A Burning Flame

by Daniella Kunz

  ***

  I fall back into my routine as the weeks pass by. No news or surprise visits from Enzo help me to relax slightly each day that passes. Good, I hope he is busy for a long time. If I'm lucky forever, but no one has that much luck.

  Knowing that soon my time will run out, I begin being careless. Spending most nights at a club, flirting with men and drinking way too much until my guards intervene, dragging me home.

  Though my father is displeased at my behavior, he leaves me alone, knowing this is my way of coping with my future. I spend my mornings working out, watching all types of self-defense videos because I refuse to allow Enzo to beat me. I won't be one of those weak women he throws around. The first time he comes at me he will be sorely disappointed when he ends up punched in the face instead. I'm sure it will most likely get me killed but hey, I didn't completely give in to him, right?

  Each night I get dressed up before going out to a club. Mingling, flirting, and drinking until I damn near blackout and get carried home. I can handle being alone during the day. It's being alone at night that is the problem. My mind wakes reminding me of things and feelings I would rather forget. I mean if he can forget, eventually, so can I.

  Finishing my look I head out. I can see my guards are getting sick of my routine and they begin to slip up watching me, but I don't mind. It gives me a chance to test out my self-defense skills on occasion before they step in.

  Walking into the club I can't shake the feeling of being watched, though as I look around, no one in particular stands out to me. Trying to shrug it off, I order a drink and some shots. Downing all four, I make my way to the dance floor.

  As the alcohol begins to flow through my blood, my world becomes light and hazy. Relishing in the light freedom it gives me I move around to the music. As if on cue a man moves over to me, grasping my waist as he pulls me into him. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to imagine it is Daveon I am dancing with. I imagine the feel of his hand on the curve of my waist and his other large hand sprawled out over my bare stomach, slick with sweat from the heat of bodies surrounding us and our movements. Arching back into him, I move my hips hypnotically to the beat, grinding against him. Leaning back, I lay my head on his chest. He grabs hold of my waist spinning me around to face him. Pushing his lips to mine my fantasy is shattered when they feel wrong against mine. No!

  My eyes jerk open and I find myself staring at some random face kissing me. Forcing my eyes closed, I will myself to keep pretending, not ready for my daydream to end. I draw up my detailed memories of him, how he tastes, how his lips move and feel against mine. How his chest vibrates with a low inaudible growl when he is fighting to stay in control.

  I hear a low growl in front of me as I continue to allow the man to kiss me. I guess it doesn't bother him that I haven't been kissing him back. Someone bumps into us sending me stumbling backward into another couple. Turning to look at them, I mutter an apology before straightening up. Looking back over to the spot where the man I was just dancing with stood now stands Daveon…or my imagination sees Daveon. I shake my head, unsure.

  His eyes are hard and angry as he glares over at me. Rolling my eyes, I mutter to myself. "Really, you couldn't be imagining him ravaging you? Instead, you imagine him pissed off about something?" Turning, I head back to the bar, needing another drink to clear it all from my mind.

  A hard hand grasps my wrist stopping me in my tracks. I spin thrusting the palm of my hand up at their face, ready to smash their nose through their skull when they skillfully dodge my blow. "Geez woman, what the fuck are you trying to do?"

  Finally looking at the man, I see Daveon again. "These fantasies are getting out of control G." I mutter again, speaking to myself in a third person. The man just stands there looking at me. Probably wondering why I'm such a wackjob.

  I try to jerk my hand from his but his grip tightens over my wrist. "Get your hands off me before I punch you in the fucking face, asshole." Shaking off his now loosened grip I turn to go to the bar. "And where exactly are you trying to go?" He follows behind.

  "To get another drink." I say as I stumble slightly. Now the shots kick in… Placing his hand on my waist he steadies me.

  "Oh no, you're not darlin’. It looks to me like you've had more than plenty." I turn rapidly to face him again but lose my footing as I twist. His arms shoot out, grabbing hold of me again before he lifts me up, carrying me in his arms. Not having the energy to fight, I lean into him with my mind in a blurry haze, and my body feeling heavy and weak.

