Chapter 13

MIA

I nto the quiet simmering of the emotion-laden kitchen came the harsh ring of the doorbell.

Lorenzo froze, giving me a loaded glance, pulled away from the sink and prowled to the front door.

I watched him leave, eyes on his narrow hips, sexy butt and thick thighs. I pressed my own together, overwhelmed with desire.

Seated across from him at lunch, it had taken all my ever-loving strength not to tilt in, brush his dark hair from his forehead, and kiss his rough, warm lips.

When his veined, sinewed hand lay in mine, I was hit with a rush of need. One so strong, it'd snatched my breath away, my fingers itching to trail themselves all over his body.

More muscles rippled beneath his taut six-pack, leading to slim hips and sculpted thighs. His ass in fitted shorts and under his tee was a sight to behold, fucking hot mountains of sinew bulging with veins that only added to his appeal.

Like many Italian men, he dressed with a sartorial nonchalance that screamed confidence and effortless style.

He had an aura about him- an undeniable magnetism, and it was utterly consuming. He exuded an air of mystery, a man of numerous secrets and hidden depths.

He was also a man who took charge, and I discerned he had no qualms with imposing his views, restless until others aligned with his wishes.

He was likewise a risk taker, pushing those around him to take on danger like he'd had Mauri and I do the night before. I supposed people tended to hand him the reins without question.

He had no fear of confrontation; rather, it was his first step toward resolution.

Whereas some avoided life's unpleasantness, I sensed he'd no problem with facts or the truth, no matter how distasteful it might be.

He had presence, charisma, and gravitas in spades, and I wanted him, craving and thirsty for him.

Voices broke through my reverie.

I turned from the counter where I'd been drying a bowl as Lorenzo strode in, followed by his brother Vitto.

The younger Calibrese came to an abrupt halt upon spotting me.

Vitto's eyes narrowed as he took me in.

‘Who's she, and what's she doing here?' he growled.

Lorenzo placed a hand on Vitto's shoulder. ‘Relax, fratello. Recall her from the wake?'

Vitto jolted, eyes widening, and his hard face softened. ‘I remember, you were amazing,' he murmured in a sudden switch to warmth and graciousness.

‘Meet Mia,' Lorenzo rumbled. ‘She's the reason Bianca was laid to rest well.'

I shrugged with a slight smile. ‘I did what I had to, all for her.'

Vitto inclined his head. ‘She found a treasure in you, which Lorenzo didn't waste time snapping up. He's a lothario at nabbing the best before we get dibs.'

Lorenzo cursed, chiding his brother. ‘Vitto, stai zitto, shut it. She was here when our unwanted visitors came by. She's here until we work all this shit out.'

I nodded, amused by the sibling bickering and the love the pair clearly shared.

Vitto's eyes flicked between us, settling on his brother, and I tagged the unspoken question in his eyes.

I chose to escape. ‘I've got a class; I'll see you later.'

LORENZO

I'd never been hit with such dread as when, after dispatching my assassin, I'd discovered that the woman crouching in my hallway was Mia.

Which signalled to me that I needed to sort my shit and that of my family so it'd never come close to touching her or us ever again.

Vitto stayed for the next couple of hours, and we nested in the study, which showed no signs of the violence that had befallen it a few nights ago.

First, my brother gave Mauri and me an update on the assassin Mia had shot and was still alive.

‘I questioned the man in a safe house far from the city,' Vitto said. ‘He's ex-paramilitary, a merc for hire who says he and his mate were paid to off you. By an anonymous client who compensated them in crypto on the dark web.'

‘I assume it was the Abrazzios,' Mauri murmured.

‘Most likely, however, we've no proof,' I sighed. ‘But let's send some of our foot soldiers to the streets of Naples to see what they find out.'

We roped in Valerio, still stationed in Napoli, made a series of calls, pulled strings, and got Alessio involved.

In hours, we had some bites.

Valerio reported, ‘Word on the street is the Abrazzio family is flailing. Carlo is getting more desperate about not being caught, and Ricco is livid at how his sons executed your ambush in Naples. It was untidy and loud and brought them unnecessary heat. We think Carlo then ordered your hit with the assassins.'

Ricco, the current Abrazzio Don, was one of the oldest Mafia bosses not behind bars or deceased. The once influential family was now in disarray. His firstborn son, Petro, was nothing more than a former inmate trying to maintain an image of godfather status on the streets. He had none of the cache and authority as his predecessors.

His brothers and cousins were just as ineffectual, more interested in partying, fast cars, alcohol, women, and social media rather than upholding the traditions and power of the Mafia way of life.

The Abrazzios were also losing market share to the vicious Eastern European and Calabrian drug gangs who had bypassed the Naples mafia when forging ties with Colombian narcos, control ports and transport firms.

