Chapter 23

MIA

A few nights later, after my Thursday evening run, while jogging up the steps leading to my apartment, a wave of spidery crawls hit me, and I froze.

I whipped around.

No one lay in wait on the street.

After a handful of heart-pounding moments, I struggled to regain my composure and refocus on gaining entry into my home.

Just as I pushed open my front door and took one last glance over my shoulder, I thought a shadow moved in the trees across the road from me.

Startled, I shut my front door and secured it once more. I sprinted to my van, jumped in, and started the engine.

Spooked, I was desperate for security, for the comfort of safety and the reassurance of strong, protective arms around me.

In twenty minutes, I was pulling outside Lorenzo's house. I whipped down the rearview mirror and scrubbed the raw fear off my face, not wanting to worry him unduly.

With my tote bag in hand, I sprinted towards Lorenzo's gate, my steps quick and driven.

Although I'd memorised his code, the man still deserved his privacy. Taking a deep breath, I rang the keypad bell.

After no response for a minute, I was about to turn away when his resonant, gravelly tone rang out. ‘Mia?'

He'd tagged me through the security camera.

I whirled around. ‘Sorry baby, I understand it's late, and I'm not expected tonight, but -'

‘Come in. Now.' His unyielding command brooked no argument.

Damn, but it was what I needed to hear.

‘Thank you.'

The gate swung open, and I eased between two parting surfaces and towards the front door.

Which opened to reveal Lorenzo, illuminated by the high chandelier pendant above his head.

In shorts, a tee, and nothing else, his muscles ripped, his eyes soft, the safe harbour I yearned for.

‘Bella.'

It was all it took. I launched myself at him and sighed as his arms enveloped me, running those heated, beautiful hands all over my back, ending with clutching my ass.

At my hitched breath, he pulled back and took an extended study of my fear-streaked face and trembling lips.

‘Dimmi. Tell me what's happened?' he rasped.

I took another shaky inhale. ‘It's what hasn't happened that's getting to me,' I said.

His mouth tightened, his eyes flicked to the street beyond, and he led me into his home with his firm embrace around me. ‘Let's talk inside.'

‘Who is it, brother?'

The baritone voice roared from within the house.

Mortified, I eased out of Lorenzo's arms. ‘Oh no, I've disturbed your night.'

He resisted my shying away, pulling me tighter into his grasp. ‘No, cara, you're not troubling me. You're not a woman who loses her shit without sound reason, so it must be fuckin' paramount you're here.'

Footsteps sounded, and I stepped back, shaking my head, not wanting to cause any drama. ‘I can come back some other time. I forgot it's poker night.'

His lips quirked. ‘Bella, you're my woman and in my life now, so they all need to get used to you being here whenever you freakin want to be. End of.'

I gave him a nervous smile as a third human inserted themselves into the conversation and hallway.

‘What's happening, Lorenzo? I have to play my hand soon so I can head back to my warm and willing bed and sleep off my jet lag.'

My eyes widened at the tall, lean, muscled man with dark brown lustrous hair highlighted in gold falling to the shoulders, a groomed moustache and beard, and a chiselled jaw underneath.

He was model-beautiful, with thick brows above striking eyes I sensed would melt into a heated pool of cerulean bliss or ice over like hell itself. The rest of him, rugged and stunning, carried a masculinity that would leave most women breathless.

His brow lifted at the sight of me. ‘Ciao, I see you.'

I smiled at his drawl. ‘I see you too. Mia. I think we met via a video call a little while back.'

I stuck out my hand, and he took it with a grin, kissing it.

‘Alessio,' he drawled. ‘This dipshit's second brother. Indeed, but the screen did not do you justice,' he charmed with a flicker of admiration and a touch of an American accent. ‘Where has Lorenzo been hiding you?'

My lover sucked his teeth. ‘I'm not hiding her, just keeping her from your one thousand and one questions and leeching eyes. She doesn't need your particular kind of playboy attention.'

Lorenzo turned me. ‘He just flew in and is being an arse already.'

Wrapping his arm around me, he led me past his curious, smirking sibling down the hallway into his kitchen dining space.

Where a second living god, tall as his brothers, imposing and beautiful, with a chiselled jawline, stood alongside Mauri's familiar bulk.

Every freakin' time I was in their company, I was blown away. The Calibrese genes were off the charts.

Vitto strode forward and dropped a kiss on my cheek, jolting me.

‘Fuck off,' Lorenzo warned his baby brother, who batted eyelashes at him and winked at me.

I tried to smile, but the worry in my heart leaked out, dampening my enthusiasm.

Lorenzo's brow furrowed, eyes flicking over my face, still clouded over.

‘Give me a few, fratellini.'

