Chapter two.
Dante
The music blared from all ends of the bar, as I leaned on the table at an obscure corner. Nursing my glass of wine, I roamed my eyes around.
“You never cease to amaze me, Zio. Why don't we head to the VIP section? You've always been heavy on security.” Luca grumbled, as he crossed his legs over the other.
“Since you know that, you shouldn't have dragged me out here, to a bar.” I drawled.
“Dragged? Don't tell me, you're serious. I could never drag you, without your consent, Dante. Admit it already, you wanted to come.” He scoffed.
And though I wanted to rebuff his words, I couldn't. I'd wanted to come here. This place held memories, beautiful memories I didn't want to forget.
Luca pulled his chair close, placing his hands on the table. “You still think of her, don't you?” He asked quietly.
“Don't…” I turned my head away.
“Just say it, Zio.” He pressed on.
A glare at him, and he excused himself, saying he wanted to go, dance with some women. To boost my adrenaline, he said.
Once he left, I closed my eyes. It'd been years since she left. Years, since that bullet was shot right through her heart. Years since I caused my wife's death.
I still had a portrait of her, in my room. It'd been an arranged marriage, between us. And I could still remember the harsh words I'd told her on our wedding night.
'You want to be my bride, so much? Then pleasure me, like the stupid slut that you are.'
Evelyn…
The thought of her name, roused the pain which I'd long buried in my heart. I grabbed at my glass of wine, and downed the contents in one gulp.
I couldn't be weak. She was dead, and gone. And forgotten.
And then, I saw her. I'd never believed someone could like another person, at first sight. She was dancing with her partner. But for whatever reason, I didn't turn my gaze away.
I'd never been a ladies man, like Luca. To me, they weren't worth wasting my time over.
I stared long and hard at her. Dressed in a blue low cut dress, which revealed her slender legs, she looked…sexy. She was tall enough, for a woman.
Perhaps feeling my gaze, she turned towards me. A shadow of a smile crossed her lips, and she turned away sharply, her face crimson.
I knew I should look away. But I didn't want to.
How long had it been since a woman roused my interest?
My eyes narrowed, when her partner began groping her. She tried pulling away, but he held on still. Pulling her close to himself, he brought his head close to her neck.
I froze, when her gaze met mine. They held plea, in them.
“Hey Zio, want another glass of wine?” Luca said, in a breezy voice, as he came over. Two sexily dressed ladies flanked him on both sides.
I rose to my feet, strolling over to them, and ignoring his calls behind me.
“I believe it's my turn.” I began, once I stopped beside the dancing 'couple.'
The bastard didn't even look at me. “Who're you?” He slurred, tightening his hold on her ass.
Slender legs threw an awkward smile at me, and tried pulling away again.
'Fuck it.' I cursed beneath my breath, and grabbed his arm, exerting force on it.
He yelped loudly, finally turning to look at me. “You dog!-” His words died in his mouth, when he saw me.
“Lascia andare la signora.” I said calmly, to which he nodded frantically. He scampered away, when I let go of his arm.
“Thank you so much. What did you tell him?” Slender legs exhaled, obviously relieved.
“You shouldn't be dancing with such low lives. You aren't Italian?”Looking at her up close, she was beautiful. Her almond eyes crinkled when she smiled.
“Unfortunately for me, low lives don't have a plaque on their foreheads. And no, I'm not.” She chuckled.
My next words surprised even myself.
“Want to grab a drink?” I asked, gesturing at my table.
She nodded, without hesitation.
Luca wasn't at the table. I sat down, and gestured at the vacant seat at my front.
“Pardon my manners. I'm West.” She smiled, stretching her hands forward.
I didn't take it. I was already regretting my impulse to bring a woman, to drink with me.
“Dante.” I simply said.
She nodded, and poured herself a glass of wine. No words were exchanged between us, as she downed glass after glass of wine.
“You're handsome,” She giggled, an hour later.
Luca came over, right at that moment. He didn't spare her a glance.
“Why don't we get going?” he asked.
I took another look at her. She was looking around, while muttering incoherent words.
“She's drunk. We can't leave her here.” I rose to my feet.
“And when has the Capo ever cared about someone else, other than himself? She can handle herself, we can't afford to stay here, any longer.” He urged.
I took another look at her. Her head was placed on the table, her black hair making a mess. Ignoring his words, I scooped her in my arms, and made for the door.
“Get the car.” I instructed.
Probably sensing that convincing me would do no good, he nodded. “Yes, Zio.”
…
She stretched her body on the bed, and my breath hitched. She smelled so good. Like roses, and lavender.
I pulled away, and made to go to my office. Perhaps Luca was right. I shouldn't have brought a random woman to my Dimora. And even let her sleep in my room. A Capo should never be weak.
My father had been sure to drum that rule into my head, while I was growing up. But for some reason, I didn't adhere to it, tonight.