As well, the economic downturn meant many families were compelled to decrease their protection money demands.

As a result, the Abrazzios' paranoia was off the charts, and they were terrified that if we ever shared their secrets, Carlo would be found, and Ricco would face prosecution and jail.

The problem was that by coming after us and trying to intimidate or kill us, they'd forced our hand. Now, we intended to stop them from striking us again

We devised a fledgling plan.

One that would circumvent Omertà but still give us the outcome we sought.

This involved tapping into our existing surveillance network. We'd invested millions in placing industry-leading UAVs throughout the domiciles, business establishments, clubs, and bars of our clients and enemies.

The sophisticated mini machines were kitted with the best resolution cameras. They streamed live footage to a secure, encrypted server and were outfitted with microphones that had the capability to pick up every whispered conversation.

Drones were able to evade bug sweeps and monitor vast areas in real-time, providing continuous monitoring that humans alone could not achieve.

They reduced the need for a sizeable on-ground security presence. Ours, designed to be versatile, were also equipped with various sensors, such as thermal cameras or facial recognition technology, to enhance their surveillance capabilities.

We planned to employ them across all legal and illegal Abrazzio domiciles and business establishments.

Using covert channels, we intended to hand the subsequent wiretaps, videos, and files over to specific individuals. Who, depending on what we'd found, would exact their vengeance on the Abrazzios and their extended clans gunning for us.

We were aware the Abrazzios had some weak ass security, and we figured with our resources, we'd reach closer to them than they ever imagined.

We'd also stop all money transfers to the accounts funding Carlo's fugitive life. To survive, he'd need to come out into the open, exposing him to capture.

It was a gamble, but if it paid off, it would end our ordeal with the Abrazzios and start a new era for the Calibrese family, our chance to rebuild and move forward,

I thought of the woman under my roof, how her eyes had widened in shock at the sight of the man whom I'd downed, how she'd then dealt with the assassin she'd taken out.

She'd spent most of the day studying in her room while Vitto, Mauri, Valerio, Alessio and I discussed our strategy.

Later, however, she made us lunch and brought us mugs of coffee and sweet, hot pastries as we worked through the afternoon.

‘Don't get used to this, handsome,' she whispered in my ear as she lay down a cup in front of me. ‘I am NOT the hired help.'

When I huffed in amusement. ‘Touche, bella. Grazie. We don't deserve you,' I smirked.

Winking at her, I followed her delectable ass as it left the room.

Swinging my gaze back to my brothers, I found Vitto's eyes on me, his brow arched, mouth simpering.

Alessio, too, leaned into his screen, tracking her departure. ‘Who is she again?'

I waited until Mia left the room. ‘Bianca's friend. She was caught in the crossfire with the assassins while collecting her gear from here.'

‘She's the one who knocked out one of them?' Valerio asked, eyes glinting.

I jerked my chin with a touch of pride. ‘She's a badass, and she saved my life. I've had to house her here until we make a full threat analysis.'

‘Wasn't she also the woman at the funeral you couldn't keep your fucking eyes off?' Vitto asked with a grin.

I smirked. ‘Si, she also helped pull together our aunt's commemoration. We owe her.'

‘That and the fact you can't wait to get in her pants,' Alessio teased.

‘Fuck off,' I growled. ‘Respect, brother.'

My siblings sobered up at the dangerous light in my eyes, but for all my protests, deep down, they were right.

I wanted Mia; I craved her. I wanted all of her, and I intended to fulfil this raging desire for her soon.

My need for her spiked when I stumbled across her making coffee in the kitchen later in the day.

She stood next to the machine, her phone in her hip pocket and earbuds blasting music as she frothed milk, her ass jiggling in sweat pants and her breasts under her tee swaying with the movement.

My ire toward her for her kiss with her assumed boyfriend had long ebbed, replaced with a white-hot, incandescent passion for her.

Now, she was in my world; there was no way I'd allow her to go.

I never expected her to become my obsession.

But she was.

I would not let her leave.

Not when she set me ablaze with just a glance.

And I was helpless against it.

I'd never been one to submit to anyone.

Never.

But now, with her, I was willing.

I would risk it all to have her to myself.

To keep her for myself, I'd go to hell and back.

Her presence had ignited a fire, an insatiable hunger in me.

One I couldn't stem.

I wanted her.

Fuck, I needed her.

The secrets we uncovered that night only deepened the mystery, but one thing for sure: we were in this together, and I'd be damned if I let anything happen to Mia.

For better or worse, we were in this all the fucking way.

Our fates were inextricably linked.

The thought of it made me groan.

She glanced up, finally noticing me, and smiled, undoing me.

‘You want one?' she asked.