The trio grunted, nodded and exited to the deck, sliding the glass doors shut.

Lorenzo turned to me and, to my surprise, hoisted me by the arms onto the kitchen table, moving between my thighs. He stuck a lean, long finger under my chin and tipped my face to his.

‘Talk to me.'

I took my time, forming my words, careful about what to say because it sucked having to discuss my unfounded fears. ‘Someone's watching me.'

I broke down my encounters with the dark, enigmatic stranger.

Lorenzo listened with pursed lips.

When I was done, he leaned into me and framed my face in his hands. ‘Carlo is still a wild card. We knew he was still in the wind. It sounds like he's commissioned someone, and they're getting brazen.'

I nodded.

‘Let's get those losers in here. They can help. Vitto and Mauri can give us some guidance on how to proceed. Is that OK, bella?'

I took a deep breath. ‘Fine by me, but baby, when will this shit ever end?'

‘Soon. We got the news that the Ricco Abrazzio is out of the picture. The problem is that Carlo is still on the loose and het up with ire because his brother is morto. We can't be certain he hasn't tried sending more goons after us; we must be careful and patient. Bene, bella?'

Lorenzo leaned in and gave me a soft, searching kiss before he pulled back and prowled to his sliding doors leading to the deck.

He opened them, calling out as he did. ‘Brothers.'

Mauri, Vitto and Alessio filed back in.

‘We've got a situation.'

While I sat still on the counter, gazing down at my hands on my lap as Lorenzo apprised the trio of my predicament.

From time to time, Alessio's eyes flicked to me, and when I met them once, I found zero pity in them as I'd feared.

Instead, a slight smile played on his lips and the same calmness and vibe Lorenzo gave off sans judgment, which relaxed me.

‘Sounds like we need you somewhere safe until we install a complete security setup for you.'

I shook my head, confused at Vitto's words. ‘What does that mean?'

‘Babe, he means we have to install surveillance cameras at your place,' Lorenzo clarified.

‘He does?'

Vitto nodded. ‘I do. The full works: two-way optical zoom cameras, infrared LEDs and spotlights, door locks with built-in locking automation, a back-to-base monitoring system, and smartphone integration.'

I blinked, absorbing his words. ‘All of it?'

‘It's essential to maintain an eye on you. It's standard for all Calibrese family homes,' Vitto muttered. ‘We'll need permission from your real estate agency and housemate, but it needs to be done.'

Although the youngest Calibrese didn't smile, his eyes held a warm glint, indicating a kind heart beneath his hardy, lean and menacing appearance.

‘I assume I can't sleep in my apartment until you're done?'

Vitto nodded.

Lorenzo took over. ‘You can return to pack a bag, but if these fuckers have eyes on your apartment, we must keep you away till Vitto and the team have secured it.'

My mind raced. ‘How long will it take?'

‘One week max.'

I sighed, vacillating between wanting to be with Lorenzo and my independence. ‘Where will I stay tonight?'

Lorenzo huffed, shaking his head. ‘Here, by my side, baby. I need you close.'

I cocked my head at his gruff unyielding tone. ‘Is that right?'

‘Absolutely.'

‘I have a change of clothes and my laptop in the van,' I ventured, having learnt from the past.

Lorenzo jerked his chin at me. ‘Mauri can take you to grab them, bella, then you're with me.'

We spent the next few hours having the best time.

The Calibrese brothers, it appeared, were fans of the finest cuisine, most of which they cooked themselves, the excellent wine they collected and what cooking styles were best. They spoke so fast in a mix of Italian and English, and with such passion, it made my head spin.

As I discovered, Italians were mad about what they eat, these men more so.

Stanley Tucci had nothing on the Calibrese family.

Lorenzo, Vitto, and Alessio crowded into the kitchen and around the stove, attempting to one-up each other with their culinary skills.

They argued, chided and teased one another without mercy while Mauri and I observed, enjoying the free entertainment.

They threw in food-related sayings at will, their words were peppered with an abundance of metaphors linked to gastronomy.

Lorenzo translated the phrases for me. ‘Cacio sui maccheroni is cheese on macaroni, which means the perfect solution, or buon' come il pane—as good as bread, which means all that is wholesome, good, and essential.'

I asked, ‘Are these similar to English phrases such as ‘icing on the cake' and ‘spill the beans'?

‘Esattamente, exactly.'

‘But why do you use so many and so often?' I pushed.

He canted a brow with a slight turn to his lips. ‘Cara, our love for the freshest ingredients and age-old recipes are woven into our DNA and show off where you're from and are proud of. We talk about food often because every place in Italy has its unique dish, which its residents worship, and we gather to eat while celebrating traditions, culture, rites, and the utter magic formula for life. In some places, the components of a meal are a sacred secret, a profound expression of heritage and identity.'

