A Burning Flame

by Daniella Kunz

  His eyes roam over my face before dropping back down to the ring. Seeing his eyes stuck on it, I move my hand, placing it out of his sight. He looks back up at me and I see traces of anger resonating in his eyes. Shoving himself up from the chair, he moves to the kitchen. “So, what do we do now?” I get up, following behind him.

  15

  DAVEON

  I know it's time I tell Nico about what is going on. The fact that I have been keeping this from him in itself is something he could kill me. For putting the Familia at risk and breaking my oath, disrespecting him. Reaching for my phone, I call the one person who might be able to help me figure this mess out. I just hope he doesn’t let his anger get the best of him and kill me first.

  “Daveon, I was just about to call you and check in. How did the last transfer go?” I try to gauge his mood through his tone.

  “It was fine. We didn’t run into any issues as we finished it up last night; we can only take partials to avoid drawing attention.”

  “Good, glad to hear it.” Hell, he sounds like he’s in an awfully good mood. Maybe I got lucky.

  “Yeah, so I have a funny story for you.”

  He remains silent on the other end. When he speaks I can hear his voice darken through the phone. “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to find it funny at all?”

  “Probably because you're a sadist.” I joke, trying to keep the mood light.

  “Just fucking spit it out Daveon.” he says, sounding annoyed at my humor.

  Fuck, here we go. “You want the story version or the blunt version.”

  “What do you fucking think?”

  “Alright then, long story short, I fucked Gianna when she came to New York.” Silence echoes through as he registers what I said.

  “I’m sorry you did what?” I hear him hiss through his teeth at my admission. His tone drops a few notches, but I can tell he is still in control...for now.

  “Gianna, Liliana’s friend, we.-”

  “I know who the fuck she is Daveon, have you lost your fucking mind? Do you realize what could happen?” I hear his breathing pick up as he gets worked up over this. “I can’t fucking believe your dumbass.” He pauses for only a second before he continues. “Oh fuck is that why you offered to go there to do these jobs? Tell me you aren’t with her right now Daveon.”

  “I am, but I need your help. That is why I called.”

  “You have the fucking balls to ask for my help right now? I have half to mind to call the men to go get you and bring you back so I can fucking shoot you for betraying me. Do you know what you have done? You couldn’t manage to do the one thing I asked. I told you to keep her safe and protected. That order meant everyone, yourself included and you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants?”

  “It’s not like that, she’s different.”

  “You're joking right? Do you even hear yourself? This is fucking over. Now. You are to come home tonight and I’ll deal with you then.”

  “Can’t, not without her. She belongs to me now.” I growl possessively through the phone.

  “Oh fuck, Daveon. What do you even plan on doing now, kidnapping her or asking her father for his permission?” He spits out.

  “That's the thing; she is already engaged, has been for a while now.”

  His tone is ice cold. “With who Daveon?”

  “Enzo Vastilli.” I don’t have to explain who he is, since he took over for his father he is known among the families.

  “Figlio di puttana!” He roars out in Italian loud enough for me to have to pull the phone away from my ear. “I already know if I told you to come home again she would be coming with you, and I won’t have her step foot in my fucking city right now. I’m coming out there. I’ll be there in five hours and I want you at the beach house when I get there. You had better pray to God, Daveon because I haven’t made up my mind on what to do with you yet.” The line goes dead as he hangs up, leaving me with his threat.

  Well, it could have been worse. I knew he would be pissed when he found out; it was to be expected. However, I’m not sure what to expect when I see him.

  “I’m assuming he isn’t happy?” Gianna asks. I had forgotten she was standing behind me.

  I run my hand over my face to my chin. “You could say that.”

  “And is he going to help us?"

  "Not sure yet."

  "What do you mean? What did he say?"

  "Aside from a continual string of curses? That he was coming here and wanted to meet. He's pissed Gianna, and he has every right to be. I broke my oath. I went behind his back and put us at risk. It's a betrayal to the Familia and, most of all, Nico. He trusted me. We are brothers. To be honest, I'm not even sure what he is going to do when he sees me. He could very well shoot me and end this problem instead of risking everything to help us." Her eyes widen as I lay out the possibilities.