I froze, when she grabbed my hand. “Please, don't go.” she drawled.
I knew what I should have done, was pull her hands away, and walk out of the room. Looking back years later, I realized that single mistake of mine, was the beginning of my problems.
Instead, I stared at how beautiful her face looked, even while asleep. Wondering how her lips would taste, I leaned in without further hesitation, and captured them.
She moaned softly into my mouth, and throwing all caution to the wind, I clambered unto the bed.
***
I opened my eyes slowly, and grunted softly. The gentle breathing beside me, made the memories of last night flash across my mind.
I pushed her figure away, roughly, and sat down on the bed. The room was still dark, courtesy of the blinders, which were still pulled down.
She moaned softly, and blood rushed to my cock. She'd been versatile in bed last night. Giving, and taking. I'd fucked her so hard, and towards the wee hours of the morning, she'd fallen asleep on my chest.
Now, she sat up on the bed, looking at me with sleep-doused eyes. “Where's this place?” She asked warily, moving away from me.
Her actions annoyed me. I should be pushing her out of my Dimora. Yet, she was being wary of me?
“Get out.” I rose from the bed, and stifled a smirk, when she turned her face away.
“Aren't you ashamed? Walking around naked?” Her cheeks were crimson, as she spoke.
Once I wrapped my night robe around me, I began speaking again. “You should leave. I'd pay you, and we'd be even.” And with that, I made to go out of the bathroom.
Her words stopped me, in time. “You took advantage of my drunken state. I'm no slut.” Her voice cracked, and I could tell she was about to cry.
Irritatedly, I turned to face her.
“How much do you want?” I crossed my arms, irritated at how soft I was acting. I'd never negotiated with a woman before.
Even with Evelyn. She'd been the perfect traditional housewife. A type any Italian man would like.
She pushed her head back, her eyes wide with shock. “I don't have any place to go.”
I blinked, suddenly suspicious. I was a Capo. How could I be sure she wasn't sent, by my rival? Someone who wanted to kill me?
Silence reigned temporarily, and when I finally drew my gaze away from her exposed shoulder, my face was as cold as ever. With all the emotions, gone.
“You should wash up, and be out of here in twenty minutes. My men would take you to wherever you want to go.” And I left.
Luca was waiting for me, at the office. He stood up when I came in.
“What the hell were you thinking, Zio? Ti comportavi in modo strano, ieri sera." He ran his hands, through his hair.
“Know your place.” I said, through my teeth, and plopped down on my chair.
“I'm sorry. I'm just worried. It could be Alexandro's doing. Or worse still, from another 'Ndrangheta.” He heaved a sigh, and sat down.
I turned the swivel chair, so my back was facing him.
“Call Santino. Tell him, I need him to look into someone.” I ordered, with a dangerous glint in my eyes.
Chapter three. WestThe harmless-scaredy- look, wiped off my face, once the door shut close. I stared down at the thick black duvet, wondering why I'd done what I did.I hadn't been drunk last night. Inwardly praising myself for pulling off the plan of luring him in, by pretending to be in trouble, my breath had hitched, when I'd seen his face.In my twenty five years of life, I hadn't seen someone look so ruggedly handsome. His pale face held that strength to it, that couldn't be ignored. Even his voice commanded respect.Well, to get what I want, I had to give up something. And did I regret sleeping with him? Maybe. He was every inch a conceited fool.I clambered off the bed, and hurried to the bathroom. It was time to wash up, and take a look around the glass house.Italy was a beautiful place. When I'd arrived a fortnight ago, I'd been awed by how beautiful it looked. I hadn't rented a condo. Dante wasn't foolish, and although I knew he'd looked into my background
Chapter four West“Who's the woman in the painting?” I asked instead. A dark look crossed his face, and his eyes glinted dangerously.I wasn't fazed. I'd rather glance at him while he looked like that, than answer his question.“What?” He let go of me, and I moved away. “The painting in your room. Who's that woman?” I asked, my voice a notch higher.“It's none of your business. Did you touch it?" He asked coldly.I crossed my arms. “And why are you more concerned about that, than answering my question?” A smile touched my lips, before I smothered it off.He advanced towards me, slowly. With each step he took, I took one backward. Then, he halted. His face, a complete stoic mask, finally cracked after a while.“Answer the fucking question, Grenade.” He spat.“My name's West. And no, I didn't touch it. Now I'd like to eat.” I rubbed on my belly slowly.He arched his brow. “And what makes you think I'd let a stranger eat in my Dimora?” He questioned.“Oh?” I straightened. “You had no ob
