of rm and another thing I suspected to be worry. I looked down at my te, unable to withstand the pleas in them.


    Fooled, I¡¯d been fooled but I¡¯d also been right all along. He¡¯d gone back to Valentina, was going to marry her. Everything I suspected was true but I¡¯d let him feed me lies, let him y with my discernment.


    I was the world¡¯s biggest idiot.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to officially have you as my daughter inw.¡± My mother said, adding insult to injury.


    I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, I staggered to my feet. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to interrupt but I have to leave for the restroom, stomach problems.¡± I lied.


    Gina was giving me a worried look so I added. ¡°I¡¯d be fine, I promise.¡± I attempted a smile but it was wobbly.


    I needed to get away before Ipletely break down. Without a second nce at the man who had broken my heart and the woman he chose over me, I darted away from the table and back into the mansion.


    Anger and tears, it seemed to be a constant for me whenever I came to this mansion.

 Chapter 72: Rude Awakening

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I didn¡¯t know where I was going, had no idea where I was. All I had was one desire and it was to put a considerable amount of distance between myself and the dinner happening on the patio.


    Luca is marrying Valentina, Luca is marrying Valentina, Luca is marrying Valentina. The realization resounded so loudly in my brain I wanted to w it off. A steel band was winched tightly around my heart, squeezing it into nothingness.


    I quickened my steps, basically sprinting my way  through until Inded in a familiar hallway. I slipped into the library, mming the door shut before slipping to the ground as huge sobs broke out of me.


    I clutched at my chest, feeling physical pain, feeling my heart wrench and break into tiny pieces. Thest time I felt this way was when I watched my father die before my eyes. That shattering, cloying pain of loss.


    I¡¯d mourned my father then but now I mourned my heart.


    I wanted to scream my lungs out but my body felt numb and heavy like I was drowning in the deep sea.


    My mind recalled the look Luca had given me and it dawned on me like cold, biting water that what I¡¯d seen in his eyes had to be the fear of being caught.


    Did he even feel guilty? Guilty towards the stupid, stupid girl he¡¯d so expertly deceived. I wonder if he enjoyed making me believe our rtionship was exclusive. I wondered if heugh inwardly as I took his word to remain faithful.


    I wondered if he mistook me for Valentina during sex.


    Hot and acidic, bile punctured the back of my throat and hot tears poured out of my stinging eyes.


    I¡¯d give it to him, the only man that sessfully broke through my infamous barrier, reached around my heart and made a mess of it.


    I don¡¯t know how long I sat there behind the library door, racking sobs jolting through my trembling body.


    I needed to leave, I couldn¡¯t bear to stay here where anyone could find me anyone second, especially a gloating Valentina.


    I forced myself up and staggered out the door and back where I¡¯de from, holding the banister for support when I got to the stairs so I wouldn¡¯t fall to my death. After a few seconds of sardonic musings, I concluded that it wouldn¡¯t be such a bad thing if I did. Death was a much better option than trying to live on with what¡¯s left of my heart.


    I was halfway down when I saw them, thest people on earth I wanted to see and the sight before me was a second stab to my chest. I nearly almost fell to my death like I¡¯d wished.


    Valentina¡¯s hands were locked around Luca¡¯s neck, his head dipped as they kissed. The kiss looked angry and mad, something that two lovers would do during a heated disagreement.


    Valentina was probably pissed at him and Luca was trying to win over with his expert mouth. A mouth that had seeded in deting my own anger many times.


    I ran back up the stairs, seeking escape, fresh tears streamed down my face, marring my vision. I sought another exit, wandering until I found one that led to the foyer. I didn¡¯t know how I was going to get home but I couldn¡¯t find it in me to care.


    A sick chuckle reverberated through me as I realized what I¡¯d said.


    Home. I didn¡¯t have one. I was living with the man I never wanted to see again and I was sure as hell not going back there.


    But I needed my things and if I was going to never return I had to get them now.


    I blindly walked out therge double doors of the mansion and I was so lost in my head that I didn¡¯t notice there was someone heading my way until I bumped into them.


    I stiffened immediately, dread taking over me as I feared it was who I suspected.


    ¡°Cara, are you okay?¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I looked up to the concerned gaze of Cadain. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked again.


    I tried to nod my head but it felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool.


    ¡°You obviously aren¡¯t.¡± He observed.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I managed.


    His eyes coasted to the mansion for a brief moment. ¡°Here to see Salvatore.¡± He answered, his voice sounding bitter.


    I guess he had an axe to grind with Luca. I wondered if all my stepbrother did was go about hurting and pissing people off.


    Don¡¯t think about him.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯d find him inside. It was nice seeing you again.¡± I said impatiently before proceeding with my escape.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Cadain asked.


    I was about to say ¡°home¡± again but I caught myself. ¡°To get my things.¡±


    Cadain paused behind me, obviously confused by what I¡¯d meant but I wasn¡¯t going to exin. I finished my walk down the stairs.


    Then I halted.


    It urred to me that I¡¯d have to walk all the way to the mansion¡¯s gates and down the lonely avenue till I get to the main road. It might not sound much but that was one hell of a fucking journey.


    I didn¡¯t have my purse with me so no money or phone to order a cab. I¡¯d left the designer piece behind with the hope that Gina would pick it up for me. But as I stood here now, I realized I should have fetched it before leaving. The fear of running into Luca and Valentina be damned.


    From where I was I couldn¡¯t even see the gates. I  bit my lip frantically. Shit, this was one fucking dilemma.


    ¡°Cara, what¡¯s going on?¡± Cadain asked worriedly.


    I ignored him, whipping around to my right then to my right. Then that¡¯s when I saw it, a sleek, matte grey te parked by the side of the mansion. And then, it hit me.


    And I slowly turned to meet Cadain¡¯s equally worried gaze.


    A causticugh traveled up my throat and pushed out of my lips. Gosh, I was so stupid. The answer to my problem has been right here with me.


    ¡°Cadain.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I need your help.¡±


    ¡°Anything.¡±


    I looked at the car again. ¡°Fucking get me out of here.¡±


    He wasted no time. In the next second, he¡¯d unlocked the car with his key fob and the two of us hurried to the car.


    Cadain had barely reversed out from the space when Luca burst out of the mansion with a few men, looking really pissed.


    ¡°Cara! Get out of the fucking car now!¡± He boomed, sounding so frightening it made Cadain hesitate for a second.


    I, on the other hand, was too angry to give a shit. ¡°Have you changed your mind?¡±


    Cadain¡¯s gaze snapped to me. ¡°No, no. It¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m confused by all of this.¡±


    Luca was already reaching for his phone, it was only a matter of time before he¡¯d give orders for the gates to remain locked. We had an extremely low chance of leaving.


    But it wasn¡¯t going to stop me from trying.


    I held on to the grab handle above the window. ¡°Ask questionster. Right now, you need to fucking drive.¡±


    Cadain did as I said and sped off.


    My heart was caught in my throat as the car slowed down, slowly approaching the shut gates.


    ¡°Please open. Please open. Please open.¡± I chanted under my breath, gripping the grab handle even tighter.


    For a moment, nothing happened and my heart tumbled back down my throat and dropped all the way to my stomach. What was I expecting? Luca would never let me leave just like that.


    The gates rumbled open.


    My gaze shot to Cadain and he had on the same confused expression I was sure I had. We didn¡¯t wait to process our luck though, we drove through without stopping and Cadain didn¡¯t stop speeding until we got to the city road.


    ¡°Where to now?¡± He asked.


    I sawed on my lips, unsure if he¡¯d be willing to take me to Luca¡¯s house. It was like asking a deer to walk right into a lion¡¯s den. Plus, he¡¯d know I¡¯ve been living with him.


    ¡°Cara?¡± Cadain prodded.


    ¡°Luca¡¯s house. I- I need to get my things.¡±


    He stared at me longer than necessary then focused on the road, saying nothing.


    ¡°Do you need directions?¡±


    ¡°I know where you live.¡± Was his reply.


    I didn¡¯t bother asking how, didn¡¯t want to process it at all. All I cared about at the moment was getting to the penthouse and leaving before Luca found me there. I told myself the reason was because the man was crazy enough to hold me prisoner but that was a bold face lie.


    If he found me there, he¡¯d try to talk me out of leaving and as much as it pained me to admit, I feared that I¡¯d let him fool me once more.

 Chapter 73: For Good

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Do you need me to follow you up?¡± Cadain asked the second we pulled up in the underground parking lot.


    I shook my head, aware of how bad of an idea it was. Luca usually had soldiers lurking about. It would be suicidal for Cadain toe up to the penthouse with me. Besides, I needed to leave in the least suspicious way. I didn¡¯t trust them not to grab me the second they realized I was leaving without Luca¡¯s knowledge.


    I just fervently hoped I had enough time before Luca got home.


    ¡°I¡¯d be quick.¡± I said.


    ¡°I¡¯d be waiting. But if you don¡¯te out in ten minutes, I¡¯m going up.¡±


    ¡°Cadain-¡±


    The door on his side was yanked open and he was dragged out. He struggled hard against the two men holding him back.


    ¡°Cara, lock the door.¡±


    Panic skittered over my skin, my eyes growing wide as Luca came into focus, looking like a very angry god.


    How the fuck had he gotten here so fast? I¡¯d seen no glimpse of his car during my frantic search on the way here.


    He stalked to the hood of the car, his eyes zing and his chest heaving. ¡°Get out.¡± He growled, his voice as uncontrolled as his expression.


    I sank further into my chair, shaking my head firmly.


    ¡°Cara¡­ please. Get off the car, we need to talk.¡±


    My shameless heart, it squeezed at the plea now dancing in his eyes. I shook my head again, this time for my benefit.


    ¡°Cara, don¡¯t listen to him!¡± Cadain yelled.


    Luca¡¯s jaw hardened and he shot him a death re. ¡°Stay out of this McKell.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you-¡± His words were cut off as Luca reached for him and nted a punch in his stomach.


    A gasp left me and my hand flew across my mouth. Cadain wheezed, doubling over in pain. Anger surged through my veins, anger at Luca and myself because I¡¯d gotten the poor dude in this situation.


    With a re trained at Luca, I screamed, ¡°Why would you hit him?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be doing it again if you don¡¯te out.¡±


    My eyes flew to Cadain, he was shaking his head, signaling me not to. But I just couldn¡¯t sit in the car and watch him get beat up.


    With shaky hands, I grabbed the door handle,  pushed the door opened and stepped out. ¡°Tell your brutes to release him.¡±


    Luca immediately nodded at his men and they dropped Cadain to the floor. I reached for him to help him up but Luca grabbed me by the arm.


    ¡°You¡¯reing with me.¡±


    I started kicking. ¡°I¡¯m going nowhere with you. Get off me!¡± I yelled but he was already dragging me to the building¡¯s entrance.


    ¡°Calm the fuck down!¡± He growled against my futile hits as he pulled me into the elevator.


    No! I reached for the door, trying to prevent them from sliding close. Luca grabbed me again then pressed  me against the wall. ¡°Jesus, woman. Stay fucking still.¡±


    My nostrils were red, my breaths came in heavy, angry pants. Chin raised, I bit out. ¡°Fuck you Salvatore.¡±


    His eyes mped shut and when they opened they were filled with frustration. ¡°Cara- I swear what my father said back there¡­ it isn¡¯t true. I- I can exin.¡±


    A harshugh of disbelief left me. Men, they¡¯d lie through their teeth to the very end. ¡°I want you to get away from me or I might just give into temptation and kick you like I badly want to.¡±


    He heaved a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯re not listening-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m done listening to you Salvatore!¡± I snarled. ¡°All you do is lie about shit. You swore you had nothing going on with Valentina. You made me promise to keep our rtionship exclusive but what? You¡¯re getting married?¡±


    His mrs ground together. ¡°I told you, I  am not marrying Valentina-¡±


    ¡°Save the lies for who would believe them. I¡¯m done being your fool.¡±


    The elevator doors pinged open and I marched into the foyer, Luca right on my tail.


    ¡°Cara, Cara! Get back here, I¡¯m not done talking!¡±


    I ignored him, not stopping as I stormed across the living room and ran up the stairs, intent on getting to the bedroom before him.


    His bedroom that he¡¯d soon be sharing with Valentina.


    Something pathetic trickled into my enraged blood, tainting it and filling me with bitterness.


    Tears gathered in my eyes again, my furious pulse drowning out the heavy thumps of my steps. I was a firecracker about to ignite.


    Luca caught up to me before I could shut the bedroom door in his face.


    ¡°Stop avoiding me goddammit!¡± He grated before pushing his way in and mming the door behind him.


    ¡°This is a fucking misunderstanding.¡± He rubbed roughly at his eyebrow. ¡°If only you¡¯d let me exin-¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to exin! I saw the two of you kissing!¡±


    My explosion causes him to freeze, his eye going huge with terror. It made a fresh rush of hatred pump through me and I kept going, my wordsing out in broken sobs as the tears ran freely.


    Luca¡¯s face contorted like he was in pain. ¡°No, no baby don¡¯t cry¡­ please. It¡¯s not what you think-¡±


    ¡°Stop fucking lying to me because I saw it with my own eyes!¡± I looked skywards as a hysterical sound escaped from my mouth.


    ¡°You guys were never over. You still kept in touch, still ran to get her whenever she called on you.¡±


    Confusion seized his features. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking try to pretend like you don¡¯t know what. Valentina told me herself some time back. How you¡¯d hurried to save her from a situation!¡±


    He was still ying ignorant and oh how fucking convincing he looked. So convincing that I¡¯d have easily been fooled again if I didn¡¯t know any better.


    He raked a hand through his hair, swallowing tightly before speaking. ¡°I really have no idea what you mean. But if you¡¯d just calm down and listen I promise we can fix this.¡±


    He stepped closer and I instinctively took a step back. ¡°You don¡¯t get to tell me to calm down. You don¡¯t get to speak with me. Leave me the fuck alone.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He said with a shake of his head. ¡°Never. I won¡¯t ever do that. I can¡¯t.¡±


    I let out a derisive scoff. ¡°Don¡¯t bullshit me Salvatore. Just fucking don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious bambina. I can¡¯t ever leave you. Not for Valentina, not for any other woman and especially not now.¡±


    His words tugged at my treacherous heart but I tried not to let him influence my thoughts. I won¡¯t let him deceive me again.


    He continued, determined to make me believe him. ¡°My father had proposed a marriage between us but you must believe me when I tell you that I¡¯d refused immediately. I have no intention of marrying Valentina, never have. Please, bambina. Believe me.¡±


    I sniffled back a snot. ¡°But you kissed her. Luca I saw you.¡±


    ¡°She kissed me and I pushed her away.¡±


    I hesitated, weighing the truth of his words even when I didn¡¯t want to. My heart had a mind of its own. Luca stepped closer and closer until he was close enough to reach out and cradle my face.


    ¡°You have to believe me bambina. I¡¯ve never lied to you about Valentina.¡±


    ¡°But you also didn¡¯t tell me about it either.¡± I whispered, my stomach sinking with disappointment as I moved away from him.


    ¡°You never mentioned the proposal nor did you mention helping her out. How am I supposed to believe you?¡±


    Luca whirled around with a curse and when he looked back, something in his eyes shifted.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No, Cara. You¡¯re in no position to criticize me on that one.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°What the fuck do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You never tell me anything either. About your pasts, about your worries. Nothing.¡±


    With choppy breaths I said, ¡°that¡¯s different.¡±


    Luca¡¯s tone was mocking. ¡°Is it?¡±


    No. He doesn¡¯t get to pull this on me, to turn this over and make it about me. My past had nothing to do with this. I wasn¡¯t the lying, cheating asshole in this scenario.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about me. The fact I don¡¯t tell you about my past doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m ying you like you yed me. You don¡¯t tell me about yours either.¡±


    ¡°Ma dai, Cara! How am I sure that you aren¡¯t? Am I just going to take your word for it?¡±


    Something shed through my chest. ¡°What are you insinuating?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y the dumb blonde, micetta. It doesn¡¯t suit you.¡± A biting chuckle left him. ¡°Cazzo, how am I even sure that the reason why Cadain is in over his head for you isn¡¯t because you let him hit it? After all, you¡¯ve never hid the fact that you were a lightskirt.¡±


    I was standing before him the next second, my hand flying across his face in a sharp crack. My heart hurting a hundred times harder.


    His face snapped to the side, a tense moment of silence passing between us. When he slowly faced me again, his eyes zed with anger.


    I tried to p him again but he caught my hand aggressively, my palm burning with the force of the p. It was as if I¡¯d hit a rock.


    ¡°I hate you! I hate you! I fucking despise you!¡± I shrieked, hitting him with my free hand. I waspletely livid now, desperate with the need to hurt him like he had hurt me.


    The audacity to use me of being unfaithful when I¡¯ve been nothing but wholly dedicated to him. I¡¯d given him my heart and he¡¯d trampled on it.


    Tears stung my eyes again and I tried to hold them back but it was pointless. They cascaded down my face like water fountains.


    His expression took a detour when he saw the tears, regret seeping into his eyes and killing his anger. ¡°Shit. I didn¡¯t mean that.¡±


    My voice was vicious and full of the venom his words had caused to spread through my entire body. ¡°Yes, you did.¡±


    ¡°No, bambina. I promise I-¡± His eyes grew shut, his body going ck. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean any of it.


    His grip on my hand was loosened and I took the opportunity by yanking away from him.


    Contempt crackled hot in my chest as I red at him. I was done, done with this conversation, and most especially, done with him toying my feelings.


    ¡°I¡¯m fucking done with your ass.¡± I deadpanned, then I snapped around and stormed to the closet to get my things.


    I was leaving him, for good.

 Chapter 74: Gone

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Terror froze my lungs as I realized what Cara was doing.


    ¡°Cara.¡±


    She ignored me and continued to make trips to our shared walk-in closet, holding new batches of clothes with each trip then dumping them on the bed.


    My heart tripped with panic when she came out with her beat up duffel this time.


    My voice was barely audible. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    She began stuffing clothes into the bag. ¡°What does it look like Einstein? I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    No.


    I didn¡¯t think, I dashed for her to take it from her.


    ¡°Let fucking go!¡± She screamed as we wrestled for the old bag.


    ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± I forced out of my dread clogged throat. ¡°I won¡¯t let you. You belong here with me.¡±


    She fought hard for the bag, eyes red with rage, her tearstained cheeks flushed with angry heat. ¡°Well I don¡¯t agree with you Salvatore. I¡¯m leaving and there¡¯s nothing you can do to make me stay.¡±


    Her hair waspletely out of the loose up-do she had and the curls fell wildly to her back, her chest rose and fell heavily, her nostrils wide as she breathed fumes, her lips were turned up in a sneer, her entire body trembled with anger.


    She was an angry goddess.


    Irrespective of the situation, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of awe and desire. Something leaped in my chest as well as my pants.


    ¡°Let go of the bag.¡± She growled.


    ¡°Cara, you need to rx.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather bash your head in. Now let go.¡±


    I pushed out a deep sigh of frustration. ¡°What the fuck can I do to make you believe me huh?¡±


    Her voice was impassive. ¡°Nothing.¡±


    My jaw tightened. ¡°Nothing?¡±


    ¡°Nothing you say would make me change my mind. I refuse to be with a man that sees me as nothing more than a whore, a regr fuck to take off the edge. I don¡¯t want to be with you anymore. I¡¯m tired and I hate you too much to stay.¡±


    Her words might as well be a bullet from a shotgun for how ruthlessly it sted through my chest, leaving a gaping hole of pain.


    I wanted to convince her otherwise, I wanted to tell her that I was in love with her, that she was my first and would be myst. I wanted her to know that she came first before all else and I couldn¡¯t live without her.


    I wanted to say all of this and more but I couldn¡¯t find the words. Another very important moment that I needed them but they failed me. It was devastating.


    Cara let out a scoff, one that I felt down to my bones. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± She whispered, pulling her bag from my hands. Obviously misreading my inability to speak.


    I watched as her eyes dulled into resignation. Her shoulders were slumped, her stance no longer offensive, the fire had left her and it sent me on a new wave of dread.


    I could take her anger, I could take her fire but whatever this was, I couldn¡¯t take it. It gnawed at me and made me suffocated with fear.


    The heart I thought I didn¡¯t have, was now aching like a bitch and leaving me hollow.


    I stood transfixed, watching as she finished packing, at loss on how to fix this. I¡¯ve never been in a situation like this. A situation where I had to convince someone to stay. My world has always been straightforward, everyone knew what it meant to leave and when it came to women, I was the one doing the leaving.


    This was new and I didn¡¯t know how to go about it. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing, I¡¯d already done it once and had gotten pped for it.


    Cara zipped up her back and looked back at me, giving me a look that screamed ¡°farewell¡±.  ¡°Goodbye, Luca.¡± She said then tried to push past me.


    In that millisecond, I imagined what it¡¯d be like if I let her walk away. I imagined my life after she¡¯s gone, a future without her, and all I saw was darkness. My body sprung into action.


    I grabbed her waist and pressed her into me. I might be unable to find the right things to say but I¡¯d be damned if I let her go.


    Never seeing her again, well it was never going to happen.


    ¡°What are you-¡± her next words were captured by my lips.


    She squirmed in my arms, refusing to open up for me, shoving against me, fighting against my kiss, desperate to get away.


    I won¡¯t give it to her.


    I fisted a hand into her hair and held her head steady, then I tried again, pouring my own desperation into the kiss. The desperation tomunicate what words couldn¡¯t.


    This time, she parted her lips and let me thrust my tongue between. She let me drink from her, hold her, as we made muffled sounds into the kiss, our bodies pressed tightly together.


    Fuck, I felt like I was going tobust, this kiss it was nothing like I¡¯ve ever known. I was scorched naked, leftpletely bare and raw.


    I sucked hard on her tongue, saying all that my infuriating ass couldn¡¯t say with my bruising lips.


    It was the only way I could think of. The pleasure I could give her was the only hold I had over her. I didn¡¯t own all of her like she did me so I was desperate to use her desire to my advantage. I was going to kiss her will to leave away.


    I palmed her ass, squeezed her hips, rubbed her everywhere. She moaned into me, kissing me back with a vicious passion, and a burst of heat red inside me.


    This woman was my life, there was no question about it. I was iplete without her and if I had to spend the rest of my life proving it to her then so be it. First, I had to make sure she stays.


    Lifting her, I carried her to the bed, not once breaking the kiss even as we dropped to the mattress.


    I pushed her legs apart, rolling up her sexy dress all the way to her waist. Her sheer,cy thong was already soaked, the sweet scent of her wafting into my nose.


    A deep moan tore out of her when I rubbed her through the flimsy material, her hips following my movements. It made me eager to drive her wilder.


    I shifted the thong to the side and thrusted a finger into her, grunting as her walls instantly closed down on it.


    ¡°You want this don¡¯t you? You¡¯re always ready for the pleasure I can give you.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t hate you.¡± She said with a breathy gasp, rocking herself on my finger.


    I added a second one, her soppy pussy making sexy noises as I worked her harder.


    ¡°Oh fuck!¡± She groaned.


    ¡°Do you hate me now?¡±


    She made a mewling noise, her hands gripping tightly on the sheets. ¡°Yes, I hate you.¡±


    I pumped into her harder. ¡°But you love my hands.¡±


    Another incoherent sound resounded within her, her lips pressing together defiantly.


    My thumb found her sensitive bud and flickered it. ¡°Answer me, bambina.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she groaned out. ¡°I love your hands but I hate you. I love your c0ck but I despise you.¡±


    Her words made me incensed with anger and heavy arousal. I was determined to have her saying something different by the time I was done with her.


    She groaned again when my fingers left her needy pussy and I drew satisfaction from it. She might hate me but she still wanted me and that was a good thing.


    She wasn¡¯tpletely done like she imed.


    I began to take off my pants, intentionally slow with my pace as I ate up the tortured expression on her face.


    ¡°Salvatore, if you don¡¯t fucking-¡± her words died out as my  c0ck sprang free and she unconsciously licked her lips greedily.


    I began stroking myself, growing hotter from the shameless desire darkening her blue gaze. Fuck, the woman was sexy. Just a look from her and I was ready tobust.


    I began stroking myself faster. ¡°Show me how much you love this c0ck baby. Beg me to give it to you. It¡¯s yours as long as you promise to have all of me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather chew on nails.¡± She said, even as she licked her lips again.


    My dick was now pulsing with need for release but I didn¡¯t want toe until I was buried deeply in her heat. ¡°You can onlye if you do Cara.¡±


    A devious smile slowly spread across her beautiful face. ¡°Wrong.¡± She said and before I knew what was happening, she had reached up to grab my aching c0ck.


    I hissed sharply, instinctively leaning into her magic touch. My c0ck in control of my thoughts.


    Cara maneuvered me with the agility of a feline, switching our position so that I was now beneath her. She straddled me and continued palming my erection. Leaning down to whisper in my ear, she purred, ¡°It¡¯s your turn to beg me.¡±


    I nearly had a stroke when she began to grind her soaked pussy on me.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I growled.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she moaned, shuddering slightly as she rubbed her clit over my strained head, making a fresh mess all over me.


    Her eyes rolled back as she pressed herself against the tip, her head tilting back with a pleasured whimper. She squeezed her still clothed breasts, pinching her straining nipples, her hips rotating over my head.


    I burned with the need to impale her on my c0ck, to thrust into her over and over again until she squeezed everydy drop of cum from me. I would gopletely mad if I didn¡¯t have her now.


    I raised my hips to enter her but she hiked out of reach.


    ¡°Cara,¡± I warned, my voice tight.


    ¡°I told you Salvatore, it¡¯s your turn to beg.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t test me.¡±


    She went ahead and did just that by pushing down on my tip and pulling back up.


    An animalistic growl tore out of me.


    ¡°Seems like you need this more than I do.¡± She purred even as she rolled harder against me.


    ¡°We both know that¡¯s a lie.¡±


    Her eyes snapped open to look down at me. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. This means nothing. Even if we stop now, I could always get release elsewhere, maybe from Cadain. I¡¯m a light skirt after all.¡±


    A blend of acute jealousy and self loathing punched its way into my chest. I winced as I remembered the utterly stupid thing I¡¯d said.


    ¡°Cara-¡± I began to apologize but she was teasing me again by taking in my head and pulling out.


    ¡°You could always get yours from Valentina. You guys are meant to give yourselves a lifetime of orgasms after all but I assure you Salvatore, you¡¯d never feel half of what I make you feel. I¡¯d go about whoring and making new experiences, totally over you but you¡¯d be miserable without me.


    ¡°If I ever get bored, I might just settle down and marry Cadain or anyone-¡±


    I grabbed her hips and mmed her down on me.


    Pleasured groans left both our mouths and we both reveled in the toe curling feeling of her fully impaled on my c0ck. Her snug walls cocooned my length, hot and tight.


    With a ragged breath, I said, ¡°You are never going to be with anyone that¡¯s not me. Whether you like it or not.¡±


    Not giving her any second toe up with a retort, I began to thrust upwards into her. Hard and fast.


    Cara cried out and began to match my pace.


    ¡°Yes, baby. Ride me. Ride my fucking c0ck.¡± I growled, my lungs tightening up.


    She moved faster, encouraged by my words, her slick, soppy cuntmanding my pleasure and demanding hers.


    I tucked further into her when my cock nearly slipped out of her slippery heat, my hands digging tighter into her flush hips to hold her down, control her frantic movements.


    Her hands slid up into my hair and tugged hard on it, her eyes rolling back as pleasure built up between us. ¡°Yes, yes, oh yes, Luca.¡± She moaned.


    Joy exploded within me at the mention of my name and I suddenly realized how much i missed hearing her say it. I took it as a sign of hope, a sign that she was thawing.


    ¡°Yes, baby. Say my name again.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t and I thrusted up into her harder. ¡°Fuck, Luca! Luca¡­ do that again, please.¡±


    She didn¡¯t have to beg again, I was willing to oblige her every desire. I pushed into her in the same manner and she whimpered loudly.


    ¡°There! There! Keep fucking me like that.¡±


    I mmed hard like a beast, dirty noises filling the quiet, my pace wild and frantic as all control faded from me. I was all need and lust, with a single purpose of getting us to cloud nine.


    ¡°Look at me baby.¡± I ground out and when she did, my heart torched up in mes.


    ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re breathtaking.¡± I whispered with a softer emotion.


    I love her, so much that it burned and hurt and caused me to free fall. I loved her with all of me, my heart was full of her.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Nothing else mattered when she looked at me like this. Everything else faded away, leaving just the two of us. She leaned further into me, her hot breath against my mouth, our clothed chest grazing against each other.


    I tried to kiss her but she pulled back, giving me a strange look. One I wasn¡¯t able to process because she started convulsing around me, contracting and pulsing as a cry wrenched deeply from her core, her eyes fluttering back.


    One more thrust and I was following her, my body rattling from the feel of her shattering around me, ecstasy exploding behind my eyes. Spurts of release shot into her and she doesn¡¯t stop milking them until the veryst drop.


    She copsed on top of me, panting heavily, her body damp with sweat like mine was. I felt her juice trickling down my hip and it made me want her again.


    I flipped her over, smiling darkly at the surprise in her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re not done here.¡± I drawled before going down on her to wring out another orgasm from her.


    I took her to shower and fucked her again and again in the walk-in closet as we were about to get dressed intofortable clothes. We had dinner next and I was beyond ted when Cara offered to pour us some wine. It bolstered my hope. However, I excused myself to lock away her bag just in case.


    I brought her back to the bed after we were done eating and was content to pull her into me and hold her as deep sleep washed over me.


    I didn¡¯t wake up until the next morning and when I sought Cara out, I realized with sinking dread that she was gone and so was her luggage and my Glock 19.

 Chapter 75: Wonder Potion

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Cara? What are you¡­¡± Diana trailed off, eyeing my shivering form and slung duffel bag.


    ¡°Can Ie in? It¡¯s freezing out here.¡±


    She stepped away from her apartment door so I coulde in. I hurried inside, heaving a deep sigh at the instant warmth of the ce.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are you here? Is that tears on your cheek? Did you cry?¡±


    The girl was ever concerned. I took in her silk night robe, instantly hit with the guilt of waking her up from sleep.


    ¡°Could I get a ss of water first? I¡¯m thirsty as fuck.¡±


    Diana hesitated for a brief second before shaking off her bewilderment. ¡°Oh¡­ sure. Um¡­ make yourselffortable in the living room while I fetch you the ss.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dee.¡± I said after her.


    I gotfy in her cozy living room, taking in the feminine space. Diana was the pink aesthetic type of girl and I could tell she was obsessed with sulents from the many cute cacti pots decorating her shelves, coffee table and window sill.


    There were wall arts of random things but the one that caught my attention was a basic painting of a city view and it instantly reminded me of the view from Luca¡¯s bedroom window and the times we¡¯d watch it in silence while he held me tight against him.


    I bit out a curse as my eyes began tearing up again. It was a wonder how I could still cry at this point, I¡¯ve cried more than most people did in their entire life just today. All I¡¯d done on the cab ride here was cry and I was really sick of it. Luca Salvatore didn¡¯t deserve my tears.


    I felt disgusted with myself at how hard I¡¯d found it to leave him, spending more than necessary watching his peacefully sleeping form and almost missing the opportunity. I¡¯d even stupidly thought about leaving him a goodbye note.


    I scoffed inwardly at the memory, I really needed to kill this love I had for him. It made me think as well as do corny shit. The man had broken my heart, he didn¡¯t deserve any fucking note.


    Trying to sneak the pills I¡¯d found in his drawer on my short dy to our shower sex into the wine I had poured out had been an extreme sport. Looking for my bag after that had almost been impossible. I literally had to sneak into the CCTV unit to find out where Luca hid it. I really didn¡¯t expect to see him lock it away in a cab in theundry room.


