Chapter 10

Maty

I wake up slowly, my body deliciously sore in all the right places. For a moment, I’m disoriented, confused by the unfamiliar, insanely comfortable mattress and the strong arm covered in tattoos banded around my waist. But then memories of the night come rushing back and I can’t help the slow smile that spreads across my face.

Alessio. The gala, the dance, the way he claimed me in front of everyone. And after… the way he worshipped me with his hand, mouth and cock, branding me as his in the most intimate way possible.

I roll over to face him, my breath catching in my throat. He’s still asleep, his dark-blond hair tousled and his chiseled features relaxed. He looks younger like this, almost boyish, and my heart clenches with a tenderness I’ve never felt before.

Carefully, I trace my fingertips over the lines of his face, memorizing every plane and angle. His skin is warm, his stubble slightly scratchy against my palm. I feel like I could spend hours like this, just drinking him in.

But even as I revel in this quiet moment of peace, I can’t escape the sense of unease in my gut. The bullet casing, the threatening texts, the mystery stalker who seems hell-bent on tormenting me… it feels like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment and shatter my fragile bubble of happiness.

As if sensing my dark thoughts, Alessio stirs, his strong arm tightening around me as his eyes flutter open. When he sees me, a slow, drowsy smile curves his full lips, making my heart skip a beat.

“Morning, beautiful,” he murmurs, in a voice that’s still husky with sleep. He presses a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering there for a beat. “How you feeling?”

“Perfect,” I whisper back, and in this moment, it’s true. Here, in his arms, I feel safer and more cherished than I ever have in my life.

His smile widens, blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “You are perfect,” he says softly, brushing a curl off my cheek. “Still can’t believe this is happening.”

I swallow hard against the sudden lump in my throat. “I’m not going anywhere,” I promise. And I mean it with every fiber of my being.

I want this, want him, more than I’ve ever wanted anything. And if that means fighting tooth and nail against the demons of my past, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.

We stay like that for a while longer, exchanging gentle caresses and soft kisses, basking in our afterglow. But eventually, reality intrudes when Alessio’s phone vibrates insistently on the nightstand.

He groans, pressing his face into my hair for a long moment before pulling back with a sigh. “Gotta take this,” he says apologetically. “But shouldn’t be too long.”

I nod, trying to push down my irrational flare of disappointment. I knew who he was, what his life entailed, long before I fell into his bed. I can’t expect him to just drop everything because we had one incredible night together.

“Go,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’ll be fine. I should probably head home anyway, get changed before work.”

He frowns, looking like he wants to argue, but another glance at his still-buzzing phone has him exhaling with resign. “All right. But I’m taking you out for dinner tonight. No lip.”

My smile turns real at his commanding tone, warmth blooming in my chest. “Yes, sir,” I reply teasingly.

He groans again, but this time it’s playful. “Careful, little one,” he warns, his eyes darkening with renewed hunger. “You keep being a good girl like that and I won’t let you leave this bed for a week.”

Of course, my pussy starts clenching at his words and tone, my clit throbbing like a goddamn Christmas light.

Then I yelp out a laugh when Alessio nips playfully at my shoulder before rolling out of bed, his gloriously naked body on full display. Muscles and tattoos everywhere the eye can see. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to jump out of bed, climb him like a tree, and beg him to forget his responsibilities for the day.

But I restrain myself, holding tightly to the shreds of my dignity as I watch him stride into the bathroom. The sound of the shower turning on is almost enough to shatter my resolve. Fuck, image water dripping down his body, making him slick and warm… ugh! But I grit my teeth and slip out of bed, gathering my clothes strewn across the floor.

By the time Alessio emerges, dressed in an impeccable suit with his hair damp and combed back, I’m somewhat presentable. He pulls me in for one last scorching kiss before we part ways, leaving me dazed and aching.

* * *

The ride back to my apartment in Lessio’s town car is a blur, my mind still fogged with hot memories and the ghost of him all over me, inside me… I absently thank the driver and hop off. I’m so distracted that at first I don’t notice anything when I unlock my front door and step inside.

