His sleeves are rolled up, and his shirt is untucked over dark jeans. My attention is drawn back to the orange glow at the end of his cigarette as he inhales. Removing it from his lips, he breathes out a gust of smoke, which feels oddly sensual as I watch him. I'm transfixed and have to fight my body's desire to push forward. Wanting to place my lips over his and draw the vapor from his mouth before letting it seep out of my own into the night air.
"Darlin', if you keep staring at me like that, I might just have to do something about those looks you keep giving me." His voice is a little heavier than before when he speaks. He pushes off the wall dropping the end of his cigarette on the asphalt below as he slowly moves towards me. I watch as he takes his time gazing over me.
I’m not embarrassed or bashful as he takes his turn inspecting me. Seeing the familiar spark of desire settle in his eyes, a fire lights in my belly. Though I have seen it before in others as they look at me, it has never caused a reverse reaction in me in return.
"Do you want to get out of here?" He asks me, still looking down at my body. At his mention of leaving, I’m reminded of what I was doing out here to begin with. Shaking my head slightly to clear away the haze that had settled over me, I take a step back. Though, I wish I could be carefree and do just that, disappointment floods me.
"I need to be going. I’m looking for my friend." The urgency to find Liliana rushes me again, and he simply shrugs, unfazed by my rejection. As I head back inside, I glance behind me at the man I don't want to leave. I see he too is staring at me, watching me retreat into the club with a fire in his eyes. He continues to hold my gaze before I walk inside and out of sight.
Returning inside, I shake off the disappointment that settled over me at leaving. I glance around, searching for Liliana once more. Irritated with myself for having been so distracted outside. My eyes graze past a couple going after each other against the wall before I notice the wisps of red hair behind the man. Oh shit! Pushing my way through bodies, I holler out as I get closer.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER! When I am close enough, I reach forward, grabbing hold of the man's arm as I try to pry him away from her. He slowly turns, looking down at me with a bored expression as if I am of no concern to him. My grip loosens slightly at the power and darkness emitting off of him.
"And why would I do that?" He asks in a curious tone. I feel my eyes narrow in agitation at this man and his arrogance. As I continue to stare, I realize this is no longer the man who had interrupted our dancing. I turn my eyes down to his attire, seeing he is adorned in an all-black suit. Realization dawns on me, and I’m filled with irritation as I stare up at the man who has hurt Liliana more times than I can count.
"Nicoli Black, I presume?" He completely ignores me as he turns his attention back to Liliana. Grabbing hold of her, he pulls her with him brushing past me.
"Come, we are leaving," he commands. I quickly move past him, I block his retreat by standing in his way, planting my hands on my hips.
"She isn't going anywhere with you. Let her go."
His eyes narrow, becoming dark and hard. Something in his expression tells me he is seriously considering just shooting me, and I see his shoulders roll as the muscles tense below his shirt. "I can see you are protective of her, and while it is commendable, I don't suggest ordering me around in any way. I will let it pass this one time, but do not do it again." His voice holds authority, while his eyes shine with a fierce intensity. "She is coming with me as we have things to discuss. Now get out of my way." He growls out low.
I can feel the power rolling off him, and I'm tempted to back down. I look over at Lil, wanting to see what she thinks. She doesn't look scared, and considering how she looked and moved against him on the wall just now, I would think she isn't too opposed to the idea. She gives me a slight nod while mouthing; it’s ok.
Not super thrilled over the idea of letting him take her. I know I hold no authority over the situation. I couldn't stop him if I wanted to. However, I could make it fucking hard for him, probably getting myself killed in the process.
Pulling her to me, I give her a quick hug as she goes to pass by I whisper to her. "Be careful and call me when you're home. If I don't get a call, I'm calling everyone and telling them the New York Familia boss lord kidnapped you."
"Gianna!" She exclaims, swatting my arm. "I promise I'll call you.” She looks at me, mirroring my concern. “Will you be okay getting home?"
