I clench my fists at my sides, blood boiling in my veins. “I couldn’t sit back and let those bastards get away with what they did. That’s why I didn’t get anyone involved. It was my idea to do it, and I was prepared to deal with the consequences.”
“You know that’s not how things work,” Vince says, scrubbing a hand down the front of his face.
“Well, that’s how I work. And I don’t regret what I did. I made them pay, Vince. I made them all pay!”
“Great, and now we have Fortunato to deal with. He’s not finished with you. You owe him a shit ton of cash. How do you expect to pay it back? Who needs to die to pay off your fucking debt?”
“I made my bed, Vince. I’m gonna fucking sleep in it. If he is behind Serena’s attack, he’s probably already gotten to Franco. Which means he’s coming for her. And when he does, I’ll be ready for him.”
“That’s if you even see him coming.” Vince rolls his eyes.
“I won’t miss him. Not this time. No negotiations to be made. No debts to be paid. When he comes, I’ll be ready for him.”
“Ready for him?” Vince snorts. “You need to find him, Diego. And something tells me he’s gonna make it pretty easy on you because you’re now enemy number fucking one.”
I nod. “I’ll take it. I’m gonna finish this, Vince. For everything he’s done, for every woman whose life he’s ruined, for the ones whom I managed to save.” My shoulders quake. “I know you were angry that I went to find Chiaza that night, but if I didn’t, if I hadn’t blown the whistle on that sale, Serena wouldn’t be here right now.” I inch closer, my forehead practically pressed against his. “I was supposed to be there. I saved her life. So I don’t fucking regret it at all.”
“Oh, and you think you’re in love, right?” Vince scoffs. “So not only are you a loose cannon, but now you’re being led around by your dick? Do you ever fucking think?”
“I’m done thinking, Vince. I’m just gonna do.”
After Vince and I blasted each other for another forty-five minutes, I finally leave his office. If I wasn’t exhausted before, I definitely am now.
We’ve never seen eye to eye. Why did I think that would ever change, especially with him heading the family?
I rake a hand through my hair as I pass the living room. Gianna and Alek are spread out on the sofa watching television. “Where’s Serena?”
“She said she was really tired and went to lie down. You guys were in there for a long time,” Gianna says in a sleepy, slurry voice.
“Yeah, well, we had things to discuss.”
“I’m sorry about before,” she says. “I didn’t know…”
“Nobody did,” I say. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I walk down the hallway and push open the door to the bedroom where we stayed earlier. Serena is plastered across the mattress, her hair covering her face. Her soft snores make me smile. I pull a blanket over her and tuck it around her before collapsing next to her.
I’m the one.
The one who saved her.
God, I want to tell her so badly.
It only proves to me more that I was meant to be there. I was meant to know this woman, to have her in my life.
And she was meant to be in mine.
Chapter Twelve
Serena
The delicious scent of bacon assaults my senses and my belly grumbles in my half-sleep even though I made sure it was very full the night before. I let out a yawn and roll over, but the other side of the bed is empty.
Did Diego ever come to bed?
I’d been so out of it the night before that the exhaustion and two glasses of wine did me in way earlier than planned.
That means no dessert for either of us.
I’m hoping I get another shot to collect on that tonight.
I’m still dressed, so I throw my legs over the side of the bed, run my fingers through my tangled hair, and stretch my arms overhead.
I’m ready to meet the day, prepared to deal with whatever may come.
I wander out into the hallway and into the kitchen where I find Gianna standing at the stove and Ava watching a cartoon on television from her high chair. She’s munching on some dry Cheerios while watching with rapt attention at the bright colors flashing across the screen.
“Can I help?” I ask, walking toward the stove.
“Sure, why don’t you bring the fruit over to the table?” She flips the slices of bacon and smiles at me. “Did you sleep well?”
I nod. “I haven’t slept that much in years. It was really nice.”
“Good.” Gianna bites her lower lip. “You know, Serena, I’m so sorry about last night. I never meant to put you in a bad spot or anything. I get a little loose-lipped when I drink. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable at all.”
I put a bowl of cut fruit in the center of the table, tickle Ava’s neck, and smile at Gianna. “It’s fine, really. I would never have said anything if I didn’t trust you all. You’ve all made me feel like part of the family, so I wanted to share that piece of my past with you.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through it.” A look of horror clouds Gianna’s face. “But as the females in our families, we’re all targets, I guess. Sometimes it keeps me up at night, thinking about how all of it will affect Ava.”
“You’ve got a smart husband and a strong unit.” I place a hand on her arm. “You have to have faith that they’ll do whatever they need to keep you both safe.”
“I know.” She turns to look at Ava, who is now giggling at the screen. “She’s the most important thing in our lives.”
“I can tell.”
“Hey.” A low, gravelly voice makes me gasp and I flip around to see Diego standing in the doorway, dressed in a t-shirt and low slung jeans. Stubble peppers the lower half of his face and his sleep-tousled hair flops over one eye.
“Hey,” I say, heat creeping from my neck into my cheeks as his gaze settles on me. “Late night?”
