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I couldn’t contain the giggle that escaped my lips. “It is none of our business who she dates Gio! Man or woman! But if you must know, it is a man because she said she needed to text him to rearrange.”
“I don't mean that it was a woman- “he started, leaning back in his chair and running his enormous hand that was decorated with silver rings through his hair. He was stressed. This affected him just like I thought it would. Excellent. “Hang on. What do you mean rearrange?”
“She is going to change her date to another night so she can look after the bambini. Why is that a problem? I could just not attend this evening and stay with them and then she can still go on her date if you think that is best-”
“No.” He interrupted sharply and took a steady breath before speaking again. Wow. This girl had really gotten under his skin. More than I even expected. He was smitten. My lips pulled at the sides as I fought the urge not to smile too widely. “You need to attend. Zio will want you there, so she has to stay.”
I nodded once and made my way to the door. Looking back at my son who was staring out the window, deep in thought, I smiled. I was doing this for him. The sooner he comes to terms with his feelings for this girl, the better. But my son was as stubborn as a mule. It was going to take more than just the idea of a date to kick him into action. Let’s just hope Olivia can handle him when he finally does.
Colourful Background
Giovanni
The sun, a fiery orange glow, was dipping low over the horizon as I took in all its glory from the back of my Bentley. Its beauty brought me no joy or solace that the day was finally over because it meant that the night was about to begin. And all this sunset did was remind me of a certain set of eyes. The colours that danced in them when she was angry were like this sunset. A memorising display of enigmatic wonder. Holy shit am I in fucking trouble. A fucking sunset? Really?
I groaned as I leaned my head back against the leather seats and let the steady movement of the car calm the storm inside me. Out of all the shit I have had to deal with today; a HR problem at one of my restaurants, a livid thug who wanted a drug debt paid by some lowlife who refused to pay it and wanted my family’s help in making him, and then the organisation of Tommas’ murder of Massimo Novalli that was planned for tonight, none of them affected me like hearing she was meant to be going on a date tonight. A date! Who the fuck was she dating?
I had never even considered that she might have been seeing someone or that there was even another ‘man’ in the picture wanting to take her on dates. I am a fucking fool. Of course there was! Look at her. The infuriating, indecent images that swarmed my mind all day at the thought of someone else touching her soft skin, kissing those delectable lips or fucking her the way I had been fantasising about for over a week now had put me in a state of fury that I could not get out of no matter how hard I tried.
I had just set my head straight about what happened between us in the gym last night and now this has spun me back into a frenzy of jealousy and desire to have her for myself. Last night, after seeing the pure terror in her eyes, I realised this would never work. She could never find out who I really was because she would run. And she should. She had to run as far away from me as she could. She still hated me even though my feelings were... I don’t even know what my feelings were. I used to think she hated me because of my arrogance and her refusal to give into my playboy charms but last night, I saw it. There was more to it than that. But what? Why did she hate me so much? Now I was starting to think I might hate her. For making me feel something. For turning me into this person. Someone who couldn’t think straight about anything. I wondered where she was, what she was doing and who she was with every minute of the day. I had even been spending more time working from home just so I was near her. It was ridiculous. I can’t sustain this. I had resolved to cut off all communication with her after last night. She wanted me to try harder to stay away and that is what I was going to do. My mamma could deal with her. I didn't need to have any involvement. But then those words left my mother’s lips and I forgot all about my vow to never think of her again.
As the car pulled up the winding driveway, I sighed deeply and prepared myself for a gruelling evening. Noticing a few cars had already parked, I groaned inwardly. Antonio and Maximus were already here and I am sure all the preparations in the on-site night club were underway. Exclusive invites went out to associates and women who worked in my clubs to come as entertainment. There will be at least one hundred people here tonight and the thought made me want to grind my teeth. My zio never hosts at his estate. If he wants business done, it’s always on my turf. That is the role of an underboss.
Striding into the lobby, I saw Max and Toni bantering back and forth as Max grabbed Toni’s shoulder and threw his head back and laughed with fake friendliness. I knew Toni was someone Max barely tolerated. They both turned to me when they felt my presence.