I know she is concerned about leaving me by myself. "Yes, I will. I'm going to hang out for a few more minutes. Then I'll have my guards take me home.” I reassure her, waving it off like it's no big deal. “Happy birthday, babe. I love you." I lean in, kissing her on her cheek before she turns and walks up beside Nicoli. I notice him reaching down, grasping her small hand in his, and pulling her next to him protectively before leading her out.
I'm left there standing alone for a moment before going back to the bar to get another drink. I sip it as I glance around, searching the crowd once more. It takes a minute before I realize I am searching for him, the man from outside. After a while of searching to no avail, I give up, knowing it is for the best. What would I even have done anyway if I found him? Pushing from the bar, I go to my guards letting them know I am ready to leave.
That night I waited for Liliana to let me know she made it home safe. It's getting pretty late, and I begin to worry when I still haven't heard from her. Should I call her? A minute after I think it, my phone rings, and I answer it instantly. "Bitch, you were five minutes from me calling in the cavalry on you. Where the hell did you go?"
"Relax, G. I'm fine. He took me to a place he owns here in L.A." She sounds fine, maybe a little apprehensive, but that’s all.
He owns a house in L.A? "And..???"
"And we talked, he gave me a ring, told me our plans, and G…” She pauses. “I am leaving for New York in two days."
"WHAT?? TWO DAYS!" My voice raises in my shock. I shake my head against the phone. "You have got to be fucking joking. You can't leave in two days, Lil! Tell him you won't go. Tell him you want to stay at his house here." I don’t know what I was expecting, but it feels too soon.
"You know I can't do that." She sighs, sounding defeated, mirroring what I feel myself. "G, I'm scared. I don't know how to do this. Start over in New York, be a wife. A flippin’ Capo’s wife! I am just a lowly daughter of a soldier, a traitorous soldier at that. How do I go from that to the wife of the most notorious mafia boss on the east coast? On top of that, how will I come back and see you? I can't just walk up to your place or be seen with you after all of this. People will notice I am gone. They will start asking my father questions. What will he tell them? At some point, they will find out. I'm sure it won't take long." Her words and fears come rolling out, running into each other in her haste to acknowledge them all. I know I need to calm her down and help her relax a little despite my inner turmoil.
"We will figure it out. I don't care if we aren't supposed to see each other. Lil, you are like my sister. I will always be there for you. As for everything else, just be you. Who cares what anyone thinks. Fuck them and fuck your piece of shit father. He may as well be dead to you now." A wave of slight anger settles over me at thinking of her father for giving her to this man.
"Yeah, okay. I'll try to calm down. Everything is just changing so drastically and so fast. I can't keep up." She pauses on the phone. "Hold on, G." My brows pinch at her sudden halt in her conversation before she startles me by calling out. "Oh shit!"
"Lil, what's going on?" I can hear water running in the background for a moment before gargled silence. "Lil?" I call out into the phone. Silence answers me before I hear the audible tone as the line goes dead. I pull it from my ear, looking back at it.
What the fuck. I redial her number, and it goes straight to voicemail. My stomach bunches up as I wonder what is happening. I want to leave and search for her, but I would have no idea where she is. She didn't seem to be in harm when I saw him at the club. He was bossy
, but he also looked weirdly protective of her. I sit and stew the whole night, wondering if she is okay, feeling helpless that I can't do anything.
3
GIANNA
I'm awakened by the loud sound of my phone chiming upon getting a text. I had turned it up last night to hear it if Lil tried to call me back before I fell asleep. Looking down is a text from a new number. Upon opening it, I find it is a message from Lil. She explained she flooded the bathroom, dropped her phone in the tub, and killed it last night. I breathe a sigh of relief at knowing she is okay.
Jumping out of bed, I hurry, needing to get ready to see her before she leaves. I am quick to get dressed and rush out the door to go to her father's, knowing she will be there packing this morning. I try not to let my sorrow show through, knowing she will be leaving me after today, but not knowing when I might see her again. I always act like she is the one who needs me, but the truth is I need her just as much. She is the reason I am able to act tough. It’s all a show anyway. One carefully acted out to keep her safe. What happens when she leaves?