    The man sure had a tendency to go overboard.


    I should stop thinking about him. I left him and that was all that matters. No more false hopes that lead to heartaches, no more tears. The first step in ensuring this was topletely erase him from my thoughts.


    Even if it was easier said than done.


    Diana returned but without my ss of water instead, she had four bottles of beer hooked between her fingers.


    ¡°I figured you needed this more.¡± She said as she dropped the bottles on the coffee table and joined me on her pink suede couch.


    Gosh, it was such a blessing to have her in my life. I immediately reached for a bottle. ¡°You¡¯re a gem.¡±


    She smiled softly at me, watching with worry as I deftly uncorked a bottle and took a long swig.


    She decided I¡¯ve had enough by seizing my bottle after my eight gulp. ¡°Cara, what the hell happened?¡±


    I reached for the bottle again but she pulled it out of my grasp. I sighed. ¡°I¡¯m homeless Diana.¡±


    Her eyes darkened with an equal mix of puzzlement and concern. ¡°What? How? I thought that was settled.¡±


    I stared longingly at the confiscated beer. ¡°Apparently it was not.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say, it was put off for a while.¡± I muttered sardonically. My gaze raised to hers. ¡°But now, reality has set in. I was stupid to have put it off, I should not have let it fester. What I should have done instead was put an end to it as soon as the problem arose. But no, like a fool, I¡¯d let the problem umte and grow bigger.¡± l let out a hollowugh. ¡°Look at me now.¡±


    Diana¡¯s face scrunched up in confusion but I couldn¡¯t find it in me to rify. I had no idea what I was saying either.


    Damn, was the beer already taking effect? So early? Or was my post heartbreak manic episode already making its dyed entrance.


    Diana¡¯s eyes lit up as intuition kicked in. ¡°Are we still talking about your apartment woes?¡±


    ¡°I guess not.¡±


    She pushed my beer back to me, understanding dawning on her face. ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡±


    A traitorous tear sneaked down my cheek. I sniffled, my smile was barely there. ¡°Is it okay if I don¡¯t want to?¡±


    Diana popped open a bottle. ¡°Yes, baby, it¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the best.¡±


    Diana flipped her honey brown hair. ¡°Believe me, I know.¡±


    We shared augh before she got serious again.


    ¡°You can stay for as long as it takes you to find a new apartment. I have a spare room you can use. As long as you flush after you and promise never to judge my cooking we¡¯re good.¡±


    I chuckled wryly. ¡°I assure you, I¡¯m thest person in the world to judge anyone¡¯s cooking.¡±


    ¡°Omg we¡¯re soulmates!¡± She eximed.


    I drew in a panicked breath. ¡°I stole a gun, Diana.¡±


    It was admirable how calm she remained. ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in your house. With a gun, loaded and tucked behind my back. You shouldn¡¯t ept me staying here so easily.¡±


    Her stare was indecipherable. ¡°Can you use it?¡±


    I blinked at the unexpected response. ¡°Um¡­ no?¡±


    Diana sighed rather too dramatically. ¡°Then it¡¯s a shame. I got excited over nothing.¡±


    I was bamboozled. ¡°Why the hell would you be excited?¡±


    ¡°I thought I¡¯d finally gotten my wish.¡± She bumped my shoulder with hers. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted a mysterious badass with a gun for a friend.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± I dered with incredulity.


    This wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to go. She was supposed to kick me out, after freaking out first as she should. Where was the woman that had panicked when she first learned I was connected to the Cosa Nostra?


    Diana chuckled and took a sip of her beer. ¡°It¡¯s chill Cara. I grew up in a gun obsessed family so I¡¯m unfazed. I have a gun too and I can use it. You¡¯d be surprised by how well.¡±


    ¡°Wait, for real?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She drank her beer.


    I suspected I was gawking at her. ¡°Do you ever stop being amazing?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, no.¡± She raised her bottle. ¡°Cheers to us badass girls with loaded guns.¡±


    Still awestruck, I clinked hers with mine. ¡°Cheers.¡±


    We drank in silence for a while before I spoke again. ¡°Thank you, again.¡±


    She bumped shoulders with me again. ¡°Stop mentioning.¡±


    Iughed but this time, it was breathy with relief.


    ¡°How do you feel about being my cocktail taster tonight?¡± Diana suddenly asked, getting up.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I sat up on the couch. ¡°I¡¯m up for anything that can get me t out drunk.¡±


    ¡°Be right back.¡± She said before disappearing into her kitchen.


    I drank up thest of my bottle and set it down. I stared at the city painting once more, swearing to drink until I waspletely devoid of any thoughts of my stepbrother.


    Drinking I¡¯d do for tonight but for tomorrow, I should definitely find a way to get back the purse I took to the wee party. I needed to email my professor concerning the reference she promised me. And maybe I¡¯d block Luca¡¯s phone number too.


    If I have the balls to though. I just hope that he does something annoying like spam me with calls and texts so I¡¯d be emboldened enough to do it.


    The pathetic side of me wondered if he¡¯d even be bothered enough to do that. For all I know, he could have decided he was done with putting up an act, ready to find my recement. It was how made men like him operated after all. This was clear from the so-called exclusive arrangement he had with me while being secretly engaged to the snarky mafia princess.


    Maybe one of the girls back at Rico¡¯s would be lucky to be the new exclusive mistress.


    Diana returned with a tray containing half empty bottles of vodka, bourbon and gin, a shaker, a jug of lemonade as the mixer, a bowl of ice cubes and two cocktail sses.


    ¡°This here, baby, is the best potion for forgetting shitty exes-¡±


    Crazy how I couldn¡¯t even call Luca that.


    ¡°-you¡¯d be too lit to even remember him by the time you have a taste of this bad bitch.¡± Diana finished, already pouring the vodka into the shaker.


    ¡°Great, exactly what I needed tonight.¡± I said, quite aware that it would have to take just more than one night of Diana¡¯s wonder drink to forget Luca Salvatore.

 Chapter 76: Mistress

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Cadain¡¯s eyes grew twice their size when he opened the door of his condo to my face. ¡°Salvatore, what are you-¡±


    I pushed his half-dressed ass aside and entered the ce. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    Cadain cut to my front. ¡°Where is who?¡±


    A muscle ticked in my jaw. ¡°You know who I¡¯m talking about.¡±


    His forehead creased then it dawned on him. ¡°Cara?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cara. The very one you tried to abduct.¡±


    A malicious chuckle shook through his bare chest. ¡°Hardly that if she willingly got into the car with me, which she did. You¡¯re the one who abducted her.¡±


    My stare darkened. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    He stepped closer. ¡°I should be asking you that. You probably have her locked up somewhere.¡±


    I gave him a long and hard glower and without looking away, I ordered. ¡°Start the search.¡±


    My men bounced in and began dispersing into every corner of the ce.


    ¡°Hey! What are you doing?!¡± Cadain snarled, ring at the soldiers searching about his ce. His gaze snapped back to me. ¡°What the fuck Salvatore?!¡±


    I ignored him, moving over to the living room and sinking on a plush cushion.


    He followed me. ¡°Tell your men to back off!¡±


    I threw him a scathing look. ¡°They will after they confirm that Cara isn¡¯t hiding here.¡±


    He was staring at me weird, his head cocking with disbelief. ¡°You lost her.¡± He deadpanned.


    I studied him for another minute. The Irish fucker genuinely seemed to know nothing of Cara¡¯s whereabouts. It made me feel a warring mix of feelings; satisfaction that she hadn¡¯t run to him and trepidation that she was somewhere less safe.


    ¡°She¡¯s not a child that can be lost.¡±


    The way she¡¯d so expertly nned her departure wasn¡¯t a doing of someone who happened to get ¡°lost¡±. The woman had drugged me with my own sleeping pills, manipted my security cameras and had managed to remain invisible to the soldiers that kept watch that night. She might as well be a spy.


    I was impressed and proud of her in spite of my anxiety concerning her wellbeing and my annoyance with Cadain¡¯s face.


    The cunt was giving me a smug look I badly wanted to wipe off with my knuckles.


    ¡°Ah, I see. She left you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be leaving my fist on your jaw if you don¡¯t shut the fuck up.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in my house, I¡¯ll speak whenever I want to.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯d just have to drag you out then punch the shit out of you then.¡±


    Cadain glowered at me, his eyes filled with malice. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I was generous enough not to tell my brother about the two times you dared toy your hands on me.¡±


    That caused me tough, reallyugh. Torso bent over, shaking and all. I stared up at him, the incredulous spark morphing into something dangerous. ¡°Dared?¡± I got up.


    Cadain tried his hardest not to flinch or step back as I got right in his face. ¡°You think I¡¯d have to need balls to put a dipshit like you in check?¡±


    He swallowed tightly. ¡°You assaulted me and I¡¯m the brother of the Irish mob boss.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m the fucking don of the Cosa Nostra but a twat like you thought he could barge into my domain, make demands, try to fuck with someone under my care yet get away with it.¡±


    I stared down at him, watching his bravado slowly break as he began to squirm subtly.


    The fucking weasel.


    It disgusted him that a man like him ever thought he could be with a woman like Cara. My woman was too strong, too fierce for his mediocre ass. He had nothing but his puppy love to offer an independent woman like her.


    A soldier reappeared in the living space. ¡°No sign of her boss.¡± He informed.


    I gave Cadain onest glower and stepped away. ¡°I will be granting you no more mercy. Come near Cara again and you might just break your family¡¯s long streak of peace.¡±


    The rest of my men reappeared and I proceeded to leave, stopping when one of them sidled up to whisper something in my ear. I turned back to Cadain. ¡°You might want to fumigate your ce, lot of rats and bugs.¡± I said, staring pointedly at amp stand then at an overhead light.


    It took Cadain a couple of seconds before he got the memo and his face paled.


    I didn¡¯t spare him another nce and I walked out of there, feeling zero pity for him. He only had himself to me if his own house got bugged by whoever it was that wanted to use him to attack the Irish syndicate.


    ¡°We¡¯ve found her boss.¡± Sergio, who was waiting by my car, announced the second I walked out of Cadain¡¯s condo building.


    My heart tripped and I immediately forgot about my anger.


    ¡°Where?¡± I asked, my chest wound up.


    ¡°At her coworker¡¯s ce-¡±


    ¡°Diana?¡±


    ¡°Yes boss.¡±


    I¡¯d run a background check on every staff member at Rico¡¯s, ensuring that no one had any connection to the Bratva or the Polish and won¡¯t be a danger to the ce or Cara in any way. It was how I knew that Diana was safepany but it was also how I knew her neighborhood was a nightmare for women.


    Fear gripped around my heart. ¡°West Garfield Park.¡±


    The area was not known for peace or safety. It was quite the opposite. I hate to admit but Cadain¡¯s bugged condo was a far better option.


    ¡°Do you want us to go get her?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± My rtionship with her was already hanging by a thread. It was best if I didn¡¯t force her to do anything. The woman didn¡¯t take being controlled too well. Forcing her out of Diana¡¯s house would be literal gasoline to the furnace.


    But anything could easily happen to her if she remained there.


    Fuck!


    As if sensing my worry, Sergio said, ¡°Nino and the others are already there to keep an eye on her. Fromst hour¡¯s report, the Signorina is safe and well.¡±


    ¡°Send more men. In fact, send Santino to scout the area.¡± The hitman was the best when it came to the task, nothing ever skipped his notice.


    ¡°Alright, boss.¡± Sergio bowed before marching out.


    I checked my schedule for the day, two more activities left before I could retire for the day and go get Cara back. This time, I nned on making her listen. I got into the car and instructed the driver to get moving.


    ***


    Dominic and I stood hands in pockets on the port, waiting in silence for mytest drug shipment to dock, the sea waves shing gently into the quiet.


    The shipment was originally supposed to be Alesky¡¯s but since I defeated the Polish fucker, I¡¯d taken over their cargo, territory and route control. All of West coast now paid dues to me to distribute their cargos to the final consumers.


    I¡¯d never forget the expression the dipshit had when I informed him of my takeover. It was priceless. I was d I kept him alive so far to witness hisplete downfall. Maybe one of these days, I¡¯d finally get send him to where he rightfully belongs; hell.


    I¡¯d let him and that bastard Ro breathe oxygen for too long.


    ¡°I heard you got dumped.¡± Dominic suddenly broke the much enjoyed silence.


    ¡°Not in the mood, Dom.¡± I drawled.


    He went ahead and ignored the clear warning in my voice. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s for the best.¡±


    I pinned him with a death re. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    He returned my gaze. ¡°She was never right for you. I mean, she got you distracted from all that matters the war with the Bratva.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never forgotten that for a second.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve barely done anything concerning them since ourst attack.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because the pakhan hasn¡¯t made any move since then. You think I¡¯d be rash enough to show all my cards at once when the war is far from over?¡±


    Dominic shifted on his weight, looking straight ahead again. ¡°You¡¯re right, that would be rash. My apologies.¡±


    ¡°Oh, fuck your apologies and say whatever it is you want to say next. I know you¡¯re not done yet.¡±


    He faced me again. ¡°I just think that your recent activities haven¡¯t been centered on the important matters.¡±


    ¡°I have, and she¡¯s just as important.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s your mistress.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be that if I¡¯m not married.¡±


    ¡°Well you should be, to Valentina of course. You will amass great power from the union.¡±


    I winced in annoyance. ¡°Not you too.¡±


    ¡°An alliance with the Ndrangheta would make you unstoppable, untouchable. The Bratva would be toast.¡±


    ¡°They would be in due time.¡±


    ¡°Why is she so important? Are you really going to risk this chance for a mere woman?¡±


    I squared up at him. ¡°Now, listen to me. She¡¯s not just a ¡°mere woman¡±. She¡¯s MY woman. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Valentina is perfectly suitable-¡±


    ¡°Do you understand Dominic?¡±


    He clenched his teeth, his gaze hard. ¡°I understand.¡±


    I looked away. ¡°Good, never speak of this again.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    We spent the rest of our waiting in silence. Him sulking and pissed at me while I was growing impatient with the dy. I wanted to inspect the shipment then be on my way to Diana¡¯s house.


    I had to get my woman back.

 Chapter 77: Fugitive

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I looked like the perfect fugitive huge coat, ck shades, a face mask and a ck hat. I was basically the graphical representation of the term.


    I¡¯d been living my own James Bond moment the second I stepped out of Diana¡¯s apartment and transported my ass across the city. The bus ride was bizarrely the shortest and longest one of my life. Shortest because I was anxious to get off and walk into the main city where the Cosa Nostra operated best. Longest because I¡¯d tortured myself by guessing which passenger was an undercover sent by Luca to stalk and abduct me.


    Trying my hand at normalcy was aplete failure. I was discovering just how much of a hard challenge it was, especially when riddled with paranoia like I was. James Bond sure made it look easy.


    The rest of my journey to the mall was an over stimting experience. I¡¯d felt eyes on me but saw no one, shadows lurking but without their owners in sight. I shoved my hands deeper into my coat, drawingfort from the cold feel of the steel firearm in the right pocket.


    Gina was already waiting when I got to the cafe we were supposed to meet and just like I¡¯d asked, she¡¯d picked the most enclosed booth. I dropped in the chair facing hers.


    I ignored her puzzled look and went straight to the point. ¡°Where¡¯s it?¡±


    She pulled out my purse from her fancy tote bag. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you forgot it behind. That along with leaving without saying goodbye.¡±


    I peered into the purse, noting that it had all of my things. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry baby.¡± I said, doing a second scan of the cafe. ¡°I had- er¡­ an emergency.¡±


    When my eyesnded back on Gina, she was regarding me seriously. ¡°Something is wrong, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ no.¡± I chuckle dramatically. ¡°Nothing is wrong.¡±


    ¡°Cara, you have on a coat, mask and a pair of girnomous shades on a fairly sunny day while acting like you¡¯re being chased by the feds.¡±


    ¡°Gina-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re obviously paranoid about something.¡±


    I noticed a man ncing in our direction and my hand closed tighter around the gun. ¡°I¡­¡± I sighed heavily. ¡°I¡¯ve just been overwhelmed. Some men were seen lurking around my former apartment some time ago so I¡¯ve been in a constant state of anxiety since then.¡±


    My white lie was convincing enough because Gina suddenly leaned in with worry. ¡°Omg, Cara. I didn¡¯t know that. Do you need me to talk to my brother about doing something?¡±


    The mention of Luca had me panicking. ¡°No.¡± I said with a little force. ¡°It¡¯s fine. He- he knows already. Got me bodyguards and all.¡±


    Gina¡¯s eyes darted around, obviously looking for said bodyguards. When they returned to me, the puzzlement was back.


    ¡°They¡¯re outside.¡± I lied.


    The narrowing of her eyes told me that she was having a hard time believing that. That¡¯s when I know it was time to leave.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to go now.¡± I said, getting up. ¡°Have sses this afternoon.¡± I moved around the table to pull her in for a brief hug. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about ditching your party.¡±


    She hugged me back. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need help from my brother?¡±


    I withdrew from her. ¡°I¡¯m fine sweetie. In fact, I¡¯d love if you don¡¯t mention our discussion today at all. Your brother already got enough on his te.¡±


    She sighed. ¡°I guess I can do that.¡±


    I grinned at her. ¡°Thank you, let¡¯s meet up again.¡±


    After she left, I turned on my phone to write that overdue email to my professor and I was immediately bombarded with a series of missed calls notifications and texts from Luca.


    I blocked his number.


    The email took me a total of five minutes topose and send then I proceeded to return to Diana¡¯s.


    However, I made a spontaneous stop to a thrift shop, wanting to get her something to thank her for agreeing to cover my shifts these past two days even though I was yet to give her a good reason why I was avoiding the ce. She¡¯d also been keeping my stranded ass from starving.


    The woman was a literal angel and even though I would never admit it, I had Luca to thank for meeting her. The two of us would never have met if he didn¡¯t ruin my tutor job, forcing me to seek employment at Rico¡¯s. Never knowing what it was to have a good friend until now, I was more than grateful for Diana. She was enough, ten times more valuable than an entire army of friends.


    Since I had my credit card now, I could get her something to show my appreciation.


    The thrift shop had a variety of pretty clothes and essories but what caught my eye was a pair of baby pink tforms with long straps. The shoes basically had Diana¡¯s name written on it. I paid for it then moved to a nt shop where I got a dwarf cactus nt in a pr bear shaped pot, excitement filling me veins at the thrilled reaction she was sure to give the moment I give her the items.


    I dumped my purse into the shopping bag of the shoes then ced the one with the cactus to my chest, holding it with utmost care as I headed for the mall¡¯s exit. I passed by a tuxedo shop, hating that the disy reminded me too much of someone I was desperate to forget.


    I didn¡¯t even realize that I¡¯d stopped to glower at them, my thoughts running deeper and deeper until they morphed from angry to lustful. I caught myself in the middle of reminiscing taking off Luca¡¯s suit and I let out an expletive.


    Curse him and his never ending avability of formal wear.


    I hurried along, forcing my mind to stay clear of any thoughts of him, so into the mental task I almost bumped into someone.


    I raised my gaze to my almost victim. That strawberry blonde bob, I¡¯ve seen it before.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± I froze when I noticed the person next to strawberry blonde bob.


    ¡°Look who we have here.¡± Valentina purred with a smile that didn¡¯t reach her ring eyes. She looked immacte as ever, her white zer dress, having not a hint of stain. Her dark brown locks were the same severely straight strands and her makeup was the perfect blend of natural and enhanced. The only stain on her appearance was that vile smile of hers.


    Her friend, I never got her name, was also smiling wickedly. Compared to the mafia princess, the strawberry blonde looked rather subpar in her dull yellow jumpsuit.


    They both reminded me of harpies from the greek mythology. Same evil strain.


    I smiled thinly at them then started to go around them.


    Valentina intercepted me. ¡°Where are you off to so soon? We just ran into each other.¡±


    My smile grew tighter. ¡°Quite unfortunate, but I need to be somewhere.¡±


    Valentina made a mock face of disappointment. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a bummer. I was really hoping we could catch up for a moment, seeing that we¡¯d soon be family.¡±


    Something sour twisted in my belly and quickened my pulse to angry beats. ¡°We could do thatter.¡± I said through gritted teeth and attempted leaving again.


    Valentina grabbed my arm. ¡°How are you feeling now? You seemed in quite a bad state thest time.¡±


    Her friend snickered beside her.


    I pinned Valentina with an icy re, my blood growing hot in my veins. Her faux sweet smile told me she wanted to piss me off, get a rise out of me and I was very tempted to give her what she wanted. With extra spice.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite fine so-¡± I looked down at where she held me, ¡°let go of my arm.¡±


    She dropped my arm the same time her friend tsked, ¡°Well someone seems irritated.¡±


    My facial muscles flexed in restrained anger and I said to the bitch, ¡°Who even are you?¡±


    An affronted scoff puffed out her clinically filled lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know, we¡¯d never be friends anyway.¡±


    ¡°Thank heavens for that.¡±


    Her face reddened with outrage, an appalled gasp leaving her.


    Valentina cut in, ¡°Elena here is my very good friend. We¡¯ve been besties since we were ten.¡±


    My tone was dry. ¡°Cute.¡±


    How have they been friends for that long if Valentina couldn¡¯t even advice the girl on her obvious fashion felony.


    The mafia princess and her bestiemore likeckeywasn¡¯t pleased with my sarcasm. Her dark eyes soon lit up with a sinister glint once more. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a given that she¡¯d be my chief bridesmaid at I and Luca¡¯s wedding-¡±


    The ufortable knot in my stomach winched even harder. I really detested the reminder that she and Luca were to be married.


    Elena beamed at Valentina¡¯s side, giving me a snobbish smirk. One I wanted to wipe off with a pump of my fist.


    ¡°-and though I n to keep the rest of my bridesmaid to no more than four, I¡¯d like you to be one. I¡¯d do you that honor as Luca¡¯s stepsister.¡±


    My mouth parted in disbelief. What a patronizing little bitch. The ¡°honor¡±? So bold of her to think I¡¯d ever want to be part of her vile coven. I was so done with the pretense and underlying hostility.


    I crossed my arms. ¡°Cut the crap Valentina. We both know that you don¡¯t want me as your bridesmaid almost as much as I.¡±


    The corner of her mouth lifted in a humorless smirk. ¡°You¡¯re very right, I¡¯d very much not have you soiling the day with your presence but you know, we have to make such unpleasant sacrifices for the family.¡±


    Her mask of amiability was finally off.


    My smile was devoid of any humor. ¡°To be honest, I understand. You need to bepletely happy when the dayes and not have to worry about your husband-to-be being distracted by the appearance of his former lover.¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°You bitch-¡± Her friend started to say but shut up the moment I stepped right in her face.


    ¡°Call me a bitch again and you¡¯d find out just how well I can throw a punch.¡±


    She stepped back, letting out a mockingugh but the fear in her eyes was unhidden.


    Valentina pushed her aside to face me directly. ¡°Good, you¡¯re aware of what you area former lover. It¡¯s all that you¡¯d ever be. Luca had gotten his fun, now it¡¯s time for the serious thing. I won¡¯t care what you do next, just stay away from us and maybe you and I can get along.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d never get along.¡± I said, tone low from the seething in my chest. ¡°And instead of you worrying about me, why don¡¯t you go put your man in check instead? Had to block his number ¡¯cause he kept blowing up my phone.¡±


    Valentina¡¯s eyes zed with animosity, ignoring the unsure look Elena was giving her.


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you Cara, stay away from my man.¡±


    I took a page from her book and put on a deceptively sweet smile. ¡°Your man doesn¡¯t even believe he¡¯s yours.¡± Flipping my hair, I added the icing to the cake, ¡°not that I care though, I¡¯m done with him and I genuinely hope you finally get to make him yours.¡±


    Turning on my heel, I sauntered away from them, using up all of my self control to not look back and catch the priceless expression I was sure the bitches had.


    I may have lost Luca to Valentina, but I had gained this one victory and oh how good it felt. Steps lighter than before, I made my way back to West Garfield and this time I paid no attention to my surroundings. It was how I didn¡¯t think too much of the blond, handsome man staring in my direction from a shiny, ck Rolls Royce.

 Chapter 78: True Love Confessions

    Cara¡¯s pov


    The dark delight I was feeling died a fast death the moment I walked up to Diana¡¯s apartment building and saw a couple men in ck lining the entrance, three ck cars parked not far off. My muscles tensed up and my first instinct was to turn around and make my escape.


    I bumped into a hard chest.


    ¡°Easy there, Cindere.¡± Santino said, catching me when I fell back. He steadied my footing before releasing me. ¡°Trying to make your escape again?¡±


    I put some space between us, my eyes narrowing. ¡°Were you sent to kidnap me?¡±


    ¡°Kidnap is a strong choice of word,¡± he clutched his pearls. ¡°You wound me.¡±


    I gave him a dry look that conveyed my skepticism.


    He grinned. ¡°Fortunately, no. I¡¯d hate to do it since we¡¯re buddies and all.¡±


    Funny ¡¯cause I¡¯ve only met the guy one time and just recently.


    I folded my arm, ignoring the deranged pang of hurt that Luca hadn¡¯t sent him to get me. ¡°Why else are you here then?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t believe it,¡± his eyes lit up with a twisted kind of excitement, ¡°but I¡¯m here to make sure you don¡¯t run off.¡±


    I wrinkled my nose, puzzled.


    ¡°Go in, Cindere.¡± He gestured at the other men, ¡°ignore all of this.¡±


    How could I? What game was he ying? What game was Luca ying?


    I wanted nothing but to bolt for the hills but Santino was already steering me to the entrance, his pushes gentle yet firm.


    ¡°Santino-¡±


    ¡°Santi.¡±


    I puffed out a frustrated breath. ¡°SANTI, why the hell are those men outside? Why are you here?¡±


    He didn¡¯t need to answer, the answer was leaning legs crossed on the wall.


    Excitement, anger, hurt and a throbbing ache hit me all at once.


    ¡°What the fuck are you doing here?¡±


    Luca pushed away from the wall, looking unusually different. His jacket was askew, his tie wrinkled, hair a mess and there were dark circles around his eyes. He looked like he hadn¡¯t slept since thest time we saw each other. My foolish heart squeezed with concern.


    Santino pped his hands once. ¡°Well, guess my job here is done.¡± He cast Luca a pitying look. ¡°Good luck don, you¡¯d really need it.¡±


    He winked at me before disappearing.


    Then I turned all my rage at the man who broke my heart. ¡°I asked you why the fuck you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°From your tone I can tell you¡¯re still angry. I expected nothing less.¡± He had the audacity to say.


    The anger multiplied two folds. ¡°Did you think I was going to beam at the sight of you? Jump into your arms?¡±


    ¡°Bambina-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have left. That was a very unwise thing to do.¡±


    I immediately went into panic mode. ¡°What, you¡¯re here to drag me away?¡±


    He sounded believable when he said, ¡°I¡¯m here to talk.¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to listen to anything you have to say?¡±


    His eyes took on a smoldering look. ¡°You will and after we¡¯re done talking, we¡¯ll leave together.¡±


    I was full on ready to fight or flee. Or maybe do both. Remember you have a gun Cara. Wait, would I be able to shoot Luca if brought with the opportunity? I could if I hated him right?


    Did I really hate him?


    Luca remained silent as if allowing me to work through my jumbling thoughts and I hated him even more for his keen disposition.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you, neither am I going to talk to you. Now leave.¡± I rushed past him, fiddling with my key in the door lock, my hackles roaring at the inaction from Luca¡¯s end. Why was he not doing anything? Why do keys fail you when you need them the most?


    Why was he silent?


    I whirled around to glower at him. ¡°Are you just going to stand there?¡±


    ¡°Do you prefer I kick the door open instead?¡±


    I blinked at the unexpected response,pletely thrown off. Unable toe up with one of my own, I went back to unlocking the door. It was when the lock twisted open that the implications of his words finally hit me. ¡°You¡¯re not by chance hoping toe in, are you?


    His gaze was imprable. ¡°Where else are we going to talk then?¡±


    ¡°I told you, I have nothing else to say to you.¡±


    He stepped closer, eyes burning intensely. ¡°Well I do, a lot, and I¡¯m not leaving until I¡¯ve said it all.¡±


    I gulped slowly, butterflies bursting into existence in my belly, attempting to flutter away with my frail heart.


    ¡°Give me a chance bambina.¡±


    My voice was barely the brand of hostility I wanted it to be, ¡°I told you not to call me that.¡±


    ¡°It is how I see you.¡± He said in a soft whisper that caressed my ears and tingled my senses.


    ¡°I promised not to let anyone in without informing Diana first.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I¡¯d just said. I was supposed to be cursing him out and sending him back where he came from, not giving him an opportunity to change my mind.


    Was my resolve this weak with him?


    Luca stopped me when I tried to escape into the apartment. ¡°Then we¡¯d talk somewhere else.¡±


    I sawed on my lips. ¡°Why are you doing this? Why can¡¯t you just let me be? You¡¯re getting married for goodness sake.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not? Your father said-¡±


    ¡°My father doesn¡¯t make decisions for me, Cara. He hadn¡¯t in five years.¡±


    ¡°I met Valentina today. She has already decided on the number of her bridesmaids.¡±


    Luca exhaled an annoyed breath but didn¡¯t seem to be surprised.


    ¡°Did you already know that I met her?¡±


    He gave me a look that said he wasn¡¯t sure about telling me the truth. ¡°If you really want to know, you¡¯d have to agree to the conversation first.¡±


    ¡°ckmailing me again.¡± I said with a frown.


    ¡°If it gets you to speak with me then yes I¡¯d do it a million times over.¡±


    ¡°And if I still refuse? You¡¯re forgetting how stubborn I can be.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re forgetting how relentless I can be. If you refuse me today, I¡¯d be back tomorrow and if you refuse me again I¡¯d be back the next and I¡¯d keep returning until you agree to hear me out.¡±


    I gulped in air. ¡°That¡¯s sounds like grounds for a restraining order.¡±


    He ignored my smarty talk, boring me with a look that set my soul on fire.


    I bit harder on my bottom lip, torn between my anger and the sincerity in his eyes. Then I finally gave in. ¡°Fine, I¡¯d listen to you, then you¡¯d leave because I¡¯m going nowhere with you. I meant it when I said it was over between us.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d see about that.¡±


    I sent a nasty stare his way but he just stared at me with an unflinching gaze. I went in to drop Diana¡¯s gift and my coat then I quickly wrote a little note.


    I followed him out, hesitating for a bit before I got into his waiting car. I was wound up the moment I sat down, half scared that I was throwing my freedom away while insanely aware of how close Luca sat next to me. His strong, spicy scent dominated my senses. When he faced me, the raw intensity in his grey depths reached right into my chest and pulled at my heartstrings, slowly influencing my wariness as well as my anger.


    The uncertainty about my wellbeing was seeping away, I couldn¡¯t help but feel safe with him sitting so close. Safe yet heavy with want. Want I swore I was halfway through with getting rid of.


    With a sinking feeling, I realized that it¡¯d take more than just two days of no contact with Luca to get rid of my constant need for him.


    Eyes burning, Luca began, ¡°When I met Valentina ten years ago at my father¡¯s birthday party, she was married to her father¡¯s consigliere.¡±


    Surprise came over my features. The mafia princess had been married?


    ¡°If I remember correctly, I¡¯d been drinking when I left the party to answer a phone call and found her with one of my father¡¯s enforcers in my mother¡¯s garden.¡±


    And she cheated too? Fury bubbled within me, the audacity of the bitch to act so superior and condescending when she was the worst of the ilk.


