I see I am not the only one he got a rise out of as Marina lifts her heel up to her before hurling something in the man's direction. The soft thump of a knife sticking into the wall next to his head causes all of us to whip around, looking at her once more. "I'm sure this baby girl can protect herself, and these men don't need to cower behind me. Now, are you going to get your Boss so we can get this started or are you going to stand there all day like a worthless limp cock."
"I don't know how you do things in New York but here our women respect men."
"And in New York, we respect our women." I grind out irritated at this prick.
Grabbing the knife from the wall he walks over to us. My hand reaches back to my gun, unsure of what he plans to do. I tense as he stops in front of Marina. Twirling the knife intricately in his hand before pointing it at her chest. "Not bad, though next time you throw something make sure you hit your target. Others might not take too kindly to being aimed at. Even if you miss."
"Oh, I didn't miss."
"I would say that too." He flashes her a cocky grin. "Now last chance, you gonna run off to get your nails done so the men can do some work? You shouldn't be here anyway. Women don't belong in mafia business, in fact they don't belong in anything aside from warming a bed.” He pauses raising his eyebrows. “If you're interested I could send you on your way to warm mine while I finish some business here. That's a much more suitable place for you to be."
I watch as she drops the nice girl facade, sneering at him with an icy glare. Lifting her knee, her skirt rises, bunching up as she jams it up into his groin. Yanking her knife from his hand as he doubles over swearing. "Fuck. You little bitch!" He pulls out his knife as he glares hatred at her. I'm about to pull out my gun when another voice echos into the room.
"Jace! What the fuck are you doing?" I look up as Dante enters the room. Though I haven't met him I have seen him before and he looks the same as I recall. After a moment of collecting himself, Jace stands up straight, still red with anger, in acknowledgment as Dante comes up to us. Another man shuffles into the room with him, standing back a ways. I realize it is Gianna’s father after getting a good glance at him. His eyes are on me, watching me curiously, seeing as how we have met before.
Dante gestures to the table behind him, motioning for us to sit so we can begin. We take our places, us on one side and them on the other. While Jace is throwing theoretical daggers at Marina and Gianna’s father looking at me quizzically, Dante and Nico stare at each other.
"So why are you here? Why did you request this meeting Nicoli? I had half a mind to deny you but my curiosity was too much to decline."
"I have a proposition for you."
Leaning back in his seat, he watches Nico. "I'm listening."
"I'm proposing an alliance between our Families."
Dantes laughter roars out throughout the room. "And why the fuck would we want to ally with you?"
Nico’s chair scrapes back as he stands. “Are you trying to offend me Dante?” His tone is harsh.
Oh shit.
“Sit down!” Dante bellows across the table.
“You do not order me around, I don’t care whose territory we are in.”
A gun clicks as all of our heads whip to Jace. A gun raised at the potential threat to his boss. Like a chain reaction everyone around the table draws their guns. No one speaks as we stare at each other in a tense and strangled silence. After a moment Marina sets hers down on the table. Holding up her hands in a truce.
She takes her turn speaking up. Everyone is listening even though no one's eyes have moved from the guns still in the air. "Let's be adults shall we? Dante, you are in an alliance with the Chicago Outfit and you would rather cut your balls off than have to deal with their ridiculous requests now that Enzo has taken over." His brows draw as she continues. "I'm sure he already has, hasn't he? I also know you need their alliance for support should you need a Familia to back you in a war."
"I need no one!" Dante pridefully slams his fist on the table as he raises his voice at her.
She slowly walks over to him and all eyes watch her movements. Sitting against the table in front of him she places her hands down leaning back on them comfortably. Unfazed that a gun is merely inches from her body. "Everyone needs someone Dante. Being a leader of your statue must be hard to uphold. You have to make sure you do and make the right choices while not risking looking weak and losing face, that can't be easy to do." She reaches out toying with the end of his tie. "It's rather impressive."