  "Where are we going Hercules?" The familiar buzz of the alcohol threatening to knock me out begins to fade everything around me.

  "I'm taking you home." His rich honey bourbon voice is the last thing I hear before passing out in his arms.

  ***

  My tongue is dry and my head hurts as I wake. Not wanting to open my eyes I roll over, bumping into a hard body. My eyes fly open, and I wince at the throbbing pain that shoots behind them at taking in the light. Looking over I stare at the figure next to me and I'm taken aback.

  Daveon lay beside me with his shirt off and eyes closed. His lips are parted slightly, drawing in rhythmic breaths. I look over at him, admiring his large figure looking so out of place in my small bed. My attention is drawn to a black gun lying beside him on the table before I look around. What in the hell is going on?

  "How's your head?" He mumbles out in a sleepy voice. Glancing back down at him, I am not sure what to say. "Yes, darlin’, I am very much real and very much pissed the fuck off." I internally wince at his hardened, no longer sleepy tone.

  Opening his eyes his dark pupils find me. Pushing up he leans back on his elbows. "Care to explain why the fuck you were kissing another man last night?" I don’t miss how tight his jaw is as he recalls the memory.

  Thinking back to last night, I still. "I wasn't kissing him; he was kissing me."

  "From where I was standing, it looked like the same damn thing." He grinds out in a tight voice.

  Looking around again I try to figure out what he is doing here anyway. I haven't heard from him in over a month; he didn't care when he left. So what the hell is he doing back? Irritation sweeps over me at his intrusion back into my life.

  "Why are you here?" I boldly ask, feeling my anger rising. He doesn't get to just walk back into my life like he never left.

  He raises a brow at me. "Because after breaking that guy's fucking face for kissing and touching you, I brought your drunk ass back here."

  Shaking my head at him dismissing what he said. "No here, here. I meant Los Angeles, that club last night, my life?"

  "Did you forget that you are mine now? I would think you would have come to terms with it by now." His arm moves as he reaches for me before I back-peddle on the bed slipping off the edge.

  "You left without a word to me. You acted as if I was just a job to deliver home and leave. You can't just come back and lay claim to me again, Daveon." I huff out my frustration at him.

  He looks over at the clock on the wall before muttering a curse under his breath. Sliding off the bed he moves in front of me. "I can, and I will. I had my reasons for what I did."

  "Yeah, ha! I'm sure you did.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I want you to leave now." I point in the direction of the door, making my point. He grabs his shirt and pants off the chair in the corner of the room before sliding them on. Grabbing his gun, he tucks it into his jean’s waistband before pulling his shirt over, covering it.

  "I have somewhere to be this morning, but I will be back, and we will finish this discussion then. In the meantime, don't do anything reckless Gianna. I will forgive last night because you kept mumbling about fantasizing about me." A cocky grin lifts his lips, and my skin flushes at his words from embarrassment. "But if you do something like that again, I won't be so kind and forgiving of it. You’re lucky I didn’t blow his brains out all over you for letting him touch what's mine. When I saw you, it took every ounce of self-control not to." His voice is dangerous and his
eyes harsh as he speaks, making me shiver slightly.

  As he walks past me he startles me as he grabs my waist, pulling me back and pushing me into the wall. Slamming his lips down onto mine he moves them punishingly against me. Using his large hand he sprawls his fingers out over the soft skin of my waist peeking out under my shirt as he pushes me hard against the wall. My traitorous body hums to life under him as if waking from a deep sleep. My mouth moves against his as he drinks me in, like a man deprived of water in the desert but before I know it his touch is off of me. Smirking arrogantly at my body's reaction to him he turns to walk out the door.

  I’m left standing there, stunned and pissed off at his return. Why did he bother coming back into my life? I was doing just fine with him gone. I had thrown the hope I had allowed myself to feel into the fire and watched it burn; I’d finally accepted it. Then he comes prancing back acting as if no time has passed, and he didn’t just write me off as a lost cause. My head is spinning with confusion. I want to be angry, but a blossom of hope begins to grow inside my heart. I shake my head. No! You can’t allow that again. It will hurt too much when he decides you’re not worth the battle.