    Luca carried on with his story. ¡°I¡¯d wanted to kill the enforcer for daring to touch a Don¡¯s daughter and a consigliere¡¯s wife but she¡¯d pleaded on his behalf, begging me to say nothing about the incident. I was feeling merciful at that time or maybe it was just the effects of the vodka, but I granted her wish. Not before cutting of the left pinky of the enforcer. It was a light punishmentpared to what would have happened to him if I¡¯d told don Cortini what had transpired between them.


    She¡¯d tried to seduce me to ensure I kept my word but I pushed her away and left and I didn¡¯t see her again until five yearster at the funeral of her husband who took a bullet to the head for her father. She showed no hint of sadness and loss, I didn¡¯t expect her to, she hadn¡¯t loved the man and she didn¡¯t even wait until the end of the funeral before she began flirting with me.¡±


    Luca¡¯s gaze turned guilty and I knew he was about to say something I wasn¡¯t going to like.


    ¡°We became a thing a few weekster and I enjoyed the simplicity of our rtionship. I assumed she was more mature than the other women I¡¯ve been with, I expected her not to have the silly notions of love that they had since she was part of my world. A world where duty ruled not love. But I was mistaken. She started demanding more, pestering me to marry her and that¡¯s when I left her.


    ¡°Our rtionship onlysted for a year and her father promised her to someone soon after. There was another attack on the don and he and his family moved to Sicily and remained there for years, dying the wedding. She was supposed to finally get married around the time my father married your mother but she called off the wedding and returned to Chicago. The first time you saw her was the first time I did in years.¡±


    I moistened my lips, not knowing where to begin, there was a lot to say. My befuddled brain ran on a hamster wheel, spinning wildly with questions.


    ¡°Say something bambina.¡± Luca prodded softly.


    ¡°What about the time you ran to help her?


    Luca appeared confused by my unexpected question. ¡°What time was that?¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I fiddled with my fingers in myp. ¡°I heard something about you saving her from a fight.¡±


    Luca¡¯s scoff was low. ¡°I didn¡¯t save her from anything. She and her intoxicated friends were causing a ruckus at my club so I went there to break them off and send them on their way.¡±


    His reply made me light with delight. I peeked at him through myshes. ¡°What about the diamond ne?¡±


    ¡°What diamond ne?¡±


    I sucked in a breath. ¡°The one you got Valentina to cheer her up when her brother died.¡±


    I got a frown from him. ¡°I didn¡¯t buy it to cheer her up. She¡¯d tagged along one time I went to Tiffany¡¯s to get Gina a gift and she¡¯d chosen it for herself, said it was her reward for helping me choose Gina¡¯s gift.¡±


    ¡°Was there a time where you slept with her during the time we were together?¡±


    ¡°No. I haven¡¯t been with anyone but you since we got together.¡±


    I bit my lip again, tension spreading through me as my whole body got prepared for what I was about to say next. ¡°As much as it¡¯s nice to hear that, I cannot continue being your regry. I¡­ I don¡¯t want to be that anymore.¡±


    Luca took my chin and lifted my eyes to his. The passion shining in them struck me with wonder.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been my regry.¡± He shut his eyes briefly. ¡°God Cara you have no idea. No idea how much you mean to me.¡±


    Heart pounding, I whispered. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°It was never just sex, bambina. I know deep down somewhere, you know this. I just don¡¯t want your body, I want your thoughts, your time, your smiles, your past, your future and most especially your heart.¡±


    I think the organ just stopped working. I began shaking my head, clearly he didn¡¯t mean that¡­


    ¡°I mean every word. I want all of you, the good and the bad. I¡¯ve wanted you since the morning after our drunk sex.¡±


    ¡°But you hated me.¡±


    ¡°I never did. I was just a fool who couldn¡¯t handle the intense emotions you made me feel.¡±


    My head was ringing, was Luca Salvatore really admitting he was smitten by me? Was this going somewhere further? Like a love confession? I couldn¡¯t stop the leap of hope in my chest.


    Don¡¯t Cara, hoping meant disappointment and disappointment meant heartbreak. Your heart won¡¯t be able to take another.


    Luca pulled me closer, weakening me with his powerful aura. ¡°I want to be more than just your lover. I want to be your support, your friend, your partner. I want you to make me yours as you are mine. I¡¯m done trying to pretend that this thing between us it just a sexual rtionship because it¡¯s not. I need more bambina.¡±


    My mind was reeling, here I was sitting in his car but feeling like I¡¯d been thrown off a cliff.


    ¡°You said this was supposed to be about sex. Our arrangement¡­¡± My words died when I saw the soft smile ying on his lips


    ¡°Did I?¡±


    I was breathless. ¡°You deceived me.¡±


    Luca kissed my eyebrow. ¡°I had to im you somehow.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe it, Luca Salvatore wanted to be with me, so much that he even manipted me into a rtionship. This was even more unbelievable than the time I¡¯d won a thousand dor burrito coupon.


    Desperate for some kind of hold on reality, I said, ¡°okay, maybe you¡¯re overly infatuated with me but our rtionship has always had an expiry date.¡±


    His eyes turned smoky. ¡°You think this is infatuation.¡± A humorlessugh. ¡°Since you don¡¯t get it, I¡¯d spell it out for you. I¡¯m never going to let you go. You¡¯re the only woman for me in this lifetime. I¡¯d die first before I¡¯d let anything happen to you. I can¡¯t function when you¡¯re not near, I can¡¯t fucking breathe properly when you¡¯re not near. I fear for your safety all the time. It hurts me to see you cry and not even the pain of getting stabbed multiple times can bepared to the feeling. You¡¯ve be my single biggest weakness and yet you¡¯re the reason I look forward to tomorrow.¡±


    His jaw tightened. ¡°Cara, if it isn¡¯t any more obvious, what I¡¯m trying to say is that I¡¯m madly and  hopelessly in love with you.¡±


    My mouth dropped and so did my heart.

 Chapter 79: Home Is Where The Heart Is

    Cara¡¯s pov


    We stared at each other, the silence stretched and loud and crammed the car, making it infinitely smaller. I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to blink, every muscle and bone in my body was frozen in time.


    ¡°I love you, bambina.¡± Luca said again.


    Shut the front door.


    My body functions resumed chaotically like a gear that had been inactive for years, my heart pumping wildly and my lungs full of air.


    I began to shake my head. ¡°No, that¡¯s- that¡¯s not right. Made men don¡¯t fall in love. You said it yourself; only duty matters in your world.¡±


    Luca¡¯s thumb was caressing my jawline. ¡°Apparently I was wrong.¡± He said, his tone as gentle as his touch. ¡°Which is humbling because I¡¯m never wrong¡±


    I didn¡¯tugh at the obvious joke, I was not in the mood for jokes. I didn¡¯t even know what I was feeling at the moment. My head was clogged with swirling thoughts, my heart squeezing with fear and expanding with joy.


    It was a mess.


    This was something I¡¯d dreamed of since the moment I realized I was in love with him but now he said it I didn¡¯t know how to take it or believe it. A small part of me even panicked, the part that was afraid of losing his love now that I had it the minute he learns of my past. The minute he discovers I wasn¡¯t the woman he thought me to be.


    ¡°Cara, look at me.¡± Hemanded in a rough whisper.


    I lifted my eyes to meet his full of a new type of emotion, the kind that one in love possessed. My lungs closed in on itself, the pressure so building so rapidly it made my eyes shimmery with tears.


    Luca Salvatore was in love with me.


    The signs hit me one by one. His feral need to ensure I was safe, his detailed understanding of my quirks and personality, the way he¡¯d softened over time¡­ I was such aplete fool not to have recognized any of it.


    He had been in love with me before I even fell for him. I wanted to run across mountains and scream with joy.


    His head dipped down, his lips skimming over mine, rousing goosebumps on my skin. ¡°It drives me crazy not knowing what is going on in that head of yours.¡± When I remained silent, he added, ¡°tell me what you¡¯re thinking.¡±


    I closed my eyes as he kissed my eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ in awe.¡±


    He was now nibbling my neck. ¡°Tell me more.¡± He rumbled against the sensitive skin.


    I fought hard to catch my breath. ¡°I can¡¯t help but wonder why.¡±


    He pulled back to look at me, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Why I am in love with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the single most amazing thing I¡¯ve ever known. Is that enough reason?¡±


    God, I was so happy I could fly. ¡°Who knew you were the smooth talking type.¡±


    He kissed my nose. ¡°You bring it out in me.¡±


    I tilted up to kiss him, desperate for the taste of him. But he pulled out of reach, his eyes scanning my expression.


    ¡°Are we good now? Am I forgiven?¡±


    I¡¯d forgiven him for a while now, probably since the moment he cleared things concerning Valentina but I wasn¡¯t going to be easy on him.


    ¡°Halfway.¡± I said before pressing my lips to his.


    The kiss turned vicious almost immediately, Luca taking ownership of my mouth with a familiar ease. I let him kiss the life out of me.


    When we broke apart to catch our breaths, I asked, ¡°What happens next?¡±


    Luca cupped the back of my neck, drawing me in until there was no space between us, the softness of my chest pressing against the hardness of his.


    ¡°Dering to all who need to hear that you¡¯re mine is what I¡¯d have done but the idea of that scared the shit out of you.¡±


    He was right, just the thought of him telling his family about us had my pulse racing wildly.


    But then again, did I really want to continue being his little secret? Did I really want him to pretend like we were nothing when we were amongst other people? Did I want other women to think that he was still avable?


    It was one rocky situation. I¡¯ve never really resented my mother for marrying ManuelI focused my hatred on the retired godfather insteadbut right now I felt a strong sense of the feeling. If only she wasn¡¯t married to the older Salvatore, Luca and I would have a chance to be together in all sense.


    Knowing I couldn¡¯t give the answer we both wanted to hear, I skipped it over. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t doing that make me the top target of your enemies?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never let anything happen to you bambina.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t guarantee that.¡±


    His eyes turned ck. ¡°Yes, I can. Any man thates after you would be a dead one, whoever he is.¡±


    He looked and sounded so powerful, so convincing and absolute that there was nothing else to do but believe him. A twisted part of me liked it even, the image of him being my very own executioner, ready to kill for me. I should be jarred but it, scared but it had the opposite effect on me. It was how I knew I¡¯d finally lost it.


    Or maybe I¡¯d always been like that and he helped unveiled that side of me.


    I threw my leg over him to straddle him, locking my fingers at the back of his neck as I kissed him again.


    Luca palmed my ass and pulled me closer, one hand snaking up and down my back.


    I poured all of my love into the kiss, moaning as his tongue prodded into my mouth, demanding and marking. I ravished his taste, needing more.


    That need spread across my body like wildfire when I felt his erection press against my core. Control was seeping out of me with impressive speed, leaving a primal hunger.


    Holding tighter to his neck, I began humping against his hardness. We both let out a tortured groan at the sweet friction. My panties was soaked now and I was probably making a mess of Luca¡¯s pants but I didn¡¯t care and it looked like he didn¡¯t either. Desire was igniting between my thighs, the fire growing too hot.


    ¡°I coulde like this.¡± I admitted in a moan, grinding harder against him.


    Luca¡¯s hand found my breast, roving over the supple flesh roughly. I was suddenly so desperate to have him touch me without my stupid clothes in the way. I ground harder against him, gyrating my hips, crazed for his c0ck.


    I nearly lost my mind when Luca began to thrust upwards, meeting my needy humping. I felt the tip of his erection press harder against me and I moved in a such a way that it rubbed against my clit.


    ¡°Oh, yes.¡± I moaned, throwing my head back.


    ¡°Look at you, all desperate for my c0ck. Did you miss it? So much that you dreamed about it staking you? Pounding into your shamelessly needy cunt?¡±


    Sheesh, that mouth. It was hot and lethal.


    ¡°Dream on.¡± I rasped.


    We both knew that I had but I wasn¡¯t going to admit it outright. It¡¯d make me pathetic. I was supposed to give the image of a scorned woman not a horny bitch in heat pining after the man that hurt her emotionally.


    Luca mmed harder against me as if to punish me for lying which was quite audacious considering the  situation.


    I moaned again, feeling myself edging close, release a couple of seconds ahead. I caught Luca¡¯s eyes, they were a raging storm of desire and they were trained on me in the way that sent crackling energy zapping through me.


    He was so goddamm beautiful.


    I humped faster, moaning as his hand disappeared under my dress and started stroking my inner thigh. They snaked closer to my center, found my clit and flicked it once.


    Twice.


    Three times.


    ¡°That¡¯s it baby,e on my pants.¡±


    His words triggered me and I came apart, my entire body vibrating as currents of pleasure shook through me. I dropped against him, my teeth clenching and my toes curling. I was scorched clean.


    Luca held me tight all through the rippling experience, his mouth breathing hard against mine as I quivered on top of his rock hard c0ck.


    We stayed like that for another minute, our hearts thumping in sync.


    I¡¯de with barely any action from him and I did so hard it put my solo pleasure sessions to shame. There was no clearer indication that he owned my body and not even I could give it the shattering pleasure he gave it.


    It was almostughable.


    I reached down to stroke Luca, wanting to reciprocate the what I¡¯d so selfishly wrung from him. He jerked into my hands, his dick obviously happy to see me. However he stopped me.


    ¡°No.¡± He said sharply, shaking his head like it pained him to. ¡°When Ie, I want to be inside you.¡± He leaned into the crook of my neck. ¡°Go pack your things so we can leave.¡±


    The promise hidden in his tone was unmistakable and it made my heart dance with anticipation. But¡­


    I shook my head. ¡°I can¡¯t leave just like that, I need to inform Diana and hand over the spare key. I especially can¡¯t leave without thanking her for her hospitality first.¡±


    ¡°Write her a note, send a text, callter. Whichever of the three. As for the spare key, my men will make sure she gets it.¡±


    It has only been a hot minute yet bossy Luca was back. And it was embarrassing, but I loved it.


    I got off him, my cheeks coloring at the stains I¡¯d left on the front of his pants. He kissed me onest time before letting me exit the car.


    I made a conscious effort not to look in the direction of the living statues keeping watch as I basically scurried back to the apartment.


    I was over with gathering my things shortly after, the stolen gun securely hidden right at the bottom of my duffel. As I sauntered into the living room, I briefly wondered if Luca even noticed the pistol was missing. If he did, well, he gave no indication.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I quickly penned Diana another note, thanking her for her wonderful hospitality with a vague exnation on why I was leaving. I added a promise to visit because I felt strangely guilty. Giving the cozy ce onest scan, I walked out the door.


    Luca was holding the car door open when I returned. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± He said and my heart tripped.


    Let¡¯s go home¡­


    Two days ago that word had sounded all wrong but not anymore. Home, it was where Luca was.

 Chapter 80: Ti Amo

    Cara¡¯s pov


    Traffic was pretty hectic and it took us longer to get to his ce. Sergio and the boys were waiting at the entrance when we arrived and I was suddenly sheepish when I met their stern looks.


    ¡°You gave us quite the scare, Signorina.¡± Sergio said.


    ¡°You should be a spy for the government.¡± Nino mumbled.


    My face flushed pink and I raised my chin with indignance. ¡°Nice to see you too boys. I won¡¯t ask you if you missed me because I know you did.¡±


    They stared at me nkly but I knew they were fighting off a snort or a sneer for their boss¡¯ benefit. If not Sergio, definitely Nino.


    Luca dismissed them not before giving them a list of instructions I didn¡¯t understand then we headed inside.


    ¡°They won¡¯t get in trouble because of me right?¡± I had to ask because if I remembered correctly, they¡¯d gotten into some kind of hot water the time Mr Edwards thrashed my apartment.


    ¡°No. Only because they weren¡¯t on guard duty that night.¡±


    Well that was relieving, I didn¡¯t want to be responsible for several severed pinkies. And it wasn¡¯t just because I didn¡¯t want that on my conscience, I liked the boys too much to let that happen to them.


    I was hit with a strange feeling ofpletion when Luca pushed the ¡°PH¡± button.


    He turned to me and captured my lips, kissing me all through the ride up, biting and soothing, nibbling and licking, the both of us going feral for the same thing him deeply lodged inside me.


    Luca stepped out first when the elevator opened to his foyer and beckoned for me, smoky eyes burning as he waited for me to take his outstretched hand.


    I did, excitement spiking across my chest as let him lead me to the living room. A certain kind of content came over me as I took in the familiar nes of the ce. I¡¯d missed being here, with Luca, doing all sorts of other things asides living.


    ¡°It was never the same without you.¡± Luca said, bringing me to look at him.


    I licked my lip at the earnest light to his eyes. ¡°Take me to the bedroom.¡± I basically pleaded.


    I was lifted off my feet and carried up the stairs, wedding style. Luca devoured my lips as he whisked me into the bedroom, growing more fervent as he settled me into therge, soft bed.


    ¡°Strip for me baby.¡± He rasped, his gaze eating me up as I began to unbutton my shirt dress. I finished with thest button and shrugged it off, never feeling as desirable as I did right now. Luca was going to scorch me clean with the lust in his pools of grey.


    ¡°I missed this perfect body so much.¡± He said in a throaty voice, taking in my red two piece lingerie in appreciation.


    I eyed his fully clothed body. ¡°I missed yours too.¡± Just because I was feeling naughty, I added, ¡°especially your c0ck.¡±


    Luca¡¯s smile was amused. He spread my legs apart and positioned his hips between them, his eyes zing as he stared at my swollen breasts. ¡°You love my c0ck. It¡¯s an obsession.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t get any denial from me.¡±


    I moaned when he popped a boob out of my lingerie cup, kneading the swell of flesh with his calloused palm.


    ¡°Your tits are the most beautiful pair. So ripe and responsive and fucking perfect.¡± He twisted the jutting nipple, sending goosebumps rippling across my heated skin. ¡°When you were just newly introduced to the family, I used to stare at them all the time, wondering what it¡¯d be like to take them in my mouth and suck on them, what it¡¯d be like to fuck them with my c0ck.¡±


    I moaned again, his words driving me insane. It was a wonder how he could say such filthy things while looking at me like I hung the sun.


    He dropped down to the flushed flesh, rolling his hot, wet tongue around my are.


    I bucked against his lips. ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    His breath was hot against the wet skin when he spoke again, ¡°I used to obsessively fantasize about them but nothing beats the real thing. None of my fantasies could hold a candle to how you actually taste and feel.¡±


    An embarrassing whimper left my mouth when he went back to sucking and licking me, his hand reaching for the other boob and yanking it out of thecy cup. I gripped his hair as he switched to it, giving it the same exquisite pleasure he¡¯d given the first.


    Eyes shut, I sighed. ¡°Oh, Luca.¡±


    ¡°So sulent and sweet. They tease my tongue.¡± Once he¡¯d left that one wet and aching as well, he drew away from me, dark excitement in his expression. ¡°I want to watch you y with them and your pussy.¡±


    I was caught off guard. ¡°Like now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, bambina. Touch yourself for me.¡±


    I moistened my lips, unsping my bra and discarding it before my hands tentatively came up to my sensitive mounds. I squeezed and I kneaded, watching Luca watch me.


    It was the hottest thing.


    Desire bloomed hotter and my hands grew bolder, I reached for my pussy and stroked, bucking slightly at the contact, swollen with need.


    Hooking my fingers underneath my thong, I ripped it down till it hung from one ankle and then I went back to touching myself, drawing pleasure from my hands and Luca¡¯s heated gaze.


    ¡°Fuck! Bambina.¡± Luca growled when I started to finger myself, working my walls like a drill.


    His hand found his fly and he got out of his briefs and pants, his erection jutting at my erection. I wanted to fist it and shove it inside me.


    He did away with the rest of his clothes and I feasted my eyes on his celestial body, his sculpted torso, thick shoulders, narrow waist and yet again, his impressive c0ck.


    I feasted my eyes on all of him, the sight better than watching porn. My fingers moved faster.


    He stroked himself, his pace soon matching my frantic fingers. ¡°Who do you think of when you rub your pretty clit.¡±


    My answer came without hesitation. ¡°You.¡±


    ¡°Whose mouth do you imagine eating your pink pussy lips?¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I was nearing heaven. ¡°Yours,¡± I said with a small cry.


    ¡°Whose c0ck do you want plowing in and out of it?¡± Luca said between grunts, his hips thrusting into his strokes, tiny drops of semen spilling out of his engorged crown.


    That did it for me.


    ¡°Mmmm, yours. Yours Luca, only yours.¡± I cried aloud as my pussy quivered around my fingers. I drew them out and worked my vulva like a DJ, hips lifting off the bed, following my sky high orgasm. The second one and Luca was yet to fuck me.


    He stopped touching himself, watching me as I came undone. ¡°So freaking sexy, so gorgeous and amazing.¡± He praised and I was hot all over again.


    Praise kink, slut kink, everything the man did was a massive turn on.


    He sat back on his haunches. Cupping the back of my neck, he pulled me up to his hard body and seized my willing lips. Our tongues together, doing a mating dance.


    ¡°I have to take you now or I¡¯d explode.¡± He said in a hoarse breath, hooking an arm under one thigh to lift me towards him and then he pushed inside me.


    Home, we found home.


    I wrapped the leg he wasn¡¯t holding around his narrow waist. The gesture leaving mepletely levitated from the bed. My hands crawled up his back and held on tightly as he drove into me with slow,nguid thrusts that rattled my senses and soothed my core.


    ¡°Ever so wet, ever so tight, ever so mine.¡± Luca drawled at my ear.


    ¡°Deeper, I want it deeper.¡± I begged, my nails digging into his back. If they caused him pain, he gave no reaction.


    ¡°And you¡¯ll get it baby. You¡¯ll get anything you want. I¡¯d give you anything you want.¡±


    The promise caused me to whimper sound unintelligible, along with the deep drives of hips than followed. Luca¡¯s free hand, sneaked into my hand and held firmly, keeping my head in ce as we stared intensely at each other.


    I was a fiery ball of sensations, ve to the beautiful feel of him stretching me out, filling me,pleting me. The point where we were joined slowly faded, leaving twopletely fused bodies, now made one. I felt what he felt and he felt what I did.


    ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as this, no such thing as you. There never will be.¡± Luca was saying.


    I lifted my hips even higher, wanting more, needing more. Crazed for him.


    ¡°You make me feel like I¡¯ve just begun living.¡± The confession slipped out of my lips before I could stop it.


    Surprise crept into Luca¡¯s eyes, lighting them up with unmistakable delight. Then they darkened, tainted with an expression that sent my heart palpitating in my chest.


    With a grunt, his thrusts grew forceful, more desperate yet holding on to the steady pace. My forehead copsed to his, my eyesing closed, more pleasure induced nonsense, spilling out of my lips.


    ¡°No, bambina. Open your eyes, watch what you do to me, watch me love you.¡±


    Tears brewed in my eyes and I couldn¡¯t fight the sob that broke out. ¡°Oh, Luca¡­¡±


    I ate up the sight of his gorgeous face, his hungry, hooded eyes, his sexyshes, his beautiful lips begging to be kissed. Sweat matted his hair to his forehead and trickled down his temple.


    He was mine, this greek god of a mafia boss with thousands at hismand belonged to me. God had looked down on my pitiful life and decided to bless me with him. I suddenly knew I didn¡¯t want to ever let him go and I¡¯d bury anything that would jeopardize that, including my past.


    I leaned in and sucked hard on his bottom lip, loving as he groaned like a feral bear.


    ¡°Damn it woman,¡± he hissed with a thrust. ¡°You-¡± thrust, ¡°fucking-¡± thrust, ¡°consume-¡± thrust, ¡°me.¡±


    I moaned aloud, scratching at his back as I threw my head back. ¡°Fuck, yes. Fuck me just like that. I want toe on your c0ck.¡±


    His grip on my hair tightened and his mouth found my neck. I bucked when he bit down. ¡°Thene baby. Come apart on this c0ck begging for your pleasure, needy for your love. Come so hard your sweet pussy hole stays forever marked by me. Come for me amore mio.¡±


    Pleasure, zing and shattering crashed through like a terrible storm.


    Rapturous, scalding, devastating.


    I cried out like a possessed woman going through an exorcism. Shudders pulsing throughout my body like the spirits guing me.


    ¡°I fucking adore you.¡± Luca growled aloud as I fisted and quaked around him. Over and over and over again.


    I held on tight as his own release exploded, a low bellow bursting from his chest. His thick cock jerked inside me repeatedly, emptying into me.


    ¡°Keep iting.¡± Luca rasped against my neck when I kept convulsing around him. ¡°Keep milking me, fuck!¡±


    The eruptionssted another minute and Luca doesn¡¯t stop fucking me through until the veryst. Another cry wrenched from my chest as I arched into him.


    We copsed to the mattress, Luca dropping gently on top of me.


    ¡°My God, bambina.¡± He said through pants, brushing kisses all over my face.


    I listened breathlessly as he began murmuring in Italian, understanding not the words but the passion in his tone. He rolled to the side, pulling me along. I scooted into him, my hand syed on his hard, heaving chest.


    ¡°Ti amo.¡±


    I didn¡¯t realize what I¡¯d said even when he stilled immediately and drew back. The shock permeating his features gave it away.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± He whispered softly, searching my expression with him smoky eyes.


    I bit down on my lips as if to stop myself from speaking.


    Noting my reluctance, he went back to spooning, shockingly letting it go. ¡°You will say it again, that I know.¡± He said with so much conviction.


    I burrowed deeper into his chest, giving no reply. I didn¡¯t need to, it was clear that the both of us knew he was right.

 Chapter 81: Weak spot

    Luca¡¯s pov


    For the first time in my life I wasn¡¯t looking forward to breaking bones and inflicting other forms of pain. The act used to be my very own therapy session and I relished in the tortured cries of men that had made the single mistake of pissing me off. But as I walked down to the basement, to carry out a long overdue judgment, I felt less anticipation and enthusiasm. My mind was elsewhere, my body wanted to be where my mind was. But I couldn¡¯t indulge the need and it pissed me the fuck off.


    Cara should be at work for her afternoon shift by now and as much as I wanted toe up with an excuse to seek her at Rico¡¯s, I had a million things to do. Things I¡¯d ignored over the past week because I¡¯d been too busy spending time with her.


    We basically acted like we were newly weds on their honeymoon. And in a way, we were. Our rtionship had begun on a fresh te, there were still things that needed to be addressed, things that were yet to be unearthed but we were doing much better. We were much secure.


    All we¡¯d done in the past seven days was make love, talk, have fun together and make love again, the cycle continuing. All without leaving the confines of the penthouse. I¡¯d dismissed my men taking guard within the perimeter because I and Cara went at sex like addicts. We fucked everywhere: in the shower stall, in the bathtub, in my office, on the kitchen counter, against the library shelves, against the living room windows, in the pool, on a terrace deck chair¡­ even the foyer wasn¡¯t spared. Cara had liked the idea of the elevator doors sliding open to some unsuspecting person walking in on us.


    There was no nook and cranny in the ce that we hadn¡¯t made sexy, hot memories. Memories that haunted me up to this moment. I wanted her at all times.


    I¡¯d learned more about her these few days than all the long months I¡¯d known her for. I now know she eats her chips with mustard instead of ketchup, that she hates watermelon, that her favorite color was surprisingly dark blue and not green like I¡¯d thought, that she wanted to be a social worker and was top 5 in her fashion department.


    I learned that she was scared of millipedes and that she wrapped up broken ss in multiple stic bags secured by tapes before discarding them in the trash can so it doesn¡¯t hurt stray cats scavenging for food. I learned so many amazing things about her and I fell in love with her all over again.


    I would love nothing else but to be in her arms at the moment, learning and discovering more but I had to deal with Alesky and Ro Amato first and just like I said before, it made me all the more pissed. Which was not a good thing for the dirtbags.


    ¡°Boss, you need to hear this.¡± One of my high ranking soldiers came up to me the second I arrived at the basement.


    My eyes coated around the ce until theynded on a half beaten Alesky and Ro, the two of them ring at each other with unbridled hate. It was clear that the only thing keeping them from lunging at each other was the tight restraint holding up their worn bodies to two metal boards mounted beside each other.


    Well something interesting had been going on in my absence.


    It made me smile.


    ¡°It would be a lie if I said I wasn¡¯t curious to know what had incited this unexpected development.¡± I mused.


    The soldier tugged on his cor ¡°Yes boss about that-¡±


    ¡°Don Salvatore, you¡¯re finally here. I was beginning to think that you genuinely forgot you locked us in here.¡± Ro said, his breaths heavy and wheezy.


    I sped my hand behind my back, my expression nonchnt. ¡°I tried to Ro, believe me when I say I thought about leaving you here to rot away but it¡¯s really hard to forget dickheads that stabbed you in the back.¡±


    Ro¡¯s temple throbbed and his lips twitched nervously. He looked like a desperate gambler on hisst stake. ¡°You might be forgiving when you hear what I have for you, what I¡¯d been wanting to tell you.


    I quirked a brow at the same time Alesky red at him.


    ¡°Changing your stance already?¡± I mused.


    His smile was pressed. ¡°I have to live, my- my wife, she¡¯s due October.¡±


    I stared unblinkingly at him, amused by his audacity. ¡°We¡¯re still in June. Plenty of time for her to get a new husband.¡±


    ¡°Don Salvatore-¡±


    ¡°Speak again and I¡¯ll rip your lips apart.¡±


    Ro swallowed, his lips pressing together.


    I took off my jacket, handing it the nearest soldier. Both bastards eyed me waringly when I began to roll up the sleeves of my ck dress shirt and yes, the color was no coincidence. I¡¯d specifically worn ck for today.


    Can¡¯t return to Cara a bloodied mess.


    ¡°Like I said, I¡¯d have left you here to rot but we have a very limited number of cells you see, and more idiots like you keep springing up. Can¡¯t have you upying space for too long.¡±


    ¡°Oh cut the crap Salvatore, you never nned on leaving us here. We all know you¡¯ve been taking your sweet time deciding on the most twisted way to deal with us. It¡¯s something a sick bastard like you would do.¡±


    The curve of my lips was just what he described. ¡°You know me so well, Alesky. I¡¯m almost touched.¡± The smile died the next instant. ¡°So you should imagine my surprise when you went and did the single most stupid shit to piss me off royally.¡±


    His mocking smirk was reced by a seething sneer. ¡°The Mikhalov prick offered me a better deal, what was I supposed to do? Not take it?¡±


    ¡°If you valued your life and that of your men over greed, yes.¡± I said, moving to my prized collection of torture devices.


    Thumbscrews, pliers, kunai knives, an heretic¡¯s fork, an instep borer, a spanish tickler and even a priced pear of anguish I¡¯d acquired at an illegal auction.


    And a lot more.


    Ro snickered and Alesky shot him a re before focusing back on me, animosity fanning the fire in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯d never get away with this.¡±


    I picked up a dart. ¡°I actually have.¡±


    ¡°My men wille for you. They must be finalizing their attack ns by now.¡± He snarled.


    Ro rolled his eyes.


    I flicked the kunai between my fingers. ¡°Your men are currently fugitives, their biggest concern is how to escape the country without being caught by the police.¡±


    Even if I was yet to take care of the rest of the Polish mob, and they were actually mobilizing an attack, the fool¡¯s weak attempt to scare me would have ruined that for them. I¡¯d havee up with a preemptive strike, all thanks to his babbling. The Polish mob had really been run by a total idiot.


    Alesky¡¯s silence told me he was stunned into silence or maybe it was just fear and the realization that he¡¯dpletely lost.


    Just to rub salt to injury, I said, ¡°By the way, I got yourtest container. The Columbians sure know their stuff. My clients loved it.¡±


    ¡°YOU FUCKING-¡±


    I flinged my kunai in one fluid motion.