He seems to be thrown by her presence. I’m a bit shocked as he lowers his gun. Settling back in his chair at her appraisal of him, making me and Jace roll our eyes. He is clearly a prideful man. Nico drops his own gun, as does everyone else. The curtain of tension falls and I’m baffled at how Marina can manage to settle a room full of pissed off Mafia men into submission.
"I do hate the alliance with the Outfit. I won't deny it, but why would an alliance with you be any different?"
"Because we have resources you don't. We cover the east coast while you the west, imagine what kind of goods we could shuffle through at each other's disposal. We have an unlimited stretch over northern states, and those resources could be at your disposal as well."
"You're not actually buying what this fucking concubine is saying, are you?" Jace says, in an unbelieving voice.
"J.D, be silent!" He roars out at his companion before turning back to Marina. "What's in it for you? Why do you want this?"
"We are allowed your resources and allowed to pass shipments through a few times a year. In return you are allowed the same entities. "
"That is all?"
"That is all." He watches us warily as he debates our proposal. "It's a tempting offer but I don't know." He ponders over what Marina has offered before turning his attention to Nico. "After all I am well aware of whom your wife is Nicoli. I'm curious how that came to be." His gaze hardens on us.
Nico tenses beside me at the mention of Liliana. "Her father had stolen from me and she was given to me as payment for his life to be spared."
"So you planned on killing him on my territory?"
"You would have done the same thing Dante, don't bother denying it. That man is a traitorous coward and deserved death. I wish I had killed him instead of allowing him to live."
"Hmm, yes, it's a shame that he has run away, denying us both the opportunity for retribution." He pauses, thinking. "Well, we already have an alliance of sorts with your marriage, though it doesn’t hold much standing considering her ties to us were severed when her father left."
Nico nods. "Speaking of Antonio, I have something for you. Consider it a celebratory gift should you accept. Daveon do you mind getting it?" I nod having stayed silent through this whole exchange. It's not my place to make negotiations, nor is it my strong suit. I'm better at the violent side of things. Making my way to the car where Ciro is waiting I tap on the window. Opening the car we grab out the man, who tries to wrestle his way free. Dragging him back into the restaurant we toss him onto the floor in front of Dante. His forehead pinches in confusion as he stares at the heap of a man, with his head covered on the ground.
"What is this?"
"When I heard that he disappeared, I thought it would be wise to track him down. After all, he did steal from me. I was going to kill him myself but he is yours to do as you please. Consider it a gift in regards to our new alliance." Marina pushes off the table, grabbing the bag over the man's face pulling it off.
I hear a chair shift, scraping along the floor as Jace stands up, narrowing his eyes on Antonio. Dante looks between the bound and gagged traitor and Nico as a sinister grin grows on his face. "So tell me Nicoli, are you prepared for a war? Because Enzo will not be happy about this. Once we cut ties with them and revoke the marriage agreement between Gianna and him, he will likely lash out."
"We are."
He nods his head, never taking his eyes off Antonio. "Good well, I suppose we should give you a gift as well
. As I did not plan for this I don't have anything prepared. Perhaps though we can trade. Gianna was to marry Enzo and while none of us were thrilled over that engagement, I don't see why that agreement shouldn't transfer. Lorenzo? What do you think on the matter?"
His eyes narrow on me as if he sees this for what it is. "I suppose depending on who you plan on giving her to. I won't have her embarrassed by transferring her hand from a Capo to a mere soldier in your ranks."
Nico shakes his head. "No, of course not, she will be given to my consigliere, the highest rank aside from myself." I feel Nico’s hand as he places it over my shoulder. "Lorenzo, this is Daveon, my consigliere. Is this a union you agree with?"
Lorenzo narrows his eyes further, sensing more than we say over this newfound arrangement but not declining. At his pause Dante looks over to him, waiting for his reply. Knowing he won’t decline the offer. "Yes, I condone the arrangement."
17
GIANNA
"So you and Daveon, huh? I knew there was something up." Liliana looks at me with accusing eyes.
"I know. I'm sorry for not telling you. I just didn't know how."