  I try to push him from my head as I go about my daily routine, having every intention to continue on with my life like he never showed up again. I work extra hard, putting all my focus and anger into training this morning until I am drained and drenched in sweat. After showering I go out, needing to get out of my apartment. I go shopping, something I haven’t done in a while and by the time I return I am exhausted.

  Going through the apartment, I check and lock all of the windows and doors wanting to be sure Daveon stays the hell out and away from me. Laying down on the couch I fall asleep and for once my mind doesn’t require help to slip away.

  12

  DAVEON

  Leaving her apartment is hell on my mind; knowing how angry she is at seeing me, I wanted to stay and explain things to her. Make her understand why I did what I did, but I can’t neglect the reason why Nico sent me here. I still have my duty to uphold, I have already shot my oath to shit. The least I can do is try to finish out my tasks here.

  ***

  One Month Earlier

  After I got back from dropping Gianna in L.A, I was pissed off, knowing I needed to allow her to go home in order to come up with a plan for this mess. That and with Nico needing me to take charge while he and Liliana left for their honeymoon, I didn’t have a choice. Despite breaking my oath when I slept with her he is still my Capo. I still owe him my life and would give it in a moment's notice.

  Each day that passes by is agonizing. I give up on trying to put her out of my mind. No, she is mine now and I need to come up with a way to ensure her safety while I can’t be with her. I need to come up with a way to keep that sick fuck Enzo the hell away from her. If he were to do something to her, I would go straight to Chicago and put a bullet in his head. Fuck rational sense. My grip tightens on a pencil, snapping under the strain the flow of conversation halts around me at the table.

  “Something the matter Daveon?” Aldon asks. All the mens eyes are focused on me.

  “Just fine.” I grind out growing irritated. He nods going back to his discussion.

  “So with Nico gone, are we to wait until he returns to question the Russian being held?”

  My ears perk up. “No, I will handle him. Leave him to me.” He nods at me before they continue on about other meaningless things going on around the city while I eagerly await an outlet for my frustration.

  ***

  Ciro follows me down to the basement to one of our warehouses. The air is cold and stale as we descend the stairway to the concrete basement. I roll my shoulders eager for this. I always did enjoy watching my hands cause agony and pain.

  “You seem tense.” Ciro notices behind me.

  “What are you suddenly my wife? Who the fuck cares if I’m tense?” His brow raises at me but I ignore him. When we enter the cell the man is tied to a metal chair bolted to the floor. His hands, tied tightly behind him, and his head hangs low. Hearing us enter he lifts his head. The annoying smirk on his face pisses me off and I don’t bother waiting to slam my fist into his face.

  Ciro coughs behind me. “Maybe we should try to question him first before you make it so he can’t speak?” I draw in a breath, knowing he is right. I grab the brass knuckles from my pocket, securing them over my fingers.

  “I think you know why you are here. Do you not?” The man spits out blood onto the floor but otherwise remains silent. My irritation grows and I clench my fists. “Okay, let me tell you why. You have been selling drugs in our territories again, and you thought we wouldn’t notice. Poor decision on your part. What I want to know is who the dumbass is that keeps sending you?”

  He looks unfazed at my words and I know he isn’t going to talk. These Russain fucks don’t fear death. Fuck this shit. I smash my knuckles into his jaw, causing his head to snap to the side. “Want to answer my question?”

  “Fuck off.” A dark chuckle escapes my lips. I turn to Ciro.

  “I don’t think he is going to talk.” He watches the man for a moment before nodding. He is calculating, doesn’t run off emotions, just logic. When he nods, my lips pull up in a grin before I turn back to the russian filth. “So since we have already given you a nice warning with your friend before, I don’t think we need to be so kind this time. Ciro?”