    He screamed in pain, his eyes ncing at the sharp metal now settled firmly in left his kneecap. They grew twice their original size.


    Ro was also staring at it in fear, visibly swallowing, his gaze slowly turning to me. He started to fight uselessly at the restraints keeping all of his limbs fastened to the board as I drew nearer.


    ¡°I have something for you, remember? You cannot kill me until you hear it.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I can torture you until you tell me. Keep trying to bargain with me and I might just move you to The Strappado, see how you like your arms pulled back to the point of dislocation.¡±


    Blood drained from Ro¡¯s face, his mouth parting in a gasp.


    ¡°Speak, before I get any more angry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Mikhalov, he- he knows your stepsister is your weakness. In the meeting before ourst, he mentioned a n to take her as a hostage. Use her to make you do whatever he wants.¡±


    My blood went cold. ¡°And how does he know this?¡±


    Ro began to tremble. He ttened his bank against the board as if to put more space between us, a futile attempt to escape the burning force of my stare.


    Alesky sneered beside him. ¡°Don Ro here was the most excellent spy. It hadn¡¯t taken much for us to know that the blondie meant a lot to you. Especially after you supposedly shielded her with your body during the wedding party attack.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°To be frank, I¡¯d found it unbelievable. The infamous soulless Luca Salvatore risked his own life for a woman that wasn¡¯t even family. It was as believable as pigs flying.¡±


    Red crept into my vision as demons awoke inside of me. A deathly shadow wrapped around me, I was beyond livid.


    It was suddenly obvious why the both of them had been ring at each other when I walked in. Ro had made his intention to save himself by ratting out and Alesky had been against it.


    Once a rat, always a rat.


    Ro became even paler as he recognized whatever he saw in my expression. He flinched when I stepped closer until there was only a couple of inches of space between us.


    His n was backfiring, he¡¯d basically shot himself in his own foot.


    ¡°Don Salvatore- Luca, I can exin. Give me a chance, I swear-¡±


    Alesky let out a loud snort. ¡°Ohe off it, Amato. There¡¯s nothing to ex-¡±


    ¡°Soldier.¡± The single word came in amanding rumble and a bullet was whizzing past me, lodging itself in Alesky¡¯s throat.


    His pupils dted, shock permeating his face as blood spritzed out of his neck profusely, gurgling sound pouring out of his mouth.


    Ro watched, frozen as Alesky eventually stilled, his face stuck in a permanent expression of shock.


    He began to writhe and jerk against his restraints.


    ¡°I¡¯d been easy on you even after knowing you¡¯dmitted the biggest sin in our world. You broke the omerta and yet I¡¯d spared your life up to this moment.¡± I backed away from him and returned to my torture collection.


    ¡°Now,¡± I continued, picking up a sashimi knife, ¡°you¡¯re going to taste hell on earth.¡±


    The bastard began to stop like a fucking baby. ¡°No, Don. Luca, please, remember that we¡¯re family. That I¡¯m a crucial member of the Cosa-¡±


    ¡°Have you ever watched a chef skin a fish?¡± I flipped the knife, moving back to where he was. ¡°The carefulness, the precision that is exercised so as to not cut it the wrong way and let the bitter parts affect the meat.¡±


    His nostrils red with dread. ¡°You n on skinning me¡­ like an animal. Like a fucking fish.¡±


    I paused in front of him. ¡°Just your limbs.¡± I replied with an impassive tone. ¡°And unlike a chef, I n on using such skill to ensure that you stay alive for the rest of the ride I have in store for you.¡±


    I put the sharp de to the skin of his stretched out arm. ¡°I will leave you with an experience so heinous you¡¯d remember it in your next life.¡±


    Then I shed.


    ***


    Cara was already asleep by the time I returned to our bed, looking like a peaceful angel as she inhaled and exhaled soft breaths of air.


    I sat quietly at her vanity, watching her and thinking. My heart constricted with the love I felt for her and an acute sense of anxiety as I wondered what next Alexei Mikhalov was up to. How far he nned to go.


    Unlike other matters I couldn¡¯t think with a logical mind when it came to Cara. My thoughts were emotional but they were also vtile. Cara hummed softly in her sleep, a soft smile appearing on her face. She was obviously having a good dream.


    She unconsciously reached for my side of the bed, pulling my pillow close to her plush chest and the band around my heart tightened even harder. Cara was dreaming about us, about me and it sent a balmy feeling over me in spite of my turmoil.


    Alexei might think he¡¯d hit the jackpot with how to destroy me this time but he was dead wrong. Cara was my weakness alright but she was also my greatest strength.


    I hadn¡¯t been lying when I said I¡¯d burn the world for her if I had to. The bratva¡¯s boss was about to discover the madman I could be for her sake.

 Chapter 82: Warning signs

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°What¡¯s the secret?¡± Diana asked as we settled in the room Luca had renovated into a mini staff lounge. A project he admitted he was only propelled to do after noticing I and Diana sat on upside down crates in the supply room during our lunch break.


    ¡°What secret?¡± I asked, watching as Diana bit into the homemade churros I¡¯d made this morning after breakfast with Luca. Even though he had practically walked me all through the process.


    I¡¯d been learning how to cook from him and so far, it¡¯s been an uneventful journey and that¡¯s only because we usually forget the cooking and jump each other halfway.


    I¡¯d tried to be serious one time and put my foot down by confessing that I felt bad that he and Salma, his part time cook, did all the cooking while I justzed around the house like a bum.


    His response was, ¡°You feed me just fine, bambina.¡± And I hadn¡¯t missed the way his eyes had roved up and down my body.


    I¡¯d moved in for a kiss and the rest was history.


    That was how our cooking sses went and so far, the only thing I¡¯d perfected was his omelet recipe. I might have to get a new teacher, one that actually wants to teach me and not fuck me all the time.


    Diana was rolling her eyes at my question. ¡°This secret to this eternal glow you now seem to have.¡± She said between munchs.


    My cheeks grew warm, a foreign feeling of shynessing over me. Was my happiness that obvious? I hoped not or it wouldn¡¯t take much for people to figure out the reason behind llit. Just one appearance from Luca and Diana would be putting two and two together.


    Still, it was hard containing the feeling these days. My rtionship with Luca had improved for the better and it was nothing like I¡¯ve ever experienced. I¡¯d quickly discovered the mafia boss was the perfect lover. He was sweet and attentive and when he wasn¡¯t, he was rocking my world with hot, devastating orgasms.


    I had that constant sex glow on me, reason being to the amount of times we had sex. Luca was always touching me and 99. 9% of the time, it led to coital bliss. Usually, he took me home hard and fast and hungrily while the other times, it was slow and loving. I loved it either way.


    The man couldn¡¯t get enough of me and I, too, couldn¡¯t get enough of him.


    Just this morning I¡¯d woken up to him eating me out. I¡¯d first thought I was dreaming because he hadn¡¯te home earlyst night so I¡¯d slept alone, yearning for him.


    Pools of heat gurgled in my belly as I relived the memory; his hot tongue flicking inside me, his lips sucking and nibbling, doing an excellent job of electrifying me.


    ¡°You taste so delicious in the morning,¡± his deep voice had rumbled against my pussy lips, making them quake with pleasure. ¡°The most delicious breakfast.¡±


    The sound of his voiceing from below had been a dead giveaway that I hadn¡¯t been dreaming. My eyes flew open at once, fluttering as my vision focused and the fog of sleep cleared from my mind. A new wave of current zapped through me when they¡¯d settled on Luca¡¯s face between my thighs, ravaging my pussy while fully dressed in a grey suit.


    There was no time to ask at what point he¡¯d returned and gotten ready to leave again because he did something with his tongue that had me bucking and crying in pleasure.


    He¡¯d made us mac and cheese after, then helped me with the churros. Before I saw him off, he had kissed me so thoroughly my world tipped on its axis and then he promised me another mind blowing orgasmter today.


    You could say I was living a girl¡¯s best dream.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Diana eximed from across me.


    I suddenly remembered that I was in herpany.


    ¡°It¡¯s a man isn¡¯t it?¡± She asked in excitement, leaning into the table. ¡°The guy from the night you showed up at my house.¡± Her brows furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s it? Did he apologize? With flowers and choctes and a good dick time?¡±


    Myugh was shaky. ¡°Um¡­ none of that.¡± I blushed again. ¡°Except for thest bit.¡± Noticing how that made Luca sound like a bum, I rushed to add, ¡°he confessed to being in love with me and made it clear that he wanted it to be a lifetime thing but¡­¡±


    Diana scrunched up her nose. ¡°But what?¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m too damaged by my past to ept that at the moment but he¡¯s being patient.¡± Luca hadn¡¯t pressed me about the subject, he never tried to get me to confess my love since my slip up that night. All he¡¯d been doing is showing me his love for me and to be frank it was weakening my hesitation.


    ¡°An understanding man,¡± Diana mused. ¡°You¡¯re one lucky girl.¡±


    I beamed, my heart dancing. I was indeed lucky. Just like Diana pointed out, Luca was being unusually understanding and it made me love him all the more. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s the best.¡±


    Diana licked a crumb from her lip. ¡°Can¡¯t rte. All  the men I¡¯ve known are giant babies that only care about their own needs.¡±


    I nodded in agreement. All the men I¡¯ve known before Luca were just that as well.


    I flicked a nce at Diana, wondering if she¡¯d still be supportive of my rtionship if she found out who I was with. I mean, it¡¯s evident she approved of Luca but will she continue to if she learned it was him? I really hated leaving her in the dark.


    She continued to munch obliviously on the churros. ¡°By the way, these are freaking yum. I thought you said you couldn¡¯t cook.¡±


    ¡°I still can¡¯t. Basically ny percent of the work was done by- well, him.¡±


    Diana stared nkly at me before breaking out in a huge grin. ¡°Girl, you won!¡±


    I tucked my hair behind my ear, preening like a schoolgirl.


    ¡°An understanding man that cooks? And cooks this good? You¡¯re basically God¡¯s favorite!¡± Her green eyes darkened with mischief and I knew something I didn¡¯t want to hear wasing. ¡°So, who is he and does he have any brothers you could introduce me to?¡±


    I ignored the first bit of the question. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have brothers.¡±


    She pouted in disappointment. ¡°Friends?¡±


    My forehead creased. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because like minds attract silly.¡± She responded with a sharp tap on the table. ¡°Men have a very particr mind, they aren¡¯t variable like us women. So they¡¯re mostly friends with guys just like them. It¡¯s why their boy convos are only about their shared passion, sports, girls and sex.¡±


    Well that was amusing to hear. Luca and Dominic did share a passion for blood andmitting crimes but I don¡¯t think they sat around to discuss sports, Santino probably did though. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Diana nodded once. ¡°Now tell me if he got one.¡±


    I bit my lip in hesitation, unsure on what to tell her. I didn¡¯t want to encourage her, mainly because I never wanted her to know that the man we were gushing about was my stepbrother AND our boss. The other reason why I didn¡¯t want to say anything was because she was better off as a nun than with an assh0le like Dominic. Santino on the other hand was a cool guy but he struck me as a massive yboy.


    My phone buzzed in my pocket, adding to my agitation. I ignored it.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t.¡± I blurted out the lie.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Diana frowned. ¡°No friends?¡±


    ¡°They live far away¡­ in Maine.¡±


    Cara the liar extraordinaire.


    Diana cocked her head. ¡°Well that¡¯s interesting and disappointing.¡± Shemented even though she looked anything but disappointed.


    She went back to eating her churros while I reached for my buzzing phone. My heart lurched when I saw that it was from Luca.


    Waiting for you at the whorehouse.


    Rushed through my schedule just so I could see you this early.


    I had to stop myself from grinning like a fool as I sent a reply.


    Ur so obsessed with me ??


    His came in an instant. You have no idea.


    I dropped my phone back in my pocket, waiting a few minutes while simultaneously preparing the basic lie I was going to give Diana.


    After a few seconds of faking difort, I excused myself for the bathroom. I immediately darted for the direction of the secret passage Luca showed me, asionally looking back like a criminal on the run. Luckily for me, the guards fromst time weren¡¯t the ones at the entrance so it was easy to get in without burning with embarrassment.


    The ce was just as stimting as thest time, men and women doing everything decadent. I tried not to get swept up by the sight and made my way to the room I and Luca had usedst.


    The door opened before I knocked. ¡°That took longer than I expected.¡± Luca drawled, wrapping his big hands around my waist and pulling me in, at the same time kicking the door shut.


    I giggled when he began to kiss my neck the next second. ¡°I had to make my bathroom lie believable enough. Can¡¯t have Diana knowing I was leaving her for a good fuck time with the boss.¡±


    Luca peppered hot kisses on my corbone. ¡°Left for me, I couldn¡¯t care less if she knows.¡±


    Icy chills ran across my skin even as molten heat bubbled in my stomach when he caressed the side of my breasts through my halter dress. I could finally see why he¡¯d gotten rid of the itchy Rico¡¯s staff uniform. It didn¡¯t make forey this sexy.


    ¡°We¡¯d have to be quick because my lunch break would be over soon.¡± I whispered harshly as I tugged on his already half unbuttoned shirt and started to work on the rest.


    ¡°No one is going to fire you, bambina.¡± He said before biting softly on my earlobe. ¡°I¡¯m the boss, remember?¡±


    I could feel his huge dick pressing against my stomach and I worked faster on his shirt, moaning in approval when he licked the swell of my exposed cleavege.


    Lifting me by my ass, he carried me to the bed and sat on it, pulling me down to straddle him before kissing me. The kiss was at full burn, a firestorm of passion.


    I reached down for the zipper of his pants, the same time his hand crept up my back to undone the strings of my halter.


    Luca broke off the kiss, eyes dark with heat. ¡°Lift your hips for me, baby.¡± He ordered.


    I obeyed at once, leftpletely malleable from the kiss. I would do anything he asked if it meant I could quench this raging need between my legs. He wrenched my dress up and dragged my panties down, thatstcy barrier to sweet homing.


    I sessfully undid his zipper and unsheathed the prize inside. Luca flipped us over in sh, giving me the hottest look a man could ever possess as he lined himself at my throbbing entrance.


    Pleasure was a second away, I could finally get to have him right where I needed him sheathed deeply between my legs.


    I was this close to getting properly railed, but a knock at the door ruined everything. It cut through the charged silence, unweing and unwanted.


    Luca and I groaned aloud.


    ¡°Ignore it,¡± I whispered hoarsely the same time Luca thrusted his tip into me.


    Air whooshed out of my lungs and a gasp of tortured pleasure escaped from me.


    The knocking began again and with a little more impatience.


    Luca cursed violently and he did the least expected thing, he pulled out.


    I was hit with an acute sense of loss, the ache returning with a vengeance. I sat up, staring at him in silent questioning.


    ¡°There¡¯s only one person that dares to interrupt me this way.¡± Came his only exnation.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± I asked, watching with growing worry as he got fixed his appearance.


    He leaned in to kiss me on my neck. ¡°I hope not.¡± He pulled away. ¡°Stay right here, I¡¯d be back in a second.¡±


    I wanted nothing but to follow him to the door but I obeyed and remained where I was. Luca opened the door but not wide enough for me to see who was on the other side. He slipped out and closed the door behind him.


    I was left in thepany of total silence and I busied myself by guessing who the interrupter was. It was probably Dominic, in fact, I was sure it was. I didn¡¯t think any other man could be so bold. I considered Santino for a bit, but he was too unpredictable.


    I nearly jolted out of my skin when Luca stormed back in looking like a man who was about to lose his shit.


    ¡°Cara, we need to leave.¡± He gave me a look that chilled my bones. ¡°Now!¡±


    What the hell had happened out there?

 Chapter 83: Weak link

    Double pov


    Cara


    Fear splintered through my veins as I unconsciously got up from the bed. My mind was foggy and confused. ¡°Luca, what is it?¡±


    Luca dragged me to him, deftly fixing my halter in a matter of seconds then dropped to pick up my discarded panties. He doesn¡¯t answer my question.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I could hear noises traveling through the slightly open door of the soundproof room. Noise that sounded nothing like pleasure.


    ¡°Luca?¡± I prodded, staring down at him as he hooked my legs into the thong and wrenched it up. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡±


    Luca spared me an irritated look of impatience. A darkness brewing in his eyes. I hadn¡¯t seen him like this since the shootout at Gina¡¯s wedding. It worried the fuck out of me.


    He shot to his feet, gripped my shoulders and steered me out of the room. Dominic was waiting outside with a few other men, all of them having the same dark expression Luca had and they were all armed.


    Something cold and unsettling washed over me.


    Shouts of rms bounced around as whores and customers ran past us in the direction of the exit. Before I could ask what themotion was about, Luca was pushing me in the same direction, his men hurrying along. Bodies brushed past us, everyone appearing desperate and frantic.


    I decided I¡¯ve had enough of Luca¡¯s tight-lipped behaviour.


    I shrugged him off. ¡°Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?!¡±


    The soldiers seemed startled by my outburst, Dominic just red at me while Luca was giving me an evasive look. He was agitated, I could see that clearly. Agitated and irritated, his temper high.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell her?¡± Dominic turned to Luca, his tone usatory.


    ¡°Tell me what?¡±


    ¡°That there¡¯s a fucking bomb in the building.¡± Was Dominic¡¯s impatient answer.


    My heart dropped to my stomach and I froze, fear taking over my limbs, turning them to lead. A bomb, there was a bomb in Rico¡¯s?


    ¡°We don¡¯t know for certain.¡± Luca said in an attempt to sooth me. ¡°But we have to evacuate the bar first.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t move, all that resounded in my head was there was a bomb, ticking away somewhere, ready to explode any soon. We could all die, Luca could die and


    ¡°Cara!¡± Luca shook me. ¡°You have to keep moving goddammit. You need to get far away from here.¡±


    There was a freaking bomb¡­ and Diana¡­


    Shit, where was Diana?


    I was instantly out of my fear induced shock. ¡°Diana, I have to go get her.¡± I whispered, attempting to run off.


    Luca grabbed me back.


    ¡°Let go! I need to find Diana!¡± I fought against his hold.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± Dominic said, his voice clipped but I didn¡¯t care, I needed to find my friend.


    Luca¡¯s tone was restrained when he spoke. ¡°No single person in their right mind would remain in here after hearing rumors of a bomb. Your friend is probably somewhere safe.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that!¡±


    Luca sighed heavily. Dominic cursed in Italian.


    ¡°I¡¯d have someone find her, I promise. Now we need to get you out of here.¡±


    He pulled me along after that, not stopping until we were sessfully out of the building. People were still scrambling, looking for safety. A speeding van pulled up right in front of us and screeched to a halt, the door sliding open at once to the familiar faces of my bodyguards.


    ¡°Get in.¡± Luca ordered.


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    He didn¡¯t reply but turned to Sergio and the rest. ¡°Make sure she gets home safely. I will give you a fate worse than death if anything happens to her so you better guard her with your life.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Don.¡± They chorused.


    ¡°No, wait! Luca!¡±


    I was dragged to the back seat, powerless against the strong, arms keeping me from reaching for the closing door.


    My heart began to race faster as the van started to leave. ¡°Let fucking go of me!¡± I screamed to no avail, my eyes shooting to the rear windshield, helpless as the van drove further and further from Luca who watched them take me away, his eyes holding an emotion that filled me up with dread. A feeling that told me he was about to do something dangerous. Something that would put his life in danger.


    Luca stayed where he was for another couple of seconds before running off in the opposite direction with Dominic and the rest of his men.


    Despair budded slowly inside me as I watched the outline of Luca¡¯s body go smaller and smaller until hepletely disappeared and the feeling came to a boil, exploding into fury.


    ¡°Stop the fucking van!¡± I shrieked, trying to fight my way to the door.


    Nino let out a hiss of annoyance as he pulled me back and pressed me down on the leather seat.


    ¡°Oh for fuck sake!¡± He hissed again.


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± I screamed again. I couldn¡¯t let them take me back to the safety of the penthouse while there was a high risk of Luca noting back to the ce.


    To me.


    ¡°Let her go.¡± Sergio said in front of me, eerily calm.


    ¡°Boss¡­¡± Nino¡¯s surprise was evident in his voice.


    I too was shocked by the easy capittion. I didn¡¯t expect him to give in so quickly. Or at all.


    Sergio turned to face us. ¡°Let her go, Nino.¡±


    Nino¡¯s grip slowly loosened and I shrugged out of his reach. ¡°Stop the van.¡± Imanded.


    ¡°If you still want that after what I¡¯m about to say, I will.¡± Sergio said, his eyes challenging.


    ¡°Boss,¡± Nino warned.


    Sergio doesn¡¯t take back his words. ¡°I just have five questions for you and I hope you will be honest with your answers.¡±


    I held his gaze. ¡°And what are they?¡±


    ¡°How do you n to get back to the Rico¡¯s if we let you out?¡±


    Easy. ¡°By taking a cab of course.¡±


    ¡°What do you n to do when you get there?¡±


    I have no idea but-


    ¡°What if the explosion goes off while you¡¯re there?¡±


    I pressed my lips together. Well, that would be a huge bummer-


    ¡°How do you expect the Don to focus on whatever it is he has to do if he also has to worry about your safety?¡±


    Shit, he had a point.


    ¡°What do you think would happen to us if something terrible happened to you?¡±


    My gaze dropped to myp in mortifying defeat. I was a fool and he was absolutely right. I would put them in harm¡¯s way if I got hurt. I didn¡¯t even possess the wits, strength or even a means of protection to take on whatever dangerous situation I¡¯d encounter if I returned to Rico¡¯s. The gun I stole was still at the bottom of my duffel and even if I had it with me, I could barely use it.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I blew out in a shaky breath. ¡°I just-¡± I dared not raise my head, I didn¡¯t want to meet the disappointed faces of the guys.


    ¡°I understand how you feel but you have to be rational. You can¡¯t be so careless with your life and ours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I said again. ¡°I really am, you¡¯re right. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight.¡±


    ¡°I really hope you do in the future.¡± Came Nino¡¯s reprimand.


    Humbled, I slinked to the other end of the seat. I turnedpletely to the shut window to hide the frustrated tears about to fall. Sergio had yanked me back to harsh reality, there was really nothing I could do but wait and pray Luca returned to me in one piece.


    Luca


    Neen minutes, that¡¯s all we had to disarm the bomb. Dominic had sent for Ahmed, the only one we could trust to deactivate it. But he was yet to arrive and we still haven¡¯t figured out what type of bomb it was.


    Time was running the fuck out.


    In order not to lose my ever loving shit, I busied myself in my office, watching the camera footage of how the bomber brought the explosion into the bar over and over again.


    Something sinister loomed somewhere inside me. The bastard killed my men keeping watch on the back entrance, shooting them with a silenced gun. He made his way in, strapped the bomb to the circuit breaker and pretended to be drunk and lost when a waitress caught himing out of the staff only room.


    The unsuspecting waitress had pulled his ass to the bar and he¡¯d blended with the other dipsos. He stayed for a while and had even bought and emptied a pint before he slipped out.


    I studied the stronzo; average height, scruffy, and with a distinct limp to his gait.


    A sardonic smile pulled at my lips, Alexei Mikhalov had used him because he knew he was easy to find. He wanted me to and that meant he¡¯d sessfully erased any affiliation with the bomber. The fucking pakhan was killing two birds with one stone.


    Dominic barged into my office, an ever serious Ahmed following right behind.


    ¡°He¡¯s here.¡± Dominic said needlessly.


    I turned away from the cameras. ¡°Ahmed, never thought I¡¯d be seeing you in a situation like this.¡±


    ¡°Me neither, Don Salvatore. Just what have you been up to?¡±


    My grin was twisted. ¡°You think you can undo this one?¡±


    He was already opening his bag of inventory. It was the same one he¡¯d been using from the time my father was still Don.


    Ahmed was a very peculiar man, a seasoned military captain turned criminal, he possessed an arsenal of skills. The famous one being the best bomb disarmer there is.


    He¡¯d been scouted by the military when he was just a young Pakistani for his expert wits and was sponsored all through his education. He was a top soldier and he contributed greatly until he went rogue for some unknown reason.


    On paper, he¡¯d died on an operation in Afghanistan. He knew too much and possessed a collection of ckmail for the US Air force to exterminate him so they¡¯d had just let him go with a new identity while keeping him under close surveince.


    His name had changed from Jafar to Ahmed and he was still summoned by the military once a while. He was also asionally needed by the Cosa Nostra and other crime syndicates.


    I took in his untrimmed hair, scruffy beard, frayed white tee, faded jeans and beat up boots. He pulled in millions of dors yearly but still dressed like a bum alcoholic.


    ¡°Don,¡± he started. ¡°You know me, there¡¯s no explosive made by man that I cannot handle.¡±


    He left with Dominic after that, off to stop a bomb from sting the ce with just less than fourteen minutes on hand.


    I dropped to my chair. It was still hard to wrap my head around. A fucking bomb¡­ Alexei was one borate bastard.


    I knew this was payback for the little delivery he¡¯d gotten. A nice gift of Alesky and Ro¡¯s mangled bodies that was delivered to the luxury hotel I knew he was residing at.


    I didn¡¯t know what he stood to gain by blowing up Rico¡¯s and that gnawed at me. The ce wasn¡¯t even a standard establishment of mine. I won¡¯t be losing much.


    My fingers began tapping on the desk. There was something missing and it fucking pissed the shit out of me that I couldn¡¯t identify it.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I sat there thinking about it because Dominic and Ahmed soon returned and the expressions on their faces were neither defeated nor relieved. Or smug in Ahmed¡¯s case.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Dominic dropped on one of the chairs opposite me. ¡°There¡¯s no bomb.¡±


    My face squeezed into a frown. ¡°What?¡±


    Ahmed drew closer and ced something on my desk. ¡°It was a fake, here¡¯s what¡¯s real instead.¡±


    I pulled the heavily taped ck strap to me and lifted it. No bomb but¡­


    A sleek ck phone blinked at me.


    ¡°Guess whoever was responsible for this was in a mood for jests.¡±


    No. I refused to trust that, for all I know the phone could be the real-


    ¡°No bomb hiding in the back either. I¡¯ve opened it up.¡± Ahmed disconfirmed my suspicion. He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. ¡°My work is done here. I expect you wouldn¡¯t want me to refund you would you?¡± He asked but left without an answer.


    Dominic scoffed and got up, ¡°money grubbing assh0le.¡±


    He turned to me and a look passed between us.


    I looked back at the phone in my hand. It required no password when I turned it on so I just swiped it open, going straight to the phone app. Only a single contact was saved.


    I dialed it.


    ¡°Mikhalov.¡± I said as soon as the call went through.


    ¡°Salvatore,¡± a deep voice drawled on the other end. ¡°I see you got my gift.¡±


    ¡°What game are you ying?¡±


    ¡°Game? Come on, I thought we were just having fun. Taking turns surprising each other. I quite liked yourst surprise but the hotel¡¯s cleaning staff didn¡¯t. She was the one who found it first you see, you gave her such a fright.¡±


    My smile was caustic. ¡°I¡¯m really d you loved it. It helps to know that it¡¯d soon be you in that state if you keep fucking with me.¡±


    Alexei chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re skipping the sequence.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck do you mean?¡± I looked up at Dominic who stared back at me with a curious expression.


    ¡°There has to be a couple more before it gets to me. You know it¡¯s never that easy.¡±


    Rage welled up in my chest but my voice betrayed nothing. ¡°Your confidence is admirable yet misced.¡±


    ¡°Is it? I was quite feeling proud of myself. You know what the Chinese say, make a sound in the east, then strike in the west. Or in this case, in the heart of it all.¡±


    A hot, prickling sensation ran through me. I ended the call on Alexei¡¯s sinister chuckle, shooting to my feet at once.


    Dominic came around to me, ¡°what did he say?¡±


    I pushed past him, dashing for the door. ¡°Ready up about forty men to leave immediately.¡±


    Dominic, perceiving the desperate urgency in my voice, doesn¡¯t question why. Instead he pulled out his phone and got started on the task, running after me as I burst my way out of the bar. My blood pumping with adrenaline and curling with stark fear, fully aware of what the Russian bastard had meant.


    My Cara, she was in fucking danger.

 Chapter 84: Anyone But You

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Make a sound in the east, then strike in the west.


    While I¡¯d wrongly predicted what west Alexei Mikhalov was referring to, the bastard had done exactly what he¡¯d so subtly hinted at. Faking a bomb in my bar and keeping me upied with stressing about Cara while he killed off my business partner and blew off his factory containing billions worth of drugs.


    A factory that¡¯d just been newly repaired after the fire attack it suffered in the same hands of Alexei fucking Mikhalov.


    ¡°This is one fucking mess.¡± Dominicmented near me. He was probably still glowering at the TV like it was the pakhan himself.


    He was right though, it was indeed a fucking mess. I¡¯d just lost a valued dealer and part of my cargo had been torched up, again.


    But a huge part of me was relieved that it was Fernando Cruz and not Cara. I felt sorry for his innocent family but not sorry enough to be sad that it had been them instead.


    I remembered how I¡¯d felt when I was been certain the Russian bastard had gone after Cara. Even thinking about it now I know I was wrong, my chest still tightened viciously.


    I genuinely didn¡¯t know what I¡¯d do with myself if something ever happened to her. And I will do everything in my power not to find out.


    Rather a few millions than her. Rather a couple of other dead people than her. It was a terrible thing to think but I never imed to be a good person. All my goodness started and ended with Cara and my little sister.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Dominic asked, bringing me out of my head.


    I already knew the answer to that question. It was time to use one of the ultimate cards Grigori had provided me.


    But that was forter, right now I wanted to be with only Cara, think about only her and nothing else.


    ¡°It was a good thing we took over Alesky¡¯s drug chain when we did. We just have to double our supply to cut down our losses. Contact Alesky¡¯s and Fernando¡¯s trusted clients, persuade them, threaten them, ckmail them. Whatever it is, just get them to agree to buy from us.¡± I rose to my feet. ¡°I¡¯d contact his Columbian manufacturers in the meantime and give them an offer they can¡¯t refuse.¡±


    Dominic nodded, taking it all in. ¡°What about Mikhalov?¡±


    My smirk was devoid of feeling. ¡°We¡¯d let him celebrate his victory for now. He deserved it after the show he pulled today anyway.¡±


    I ignored the genuinely befuddled stares my men were giving me. Dominic chuckled lightly, the only one who understood my dark jokes.


    ¡°As for the rest of you,¡± I said to the soldiers. ¡°Learn a lesson from Fernando¡¯s men. You have seen with your own eyes what happens to men that let their guard down. That bomb didn¡¯t nt itself, someone did. You should pay better attention to everything and anything. Never miss a single thing or person that could be a threat. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss.¡± They said in unison.


    ¡°Good, now take your asses out.¡±


    They began to file out, bowing as they walked past me. Dominic waited behind, as usual.


    ¡°Your father called. For the first time since I¡¯ve known him, he sounded uncontrolled.¡±


    My expression remained impassive even as I knew why the old man had done a 360 pivot from his usually cool demeanor. Something that was heavily tied to my mother. She spent almost half of her life in perpetual anxiety, fearing for Gina¡¯s life and ultimately mine.


    It all started when she overheard what had happened with the old pakhan¡¯s daughter and his terrifying vow had stuck with her.


    She changed after that, obsessing over it, letting it destroy her slowly. Her obsession had greatly affected Gina as a child, made the little girl go into a shell.


    One second my mother was fine and sane then out of it the next, crying and warning us about bad men only she could see.


    When she was finally about to give in to her years and years of wearying anxiety, she made my father vow to protect us after her. And to never hurt a female in any way again. One that he still upheld with great intensity. He never lost his cool until I or Gina was endangered or hurt. He never lost his cool until news reached him that a soldier had harmed a woman.


