Chapter 20

LORENZO

D amn, Mia.

She was becoming my entire reason for breathing.

Yet she was also infuriating, hard to control, her own woman, and a rebel at heart.

I had to persist in earning her faith because I had no clue how to navigate a future without her.

Still, until this Abrazzio shit was out of the way, it'd be unfair to ask more of her.

My job was to regain her trust and keep all hell from raining down on us.

That thought propelled me back downstairs and into my office, where I hunkered to work.

First, I listened to the encrypted wiretaps Alessio had dispatched and trawled through drone footage.

Extracted from bugs placed in the Abrazzios' homes and clips caught in cameras hidden on hovering tiny drones we'd deployed to scout key Abrazzio hangouts.

The wiretaps revealed Ricco Abrazzio complaining about his family's financial woes and ongoing crisis. ‘We are a mafia of lost causes—weak and flapping in the wind.'

This once influential leader who'd controlled the fates of police officers and journalists was now losing his ability to intimidate.

In their panic, the Abrazzio clan had come for us, claiming that the Calibreses planned to sell them up the river to authorities—a wild, stupid, and unfounded accusation.

Their accusation chose to dishonour the concept we'd stood for - silence.

I would not let Don Abrazzio erode our reputation nor bring us down in his manufactured vendetta.

So began the hunt for the truth to cover our backs.

With every piece of data we analysed, it became clear that the Abrazzio clan was desperate, vulnerable and hunting for allies.

One of the best pieces of evidence was the confirmation Don Abrazzio had established a binding bilateral and subordinate drug distribution deal with the ruthless Calabrian Cadaveri, one of the most brutal drug gangs in the region.

The family, however, needed to catch up on their repayments from their deals and were using any profits they earned to pay back old loans.

They were gaming the Cadaveri.

I leaned back with a smirk. I'd found my poison chalice.

My weapon to fight against my enemies and their vendetta.

I pulled out my phone and called Valerio in Naples.

It was time to strike.

‘Boss?'

I glanced up from my laptop, transferring substantial cash from our European to Australian bank accounts.

I frowned, not keen on any interruption.

Mauri lurked at the door, so I guessed what he wanted to share was vital.

‘Talk to me,' I sighed, leaning back into my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose.

‘Got something you need to see.'

His set jawline and hard eyes meant it was worth my full attention.

‘Give me a sec.'

With an inhale, I sent a swift series of commands through the online platform onscreen.

When the transfer ping of confirmation came through, I slapped my laptop closed and pushed to my feet.

‘Bene, what's so important?' I asked, even as a sense of unease settled in my gut.

Without a word, Mauri led me outside to the garage.

We went from the light of day to the dimness of the sprawling space.

In the centre, surrounded by the impersonal gleam of my silent vehicles, perched a figure strapped to a chair.

Raising my brow, I came to a skidding stop.

‘Fuck, is that who I think it is?'

Mauri turned to me, lifting his chin. ‘Yup, caught the idiot casing the place,' he growled.

I huffed in disbelief at the ballsiness.

I took a step toward the captive.

Mauri reached for his weapon and extended it to me.

I shook my head. ‘Non c'è bisogno. I'll need a softly-softly approach on this one.'

Stalking to the seated man, I circled the chair.

He raised his head and locked eyes with me.

I tagged a flare of pure hatred, followed by a spit of gob aimed at my sneakers.

With a neat sidestep, I dodged the stream and smirked.

‘A visceral reaction towards someone you've never met.'

This was personal.

Realising his mistake, he attempted to cover up his slip-up with a cocky grin.

‘What are you doing here, stranger?' I rasped, even though I was apprised of his name.

‘Name's Tony. I came to check on my girl.'

‘Which one?' I hedged.

‘Mia. The woman you have staying with you.'

‘What's she to you?' I murmured.

‘She's a friend, and I'm worried about her. I think you're keeping her here against her will.'

‘Is that right?' I whispered. ‘Did she tell you that?'

He bristled. ‘She hasn't said jack shit. She only mentioned you were someone in need.'

‘That I am,' I quipped, lips turning up. He had no idea just how much need Mia and I were exchanging.

His eyes widened as he realised he'd missed out on the winning team and had never even been in the running.

His face darkened and reddened, eyes narrowed, and loathing flickered in his gaze. I decided to address the one factor bugging me.

‘You're not after Mia now, are you? Have you ever lived in Naples? I have.'

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ‘Si, I did. A long time ago. How did you know?'

I leaned closer, whispering in his ear, ‘I caught traces of an accent. It's my hometown, and I suspect it's yours too, which means you're treading on thin ice.'

He smirked, a forced twist to the mouth. ‘What's it to you?'

I stared at him for a beat until his smirk faded away.

‘Who sent you?' I whispered.