  I look back at him. “I think they have had enough mercy. Killing him would send as good a message as any other.” His voice is calm and even, like he was ordering a drink instead of a man's death sentence.

  I allow my control to slip as I take out my frustration over my situation on him. Needing an outlet for everything I can’t control.

  ***

  Standing in the now silent room, my breathing is heavy. My fists are covered in blood as well as specs staining my shirt. I still can’t focus on anything but Gianna. Fuck. I step away from the limp lifeless body on the chair.

  We head out, telling a soldier to deposit the body on the Bravata territory across town. Ciro takes off, leaving me to stew in my head. Knowing I need to find a solution I grab my keys, needing to search for an answer to my problem.

  I find myself pulling up to a high scale apartment in Brooklyn as a feeling of familiarity washes over me. Placing the kickstand down on my bike, I make my way inside, knocking on the door as I wait for her to answer.

  As she cracks the door, I’m met with two hard sapphire eyes. “Daveon?” Her voice is silky smooth, etched with curiosity. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need your help with something Mar. Can I come in?”

  Setting her gun down on the table next to the door she pushes it open before she turns, walking back into her living room. Wearing only a large tee, her gracefully toned legs are on full display, though they don’t hold my attention. Grabbing a pair of pants off the back of the couch she slides them up over her bare legs. I shake my head. This woman…

  “Are you ever not going to answer the door half-naked Mar?”

  “You act like it bothers you Daveon. It's not like you haven’t seen it all before.” She says, reminding me of our past.

  “I know, I just mean it’s not safe. You don’t even fucking look through the peephole to see who is here before you open the door half-naked. Nico would disapprove of it and you know it.”

  She rolls her eyes at me. “You act as if I’m not capable of taking care of myself. Anyway, did you come here to chastise me on how I answer my door or did you need my help with something? Let’s not waste my fucking time.” She walks over to the counter by the window. Opening the decanter, she pours a glass of whisky before turning to me, holding it up. “You want one?”

  I nod as she pours another before heading back to the couch. Crossing her legs overtop she leans back into the couch, looking at me expectantly. “So?”

  “I need you to pull some strings for me. I need you to somehow get Elijah to help me with something.”

  “
Oh fuck.” She groans, taking a big gulp of her drink before looking at me again. “Really? That is what you came here to bother me about? This is what I fucking put pants on for? Forget it. I don't know why you and my brother can't just ask him to do things yourselves. You both act like fucking children.”

  Sitting up straight, I lean forward. “Come on Mar, I can’t ask him myself. You know he doesn't like me. If I ask he won't do a damn thing."

  She lets out a frustrated groan. "Fuck sakes. What do you want anyway?"

  "I need him to pull some strings in Chicago to keep Enzo busy. His father should have passed by now so he is most likely Capo. I need things to happen to keep him preoccupied and busy so he stays put." Her eyes glint with curiosity.

  "Why?"

  "My reasons are my own."

  "Not if you want my fucking help they aren't." She tilts her head, looking at me as if seeing through me. She was always good at reading people. I hated it, how she would always dissect me when we were younger. She was the first to pick up on my nice guy facade, seeing it for what it was.

  Pursing her lips, she narrows her eyes before leaning back on the couch once again. "You know I'd bet my next month's income this is about a girl, isn't it?"

  She must have seen something in my expression because she laughs out. "Oh my, you're in deep aren't you?" My jaw clenches at her spot on accuracy. "Amuse me, who is it?"

  She stares at me waiting for me to reveal the name. "Well, do you want my help or not? Spill it."

  "Fine." I grind out irritated. "You know Liliana's friend from Los Angeles?"

  "Gianna?” She sits up, interested. “And what does the Capo of the Chicago Outfit have to do with any of this?” She tries to piece together the puzzle.

  “That is who she is set to marry.” I watch as shock crosses her smug face.

  “She is already engaged? Does Nico know?”

  I shake my head as I feel her eyes still on me. “What in the world would possess you to go after her when she is already engaged, Daveon? Have you lost your damn mind?”