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His lips stole a kiss that spoke more than what he could have said. It was unapologetic and accepting to all of who I was. I tugged his arms as I tried to take strength from him. His kiss deepened before stopping abruptly.
Ilias pulled away while keeping his hands on my neck.
Then I heard it too, Lucca’s voice inside as he thanked the attendees and spoke about the charity.
It was time to go, and I was ready.
I’d cheated death twice, what was once more?
Twenty-Seven
Davina
As we walked through the house, my steps matched Ilias’s while his arm wrapped around my back. The crowd was silent as Lucca’s voice echoed inside, keeping hold of their attention as we moved swiftly on the outskirts, taking longer to get to his grand office.
I didn’t see Tattoo or Nightmare in the crowd, but somehow, I knew they were somewhere, watching.
Then I felt the sensation of a pair of eyes on me, and my gaze snapped, expecting to find either of them. It wasn’t but a tall, beautiful woman with sleek, chestnut hair and large eyes watching me curiously at the other end of the room. She wasn’t hiding in the dim lighting, or hiding her gaze, she just stood there, polished and comfortable in a luxurious, long, deep-red dress. So deep, it had a tint of purple. She looked regal and never wavered her eyes away.
“Come,” Ilias ushered, missing my interest in the woman.
But it didn’t matter, not now. Maybe even never.
“Baldo,” Ilias said, bringing me before him.
I looked up to the large man named Baldo as he stood next to Lucca’s door. He didn’t glance at me, only directing his attention to Ilias before opening the door for us to slip inside.
The smell of books and whiskey replaced the multiple mixed perfumes from the gathering, and I welcomed the utter silence the room gifted us.
I took a few steps deeper into the room, unsure of where to wait, and watched how there were two more chairs facing the middle of the room.
The door flew open, and I quickly turned to find Lucca walking inside as Arlo followed behind. In quick strides, Lucca reached for an empty glass, poured, and drank. After he took a deep breath, he faced the room and walked toward his desk.
“Davina, take a seat there.” Lucca’s eyes landed on the chair that stood at the corner of his desk. I had a clear view of the door and him as I sank into the leather. “You two, stand on each side of the door.” He pointed at Ilias and Arlo. “Once they come inside, you can move behind her or next to her if you wish,” Lucca added, resting his elbows on the header of his plush chair.
“Remember New York is famiglia, not an enemy we can take care of even if I wished. There are rules I follow outside of Miami, and the last thing I need until our Syndicate settles is a war,” Lucca spoke clear as he looked toward the door. “Our goal is to assure they won’t come after you.” His eyes moved to Ilias.
My lips twitched with relief knowing Ilias would be safe, but he didn’t take it the same as I did.
“What about Davina?” Ilias’s veins popped in his neck, and the muscles of his jaw pushed his mouth shut.
Lucca’s mouth readied to respond but paused as a knock vibrated through the door.
I closed my eyes briefly when I caught his motion for Arlo to open the door. As the small creak trembled from the door hinges, the atmosphere of the room turned dangerous and sinful. My eyes flew to the door, and my eyes fixated on the male’s hand with the ink mark of NYS.
I couldn’t find the will to raise my gaze to the man who’d ordered for me to bleed to death as white snow fell over my limp body. But as another set of pants stood inches behind him, I couldn’t ignore the screams in my mind as it yelled for me to look. To watch them as they both saw me sitting in the same room they now were. Alive.
But they had names, Enzo and Leo. Their faces were no longer a memory, and they were no longer unknown to me.
Enzo took another step inside, and our eyes locked. The same dark eyes that had found me were now the eyes that led to where I am now. And I wouldn’t retreat my gaze. I wasn’t going to show the same fear I once had.
I should’ve never doubted my strength. Even if fear crept nearby, I could let go of the pain.
“I’ve always said, bedding a mafioso was the best way for protection,” Leo said through his smirk, exploding the tension like a bomb within the walls.
It all moved so fast, and before the chaos began, my hands gripped the chair’s arms and my eyes widened. Ilias reacted to Leo’s words, and being the first time he’d ever seen the man who’s knife had carved my skin twice, his anger had gotten the best of him.
Ilias pushed forward until his fists gripped Leo’s shirt. With one abrupt move, he had him against the wall, and as he pulled back his right fist, my heart skipped. With all his force, he struck Leo’s jaw.