‘Nobody. I'm just a guy from Rome on a working holiday visa. I was born in Naples but haven't returned since I was thirteen. Whoever you think I am, you're mistaken.'

‘Delightful story. I'll have Mauri explore it.'

He leaned in with a sneer. ‘Do it.'

I stepped back, smiling. ‘Regardless, you came here to cause trouble, and that's not something I'll allow.'

His eyes flicked towards Mauri, still palming his weapon. ‘I just wanted to help my friend. You've got her locked up like a prisoner, and I don't like that.'

I smirked, shaking my head. ‘You've no idea what you're talking about. She's not a captive; she can leave as she pleases. Why? Do you think she'll jump in your arms when I set her loose?'

The man sneered. ‘Fuck you. I just want her safe. Your reputation does not assure that.'

I raised a brow. ‘So you're au fait with my good name. Are you also aware I have ways of making minions like yourself disappear and that I hold the magical ability to stay silent about it for life? It's called Omertà, and I'm the King of it. Aren't I, Mauri?'

My henchman jerked his chin in assent from the shadows, and Tony's eyes flicked to him, his drawn weapon and back to me.

He blanched and swallowed, panic setting in. ‘I'd like to leave now.'

‘I thought so. Promise me you'll never come within three klicks of my house?'

His Adam's apple bobbed, but he cursed and fell into a sullen hush.

I leaned in, whispering, ‘While I'm the King of silence, my friend, now's the time to speak or forever lose your tongue.'

He blustered, fear dancing in his stricken eyes. ‘Cazzo! Fine, I'll stay away!'

‘Also, you'll never again come close to my Mia,' I ground out.

‘His eyes narrowed even further, and he sucked his teeth at me. ‘OK.'

‘Bene, now Mauri will escort you out. May we never set eyes on each other again because I won't be responsible for what might happen if we do.'

Flashing a cold grin, I gestured for Mauri to handle the situation.

My second in charge lowered his weapon and stepped toward Tony, eyes never leaving the man as he spoke.

‘On your feet,' he growled, voice ominous.

Tony stood up with care, the alarm in his eyes palpable.

‘Don't try anything,' Mauri warned with a sneer on his lips.

Tony muttered under his breath as Mauri led him out of the garage.

I let out a long exhale and followed, standing in the driveway as Mauri dispatched our undesirable visitor, escorting him to a nondescript sedan parked further down the road.

Our unwanted guest sidled to the door, but just before he slid inside, my consigliere leaned in and spoke into Tony's ear.

No doubt outlining extra options if he didn't do as we'd agreed.

Tony flinched, glanced my way, and slumped behind the steering wheel. His face was white as a sheet, yet he still had an arrogant twist to his mouth.

He started the car and took off in a cloud of exhaust fumes.

Mauri loped back to my side.

‘Find out everything you can about him. Tear his life apart if you have to. That man is Neapolitan and he wanted to mete violence on me today, and I need to know why.'

‘Si,' Mauri murmured. ‘On it.'

Mia broke almost two weeks after our fight, most of which I'd spent in agony and frustration.

She came to me one late night as I was brooding in the darkened lounge room.

I nursed a whisky in my hand, ass to a recliner, moody as fuck.

The clock on the mantelpiece flickered with the time.

Midnight.

I tagged the pad of her bare feet on the floor, soundless as she tracked my way.

Her silhouette stopped before me, wrapped in a thin robe, fresh out of the shower.

Deep breathing, silent.

Sensual as sin, nipples showing through the silk of her garment, and lower still, the dark shadow of her pelvis.

I leaned forward and touched the smart lamp.

Its warm illumination shimmered on.

I ran a tongue over my lips and slow-blinked, eyes raking over her stunning face.

My mouth twisted as I arched a brow.

Our eyes locked, hers brimming with need and a heartfelt sadness.

With a sigh, I rose to my feet, prowled to the drinks cabinet, grabbed a crystal-carved tumbler, and poured a finger of amber liquid into it.

I swivelled, headed back, and handed it to her.

I nabbed my own and raised a toast to her.

She did the same, and we swallowed together.

I tagged her eyes fluttering shut from the exquisite heat, her tongue licking her lips, savouring the essence.

Opening her eyes, she found my own on her, razing her, wanting to engulf her.

She gave me a chin lift and nodded.

Without a word, I reached a hand for hers, my heart swelling with sheer, fuckin' relief.

She threaded her fingers through mine, skin on skin, hot and heated.

I smelled her scent; so delicious and alluring and my cock twitched, hungry for her as we wound our way through the house and up the stairs.

Into my primary.

I shut the door and turned to nab her waist, walking her backwards to the bed.

In between each step, I shed my clothing, helping her strip her robe off too.

By the time we hit the edge, we were both nude.

Overcome with craving, I pushed her into it, bending over her.

