CHAPTER TWO — I REALLY DO

Romano’s Estate.

The meeting room smelled of cigar smoke and expensive whiskey. A long oak table stretched across the center, scattered with papers, ledgers, and a half-empty bottle of red wine. The walls were soundproof, no one outside these walls ever heard the business of the Romanos.

Romano sat at the head of the table, a white shirt clinging perfectly to his broad shoulders. His gaze was fixed on the man standing at the far end of the room, nervous, sweating, avoiding eye contact.

“So,” Romano began, voice calm but sharp enough to slice through silence. “You’re saying two million dollars vanished between Milan and Palermo, and no one noticed?”

The man swallowed hard. “It…it must’ve been a mistake with the paperwork, sir. The fake invoices from the jewelry company….”

“Enough.” Romano raised his hand rubbing his temple . “We don’t make mistakes, Blue. Not when it comes to cleaning our money.”

Across the table, Enzo, the family’s consigliere, leaned forward, sliding a folder toward Romano. “The funds were rerouted through a shell company in Dubai. Someone tampered with the transfer code.”

“Inside job,” Romano murmured, his jaw tightening as his gaze swept through all the men seated. “Find who.”

Blue fell to his knees immediately. “Please, I swear, I didn’t…”

“Blue,” Romano said softly, almost kindly. “You’ve been with this family for eight years. You should know what happens to thieves.”

He stood, adjusting his cufflinks as a guard stepped forward and handed him a gun.

Blue began to beg, but the sound of his voice was caught shot at the sound of the gun.

Enzo exhaled slowly. “Another leak, another rat. Vittorio’s men would kill for this information.”

Romano’s eyes darkened at the mention of Vittorio Moretti, head of the rival family. “Let them try,” he said coldly. “The Romanos don’t bleed easily.”

He poured himself a glass of whiskey and stared out the window, the city lights glimmering like sin itself.

___

VITTORIO'S OFFICE.

“You sent for me, boss.” Macro bowed slightly as he got to Vittorio's Office who was looking out of the window with hands tucked in his pocket.

Without turning back he spoke. “I need you to keep an eye on Arabelle. Everything she does, wherever she goes, who she's seeing…. Everything about her. If you notice anything strange, report to me immediately.”

“Consider it done boss.”

A moment of silence followed. After a short while, Vittorio turned back. “Preparate le macchine, stiamo andando al club di Chrisano (Get the cars ready, we're heading to Chrisano’s club).”

A black SUV pulled up in front of the club, neon lights shimmered against the puddles on the street, the sign flickering like a dying heartbeat.

Macro got out of the car and opened the back seat door for Vittorio to step out. He made his way into the club, his presence making the guards at the entrance stiffen. 

Inside, the music was low but steady, women in silver dresses moved gracefully between tables, and rich men whispered over cigars and whiskey. Vittorio entered the VIP lounge, where Christano was. The air shifted as he got in, all eyes were on him. Without saying a word, everyone left the room except Christano.

“Don!” Chrisano greeted nervously, rising from his leather seat. His gold chains caught the light as he spread his arms. “You didn't tell me you were coming, I'd have prepared real well for your arrival.”

“Come se (as if)” Vittorio said, his voice low and smooth.

Chrisano’s smile faltered.

Vittorio sat without invitation, crossing one leg over the other atop the table. Macro remained standing behind him with his hand placed on his gun by his side, silent as a shadow.

“Sit,” Vittorio said flatly, stretching his hand towards the chair opposite him. Chrisano obeyed, the sweat already forming at his temple.

Vittorio reached into his coat and pulled out a brown envelope. He dropped it onto the table between them with a dull thud.

“Open it.”

Chrisano hesitated, then slowly tore it open. Inside were printed photos, transfer receipts, and a copy of a voice recording transcript. His hands trembled.

Vittorio leaned back rubbing his chin. “Imagine my disappointment when I learned that my trusted friend was taking side jobs with the Romanos. Helping him with drug importation and all sorts.”

Chrisano swallowed hard, eyes darting from the evidence to Vittorio’s calm expression. “Boss, I swear,it’s not what it looks like. They came to me, but I didn’t…”

“Enough.” Vittorio’s tone cut through the air like a knife. “What else will you say? You earn every percent of this club’s earnings and still work hand in hand with my enemy.” He groaned, hitting his fit on the table. “Tell me, Chrisano, do I look like a man you can fool?”

