After a moment, he blows out a frustrated sigh. “Actually, I was kind of hoping you had an idea.” My hope deflates like an untied balloon.
“Oh well, I don’t know. I have been spending the last month trying to figure something out.”
The line goes silent as he contemplates our options. “How likely is your father to shoot me upon seeing me?”
“What?” I ask, startled at his question.
“I said, how likely is your father to shoot me if he sees me?” He slows down his speech like I am hard of hearing or need help understanding.
“Oh, shut up,” I grumble. “I heard what you said, asshole. What I meant was why?”
“Because I may have an idea.”
“Okayyyy? Well, I don’t know. It just depends.” I bite my lip, feeling nervous at whatever he has planned.
“And how good are you at begging?”
“I don’t know. It’s never been a strong suit of mine. Why?” I ask, unsure where he is going with this plan of his.
“Because you might need to be a little more convincing and less of a cunning spitfire to make this work.” He pauses, thinking. “I will be coming to L.A. in a few days, and we will meet up then and go over what I have planned. Work on your acting skills, darlin’, because your sincerity needs a little work.”
My brows pinch at his criticism. I let out a short breath as I open my mouth to retort back when he silences me. “Nope, don’t even start with me, Gianna. I don’t want to hear any of your sass or smart ass comments. Unless you intended to beg me just now? Want to practice your skills? I’m not opposed to role-playing.”
I choke on a laugh. “I’m sorry, beg you? Yeah, that's not likely ever going to happen.”
“Well, just so you know, the offer is still open on the table, but wait too long to accept it, and you might end up begging me to reconsider.” His voice is thick, making me try to imagine what he is thinking about.
“Sure, whatever you say, Hercules.” I blow him off, acting as if he isn't affecting me when I feel a distinctive ache between my legs.
“I’ll be in touch later on.” He hangs up the phone ending our conversation. I feel a strange tug on my heart, realizing I am a bit saddened by hanging up with him, as I feel alone once again. I draw in a deep breath, trying to figure out this pull I have to him. Something about him draws me to him. He awakens something inside me.
I huff out, frustrated at my desire for him because I know he isn’t a possibility for my future. My future is dark and full of anguish and pain. There is no place for silly sparks of hope and joy when I know I can never have it. Laying back on my bed, I close my eyes trying to escape my mind, but instead, it takes over. Images of dark amber eyes and tense corded muscles fill my head. Hearing his liquid-rich voice run over me as I imagine him demanding me to beg him for his touch. “Uggghhh!” I groan out loud, rubbing my legs together at the now throbbing ache. Reaching down, I give in to my desire for him as I touch myself, caressing my body, imagining his rough hands over me instead. It doesn’t take long until I am arching against the bed, crying out his name with my release at my fantasies.
***
I try to be patient as I await his call, knowing he should be in L.A. any day now. We only have eight days before Liliana’s wedding, and I’m beginning to panic over not being there. As I come home from yet another therapeutic shopping trip, I juggle my things, trying to open my door. Placing my apple in my mouth, I managed to open the door. Slipping inside, I drop my keys on the side table as I lock the door behind me, grabbing my apple from my mouth.
“Nice little place you have.”
A startled yelp escapes my lips as I drop my bags. Raising the hand holding my apple, I hurl it in the voice’s direction as I turn. The apple misses its target entirely, crashing into a lamp, knocking it off an end table. My eyes, however, land on the face of the man I can’t keep from fantasizing about. Daveon.
Sitting comfortably on my couch, with my TV on low, he raises a brow at my weapon choice and the lamp now lying on the ground.
“Fuck woman.” He shakes his head, standing up. “You really need to work on your aim. That was horrible.”
“My aim is not that bad. I was just startled and threw it before I turned.”
“Do you really think an apple would have stopped me either way? I’m offended.”
“Guess it depends where I threw it.”
“Now, is that any way to treat an honored guest?”