With no warning, I slid a hand under her knees, bent my head and kissed her thigh, one then the other, with aching tenderness.

With hands separating her legs further, I sunk lower. First, I lashed her slit, parting her folds, cherishing the scent of her pulsing, musky sex.

She gasped, hands burying themselves in my hair.

I found her clit and groaned with need as my mouth enclosed her. I went wild for her, suckling, licking, nipping, exploring her pussy in searching, languorous long lunges of my tongue that soon my cock wept, her body writhing under me.

Squeezing my length to keep from cumming, I surged up towards her breasts, adoring them.

Her tits were round and full, her nipples pink, puckered with arousal, heaving from the unleashed rise and fall of her chest with each breath.

I cupped and growled into their perfect contour and perky tips, rosy and inviting.

Her pale, smooth skin, illuminated by the sunlight filtered through the window, called out to me, ratcheting my lust and desire.

Wild, yearning and hungry after days of lack, I lavved and lashed her puffy, swollen nipples, caressing and kneading the soft flesh, relishing the weight and shape of her tits in my palms.

She pulled on my nipples with her fingers, flicking the silver bars in them, sending pleasure blazing over me.

Muffled moans and sighs escaped her lips, mingling with my groans, the only sounds in the room as we lost ourselves in the moment.

Unable to help myself, I suckled hard while palming, squeezing, and kneading my thick, stiff cock faster and with increasing intensity.

By now, one of her hands had snaked between her legs, pleasuring herself, moaning, wild with need.

The other reached behind my head, stroking it, running her fingers through my hair, and triggering waves of euphoria over my head and nape.

Ecstasy hit, and I detached. With a roar, I blew, sending spurts of my cum all over her tits.

She came too, grinding her pelvis against my palm as my fingers stroked her to bliss.

‘So hot,' I whispered as my lips returned to her mouth.

After wiping her off, still hard and aroused and in need of more, I widened her legs and sunk inside her.

My chest to hers, thighs in between her arching hips, my scorched length enveloped by her moist heat.

Our bodies moved together in perfect synchronisation, our skin warm and slick with sweat as I worked my cock into her.

Hands reaching, touching, stroking each other's curves and contours, leaving trails of sparks in their wake.

Lips twisting, kissing, sucking, drinking, making up for days forgone and hours apart.

Time appeared to stand still as we lost ourselves in the depths of our devotion, revelling in the beauty and intimacy of our connection.

Every caress and hushed word declared our trust and devotion, sealing our bond in a moment of pure, unadulterated passion.

We blew into bliss with cries of white-hot incandescence, clinging onto each other, never wanting to let go.

She broke through my post-nut lassitude with a long, languorous kiss.

‘You're an asshole, baby,' she murmured, her voice just above a whisper.

Despite her words, tears shimmered in her eyes as she gazed into mine.

I brushed them away, lips twisting at her apt denotation.

‘I am, Mia. I'm used to a certain code, where women in our world obey their men without question and never even speak to anyone of the opposite sex if they're already promised to another.'

‘This is not Naples, and I'm not a member of your freakin' alliance, Lorenzo.'

‘I'm ashamed I disrespected you. Please forgive me, cara. I just want us to be happy together.'

She nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

I brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her with gentle pressure.

‘I forgive you,' she conceded, pulling away from me. ‘I also promise to be honest with you and ensure that no one enters this house without your permission. However, I will keep the friends I want to and be free to make my own decisions.'

I assented, nipping the corner of her mouth. ‘Of course, bella. All I want is to protect you, but I shouldn't have been so hard on you.'

‘No, you shouldn't have.'

She knifed up in bed, hugged her knees, and turned her face to me. ‘I have reasons why I'm wary about control. Even though I love him, my father manipulated my mother for years. Until she ran away from him. I never wanted to be in her position. I want to be free and have agency over my life and decisions.'

I nodded, understanding the weight of her words. ‘I understand, baby. I appreciate your honesty with me and being open to me changing, learning to cherish you from a place of trust and not jealousy.'

Mia leaned her head against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her.

She smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek. ‘I want that too, Lorenzo. I want us to be a team, supporting each other through everything. To fuckin' communicate.'

I cupped her face and tilted in to kiss her with tender passion. ‘I am sorry for all the pain I caused. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I grasp now that communication is key. I promise I won't let you down again.'

She closed her eyes, letting out a sigh of relief. ‘I believe you, Lorenzo.'

I canted her chin and bent my lips to capture her.

Before we touched, emotion welled in me. ‘Mia bella, you are mine,' I rasped. ‘Even your name signifies you were meant to be mine.'

‘Always so possessive, Lorenzo,' she scolded with an exasperated smile.

‘I can't help myself,' growling, as I melted into her, losing myself in our heated embrace.