She reaches out holding my hand as we sit on my couch. "It's ok." It feels oddly nostalgic having her in my apartment again. I missed the familiarity that settles over me from it. "Do you think everything is going okay at their meeting?" Her face pulls tight with concern.
"Relax Lil, I'm sure everything is fine. And even if something does go wrong, Nico and Daveon can get themselves out of any situation. I wouldn't worry." She nods at my attempt to help her relax.
"It's just been a while and we haven't heard from them is all."
"Stop worrying they will be here any.-" My sentence is cut short as I hear knocking on the door. Getting up I open the door to find Daveon, Nico, and another woman.
"Did you seriously just open the door without knowing who it was first?" Nico grinds out at me. I place my hand over my hip defiantly.
"Yes, is there a problem Hades? I have guards who watch the building, you know. So it's not like anyone can get in here." He looks from me to Daveon. The clenching of his jaw tells me he is still angry over the whole thing.
"Clearly not anyone can get in here." He rolls his eyes before pushing past me, going to Liliana now standing with a radiant smile waiting for him. I can't help but watch as he pulls her to him, wrapping her in his embrace. She reaches up placing a hand over his face as he whispers something to her, causing her skin to glow with a light blush. He dips down claiming her lips in a kiss.
I turn my head, feeling like I'm intruding on their intimacy, to see I am not the only one. Both Daveon and the woman next to him are watching them as well. My attention becomes focused on the beautiful woman beside Daveon. She is incredibly sensual in every way, from her posture to the way she parts her lips as she breathes. I love her outfit though I don't know if I love her in it beside Daveon. Jealousy, really? I shush my mind from going there.
She turns her attention off Nico and looks at me, eyeing me as I just had her. "Well, you are hot aren’t you. No wonder Daveon couldn't keep it in his pants. So what happened?" She asks, nodding at my bruised face.
She's awfully blunt. "I slapped my fiancee in the face cutting his lip in front of my father and Capo and he lashed out." She raises a brow at me.
"Okay, not bad I'm impressed and a little turned on. You definitely just got hotter. Damn, girl." Turning to Daveon she adds, "well if you're ever in the mood to share, call me for a three way because I would totally switch sides." She jokes, blowing a kiss at me.
"We will not be having a three way." He shakes his head, dismissing her sarcasm.
"That's fine. You don't have to be there, it would be weird anyway since you're more like a brother now. I couldn't imagine going there again."
"She is mine." Daveon growls out. "I don't share."
Wait, again? My head whips back and forth between the two—jealousy rearing up once more. And I was starting to like this girl.
Marina musically laughs at having gotten him worked up. "You can relax, I play for the other team...well, most of the time." She shrugs.
"Fuck off, Marina."
"I always do." She brushes past him making her way inside. "Oh Daveon, you might wanna reach down your pants and re-adjust your thong, I think it might be riding too far up your ass." He flips her off in return as she smirks heading over to Nico and Liliana.
My eyes follow Marina inside as Daveon clears his throat behind me. Turning to him, I give him a questioning look. He lifts his hand to his hair, causing his muscles to flex in his arm as he runs it through. "So that's Marina, Nico’s sister. She's kind of a lot." He laughs, sounding oddly nervous.
"Not a lot for you apparently. Seems like you have a type." I say, annoyed that I'm bothered by their history. He takes a deep breath as if having expected my attitude.
"Can we talk about that later, when it's just you and I?"
"I'm sure now is as good a time as any."
"At least wait until everyone leaves, woman." I narrow my eyes at his dismissal of the subject. I spin around heading back inside as Daveon follows. Going into the kitchen I grab out a bottle of wine and whisky from the cupboard along with some glasses. Daveon comes over, reaching toward my full arms before I jerk away.
"I can carry it myself thank you." My voice comes out a little more bitter than I intend it to as I push past him into the living room where everyone is sitting comfortably. "Drinks anyone?"
"Oh, I want some wine!" Liliana chirps up. I grin as I pour her a glass before looking over to Nico.
“Can I get you anything Hades?”
“Whisky strait.”