    My father never forgave himself for what had happened to my mother and the pakhan¡¯s daughter. His great sense of responsibility made him believe that all of it was his fault.


    I wanted him to heal. Gina has, thankfully. She seemed to be doing better ever since she became friends with Cara. She was freer, lighter. I wished my father would allow that for himself.


    ¡°I¡¯d give him a call.¡± I decided, just to keep the old man from worrying.


    Dominic nodded. ¡°I¡¯d head back to Rico¡¯s to check if there¡¯s anything we missed.¡± He squeezed my shoulder and left.


    I wasted no second hurdling up the stairs to the bedroom. I hesitated at the door, my hand hovering around the handle, unable to pull it even though I¡¯d basically sprinted all the way here.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I was uncertain on how Cara would receive me. If I was being honest with myself, I was a bit terrified as well. She¡¯d heard something she wasn¡¯t supposed to. Something brutal enough to affect her, enough to make her question our rtionship, me.


    Throat tight, hands shaky and chest rattling, I opened the door and walked in. There was no sign of her in the room and it made heart hammer.


    ¡°Cara?¡± I called out in a strangled voice.


    Has she gone to another room? To distance herself from me? I hoped not because I didn¡¯t really think I could take it if she pushed me away.


    ¡°Cara.¡± I called again. This time with my voice sounding more forceful.


    I heard a little scramblinging from the bathroom and my chest expanded when she stepped out, staring at me with a strange expression.


    Her hair was a mess, her eyes were bloodshot from crying and her cheeks was tearstained.


    It broke me.


    I wanted nothing more than to reach for her and crush her into my arms but I was unsure if she wanted me to touch her at the moment. Right now was very vtile, I didn¡¯t want to do anything that would make her snap.


    ¡°Why are you crying, baby?¡± I asked softly, scanning the nes of her beautiful face.


    She was still giving that strange expression I had no idea what it meant. I hated it.


    She was silent for a while, the both of us just staring at each other and when she finally broke the ufortable silence, it was with something that tore at my chest but in a good way.


    ¡°Tell me that I¡¯d never be hearing about you on the news like that.¡±


    ¡°Bambina,¡± I opened my arms, wide. ¡°Come here.¡±


    Brief hesitation came first, then she was rushing into my arms. I held her tight, kissed her hair, her jaw, a wet tear on her cheek and finally her mouth.


    She opened up to me, desperate to assure herself that I was here. I was, and I was going nowhere. I would be with her and nothing, even her herself, will never keep me from her.


    Not her, not Alexei, not even death.


    ¡°You¡¯d never be hearing about me in such a way, bambina. That, I vow to you.¡± I rasped after breaking the kiss.


    I lifted her and took us to the bed then made love to her, slow and soothing andforting, wanting to relieve her of her worries.


    I know I¡¯d once promised her never that I¡¯d make her worry but I was filled with a bigger proclivity to keep the promise. I would do everything in my power not to make her cry over me.

 Chapter 85: Lethal Obsession

    Cara¡¯s pov


    The following week went in a blur. No bomb scare, no reports of mangled bodies¡­ the whole toxic mafia rivalry shebang. Life was back to normal, for now that is.


    Brushing my hair at my vanity mirror, I watched my reflection. I looked¡­ fine. I no longer had dark circles from the stress of worrying and my chapped lips were back to being moisturized. I side eyed Luca¡¯s distant reflection in the mirror as he got dressed. He, too, was losing the haunted look that day had left him with.


    We were back to our ordinary lives. The only difference now was that Rico¡¯s has been temporarily closed. And I¡¯d sweet talkedor in this case, sweet fuckedLuca into setting up Diana and the rest of the waitresses that didn¡¯t flee for the hills, in his other establishments. The fairly legal ones of course.


    Diana now works as a waitress in Sto¡¯s and she was in love with the ce. Even has a little thing going on for the sous chef.


    The whole point was, things had gone back to its original setting. I no longer felt like I was in some fucked up crime movie with psychotic mob viins. I wondered how the Russian dude slept at night knowing he brutally murdered a family.


    Maybe in a coffin or on an upside down cross. Maybe he didn¡¯t sleep at all like the evil bloodsucker he was.


    Luca and his men have been working really hard, day in and day out in tons of meetings since the scary incident, talking about things I had no understanding of nor do I want to.


    Aside from that, he¡¯s been trying extremely hard to appease me. There wasn¡¯t a single day after the scary incident where he didn¡¯t do something that made my heart flutter. And my word, he did know how to make a girl¡¯s heart flutter.


    My cheeks filled with color in the mirror as I recalled the memories.


    Four days ago, when I¡¯d been dressing up for school, I mentioned wanting to have the chocte-chip meringata we had on our first and only visit to Sto¡¯s. I¡¯d said it in passing and didn¡¯t even think he was listening butter that day, I got a delivery of the dessert. My ssmates had cooed and gushed and I¡¯d blushed like I had the sun in my cheeks.


    I set down my brush, it was new and worked extremely better than my old one. Luca got it recently. A day ago, I¡¯d been grumbling under my breath because the old brush kept getting stuck in my curls. Luca had left silently only to return with three brand new hair detanglers.


    ¡°The store attendant said all three of them were the best.¡± He had said awkwardly and I¡¯d kissed him and he¡¯d fucked me thenbed my curls himself afterwards.


    I really don¡¯t know what I did to have gotten this lucky. Maybe I was Mother Theresa in my past life. My step brother was too good to be true.


    One time, I returned from school to a luxurious dinner setting. Luca had prepared lobster and deep fried dumpling soup all on his own. The man could really make a career out of cooking. We¡¯d clinked sses to the most expensive rose wine I¡¯ve ever had before he presented me with a diamond studded Frederique Constant watch.


    ¡°I noticed you try out my watches whenever I¡¯m not around.¡± He¡¯d said.


    ¡°Stop spying on me through the cameras, creep.¡± I¡¯d responded but with the biggest smile on my face. ¡°I just liked how they feel big and heavy on my wrist, like a weapon.¡±


    He watched me as I put on the feminine sized watch and shook it around. ¡°Well this isn¡¯t big nor is it heavy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect.¡± I had said, my heart full with love and appreciation.


    I was so happy that even his offhand confession of putting a tracker in the watch hadn¡¯t fazed me. I was getting really used to his proprietorial character. Plus, it helps that he could easily get to me if something happens.


    The week had gone by with more random gifts and little acts of service and just like that, I¡¯d be spoiled.


    I suspected Luca¡¯s Romeo era also had to do with his fear of me leaving now I knew how dangerous the life he led was. But he had no idea. That was me ages ago, now I wouldn¡¯t be able to leave him even if I wanted to.


    Luca slid up behind me and softly wrapped both hands around my neck. He dipped down and ced a kiss on the side of my head. ¡°You¡¯re smiling so hard, what are you thinking about?¡± He drawled in my ear, staring in the mirror to watch my expression.


    ¡°You.¡± I admitted, loving as his eyes zed over.


    ¡°It pleases me to know I bring you happy thoughts.¡±


    I opened my mouth to respond but couldn¡¯t get a word out. Not when he was kissing the spot behind my ear with his tongue.


    ¡°Luca¡­ if you continue with that. We might not make it in time.¡±


    ¡°Mmm,¡± he rumbled and I trembled.


    ¡°We¡¯d lose our reservation.¡± I reminded him weakly.


    He was taking me out to dinner for the first time in some fancy restaurant and he refused to tell me where. I¡¯d fretted about being out in public with him but he¡¯d basically bullied me into saying yes. It was then it urred to me that our rtionship might have never been the level of ¡°ndestine¡± I thought it was. We were always seen by his men and now we were going to be seen together by random strangers.


    It was only a matter of time before we¡¯re caught by people that truly mattered. People like his family, my mother, Diana. I had no idea what I¡¯d do once it came to that but we¡¯ll cross that bridge when we get there.


    ¡°We can alwayse back another day.¡± He countered, now kissing the corners of my lips, his hands dipping to the low cleavage of the emerald dress he¡¯d insisted I wear.


    The man seemed to be obsessed with green, most of the clothes he¡¯d bought me were in a shade of the color.


    I pulled away even though my entire body was begging for him to kiss me until I couldn¡¯t breathe. Turning around to face him, I spoke,¡±I won¡¯t have time for a while. My finals areing up.¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    He stared nkly at me like it was taking him a minute to understand how that was important. Yeah, I get it. He probably didn¡¯t remember thest time he had to bother about school exams.


    He released a deep sigh and stepped back. I was hit with a loss of warmth.


    ¡°Before we leave, I want you to wear this.¡± He pulled a box out from his jacket.


    My body thrummed in excitement as I registered the jewelry box. Luca opened it and took out a glittery ne.


    My jaw dropped. What that-


    ¡°This is the first diamond ne I hand picked and purchased, intentionally.¡± Luca said, giving me a pointed look.


    I wanted tough and cry and maybe cry some more. Take that, Valentina!


    He turned me around and sped the sparkling piece around my neck.  It felt lighter than it looked. I twisted to the left then to the right, watching as it glintered with each movement.


    A diamond ne, he¡¯d gotten me a diamond ne. This had to be over the top right? It¡¯s not like I had anywhere to wear it except this dinner. ¡°I look like a queen.¡± I half whispered, my eyes growing thoughtful.


    Luca spun me at once. ¡°You are. My queen. So don¡¯t give me none of that bullshit you¡¯re about to give me.¡±


    Ugh, he knew me so well.


    ¡°Oh, Luca.¡± I said because I didn¡¯t know what else to say.


    His eyes dipped to my cleavage and he swallowed tightly, looking a tiny bit pissed off. ¡°As much as I¡¯d want nothing more than for you to show me how pleased you are with my gift, we really should be going.¡±


    I grinned at him, fingering thepel of his suede jacket as I told him something I¡¯ve smugly pointed out a couple of times, ¡°you¡¯re so obsessed with me.¡±


    His answering smile was heart stopping. ¡°You have no idea.¡±

 Chapter 86: Dead or Alive

    Cara¡¯s pov


    It¡¯s been three hours. One hundred and eighty minutes of waiting for a safe Luca to show up and ease me out of my state of anxiety.


    I paced Luca¡¯srge living room, takingps around the room. I gnawed at my cuticles, I stayed counting. The smart TV droned somewhere behind the ticking of numbers in my head.


    For three fucking hours, this was all I¡¯ve been doing.


    I was losing my fucking mind.


    ¡°We have to call him.¡± I whirled around to a tired Nino. Sergio had taken the other guys to keep watch in other areas.


    Nino puffed a heavy breath. ¡°For the sixth time, no. He¡¯s obviously going to be too busy to pick up.¡±


    His words would have gonepletely ignored by me if it wasn¡¯t his phone I¡¯d been begging to use. I¡¯d forgotten mine back at the whorehouse, Luca had somehow evicted it from my pocket during our desperate scramble to get him inside me. All of that, yet we hadn¡¯t gotten what we wanted.


    And now I didn¡¯t even know if he was alive or not. I gulped down a lump in my throat and shook off the negative thought. He was alive, probably even on his way back to me. He had to be.


    I eased a tensed breath and red at Nino. ¡°There¡¯s no harm in trying.¡±


    Scowling, he returned, ¡°this might appear foreign to you, principessa, but no one calls the boss unless he has given you a prior order you need to report or something of great urgency happens.¡±


    I crossed my arms, my eyes alight with stubbornness. ¡°This is urgent. I need to know he¡¯s alive and well or I¡¯d go mad right before your eyes.¡±


    Although it was very subtle, I didn¡¯t miss the way his eyes flickered with uncertainty.


    Good, because I wasn¡¯t fucking bluffing.


    Nino¡¯s mouth opened and closed. A passionate Italian curse left him.


    ¡°Language, soldier.¡± I warned and it earned me a glower.


    I held my stance. ¡°Don¡¯t make me wait,¡± I said, tone low. ¡°There are enough breakable things in this living room I can channel my anxiety into.¡±


    Nino¡¯s eyes went wide, it was obvious he was seeing me in a new light. Crazy Cara, like my middle school bullies used to call me.


    It was about time the infamous persona made an entrance.


    Victory and cold relief welled in my chest when he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. I immediately dashed for it.


    ¡°Just so we¡¯re clear,¡± he said, jerking the phone out of reach. ¡°You threatened me into this and since I don¡¯t want you getting cut by a piece of breakable, I have no choice but to do this.¡±


    My nod was instant. ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d tell the Don just that.¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    He gave me the phone.


    My eyes flickered crazily as I scanned through his call history for Luca¡¯s contact. I got it after three scrolls. Hands shaky with agitation, I tapped the ¡®call¡¯ icon.


    It rang and rang and¡­


    I began gnawing on my cuticle again.


    It went to voicemail.


    Fuck! I called again. Same shit.


    ¡°God, Luca! Answer the fucking phone.¡± Panic was rising in my chest, I couldn¡¯t hear what Nino was bitching about over the fucking roar in my ears.


    I tried three more times and all three calls were redirected to voicemail. Frustrated, I let thest one record. ¡°Luca, Angelo Salvatore! You better not be lying somewhere badly hurt! Pick the goddamn phone for Christ sake!¡±


    I furiously tapped on ¡®send¡¯ and shoved the phone back to a half scared Nino. He took it quietly, watching as I resumed pacing like a mad woman.


    Was he busy in an emergency meeting? Was he dealing with the cops over the explosion? My eyes snapped to the TV. There was yet to be any report on a bomb explosion so it couldn¡¯t be that, right? Rico¡¯s was probably still in one piece and-


    I halted in front of the wide, state of the art inte. Several men other than Sergio and Gavino, one of the other bodyguards, were at the elevator¡¯s entrance. I instantly recognized Dominic¡¯s cold countenance and-


    Luca looked right at the camera, an agitated look on his face.


    ¡°Signorina,¡± Nino warned, knowing what I was about to do.


    I did it anyway.


    He dashed after me as I ran for the foyer, catching up with me in seconds.


    ¡°Let me go!¡±


    ¡°You know you can wait for him toe up?¡± He gritted his teeth, struggling to hold my iling body.


    ¡°Wait? Ha! I¡¯d done that for three hours, I am the fucking queen of waiting and I would wait just right here in the foyer until he walks out of that elevator.¡±


    Nino let go of me. ¡°Jesus. I really don¡¯t know how he takes it.¡±


    I ignored his obvious diss on my person, my heart careening out of control as I watched the floor count slowly go up almost excruciatingly.


    They really needed a new elevator in the building.


    The doors finally opened and Luca and his small army of men poured out of the elevator. I was prepared for the jolt of intense emotions to hit me. My eyes scanned the length of his body, looking for even a single scratch.


    He had none.


    Tears of immense relief and joy erupted out of my eyes likeva from a volcano. I bolted for him.


    He swept me up in a tight embrace, the both of us forgetting that we were in thepany of his men. I didn¡¯t fucking care that we weren¡¯t supposed to be disying affection in front of other people. That we were supposed to be nothing but step-siblings at the moment.


    I didn¡¯t care at all. I was just d he was fine.


    ¡°I was scared out of my mind that something had happened to you. I thought he got to you here. It nearly killed me.¡±


    I had no idea what he was saying but I stroked his hair in an attempt to soothe him. ¡°It¡¯s all over now.¡±


    I must have said the wrong thing because Luca gently pulled away. Cupping my jaw, he gave me a tight smile, his eyes scanning my face. ¡°I¡¯m so relieved you¡¯re okay.¡±


    I didn¡¯t notice the men disappearing from the foyer, giving us space. All my attention was on the hidden nuance of his words.


    I¡¯m so relieved you¡¯re okay¡­


    No affirmation to my earlier statement. ¡°Yes, it is,¡± he could have said. Even a single ¡°yes¡± would have sufficed but he responded with none of that.


    I stared into his happy eyes and I saw something else behind the gleam, something that told me none of it was over.


    ¡°Luca¡­¡±


    ¡°Shhh.¡± He brushed a thumb over my lips. ¡°Hush, baby. You have no reason to worry. I will always keep you safe.¡±


    I shut my eyes for patience and when I opened them back, my frustration got through. ¡°I¡¯m not worried about me goddammit!¡±


    For a smart man he could be annoyingly oblivious.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He blinked at me before smilingslowly in a way that made me want to punch him.


    ¡°It¡¯s never not good to know that you worry about me.¡± He drawled.


    ¡°I¡¯d have you know that right now, I am not worried about the harm a kick in your shin would bring you.¡±


    Luca pulled me in for another hug, snuffing out my annoyance with how tightly he held me this time. I burrowed into his chest and inhaled deeply on his manly scent, enjoying how nice this felt. How nice he felt. The errant thought that I might one day never be held by him wed into my brain, filling me with a paralyzing dread.


    As if Luca sensed it, he held me even closer and began to stroke my hair. I let out a tensed breath, wondering if we¡¯d still be lucky the next time something like this happens.


    I didn¡¯t know how long we stayed there, drawingfort from each other when a scary looking Dominic burst back in. Not that the man was anything but, he just looked scarier than normal.


    And as usual, he gave me the stink eye, his nose scrunching with disgust at the sight of Luca hugging before saying to him. ¡°You need to see this.¡±


    Luca¡¯s happy expression shifted to something darker. The gentle way he pulled away from me contradicted the hard look in his eyes.


    We followed Dominic to the living room and I noticed the TV¡¯s volume has been amped up. A brte newscaster was on the big screen.


    ¡°¡­ from our sources on site, the half an hour old disaster has zero survivors at the moment and a current death toll of thirty-five, all male in the age bracket of twenty to thirty seven. The rescue team are still doing their best to extract more bodies¡­¡±


    Darkness radiated from Luca¡¯s body at my side. ¡°Cara,¡± he said in a deathly quiet tone. ¡°Go upstairs. Now.¡±


    My eyes shot to him then coasted across the other men in the room. Something hard crackled in the space, taking away thefortable ambience of the living room and recing it with tension.


    I nced back at Luca, gone was the teasing lover of mine. Now he was another person, a dangerous crime lord. I knew better than to insist I stay with him.


    Not wasting another second, I scurried for the stairs. My chest hammering as I heard the newscaster¡¯s next sentence.


    ¡°Fernando Cruz, the owner of the bombed establishment had been mysteriously found dead in his own home, along with his wife and two teenage sons. All bodies mutted.¡±


    Goosebumps peppered across my skin and I stopped in my tracks.


    ¡°Cara,¡± Luca¡¯s voice was a warning growl.


    I ran up the steps, my stomach churning with an unpleasant feeling. I didn¡¯t know who the hell Fernando Cruz was but whoever that killed him had to be the same enemy Luca was fighting.


    An enemy so evil, he hadn¡¯t even spared the two teenagers. An enemy that was very much capable of killing Luca and me in such a gruesome manner.


    I felt sick, my throat ufortable with the feeling. I rushed for the bathroom the moment I got to the bedroom and I retched up into the sink. Hard.


    A/N


    Because of some uploading issues, the chapters got mixed up. This chapter is to be read before chapter 84: Anyone But You. Chapter 87 continues in the regr order

 Chapter 87: Dinner Tryst

    Cara¡¯s pov


    La Perle Noire was the type of restaurant you could only dream of visiting. Most people live their entire life not knowing what it¡¯s like to see the inside of the Victorian style building.


    But here I was, sitting in a limo parked right in front of the magnificent ce. My head spun to Luca. ¡°Are we really going to have dinner here?¡±


    His smile was warm and amused. ¡°Yes, bambina.¡±


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± I gasped aloud, whirling back to the window.


    Luca got out and opened my side of the door. I took his proffered hand and stepped out onto the pebbled stoned path excitedly, suppressing the squeal in my throat.


    The opulent double doors with gold engravings opened up the second we got to it and my jaw dropped as we stepped onto the blood red carpeting.


    The ce was a literal castle the cream and gold wall paneling were adorned with endless rows of Renaissance paintings that somehow didn¡¯t end up looking garish.


    Two glimmering giant chandeliers hung from a mediumly high ceiling and ced strategically on either side of therge pirs lining the center of the ce. It ured to me that something was different about the pirs and when I got closer, I was gripped in amazement by the 3D cravings of greek celestial bodies spiralling around from top to base.


    On the far end was an entire wall of an aquarium with a bottom of the sea ensemble and loads of pretty fishes like koi fishes, tiger barbs and Nemo fish from Finding NemoI forgot what they¡¯re called.


    A uniformed blond man rushed over to wee us with a friendly smile before leading us to the draped with white fine silk table for two Luca had reserved.


    We arrived at a square table closest to the aquarium and a little isted from the rest of the others. I suspected it was the most desirable table on this floor of the restaurant and it was just fitting that Luca would want us to have it.


    ¡°This ce is really beautiful,¡± I breathed as Luca waved our guide aside and pulled out one of the velvet cushioned seats and helped me into it before settling into the other one.


    I could see the fish up close and I was blown away by the colors and beauty of them as they swam around in the gigantic ss tank.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything quite like this.¡± I beamed, entranced by a koi fish swimming close. ¡°Takes my breath away.¡±


    ¡°Sure does.¡± Luca drawled at the other end of the table.


    I returned my gaze to him to find him staring at me strangely. Well, not too strangely, I¡¯d recognized that dark, smoldering look he was giving me anywhere but there was something else, almost like he was looking at something equally mesmerizing.


    Something that was me.


    My skin prickled hot.


    ¡°We should order,¡± I said, sounding like I needed water more than the fish in the tank.


    ¡°Yes, we should.¡± Luca replied, still giving me that look.


    I cleared my throat and picked up the menu, intensely aware of his eyes still on me. Jesus, the man was practically undressing me with his eyes. In public for God¡¯s sake.


    But you¡¯re notining, a voice piped up in my head.


    ¡°Look! They have bouibaisse,¡± I feltpelled to say just to lighten the ming charge shooting around us. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to try it-¡±


    My eyes settled on the column for the price, widened and snapped back to Luca. ¡°Nine hundred and fifty dors?¡± I hissed. ¡°For a te of this? That¡¯s like two months worth of groceries.¡±


    Luca¡¯s lips lifted in amusement. ¡°Do you want it?¡±


    I frowned. ¡°You¡¯re not listening. This is too expensive.¡± I said, my eyes narrowing and widening as I scanned through the rest of the menu.


    Holy cow, the wine section was worse.


    ¡°I¡¯m very much aware.¡± Luca responded. ¡°I brought you here after all.¡±


    I peered at him over the thick brown card and whatever indignant speech on frugality I was going to give floated out of my mind like paper. The light from the aquarium has turned yellow, casting a golden hue on his oliveplexion. His hair gleamed against the contrast; the nes of his lean face caught light and shadow like a sculpture; and the clear, strong lines of his sexy lips made me want to trace them with my fingertips.


    He looked unreal.


    But it was his eyes that knocked me off my feet. Their grey depths held dark amusement, banked lust, and a focus that was entirely on me.


    I swallowed the knot of desire traveling up my throat but it just got stuck in my chest instead. I quelled the sudden urge to fan myself. God, why was it getting hot in here.


    ¡°I¡¯d just order the bouibaisse,¡± I said, my throat dry. I wanted to drink from his sexy mouth.


    Luca chuckled as if in knowing and it rattled me. What did he gain from turning me into a bitch in heat in public? If we were back at the penthouse, I¡¯d have gotten my sweet revenge. But we weren¡¯t so all I could do was clench my thighs together.


    I pretended to be at least a semnce ofposure when the waiter came to take our order, hoping I didn¡¯t sound as highly stimted as I was when I told him what to get me. Luca ced the exact order along with a bottle of white wine that cost more than my annual sry at Rico¡¯s.


    The food came a short while after and I wasted no time in digging in, hoping to distract myself from the other kind of hunger swirling low in my belly.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were this hungry.¡± Luca said in a low tone.


    I swallowed my bouibaisse. ¡°I didn¡¯t know either.¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Hisugh was low and rumbly, sending shivers down my spine. It was then it ured to me that my words could have been refering to something else. And if I was being honest with myself, they did.


    I wasn¡¯t talking about the food no matter how tasty it was.


    From Luca¡¯s satisfied curve of his lips, he knew it too. ¡°And just how hungry are you?¡± His voice dropped even lower.


    I was going dizzy. ¡°Very.¡± I said breathlessly.


    ¡°Show me.¡±


    My eyes narrowed in confusion. ¡°How am I supposed to-¡±


    They became the size of saucers.


    Luca was staring at me, the set of his posture told me he¡¯d meant what I suspected he meant.


    He wanted me to show him how hungry I was for him, which in turn meant my undoubtedly soaked panties, which in turn meant I¡¯d have to pull it off first.


    He was insane.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± I gasped. ¡°You want me to¡­¡±


    ¡°I need visual evidence that I¡¯m not the only one struggling here. You¡¯ve been driving me insane ever since I saw you in that dress.¡±


    My boobs flushed with heat when his eyes settled on my cleavage.


    ¡°But we¡¯re in a restaurant. I can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Yes, you can.¡±


    I began to saw on my lips. God, this was crazy. But it was also hot, so fucking hot I felt a fresh pool of arousal leave me.


    Fuck!


    I started to get up.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    I blinked down at him. ¡°To take it off.¡± I hoped the bathroom was somewhere close, I wasn¡¯t sure I could walk even a few feet with how weak my knees were.


    ¡°Sit back down Cara.¡± Luca said in a voice sopelling I found myself dropping to the cushioned seat.


    ¡°But you want me to¡­ oh my God!¡± I eximed a little loudly it attracted the attention of people around. My hands flew over my mouth. ¡°You want me to do it here?¡±


    His feverish gaze was enough answer that he did, in fact, expect me to strip off my panties right where we sat.


    Again, he was insane.


    And maybe I was as well because a sudden thrill zapped through me, butterflies flitting around in my belly. Was I getting turned on but the prospect of stripping in public for him?


    Yeah. Yes, I was.


    Eyes darting across the room, my teeth worried my lips again as my hand slowly reached beneath my dress.


    The appeal for my food had long dissipated, the other kind of hunger forefront in my mind. With Luca, I didn¡¯t even think he remembered the te in front of him.


    I paused on my hip, my gaze holding Luca¡¯s. The control in his expression was beginning to snap and his eyes licked at me, scorching me.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting, bambina.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe I was doing this. My skin was fevered, sensitive, my center clenching painfully. Hooking a finger underneath the side of my panties, I peeled it down then slowly removed my hand.


    I switched to the other and repeated the same process. My panties were now fairly below my butt.


    I sucked in my lower lip, agitation and excitement mixed in a violent cocktail in my belly. I was doing this, really doing this.


    Slumping closer into the drapes on the table, I ced both hands underneath my dress and pulled in one swift motion.


    A jolt passed through me when my panties dropped to the floor and I took a quick nce across the room to see if anyone had seen me do that. No one seemed overly interested in our direction and it made me rxed a little. It also made me bolder.


    Giving Luca a slow smirk, I took my foot out of my heels and lifted the piece of underwear with my toes, my hand disappearing downwards to catch it.


    ¡°It looks like I made more of a mess than I thought.¡± I purred, folding the linen piece in my palm before pushing it across the table to Luca.


    His eyes gleamed darkly as I pressed it into his palm.


    I watched as he took it and slowly unfurled it on hisp, my blood dancing in my veins as his eyes darkened the more.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He whispered harshly.


    I bit back a grin, shifting slightly in my seat with how aroused his pleased and lustful expression made me. I was feeling smug and proud to be responsible for the restrained control he was showing.


    But my smugness was soon wiped clean when he did the least expected thing: he raised my panties and pressed it to his nose, right in this open space, and not once did he take his eyes off me.


    Sweet Mary, mother of God.

 Chapter 88: Delusions

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I should be highly concerned. He¡¯d sniffed my panties right in this restaurant where everyone could see us. I should be scared that someone had indeed seen him do that but I wasn¡¯t.


    It was the hottest thing I¡¯ve ever seen and it was taking all of me not to reach across the table, jump into hisp and beg him to fuck me.


    Mouth gaping open, I watched him tuck away the underwear in his jacket,pletely put in trance of desire.


    I didn¡¯t move when he signaled for the waiter nor did I move when he squeezed a couple Benjamins into his hands and told him something I didn¡¯t catch on. I didn¡¯t move when the waiter disappeared briefly then reappeared and whispered something to Luca. The only muscles moving were the ones between my legs, my thighs were in a permanent flex, the flesh pulsing wetly at their juncture. Begging for him to thrust his c0ck between them and pound me until I¡¯m screaming and bucking and his cum is leaking out of-All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°Cara,¡± Luca said firmly, bringing me back.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I said dumbly, my cheeks ming with heat as I noted that the waiter had left once again.


    Luca¡¯s chuckle was amused but it was also hoarse. He regarded me heatedly for a few seconds before shutting his eyelids as he let out a low curse in Italian.


    When his eyes trained back on me, they were zing with need. ¡°Follow the path behind you, it¡¯d lead you to a patio. Wait for me there.¡±


    My nerves went into overdrive and I found myself rising to my feet automatically. Giving him onest nce, I did as he ordered. Hoping my legs wouldn¡¯t give out before I could get to the patio.


    I was a horny mess as I made my way down the corridor and out into the rear outdoor space. Arge tree stood rooted in the center, casting a dark shade over the ce, the lights hanging on the branches were almost useless with their dim glow. The low avability of light coupled with the thick shrubs half surrounding the ce gave it a ndestine aurathe perfect ce for a tryst between lovers.


    The moment Luca joined me, I knew. My skin prickled with icy goosebumps, the hairs on my nape lifting on end. I didn¡¯t have to turn back to know how close he was, I could feel it. Feel his heat pressing into my back and curdling my bones and making me shudder ever so lightly. When he spun me around and crushed his lips to mine, Ibusted.


    We kissed violently, his lips moving over mine in a frenzy. I swallowed his taste like it¡¯s the only thing I needed to survive.


    Luca sucked hard on my tongue like it¡¯s nectar from the gods, groaning into my mouth. Big hands found my hips, moving across my ass, up to the sides of my breasts and back down. His erection digging into my belly.


    I felt him everywhere, but I wanted more. I wanted more than his hot body pressed against me, his hands all over me.


    I needed him fused to me.


    ¡°Luca,¡± I whispered, not knowing when I began to grind against him.


    Luca pressed harder against me and we danced to the wall, my back hitting the sturdy bricks. We were nowpletely shrouded by therge branches of the tree but the dim lighting provided enough light to make out the features of Luca¡¯s handsome face. Enough to make out the starved look in his eyes.


    ¡°My balls have been rock hard since the moment I sighted your perfect tits snug tightly together in this dress.¡± He rasped, palming the side of my boob.


    I leaned into his touch, making a whimpering sound when he pinched my nipple.


    ¡°All I could think of after that was emptying myself into you.¡± He reached for the hem of my dress and wrenched it up.


    I sucked in a gasp when the chill breeze pped across my bare pussy, unconsciously clenching my legs at the stimting feeling.


    Luca wrenched them apart with his knee. ¡°Put me inside you.¡± He ordered.


    I reached for his fly immediately, my hands shaky with anticipation as I took out his erection and guided it to my folds.


    Luca pushed all the way in with one swift thrust.


    I bit down on the loud whimper on the tip of my lips, white spots bursting behind my eyes at the sweet, familiar feeling of him filling me up.


    Luca groaned, lifting one of my legs as he began to plug in and out of me, immediately taking on a frenzied pace. Deeply, so fucking deeply, the hot squelch of his c0ck filled up my drenched walls.


    ¡°I live for this.¡± He grunted. ¡°I live for using your pretty little pussy like this, no matter where we are. We could be in the fucking desert and I¡¯d still want to take you.¡±


    I hang my leg higher around his waist, drawing him deeper as he continued to pound the fuck out of my pussy.


