Chapter 31

31

Massimo

The plan had been for me to negotiate with Diego. To hand over the Cosa Nostra's overland routes through Southern Europe to him, in exchange for my marrying Olivia, leaving Solene free to be with Declan. But the moment he said Olivia's name, referred to her as being scarred, then said he was going to marry her to that Mexican stronzo, he signed his own death warrant.

I'd asked Solene to set up a meeting with him. Not that he'd have refused if I'd asked him directly; he wouldn't dare. But if the request came through Solene, it would seem like I was accepting the idea of the marriage to her, and it would put him more at ease. It definitely loosened his tongue as he began to accept me as part of the famiglia . Enough to confide the plan he had for Olivia, and thank Santa Maria, I was able to nip that in the bud.

While Declan carried Solene, and Olivia accompanied them to ensure her sister was okay, I left Adrian to make some calls and take care of Diego's fallen body. I marched out of Diego's office just as Olivia's mother was heading toward it. I asked her to follow me, rounded up the rest of the family and household staff, and informed them of what had happened. Their mother collapsed crying. She'd lost a son, and while I have no doubt it was a shock, I couldn't delay letting her know that they're now under the protection of the Cosa Nostra . Leaving her sister and niece to look after her, I walked back to find Declan waiting for me.

He told me the truth of his non-engagement with Olivia. Then he looked me in the eye and told me, in no uncertain terms, that he wanted to take Solene with him to LA. I told him that was up to her. If she was willing, I had no objections. Then I stalked out in search of Olivia.

When I overheard her outburst, I knew, it was time. Time to settle this thing between us. Time to take matters into my own hands. Time to make her mine.

Now I lean back against the door and take in her features.

Her cheeks are flushed, and her hair mussed around her shoulders. Her chest rises and falls, and she darts her tongue out to wet her lips. Oh, she's nervous, even though she's trying not to show it. My queen straightens her spine, then tips up her chin and holds my gaze.

"Wh-why did you lock the door?" Her tone is breathless.

I allow a small smile to play on my lips. "Why do you think?"

"You don't scare me." She squares her shoulders.

"Maybe it's time I did." I plant my hands on my hips.

She scoffs, then shoves her hair back from her face. "What did you want to talk about, anyway?"

"How about we begin with why you turned down my proposal in the first place? Then, why did you lead me to believe you were engaged to someone else, when clearly you were not?" I take a step forward and her flush deepens. I take another step, and she shuffles back until the backs of her knees hit the bed, and she sits down.

"You know why I turned you down." She lowers her chin to her chest. "I, uh, I was engaged to Declan."

"Is that right?" I walk over to her, and her gaze widens. I come to a halt in front of her and she tilts her head back to meet my gaze.

I survey her features, then drag my knuckles down her cheek. "How long are you going to lie to me, Via?"

She swallows, then the fight seems to go out of her. She sags a little and shudders. "I'm pathetic, aren't I? I'm so afraid of losing myself, I can't take a risk on us."

I sink down next to her and gather her in my arms. She struggles, but I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her to my chest. "Shh, let me hold you, okay?"

She starts to struggle again, then stops. I tuck her head under my chin and hold her until the tension begins to drain out of her limbs. Until her muscles unwind, her shoulders relax, and she leans into me. I comb my fingers down her hair from root to end, and again. She sighs and leans more of her weight into me. Such a prickly little thing. She finds it so difficult to trust.

"Who hurt you, Via?" I murmur.

She blows out a breath. "I think I hurt myself," she whispers. "My childhood wasn't unhappy, but it wasn't very happy, either. Mainly, because I was so independent. I always wanted to be free, to live my life the way I wanted. I hated being told to conform to the role expected of women in a Mafia clan; they're seen as pawns, or as childbearing vessels. I wanted to break away and build my own future. It didn't help that I wanted to be an actress. When I told my family, my mother practically had a nervous breakdown, and my brother was vehemently against it. My father was the only one who supported me, much to Diego's ire." She rubs her cheek against my shirt.

"You and your brother always had a tumultuous relationship, eh?"

"Diego was eight years older than me, but he may as well have been a third parent. And it didn't come from a place of protectiveness, either. He steeped himself in Mafia culture, and wanted to take over as the head of the Camorra from a very young age. He thought my father was too soft in his dealings and was always challenging him. When I left home at eighteen, he bitterly opposed it, but my father was having none of it. My father died of a heart attack before I finished drama school. He never did get to see me on stage, or in any of the films I've appeared in."

"Have you been in any movies I know of?"

"Probably not. I've been lucky to get a few seconds of screen time. Mostly, my parts have ended up being cut. But that's the risk you take with acting. You have to keep moving on. Keep believing in yourself."

"I believe in you."

She grows still.

"I've believed in you from the moment I set eyes on you."

She tips up her chin and glances at me. "Why? Why would you say a thing like that?"

"Because it's true." I cup her cheek. "Can't you see my world begins and ends with you? Without you, I'm only half complete. You are what makes my life worth living. Your words complete my sentences. Your voice filters through my dreams. Your laughter is the soundtrack to my life."

She opens and shuts her mouth. "You don't mean it."

"You know I do."

She pushes away from me, then jumps to her feet. "No, no, take it back. Take all of it back. You're spoiling everything. This is not how it's supposed to be."

She begins to pace back and forth. "I know we're attracted to each other. I know there's chemistry between us. You think I don't feel it? The difference is, I refuse to give in to it."

She turns to face me. "I can't sleep with you again. If I do, I'll lose myself. And I can't afford that. I need to focus on my career, or what's left of it. I need to return to London and figure out where my next role is coming from, find out what opportunities are available for me. And I can't do that if all I am thinking about is your face and your?—"

She firms her lips.

"My?"

She shakes her head.

"Say it." I rise to my feet. She slides back. "Complete the sentence, Via." I narrow my gaze. "Right fucking now."

She pales, then squeezes her fingers together in front of her. "Your cock. Okay? Your beautiful, gorgeous, monster cock that's spoilt me for anyone else."