“Boss,” Max greeted me with a grin. I nodded once and stretched my hand out to Toni. There was always a formality to be upheld when it came to Toni. I liked the man but he worked for my zio and was his right-hand man. He knew the ins and outs of the notorious Salvatore’s mind and how this family was run. You could describe him as the neck of this family, turning my uncle’s head whichever way he felt was best. I respected him hugely, but I was also wary of him. One day, he may be my consigliere when I become boss and I need to always show my respect.
“Giovanni,” his low voice rumbled from his chest. Noticing a folder in his hand, I nodded and directed the men to follow me up to my office. As we started to ascend the staircase, I glanced up and momentarily froze when my eyes locked with hers. She was on her way down and directly in my pathway. She froze too. Neither one of us made a move and just continued to stare.
“Olivia! Nice to see you again,” Max chirped behind me and I felt Toni’s gaze taking her in. She quickly looked away from me and I continued up the stairs, making my way to the opposite side so I could get as far away from her as possible. She didn’t move but I could feel her gaze on me as I ignored her with the last remaining bit of strength I had from today.
“Even prettier in real life,” Toni stated as he dropped the thick file on my desk. My face scrunched up in confusion and also annoyance at his remark. “She is an interesting girl for sure. Colourful background.”
I opened the blue file to the first page of Olivia’s CV and then the realisation hit me. This was her in-depth background check I had asked Toni to do for me the day I met her. It had completely slipped my mind. What did he mean by colourful background? Intrigue simmered beneath my skin but I couldn’t let either of these men know that this was so interesting to me. She was just an employee. Shutting the file, I opened my desk drawer and slid it in. I will read it later. In private. I’m not sure I can handle it anymore right now. “I’ll read it later. Thanks Toni,” I replied in a bored tone.
Max set about pouring us all a whiskey and I waited for the scolding to start. “Boss is not pleased.”
I was prepared for this. “Is he ever?” I quipped back, sarcasm in my tone. Toni raised one eyebrow. “What would he have had me do? Give him a slap on his wrist and send him on his way?”
“No. But you know you should have informed him before you touched a hair on his head. He is still running this family, Giovanni, and you showed disrespect.”
I couldn’t help the smirk that played at the corners of my lips. So, the mighty Salvatore Buccini was feeling threatened. That is what Toni had really just revealed. I know I am supposed to have his permission before I do anything to our rival family’s men but I was in the moment. “He was taking pictures of Sani and Raya, Toni. I saw red. I am sure boss will understand. Family first.”
“Family first,” Max and Toni repeated in unison and we raised our tumblers in the air before taking a sip. Toni leaned back in his chair, drumming his thick fingers on the arm in a repetitive notion. It was a delay tactic. One that was supposed to make me anxious, waiting to hear what my punishment would be. But I couldn’t care less right now. I was already in hell, so why not just add to the torture?
“You cannot be so hot-headed, Giovanni. Especially when it comes to family. That is when mistakes are made. Salvatore agrees with your methods this time, but don’t let it happen again. He has final say. Remember that,” his cold blue eyes held mine and I gave him a lopsided grin and raised my glass in agreement. One day, I would be boss and I would not have to answer to these old men. They would answer to me. I was counting down the days.
“What time are they arriving?” Max asked as he rested one leg lazily on the other and enjoyed my fine whiskey. His eye caught mine and he gave me a cheeky smirk.
“Our guests or the girls?” I joked and his smirk grew wider. I knew my cousin inside out. His mamma was my papi and Salvatore's sister. He was her first born and so given the next highest rank in the family after me. We were only a few years apart, him at the age of twenty – five and me at twenty -nine, and we had been inseparable growing up.
“Both?” he winked.
“Boss and the Aianis will arrive just before 8pm,” Toni said sternly. He wasn’t a joker at the best of times.
“And the girls?” Max poked him again with his stick of mischief.
“Any minute,” I looked down at my watch. The club needed to be flowing before the main guests arrived. There is nothing worse than walking into an empty bar.