    ¡°I¡¯d fuck you in a desert too.¡± I moaned. ¡°I¡¯d fuck you anywhere, even if it¡¯s the freaking White House.¡±


    My words spurred him faster, a sexy growl resounding through his thick body. His free hand found my breasts and roughly pulled them out from the V of my dress. And he watched with dark desire as they bounced up and down to the rhythm of his savage thrusts.


    I ate up the expression, engraving it to my memory. When he looked back into my eyes, my throat cinched up like I was being choked. His eyes held a spark that set my soul on fire. They were clouded with wonder and gratification and possession.


    Yes, I was his and he was mine. Nothing was going to tear us apart. Not the bratva¡¯s leader, not the shadows from my past.


    Nothing.


    I could see the reflection of my resolution in Luca¡¯s hard, domineering features and it caused my heart to expand with the infinite love I had for him.


    ¡°I love you,¡± I said between pants and I was rewarded with a deep thrust.


    ¡°I love you too baby.¡± Luca grunted as he rutted harder. ¡°I love you so fucking damn much, it makes my heart squeeze and my brain freeze.¡±


    That tipped me over the edge.


    My orgasm was violent. Revolutionary. Healing. I went blind, my walls rippling and convulsing around him, milking him. Pleasure tore out of me in a flood, dripping down my inner thigh and onto the trimmed grass.


    Luca doesn¡¯t stop pounding into me as he watched me erupt around him with abination of triumph and ownership. He fell against me, his forehead pressed against mine as he went on in a mindless, animalistic way, grunting and growling until finally, he climaxed and spilled himself into me. So full. So consuming.


    Heating.


    The waves were endless, so potent I could barely keep from screaming and I had to p a hand over my mouth to trap the sound traveling up from somewhere deep, deep inside of me.


    ¡°Luca,¡± I muffled into my hand, slumping against him when the cmity ends, my heart knocking against my ribcage, rattling it.


    We stayed like that another minute, just panting at each other before Luca reached into his jacket and pulled out my panties. I watched him fondly as he cleaned my thighs, my entire body sated and content.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can wear that anymore.¡± I said, looking at the panties now smeared with my cum and his.


    ¡°You can¡¯t. It¡¯s no longer yours.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to keep it? That¡¯s disgusting.¡± I said, even though my heart fluttered stupidly that he wanted to keep my used panties.


    We returned to the restaurant soon after he decided I was clean enough, his hand a hot imprint of possession behind my back.


    ¡°Salvatore,¡± a masculine voice called when we were a couple of feet away from our table.


    I turned first, my body going cold with fear that the voice belonged to someone who knew us.


    I stiffened.


    An unfamiliar man was staring at Luca with tight cordiality. He was older, probably in histe fifties. Average height with a rotund body shape. But he wasn¡¯t the reason behind the tightness seeping into my shoulders.


    Valentina stood directly behind him, eyes wide and ring as she looked from me to Luca and back to Luca.


    ¡°Don Cortini.¡± Luca greeted dryly.


    ¡°What a surprise seeing you here.¡± Valentina¡¯s father said.


    ¡°Likewise.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing as there are some urgent matters I¡¯ve been wanting to discuss with you.¡± He looked at me and the coldness of his dark brown eyes made me shift on one foot. ¡°We can talk now if it¡¯s fine with you.¡±


    Luca started to refuse but I tugged on his jacket. He looked down at me, his eyes searching and I gave him a smile that told him I was fine with it.


    I might not know anything about the men of the Cosa Nostra but Mr Cortini looked like a very important person if the regal set of his shoulders and the permanent disdain in his expression was any indication. I didn¡¯t want Luca to piss him off by refusing him, not that Luca would give a fuck to begin with but then again, I had a feeling he¡¯d stand more to gain on the older man¡¯s good side than on his bad side.


    With a resigned set of his jaw, Luca nodded once and walked away first, leaving the man to FOLLOW after him.


    I bit on my lips to keep myself fromughing. God, he was such an asshole.


    My asshole.


    ¡°Why are you here with him?¡± Valentina wasted no time with asking the moment Luca and her father were out of earshot.


    I faced him. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you think I need to exin myself to you, Valentina.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re with my fiance, of course you need to exin why you¡¯re here with him.¡±


    I rolled my eyes hard. The girl was delusional. ¡°He¡¯s not your ¡°fiance¡± Valentina.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re getting married soon and you should really feel more threatened, you¡¯re getting cast out on the street as soon as we do.¡±


    ¡°Dream on.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend to be confident because between the two of us, we both know I¡¯m better suited being his Donna. Luca needs a smart, sophisticated woman to run his home and she¡¯s not you.¡±


    A smirk worked up my lips. ¡°Funny because there¡¯s not much to the task. Salma does pretty much everything around the house and as for the ones she doesn¡¯t, well I and Luca take turns doing it. We¡¯re pretty much doing fine without ¡°a smart, sophisticated woman.¡±


    Valentina nched, her mouth opening and closing. ¡°You¡¯re living with him. You¡¯re¡­¡±


    I didn¡¯t wait for her to find the rest of her words. ¡°You keep harassing me because you know there¡¯s nothing happening between you and Luca. Because you¡¯re aware of how fast he¡¯d shut you down and remind you of your ce.¡±


    Her eyes zed even harder. ¡°His father has given his consent to the marriage.¡±


    A scoff pushed out of my lips. ¡°His father? Since when did Manuel Salvatore start making decisions for Luca? You seem to forget but even the retired don is under Luca¡¯s authority. Luca doesn¡¯t answer to his father.¡±


    Valentina regarded me in silent loathing, her nostrils ring when she nced down at the diamond ne around my neck. A crease appeared between her perfectly plucked brows. ¡°Enjoying yourself aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°If you think bringing you out of your delusion is me ¡°enjoying myself¡± then so be it.¡±


    Her smile could freeze ake. ¡°The only one being delusional here is you. You¡¯re the skank thinking she¡¯s been chosen. You have nothing to offer him other than your used body. What could you do for him if he encounters trouble in the mafia? What can you do to aid him with the current war? Marrying me would guarantee the defeat of the Bratva but what about you? The only thing you can do is warm his bed.¡±


    Her words cut deep into me, hurting because regardless of how harsh they were, there was an element of truth in them.


    What could I offer to Luca? I only had my love and like Valentina has so crudely put my body.


    She stepped closer, leaning in until her lips were a few inches from my ear. ¡°You¡¯re useless to him.¡± She finished, twisting the knife all the way in.


    I wanted to drag her by her hair.


    ¡°Cara.¡± Luca¡¯s voice cut into my violent thoughts.


    He and Valentina¡¯s father had returned and he was looking from me to Valentina, a scary look on his face. He stepped between us, pining Valentina with the dark look before focusing on me, his face softening.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± He asked and I knew that if I said no, if I told him just what Valentina had said to me he¡¯d rip her a new one. Right here in front of her father and anyone, make her regret what she said to me.


    But I shook my head and put on a small smile. As much as Valentina deserved that, I didn¡¯t want him having bad blood with her father. Their rtionship seemed strained enough.


    Plus, what Valentina had said wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. I provided nothing in our rtionship. I was indeed useless to Luca. It suddenly became clear why Dominic didn¡¯t like me, why he¡¯d been advising Luca to choose Valentina that day on the terrace.


    ¡°I do hope you think about my offer Don Salvatore.¡± Don Cortini said before walking away.


    Valentina spared Luca and I onest furious re then followed after her father.

 Chapter 89: Omelettes And Sunshine

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Cara was silent all through our ride back to the penthouse, a stark contrast from the mood she had on the way to the restaurant. I suspected her shift in emotions has something to do with Valentina and whatever the fuck she said to her when I was away but Cara insisted she was fine whenever I asked what was wrong.


    She was doing that thing where she shut me out and retreated into her head and I hated it.


    I reached for her hand on the car seat, hoping for her bright smile but all I got was a wobbly curve of her lips.


    ¡°Cara.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Luca. I promise.¡±


    ¡°No you¡¯re not. What did she say to you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing I¡¯m not used to.¡±


    ¡°You can tell me, is there something she said to hurt you?¡±


    ¡°Really, it¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°You know better than to believe whatever she says right?¡±


    She regarded me and it was one of those rare moments I couldn¡¯t read her. ¡°Of course.¡± She said but I didn¡¯t find the two words convincing.


    When we got back to the penthouse, I whipped us both a quick snack since we barely had any bite at the restaurant. Cara ate it up, gushing over how delicious the food was but I knew better. I could tell she was ovepensating for shutting me out.


    We showered together like we usually did then went straight to bed. I pulled her into me, rxing a little when she didn¡¯t try to get away. She burrowed into me, sighing deeply into my chest.


    Soon after she was ovee with sleep and I stayed awake for another hour, worrying about her as I stroked her hair before giving in to sleep as well.


    The next morning, I woke up to the smell of something burning.


    Cara wasn¡¯t in the bed.


    Rushing out of bed, I made my way downstairs, my heart tripping in my chest as I feared the worst.


    ¡°Luca?¡± Cara called from the kitchen, looking confused as she took in my probably crazed expression.


    ¡°What¡¯s that smell?¡± I asked, my voice tight.


    ¡°Omelets,¡± she blinked innocently.


    Here I was thinking the building was on fire with her in it meanwhile it was just her cooking omelets. ¡°It smells weird- unique.¡± I adjusted at the fall of her face.


    She twirled around and went about nging pans. ¡°I used your recipe.¡±


    Yeah, right.


    I moved to the kitchen ind and took a seat. ¡°Mm.¡±


    ¡°I think the taste is almost the same.¡±


    Highly doubt that. ¡°I¡¯m sure it is.¡±


    She turned around again, holding up a te. ¡°Breakfast is ready.¡± She singsonged, dancing over to the ind and cing the te in front of me.


    ¡°Wow,¡± I said, staring at the blob that was supposed to be omelets. ¡°It looks¡­ delicious.¡±


    ¡°Wait till you taste it.¡± She grinned excitedly.


    I managed a small smile before helping myself to a bite. It took all of me not to gag.


    ¡°How is it?¡± Her voice was impatient.


    I chewed painfully on the worst omelet I¡¯ve ever tasted. I wanted to tell her how awful it was, how inedible it felt on my tongue but she was looking at me with hopeful, bright eyes and I was reminded of their dullness of yesterday so I did something I never did, I gave the wrong feedback. ¡°Your cooking is improving. You¡¯re on the right path.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± She beamed. ¡°That¡¯s great to hear!¡±


    Even though I was smiling through the pain, my heart swelled at her genuine delight. I wanted her happy at all times.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be doing all the cooking from now on.¡±


    My smile disappeared immediately. ¡°Why?¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°I just wanted to do more around here. Salma doesn¡¯te in everyday and you¡¯re always so busy so it¡¯s fair that I take over the task.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m notining.¡±


    She gave me a faraway look. ¡°You never do.¡±


    I was about to ask what that was about when voices flooded into the living room.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you man, she has the hots for me.¡± Santino¡¯s jovial voice was saying.


    ¡°You think every woman has the hots for you, I¡¯m not taking you seriously.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know attraction if it body mmed you to the ground. I¡¯m not listening to you either.¡±


    They fell silent when they noticed I and Cara.


    ¡°Well, isn¡¯t it our favorite couple.¡±


    ¡°Good morning to you too, Santino.¡± I said dryly as Cara blushed crimson. It made me want to haul her back to our bed.


    ¡°What do we have here?¡± The hitman asked,ing over to the kitchen ind. He snatched up my food immediately. ¡°Omelets, nice.¡±


    I watched with restrainedughter as he took a huge bite and began to chew, his face draining of color.


    ¡°Delicious right?¡± Cara prompted and I was genuinely curious to know how she was so blissfully ignorant of the terrible taste.


    I cleared my throat loudly as soon as Santino opened his mouth to speak, giving him a warning stare when his eyes met mine.


    He smiled stiffly. ¡°Yeah, delicious.¡±


    ¡°I knew it.¡± Cara pped her hands. She turned to Dominic, tentatively asking, ¡°would you like a te?¡±


    Dominic sat down beside Santino, staring at the omelet like it was horse shit. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Yes, he would. Fix him a te bambina.¡± I said, smiling warmly at Cara andpletely ignoring the re Dominic shot my way.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Cara¡¯s crumpled expression at his refusal brightened and she hurried to the task. Soon shoving a te of her egg blobs in front of Dominic. He scrunched up his nose at it.


    ¡°I¡¯d leave you boys to discuss whatever it is you have to discuss, seeing as my job here is done. Enjoy your breakfast!¡± She said airily, kissing me on the cheek before flitting upstairs.


    Santino barfed up into the te the second Cara disappeared. ¡°Your girlfriend might be hot but she¡¯s a terrible cook.¡±


    ¡°Mention she¡¯s hot again and I¡¯d be smashing your face into that te.¡±


    ¡°Is this even safe to eat?¡± Dominic mused.


    ¡°You guys can dump it in the trash can over there.¡± I informed, rising from my seat.


    ¡°Do it.¡± Dominic said to Santino.


    ¡°Why the fuck would I?¡±


    ¡°Because unlike you I¡¯m here with important news and I got a million other things to do, things that do not include frolicking and flirting with girls.¡±


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not my fault the boss has been too busy with his girlfriend to find the next person he hates and wants me to take care of. And I don¡¯t ¡°frolick¡±, I have important things to do too.¡±


    ¡°If you consider gambling important.¡±


    ¡°Man fuck you.¡± Santino retorted but proceeded to discard Cara¡¯s awesome omelet.


    Dominic followed me to the living area. ¡°Word¡¯s on the street that Mikhalov is trying to sway Alesky¡¯s trusted clients from dealing with you.¡±


    The information didn¡¯te as a surprise, I expected the pakhan to do exactly just that.


    ¡°Let him be. He should be busy with that when the blow hits him.¡±


    ¡°What blow?¡±


    ¡°It appears that our dear Alexei harbors a huge guilt for the unforgivable sin hemitted against his unsuspecting father, one that led to the death of the retired pakhan¡¯ste wife. A sin enough to cause a divide between father and son. One that¡¯d give his power hungry cousins the excuse they need to usurp him.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°Now I want to know just what exactly the fucker had done.¡±


    My smile was dark. ¡°All in good time.¡±


    The restlessness in my friend¡¯s eyes belied his epting nod. ¡°Alright then.¡± He said, pulling out a sh drive from his pocket. ¡°Grigori would have given this to you himself but he had a couple of things to take care of in his office.¡±


    I took the ultra slim device. ¡°What¡¯s it for?¡±


    ¡°He said and I quote, ¡®something on the signorina.''¡±


    I looked back down at the sh drive, my pulse kicking up as I registered what that meant. Grigori had found something about Cara¡¯s life before her vile stepmother like I¡¯d instructed him to a long while ago.

 Chapter 90: Red handed

    Luca¡¯s pov


    Strange, it was all too strange. When Dominic handed me the sh drive, when I retreated into my office and connected the device to myputer, I¡¯d expected answerssomething that solved the mystery that was Cara¡¯s past. What I had not expected to be baffled all over again. I¡¯d sought to puzzle out her past with Grigori¡¯s new findings, not to get PUZZLED by them.


    Pointer finger hooked over my lip, I squinted at myputer screen in deep thought, trying to make sense of the information on the sharply, glowing monitor.


    From the first entry, Cara was found in a deserted apartment building at the young age of eight and was rushed to a hospital because she has been sick and starving.


    I scrolled down to the next page, my heartpressing as I read the doctor¡¯s documentation on her health. Apparently she had suffered more than just physical health conditions. The report showed that she was also in a state of shock and delirium due to her bad fever.


    ¡°The child would cry and scream, chanting over and over about bad men in guns wanting to kill her like they killed her father.¡± An highlighted text said.


    I pushed forward on my swivel so I could get closer to theputer. What bad men with guns? What father?


    Reading through the length of the eighteen page PDF document did nothing to answer the questions I had.


    My eyes lifted back to the first entry and I absentmindedly ran the cursor around the very first paragraph, hating that it was the earliest record of her, nothing else before that.


    Nothing about the murdered father or the men responsible for it and there wasn¡¯t even any information on the said father that I could use to find out more.


    Cara¡¯s birth hadn¡¯t been registered.


    ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± I muttered aloud, ring at the closed door of my office.


    I could storm past it, find Cara and make her spill everything I needed to sate my raging curiosity. I would have but then again it wasn¡¯t just some old family lore, there was something bigger, something that made Cara¡¯s beautiful blue eyes ze over with fear the few times I brought up her past in any way. I remember the stiffening of her features when I¡¯d inquired about the scars on her wrists. I didn¡¯t know much to tell when the obvious tragedy she was being haunted by happened. And it frustrated me to no end. Was it something connected to her father¡¯s murder? Or was it something that was connectedter on during her time with the Torellos?


    The reports had said something about her developing a fear of light shes in her teenage years. Was that a trigger? A trauma response?


    Fuck. For the life of me, I couldn¡¯t figure anything out. Grigori¡¯s information made everything seem like a bigger enigma. This business of being patient and waiting for her to tell me all on her own was proving difficult. I was a man who demanded answers and took them in whatever way I could, I didn¡¯t sit quietly and wait for someone to open up all on their own. I was not a fucking therapist fuck sake.


    I snapped to my feet and headed out to find Cara, intent on making her talk. I had no idea how I was going to do exactly that but I was done with not knowing. It was time she told me everything.


    I found her takingps in the infinity pool, wearing the sexiest bikini I¡¯ve ever seen. Or maybe it was just her body.


    She spotted me on her next turn, her eyes lighting up and her focused expression morphed into a delighted smile.


    ¡°Hey there,¡± she chirped, swimming back and getting out of the pool.


    I took in her divine wet blond hair, her glistening lips, the droplets on her neck rolling down and over her taut nipples, more droplets on her slim waist. My gaze returned to face, to that heartwarming smile she was giving me, big and bright and lighting up my dark soul.


    I instantly forgot all that I¡¯de to say.


    I drank in the sight of her, feeling so damn enamored I didn¡¯t know what to do with myself.


    She picked up a towel lying on one of the lounge chairs next to us. ¡°Were you looking for me?¡±


    ¡°I was.¡± I said in a voice tight with the emotions I was feeling.


    She rubbed the towel into her hair. ¡°Why?¡±


    Why? I could hardly remember why. All that upied my thoughts is the way her nipples were strained in her tiny bikini that barely covered her perfect tits.


    Closing the gap between us, I took the towel from her, watching her confused and equally amused expression as I began drying her hair.


    ¡°I had something important to ask you,¡± I said, stroking the towel through the length of her hair. She was staring at me with a patient smile, waiting for me to spill it out but that would mean aplete obliteration of the good mood we were having and I didn¡¯t want that. At least not yet.


    As if on cue, my dick twitched in my pants, agreeing with me.


    Cara ced her hands on my chest. ¡°What is it you want to ask me?¡±


    I paused with the towel to regard her for a moment. ¡°Later.¡± I said, discarding the towel to the side and grabbing her gently by the throat. ¡°Now, I want to take you.¡±


    She giggled as I dipped down to pepper kisses on the corner of her mouth. ¡°I¡¯d get you all wet.¡±


    ¡°As if I fucking care.¡± I grunted against her lips.


    I fused my mouth with hers, kissing her like a man starved. Cara moaned when I seized her tongue with my lips, her chest instinctively pressing into me.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I don¡¯t know how long we stood there plundering each other¡¯s mouth, all I knew that the fire was growing hotter and the need to ravish Cara came before all else. The interrogation about her past had long taken a backseat in my mind.


    I deepened the kiss even further, my grip around her throat tightening ever so lightly. My c0ck flexed hungrily, growing heavy with desire.


    All I wanted at the moment was to kiss her all over her wet skin, eat her luscious pussy then fuck her until she¡¯s begging and crying and shattering around my-


    ¡°So the rumor IS true.¡±


    Cara and I broke apart, turning to find the shocked faces of my father and Amanda.


    Cara was the first to react. A gasp of horror left her, all the blood draining from her face and she unconsciously stepped behind me, her fear palpable.


    It made my surprise wear off, annoyance taking its stead. ¡°Father,¡± I started in a calm voice that contrasted with the irritation I was feeling, ¡°what a surprise to see you here.¡±


    A surprise indeed. My father never once visited me since I moved out of the mansion, he doesn¡¯t even have ess to the pass for the penthouse. Except he had gotten through via the aid of my men or teleported, there was no other usible reason that exined his presence.


    I really did hope it was a case of teleportation and not my men letting him in without my permission. If not, I¡¯d have to teach them a valuable lesson.


    ¡°The only surprise here is what I¡¯d just seen.¡± My father said in a deceptively calm voice. He stepped closer. ¡°What in damnation is this? Are you really having an affair with your sister?¡±


    I felt Cara flinch behind me.


    My irritation churned harder. My voice grew terse. ¡°She¡¯s not my sister.¡±


    ¡°She is if I¡¯m married to her mother. Which I am.¡±


    My tone was leveled. ¡°Amanda isn¡¯t Cara¡¯s mother. Hasn¡¯t been since she got out of the foster care system. I¡¯m breaking now here.¡±


    My father¡¯s gaze hardened. A muscle ticked in his jaw. His rarely seen disy of anger was slowly making an entrance. ¡°Nobody cares about technicalities, Luca. The girl still bears the Torello name and that¡¯s all that matters. People will talk.¡±


    I spared Amanda a chilly look when she had the audacity to mumble in agreement. She pressed closer to her husband.


    ¡°You must have forgotten, father, but I do not care what anyone has to say about my affairs.¡±


    A crease appeared between his eyebrows. ¡°So you¡¯d rather have them smear her name.¡±


    I pinned him with an icy re, my fist balling at my chest as the bitter realization that he had a point spread across me like arsenic. I might not give a fuck what the Cosa Nostra thought about I and Cara¡¯s rtionship, their gossip might not affect me but Cara was definitely going to be affected. Especially when someone like Valentina exists. I could bet my fortune that she was the one who told my father about us.


    Seeing as his words made the desired effect, the old Don straightened his spine, his dark eyes sharp and piercing. ¡°Cara would leave with us at once. She can no longer live with you.¡±


    Something dark burst behind my eyes. ¡°On whose order?¡±


    My father gritted his teeth. ¡°Luca-¡±


    ¡°She is going nowhere, father.¡±


    That did it for the cold, icy Don. He exploded. ¡°Can you hear yourself?!¡±


    Cara flinched again and it incensed my anger. Whatever terse response I was going to give was interrupted when she came out from behind me and spoke in a shaky voice. ¡°I¡¯ll leave.¡±


    My gaze snapped to her. ¡°You will do no such thing.¡±


    ¡°Luca¡­¡± her eyes were pleading.


    ¡°No.¡± I clipped.


    ¡°It is for the best.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Listen to the girl, Luca.¡± My father put in. He faced Cara. ¡°Go pack your things.¡±


    Again, Cara interjected before I could say something daunting.


    ¡°I never said I¡¯d be living with you.¡± Her gaze was unflinching, challenging and despite the fury roaring in my chest, I felt a burst of pride and admiration.


    My fierce and wilful queen.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Amanda snapped at her.


    ¡°I have no obligation to stay with you at the mansion. I¡¯m a grown woman and I will choose where I live.¡±


    ¡°Like you chose to be sleeping in the same bed with your stepbrother?¡±


    I stepped in front of Cara, my entire body trembling with the urge to throttle my father¡¯s wife to death. ¡°Contain your wife, father, or I¡¯d do it myself.¡± I growled.


    My father regarded me with a gaze so intense a lesser man would have cowered under it but I was no lesser man and I never cowered before a man, whoever he was.


    Tension stretched the silence between as we held each other¡¯s gaze, caught in a silent battle of wills. One I knew for a certain I was going to win.


    ¡°Merda,¡± my father bit out. His focus turned on his wife. ¡°Apologize this instant.¡±


    Amanda¡¯s eyes grew wider with indignation but the looks on I and my father¡¯s faces told her she was better off keeping her protests to herself. She shot a stiff look at Cara. ¡°I apologize for what I said.¡±


    I found the apology to be half-assed but Cara seemed fine otherwise.


    ¡°No offense taken.¡± She responded.


    ¡°I hope you keep your word by moving out.¡± My father said to Cara.


    ¡°If the threat against her life disappears, maybe we¡¯d consider it. Until then, goodbye father.¡± I said, ignoring the frantic look Cara was giving me.


    My father¡¯s eyes bored into me. ¡°I hope you know what you¡¯re doing.¡± He finalized before he turned on his heel and stormed off with his wife.

 Chapter 91: Out of The Bag

    Chapter 91: Out of the bag


    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Is that her?¡± A woman in her early twenties whisper-yelled over the booming music to her friend as I made my way through the dancing clubbers of club Nova.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s her.¡± The friend managed toce venom into the otherwise harmless response.


    They weren¡¯t the only ones whispering to themselves, several others were chittering quietly among themselves, their eyes following me like mas.


    Word had spread like wildfire, everyone and their mamas now knew I was Luca¡¯s new girlfriend. Or whore ording to whose version of gossip you were listening to.


    After my mother and Manuel left yesterday, I¡¯d taken a moment to process things. Luca had been considerate enough to give me the space I needed and after an hour of deep thinking, I decided it was all good. My anxiety had slowly seeped away, giving way to a deep sense of relief.


    The cat was finally out of the bag. I didn¡¯t have to stress and obsess over keeping our rtionship a secret. Valentina had done me a great service by tattling. You could say I had one less burden to carry.


    I was wrong.


    The moment I walked into the club, I realized just how wrong I¡¯ve been. Things weren¡¯t as fine as I¡¯d deluded myself to think. I could hear them as I passed whore, gold-digger, Luca¡¯s goomah.


    I ignored them, my head held high, my stride unfaltering. I wanted to appear unbothered even though I was anything but. I didn¡¯t want to give them the satisfaction of knowing I was affected by them even though I had no reason to. It wasn¡¯t like I¡¯d done anything to be ashamed of. If they wanted to vilify me for falling in love then that was on them not me.


    The bouncers at the entrance of the VIP area got even stiffer when I approached. Although they didn¡¯t  hold malice in their gaze like most of the clubbers and had surprisingly greeted me with a stiff nod, I could still recognize the apprehension and wariness underlying.


    My answering smile was rather forced and I dashed my way past them, not slowing down my pace as I hurried to the VIP room Luca described to me earlier on before he left home. He¡¯d told me to ask any of his men if I didn¡¯t get the directions but it seemed that wasn¡¯t an option considering the fact that no one here wanted to even breathe next to me. They were either scared to speak to me or appeared to dislike me for some wild reason.


    I didn¡¯t even know these people.


    Luckily, I got to the office without getting lost in the migraine-inducing neon-lighted cave-like hallway.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s my favorite sister-inw!¡± A voice that very much belonged to Santino hooted the second I swung the door open and stepped in.


    The warm smile I had at hearing the familiar voice died when I noticed the other men in the room. Smartly dressed men I didn¡¯t know were sitting around arge, circr table and looking at me weirdly. I fought the urge to shudder.


    Ugh, I was sick of this.


    ¡°Hey, Santi-¡± I stered on a civil smile, ¡°gentlemen.¡± I finished with a small nod.


    None of them cared enough to respond.


    Well, so much for ying the Don¡¯s polite girlfriend.


    I turned away, moving awkwardly to a red leather couch at the other end of the room, wanting to be as far away from the dangerous aura the men exuded as I waited in suffocating silence for them to finish up with whatever business they had going on or for Luca to appear and whisk me away from here.


    The heavens granted me the former in less than two minutes. I watched with immense relief as the men began to file out of the room, leaving me pondering whether it was a good thing that they couldn¡¯t be bothered to at least nce in my direction before disappearing.


    I didn¡¯t want their attention anymore than I wanted the trouble thates with it but it was clear that they acted the way they did because they didn¡¯t see me as important and that hurt me in some way. Maybe it was Valentina¡¯s words haunting me but I wanted to be seen as important. I wanted to be worthy of Luca¡¯s love. To be more than just his pretty asset.


    ¡°Santi?¡± I spoke as soon as he bade off thest elegantly suited criminal.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Mm, Signorina-¡±


    ¡°Please call me Cara.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± He winked. ¡°Cara. Luca would be here any minute now so you don¡¯t have to worry. Sorry about those guys, they¡¯re usually stuck up pricks like that so you don¡¯t have to worry about them either. Don¡¯t tell Luca you met them here though, you weren¡¯t supposed to. If I knew you were going to be two minutes earlier than the ETA I was given I¡¯d chosen some other ce for the meeting so you wouldn¡¯t have-¡±


    Dear God. ¡°Santi.¡± I cut in forcefully. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not bothered.¡±


    He came over and plopped down on the couch beside me. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be.¡±


    A crease appeared between my eyebrows. ¡°Then why were you-¡±


    ¡°Rambling?¡± He gave a careless shrug. ¡°I¡¯m hungry. I ramble a lot when I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    I blinked at him, stunned then I let out a disbelieving chuckle. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I still take you seriously.¡±


    He grinned beside me. ¡°People say it¡¯s my eyes. I have very earnest looking eyes.¡±


    I didn¡¯t believe that for a second. ¡°Santi.¡±


    ¡°Mm?¡±


    ¡°Do you know how to shoot?¡±


    A nk stare, and then cameughter. Really heavyughter.


    ¡°What?¡± I pouted, wondering what the hell was funny.


    It took him a minute to gather himself. ¡°Nothing.¡± He said as his wheezing died down. ¡°I think I do¡±


    I sat up immediately. ¡°You think?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± For some reason, he appeared amused.


    ¡°Like how well? Can you urately shoot a person¡¯s shin from like¡­¡± I paused to consider, ¡°ten feet away?¡±


    He looked like he wanted to burst intoughter again. ¡°Yeah I think I can do ten feet.¡±


    I pped my hands in excitement. ¡°Great, teach me how to shoot.¡±


    His face squeezed in confusion. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°None of your business.¡± I wasn¡¯t going to tell him that him teaching me how to use a gun was my first step on my mission to be Luca¡¯s worthy girlfriend. I might not be able to ¡°stop wars with powerful connections¡± but I¡¯d start with knowing how to protect myself without burdening Luca.


    Santino was leering at me, obviously wondering what it was I was plotting. I smiled innocently at him.


    ¡°No.¡± He deadpanned.


    My smile faded. ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Yes, no. I don¡¯t do things that Luca didn¡¯t permit me to.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°We could always get permission from himter.¡±


    ¡°What don¡¯t you ask him to teach you instead?¡±


    The question caused me to pause for a bit. Why didn¡¯t I want Luca to teach me himself? Well, for one, the man was as astute as theye. I didn¡¯t want him putting two and two together and picking on my true reasons for wanting to learn how to shoot. I was tired of him knowing all of my insecurities.


    ¡°He¡¯s too busy.¡± I lied.


    Santino, however, doesn¡¯t believe me. ¡°Can¡¯t help that can we?¡±


    ¡°Please, I¡¯d cook for you.¡±


    He shot me a sharp nce. ¡°No offense Cara but your cooking sucks so it¡¯s still a hard no.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°I thought you liked it.¡±


    ¡°I lied because Luca asked me to.¡± He crossed one leg over the other. ¡°It was barely edible.¡±


    The fucking ass- wait¡­ Luca had lied to me too?


    Santino¡¯s expression became awkward when he noticed the drop in my mood. ¡°Hey, he just didn¡¯t want to make you feel bad.¡±


    ¡°So he lied. You too. I thought we were ¡°buddies¡±?¡±


    ¡°We are, we are. I- look, cooking is a process, you¡¯d get there something. Not anytime soon but someday.¡±


    I could scoff in disbelief. Do made men not know how to sugarcoat when it¡¯s absolutely necessary? They were either straight up lying or destroying your self esteem with their frankness.