  "No he wouldn't, you're practically his brother you just said so yourself."

  "Which makes my disloyalty even more punishable."

  "I'm going with you to meet with him. I won't let you go alone."

  "Darlin, you're not going anywhere near him right now, bad fucking idea."

  "Yes, I am. You can't stop me. You have no resources or men at your disposal to keep me here. I'm going."

  I shake my head knowing how bad this could all turn out. "Fine, we have about four hours till we need to leave."

  ***

  We pull up to Nico’s beach house before he arrives. After arguing and trying to convince Gianna to stay home again and failing, we enter the house. Helping myself to Nico’s liquor, I pour drinks before leaning against the counter. I watch Gianna down her drink in one gulp before walking over to me and I watch her with weary eyes. She reaches out grabbing my glass, swapping it with her empty one. She manages to down the contents as well before I grab it back from her. "Fuck Gianna, what are you doing?"

  "Sorry I'm nervous." She shrugs it off.

  Shaking my head I set both now empty glasses down behind me. "Since when do you get so scared? And of Nico."

  "Since the possibility of him shooting you became a real thing." She bites out at me. My expression softens as I watch her. My eyes roam over her face again and I feel a dark pull. My fists clench again out of anger but I do my best to keep it at bay. Without wanting to I look down at her hand. Staring at the fucking obnoxious thing on her finger that I want nothing more than to rip off her.

  Who knew such a little thing could cause so much inner turmoil and rage. I can tell when she notices my eyes on it again because her body tenses before she slips her hand behind her, out of sight. Reaching to her wrist I pull her hand back out, jerking her to me. Wanting to taste her but not wanting to hurt her again, I place my lips to her throat. Moving them along her jawline as my tongue flicks out against her skin. As I nibble my way to her pulse point, I place my mouth over it sucking lightly as I drink in her rising heartbeat. Sending a silent fuck you to Enzo as I feel it race under my lips.

  Wanting nothing more than to really get it worked up, I don't notice the car pull up outside at my distraction. Hearing the slamming of a door pulls my attention from her as I pull away, straightening myself. Within seconds the front door is ripped open as Nico enters the house. He stops at the entryway to the kitchen as he watches us. He is seething as he turns his hardened gaze to Gianna. If he notices her face he doesn't give any indication of caring as he eyes her menacingly. Feeling a wave of protection wash over me, I step in front of her, blocking Nico's silent assault.

  A flash of pure rage crosses his eyes as I step towards him. I notice him take a step forward before balling his fist and striking out as he punches me square in the face. Fuck! I should have seen that coming.

  I feel as blood runs from my nose at his connection. He steps closer getting into my face. "When I told you to watch her in New York so we didn't start a war. I didn't mean you were the exception! You fucked her, in my house, behind my back! You deliberately disobeyed my order.”

  G
ianna steps forward. "It wasn't his fault. It was mine." His dark gaze narrows on her as she speaks.

  "Do not fucking speak unless you are spoken to. You are no better. Do you know the danger you could put Liliana in for this? Some fucking sister you claim to be." She blanches at his harsh words.

  "Nico calm down. She didn't mean for any of this to.-" He presses a finger into my chest.

  "You shut the fuck up. You're lucky I haven't already put a bullet in your head for your disobedience." Glancing between us both, he continues. "You have just started a fucking war; both Chicago and Los Angeles will want our heads for this. And now I'm left with a decision to make. I could kill you right here and now. After all, you would fucking deserve that fate. Or I can simply let this play out. Then when the time comes and they call for your heads, I can give you both up for them to punish as they see fit. Or I can allow this foolish lustful affair to continue damning and putting everything I have at risk. Including Liliana!" He roars out in rage, looking as if he wants to smash my head into the wall behind me.

  I remain silent knowing now isn’t the time to push him. Taking a step back he puts a little distance between us, looking as if he wants to hit me again. Going against his orders and putting us in this situation he could do a lot worse, should do a lot worse, but he won’t and we both know it.

