Wait. What? Seventeen years? But that would mean he was only nine when he…
He glanced at me when he realised what he’d just said, a darkness I hadn’t seen before settling over his face.
“I’ve got a fucked-up past, Aiani. As I said, the less you know about me, the better.” He threw his cigarette out of the window. “Look… what happened tonight… I won’t say a word to anyone. I know you think you can’t trust me, or that I might blackmail you or some shit, but I won’t. I kissed you and sucked your dick because it’s all I’ve thought about doing since the moment I saw you again. No, fuck that. It’s all I’ve thought about since the moment you touched my arm and thanked me a year ago.”
My lips parted as I stared at him. My heart was pounding again. My dick was coming back to life.
“But if you want to shoot me, then to be honest, it was still fucking worth it—”
My lips were on his before he’d even finished his sentence. Why? Fuck knows. But I couldn’tnotkiss him when he said shit like that. He grabbed my face, deepening the kiss, and I was ready to rip his clothes off, shove his upper body out the window, and fuck him bare.Cristo,what was wrong with me? He’d unleashed a monster.
We kissed for what felt like hours, groping and exploring each other’s bodies through our clothes until he whispered against my lips, “I’m not taking your virgin ass in this car. Let’s go back to my place.”
The thought of being fucked by him sent exhilaration through my body, but also blind panic. I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t be fucked by a man. There was no coming back from that. A blowjob was one thing, but having him inside me… no.
I shoved his chest, pushing him off me, and we both panted heavily, staring. He must have seen something in my eyes that triggered him because he swore, ran his hand down his face, and then moved back to his seat.
“Sorry. Too much.”
I swallowed, my cheeks burning. “Take me back to the Buccinis.”
He did. We drove in silence. I hid as we drove through the gates and climbed out the moment he parked at the back entrance. He didn’t get out. We didn’t say goodbye. He drove away, and I let him, because that was for the best, no matter how wrong it felt.
Chapter five
Present Day
“So that’s my plan,” I said after explaining the detailed operation that would have the Americans on their knees. It was risky and possibly the deadliest idea I’d ever had, but if we wanted to end this war, we had to show them how serious we were.
Alessio shook his head, pacing with his hands on his hips behind Enzo’s chair. My eyes were locked on my ex-lover, watching his every move. I hated that I still cared more about what he thought than about anything else.
“It’s genius, Finn,” he said, his crystal eyes gleaming like diamonds and his slow, evil smile spreading. My chest swelled with pride at his compliment, but I gave him a curt nod.
“It’s suicide. That’s what it is. No. Not happening,” Alesso growled, glaring at me from across the room. I knew he wouldn’t be happy. Not when I was putting myself in the firing line.
“How sure are you that we can do this? How reliable is your source?” Enzo asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. My eyes were drawn to the sun-kissed, smooth skin of his pecs, visible through the open buttons of his shirt.Damn, why did the fucker still have to be so fine?
“Very,” I said, clearing my throat and forcing my mind back to business. “We’ve been following Don Joey Galiz and his consigliere, Frankie, for a while. I hacked into two of their clubs’ databases and found one sex worker who was always around whenever Frankie frequented those clubs. He’s one of Frankie’s favourites and was more than willing to give me what I needed to know for a price. He’s probably one of the richest prostitutes in America now. Frankie is a closeted gay man and power-hungry. If we can blackmail him into a meeting and create a truce, this all ends. And he will know who I am. He will meet with me alone.”
“But surely Joey is the man who holds all the power? He’s the bloodthirsty one set on avenging his father?” Enzo asked.
“Joey is young and easily manipulated by this man.” I stabbed my finger at the photo of Frankie, his uncle and consigliere. “Frankie holds all the power and is the brains behind the brawn. Joey will flounder without him, so if we target Frankie, we will have a better chance of negotiating terms.”
Alessio huffed, dragging his hand down his face because he knew I was right. We’d talked about this before. Frankie was the key. He didn’t give a fuck about revenge. He just wanted power and money. But Joey wanted justice for his father. If we tore the two apart, we’d have a better chance.
“Enzo and I will fly to America and use my connection to ambush Frankie in a one-on-one meeting, consigliere to consigliere.”
“I don’t like it. So much could go wrong,” Alessio exhaled. “I’m coming too.”
I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. “You know that isn’t going to happen. You’re the Boss of Italy. You’re too important. You’re staying here, Precious.”
The glare my best friend shot me should have put me six feet underground. “You’re a fucking asshole, Finn Rossetti. You think I’m going to let you go without me?”
“I do. Because one of us needs to stay on Italian soil, or they will see us coming.”
He slammed his hand against the wall, knowing I was right.
“Alessio.” Enzo’s voice was deep and serious, drawing our attention. “I’ll die before I let anything happen to Finn. I know you love him, but I love him too. He’s the only thing in my life I’d gladly die for.”