As we pull up to her house, I climb out, noting the SUVs and men standing outside. A few give me lustful looks as I pass by, and I try my best to ignore them. Not in the mood to play the flirt right now. Walking through the threshold, I walk up to the base of the stairway. A large man in a suit is standing with his back to me, but something about him looks oddly familiar. It's not until I get closer, and he turns at hearing my approach that I'm stunned with realization. The man from last night?
I stand there, staring at him. A look of shock is painted across his features; clearly, he remembers me too. His expression slowly changes to mirror what it was at the club. "Reconsider my offer from last night, darlin'?"
"You work for Nicoli?" I brush aside his question, asking my own.
He nods his head. "I do. And you are?"
"A part of the Cosa Nostra," I say back. Knowing he works for Nicoli, the man taking my best friend away makes me want to dislike him. Though despite my distaste, my body feels the familiar hum of attraction. Feeling drawn to him, which in itself frustrates me.
"Ah, I see. Well, the offer is still on the table.”
“Not interested, but thanks.”
“Sure, you're not. I can practically smell your pheromones from here." He breathes deep as he smells the air around us. "It smells like cinnamon slowly burning over a fire." A low growl rumbles from his throat. "It's a bit intoxicating."
I just stand there open-mouthed unsure what to say. This is the first time a man has stunned me to silence. Usually, it's the other way around. Who the hell is he?
"You know the good part about us being from opposing sides?" He continues, making us, this, or whatever it is between us, sound like a Romeo and Juliette story. I can't help from rolling my eyes at him.
"What's that?"
"It wouldn't matter one bit if we fucked each other because we will never have to see each other again."
"Wooow." I draw out. "Is that your idea of a romantic pick up line?" I place my hands on my hips, suddenly very annoyed at him.
"Don't act like you don't want to and didn't want to last night. I can practically smell it on you. It's seeping out of every one of your pores. In fact, I'd bet money you're already wet just standing there."
I inhale through my nose, frustrated that he would be so presumptuous, despite the fact that he’s not wrong because my body had a different reaction to him than my mind. I narrow my eyes, pissed that my body is so attracted to him, but he doesn’t need to know that. "Yeah, okay, Hercules. Tell yourself whatever delusional fantasies you need to give yourself a hard-on with your own ego. Why don't you go look in the mirror while you stroke yourself? I'm sure that's a fan favorite of yours." I step forward to move past him and begin ascending the stairs before he sidesteps, blocking my way.
Now only inches away, he towers over me with his size, which says a lot because I am considered a decent height. "You can pretend all you want darlin', but I know you want me just as bad as I want you, and fuck, I want you. I can tell with every one of my senses you do too. I can smell it on you, teasing me with your spiced cinnamon scent. I can see the desire pooling in your eyes as you look at me with lust. I can hear your breathing becoming more rapid as you draw in shorter, faster breaths." He lifts his hand, placing it over my chest just above my breast, feeling his rough hand covering my flesh. "I can feel your heartbeat spike, racing at my proximity and touch. And damn, I can only imagine what you taste like knowing you are already wet and ready for me." My mouth drops open. He straightens up, removing his hand as his lips pull into a cocky smirk. "That darlin', is how I know you desperately want me."
Irritated that he is not only right but just another egotistical ass, I lash out. "Get the fuck out of my way, asshole, or I swear I will take your gun and shoot you with it." He chuckles at my threat, raising a brow.
"Your fire only makes me want to fuck you more. Do you have that same kind of attitude between the sheets?" I reach up, placing my hands on his chest before giving him a shove with my body. It's like pushing against a rock wall, and I am the one who stumbles back, which only adds to my frustration. From the corner of my eye, I catch something at the top of the stairs. Looking up, I see Liliana.
"Oh, thank the Lord," I exclaimed dramatically. "Lil, tell this stupid oaf to get the hell out of my way."