  I would let him if he did though, after all I deserve it. I swore an oath to him, both as my brother and Capo and I broke that. In our world that is something unforgivable and had I been any other man, he wouldn't have hesitated to shoot me.

  "Whatever ridiculous plan you have, it's over. The fooling around has to stop now. Enzo is going to be fucking livid when he finds out she isn't a virgin. Though I doubt there will be any ties to us. After all her father can't outright blame us for it when he allowed her to come in secret." He says, trying to work out reason in his head." You are coming back to New York with me, and Gianna will marry Enzo. End of discussion."

  "If I go, she goes. She will not marry him."

  "Maybe you didn't hear me correctly. I said, end of discussion. This isn’t open for debate. You have caused enough problems already because you couldn't keep your dick in your pants."

  "She belongs to me, and I won’t allow that twisted fuck to touch her again." At my words he looks her over once again—this time taking in her face along with the ring on her finger.

  Nico raises a brow at me. "You realize she is wearing his ring right?"

  "Yes, I am fucking aware, thanks." I bite out bitterly at him.

  "You had better watch your tone, Daveon. You’re already on thin ice.” Nico clips out harshly at my attitude and anger simmering over.

  "If you won't help me then you can leave us here. I won't leave her." I stand resolved though my words go against everything I have ever stood for. I may not have been born into the mafia but was taken in by it. By Nico in particular, I not only gave my life to him, but I owe it to him, and here I stand making an impossible choice.

  Running a hand through his hair he curses. "Do you love her?" The question is so blunt and straightforward. It's nothing I have thought about before now though I know the answer immediately.

  "Yes." I confirm holding no hesitation. I feel her stiffen at my admission beside me.

  He stares at me for a long while, holding me with his hard gaze. Hearing a commotion outside, we both whip our heads in the direction of the door just as Liliana comes flying through the threshold. "Gianna!" Two guards come barreling in after her coming to a halt as they see Nico and the deadly look he is giving them.

  "You two morons couldn't manage to keep her in the fucking car?" They both sputter an excuse about how she got out, fumbling over each other. Liliana brushes past Nico heading to Gianna. When she steps from behind me Liliana gasps at seeing the state of her face.

  Whirling on me she glares up at me. "What did you do to her?!"

  Irritation spreads at her assumption. As if I would ever do this to her. "Lil, it wasn't Daveon" Gianna lifts her hand up showing the ring. "It was Enzo." Liliana pushes past me before grabbing Gianna and pulling her into a hug.

  “Oh my gosh, are you okay? I can’t believe this happened!” Spinning she faces Nico. “We have to help.”

  “Liliana go back to the car and stay the fuck out of this.” He commands his wife. I watch as she fights an internal battle between wanting to help and respecting her husband's wishes.

  “Nico please.” Her soft spoken voice pleads with him. As he stares at her I see his expression soften slightly.

  "This will put you at risk and I will not allow that to happen again."

  "Then we can figure out a way to do this without war." She goes to him standing before him as she consumes his attention. It's quite amazing actually, to watch his darkness ebb away at her presence.

  "And how do you suppose we do that. I have pulls but not here. Not in L.A."

  "What about an alliance? My father and Dante don't like Enzo. Now that he has taken over for his father, the alliance we have will surely only be held on by a thread." Gianna speaks up beside me.

  Nico turns his attention back to us before settling it on me. Drawing a deep breath he exhales slowly. "You're a lucky bastard, Daveon. I'll help you brother, but know if you betray me again for whatever reason that be, I will kill you." His voice is hard and I know he is serious. "You better call Marina, we are going to need her help for this one."

  16

  DAVEON

  For the first time since I have become Made, I get an unnerving uncertainty that settles in my stomach. I have never been afraid of anyone in my life. I’m still not, but the possibility of this meeting going south is high and I need this, of all things to work out in my favor. More for Gianna’s sake than for mine, though it will make things quite difficult if they refuse us.