But then cold air hits me and I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. The window in my living room is open, the curtains fluttering in the breeze.

I know that window was closed and locked when I left yesterday. Which means…

“Hello, Maty.” A voice speaks from the shadows, low and menacing. “Long time no see.”

Slowly, I turn, my whole body going cold with dread. And there, sprawled casually on my couch like he owns the place, is a fucking blast from my past.

“Miss me, kiddo?” he smirks, but there’s no humor in his eyes, only a simmering rage. “Because I sure as hell missed you.”

“Ghost,” I manage to choke out, my tongue feeling thick and clumsy. “H-how… What are you doing here?”

He barks out a laugh, the sound harsh and scary. “Don’t play dumb, Maty.” He rises to his feet in one fluid motion, prowling closer. “You knew I’d find you eventually. You had to know you couldn’t hide forever.”

“That’s not… I wasn’t…” I stumble over my words, my mind fogging with panic. I take a step back, my legs bumping against the coffee table, and his smirk widens.

“Wasn’t what? Trying to screw me over? Left us for dead while you ran off to play house with the fucking mob?”

His face twists with ugliness. “Yeah, I heard all about your cushy new setup with the DeLucas. Their pet hacker, all cozy in their inner circle.” He spits on my floor, his eyes burning with hatred. “I bet you think you’re hot shit now, huh? Fucking untouchable? I’ll show you.”

“Ghost, please,” I whisper, hating the tremor in my voice. “What happened back then… It wasn’t my fault. I thought they killed all of you. I only survived because they needed me.”

“Bullshit!” he roars, slamming his fist down on the table so hard that a lamp goes flying. I flinch back, my heart pounding like a jackhammer. “Your snitching ass betrayed us all!”

“I didn’t snitch!” I cry, finally finding my voice. “I just tried to survive.”

His answering smile is cruel, full of malice. “Well, I’m here to drag you back to the real world, kid. No more playing pretend.” He closes the last bit of distance between us, grabbing my chin in a bruising grip. “You’re gonna pay for what you did. For betraying us. And if that means burning down this shiny new life you’ve built, brick by fucking brick?” He leans in close, his breath hot and rancid against my face. “Then that’s just icing on the cake.”

My mind races desperately, searching for an escape. But Ghost’s grip is iron-clad, and I know I’m no match for him in a physical fight. He’s bigger, stronger, and fueled by five years of festering resentment. My only chance is to try to talk him down.

“Ghost, listen to me,” I say, fighting to keep my voice low and soothing even as my entire body shakes. “I get that you’re angry. You have every right to be. I’m sorry, so sorry for whatever happened to you and the others.”

I see a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, the barest softening of his snarl, and I press on urgently.

“But this, coming after me, threatening my life? It’s not gonna change anything. It’s not gonna bring back anyone.” I swallow hard, tasting copper on my tongue. “Please, Ghost. Don’t do this. Don’t let revenge poison you. You’re better than this, I know you are.”

For a long moment, he just stares at me, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. I can hardly breathe, hope warring with fear in my pounding heart.

And then he laughs, a wild, unhinged sound that chills me to the bone.

“You stupid bitch,” he says almost with wonder. “You really thought you could bat those big brown eyes and I’d just forget everything?All the shit I’ve been through because of you?”

He shakes his head, eyes glinting with a terrifying light. “No more talking. No more excuses.” He tightens his grip on my chin, making me cry out in pain. “It’s time for you to face the consequences of your actions.”

And with that, he’s dragging me to the door, ignoring my struggles and screams. The last thing I see before a sharp blow to my temple sends me spiraling into darkness is his strangely calm face.

“Night-night, kiddo,” he croons. “When you wake up, the real fun begins.”

Then everything goes black.

* * *

Alessio

This fucking meeting is endless. All I want is to get back to Maty, bury myself in her sweet pussy and never come up for air.

But I force myself to focus, play the game. This is a critical deal, one that could secure our hold on new shipping lanes for years. I can’t afford to be distracted, not even by thoughts of my brown-eyed queen.