    Turning away from him, I muttered, ¡°Just go away.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m under orders to watch you until Luca gets here.¡±


    I snickered. ¡°You think I need monitoring in a pretty safe room like this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just as baffled as you. The Don tends to be overly unreasonable where you¡¯re concerned.¡±


    Mentally ill that I was, I blushed at that, immediately forgetting that I was supposed to be feeling betrayed and pissed.


    I didn¡¯t know Santino was watching me until he said. ¡°Oh, great. You match his freak.¡±


    I was spared the horror of having to answer him when the door pushed open and Luca entered the room. My heart jump-started, its beats tripping over themselves.


    He was dashing as ever and he looked happy to see me too, a warm smile ying on his lips until his gaze narrowed in on Santino. From the scowl that took over his features as he pointedly looked from Santino to me, I could guess that he wasn¡¯t a fan of us sitting on the same couch.


    Gosh, he was such a possessive neanderthal.


    ¡°Is there any reason why you two are sitting this close together?¡±


    Santino sighed heavily and got up. ¡°I better start going before your boyfriend here does some serious harm to me.¡± He brushed off his suit jacket. ¡°I have a dateter tonight and I¡¯d love to show up without spotting a ck eye or a bruised jaw likest time.¡±


    Last time?


    He gave Luca a small salute. Luca only red at him. He proceeded to dance around his pissed boss carefully before slipping out.


    Luca¡¯s dark eyes zeroed in on me. ¡°What were you two talking about?¡±


    I rolled my eyes and patted the space next to me.


    He doesn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Are you just going to stand there and interrogate me?¡±


    He dyed for a second, his hard eyes regarding me before he started to walk over. And my God, the man had the sexiest gait. His strides had the grace of a greek god, his hips and shoulders moving in a masculine way that made my mouth water.


    I gasped when he lifted me off the couch and took my spot then settled me on hisp to straddle him instead of sitting on the space beside me like I¡¯d asked.


    ¡°It better be the weather you guys were talking about.¡± He drawled, his handsome face level with mine.


    I bit back a smile. ¡°Nah, we have a lot more inmon for it to be that.¡±


    His eyes darkened, deliciously. ¡°Thest thing you should do now is tease me, woman.¡±


    I leaned in until the tip of our noses were touching. ¡°Why, you¡¯re so fun to tease.¡±


    I was rewarded with a hot smack on the side of my thigh. Grinning at him, I conceded. ¡°If you must know, Santi was just-¡±


    ¡°Santi? You now call him Santi?¡±


    I threaded my fingers into his hair. ¡°Yes and SANTI told me you ordered him to lie about my omelets.¡±


    His jealous expression slowly transitioned into a guilty one. ¡°The fucker wasn¡¯t supposed to tell you that.¡±


    ¡°So you did lie.¡±


    His eyes grew earnest. ¡°I felt like I had too in that moment. You looked like you¡¯d be greatly affected if I didn¡¯t.¡±


    He was right. I would have. Fuck him and his keen perception. Desperate to direct the conversation to lighter matters, I cleared my throat. ¡°Well, you should be honest next time. I can¡¯t know what to improve if you keep lying about the taste of my food.¡±


    ¡°Note taken.¡± He mumbled before burying his face in my neck.


    ¡°Luca,¡± I whispered breathlessly.


    ¡°Mm?¡±


    ¡°How long do we have before you get back to work?¡±


    ¡°I have an outside engagement in a few minutes and then I¡¯d be done for the day.¡±


    I sighed when he licked the underside of my jaw. ¡°What time would you be back home?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯reing with me to the meeting.¡± He said without missing a bit even though he was busy driving me crazy with his mouth on my neck. ¡°We¡¯d leave for home right after.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I managed. ¡°Do you¡­ do you want to talk about my moving out before we leave?¡±


    He stilled immediately, wrenching away from my neck to look at me. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about. You¡¯re not moving out.¡±


    One of my hands left his hair to cup his face. ¡°Luca, I promised your father.¡±


    His eyes remained hard. ¡°And you shouldn¡¯t have.¡±


    I heaved a sigh, shaking my head slightly. ¡°I have to do this. People are talking.¡±


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t matter-¡±


    ¡°It matters to me. I really don¡¯t enjoy beingbeled as your f*uckthing.¡±


    His eyes softened, searching my face. ¡°Cara, did anyone call you-¡±


    I shook my head again. ¡°No. They didn¡¯t. Not to my face that is.¡±


    Luca cursed under his breath.


    ¡°I need to prove that I have autonomy over myself Luca, that I¡¯m more than just your pretty goomah.¡±


    His face contorted with a wince. ¡°Where did you learn that from?¡±


    ¡°What? Goomah? You¡¯d be surprised by how much Italian I can pick up from people¡¯s conversations.¡±


    His answer was a conceding groan. ¡°Okay, fine.¡±


    I drew him in for a brief kiss on the lips. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯d stay with Diana until I find a ce of my own.¡±


    I was pinned with a hard re. ¡°Let me make it clear to you, Cara. One, there¡¯s no chance in hell that you¡¯d be going back to that death trap neighborhood. Two, I¡¯d find you an apartment myself, somewhere I can protect you.¡±


    My refusal was instinctive. ¡°I can¡¯t have you do that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s non negotiable.¡±


    I studied the firm nes of his face. His expression told me that I was going to lose if I tried to push it. I sighed in annoyance as I reluctantly epted it. At least I¡¯d gotten him to let me move out. ¡°Fine.¡±


    His smile was smug and I badly wanted to wipe it off his face so I bent down and seized his mouth. ¡°You¡¯re such an overbearing jerk.¡± I mumbled in between the kisses.


    ¡°But you wouldn¡¯t want me any other way.¡± He replied.


    I kissed him harder, knowing damn well that he was right.

 Chapter 92: Dead or Alive

    Chapter 92: Dead Or Alive


    Double pov


    Cara


    Although Luca imed to have a meeting in a short while, we spent a recklessly long amount of time sharing passionate kisses and were past caring by the time Luca finally broke away and pulled me to my feet. Kissing me yet again before we left the room.


    The walk back to the club was less ufortable now that I had Luca holding my hand and leading the way like a man would lead his woman in a crowded ce. I basked in the envious looks I was getting, smiling proudly as I got past the hating bitches. Hating was all they could do, I was still the one that had Luca at the end of the day.


    Our drive to the hotel Luca was having his meeting was full of hot, passionate kisses. I was beyond aroused when we arrived at the ce, so aroused that every brush of my thighs together was bordering on painful.


    Luca led me to the hotel¡¯s private bar, kissing me deeply onest time before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Shortly after he left, the familiar faces of my bodyguards popped up and surrounded the ce. I wasn¡¯t even fazed at this point, I¡¯d long reconciled with the fact that they have practically be my shadows. Always following me and keeping watch.


    I busied myself by taking in everything, loving the luxurious ambience of the ce. The people however weren¡¯t a lot to take in. A gay couple making lovesick faces at each other sat not too far off from me. A middle aged woman with incredible hair was nursing a ss of whiskey at the bar, looking like someone who was drinking to forget. She kept yappering to the big, burly bartender who looked rather at odds with the elegance of the ce. If I wasn¡¯t mistaken, there was a trace of ink peeking out from his cor.


    I don¡¯t know how long I sat there, watching and musing but I was getting bored. I was considering going to the bar to get a drink when a sudden white sh cut across my line of sight.


    I blinked rapidly, wincing in difort as my vision blurred. When they focused again, I found the taller one of the gay couple posing as his partner took pictures of him with a¡­


    The sh came again and I froze.


    ¡°Smile for the camera, darling.¡± The partner was saying.


    My throat closed up. I- I¡¯d heard that before. Many times from his mouth. Another sh of light flickered across the bar and I shied away from it.


    Stop hiding bitch, face the camera like the shameless whore you are.


    Something chilly slithered up my spine. No, please. Stop taking pictures. I jumped to my feet, intent on getting away, intent on running away from him. From the sh of the camera, from his cruel voice.


    You can never hide that slut body from me. I own you and I¡¯d do with it as I see fit.


    ¡°No. Go away.¡± I managed to say over the roaring taunts around me and the tightening of my airway.


    ¡°Signorina,¡± Sergio¡¯s voice was calling from somewhere far away. He¡¯d never be able to make it to me in time. Diego would havepletely gotten to me before he did.


    Little whore. He was whispering in my ear, his cold hands wrapping around my throat choking me. I fell to the ground, fighting to escape his hold to no avail.


    ¡°Please¡­ stay¡­ away¡­¡± I managed weakly, barely able to breathe. My skin was hot with fear yet I was shuddering from the disgusting feel of his hands around me. I shut my eyes, afraid to see his frightening face, the evil glint in his green eyes.


    Another set of hands started to shake me, rattling my heavy body. It angered me, they were supposed to be getting Diego¡¯s hands off me not shaking me.


    ¡°Cara. Cara, baby.¡±


    Luca, that sounded like Luca.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Luca?


    ¡°Yes, baby it¡¯s me.¡±


    My eyes snapped open to his glorious face, struck pale with fear. Fear for me.


    ¡°Luca, g-get him a-a-away from me.¡±


    ¡°Who, baby?¡±


    ¡°D-¡± I started to say but stopped when I noticed he was gone.


    Gone, Luca had chased him away. His powerful presence had caused the devil to run off.


    ¡°You made him go away.¡± I said drowsily, my body goingden with relief and joy and triumph. ¡°You saved me from him.¡±


    ¡°Who, bambina? Who are you talking about?¡±


    I could feel myself slipping away, my mind rxed now that Luca was here.


    ¡°Cara?¡± Luca shook me again.


    ¡°The devil.¡± I whispered before all went ck.


    Luca


    My heart froze over like ake in a biting cold winter when Cara went limp in my hands.


    I slowly nudged her. ¡°Cara?¡±


    She didn¡¯t move. Her body felt stiff in my arms, like all the muscles in her limbs were knotted.


    My heart thawed immediately, pumping dread into my veins and my eyes roved over Cara¡¯s sweaty skin, wide and wild with rm.


    ¡°Cara,¡± I nudged with a tell this time, still getting no physical response from her.


    She¡¯d been kicking and squirming only a few seconds ago, she¡¯d been crazed with whatever that was haunting her, looking so scared and troubled that it had me choked on fear.


    But this new development was even worse.


    I dipped down to ce an ear on her chest. Her breathing was weak and shallow. A low wheezing noise slipped out of her subtly parted lips.


    Terror shot through my chest like a lightning bolt. I scooped her up at once, my legs having a mind of their own as I practically zoomed out the bar, my men hot on my tail.


    ¡°Call the family doctor.¡± I barked at Sergio, ¡°tell him to be at the penthouse in ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss.¡± The soldier responded, immediately pulling out his phone.


    I cradled Cara closer, silently praying to all that was listening that the doctor is there by the time we get to the penthouse.


    ¡°Get out of the way!¡± I bellowed at the frolicking hotel guests as I raced for the entrance.


    The car was already waiting and it set into motion the moment I slipped in the backseat after Cara. I held her close, tapping heavily on her back, willing her to be fine.


    ¡°Breathe, Cara. Breathe.¡± I begged, rocking her numb form to my body.


    The ride back to the penthouse seemed endless. Mile after mile of road stretched past us before the tall skyscraper finally came into view.


    My driver had barely shut the car when I burst out with Cara, dashing for the elevator.


    ¡°Alfonso!¡± I yelled the second the elevator doors dinged open to the foyer.


    The doctor was waiting in the living room, hisrge briefcase of medical tools already open and ready.


    He rushed over immediately, waiting for me to set Cara down on the couch before feeling for her pulse. ¡°Her pulse is weak.¡± He observed. ¡°What happened?¡±


    I raked a hand through my hair. ¡°She started having difficulty breathing after a brief hallucination episode. I think it¡¯s PTSD.¡±


    Alfonso, the family¡¯s doctor for as long as I can remember, took the information in stride and it grated on my nerves.


    As if he perceived my annoyance, he said, ¡°it¡¯s just a panic attack Don. She¡¯ll be fine, nothing is going to happen to her. A few stress relief pills and a good ol¡¯ rest and she¡¯d be up and about. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    I blew out a tense breath, his words doing nothing tofort me. Cara had gone through something so awful she was still heavily devastated by it. I revisited the memory of her screaming on the floor, her hands choking her own throat as she fought off something or someone only she could see and it made my blood curdle with hot, red fury. Fury I WILL unleash on whoever it was that hurt her and I¡¯d do it in the most heinous way possible.


    Whoever it was, they better be dead.

 Chapter 93: Ghosts From The Past

    Cara¡¯s pov


    I regretted the moment I opened my eyes. Light, blinding and harsh, burst into the darkness like a bomb. It stabbed my vision, forcing me to squint and recoil. The stark contrast between the still ckness I¡¯d been in and this sharp brightness left me disoriented. As my eyes slowly adjusted, the ceiling above me began to seem clearer, my hazy mind working like a puzzle to figure out where I was.


    ¡°Cara?¡± A voice I¡¯d recognize anyway spoke into the loud silence.


    I snapped my neck to the side, instantly regretting that as well. My head throbbed like a bitch.


    It urred to me that I was back home in our bedroom, in the bed. Luca was sitting in the space beside me, his eyes running over my face. ¡°Meno male! You¡¯re awake.¡± His voice was part distressed, part thankful.


    I blinked up at him, lost for a second before it all started toe back to me, in vivid images, the events of what had led me up to this point shed behind my eyes. I remembered going to club Nova to see Luca, I remembered us driving to some hotel where he left me in a bar. Then I remember the gay couple and camera.


    And HIM.


    I couldn¡¯t help the shudder that racked through me. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯d physically felt Diego¡¯s creepy touch on me. The visceral experience had waned along the years, leaving only his sinister taunts and vivid mental images. I didn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t, understand why the awful feeling suddenly decided to resurface now.


    Luca inched closer, his hand putting away my sweat matted hair from my face. ¡°How are you?Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I¡¯d been out but it somehow felt like a long time, if Luca¡¯s frazzled appearance was any indication. He¡¯d done away with his jacket, his ash dress shirt was wrinkled and rolled up, three buttons undone. His hair was a mess and he had stress lines around his gorgeous eyes.


    ¡°You had me so fucking scared bambina, all of that¡­¡± he stopped to clench his jaw, his eyes shutting as if in anguish.


    I looked away, panic bleeding into my veins as it dawned on me that the worst had been done.


    He¡¯d seen me for what I was- fucked up, crazy and pathetic.


    For all I know, in his point of view, I¡¯d been a screaming banshee fighting demons that were invisible. Like a psych ward patient. Like a possessed woman.


    More sweat umted on my forehead, cold like the feel of dread of whates next, rejection. He was going to leave me, none of my partners in the past had stayed after they were exposed to the real me. The pitiful, pathetic girl who was prisoner to her own past. Her own memories.


    ¡°Cara, look at me.¡± Luca¡¯smanding timbre brought me out of my self depreciating thoughts.


    But I didn¡¯t look at him. I refused to, scared of what I was sure to find on his face-the look of disgust.


    NO MAN WOULD WANT A MESS LIKE YOU, Diego¡¯s infuriating voice chipped in on cue.


    My gaze was suddenly lifted by a strong grip on my jaw, bringing me face to face with eyes so grey it rivalled rainy clouds. Eyes that were angry and vehement.


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, stop it.¡± He snapped.


    My smile was sad. ¡°Admit it you¡¯re put off by me. It was bound to happen.¡±


    I almost shivered from the cold annoyance wafting off him. ¡°Why would I be?¡±


    My eyes dropped again. ¡°I¡¯m a mess.¡±


    ¡°You are.¡±


    I never looked up so fast as I did.


    A sardonic smile tilted his lips. ¡°What? Did you think I¡¯d deny it? You¡¯re a mess, as is everyone. We¡¯re all messed up in our own way. By our past or by ambitions, one way or the other. You¡¯re not to me for the wounds you carry, nor are you to be shamed for it.


    I¡¯d meant it when I said I love all of you, the good side and the ugly side so watching you assume I¡¯d leave over something like this is quite hurtful and insulting and overall, pissing me the fuck off.¡±


    I was a still statue, staring dumbstruck at this beautiful man as I processed his beautiful words.


    He just said he wasn¡¯t going to leave me, that he was going to be by my side even after knowing I was being haunted by another man.


    Something reached inside me and calmed my heart, my worries, my fears and the tears, they fell freely.


    I began to sob.


    ¡°Oh, Luca.¡± I shot up to a sitting position.


    He drew me into his arms, holding me close, renderingfort and I came apart in his safe embrace.


    ¡°I¡¯m never leaving you, bambina. I don¡¯t care what has happened in the past.¡± He stroked my back as I ugly-cried into his shirt.


    ¡°Y-y-you s-s-still love me.¡± I stuttered after a sniff.


    ¡°Yes, and I want you to never, ever forget that. I need you to trust me with everything, bambina.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°I- I do.¡±


    He pulled back an inch, his handing up to frame my face. ¡°Then tell me. Tell me everything. Stop hiding from me.¡±


    A distressed breath escaped my lips, leaving them dry. My lungs hitched as I took a deep breath, one I¡¯d need if I¡¯m going to dive into what I¡¯m about to do.


    Luca waited patiently for me to gather my courage, his stroking hand on my back a symbol of encouragement. I was filled with love and gratitude.


    I inhaled heavily again. ¡°It started when I was thirteen. I was given no room when I moved in with my mother so I slept in a mediumlyrge corner in the pantry. It had been my safe haven until he slipped in one night.¡±


    I shut my eyes briefly for more courage before continuing. ¡°At first, he did nothing serious. He just stroked my legs and whispered obscene things then left.


    I didn¡¯t understand what it was and when I tried to speak to my mother the next morning, she shut me down before I even brought it up. It happened that night as well and the next, and the next and my young, innocent mind ended up writing it off as nothing. Until it started to gradually grow worse.¡±


    Luca¡¯s eyes red, his strokes a little shaky with what I perceived to be rage but he didn¡¯t stop. For my sake and it urged me on.


    ¡°He went from just touching my legs one night to touching my inner thighs. And from touching my thighs, it graduated to my inner thighs then to my stomach then¡­ then to my tiny breasts.¡±


    Luca let out a vehement curse in Italian.


    More tears trickled down my face, my breaths growing inconsistent, my words incoherent. ¡°He started kissing me after that, awful disgusting kisses that made me long for death. The following night, he took my virginity. He threatened to slit my throat if I screamed or told my mother and I didn¡¯t and he returned every night for months until one day, he decided to amp things up, use me to earn a few bucks.¡±


    ¡°Dio,¡± Luca growled. ¡°Did he pimp you out?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°He didn¡¯t. What he did was drag me to the basement everyday after I returned from school, make me wear age inappropriate underwear and force me to do erotic poses while he took photos and videos to sell online.¡±


    Luca¡¯s hand wentpletely still, his face hardening into something dangerous.


    I pressed on my lips to hold back a sob. ¡°He¡¯d- he¡¯d use the photos and videos to threaten, to keep me in line and he did it for years until I turned eighteen and moved out. Even with that, he managed to find me and ckmail me for money. I¡¯d give him more than half of what I earned for months until one day he stopped contacting me entirely. I don¡¯t know what happened or why.¡±


    I¡¯d hoped it was because someone stronger than me had done us the favor by killing him. I¡¯d hoped he had fucked up big time and was jailed for his drug dealing. What I refused to hope for was him somehow getting caught for illegally distributing nonconsensual sex tapes. I didn¡¯t want those videosing out in the light.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± Luca demanded in a deathly tone.


    I swallowed, hesitant on telling him. If I told him it was Diego, it would take less than an hour for him to find him and kill him if he wasn¡¯t already dead. I didn¡¯t want to contribute to his death, especially when he still had the original copies of the videos he used to ckmail me. Especially after he threatened me on what would happen to said videos if harm ever came to him.


    ¡°An older uncle.¡± I lied. ¡°I- um¡­ I heard he diedst year.¡±


    I did have an uncle who died the previous year, Amanda¡¯s brother-inw to be exact and no I wasn¡¯t sorry for pinning it on him. The old bastard was not so innocent himself, he¡¯d been one of Diego¡¯s top buyers after all.


    Luca was giving me that menacingly dark look he had whenever he was furious and bloodthirsty and even though I knew it wasn¡¯t directed at me, I couldn¡¯t help the zap of fear that coursed through me.


    ¡°I hope not.¡± He drawled dangerously. ¡°He still has a debt to pay and believe me bambina, he will pay with every drop of blood that runs through him.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what was scarier, his words or the fact that kissed me gently on the forehead right after, pointed to some pills and a ss of water he¡¯d ced on the bedside table and ordered me to take them before leaving the room.


    All the while being eerily calm.

 Chapter 94: Coming Clean

    Luca¡¯s pov


    His name was Danilo Torello, the older brother of Amanda¡¯ste husband, aged sixty-one, a retired construction worker, a husband and father of three, grandfather of four.


    His rtionship with histe brother was nonexistent. He¡¯d basically ignored the existence of the younger Torello and his family until he died.


    And then he¡¯d showed up for the funeral, set eyes on Cara and decided he can no longer stay away. The shameless bastard hadn¡¯t even tried to hide his perversion, he was caught harassing young Cara in public on different asions and was even boldfaced enough to propose that Cara quit school toe live with him instead, promising a substantial sum of money to Amanda. It was a wonder why the woman didn¡¯t take up on his offer, maybe that had been a stretch for even a conscience as vile as hers.


    Danilo was a disgusting creep alright but something didn¡¯t add up. It says on his file that he was a technophobe and didn¡¯t even own a cellphone nor knew how to use one because he thought they were ¡°evil¡± and ¡°wrong¡± for the world. It didn¡¯t make sense that he was distributing non consensual sexual content on the dark web.


    He was also a little bit of a homebody and would hardly leave the walls of his modest bungalow on the outskirts of Little Vige. If he assaulted Cara almost every night for years, there was no way that would have been possible which meant two things there was someone else involved, the main culprit and Cara was protecting whoever it was for some reason.


    However, her efforts were pointless. I could always get my answers elsewhere. There was virtually nothing Grigori couldn¡¯t uncover.


    I was feeling very bloodthirsty and unfortunately for me Danilo Torello was already six feet below before I can put him there myself. I needed to sate the vengeful devil inside me somehow. I picked up my phone and dialed Grigori.


    ¡°I want you to track Danilo¡¯s illegal content distribution and get me the data of every transaction plus the buyers.¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss.¡± Grigori answered. ¡°But I must say, that would take a while.¡±


    I considered his words before giving a small nod of eptance. The wait would be worth it. ¡°Do your best.¡±


    I tossed the phone back on my office desk and reclined into the backrest of my chair. My blood was hot and violent in my veins as I pictured the things I¡¯d do to Danilo Torello¡¯s aplice. And their buyers, too, for they¡¯d made the single, big mistake of subscribing to Cara¡¯s suffering and drawing deranged pleasure from it. They all deserved to be lying in the bottom of the ocean as fish food.


    As for Amanda, an icy smile curved up my lips, she wasn¡¯t going to be spared. One way or another I¡¯d drive her out of the family and unleash my full wrath on her. Someone as contemptible as her didn¡¯t deserve to keep the Salvatore name. The sooner she was out of my father¡¯s life and paying for her actions, the better. I didn¡¯t think I could go one more day knowing a witch like her was living under the same roof as him.


    Cara was asleep when I returned to the bedroom, looking more at peace than she¡¯d ever been. I was proud of her for speaking about her horrible experience, grateful that she finally confided in me. And I wasn¡¯t going to let her down, every single one of the men responsible for her trauma would pay with their lives. That, I swear on my mother¡¯s grave.


    I ced a soft kiss on her forehead and tucked her properly before heading back to my office to finish with some paperwork.


    The next morning, Cara was acting a little weird, avoiding my gaze as she mumbled an awkward ¡°good morning¡± as a greeting instead of kissing me like she always did.


    Her big, free spirited smile was also missing.


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting something.¡±


    She blinked up innocently at me, her blue eyes clouded with hidden emotion. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°This.¡± I said before crushing my lips to hers.


    She melted immediately, kissing me back, matching my fire. I groaned into her mouth, my hands slipping under her slip and finding her ready for me.


    I broke away from her, trailing kisses down chin to her throat to her beautiful tits and all the way to the luscious flesh between her thighs.


    She moaned sexily when my mouth sucked on herbia, a sound that went straight to my groin. Ipped on her pussy, licking up her sweet arousal and eliciting a fresh rush. Soon, she was writhing and whimpering and begging for release.


    I let myself get drunk on her nectar, reveling in how delicious she tasted. ¡°You¡¯re the best thing I¡¯ve ever tasted.¡± I growled against her swollen folds. ¡°You¡¯re sweeter than honey, I want to eat you out forever.¡±


    A pleasured sigh escaped her lips and she thrust her hips into me, wanting my mouth on her as much I wanted it.


    She came apart when I drove my tongue into her, crying out my name like a key on a grand piano.


    I came up and kissed her, letting her taste for herself how wonderful her juice was. Then I undid my pants and fucked her brains out, all the while letting her know that I wasn¡¯t going to tolerate any awkwardness from her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever act professional with me again.¡± I grunted as I rammed into her. ¡°Do you understand?¡±


    She let out a series of incoherent whimpers, her eyes fluttering with pleasure. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Try it again and I¡¯d spank your ass so hard you¡¯d be unable to sit properly for days.¡±


    She moaned deeply as if turned on by the thought, her fingers digging into my back.


    I watched her, drinking up the sight of her sensually parted lips, her bouncing boobs, her tightened belly and my thrusts grew uncontrolled, wrecking her walls until she wasing again in violent waves.


    She cried out my name again, evoking my own release and I came with a roar, jerking uncontrobly into her as she milked everyst drop of my orgasm.


    I fell on top of her, careful not to crush her with my limp, heavy body. We were both breathing hard, drenched with sweat. I held her longer, not caring that we both reeked of sex, waiting out the after sensations of our explosive love making.


    ¡°That was amazing.¡± Cara panted into the silence as I rolled to the side and brought her with me.


    I lifted her wrist and ced a kiss on the inside. ¡°YOU¡¯RE amazing.¡±


    A delectable blush stained her cheeks and I marveled at how beautiful she was. However, something heavy was shifting into her gaze.


    ¡°Are you¡­ are you not going to ask about this?¡±


    It took me a second to realize she was referring to the faint cuts on her wrists. I regarded them shortly before redirecting my gaze to her. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me about it if it¡¯s too hard for you.¡±


    ¡°I want to.¡± She said immediately, taking in deep breaths like she¡¯d done thest time. ¡°I did it to myself.¡±


    My chest tightened immediately and she must have felt it because she reflexively tried to pull away. I held her even closer.


    ¡°Tell me, bambina.¡±


    She sawed on her lips. ¡°It¡¯s stupid but I did it to cope. I didn¡¯t even know when and how I started. I just¡­ I just found myself scratching on my skin when I was gued by my memories. I¡¯d use anything my fingers, a shaving stick¡­¡±


    Dio. A fresh boil of fury bubbled up in me, filling me with more murderous intent. Danilo and his sick buyers were practically dead men walking at this point. Knowing that I won¡¯t be the one to personally take out all of them riled me even more.


    Cara¡¯s eyes were glistening with tears. I cupped her face, forcing her to look directly at me. ¡°From the faintness of the scars, it¡¯s clear that you overcame it. You quit, you won. And I promise you amore mio, nothing else would haunt you now that I¡¯m here.¡±


    She sobbed on a chuckle. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°For what tesoro?¡±


    Her expression turned coy. ¡°For you know, staying.¡±


    cing a kiss on her brow I said, ¡°I¡¯m supposed to thank YOU for that instead. I fucked up a lot in the past and you¡¯re still here with me.¡±


    Amusement yed on her sexy mouth. ¡°Only because you refused to let me go.¡±


    My mouth twitched with a smile. ¡°Well, that is true.¡±


    She giggled as I sank down to her neck, nting open mouthed kisses on her skin. Her little mewls had me hard and ready for her again. An hour and a few minutester and I had her screaming my name three more times.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 95: Dirty Romance

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Gina, I have to tell you something.¡± I said hesitantly, wringing my fingers under the sturdy terrace table as I prepared myself for any outburst I might receive. The air was crisp and breezy but it did nothing to cool out the ufortable hotness I was feeling. I was going to likely break the beautiful bond I had with Gina with what I was about to confess and not even a pleasant weather could make me feel less shitty at the moment.


    My step sister regarded me with an unreadable expression before signaling for a maid to bring us more arancini. She really looked every inch the Signora of the house, so much that I momentarily forgot she was still shy of twenty. But she was no longer the daddy¡¯s little princess she was a few months back, she was now mistress of a house as grand as this.


    The Fierro mansion wasn¡¯t as opulent as the Salvatore¡¯s but it was splendid all the same. The ce was bursting with Gina¡¯s influence, from the natural toned walls of the foyer and living room to the many vased flower arrangements. The terrace was a literal garden, a pleasant ce for the lunch we were having.


    The lunch I¡¯m about to ruin.


    ¡°I¡¯m dating your brother.¡± I blurted out and now I got it out, I couldn¡¯t stop. ¡°We¡¯ve been seeing each other for months now and even though we started out all wrong, I ended up falling for him so hard and I know it¡¯s fucked up because we¡¯re supposed to be family and I t out lied to you but I don¡¯t think I¡¯d be able to live without him.


    I¡¯d understand if you hate me and never want to speak to me againit¡¯d hurt me but I deserve itand I want you to know that the friendship we have was genuine and basically my second ever real friendship and I did not in any way be friends with you under ulterior motives¡­ hell I still very much hated your brother the time we got close.


    Things progressed rapidly after that and we all went through a lot and now¡­¡± I trailed off, running out of words, my breathsing out in irregr beats.


    Gina was still giving me that inscrutable look she had and a long minute stretched almost unbearably between us until she did thest thing I expected she smiled.


    Not a mocking smirk or a cold smile but a real, warm smile.


    ¡°Gina?¡±


    ¡°I was wondering when you¡¯d tell me. I guess I don¡¯t have to do that anymore.¡±


    Huh?


    A maid returned with a fresh tray of arancini and Gina grabbed one almost immediately. I waited for her to swallow a bite.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked after she was done.


    ¡°I¡¯ve known about you and Luca since like¡­¡± she tilted her head thoughtfully, ¡°the beginning.¡±


    My jaw was on the floor. ¡°How? I¡­ when?¡±


    She took another bite, her expression nonchnt. ¡°It¡¯s not hard to notice when your rtionship avoidant brother starts acting like a wounded bear whenever other mene close to a particr woman. I noticed the chemistry between you two as well. I¡¯m sorry but you guys did a very poor job of hiding it. All I needed to find you in a room full of people was look where my brother was looking.¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    My cheeks red hot, my mouth was devoid of any words. Gina has known from the beginning, another big sike to I and Luca¡¯s so called ¡°ndestine arrangement¡±.


    I gulped before speaking again. ¡°Aren¡¯t you mad? I mean, I lied to you.¡±


    Gina shrugged. ¡°I was at first, then it became amusing watching you toe around boy problem gossip that was about him.¡±


    Yeah, I¡¯d love to die of mortification. This instant.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± I groaned into the back of my palm.