With a growl, I strode to her side and lifted a hand.

She flinched.

My eyes narrowed. ‘You think I'll hurt you?' I rumbled, the sound echoing deep in my chest. ‘I'd never, Mia. Do you believe me?'

She had no answer for me, her face canted from me.

‘Eyes on me, bella. Always on me.'

At my command, she raised her chin, forcing herself to gaze into my eyes.

My fingers brushed her temple, lowering further to her cheek.

Cradling her head, I arched a brow in question, gazing into her eyes.

Her tongue peeped out from between her lips.

I was unable to resist, and I swooped in.

At first, gentle, nibbling on the edge of her lush mouth.

When she responded, bunching my shirt in her hands to pull me close, I upped the pressure, taking her mouth in an all-consuming kiss.

Her lips were so soft, so tender, while mine were bruising, fierce, devouring her with such hunger she panted against me.

I was wiped out by the intensity of my emotion, the desperation of my need to own her, love her, fuck her, protect her.

Our embrace deepened, infused with a heart-wrenching tenderness.

Unable to handle her sweetness any more and about to come in my pants, I broke away, chest heaving with the force of my emotions.

She stared at me, lips swollen, biting the corner of her mouth, desire clouding her eyes.

The fervour of her gaze and the rawness in our embrace had left a lingering flavour on my tongue, an exotic and irresistible tang of danger and desire.

I took a step back, my hand still cradling her cheek. I swallowed hard, my eyes searching hers. The thudding of my heartbeat and our shared ragged breaths filled the air.

‘I can't -' she whispered.

Tearing from my hold, she reached for her cup of coffee and grabbed it like a life preserver.

She took one peek back at me.

I leaned back on the counter, legs stretched out, arms crossed over my chest.

My essence and soul were suffused with a hunter's ravenousness, and I made certain she was aware of it, raking my eyes over her, not hiding my lust for her whatsoever.

‘I'm not sure we ought -' she stumbled over her words. Her voice was husky, a primal sound, almost like a moan that sent shivers down my spine.

‘What, cara?' I challenged in a soft rumble. ‘You're not sure we should kiss, suck, fuck? You don't want me to fuck you?'

Her cheeks reddened at my raw, rude, sensual utterance. ‘I -.'

‘Rest well, relax, come down for dinner. Everything else will take care of itself.'

She fled, leaving me with my cock throbbing and my soul surging with need.

My fifteenth summer was spent falling in lust for the first time.

Her name was Sabrina. She lived next door in a cozy brick house down the street from my home in Naples.

I was in heat as much as a teenager would be, albeit less with Sabrina than with being 15 and doing things I'd never done before. Drinking wine, making love, staying up past 11 p.m., smoking unfiltered Gitanes and listening to Prince, Coldplay and Bon Jovi on repeat.

Sabrina's unfettered lovemaking determined the course of my life. I returned to high school from the holidays a changed, confident and somewhat cocky young man.

I flirted with abandon, chased skirts and gained a reputation as a careful and considerate lover.

I kept up the image throughout university, becoming one of the most wanted men on campus.

My motto was never to give my heart away. While I acted like the playboy about town, I was also in training as a covert Omertà keeper.

I'd had no time for a wife, marriage, or affection.

All I'd had time for was familia and our honour code.

Until now.

With the Calibrese family's purpose changing course and this relocation, I was driven to explore the impulses I'd long held back and kept at bay.

The desire to love and be loved by one woman. The raw longing to be a father, have a family and raise little ones.

Since meeting Mia, this need has become sharper, the thirst for her more insatiable with every hour, and the fight to protect our bond more urgent.

Now, I let Mia escape from the kitchen, my fists clutching the edge of the marble counter so hard that my muscles spasmed.

She had to comprehend though I was as possessive as all hell, I'd never harm her.

Neither would I force her into what she wasn't ready for, even if it meant holding back the wild urges threatening to consume me.

However, I'd make it very clear to her, as I'd just what my freakin' intentions were.

I'd push, but I'd never send her over the edge.

I would satiate my hunger in time, but for now, I needed to reinforce the boundaries. We were fighting a necessary battle, and I was prepared to take the required measures.

As for my jealousy, I would never change in this regard.

I was a possessive man. I was also blessed with insight and experience.

No woman in my past came close to what Mia embodied or how she made me feel.

Despite the heat building between us, the emotions we were equally struggling to tame and our undeniable attraction, my priority had to remain to ensure her safety.

I was willing to do anything, even if that meant restraining myself for now.

But first, we had to navigate this new, uncertain terrain.

I pushed away from the counter top and went in search of Mauri.

For our shit would never be done until it was over, finished in blood.

Either our side won or the Abrazzio's. Only time would tell who would bleed for eternity.