“N-No, boss,” he stammered.

“Then why did you try?”

Chrisano’s voice cracked. “Please… I have a family…”

“Spare me that shit.” Vittorio stood slowly, towering over him. He reached for his glass of whiskey from the table, swirling it once before taking a sip. His eyes never left Chrisano’s.

“I don’t kill loyal men. But I do kill stupid ones.” he said quietly.

Chrisano’s breath caught.

“The only thing that can save you now, is your son.

From tonight, he works for me. One mistake, one, and I’ll make sure he pays the price for your greed.”

And with that, he walked out into the night, leaving Chrisano shaking in his shadow.

___

“Are you all right Arabelle?” Lucia asked as she noticed her sighing every second passed. She decided to spend time with her so they lodge in a hotel where no one will see them.

“Yeah, I'm all right.” Arabelle nodded with a gentle smile.

“Non ti credo ( I don't believe you). Something is bothering you. You can talk to me about it, you know, right.”

Arabelle took a bite from the pizza placed on the table and chewed gently, staring at the wall. “Father seems to suspect me.” She finally said letting out a heavy sight. 

“Seriously,” Lucia chuckled. “Is that why you're brother?”

“Ovviamente (Of course).” Arabelle rolled her eyes. “If he finally knows it will cause a war between our families and you know my father and your father are rivals. Just imagine what would happen. I'm so scared.”

“Come here sweetheart.” Lucia moved closer to her and pulled her into a tight hug. “You have nothing to be scared of, I'm here for you no matter what. We are going to scale through this together.”

“Are you sure?”

“Fucking sure.” Lucia answered and planted a soft kiss on her check. Before she could pull away, Arabelle depended the kiss.

Lucia froze for a heartbeat, surprised by the kiss, then her fingers slid up to Arabelle’s jaw, pulling her closer. The air between them shifted, charged, almost electric.

“Belle…” she whispered, breath brushing her lips.

Arabelle’s response was a soft, desperate sound as she leaned in again, kissing Lucia with a mixture of fear, relief, and longing. 

Lucia’s hands moved to her waist, tugging her gently onto her lap, and Arabelle melted into her like she’d been holding herself together for too long.

Lucia deepened the kiss slowly, giving Arabelle space to breathe, to feel, to choose. Arabelle’s fingers threaded through Lucia’s hair, pulling her closer, needing closeness more than she needed air.

Lucia broke the kiss for only a moment, their foreheads touching, breaths unsteady.

“You’re trembling,” she murmured.

“I want you,” Arabelle whispered, with a smile. “A taste of you.”

Lucia cupped her face, brushing her thumbs over her cheeks. “Sono tutto tuo, amore mio (I'm all yours my love).” She kissed her again, slow at first, then deeper, more certain. 

Lucia moved down to her neck, planting soft wet kisses on her making her moan out. She continued with a kiss and placed her gently on the bed. She undid the buttons of her shirt without breaking the kiss. Arabelle's bare tummy came into sight, tracing it from down to up, Lucia got her hand to the back of her bra and removed the hook taking it away completely. She sneezed her breast, feeling every soft part of it.

After savouring the upper part of her body, she lowered herself to her down part, she gently pulled off the trouser Arabelle was putting on and widened her legs placing soft kisses on both sides. She shifted her pants and saw how wet she was already. She smiled and used her finger tip to rub it slowly making her cum.

“Fuck it.” She moaned, throwing her head back.

Lucia went on teasing her, playing around her clitoris as she cum more. She lowered her head in-between and licked her. 

“C'mon Lucia, do the fucking shit.” Arabelle said, feeling the sensation around her body.

Lucia finally tore the pants off and dipped her middle finger into her.

“Mmm”

Lucia pulled out and went in again. In and out slowly she began, she added one more finger and grind it faster.

“Ohh…. Yes… faster…. Fuck” Arabelle moaned putting her fingers into her mouth also feeling the pleasure.

“Say my name Arabelle.” Lucia said gently.

“Lucia… mm”

“Yeah… cum for me baby.”

“Cumming.” Arabelle screamed and poured out on Lucia's hand. She licked her full hand and smiled before ly

ing beside her.

“You enjoyed it right?” she asked.

“I really do. Thank you.” Arabelle said and wrapped her hand on her waist before dozing off.