Chapter 2: Nero

I could see the questions in Dante’s eyes as he blinked. We were back in my mansion, rather a hidden part of it that most had no idea of. The walls and floors were concrete and strengthened by steel bars and not a sound would leave this cell unless I wanted it.

“So that is your real name,” I hummed leaning back as he glared at me with such impossible force. If eyes could kill I was sure I’d be dead already. The card attached to the hotel key we found on him had been useful after all.

Pity he looked like he’d kill me if I untied his ropes. He was so fucking gorgeous that I’d have him in my bed already were the situation not different.

He was already tied up for my pleasure after all.

“I must admit,” I Continued whilst leaning against the hard walls with effortless elegance. “I had thought you to be one of Angelo’s men at first just like Caesar had turned out to be.”

My eyes moved up and down his torso searchingly keeping my expression blank. He was fit. The clothes he wore were simple with no labels on them and they clung to him like a second skin now that he had been so ungracefully woken by a bucket of water.

“What makes you think I’m not?” He rasped out.

“Because you saved my life, assassin.”

Dante’s reaction was telling. His eyes widened a fraction as though he was surprised I would peg his occupation so easily.

His jaw clenched visibly. His eyes darkened.

Later on, maybe I’d see what other more pleasurable reactions I could draw out of him.

Instead I tilted my head and let a smirk play on my lips.

"It doesn’t matter who I am. The job’s over and done with. So you can let me go now," he stated in a curt tone. As if he didn’t like me.

Curious.

"Why? How do I know what your true intentions are?" My eyes scanned his face and he looked even more furious.

"If I wanted to kill you," those words were hissed out. "You’d already be dead, Nero Vecchio."

"So you do know who I am after all."

"Only a fool in these parts of the world wouldn’t know of you and your mafia," Dante shot back.

"Good. Then you will not have a problem telling me who hired you. Who was your client?" I demanded.

He was silent and his lips pursed.

"I don’t know who. I don’t care about your mafia business. But I give a fuck about handling my jobs without issues. That’s the only reason I saved your life Don Vecchio," he intoned with his voice dripping with annoyance.

"Is that so?" I stared at him thoughtfully. I wanted this man to work for me. I never had such hunches about just anyone. But I knew he would be a great asset. "I need a man like you, Dante. In my crew. Protecting my assets."

"Forget it," Dante immediately replied. "I will NEVER work for you."

His quick reply gave me whiplash. I blinked slowly.

"This offer isn’t one sided. You will gain a lot by allying with me."

"You think that makes me fucking care?"

Somehow the sting of his rejection was more than I could take. It burned inside and my gaze hardened.

"Then you will die in this place. Tony!" My voice was like the crack of a whip as I called for one of my most trusted men and Dante’s face contorted in fury.

“Yes Boss?” Tony’s voice echoed behind me as he called through the corridor.

Taking a step closer into Dante’s space I leaned down and grabbed hold of his chin with my leather gloved hand. His gaze burned.

"If you know who I am Dante, then you also fucking know I do not let people go. You have many options but only one true choice if you want to leave this city alive and well. And that is to join us. I’ll pay you VERY well. More than you could ever imagine,” my voice went soft at the end, nearly a whisper as I leaned in closer.

My words struck a chord in him I could see, his eyes fluttered for a split second and there was an unreadable expression on his face.

"You ungrateful asshole. I saved your fucking LIFE!" He seethed and pulled at the binds that tied him to the wooden chair he was in.

"And I’m offering you yours. That counts as far. Unless you’d like to test my patience and die where you stand." I tilted my head at his defiant silence. "Shame. You would make a great asset to my crew."

And to me, personally.

"W-wait."

I smirked in triumph watching the defeat flicker over his eyes. He glared at me openly yet I didn’t care.

Somehow his anger made him look more beautiful.

And yet there was something that made him familiar to me. Something odd. Like I’d met him before.

Who was he really?

I’d have to find out.

“Tony. Take him to one of the guest bedrooms,” I ordered. “Make sure he’s comfortable.”

Tony bowed and responded in the affirmative as I left for my study. Too much shit had gone on today as it was.

As soon as I entered my study and shut the door behind me I took out my phone out and dialed a number I knew by heart.

"Don." The voice of one of my most important subordinates rang through the speaker of the phone.

"Zach. I need information on someone. Dante is the name. A picture will be sent to you soon."

Our conversation was business like and lasted only a few minutes.

Afterwards all I could think about was how Angelo could have made such a risky move. It might have paid off if Caesar was good enough and Dante hadn’t been there to tip the scales in my favor.

I had known Caesar did business outside of his work in my mafia. But I never expected he would be so lowly as to ally himself with my cousin.

My lips curled downwards in frustration.

"This city isn’t big enough for the two of us, Angelo." I murmured under my breath.

"Dad!"

The exclamation made my eyes sharply turn to the door of my study and watched as Marcus, my 3 year old son, rushed in to greet me.

"Amelia. Where is his mother?" I demanded of the middle aged woman who rushed in seconds later to meet me. She bowed briefly, her face pale.

"She... well she..."

The nanny stammering out with no clear explanation told me everything I needed to know.

Layla had gone against my orders.

A scowl formed on my lips and I felt the urge to shoot something.

Preferably the mother of my son.

…