“You know the last guy that said something like that to me had intentions to rape me, so considering you broke into my house and scared the shit out me, yes, I think it is justified.” His eyes narrow and darken at my words.
“Someone tried to rape you?” He grinds out, sounding angry.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, not wanting to get into it all right now. “How did you get into my apartment?”
He steps away from the couch, walking towards me. “It does matter. Who are you talking about?” Irritation sparks to life at my traitorous excitement over his reaction as he draws near.
No, you can’t care. Stop it! I internally chastise myself. Not sure how to control my emotions, I lash out, trying to hide them with anger. “It’s none of your business Hercules. You don’t need to try to be the hero.”
He keeps walking towards me until I am backed up against my front door. Inches from his body as he looks down at me. “Darlin, I am no hero, far from it, in fact, so you can stop calling me Hercules. That's not what this is.” My pulse picks up again as I stand there, fighting to keep control over myself.
"Then what is it?" The silence stretches between us before he shakes his head before retreating over to the couch. I breathed out, glad he pulled away when he did.
“By the way, your security here is shit. If anyone wanted to get in here, they could. Do you not have guards for hell sakes?”
I clear the thickness from my throat before I speak. “I do, but they don’t come up here. They watch out front and are with me when I leave, but other than that, I am allowed my privacy.”
Shaking his head, he grumbles in response. “That is the stupidest fucking thing I have ever heard.” Looking around one last time, he turns back to me. “Okay, so are you ready to go see your father?”
I’m a little stunned at his eagerness to see him face to face. “Um, sure, I guess...so what's the plan?” He walks back towards me, grabbing hold of the door behind me.
Opening it up, he has a mischievous grin on his lips when he looks back at me. “No plan, we are going to wing it. I hope you practiced your sincerity and begging. My life might just depend on it.” He smirks back at me, walking out the door and down the hallway.
What the fuck? He doesn’t have a plan? What kind of insane person is he? Pulling myself out of my shock, I grab my keys, rushing out the door behind him.
We leave separately so my guards don’t notice him and tip-off my father. I am a bundle of nerves as we drive to see him. Not knowing what the outcome of this little endeavor might be. I say a silent prayer that neither men kill each other as I have no idea what to do.
Upon arriving, I don't see Daveon anywhere as I get out of the car. Making my way inside, I search for my father. Not finding him in his office, I head out back, finding him out in the yard, sitting at a patio table. At hearing me come out, his eyes draw up, looking at me. “Gianna?” He calls out in question, “what are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you to stop by.” I can see him tense, preparing for another battle between us about Enzo.
“I, um, actually was hoping we could talk.”
I look around again, still no sign of Daveon.
“Gianna, I will not discuss your marriage to Enzo anymore. You know this is not up for debate.” He says in a disapproving tone.
I shake my head. “I know that isn’t what I would like to discuss.” His eyes draw together in confusion.
I see him relax slightly. “So, what is it you want to talk about then?”
I open my mouth t
o speak when a noise off to the side draws my attention. Looking over, I see Daveon coming around towards us. My father sees him too and instantly jumps up, pulling his gun as he aims it right at him. My heart stops as I watch as Daveon stops not drawing a weapon of his own.
“Who the fuck are you?” My father calls out.
“Lorenzo, sorry to intrude so impolitely on you, but I was hoping we could talk for a moment.” He says, raising his empty hands.
“You know who I am, so why don’t you explain who the hell you are and what you are doing unannounced at my home?”
“My name is Daveon Saunders. I am the Conciergerie for the New York Familia, and Nicoli Black sent me with a request.” His voice is all business as he speaks to my father, no hint at the playfulness he holds when he is with me.
Not lowering the gun, he watches Daveon with wary eyes. “And what is his request?” I can hear the curiosity in my father's voice at what the New York Capo would want from him.
“I’m sure by now you already know, you had a traitor amongst you here. Antonio Rossi. You know he ran away to avoid punishment, but what you don’t know is that his daughter Liliana is marrying Nicoli.” My father pales at this information, clearly taken aback by what he just revealed.