    Gina let out a girly giggle. ¡°Yeah, that was extremely funny. I totally stopped being mad when I saw your reaction to Luca¡¯s and Valentina¡¯s marriage announcement. I felt sorry for you even.¡± She narrowed her eyes in concern. ¡°How¡¯s that going at the moment?¡±


    I fixed my gaze downward, an embarrassed yet smug smile on my face. ¡°Luca never intended to marry Valentina. He refused the idea as soon as it was proposed.¡±


    Gina¡¯s voice grew serious. ¡°Do you really love him?¡±


    I lifted my eyes. ¡°With all of my heart.¡±


    Her smile of support was instant. ¡°Then it¡¯s all good. For real, my brother really needed a womaning into his life and brightening it. I was afraid he was going to live the rest of it in a fixed alternation of blood and war.¡±


    I chuckled lightly. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s a much better person now that we¡¯re together.¡±


    Gina¡¯s expression was knowing. ¡°I noticed.¡±


    We spent the rest of our time together chatting about various things. I opened up about my worries concerning our parents and Gina was ever supportive, telling me I and Luca was all that mattered. She informed me about party ns in the works for her father¡¯s sixtieth birthday and I promised to attend. We moved on to trivial gossip and I was even entertained with a few juicy tidbits about Valentina and her obsession with Luca. Apparently, I wasn¡¯t the only one who hated her around, Gina too, and it warmed me greatly.


    I was feeling as light as paper by the time I returned to the penthouse. Everything was finally right, Luca and I no longer had to hide our rtionship, I no longer had to lock away my past and I was finally my true authentic self with the man I loved.


    Life was good.


    I found a wrapped parcel on the bed when I got to our room, a little card on top of it. Excitement in the form of butterflies fluttered in my belly as I read the note.


    SAW THESE AND IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF YOU.


    LOVE, LUCA.


    I quickly tore open the wrapper.


    My heart burst with feeling when I found a pair of red stilettos lying in a scrunched white wrapping paper in the box. Another note fell off as I took the heels out and when I picked it to read, my face grew red.


    I HOPE TO FUCK YOU IN THEM SOON


    I couldn¡¯t control the giggle that escaped me. Live it to Luca to turn a romantic gesture into a risque one. I put down the note and tried on the shoes, unsurprised that it fit me perfectly. Luca knew everything about me, I wouldn¡¯t even be surprised if he could identify my fingerprints.


    I walked to the walk-in closet and did a little twirl in front of the mirror. I noted that they werefortable and quite easy to move around in. Perks of costing probably a thousand dors and above.


    My cheeks were hot again as my mind wandered back to the second note. I, too, would want Luca to fuck me with these babies on. I briefly imagined myselfying t on my back, my legs spread wide with my feet encased in them as Luca thrusted into me over and over.


    I had to fan myself to keep from hyperventting. An idea popped into my head and I headed back to the bedroom to get my phone.

 Chapter 96: Meetings And Mishaps

    Luca¡¯s pov


    (GOT YOUR GIFT ??


    I stared, heart racing, at the three word text and the picture that came along, my skin growing hot.


    I wasn¡¯t supposed to be disturbed for a while, at least until the meeting happening now was over so no looking at texts untilter. But none of that matters because the text came from Cara in the form of a very sexy, craze-inducing thirst selfie.


    She was posed in a cat-like stretch, wearing nothing but a see-through lingerie and the fuck me shoes I¡¯d just gotten her.


    Dio.


    My phone almost ttered to the floor and I let out a low curse.


    Every man in the dimly lit room nced my direction, the one currently speaking had a look of apprehension on his gaunt face. I smiled tightly for him to carry on and it took a few seconds for the atmosphere to return to how it was before.


    Stiff, boring, annoying.


    Three things I wouldn¡¯t be dealing with if I was home with Cara, fucking her in those heels.


    Fuck.


    I nced at the picture again, my c0ck growing fuller in my pants the longer I looked at it. I hadn¡¯t understood men who could jerk off to photos of women, I even thought it to beme and pathetic.


    Until now.


    Staring at Cara¡¯s hot body fitting into my low lighted phone screen, I realized that I was no different from those men. We were all the same in this one category. My c0ck had gone from inert to rock hard in a second for fuck sake.


    I covertly adjusted my pants, groaning internally on how much longer I have to sit in this meeting listening to all these men from different syndicates of the world yap about world economics and argue like teenage brats.


    I was still staring at the sexy picture when her next text came in.


    THEY FIT SO WELL. THANK YOUUUU!


    A pleased smile worked up my lips as something fulfilling filled my chest. Making her happy was enough achievement for me. The rest of the day¡¯s schedule be damned.


    My fingers tapped away on my keyboard.


    GOD WOMAN, YOU¡¯RE THE EMBODIMENT OF SEXY.


    She sent me triple blushing emojis.


    My next reply was interrupted halfway when one of the men suddenly decided he wanted me to contribute to whatever the fuck he¡¯d just said.


    ¡°So what do you think, Don Salvatore?¡±


    I looked up to meet the soulless eyes of the Capo of the Camorra, Fabiano Ruso.


    I obviously didn¡¯t hear what he¡¯d asked, but I didn¡¯t ask him to repeat the question. I stared squarely at him, waiting for him to provide it all on his own.


    ¡°Obviously you¡¯d want to assure us that we¡¯re not digging our own graves here. The lead mining project can only work if all of us are onboard and I¡¯m sorry to say but your scuffle with Mikhalov stands as detrimental.¡±


    Yes. Lead mining. These greedy fuckers are talking about manipting the business for their own gain. Apparently, selling guns wasn¡¯t enough. Now, they want the material that makes the guns.


    I put away my phone. ¡°It¡¯s indeed detrimental. So tell me Ruso, why then would you want to embark on the n now and not when everything¡¯s settled?¡±


    The bastard smirked. ¡°Who knows when that will happen? It could take the rest of the year for all we know.¡±


    I returned his mocking smile. ¡°And yet, the lead mining project would still be nowhere near aplished if it does take that long.¡±


    ¡°But we would have definitely made significant progress.¡±


    ¡°With my connection to the MSHA, yes.¡±


    Ruso¡¯s smile slowly thinned. ¡°We can do just fine without your connections.¡±


    I gave him an impassive raise of my eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say but we do need Don Salvatore¡¯s help.¡± Aidan McKell interjected, looking like it gave him constipation to have said what he said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Some other men took turns saying.


    Ruso¡¯s face looked like he was the one with the constipation now. ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Good, now that we¡¯ve established that, it¡¯s safe to say that this meeting has be rather pointless. I¡¯d see you gentlemen after I¡¯ve ended my inconvenient business with the Bratva.¡±


    The meeting was dismissed after that and with every time a man came up to me to talk about business, I got one step closer to losing it.


    ¡°Hey, Don Salvatore. I hear there¡¯s trouble brewing in the Mikhalov household. You don¡¯t happen to know why, do you?¡± Ozan Barak, the head of the Turkish syndicate drawled with a knowing glint in his dark blue eyes.


    ¡°Trouble can only brew if it was already there, Barak.¡± I said ndly, impatient to get rid of him.


    ¡°True to that.¡± McKell appeared out of nowhere. ¡°The foundation has to be already shaky for you to topple the tower over.¡±


    I stopped myself from grating out something really offensive. Oh for fuck sake, what was with the metaphor?


    ¡°Agreed.¡± I said tightly before attempting to swerve around them.


    ¡°The young Mikhalov would not take it too kindly when he realized you¡¯re responsible. I hear he¡¯s quite the unstable fucker with matters concerning his family.¡±


    I pinned McKell a hard stare. ¡°I don¡¯t care for shit, McKell. He should have thought of that before ordering an attack at my sister¡¯s wedding. He¡¯s not the only one sensitive about family.¡±


    McKell and Barak shared a look before the Irish boss shrugged. ¡°Very well. Just trying to warn you.¡±


    I scoffed. Indeed.


    ¡°I take it that you have things under control. Currently, it¡¯s only one of you dealing with a crisis.¡±


    If my smile was any tighter, it¡¯d rip my cheeks.


    Aidan McKell smiled, obviously satisfied with his little jab and with a slight tip of his head, he and Barak took their leave.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I didn¡¯t move a muscle, transfixed to the spot I was. What they¡¯d oh so tried to imply wasn¡¯t lost on me. Mikhalov was a sick fuck, all his family members were and since I¡¯d struck where it hurt most, I should be ready to deflect whatever twisted retaliation I was sure to get.


    I reached for my phone where I¡¯d left it and quickly shot a text to Dominic, asking him to set up a meeting with someone. I was a step ahead in this sick game I and the young pakhan were ying but it wasn¡¯t enough. I needed to be a couple more ahead.


    The way I see it, Gina¡¯s ns for my father¡¯s birthday party might have to stop. A gathering in a time like this was too risky, we had barely survived thest one. I could not look back on that day without feeling a strong well of anger. I could have lost my family, Cara on a day that was supposed to be full of nothing but celebration.


    I sent another text to Santino, ordering him to secretly guard Cara from now on. Her safety could use his quick fingers and eagle vision. She was supposed to check out the new apartment I¡¯d chosen for her tomorrow and although she had Sergio and the others to look after her, I still wanted to make sure. It was Alexei Mikhalov we were dealing with after all.


    I have no regrets with what I¡¯d done with his family-he should be grateful I hadn¡¯t killed them like he tried to do with mine-but I¡¯d be damned if I make it easy for him to get to Cara again.

 Chapter 97: Housemates And Propaganda

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Diana gasped beside me, sharing my awe as we mindlessly walked into my new home.


    When Luca told me he was picking an apartment himself, I knew it¡¯d be somece reallyfortable and safe. But Luca, once again, had outdone himself. The condo was something a celebrity would live in. A long corridor lined with cove lights connected the entrance to the living area a very spacious, fancy living area.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Diana eximed again. ¡°This is insane!¡±


    I¡¯d asked her to tag along after a short visit to her ce, a visit where I¡¯d spilled the beans about my rtionship with Luca. I¡¯d expected the judgment and the reproval but I¡¯d gotten none because just like with Gina, Diana had known all along.


    ¡°Finally, I was getting sick of ying the oblivious friend.¡± She¡¯d sighed heavily with a hard roll of her eyes.


    ¡°How long have you known?¡± I¡¯d asked after picking up my jaw from the floor.


    ¡°Since the time I saw hime out of the storage room with untidy hair, only for you to appear minutester with a guilt stricken face AND untidy hair as well.¡±


    A deep groan left me, mortification creeping up the back of my neck as I buried my face in my palms. ¡°Ugh! Was I really THAT obvious?¡±


    Diana¡¯s shrug was offhand. ¡°Yes, babe. You¡¯re an open book.¡±


    We¡¯d left after that and in the same ck van my bodyguards once abducted me in, well kinda. Diana had grilled Sergio and Nino with a flood of questions all through the ride and now they avoided her like the gue. I remembered Sergio muttering something about her being worse than me on the elevator ride up and as soon as we got to the condo. He and Nino disappeared. Off to check out the perimeter or whatever the excuse they needed to escape us annoying girls.


    Diana definitely didn¡¯t notice their absence though, she was too busy gawking over the sight. Not that I could me her, I was smacked myself, unable to believe that this was my home now.


    ¡°It¡¯s like something that would be featured in an interior design magazine.¡± Dianamended again.


    I concurred with a dull nod of my head,pletely entranced by the modern beauty of the ce. The color pattern waspletely different from Luca¡¯s penthouse as it was much softer and feminine. It was also much smaller but was about three times the size of myst apartment.


    I could see elements of my taste in the space, from the dark blue and white walls to the sturdy white floorboards to the sheer curtains that hung down therge windows.


    ¡°It¡¯s already furnished.¡± I noted, my eyes coasting past the beige sectional sofa to the ss coffee table and the standing shelves filled with all sorts of mini decors.


    ¡°Let¡¯s check the bedroom,¡± Diana said excitedly, immediately skipping past me.


    I followed her, the excitement of seeing how my new bedroom looked building inside me. We opened the door to a softer blue painted room with a queen sized bed and a grand vanity.


    A plush sofa faced the window sill and the lighting pouring in was generous. Like Luca¡¯s bedroom, there was a walk-in closet on the left end and an ensuite bedroom with wide sliding doors.


    Diana hurried to the bed, dropping on her back with a plop. ¡°This is a literal princess pod.¡± She dered.


    I concurred with a soft smile, taking in the ce a second time. It was a literal princess pod, humble yet luxurious. The perfect bnce between Luca¡¯s standing and mine. He¡¯d really been intentional with the interior. I suddenly began to miss him because I wanted to find him and kiss him with all the gratitude in me.


    Diana sat up on the bed, patting the space beside her. I obliged her silent request, loving how soft andfy the mattress was when I sat down.


    I was so going to love sleeping in it every day.


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯d expected a much nder, impersonal apartment when you asked me toe with you but I¡¯m happy to be so wrong. This ce¡­¡± she looked around the room, ¡°you can tell that it was decorated with you in mind and if I had any lingering reservations about the boss, this clears it. A man couldn¡¯t get any more intentional than this.¡±


    I grinned, thoroughly pleased with her eptance of Luca. It mattered to me that she liked him. She was my only friend aside from Gina so her opinion meant a lot.


    ¡°Thank you, Dee. You don¡¯t know how happy that makes me.¡±


    She took my hand in hers and squeezed gently. ¡°Now you really have to introduce me to one of his friends. I don¡¯t care if they¡¯re in Maine or New Zend, long distance rtionships are a thing these days.¡±


    Iughed because I knew she was joking. ¡°Right, I¡¯d try to set up a zoom meeting with all of them so you can have your pick.¡±


    She gave me a cheeky smile. ¡°You better.¡±


    We spent the next few minutes checking out the rest of the house- the fully equipped open n kitchen, the three other bedrooms, the patio and the mini lounge all the while chatting about future sleepovers and girls¡¯ night in ns.


    ¡°How many famous people do you think live in this building?¡± Diana asked when I was escorting her back to the elevator.


    I considered the question for a second before saying, ¡°I really don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Then let me guess,¡± she pouted thoughtfully, ¡°three b-list models, some trust fund kid and a politician, so five.¡±


    I pressed the elevator button. ¡°That¡¯s very specific.¡±


    Diana gave me one of her flippant shrugs. ¡°I like being thorough like that.¡±


    I was teasing her about how she was more dramatic than thorough when the elevator dinged open to thest face I expected to see.


    ¡°Dominic?¡± I glitched at the same time Diana drawled, ¡°you.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s surprise and confusion onlysted a second before his unfriendly hazel eyes became even more unfriendly. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I was about to answer when I noticed his gaze wasn¡¯t directed at me, he was ring at Diana and she was ring right back.


    ¡°I could ask you the same question.¡± She said in a hard voice.


    Dominic¡¯s lips were a harsh line. ¡°Well I live here and I¡¯m very certain that you don¡¯t.¡±


    I looked from him to Diana. What the hell was going on?


    ¡°Do you two know each other?¡±


    I got a loud scoff from Diana while a passionate ¡°absolutely not,¡± was Dominic¡¯s answer.


    ¡°Well, it seems like you do.¡± I said dryly.


    Dominic¡¯s sharp gaze turned on me. ¡°Do YOU know each other?¡±


    I crossed my arms. ¡°Yes.¡±


    A mocking smirk appeared on his face. ¡°Makes a lot of sense.¡±


    I frowned.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Diana spat beside me.


    Dominic only spared her an irritated nce.


    Ignoring his obvious insult, I pointed out the important detail. ¡°You clearly have met Diana before.¡±


    Diana sneered. ¡°A rather unpleasant encounter.¡± She turned to me. ¡°He¡¯s the douchebag I told you about. The one from club Nova.¡±


    Surprise took over my annoyance and my gaze snapped to Dominic whose ring nostrils told me he didn¡¯t appreciate being called a douchebag one bit.


    ¡°That was¡­ him?¡± It suddenly made sense. Of course the lofty, rude asshole was Luca¡¯s right hand man.


    Diana squared her shoulders, her jaw turning up. ¡°Yes. And it¡¯s unfortunate that I got to run into him again.¡± Her eyes narrowed at Dominic. ¡°Whether your conceited ass believe it or not, I¡¯m here to see Cara¡¯s new apartment. Not that I even owe you any exnation.¡±


    I watched as Dominic¡¯s dark gaze morphed into one of surprise then went back to dark.


    ¡°Fucking son of a bitch.¡± He cursed before ring at me like I stomped his grandmother to death. When he was done shooting invisiblesers at me, he cursed again-this time in Italian-then glided past us and down the hallway until he got to the door opposite mine and disappeared inside.


    It was then I knew why he¡¯d reacted so angrily. Luca had moved me to the same building and floor as his.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Great.


    He probably did it for my safety, as much as Dominic was a proper asshole, he was also someone Luca really trusted. Luca knew Dominic would readily protect me if something happened. And he¡¯d do it for Luca that is. The man hated the sight of me and that was precisely the reason why I didn¡¯t like the idea of living on the same floor as him. I might even say I DETESTED it.


    ¡°What a giant prick.¡± Diana sneered. ¡°Who is he?¡±


    I reached for the elevator button again. ¡°Dominic, Luca¡¯s closest friend.¡± She raised one eyebrow and I rushed to add, ¡°yeah there are no friends in Maine. I just made that up to hide the fact that I¡¯m dating my stepbrother. And also the fact that his best friend is an asshole and the rest probably broke people¡¯s bones in their spare time.¡±


    Diana¡¯s gaze softened. ¡°Thank you, you helped me dodge a bullet.¡±


    We got into the elevator, staying silent for a while before Diana suddenly said, ¡°I hope he somehow gets kidnapped and shipped off to the north pole so I never get to run into him when Ie visiting.¡± She was clearly still incensed by the encounter with Dominic.


    I hoped I didn¡¯t have to run into Dominic either but it was better this devil than being exposed to some russian wanting to use me to hurt Luca.

 Chapter 98: Gum On My Shoes

    Luca¡¯s pov


    I freed yet another button on my satin dress shirt, cursing hard in Italian as I ordered more ice for my half drunk ss of whiskey. The air was growing stiffer than usual now we were approaching July and even the instion of Sto¡¯s wasn¡¯t proving ineffective against the irrepressible humidity.


    The bartender ran over to me at once with a ssic steel ice bucket, dropping two more perfectly cut tiny ice cubes to my ss. His hands were as shaky as they¡¯d been the first time he served me, signs of someone who just newly started and still had that annoying fear of messing up and getting fired.


    ¡°One more,¡± I said when he stopped and stared at me in silence, waiting for direction.


    ¡°Do you need me to refill the decanter as well?¡± He asked in a tentative voice.


    I stared at the nearly finished cut crystal decanter, immediately realizing how much whiskey I¡¯d had. I didn¡¯t feel tipsy much less drunk and maybe it was why I just kept going.


    I was left to my drink right after, the young fellow not making it subtle that he feared my presence which was natural because I was his boss. But I was also sporting a growing dark mood. One that might even be the reason for my boiling temperature and the poor dude probably didn¡¯t want to be anywhere that.


    I took a swig of the dark brown liquid, relishing in the cold, burning aftertaste, my mind overworking as it has been doing since myst encounter with that fucker, McKell.


    Hyper fixating on that so-called advice of his has be my new obsession and my time ever since was spent on thinking, predicting, my enemy¡¯s next move.


    Silence was as deadly as action and Alexei Mikhalov¡¯s days long silence was just foreboding as a crow circling overhead. It was disturbing, and downright ticking me the fuck off.


    I could tell the bastard was up to no good, that he wasn¡¯t just busy with trying to appease his father and secure his seat as pakhan. Wherever he was, he was plotting and it irked me to not know what.


    I¡¯d lost tabs on his movements when he returned to Russia and my spies in the country were doing a terrible job of keeping an eye on him. The fucker was as slippery and wily as theye.


    But so was I.


    Bribing people in the Russian government hadn¡¯t been easy- finding someone reliable and trusted had been an almost impossible fit but I¡¯d made it possible. Now privy to news of the Mikhalovs, I could n my attacks ordingly and with the way I see it, I might just end up getting the pompous prick sniped in the head and call it a day.


    We were ying a sick game of chess after all. And the best strategy was never to prolong the game and end up in a stalemate. I was going to see it through that the Bratva ispletely defeated and whatever Alexei¡¯s next move was, I was going to protect the most important thing, my queen.


    I took another sip of my whiskey to that.


    There¡¯s also the case of Danilo Torello¡¯s aplice and the buyers. The bastard was elusive and proving difficult to find. All the transactions and interactions with his customers had been under different profiles. Whoever he was sure made it hard for things to be traced back to him.


    Every transaction of his was done on an illegal messaging website that leaves no chat records. And since he never interacted with his buyers with the same profile,ption of buyer data seemed almost impossible. Just what the scumbag had hoped for.


    If he was this careful, it meant he had a lot to lose if he ever got caught. Or maybe he was just one thorough fucker. Whatever it was, I was going to find him, perhaps through his buyers, and I was going to make him pay dearly.


    There was a slight scraping sound of metal against marble as the stool next to me was pulled back and drawn out.


    I didn¡¯t need to look to know that the man robbing me of my solitude was Dominic. I wasn¡¯t mad, just resigned. I knew he was going to find me sooner thanter.


    He signaled for a ss of sparkling water, leaving me momentarily surprised. I¡¯d expected him to need a drink more now than ever.


    ¡°What the fuck, Luca!¡± He said after downing the entire ss in one go.


    I finished up thest of my whiskey and proceeded to help myself to another. ¡°I see you ran into Cara.¡±


    ¡°Move her to somewhere else.¡± He deadpanned.


    I threw him a side eye but said nothing.


    ¡°You own the building you live in, you could get her any one of the fifty apartments it holds. Why next to mine?¡±


    Adjusting in my seat, I faced him halfway. ¡°Correct, but that would defeat the purpose of her ¡°moving out¡±, wouldn¡¯t it? Cara made that stupid promise to my father and moving her to a floor or two below would piss off the old man.¡±


    Not that I cared but Cara did and that left me as the only one pissed off. I¡¯d reached for her when I woke up this morning and when I made breakfast, I took out two tes. Suffice to say, I was not taking her absence too well.


    Dominic wasn¡¯t moved by my answer. ¡°I don¡¯t care. Get her out.¡±


    I shot him a pissed look. ¡°You have a new duty.¡±


    His eyes red. ¡°Which is?¡±


    ¡°Protecting her.¡±


    I could go to bed, rest assured I had someone as capable as me living a door across from Cara, someone who slept as lightly as I did and was always ready for danger. Dominic was that person.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    He went silent, if only for a split second, then a string of mothend curses began to spew out of his clenched teeth. ¡°Why me? I thought that was Santino¡¯s job?¡±


    I returned my attention to my drink. ¡°It¡¯s yours now as well.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, Salvatore.¡±


    Ignoring him, I asked. ¡°Why do you dislike Cara so much?¡±


    Dominic scoffed. ¡°You want me to tell you so you can beat the shit out of me?¡±


    I threw him a dark look. ¡°I might, but why?¡±


    A drawn breath left him. ¡°Aside from thinking that she¡¯s not worth the trouble and is useless to the affairs of the Cosa Nostra-¡±


    Yeah, I had to reel in the urge to utterly pummel his pretty face.


    ¡°-She also is friends with¡­¡± He swallowed tightly.


    That caused me to frown in confusion. ¡°Friends with who?¡±


    Dominic was giving me a tight look and whatever he was going to say next was lost in transit as his gaze froze over and grew darker. He looked just like he had when some soldier, who had it out for me, had hit me too hard during our earlier sparring lessons. A look that preceded theplete destruction of the fucker. We¡¯d celebrated after with stolen vodka from my dad¡¯s cer like the foolish fifteen year olds we were.


    Following his gaze, I looked over my shoulder.


    Diana stood a couple of feet away, smiling andughing softly at whatever the boring looking customer she was attending to was saying.


    ¡°What¡¯s she doing here?¡± Dominic growled.


    I returned my gaze to him. ¡°Diana? Had to give her employment since I indefinitely closed down the one she had.¡±


    He leaned back a notch, looking at me like I¡¯ve been cloned by aliens. ¡°You had to¡­ since when did you give a fuck about shit like that?¡±


    Since Cara made me promise while fucking my brains out. It was also how she got me to not cancel my father¡¯s birthday party, along with a sentimental talk on how she wanted to use the opportunity to get in his good graces and make him ept us, all the while giving me a teary eye look, her naked body pressed against me. I folded immediately and rather unashamedly.


    I gave Dominic a nonchnt shrug.


    A heavy sigh left him, followed by another Italian curse as he rubbed his thick brow. He was hardly ever this worked up about anything that wasn¡¯t work rted. It was a sight to see.


    I instantly forgot about my own worries. ¡°How do you know Diana?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Interesting. ¡°Well you obviously seem¡­¡± I looked for the word. ¡°bothered by her.¡±


    I got a dirty look. ¡°Drop it, Salvatore. And if you¡¯re that curious to know how I know her, she¡¯s just one of the rest pretentious and on the prowl.¡±


    Diana? My nose scrunched. She doesn¡¯t seem like the type. ¡°So she¡¯s the friend of Cara¡¯s you were talking about.¡±


    Dominic¡¯s reply was a stiff nce in Diana¡¯s direction. His eyes hardened when they returned to me and met the amused expression I knew I had.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°So you hate her?¡± I drawled.


    ¡°Hate would mean I care, which I don¡¯t. I perceive her like I would perceive a gum on my shoe, a mere annoyance.¡±


    A soft noise rumbled in my chest as I mused about his words. ¡°That was how Cara and I started.¡±


    Dominic rose to his feet. ¡°I¡¯d leave now to avoid breaking your nose. I hope you really get your girlfriend out of my building.¡±


    ¡°Keep her safe, Dominic.¡± I said with an indifferent sigh.


    ¡°Man, fuck you.¡± He said before he disappeared out of the restaurant like being here any longer would do him bodily harm.

 Chapter 99: Friend Of My Friend

    Cara¡¯s pov


    ¡°I wonder why you kept such an amazing friend from me, Cara. Lord knows I could do with one more.¡± Gina gave me a mock frown before going back to grinning at Diana.


    It wasn¡¯t even up to ten minutes since I¡¯d introduced them to each other and they were already besties. Gina waspletely besotted with Diana and vice versa. They¡¯d been talking non stop and I was beginning to feel like the third wheeler. I knew it was over when they found out they both shared a love for nts even though their main interests were quite distinct- flowers being Gina¡¯s and sulents being Diana¡¯s but nts all the same. They also bonded over their obsession with some guy from a love series whose title I couldn¡¯t recall.


    ¡°As much as I¡¯d love to leave you guys to your heartwarming meet cute, I¡¯m afraid I have to remind you of our initial appointment.¡±


    Both girls turned to me with the exact same look of slight disappointment. They¡¯d been in the middle of chatting about watering hacks.


    We were supposed to go get our outfits for Manuel¡¯s birthday party and bringing Diana along had been ast minute decision. I was still hesitant to expose her to the mafia world but she was willing and the choice was entirely up to her. She had readily agreed to Gina¡¯s invitation to the event against my warning of having to see Dominic again.


    ¡°Why should I have to avoid him?¡± Was her huffed reply as she flipped her hair. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong, if anyone was supposed to stay away, it¡¯s him.¡±


    That was that, now all three were going to make sure we were the prettiest at the event. Call it the pretty trinity. With the presence of the two girls, I felt certain I could carry out what I nned to do, which was winning over Manuel Salvatore. Even if I loathed the very idea of it.


    But anything to ensure Luca and I are allowed to be together in peace.


    It took less than five minutes for us to get to the floor with the top designer stores. Luca had given me his ck card earlier and had all but threatened me into agreeing to use it as I saw fit. And doing that was what I was going to do. I would splurge without holding back, making sure to get Diana and I the best money could buy.


    A good outfit was ady¡¯s battle wear and if I was going to lunge willing into what I nned on doing, go head to head with my mother who was sure to interfere and ruin things for me, I needed to do it in the best dress.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been to Saks before,¡± Diana said in an excited voice as we walked into the ritzy store, her green eyes shining.


    ¡°Me neither.¡± I said under my breath, growing uneasy at the number of high ss looking women browsing about. Thest designer store I¡¯d visited with Gina had been virtually empty so this was a new experience for me-shopping amongst rich people that is.


    But I must confess, it was a good feeling.


    Four shopping assistants appeared before us, weing us with the politeness they were trained with. They got to work immediately. Showing us racks after racks of luxury dresses.


    Gina was the first to choose a dress, a swirly armless dress with a flower studded bodice and a flowy skirt.


    ¡°That¡¯s so gorgeous on you.¡± I said once she tried it on.


    ¡°You think?¡± She said, swirling in front of a mirror almost the size of the wall it was mounted on.


    ¡°Definitely.¡± Diana confirmed.


    We helped with picking mine and Diana¡¯s after that and the dresses we decided on were simr yet not. While mine was a stretchy ruffle that fit like a glove all the way to my knees before pooling around my feet, Diana¡¯s had a silk skirt with thigh high split and was looser on her hips and legs. The simrities were on the bodice-both had a crumbcatcher design and offshoulder straps.


    ¡°These dresses are gorgeous!¡± The superior of the three shopping assistants gushed.


    ¡°I agree.¡± Gina


    We shopped for shoes next, then purses and when we exited the store, our hands were full of shopping bags.


    ¡°Shit, I really need to pee.¡± Diana dered when we were halfway near the esctor leading to the mall¡¯s exit. She pushed her bags into my hands and dashed off, leaving me to struggle with hanging them on my arms.


    Ginaughed as I groaned aloud and proceeded to help me but she, too, soon disappeared, pulled away by a call from her husband.


    ¡°Great,¡± I muttered with a breathy sigh, still struggling with the bags. I considered calling Sergio or Nino to help but my phone was at the bottom of my purse which was in one of the bags and I couldn¡¯t remember which.


    After another minute of fussing, I quitted altogether, putting the bags to the white polished ground.  Gina was a few feet away, twirling her hair as she spoke into the phone so I entertained myself by watching random strangers move about. That was when I caught a sh of a horrifyingly familiar mane of ash blond hair.


    I did a double take, squinting harder as I zeroed in on the exact spot, my pulse quickening. It couldn¡¯t be, it¡¯s been years, way too many. I must have seen someone else.


    I caught sight of him again.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    No. It can¡¯t be. He disappeared, hasn¡¯t shown up for five years now, it just can¡¯t be him.


    I didn¡¯t know when I started to move, when I started to chase after him.


    ¡°Cara!¡± Gina called after me. But I ignored her, weaving around bodies as I made my way closer to the man I suspected was him, silently hoping I was mistaken. I wanted to be.


    I spotted Sergio and Nino among the crowd, moving at the pace I was and it emboldened me. With them, I was safe, nothing could happen. Diego would be powerless in their presence. It made me press through faster.


    I yanked on his shoulder as soon as I was within arm¡¯s reach, unknowingly holding my breath as the man turned to¡­ a total stranger.


    A sigh that rattled my rib cage pushed out of me. It wasn¡¯t Diego. I was mistaken.


    The stranger stared down at me in confusion and an equal amount of annoyance which was very understandable.


    I bowed subtly in apology, my cheeks catching heat with embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought you were someone else.¡±


    He smoothened out the creases from where I¡¯d grabbed his faded nnel shirt and whirled around, continuing in the direction he¡¯d been heading for.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Sergio asked when he got to me, Nino a few steps behind him.


    My heart was beating fast, my lungs cinched and my body light with the residues of fear. ¡°Nothing, it¡¯s fine.¡± I whispered, even as the hairs on my skin stood on end.


    It wasn¡¯t him Cara, you can rx. A soothing voice spoke softly in my mind, causing my pulse to slowly go back to normal. Diego would never return, he was probably dead and if he wasn¡¯t he definitely have gotten wind of my rtionship with Luca and had stayed away.


    There was nothing to worry about.


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