Page 2 of Mafia Obsession

He screams high and animal-like, then drops to the floor.

I crouch just enough to make sure he hears me. “Be glad it’s just your hand. I can kill you. You’re nobody. But I want you to feel this pain to match the anger burning in my soul for what you did.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he cries out.

“Liar!You touched what didn’t belong to you,” I say calmly, and still holding his hand, I squeeze until I feel several smaller bones break.

Again, he cries out. “Next time, it will be your skull that I crush. Or your eyes gouged out.”

I let go, and Ian grabs his broken hand, his breath coming in gasps. His eyes tear up while holding on to whatever dignity he has left.

I nod, and my two bouncers haul him up, his feet barely touching the floor as they drag him from my office. His sobs fade down the hall. They will put him in one of our cars where my brother Atlas will explain that retaliation is futile and that I’ll make good on my escalation threat if I ever see him again.

When the office is silent, I turn back to Lucia.

She drops into a leather seat in front of my desk, shaking, and I don’t like seeing that. She should never be afraid of me. I kneel in front of her and take her hands in mine, careful not to frighten her since it’s the same hand that just crushed the bones of a man.

“Lucia,” I say. “No one dares to rip your clothes without paying a price for it.”

“Mother was right.” Her throat bobs. “You really are terrifying.”

I smile faintly at what my aunt must think of me. Alexander was her favorite. I’ve never been anyone’s favorite. I’ve learned to live without love. Love is not for me.

“Only to people who deserve it.” I rise and press a gentle kiss on her forehead.

She huffs a weak laugh. “I’m sorry I caused problems for you tonight.”

“Protecting you is never a problem for me.” I lift her chin. “How is French Craft? Didn’t burn it down yet, have you?”

“I hate it, to be honest.” She shrugs. “I’m the senior sous-chef, but the head chef treats me like he hired me from McDonald’s, not from La Varenne.”

“I haven’t been to your restaurant in a while. It’s time I pay a visit,” I say casually. “Remind your boss who he’s dealing with.”

She snorts and swats my arm. “You’re insane.”

I laugh under my breath. If anyone else did that, touched me and called me crazy, they’d be dead before their next breath.

“Men overlook and harass women in the workplace all the time, Lucia. My visit there sounds long overdue.”

I glance up to see Razor, Lucia’s guard, standing stiffly by the door. He’s gone pale and avoids my eyes.

“Pride,” I say to one ofmyseven guards, named after the seven deadly sins.

Pride steps forward. Big. Brooding. Terrifying. “Boss.”

“Take Lucia home. Stay with her tonight.”

“I have a guard, Ares. Why is Pride—” Lucia trails off, the realization settling in that her date isn’t the only man who will be punished tonight.

Humor gone from our exchange, I press a finger against her lips. “Do not question me when it comes to punishing your guards. They protect you. But they workfor me.”

I lower my head for her to honor me with a kiss on my cheek.

“I understand,” she whispers and gives me a quick peck. “Thank you.”

“You never have to thank me.” I smile and then give a look to my other guards to seize Razor.

In the time it takes for Pride to escort my young cousin out, her guard has been brought to the floor, guns at his head.