Chapter five. Dante“Are you on pills?” The question was out, before I could stop myself. And as expected, she had a weird look on her face, as she turned to look at me.“What? You were the one who took advantage of me, last night. Yet, you're worried about getting me pregnant?” A constipated look masked her pretty face.“I have my reputation to protect.” I halted abruptly, and she almost ran into me.She didn't say another word, and instead followed me, as I led her to my office.Luca was comfortably seated on the sofa, his legs crossed, as he worked on his laptop. He placed it down when he saw me. “Zio.” He winked, and was about to continue, when his gaze overlooked my shoulder and he stopped.“Is an apartment ready?” I asked, as I made my way to my chair. The wing of my Dimora, where my office was located, was my most favorite part. It directly overlooked the vineyard, and it was a habit of mine to sip wine, during the evenings while I stared at the scenery. And that was if I was
Chapter Six WestThe sun shone down brightly, and I wiped off the sweat on my forehead for the umpteenth time. Right beside me, Guilia was speaking rapid Italian, too fast for me to understand. She gestured at my head, and touched her wide brimmed heart, while saying, “Your head, sun.”I'd declined her offer of giving me a hat, and I wish I hadn't. I smiled at her, and turned to look at the buds on the vines.It was already days since I began staying at the mansion. Days since I started observing without being observed. Days since Dante had ordered his men to hack into my laptop.It'd been an almost invisible intrusion into the system. Once I'd noticed it, I hadn't tried to stop it. Instead, I'd leaned back on the bed, watching nude ladies till late into the night. The next day, I hadn't seen Dante. And when I finally did, he'd looked at me with an odd expression on his face.“...next week, we'll pick them.” Guilia was saying, when I finally turned to look at her.
Chapter seven DanteI twirled the glass of wine absentmindedly, glancing at the door at intervals. I was seated at the balcony of my office, granting me a direct view of the vineyard. Throwing my head back and closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply.Something else I loved, other than torturing others? That'd be the smell of the vineyard. The soil and everything, it was therapeutic enough to calm my rotten soul.“When you said your office, I thought you were about to berate me, or something. I didn't expect quite a scenario.” She chuckled, as she came over.I looked over my shoulder, and my eyes darkened. Her milky skin was barely covered by the flimsy material she was putting on. The outline of her breasts, and nipple left nothing to the imagination. I'd loved how they felt in my hands the night I fucked her.But maybe I shouldn't have-“Dante?” She called out, and I turned my head slowly.“Yeah?” “I was asking if I could sit.” She gestured at the vacant comfy chair, besi
Chapter eight. West“These are so good, Guilia.” I closed my eyes, as I savored the taste of the cookies. And I wasn't even bluffing. She made the best of the best cookies. I leaned on the island, taking a sip of my coffee.“You are sure you don't want sugar in your coffee, sweetheart?” She asked, coming over with an enclosed glass of sugar.“No Guilia, I love it like this.” I chuckled, and continued munching away.“Why don't you learn how to make them? Dante has always loved eating them, as a child.” She said after a minute's silence, as she placed the glass of sugar on the counter.It took me two seconds to realize she was talking about making cookies. I nearly choked on my cup of coffee. What'd happened the last time I tried to make some bacon and eggs, back at New York?I'd nearly burned down the whole kitchen.I could still remember how it'd happened, and the vow I made never to touch a cooking pot again.“No, Guilia. I'm not a quick learner.” I shook my head, thro
Chapter nine Dante“Again?!” I barked, slamming my hands on the table. Luca was seated on the sofa, right in front of me. The worry on his face mirrored mine. “Who do you think did it, this time? Alexandro?” He asked, running his hands through his hair.“He can't be stupid enough to try it.” I shook my head.“We can't tell. No one expected him to sink it, the first time.” Luca argued.“But-” I turned my head slowly towards him. “The ship was top secret. How did he find out?” There was only one way. Realization shone in Luca's eyes, when he looked at me again. “Cristo, it better not be.”“God help whoever the mole is.” I was certain there was someone within my men, who was working against me. That same person would have informed the culprit.“You're losing focus these days, Dante.” Luca remarked, as he lit a cigar.“What do you mean?” Not in the best of moods, the last thing I wanted to hear was to be termed incompetent, by my younger brother.“The new girl. You're
Chapter ten. West“I'm sorry Signora, but this room is out of bounds.” A young man with ponytail styled hair rose to his feet and said, once I walked into the control room.I put on a smile, holding on to the tray of cookie and sauntering in. “Guilia sent me here. And I'm sure the Capo wouldn't mind.” I assured, while I took a quick look around.It was green colored, with white lights flashing around. Huge computers were mounted all around the control room, with huge guards loitering around. There should have been more than five guards.I should be able to take them down, if it came down to it.And I really hoped it wouldn't come down to it.“So, can I sit?” I asked the young man, who was still looking at me closely. He shook his head, and finally bowed.“Yes, please.” He nodded, his voice sounding defeated.Ignoring the curious looks on the face of the other guards, I placed the cookies on a table and took a seat. Back at New York, I also controlled the operational