Volpe

by Katy Rose

  “Yeah, like I told him, it is time I stopped fucking around and got serious. The opportunity taking over will afford me is too good not to take. I can’t pass it up. I hope Kora comes around.” I go back to chopping up the onions and peppers for the salad.

  “Are you expecting company?” Mateo asks.

  “Just you. I didn’t know if you were married or had other children coming over.” I say as I set the table. Mateo sits down at one end, and I sit at the other end of the small dining room table. The bread is hot, and the noodles are penne. It makes for a perfect meal. We eat in relative silence.

  “Do you believe you can continue your work if we allow it?” Mateo asks as I clear the dishes.

  Nodding I reply, “Yes, like Alessio said, I will do what needs to be done and do so silently. The only reason we got caught is because we allowed it. We needed an out of polite society and that was it. It also served the purpose of drawing attention to what was happening. Gelato?”

  “Yes, please. I find it cleanses the palate nicely. Now that you are no longer part of polite society, what are your plans?” He takes a seat at the breakfast bar part of the kitchen.

  Scooping the gelato out, I take my time answering him. “The truth is I have no idea. I need to give Kora the time she needs to mature and decide that she wants to lead the families with me as a partner, but I also have the big brother instinct to protect her and demand her come here to Italy. However, I know she won’t come here, not yet. So, my next move will be joining the Consortium and learning all about both families businesses.”

  “Why wouldn’t she come now? Is there a guy she is waiting on? He can be disposed of easily enough.” He says it casually and I know we are two of a kind.

  Smirking I drop a truth bomb on him. “Not a guy, no. A certain blonde rocker with mismatched eyes. She is as broken and alone as Kora, so they have connected. So, I may have sent her a letter to go meet Kora and actually introduce herself. I looked her up. Her background is as rough as ours. If Kora and Juniper hit it off, they both might come here.”

  “There is always the chance they will ride off into the sunset in her what? Tour bus?” he wrinkles his nose, and I laugh.

  “Possibly, but either way as long as Kora is safe and happy, I don’t care where she ends up. I know my sister, though, better than she thinks. She can’t stay away from killing now that she has. She will be back, and we will be an unstoppable team. Just you watch.” I smile at him as I eat a heaping bite of gelato.

  “I hope you are right. Now that I know about the two of you, I would like to get to know you.” Mateo smile.

  “Are you staying here tonight?” I ask. When he nods, I pull out my bottle of scotch and point to the balcony. “I was going to have a drink or three before I pass out. Jet lag is going to kick my ass tomorrow.”

  We head outside and have a few drinks chatting of this and that, but mostly simply being here. Tomorrow is the beginning of the rest of my life. I was scared shitless, though I would never admit it to anyone. I think he knew, though. I am glad we didn’t need words.

  …………..

  The next morning Alessio arrived at ten. There were twelve cars that showed up as brunch was served. Men began filling in and collecting seats in the board room downstairs. Alessio stood at the front of the room, greeting the men who came in. Mateo was right there by his side as his family members began entering as well.

  “Gentlemen. The reason we have called a meeting of the Consortium is we have a new member, one who will join our two families and bring in a new era. This is Darío Volpe, some of you may have met him under Kaleb, from now on when speaking about or calling upon him you will use the code name Astuta Volpe. It means Sly Fox. You can always call him Mr. Volpe.” Alessio introduces me. The men in the Consortium nod to me and show me signs of respect. I in turn nod back to them.

  “Glad to be here. I am guessing there is some kind of ritual when I join?” I look to Mateo and Alessio.

  “We don’t believe in branding if that is what you are talking about. Although if you want K am sure we can find something to use.” Mateo says.

  “No, we do not brand, but you will wear this. And you will train under one of us for a few months.” Alessio adds as he hands me a ring box. In it is a platinum band with the seal of a fox mid-jump on it and a cross behind the fox. It is the same ring I notice on every gentleman here.

  “Who will I train under?” I ask.

  “You will train under Alessio for his businesses and under me for mine. We have Beto, he is one of our assassins and will train you using silencers. Of course, you have your own personal style, but the rule is always to stay invisible. While in the Consortium.” Mateo answers.

  “When do you get out of the Consortium?” I ask curiously.

  “When we bury your body.” Beto chimes in. He was silently standing toward the back. I nod at him and chuckle inwardly. He is the best they have? Please.

  “Alright. When can I get started training?” I ask. A knife comes flying at my head, and I duck right in time.

  “Now works for me. Welcome to the Consortium Volpe.” Beto smiles a wicked smile. I turn and look at the knife and see the initials engraved on the blade. It must be his.

  Six months later

  A soft knock draws my attention from the canvas up to the door. Mismatched eyes stare back at me, she smiles, and I feel a small grin take my mouth. “You are down here today. That is progress, right?”

  “It is all for show. I would rather be in my tower.” I whisper. No matter how many times she comes, it is always the same. I grow shy and unsure of myself. I never feel this way. It makes my hate of her grow a little every time, even though most of my subconscious thoughts are taken with her. This feeling shit is stupid, and I don’t like it.

  “Don’t say that. You are not a princess Kora.” She smiles, and I interrupt her.

  “No, I am a psychotic prisoner. Didn’t you know?” tossing down my paint brush. I pick up my supplies and take off to the elevator. As soon as the doors open, I rush inside, but unfortunately, she follows me. Leaning over, she presses the 12A button, and up we go. The first jolt always makes my stomach flip, and I grip onto the bar next to me. She leans in and presses the stop button when we pass the tenth floor.

  Looking over at her, I raise a brow.” What are you doing? They are going to worry about you.”