“And you came to tell me this, why?” His voice is stern with suspicion.
“Nicoli requested that I come here to convince you to allow your daughter to come back to New York with me in support of Liliana for her wedding.”
Wow, okay, just going to be blunt and honest about it all. Interesting tactic.
“No. She will not be going anywhere with you.” He watches Daveon as if he expects him to retaliate at his denial. “While I commend the honesty, I suggest you get the fuck out of here while I allow you the chance to leave.” I hear my father cock the gun, backing his threat.
I step forward, hoping to help sway my father's mind. “Father, please allow m-.”
“Gianna, I do not want to hear it. My answer is no, and that is final.” I look over at Daveon, unsure how to change his mind. He gives me a look of encouragement while raising a brow in challenge.
Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself. Well, Liliana did always call me dramatic…
“Father, please, I am begging you, please let me go. You know how close we are. She needs me. Please! I will do whatever you want. I will stop fighting you on marrying Enzo. I will be obedient. Please just allow me this one thing. I know you don’t want me to marry him. I can see you hate this just as much as I do. I am asking you to give me this one last thing before I am forced to live the rest of my life in misery. If any part of you cares for me still, you will allow me this one thing.”
Tears begin to fall from my eyes, and while most would think it was an act, they are very much real. They fall as I beg my father to give in on my last request before I no longer will get to ask anything of him ever again. Before I am forced to endure the horrors that await me to be a pawn for the Cosa Nostra, for upholding the alliance they need.
I see his composition shift as he watches me cry. Though he has seen my eyes water, he hasn’t seen me cry or be the vulnerable young girl I used to be for a long time. “I swear on my honor as a man, she will be safe. I will protect her and return her safely when the time comes. If anything should happen to her, I will come back and endure any punishment you deal, even death if you see fit.”
I turn to look at Daveon, sincerity written all over his face, as he means every bit of it. My father's shoulders slump as I see him begin to give in. Lowering his gun slightly, he looks over at me once more. “You will accept what is asked of you if I allow this?”
Feeling the weight of my words heavy on my heart, I agree. “Yes, father. I will.”
“Fine, I will allow you to go.” He looks over at Daveon, holding him with his gaze. “Normally, I would send some of my men with her, but this whole thing will have to be kept secret. I cannot risk allowing this to get out. Should anything happen to her while she is there, I will hold you alone personally responsible and punish you accordingly. Nicoli is not to interfere, is that understood?”
“You have my word.”
My father nods, knowing he means it. Feeling a rush of excitement and joy, I rush to my father. Wrapping my arms around him I thank him once again. “When do you leave?”
“Tonight, we will arrive in New York tomorrow morning.”
“Good, I do not want anyone to see you. I will assume you can disappear whichever way you got in here unseen, and Gianna, I will speak with your guards once you are dropped off. They will not be a problem.” He waits until Daveon disappears before he too, walks away into the house, leaving me alone to bubble in my excitement.
6
DAVEON
Holy shit, I can’t believe that worked. I shake my head. Somehow my nonexistent plans always seem to pan out. I'll be the first to admit they are pretty reckless, but they work. I mean, I'm still alive, aren't I? I sneak back past the guards stationed at her father's house, jogging my way back to my car down the road. Climbing in, I pull away, wanting to put distance between this neighborhood and me.
Enzo? My mind travels to what Gianna said to her father. Who the fuck is that, and why am I so enraged that she is marrying him. My fists grip the wheel tight, turning white under the strain. Forcing a deep breath through my nose, I try to relax. I shouldn't be getting worked up over it at all. You need to stay the fuck away from her. She isn't something you can mess around with. I try to talk myself out of wanting her. Not to mention you just gave your word that her father could do as he pleases if something happens to her.
It's okay though, no big deal. You can keep your hands off her.
