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“You’re a first-class prick, you know?”
“It runs in the family.”
After Max took off, I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I went down and checked on Sani and Raya...and Olivia. Strolling down to their wing, I nodded to Marco who was standing outside their door and gently pushed it open. There in his bed were my two siblings, cuddled up and sleeping peacefully and on a makeshift bed of pillows and blankets was Olivia, also fast asleep. I crept towards them and stared at her stunning face. Realising she was sleeping on the floor and not the single bed that was assembled in Raya’s room made my chest tighten. If she didn't hate me so much right now, I would have carried her to the bed or even better mine, but I didn't have the energy for another fight.
As I took in her delicate features so dainty and enchanting, I felt guilt tug at my core. I had been acting like such a dick. The way I had been towards her. It was the way I had always been with women. Most of them liked it. I think deep down, she likes it too, but she was still not over her past. She cannot separate my actions from his. And I reminded her of it. The thought made me feel sick. No wonder she hated me.
She shuffled onto her back in her sleep and the blanket fell away from her chest, the top of her full breast swelling over her little pyjama top as she breathed deeply. My dick stirred and my mind raced back to how they felt against my chest earlier. How hard her nipples were through the thin layers of our clothing. I longed to know what colour they were. To have them in my mouth. Sighing deeply, I backed out of the room. I had to let her go. I had to stop this.
The realisation and heaviness of her words weighed down on me as I resolved to cut her out of my life. She wasn’t just an employee I could have fun with. She was Olivia and... I cared about her. There, I admit it. I have never cared for anyone other than my family. She was the first. And she would be the last. She needed to be removed from my life as soon as possible because caring would make me weak. She already had too much of an influence over my thoughts and actions. Closing the door quietly, I ignored the twisted knot forming in my stomach and made my way back to my room.
Olivia Jones or whoever she was, was free from me. For her sake and for mine.
A Warm Welcome
Giovanni
“You wanted to see me?” Mamma opened my office door widely and I leaned back on my chair and nodded, giving her a small smile.
I noticed her relax when she saw it and wondered what had her so on edge. Mind you, my mother’s brain was like a beautifully designed garden maze that no one could navigate through except her, so I am not even going to attempt to question her.
She strolled around with an air of elegance, but I could see the gloom in her eyes. She was not having a good day. Fuck sake, I had enough on my plate today. I had a pretty good idea of how this might go.
“Olivia’s two-week probation will be up soon and it is time to let her go.” I kept my voice void of any emotion and watched as my mamma’s brown eyes widened in shock.
“What?! You mean fire her? Whatever for?” She was livid. Her caramel skin flushed and her nostrils flared. A little trait I had inherited from her.
Keeping my tone firm and calm, I replied, “Well, if you need a list... She didn’t want the job in the first place, she has no boundaries when it comes to her role in this household. She left the children in the care of my men twice, once to look at some tourist attraction and last night to come and give me an earful about the music being too loud in the club. She talked to me with disrespect and told my men to ‘Fuck off’. Do I need to continue?”
She smacked her lips together and stood up abruptly, turning her back towards me. She was processing. Hopefully, that list was enough for her to realise that Olivia was not the right fit for such a role in this house, even though we both knew that was a lie. I just hoped she would back down easily. No such luck.
Turning quickly, she glared at me with determination. “I don’t give a fuck about any of that, Giovanni! We pay her to look after Sani and Raya and teach them. That is her job. And she is doing it brilliantly. The kids love her and I have never seen them so happy, content and engaged. So what if she has a backbone and a sharp tongue? I am sure your men deserved it. What is this really about Gio? Is it because of the engagement?”
My jaw ticked at the reminder of what I had to deal with and I felt instantly annoyed. “No. It has nothing to do with that. Why would it?”
“You are not marrying that girl, Giovanni! I will not allow it,” she snarled and I scoffed loudly. As if she held any power to do anything about an alliance between Salvatore and Francesco. I even had my hands tied and she knew it.
“Why not? It is a good business deal,” I sighed, rubbing my hands down my face.
“Marriage is not a business deal Giovanni!” She screamed, her arms flailing dramatically in the air. “I do not want that for you! Don’t you want to experience true love? What papi and I had?”
I lost my temper. Slamming my hand down on my desk, making her jump, I hissed, “No! That is the opposite of what I want. If Papi had married for business, then he would still be alive!”
Her face paled and her mouth fell open as the tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes. I might as well have slapped her; the words were that hurtful. I immediately regretted them and stood up, my face softening. But it was too late.
“Fine. Be a coward and ruin your life. I have never been so disappointed in you. Your papi will be turning in his grave right now. But the girl stays. I signed her contract, so technically, I am her boss and the only one who has the right to sack her. And she is not going anywhere.” Turning on her heels, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door with a loud bang behind her.
“Fuck!” I shouted, throwing a glass against the wall as it shattered into pieces.
∞∞∞
As the Bentley pulled up outside my zio’s grand estate, I shook my arms out in my expensive suit jacket and combed my hair back. I knew this would be one of the worst encounters I have ever had with him and I was preparing myself for his wrath. I would take it because that was my place, but I would not forget it. I am always watching him. Learning from him. How he handles situations and his reactions. Deciding whether that is the type of boss I will be someday.
Climbing out of the car, I was immediately met by two of his men who marched behind me as if I was a fucking rival not family. As I reached his office, another man opened the door for me to enter and I saw my uncle sitting behind his black oak desk with gold detail. Toni was sitting in a chair to his left in the corner of the room, one leg over the other and his foot bouncing. Neither of them stood to greet me as I approached. Salvatore’s face was frosty. Void of any emotion except malice. Toni was staring at me with mild curiosity as I stood before them.
“Gun,” Zio ordered lowly, and I frowned.
Pulling my gun out of the back of my trousers, I placed it on his desk in front. I was pretty sure he was not going to shoot me with my own gun, but I wouldn't put it past him to wound me. Suddenly, the two beefy men who marched me up, stomped into the room standing either side of me. I looked over my shoulders at each one, their faces fixed on my uncle. I smirked. Ah. A beating.
