Out the corner of my eye, I notice Mattia watching me, and a cheeky smile crosses his lips. Shit, did I give it away? Does he know I understand what they’re saying? If he does, he doesn’t let on. I quickly lower my gaze to my plate and continue to pick at it as I hear Mattia join in.
“Io voto per il Rosso per restare.”I vote for Red to stay. He seems to be the jokester of the brothers.
The look Luciano gives them tells me enough. “Voto affinché Red rimanga.”She isn’t going anywhere. This man is dangerous, and by the way the brothers are reacting to him, possibly in charge too.
“Red, ignore them,” Mattia pipes up. “You’re going to have fun here. We have Friday movie nights, family dinners every night, plus you don’t have to do anything because we have maids and chefs that do it all. It’s like living at a hotel.”
“So, what am I supposed to do here?” I ask. This all seems very strange.
He grins. “Just relax.”
As soon as I’m finished eating, I quickly excuse myself to slip upstairs to my room. I close the door behind me and notice all my bags have been unpacked. Only a handful of items lay on top of my bed for me to put away. The quietness of my room wrapping around me isa small comfort compared to the awkwardness at dinner. Pulling out my phone, I send a quick text to Mel.
Hey girl, arrived safely at the family estate x
I walk out onto my balcony, taking in the view of the estate. Although it’s dark, a few lights scatter around in the distance, making me wonder what’s out there.
5
Luciano
The faint glow of the CCTV monitors cut sharp lines across the office. I sit rigid, irritation simmering just beneath my surface. It’s been nearly a week since Charlie moved into the mansion, her presence a constant thorn in my side. Yet, despite every ounce of frustration, I can’t tear my eyes away. Her safety is non-negotiable. She is the rightful heir to the Cosa Nostra, so keeping her identity hidden from the rival families is our main goal for now. With Caterina gone, a storm is brewing, and everyone is eager to claim a piece of the Cosa Nostra. I’m not Carlisi by blood, so all the rival families know I’m only interim Don until the real one emerges—whois the question on everyone’s lips.
But every second she spends under this roof feels like a chain tightening around my neck, pulling me away from the duties I’ve been trained for. I lean back, grinding my jaw in frustration, rubbing the tension from my face. I switch the monitors to the east suite like I have every night since she arrived, but this is the first time I’ve caught Charlie turning on the shower. Spying on her is a bad idea, but I felt a spark ignite between us when I pinned her against the car, a spark that hasn’t disappeared.
I watch as Charlie unzips her dress, letting it fall to the floor. A groan escapes me as I notice she wasn’t wearing a bra today. She leans into the shower, turning on the tap and slowly peeling off her thong before stepping under the water. She tilts her head back, eyes closed. A sparkle catches my eyes, so I zoom in closer and notice both her nipples are pierced. My body instantly betrays me, my dick hardening. I unzip my pants and stroke my dick, each movement a silent torment of what I want and can’t have.
The temptation to cross the line, to claim her for myself, pulses through me, but I hold firm. This is the closest I can get to her, watching her from a distance, but my body aches for what is forbidden, and I’m soon releasing myself all over the desk.
Fuck!I bang my fist on the desk out of frustration.
I need to get out of the mansion and away from her. Grabbing my phone, I dial Carlo. He answers within two rings.
“Don,” he says. He must be near our soldiers. I don’t mind my brothers calling me by name when we’re alone, but in front of our soldiers and others, they must address me correctly. Any slip ups and they must be punished, otherwise it’s a sign of my weakness.
“Who do we have in the bunker?” I ask. I’m in desperate need to blow off some steam, and what better way than torturing the shit out of someone. Hearing our hostages scream in pain somehow has a calming effect on me.
“Just Jimmy,” he replies. Through the phone, I can hear chains clanging together.
“I’ll be there in ten.”
Jimmy doesn’t know what’s about to hit him. The idiot tried to steal from the Cosa Nostra, and no one steals from my family.
Walking into the bunker, I slam open the doors to the room that Carlo has chained Jimmy, naked, with his arms and legs spread as wideas they can go, stretching him uncomfortably. Jimmy’s eyes go wide when he sees me. “Please,” he begs, hoping to be released. The marks from where Carlo has already unleashed on him are visible all over his body. He’s missing a couple of fingers, while bruises cover his neck and down his body. It looks like Carlo has stabbed him a few times and sewn him back up.
“Tonight’s your lucky night, Jimmy.” I take off my jacket and drape it along the back of the chair, and roll up my sleeves. He looks at me, slightly confused. “I’m feeling awfully playful tonight.” I punch him in the ribs, and the satisfaction of hearing them crack has me grinning sadistically as he tries to hunch over in the chains. The pain he’s feeling is just the beginning because I fucking love the sound of breaking bones.
Carlo leans against the wall, smoking a cigarette, watching intently. “What toys do we have here?” I say, grabbing the blowtorch off the table. I watch the blood drain from Jimmy’s face as the flame ignites and gets closer to his face.Oh yes, Jimmy, we’re only getting started.
By the time I’m done, I feel content. My white shirt is now crimson red, and I’m pretty sure I have chunks of flesh hanging off me—it’s definitely in my hair. I’m surprised Jimmy lasted as long as he did. But every time he passed out, I made Carlo throw a bucket of cold, icy water on him, startling him awake just long enough for him to recognize what I would do next.
I examine my work and feel quite pleased. His lips are sewn shut with some fishing line—I got sick of hearing him scream like a girl—and not a shred of skin is left on his body, hanging like a cow in a slaughterhouse. I walk out of the room grinning from ear to ear and feeling satisfied.
6
Charlie
Since that painfully awkward dinner the first night, I’ve been expertly dodging everyone. The mansion’s sprawling halls offer plenty of hiding spots, and so far, I’ve managed to stay under the radar, slipping into empty rooms when the brothers' voices are near.