So I grit my teeth and negotiate, letting the cold, ruthless mask of the DeLuca boss slide into place. I’ve worn it for so long that’s it’s like a second skin by now.

But today, for the first time in longer than I can remember, it falters. Feels wrong, ill-fitting. Because when I’m with Maty, I’m not just the DeLuca capo.

For so long I’ve rejected all vulnerability, the idea of letting anyone see beneath my hardened surface. Attachments are liabilities, a luxury men like me can’t afford.

But Maty makes me want to tear down my walls and let her see every scarred, imperfect part of me. She makes me hope, dream, long for things I never thought I could have. Shit like… love. Fuck! The word slams into me like a freight train, leaving me momentarily breathless. Is this love, this clawing need, this bone-deep certainty that I would burn entire cities to the ground to keep her safe, to make her mine?

I’ve never been in love before. Never allowed myself the weakness, the distraction. But now, as images of Maty dance behind my eyes - her laughter, her fire, the way she gives herself to me so completely - I wonder if I’ve been in love with her for years without even realizing it.

She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The only good thing in my fucked up world.

I’m dragged out of my thoughts by Luca, my consigliere, clearing his throat to bring me back to the conversation. “Boss?”

I blink, focusing on the papers in front of me. It’s a fair split. It gives us control of the key ports without completely cutting our partners out.

“It’s good,” I say decisively, scrawling my signature at the bottom. “Make it happen.”

Luca nods, gathering up the papers efficiently. “I’ll have the contracts drawn and ready for signing.”

“Good.” I stand abruptly, eager to wrap things up. “If there’s nothing else, gentlemen, I’m sure we all have shit to do.”

There’s a murmur of acknowledgment as the other men rise, shaking hands and continuing to chat. I barely pay attention, my mind already thinking about seeing Maty, touching her.

I’m striding out of the conference room, when my phone rings. I glance at the display, expecting it to be Maty.

But instead, a hidden number flashes on the screen. Frowning, I accept the call.

I grit out, “DeLuca.”

“Ah, the man himself.” The voice on the other end is coldly amused, with a tone that immediately sets my senses on edge. “I was wondering if you’d pick up.”

“Who the fuck is this?” I demand, signaling to Luca. He immediately moves closer, his expression sharpening.

“Oh, how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself.” I can practically hear the smirk curling his lips. “The name’s Ghost. You might remember me, but you can just call me the guy who just snatched up your precious little plaything.”

Ice floods my veins, a red mist descending over my vision. “What did you say?” My voice comes out as a barely human snarl.

“You heard me, DeLuca.” He sounds bored now. “I got Maty. And if you ever want to see her alive again…”

He pauses, letting the threat hang. I can barely breathe through the rage and fear clawing at my insides.

“What?” I bark out. “What you want, motherfucker?”

He laughs softly, the sound making my skin crawl. “Oh, so many things. But let’s start with the simplest, shall we?” His voice hardens, turning ugly. “I want you and your entire fucking family to suffer for destroying my life and killing my friends. And I want Maty to finally face the music for betraying me.”

A low growl builds in my chest, my free hand clenching into a fist. “Listen carefully, you sick fuck,” I say, my voice deadly soft. “If you hurt her, if you so much as touch a hair on her head, I will end you. Slowly. Painfully. I will peel the skin from your flesh inch by fucking inch until you fucking beg me for mercy. And then, I won’t fucking stop until I’ve destroyed everything and everyone you’ve ever loved.”

There’s a beat of silence. Then he tsks. “Come on, DeLuca. Is that any way to talk to the man holding all the cards?” His voice drips with false sympathy. “I’d be very careful how you proceed, bossman. Maty’s life depends on it.”

I bare my teeth in a silent snarl, every cell in my body screaming to reach through the phone and choke him until his eyeballs pop out. But I can’t. Because he’s right.

He has my heart. My whole fucking world. And I can’t risk losing her, no matter how badly I want to bathe in this bastard’s blood.

“What do you want, asshole?” I ask, the words ash on my tongue.

I can hear his smirk in the greasy satisfaction of his voice.

“Thought you’d never ask.”