“You could say that. But it was an early night for you.” He grins and walks over to me, rubbing a hand down my arm. My skin pebbles immediately under the pads of his fingertips. Good Lord, I have it bad for this guy.
“Yes,” I say with a nervous giggle. “Too much excitement and wine, I guess.”
“Did you sleep well?”
I nod. “Like a rock.”
“Good. Listen, I have an event tonight at LaViello right outside of the city. I need to take off for a while, just to make sure everything is all set up and ready to go. I’ll let someone else run the show later so I can come back here and stay with you.” He tilts my chin upward. “You’ll be in good hands here. Vince has a bunch of his guys on their way to keep an eye on things, just in case.”
I gasp and put my hands on my hips. “Oh, no! You’re not leaving me!”
“I won’t be long, I promise. But it’s just safer for you to stay here. Behind a locked and electrified gate. Trust me, with these guys and their arsenal, nobody will get to you. This place is locked down like Fort Knox.”
“No way! Papa wanted you for this job. He told you that himself on the phone yesterday! You can’t leave me here. I’m coming with you.”
“Serena, if I take you with me, I won’t be doing my job! He trusted me to keep you safe. Staying here will guarantee that, understand?”
Gianna looks away, a smile playing at her lips. “Girl’s pretty persuasive, Diego. I don’t think you’re going to win this battle.”
His eyes widen. “It’s not a battle I plan to lose! It’s fucking dangerous out there, Serena! Were you with us back in the city? Do you get what we’re up against?”
“Hey, hey! Language!” Gianna chides, scooping up Ava and carrying her out of the room. “It’s getting noisy in here, isn’t it, baby girl? I think a little music would be nice. Uncle D’s favorite, of course.” She winks at him and gives him a nudge as she walks.
“I’m ready to go when you are,” I say, my hands on my hips.
“Yes, you are.”
We stand toe to toe, our foreheads almost touching. I can feel the heat of his breath flutter against my cheeks like soft feathers, and I slam my knees together to keep them from wobbling.
Because I clearly can’t think when my body and my mind are both clouded by desire.
“You’re the one I want with me. No offense to your family, but I’ve made my choice.”
His lips lift into a smirk. “Are you ordering me around?”
“Maybe,” I say. “Do you, ah, like that kind of thing?”
He nods. “Fuck yeah. It’s sexy as hell.” He leans closer, his lips hovering over mine, so close I can almost bite them.
Oh, yum.
“But it’s not gonna work, principessa. You’re staying.” He backs away, a teasing smile on his face as Ant appears in the doorway. He spots the spread on the table and starts making a plate for himself.
“She’s staying where?” Ant grumbles as he shoves slices of bacon into his mouth.
“Here. I’m heading out for a little while to check out the setup for my event.” Diego looks at his brother with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t choke to death, bro. You need to pay attention, got it?”
Ant waves his hand in the air, and Diego gives me one last look. His eyes rake over the length of my body and I feel them bore into me, inch by inch. The heat of his stare melts me from the inside out, and if I stand here for a second too long, I’ll be reduced to a puddle of goo right here on the kitchen floor.
When he turns to walk out of the kitchen, I run after him. My goal was to stop him from leaving. But when he stops short and my body crashes against him, my mind comes up with a whole host of other ideas.
Diego turns to look at me. “It’s not smart for you to leave, babe.”
“It’s not smart for you either.”
He nods. “Yeah, but I rarely do the smart thing.”
I shrug. “I want to live on the edge, too.”
“I just want you to live, Serena.”
We stand there, staring at each other, neither one of us prepared to back down. I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m with you, like it or not.”
Vince walks into the room and shoots a death glare at Diego. I furrow my brow. Did that have to do with their call last night?
“I think you’re a fucking idiot to go,” he mutters to Diego before joining Ant at the table.
“And when do I ever give a shit what you think?” Diego shoots back. He grabs the keys to the SUV we got from Ant’s guys at the hotel and turns toward me. “That whole big speech means I’m not gonna be able to shake you, yeah?”
“That’s exactly what it means,” I say. “Of course, it also means that you’ll be in the line of fire right alongside me. Is that cool with you?”
Diego shrugs. “I’d prefer other positions, but we can start with side by side.”
Vince throws up his hands. “Neither one of you listen! You’re made for each other, you know that? If you’re gonna make the dumbass decision to leave, then go. I need time to figure out how this whole partnership thing between us is gonna work, principessa. Because even though you’re a goddamn loose cannon like my brother, I won’t stand by and watch everything blow up in your face. Your father asked for my help, so I’m giving it.”
I run up to him and put my arms around his neck. “Thank you, Vince. Papa always knew you were the right partner for us.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Vince rolls his eyes. “Just remember that partners have equal say. They don’t just run off and do shit their own way just because they need purpose. Got it?”
“Thank you.” I give his arm a squeeze and smile at him. “For everything.”
Vince points at Diego. “Call me. I want to know everything that’s happening. Make sure to keep me posted and get back here fast. I’ll get a team of guys to keep an eye out at the venue for your event.”
“Thanks,” Diego says, giving his brother a little salute.