Even though her skin is satin-smooth and she smells like spiced cinnamon. I groan as my cock twitches in my pants. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I try to focus on the road up ahead. Nico wanted me to check on something before we fly out tonight, and I have a few places to stop to do it.
***
I looked around, pulling back up to her apartment, not seeing any guards stationed in their previous positions like before. Climbing out, I decide to play it safe and climb up the fire escape to her apartment like before. I glance through her living room window, seeing a couple of bags on the floor by the doorway. At least she is ready to go. Jimmying the window lock, I slide it open, climbing inside before settling it back down. I'm straightening myself when I hear her light steps padding down the hallway towards me. Looking up, my gaze travels up her body, staring at her long, lean legs to a pair of jean shorts, followed by a slim tantalizing waist and her breasts wrapped in a lace bra. My mind backpedals. Glancing up, I see she is mid-process of pulling a shirt over her head as she walks in. Oh fuck. There goes my pep talk from earlier. My hands ache to grab hold of her and pull her into me, wrapping her in my body. Imagining just how easy it would be to lift her as she wrapped her legs around me while I fucked her. My cock hardens at the thought.
Finally dressed and now looking up, she freezes. Glancing down at my erect cock straining against my pants, she gives me a flirty grin. "Like what you see, Hercules?" She mirrors the first thing I said to her when we met at the club.
"I could show you just how much I like it if you want?" I step forward, eager to touch her again.
"Sorry, but I'm an engaged woman. What kind of person would that make me if I betrayed that sacred bond." She says sarcastically with resentment.
Jealousy rears its ugly head at her confirmation that she is taken. "One who knows what she wants," I say back, knowing she does want me. Her expression drops instantly from flirty to frustrated.
"I know what I want, and it's not you. Sorry to burst your ego-filled bubble." She tries denying what we both know as she plays the hard to get card.
"Whatever you say darlin', but you know it's not true."
She places her hands on her waist, jutting out her hip. "You are seriously so freaking full of yourself, aren't you?" Her mood suddenly drops from frustrated to something bitter. I'm c
onfused by the whiplash as her tone throws me off, making me match her attitude in an instant like flipping a switch.
"And you're a scared, spoiled little princess terrified of her feelings."
"And you're an asshole." She narrows her eyes at me.
What the hell is her deal? She continues to just glare at me, unmoving. "Anyway, we need to be going. You ready?"
"Yes," she bites out, responding with a clipped tone. Rolling my eyes, I move to grab her bags. I can feel her eyes on me as I reach down for them. I make my way out of her apartment, not bothering to wait for her as I go.
Walking out to the car, I'm left confused, not sure what happened to make her freak out upstairs. Tossing her bags inside, I grab a smoke out of my pocket and light it, leaning against the door. Shaking my head, I draw in a deep breath. Exhaling slowly, trying to calm my nerves that she got riled up. I usually pride myself on my control, but that woman has a way of drawing out daggers when she shows her own claws. That is why you could never be with her. You two would be toxic. I tell myself. But fuck if I don't want her still.
Without realizing it, I had burned through the whole cigarette in record time. Looking down at the stub leftover, I flick it onto the ground just as Gianna finally comes out of the building. "You know smoking is bad for you, right." She calls out, making me roll my eyes again.
"That's not the only thing bad for me," I grumble low under my breath. Opening the door, Gianna slides in before I walk around the car climbing behind the wheel. As we drive to the private airport strip, she is quiet, seemingly lost in thought as her forehead creases. She stares out the window until we reach our destination, and she glances around.
As we settle onto the plane, I anticipate a quiet trip while she continues to simmer and silently ignore me. Fuck if I wasn't wrong, though. The moment we take off, I can see her shoulders tense. Getting up, I grab her a drink before settling back down in my seat. I know having a drink helped Liliana her first time on a plane, so maybe it would help relax her too. Tipping back the contents like a shot, I stare at her in astonishment. "You know that was $200.00 scotch you just threw back like a cheap shot of liquor."
A Burning Flame Page 4