  She turns and crosses her arms. “Yeah well, they have a camera up there.” She points to the ceiling. “Besides, I am not afraid of you, Kora.”

  “You should be. You do know my history, right? Or is that it? You think you can change the heartless kid killer?” I cross my arms tight across my chest and stare at her with a bored look.

  “Yeah, I know your history, and I am not afraid of you because I know you won’t hurt me.” She raises her brow at me, and I flush.

  “How do you know that? I am mental. I could hurt anyone at any time.” I whisper out.

  “Because, when you look at me, I see the hunger right under the surface. You don’t want to kill me; you want to kiss me.” She leans back with a self-satisfied smile on her face.

  I feel myself flush even more and look down. “How do you know that?”

  “I didn’t, but I do now.” She smirks.

  “Ugh, I want to slap that smile right off your damn face.” I turn the elevator back on and watch as we rise to the twelfth floor. I am out of the elevator and putting my things away when she comes into my room.

  “I am taking a shower, so you know,” I tell her, pointedly.

  “Great.” She smirks at me, and I do the one thing that I hope will shut her up. I take off my shirt and throw it on the bed. Her silence is like winning the lottery ten times over. Stripping out of my pants, I throw those over on the bed as well before walking into my bathroom. She follows me in because, of course, she does.

  “I am sure I know how to wash myself after twenty-three years.” I mouth off.

  “Yeah, well you know the rules.” She says as
she leans against the closed door.

  Shrugging I get in the shower and wash my hair and body before rinsing off. I step one foot out of the tub when she shoves me against the wall and takes my mouth hard. Leaning in, I explore her and feel myself grow tight and wet at the same time. Pulling back, she smirks down at me. “Told you that you wanted to kiss me.” She whispers against my mouth.

  I pull her closer by her hair and take my time when a throat clearing interrupts us. “Sorry to break up your little party, but don’t they have rules against kissing employees.?”

  Pulling back quickly, I frown at my brother. “You going to tell on me “cousin” Darío?” I ask.

  “Who me? Nah, I never snitch. Hurry it up though; food is getting cold.” He winks at me and smiles at Juniper before heading back into my living area.

  “That was, um. Yeah. That was that. And, ok. Thanks.” I get flustered and try to move around Juniper who grabs my arms and presses me back into the wall again.

  “Don’t do that. Not with me. That was not that. Nowhere close to the end. Go enjoy your meal with your brother, but so you know you and me? We are far from being close to over.” With that, she pecks me on the tip of my nose and walks out. I hear her and Kaleb talking from my place on the wall. I can’t be bothered to try and walk yet as my heart hasn’t slowed down enough to allow my legs to work.

  “Nice seeing you again, Mr. Volpe. Thanks for the reference. I will see you around.” She says.

  “It was a pleasure Juniper, and please call my Dare. Everyone does. I am sure I will see you again soon.” Kaleb laughs.

  “Can you give her this?” Juniper asks nicely before I hear the door close.

  “Kora come out come out you naughty little thing. Getting it on with the orderly? Shame on you!” Kaleb laughs like a hyena, and it makes my cheeks flame. Damn woman. Damn brother. They are both assholes.

  Walking out, I grab my clothes and quickly dress. Looking down, I see Kaleb wasn’t joking about bringing food. Yay. I love homemade cannoli.

  “Will it kill me, Kaleb?” I ask with a smile.

  “Nah, you are too stubborn to die. Plus, it looks like you have a love story that needs exploring?” He smiles back at me as he takes a huge bite.

  “Speaking of, hand it over!” I say around my bite of gooey deliciousness.

  “Hand what over? Your love notes?” He asks as he laughs like a hyena yet again.

  “Yeah asshole the note, also you laugh like a dick,” I say deadpan.

  “Maybe that is your problem; you think dicks are funny.” He says as he hands over the note.

  Rolling my eyes, I open the paper that contains the note. On one side is a work schedule for Juniper. She hates her real name and would rather be called Sage by everyone, so of course, I so refuse and only ever call her Juniper. Hey, all is fair in lust and war. We have warred now since the second month I was in this prison. She showed up as an orderly and conveniently worked my floor. I conveniently ignore her or try to. I doubt I will be able to ignore her any longer now that I know she tastes like strawberry lip gloss and smells like sunshine. Ugh. Damn woman.

  On the other side of her work schedule is a few words, but they spark something big inside me.

  Wherever you go, I go. Be ready to set the world on fire with me on the 15th.

  I look up at Kaleb, and he is smiling from ear to ear. I smile back at him and dig into dinner. Looking at the calendar, I see it is the eighth. Perfect.

  .

  Continua

  Acknowledgments

  I really want to say thank you to the select few who have read Volpe throughout its completion. Giving helpful criticism when needed and encouragement when needed as well.

  The following Alphas and Betas:

  Katarina, Xen, Annabelle, Laura, Rose, Amber, Amy, Tara, Tony, Hayley, Bex, Linda, Joi, Joy, Christine, Leanne, Jessica, Daisy, Jill, Breyana,

  Thank you all so much for helping me and giving your feed back! I truly appreciate every person who helped with this project

  To all of my readers: Thank you for always being up for the new adventure!

  Afterword

  I encourage anyone and everyone who reads and enjoys Volpe to go to Thorn.org Please read through their mission statement. Child sex trafficking is a real issue that deserves more attention than it gets. I have thought long and hard on this, any profit that I receive from this series will go to the Thorn.org or Thorn affiliate organizations.

  Making a difference often starts with one person, one step.

  This is mine.

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