The Past
It had been three weeks since our last training day at the Buccini gym, and I hadn’t seen Finn since. His priority, his loyalty, and his job were to protect Elenora, following her wherever she went. Which, unfortunately, meant he was four hours away at her university most of the time. But after he rubbed our dicks against each other and made me come so hard I thought I touched heaven’s gates, I agreed to exchange numbers. I couldn’t ignore the pull I felt towards him anymore. I didn’twantto ignore it.
It had been twenty-one days of hushed phone calls, constant streams of flirty texts, and a countdown of the days, hours and minutes until tonight. It was Giovanni’s birthday, and we were all heading to one of his VIP clubs in Verona to celebrate. Thatmeant Elle was coming home for the weekend, and the man I couldn’t stop obsessing over was coming with her.
I attached my cufflinks to the sleeves of my black shirt as I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. Too smart. No cufflinks. I removed them and rolled my sleeves up. Too casual? I did up the second button on my shirt, then undid it again.
Cazzo,this was ridiculous. So were the flutters in my stomach that would not fucking quit. I’d never felt like this before. So damn excited to see someone again. And that’s all it would be. Stolen glances across a room. Maybe we’d manage a brief conversation or two. But just knowing I’d be in the same place as he was, that I’d be able to get lost in those brown eyes for even a second before I’d have to look away, was intoxicating. Thrilling.
Smoothing my shirt, I took one last look at myself. Even with Finn gone, I’d still been going to the gym every day. I’d found a routine. Wake up, do weights and cardio in the mornings, then boxing and Jiu-Jitsu three times a week with a trainer. He wasn’t as good as Finn, but I liked how it made me feel stronger, healthier, and more prepared. I also liked how my body was changing. My thighs were thicker, my biceps tighter against my shirts, and my abs were becoming more defined, one row at a time. I was still nowhere near Finn’s level, but I wanted to impress him, to show him I’d listened and was putting in the effort. I wanted to make him proud.
What was happening to me?
By the time my car pulled up outside the club, my hands were trembling, and I kept rubbing them against my thighs to wipe away the sweat.Calm down, Enzo. Nodding to my three men, I climbed out of the car and walked straight past the bouncers, who held back the VIP rope to let us in. Giovanni had secured the top floor of the club for himself and his closest friends and family. I felt honoured to be included. As soon as I entered theelegant bar area, my eyes searched the room for Finn, but I couldn’t spot him anywhere.
“Aiani!” Max threw his tattooed arm over my shoulders and dragged us towards the bar. “What are you drinking?”
“Whiskey. On the rocks.”
“Make that two.”
The barman poured our drinks, and Max leaned against the bar on one elbow, fixing his gaze on me.
“Heard about that attack a few weeks ago. Sorry, man. Honestly, it pisses me off. So what if you’re only twenty and the third-wealthiest Boss in the North? That should make them back off, not think they can take it from you. Jealous fucks.”
“Young equals weak and inexperienced. They aren’t wrong. But I’m trying to change that.”
He slapped my shoulder. “That’s right. You’ll show them, Kid. And if you’re ever in trouble of any kind, you know you can count on me, don’t you? I’m a Buccini through and through, but you’re Cami’s baby brother. That makes you my family.”
“Appreciate it,” I replied, bringing the glass to my lips and taking my first sip. It took the edge off my bubbling nerves, but my eyes kept searching. “Is Elenora here yet?”
Max’s grin widened with that mischievous glint, and I realised I’d just given him the wrong impression. But fuck it. It was a good cover for who I was really interested in.
“Should be here any minute. So, does that mean you’re interested in my cousin? Cami will be over the moon.”
My gaze drifted to my sister, who was seated with Cecilia in a booth. She smiled and waved.
“Only a fool wouldn’t be interested in Elenora. She’s stunning.” But that fool would be me, because I was more interested in the muscle that protected her.
“Bit of advice,Fratello,” Max said, leaning into my side. “Take your time with that one. Elle doesn’t want a mafia man. Shewants a best friend, a lover, and a protector, all rolled into one. And she wants out of this life. You’ll have your work cut out for you. And then there’s Giovanni. Respect goes a long way with him. He won’t let you near his sister unless he trusts you. You’re already halfway there, but he’ll never marry Elle off to a man she doesn’t want. So you have to impress them both.”
His words died to white noise the moment I saw Elenora enter, wearing a beautiful silver dress, her arm tucked into Finn’s elbow. My mouth went as dry as a desert. He wore a fitted black T-shirt with rolled sleeves that cut across his biceps, showing off his tattoos, and smart black trousers that moulded around his thighs like a second skin. His dark hair was swept back from his face. He smiled, watching Elle as she spoke to him, but his eyes were guarded, scanning the surroundings for any threats. He was so fucking hot. All masculine beauty and lethal power. A protector.
The tension in his shoulders eased slightly as Giovanni greeted them and handed Elle a glass of champagne. She released his arm and strutted over to Olivia, kissing both her cheeks. Finn stayed two steps behind, stopping and clasping his hands behind his back as he surveyed the room again. His eyes found mine. Everything else blurred into the background. I held my breath as his lips curved just faintly, not enough for anyone else to notice, only for me.
Hey. There you are.
My heart fluttered.
“Yeah, you might want to dial it back a bit.” Max laughed beside me, and Finn’s eyes snapped to him before he quickly looked away. The spell was broken.
“W-what?” I asked, blinking and forcing my attention back to my brother-in-law.
My body was burning. The ache to go to Finn, touch him, and hear his voice was overwhelming. I turned my back on the roomand leaned against the bar. But of course, there was a mirror behind it, still giving me a view of what was happening behind me.
Finn’s gaze shifted towards me again, his eyes sliding down my back with a phantom touch and settling on my ass. My heart hammered. My cock twitched. He was staring at my ass as if he wanted to ruin it. His nostrils flared, and he forced himself to look away, rubbing his jaw and then… my God, subtly adjusting his trousers.
“You were practically foaming at the mouth when Elle walked in. Play it cool, man.”