“Same” Marina says after. I pour them both some whisky before getting myself a full glass of wine. As I look around for a place to sit, I see an open spot by Marina on the couch and a single seat on another chair. Just to be vindictive I chose to sit on the loveseat, which will force Daveon to sit next to Marina.
As Daveon pours himself a glass of whisky, he watches me sit before looking over at the open space near Marina. He looks at me incredulously, knowing I did it on purpose. As he stands he walks to the coffee table, making me think he is going to sit next to her on the couch. I take a large gulp from my glass as I watch him over the rim. Instead of sitting next to her, he walks past and stands in front of me. Reaching down he lifts me up before plopping down with me now in his lap. All the while never spilling a drop of my wine. “Excuse you.”
I shift to move off him as his arm tightens around my waist holding me in place. I wiggle around trying to break free before exhaling loudly and resigning. When I look back up Liliana is watching me, and I don’t miss the smirk pulling on Marina’s face as she shakes her head not looking over at us. “So, I’m assuming the meeting went well? I have to assume because not a fucking one of you has said anything about it yet.”
“Yes, it did. Dante agreed to an alliance with us.” Nico states the business outcome of the meeting.
Liliana jumps up at Nico. “Yay! So Gianna can come visit more often!”
He grumbles something under his breath too low for me to hear, though if the swat Liliana gives to his arm is any indication, I’m sure it wasn’t warm and sweet. I do however, feel her excitement knowing we won’t be restricted from seeing each other anymore. “So what does that mean? What about the Outfit?”
“That you will have to discuss with Daveon. Speaking of which, I think it’s time we get going.” He looks between Liliana and Marina. “We need to get back.” As he stands he turns his attention to Daveon. “I expect you back in New York in a couple of days as well, Daveon. I will have someone else take over here once we work out everything with Dante.”
Daveon is leaving? As everyone goes to leave, I get up. Feeling suddenly nervous at being alone with him and whatever news they wouldn't tell me earlier. Am I still being forced to marry Enzo? Surely Daveon would have said something by now if not. My heart sinks as I think over what this means. Is that why Nic
o is pulling him back to New York?
“So, you wanna tell me what the hell your attitude was about earlier?” He asks, pulling me back from my thoughts.
My attitude matches his at the mention of the topic. “So you two used to fuck?”
“We had in the past.”
“So what you dated her?”
“It's not like that. There were no feelings involved, we were drinking together and it just happened. We didn’t anymore after that; it was a one time thing.”
“Why not? I can see it, you would make a good couple. After all it would be more convenient to be with her, seeing as how I am still engaged.” I say, lifting my hand up to him. Seeing the reaction I knew I would get, he pushes me back into the wall. Grabbing my hand he holds it up between us.
“You’re right, you are still engaged.” The hope I had tried to suppress is snuffed out like a flame deprived of oxygen.
I’m still engaged to Enzo. Reaching out with his other hand he grasps the ring between his fingers as he yanks it off my finger, dropping it into his pocket. My eyes widen as I stare at my now free hand, free from Enzo’s tight grasp. “Daveon, what are you doing?!”
“What I should have done the moment I fucking saw this thing.”
“You can’t, Enzo will come. I’m still engaged to him. Hell, he has probably already noticed and is making plans to head here now.”
“Darlin’, I said you were still engaged, but I didn’t say to whom.” My brows draw together in confusion as I try to keep up with him. He reaches down lifting me up as he walks me to the counter setting me down so I am face to face with him. He gets serious as he looks at me. Reaching his hand up, he brushes a stray strand of hair from my face.
“Gianna, your beauty may have been what drew me in, but it was your scorching embers and blazing flames that keep me wanting you. I am drawn to the fire you have burning inside of you. It keeps me warm and alive each time I reach out and get burned by it. I need to feel it every day." He reaches back into his pocket, drawing out a different ring. "I have always been a man who liked to play with fire, and now I have my very own. My personal embodiment of fire." Grabbing my hand he reaches out to push the ring onto my finger replacing the other.
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