I lifted a glass to him. ‘Bella storia.'

His eyes widened, as did his smile. ‘You're practising Italian, baby?'

‘Only for you,' I murmured, delighted by how his eyes danced at my revelation.

After a filling meal of fresh prawns and gnocchi accompanied by two salads and more crusty, buttery bread, we all headed to the mansion's home theatre to view a new release action film.

The men loved it, shouting at the screen during the exhilarating chases and adventures.

I sat back in the crook of my man's arms, loving the closeness and camaraderie between Lorenzo, his brothers, and Mauri. The banter between the four of them was hilarious to witness.

They transformed before my eyes from elegant, cold mafia princes into rowdy, boisterous men being men.

The laughter echoed throughout the room, and I smiled at the scene, a rare moment of peace and joy amidst the chaos of our lives.

As the night drew close, the brothers staggered out, whisky bottle empty, faces flushed, eyes sparkling, words slurred slightly. It was endearing.

With sweet kisses to the palm for me and pounding hugs for their brother, Vitto, Alessio and Mauri disappeared into their rooms.

Lorenzo and I went into his primary which was bathed in a muted glow from a lamp on the nightstand.

He slid the door shut behind us, his eyes ablaze as a flutter of excitement exploded in my chest.

‘You are delicious,' voice husky as he tugged me close.

He lowered his head, his body heat enveloping me as he tugged me into a passionate kiss, and I let myself be swept away in the moment.

Our hands roamed, exploring every inch of skin, and the intoxicating desire that had been building between us all evening broke free.

I ran my hand through his hair, rubbing the soft strands glide through my fingers, grateful for the devotion and support he gave me.

Tracing the curve of my back, sending shivers down my spine, he whispered, ‘You are everything I never knew I needed.'

I smiled, the truth of his words washing over me. Once a stranger, this man had somehow become the most important person in my life.

We made love slow and tender, creating magic in our world just for us. For those long, exquisite moments, all that existed was us two.

Every time I crossed Sydney Harbour, its cerulean skies and stunning vistas reminded me of how beautiful the city was.

From the renowned coat hanger bridge to the sun-kissed waters glinting under the bright blue sky and the boat sails dotting the horizon.

The iconic Opera House stood with pride against the cityscape, its white domes symbolising the city's beauty.

Beyond, Sydney's panorama was an impressive blend of modern skyscrapers and traditional architecture.

The air was infused with the scents of the salty ocean breeze from the bays surrounding the city, where the sea met the sky in an eternal embrace.

I loved it all, rolling down my window, the wind in my hair as Mauri drove me to my place in the Inner West.

We soon arrived in my street.

All was quiet, with a few runners jogging past as Mauri slowed his roll passing the apartment.

I gave him a searching look.

‘We'll go in through the back in case anyone's out front.'

I nodded as he eased the car into the narrow lane out back.

He stopped at the small gate leading to the rear entry.

‘It won't take long to pack a bag for a week; want to wait in the car?' I offered.

His leg must have been still acting up as he winced, easing from the vehicle. ‘I'll stay outside. Call me if anything's out of the ordinary.'

I nodded. ‘Will do.'

I ran up to the gate and unlocked it, making my way up one flight of stairs to my apartment.

Unlocking the back door, I slid inside, sensing a presence as soon as I entered.

I stepped into the living area to see Tony standing by the mantelpiece.

‘Hey, what are you doing here?' I exclaimed, eyes wide.

He grinned. ‘I missed you, Mia, and I couldn't resist the chance to surprise you.'

Not buying it, I shifted, uncomfortable at his presence. ‘Is Linda here?'

‘Does she have to be?' he drawled.

The hairs on my head stood straight, and I took another step away from him.

‘Tony, you might be Linda's cousin, but you can't walk in and out of our apartment as you like,' I said, trying to hide my annoyance.

He shrugged, his grin never leaving his face. ‘I realise, but I've been waiting for you.'

‘Why?'

He smirked. ‘Because your ass is mine.'

I jolted. ‘The fuck?'

Before the words left my mouth, an almighty force hit the back of my head, and I cried out as a wave of unbearable pain followed.

I began to drop to my knees, eyes blinking with sudden tears as Tony's face transformed into a maniacal visage.

I tumbled, grabbing onto the hall table as it crashed with me.

I yelled at the top of my voice, hoping to alert Mauri.

‘Sorry babe, no hard feelings,' a second voice sounded.

Twisting on the floor, I was just able to see through the mess of my hair and the sticky blood. My eyes fell on Linda standing over me—a bat in her hand and a shit-eating grin on her face.

The club lowered again, and on instinct, I rolled from it. It caught the edge of my temple as I descended into the depths of darkness.