We walk outside and Diego opens the passenger side door for me. I slide into the leather bucket seat and he jogs around to the other side of the car. He turns on the ignition and slowly maneuvers the SUV toward the security gates. He keys in the code and the iron gates separate. Moments later, we’re on the main road headed toward the venue for his event.
“Serena,” he says, staring at the stretch of road in front of us. “I’m so sorry about what happened to you the night of that charity event.”
“It’s okay,” I say. “I look at it as a blessing. It gave me a new direction, one I hadn’t considered before. One that’s actually worthy of my time and energy. I’ve done a lot in the past year, traveled to so many low-income areas and orphanages and provided counseling, resources, and housing to young women who have nothing and would likely be targets for the sex trafficking rings. All because I was able to convince people that we need to protect those who can’t protect themselves.” I look at him. “I did that without telling my own story, which is something that I’m really proud of.”
“And that’s one of the reasons why you’re so amazing.”
“I think amazing is a pretty strong word, but I won’t say I don’t like hearing it.” I chuckle and look out the window at the trees rushing past us.
“I didn’t know you’d been taken that night,” he says in a low voice.
“How could you have known? I told you my father kept it out of the press.”
He shakes his head. “I was there, Serena.”
“What do you mean? At the charity event?” I giggle. “I’m sure I would remember if you’d have been there.”
“No, I was there to kill Salvatore Chiaza.”
I swallow hard. “Oh?”
His eyes dart over at me quickly before returning to the road. “Salvatore was one of the men responsible for my father’s murder. I had a lot of rage back then and I needed to make sure they were all punished for what they did to our family. Salvatore was the final nail in the coffin.” He sweeps a hand through his hair and turns the steering wheel down a peach-tree-lined road. “But when I got there, I realized I’d walked into the right place at the wrong time. I saw the women and overhead Salvatore making arrangements with a buyer. Nic Fortunato.” He pauses. “Have you ever heard that name?”
I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “Never.”
“Nic is bad news. Heavy into the sex trade. I cost him a lot of money that night.”
“I don’t understand,” I say, wringing my hands together. “How?”
“I’m the one who called the cops. I busted up their sale.”
“Oh my God,” I murmur. “It was you.”
He nods. “Yeah,” he croaks.
“I’m alive because of you.”
“Well, for the moment.” He sighs. “Nic has had it out for me ever since that night. He wanted to take advantage of my network and get me involved in his sick, twisted shit. I told him no, so now he’s got a score to settle.”
“And you think he’s involved with what happened yesterday?”
“I think there’s a strong possibility, yes.”
“What does Vince think?”
Diego lets out a dry chuckle. “Vince wants to skewer my ass for being there in the first place. But I was meant to be there, Serena. I’m sure of it. I needed to be the one to save you, to help you find your purpose. I’ve never been so sure of anything. And if Nic is behind this, I need to find him and eliminate the threat to all of us. I went against Vince when I took out Chiaza, and now I have to clean up the mess I left behind.”
Tears pool in my eyes. “H-how are you going to find him? And what about Papa?”
“If he has your father, he hasn’t killed him. Yet. He’ll want to find you first. And since I’m his enemy number one, I have a feeling he’ll be looking for us both.”
“What happens now?” I ask, nibbling on my thumbnail. “Is it safe at this venue?”
He pulls around to the back of a gorgeous, tan stucco house. It’s decorated with archways and wooden shutters, and there’s a balcony hanging over the front entrance. Thick, lush foliage lines the cobblestone driveway, and the grass is the most vibrant emerald green that I’ve ever seen. “It will be, but right now we’re at my house. I need to get some respectable clothes and ditch the jeans and sneakers before we head over.” He smirks as he puts the SUV in park and hops out of the driver’s seat. “Vince would be happy to hear that. He thinks I need to dress more like him, sending the world the message that I crap diamonds, too, because I’m as uptight as he is.”
My eyes widen and I try, but I can’t stop the laugh bubbling in my chest. “You’re terrible! He’s got a lot on his plate right now. Maybe you need to cut him some slack.”
“If he’s such an easygoing guy, why didn’t you decide to stick with him?” he teases. “As I recall, you were pretty much set on coming with me. Remember? I must not be doing everything wrong.” He rolls his eyes. “For once.”
“Oh, so now you’re trying to jump onto the self-pity train? I cock an eyebrow at him. “What makes you think you qualify for a ticket?”
He pulls out his key and sticks it into the lock on the front door. A loud beeping sound makes my ears ring until Diego punches in a set of numbers to turn it off. His shoulders slump forward and he drops his keys onto a table. “There’s always blame to go around. Regrets to be had. Vendettas to carry out. Things I’ve done that my brothers still hold over my head.” He shrugs and walks into the kitchen. “I don’t blame them. I did a lot to put us at risk. I let my own anger drive me to do things that would come back to bite us in the ass. I put trust in the wrong people.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Very fucking wrong,” he mutters under his breath, opening up cabinets and drawers and then slamming them shut, finally pulling out a jar of espresso grounds.
Wanted: A Dark Italian Mafia Romance (Men Of Mayhem Book 1) Page 13