  We sit at Nico’s beach house, trying to be patient as we wait for Marina to arrive. She is late as usual and while I try to be patient, Nico isn't. "Where the fuck is she?"

  "I'm sure she will be here any minute."

  "She better or I'll.-"

  "Or you'll what?" Marina's voice calls from behind us, heels clicking under her feet on the flooring. Coming to a stop in front of us she places her hand on her hip as she raises a brow at him.

  "Took you long enough." Nico grinds out at her.

  "Yeah Mar, we are going to a meeting not on a date." Glancing down at her attire, I catch sight of her tattoo on her thigh peeking out just under her tight blush pink pencil skirt. "Wait, that's what you're wearing? How the hell are you gonna get out of the room if something goes down being in heels and a skirt?"

  "Why don’t you worry about yourselves and not me. Last time I checked negotiations were my forte, so go ahead and stay out of what I'm good at."

  "Are you even able to carry a gun in that Marina?" Nico asks, shaking his head.

  Reaching down she slips her hand between her legs causing Nico's forehead to pinch. Within a matter of seconds she pulls a gun out from inside of her thigh as she holds it up, showing us. "Happy? For fuck sakes, you two are dramatic."

  "How do you even…" Nico starts before stopping himself, shaking his head. "Nope, nevermind, I don't want to know or care. Can we go now? Does Ciro have him?" Nico asks Marina.

  "Yeah. You're sure about this? Does Liliana know?"

  "Yes she does, she doesn't know how she feels, but she would do anything for Gianna so she is looking past it." She nods at his explanation. "Anyways, we need to go. We are gonna be late."

  "Everybody knows you're supposed to arrive fashionably late to a party, Nico. Don't be such a bore." Marina pipes up in a chipper voice.

  "Mar, this isn't a party, it's a fucking meeting, with a rival family, on their territory." I remind her as if she has lost her mind.

  Shrugging she walks back to the door. "It might not be to you pussies, but it sure sounds like a hell of a party to me." I exchange looks with Nico as she steps outside and he only shakes his head in response to her. Only Marina would be
excited about this. This girl is fucking crazy and dangerous as shit, not to mention she doesn't take shit from anyone. Nico was smart not to force her to marry someone. She'd have probably killed him by now if he had.

  ***

  We arrive at an old Italian restaurant as we pull up to the address given to us for the meeting. Dante didn't want us to be anywhere near his home, not that I blame the guy. He was skeptical enough when Nico reached out requesting this meeting in the first place.

  My instincts shift on as I glance around, taking in every detail of our surroundings, making sure nothing or no one looks out of place. I climb out, instinctively reaching back, placing my hand over my gun on my waist. When nothing happens I turn, giving Marina and Nico a nod for them to follow.

  Taking the lead I walk up to the door. As I step through, a bell chimes above notifying anyone inside of our arrival. Looking around, the restaurant is deserted. It is as if life has been sucked out of the main room compared to what looks like a fairly frequented joint. As I finish my sweep around the room I notice a man leaning casually beside the wall in the corner. I catch sight of something metal reflecting off the light as he spins a knife around in his hands, silently watching us.

  As he catches sight of Marina his eyebrows raise. It's not typical for a woman to accompany men to a meeting, so I'm not surprised by his shock. Most Familia's that we work with are familiar with it by now, so I forget it's uncommon for most.

  His shock seems to dissipate as he takes her in. Her sheer black shirt over a black bra doesn't hide much, as you can make out the outlines of tattoos on her pale skin. Her pink skirt raised high on her thighs and stilettos are not your normal business attire, but he doesn't seem to mind as he stares at her.

  "Can I help you?" Her voice dances across the room to him. A grin pulls on his lips at her attention.

  "Are you lost baby, because I don't think this is the place for you to be right now?"

  "Oh? And where should I be instead?"

  "Somewhere where you'll be safe and protected. Away from here babygirl, or did these two bring you in hopes of keeping themselves safe. To cower behind a woman?" He asks, goading us as he turns his attention to Nico and myself. As intended my irritation flares at his comment and my fists clench. Any other situation I'd have gone over and proved his comment wrong.