Chapter 17

I had just finished the most relaxing bath when I decided to call Julian. He may be my brother but he's also my best friend. We can normally talk about everything, minus, of course, men. When he didn't answer, I tried calling Sierra, only she didn't pick up either. Unplugging the tub, I reach for the towel, and dry off as thoroughly as I can before grabbing a pair of leggings, a sports bra and a tee shirt to go in search of Enzo.

That's when I hear the worried whispers that make me freeze on the bottom of the steps, I can hear Kai pacing back and forth, and Enzo speaking to his other friend, Ryan. All I can hear is the man on speaker, telling them that my brothers are now missing and off with Cosa Nostra, the fucking Italians. So, that's why they went to Italy? I hate being left in the dark. We have to go to Italy and get them, right? That seems like the only logical choice. But then what happens to the territories we control here? Fuck, they probably already think they've been left unprotected, with no one in charge. The Columbians will swoop in, take what they want,and kill anyone who gets in their way. My brothers will come back to nothing, and father will have all of our heads. So do I prioritize rescuing my brothers or protecting our home?

No, no, no. I will not allow my family to lose everything.

It'll be easier to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission once they are all home and safe, father never has to know. We take over as head until my brothers are back, that's the only option that we have.

"Fuck," Enzo says while pacing back and forth in the kitchen along with Kai, both of them look stressed out and tired. They freeze the moment I make myself known.

"I know what to do, I know how we can get through it. You just have to let me do it," I say with a confidence that I may not fully feel.

"No, you are not putting yourself in danger," Enzo snaps, stomping his feet and closing the distance between us.

"Let me rephrase that, I will do what I have to. You can either help me or leave," the silence that follows that sentence has my nerves shooting through me.

Ry starts laughing through the phone, before Kai chuckles. Enzo is fuming, if he were in a cartoon, I swear there would be smoke coming out of his ears .

"I like her, let me know if you need me, Sweetheart. I'll help you in whatever you need to get ahead," Ry chuckles.

"She's not your fucking sweetheart," Enzo growls into the phone before hanging up on Ry. My phone buzzes moments later, Enzo grabs the phone out of my hand and reads the text out loud from an unknown number.

Unknown: She's not yours either.

Unknown: Here's my number sweetheart. I'm Ry, btw.

I smile, trying to take my phone back from Enzo's grip so I can save his number to my phone. Extending his hands out of reach, he smirks down at me in silent challenge. Glaring at him with defiance, when he sees that I'm not giving in to his little outburst, he gently places my device on the island. I rest my hand on my hip, as we glare at one another, hoping that he comes to his senses before I have to tell him to leave once more.

I don't want him to go, but if he won't help me then I need to figure a way to do it on my own.

"Fine, but we are picking up your boxing lessons downstairs every fucking day until you can kick mine and Kai's ass," he mumbles before gripping my waist, and placing a small kiss on my lips .

His lips brush my jaw as he leans close to whisper in my ear, "Be ready, Princess, for the punishment you'll receive for telling me to leave. I will never abandon you - you're mine," his whispered promise has me shifting restlessly. The way he spoke, the punishment he bestows, the warm caress of his breath - it all leaves me so desperate for him.

Kai clears his throat, letting us know that we aren't alone, "as much as I love this for you both, how about we figure out how to deal with this mess." Kai sits up on the island, waiting for me to go into further detail.

"Look, I've been around everything they've done my whole life. We need to clean the city from everything in our territories and need to maintain a way to enforce everyone to do as we say. We can have Ry delay the process electronically making sure the Columbians are hit as they try to cross the border into Mexico or L.A and Vegas where our territories start. Anything that comes through, we stop and send a message out that they are no longer welcome. If not, they're dead." I look at Enzo as I speak. He looks at me completely caught off guard, like he's surprised that I know as much as I do.

"Will the territories accept your word, aren't women normally not involved in the business?" Kai taps his fingers on the counter.

"We'll make them listen," I say confidentially .

"I'll have Ry start. Kai spread the word out. Once we get confirmation from Ry we can call a meeting with those running the territories. That's all we can do for now." Enzo grabs hold of my hand and moves us towards the stairwell to head to the basement.

We walk inside the in-home gym and onto the blue mat in the middle of the large room, mirrors surround us along with exercise equipment showcased in every direction.

"You want to be the big bad wolf," he taunts while removing his shirt and placing it on the nearest bench to him, "then show me what you got Princess."

I'm momentarily frozen in place, unable to look away from the intricate tattoos that cover his body. The snake twists around his arm, moving with each flex of his bicep, multiple skulls wrap around his forearm. His eyebrows lift in amusement as he catches my captivated gaze. I remove my oversized shirt, revealing the black sports bra that matches the leggings I have on. This one is my favorite because the zipper is in the front, which allows for easy access to be removed. Enzo's tongue glides over his bottom lip as he takes in my attire. I wasn't expecting to work out but I'm glad I came prepared. The tension is palpable, as if the world fades away, leaving only the two of us, breathing the same air.

He holds the padded mitts, bracing for my kicks and punches. We move through the choreographed combinations - jab, cross, hook, kick - our bodies moving like a dance. Between each combination I put as much force in each kick and punch as I can. I find myself wanting to impress him with each stance I take. Sweat beads on my skin, as the adrenaline surges, our grunts and groans merging into a primal rhythm. The ache pulsing through my clit makes me want to drive him just as needy as I currently am.

I don't understand this pull he has over me, this need for him to claim me, to need me, to destroy me in every delicious way that he can. Part of me knows that I should stay away from this attraction, to keep my sanity until I accomplish what I want. Until I prove to myself, to my father and my brothers that I'm meant for more. And then there's the part of me that wants him, that fuels my desire to have his body tangled with mine in ecstasy and that's what overpowers my decision.

I have to stretch anyway, might as well give him a show.

Eat your heart out Enzo, and maybe eat me in the process.