"Daveon?" Her soft voice drifts down the stairway to us, causing him to look up at her. "She is okay to come up. Could you please step aside?" Listening to her request, he shifts aside, out of my way. I can feel his eyes on me as I climb up the stairs. Almost to the top, I lift both hands, flipping him off behind me, not giving a damn to turn and look at his expression before following Lil down the hallway.
He and his presumptuous senses can go to hell.
Entering Liliana's room, my anger fades, and sadness returns as I barrel into her. Pulling her into a hug, the emotions I keep hidden so well let loose as I begin to sniffle with my eyes watering. "G? Are you crying?"
"You're really leaving, Lil. Today is the last time I get to see you until hell knows when. I don't know what to do without you."
"G, I promise I will see you again even if I have to sneak back or sneak you to New York, we won't be apart. I'll call you every day if you need me to. Now stop crying because you're going to make me cry." Knowing I need to be the strong one for her, I pull back. Wiping the moisture from my eyes as I try to regulate my breathing back to normal now that I'm all worked up.
"You promise?"
"Yes, G, I promise." I walk over to her vanity, checking my appearance in the mirror before realizing why I'm doing it and push away, irritated again. I change the subject to the only other thing on my mind to take it off her leaving.
"So what's up with the erotic looking Hercules downstairs?"
Liliana begins laughing at me. "His name is Daveon. He is one of Nicoli's top men."
"Well, he is an asshole."
"He isn't that bad, G." I wave my hand around, now wanting to dismiss the conversation I had started.
"Whatever, I just don't like him. Anyway, what do you want help with?" I look around at the room, wanting to change the subject again as she glances around at her stuff.
"I don't know. Maybe start with my closet?"
"You got it." I march to the closet, intending to pack everything up, including my irrational feelings that spark to life around Daveon.
I don't see him anymore as we finish up packing and eventually have to say our goodbyes. As we emotionally hug and try to give each other the support we know we both will need, we can't help but cry. I make my way to my guards as they open the car door for me. Sliding inside, they climb in upfront before we drive off. Laying back, I allow my tears to continue to fall as I say goodbye to my sister, the person who gave me the strength to be as strong as I am now left by myself.
4
GIANNA
The next two weeks drag on by myself. I’m unfortunately reminded that I st
ill have to decide whose offer I will be accepting for my father. I was hoping there may have been others, but no such luck. Maybe tonight I can spend a little time with both of them. I don’t have to give my father my decision until after tonight.
I finish getting ready, glancing in the mirror at myself. The mauve dress I have on is alluring but straightforward as it hugs my body. It is stunning with an open back and a knot of fabric bunched at my hips low on my waist. I found it shopping the other day at one of me and Liliana's favorite boutiques. Finishing my lipstick, I am finally ready to go. I am dreading tonight as I head down to the car that awaits me.
As we approach Dante’s large estate, a man opens the door for me, extending a hand to help me climb out. It feels weird walking into an event like this without Liliana beside me. I am reminded of the first day I had met her when I was shy and scared of the other kids. I feel that same pit of uncertainty in my stomach that I did that day as I enter the grand house.
Once inside, I make my way over to the waiter carrying some drinks. Grabbing a flute off the tray, I tip it back, swallowing the contents. My nose pinches before I pull it back, finally looking at it. Water?? Are you freaking serious? Where the hell is the wine? The champagne? Looking around, I see a bar set up in the back. Well, I guess that would make sense with this being a family event and all.
Making my way to the bar, I find myself behind a man I have yet to meet before. He must be from the Outfit. Upon turning around, I noticed his eyes. They are harsh and sinister as something evil dances in his gaze. I have to force myself to resist the urge to take a set back, putting a little more distance between us. Prying my eyes away, I finally take note of his features. He isn't bad looking, but something is not right with this man. He harbors something dark and cruel, making my skin crawl as his eyes roam over me. I shift uncomfortably under his gaze. Without saying anything to me, he provocatively licks his lips before brushing past me, disappearing into the crowd.
A Burning Flame Page 2