Claimed by the Enforcer: A Venturi Mafia Spin-off novel, page 9
I gave him a reassuring nod as I took a step back. “I believe you.”
Last, I stepped over to Cassio. He’d been the one that bitch, Giulietta had delivered Mira too. I’d watched with repulsion as he’d forcefully shoved his tongue down Mira’s throat in the middle of that crowded club.
“And you?” I lowered my voice to a sinister level as I slowly placed the gun to his forehead while he stared me down, pretending that he wasn’t about to piss himself in fear.
“Go to hell,” he spat at me, and I just laughed.
“Yeah.” My voice was too casual for the situation we were in. “I figured you wouldn’t have any idea how many. Probably the only way you can get a girl to let you anywhere near her, hmm?”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“Oh, really?” I reached into my jacket, and he flinched as I pulled a remote control from my pocket. I hit the play button, causing the large screen behind me that was usually used for special events to come alive.
The image on the screen was the surveillance video from the club, timed just right at the moment when Cassio grabbed hold of Mira and kissed her. Even though I’d seen it before, the sight of it made me sick and my blood turned to lava in my veins.
I stopped the video and put the remote away, leaving the screen paused on a close up of his mouth on hers. No kill was easy, even when I was this filled with rage, and reminding myself of why I had to do what I did, of who I was protecting, was the only way I could go through with it.
“You sick bastard. Do you see how disgusting you are? Did you enjoy forcing your tongue down her throat? I bet that wasn’t the only thing you planned to do to her mouth last night, was it? I know guys like you. Pathetic, scourge of the earth. You are worthless.”
I spat out the words, barely finishing my sentence before lifting my gun and shooting him square between the eyes. His head jolted back and both men who held his arms in place let him drop to the floor.
The other men on their knees began to plead, beg, and even cry but I didn’t take time to hear them out as I turned and fired my gun at the one bleeding from his leg, another headshot and he dropped to the ground. I didn’t even hesitate before shooting the third.
Finally, I walked over to the man who’d sworn he’d never done anything like that before. The one who hadn’t touched Mira in any of the videos and I held my gun to his forehead.
“Please? I’m so sorry. I didn’t do anything, and I swear I never will, ever. Please don’t...”
“I’m not going to kill you,” I said firmly but calmly, and he looked up at me in surprise.
“You—you’re not?” He looked up at me with wide but grateful eyes.
“No. But I know who you are, where you live, who your friends are, your family, even your blood type. If I ever find out that you so much as got a little handsy with a woman who wasn’t welcoming it, I will—”
“You won’t. I won’t ever, I swear.”
“Good.” I looked from him to my men. “Stand him up.”
With a firm grip on each of his arms, they hoisted him to his feet. He could barely keep himself upright when they released their hold.
“Needless to say, you won’t tell a soul about what you witnessed here today.”
“Of course not. Not a word.”
I jutted my chin toward the front exit. “Get out of here.”
Chapter 13
Mira
I lay in my bed for the third night since the incident at the club, unable to sleep even after Sienna told me that I needed rest to heal. Every time I closed my eyes, memories from the club flashed in my mind.
I'd never felt so helpless in my whole life, and I hated it. I hated knowing what could have easily happened because I was stupid enough to let my guard down around girls I thought wanted to be my friends.
My bedroom door creaked open, and I glanced over to see Stefano walking inside.
“Stefano, what are you doing here?”
“I flew in this morning and wanted to check on you. Did I wake you?" He whispered quietly.
"No. I can't sleep."
"The doctor said that you needed your rest. She almost didn’t let me come up here to check on you, but I promised her I wouldn’t wake you. I just needed to see that you were alright."
"I am resting. I just can't sleep. But I'm glad to see you." I pushed up to sit in bed, feeling weak still. I hadn't seen Stefano since the night it all happened. "Come. Sit with me."
Stefano smiled but it didn't reach his eyes as he perched on the edge of my bed.
"Have you talked with Giulietta or the other girls?"
"I have," he said solemnly.
"What were they thinking? Why did they drug me?"
"Drug you?" He looked at me perplexed.
"Yeah."
"They said that you all were partying really hard but that you got a bit out of control."
"Out of control?"
"Mira, I knew you needed to blow off some steam, but I didn't realize you would go that far."
"I didn't. Giulietta and the others drugged me and passed me off to a group of assholes who almost—" I couldn't say the words.
"I saw the pictures.” Stefano turned his gaze to the floor as if he were unable to look in my direction. “You were all over those men. To say that I am hurt and disappointed is an understatement."
"Stefano, I didn't..."
He held up his hand to cut me off. "I know that we never said that we were exclusive but four men? I'm just not sure that you're the type of girl I thought you were."
"You son of a bitch,” I said calmly, enunciating each word. “I was somehow able to find strength through the anger boiling inside of me. “I was drugged and nearly raped and you are playing the victim?"
"Mira..." His patronizing tone only fueled my anger.
"Get out."
"Yes, perhaps this needs to be discussed after you have some time to reflect on your actions."
"Get the hell out," I screamed as he stood calmly and left the room.
The door opened again just moments later as Bianca peeked in. "Is everything alright, signora?"
"I'm fine. Is Teo home from work yet?"
"Si. He is in the parlor with Signore Luca."
"Luca’s here?"
"He just arrived a few moments ago."
"I'd like to go downstairs and see them. Would you mind grabbing a dress from the closet? Something comfortable."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? The doctor said you are supposed to be resting."
"I'm sure."
After putting on a casual cotton sundress that I'd picked up during my time in the States, I did my best to tame my hair into a braid and headed downstairs toward the parlor.
The muffled sound of the rarely used television played on the other side of the door and I opened it quietly.
"Three men were reported missing today after employers reported that they hadn’t been to work since Friday afternoon and were unable to contact the men who were known acquaintances. Authorities are asking anyone who has any information to contact our hotline...”
Past where my brother and Luca sat, I had a fairly clear view of the television screen where they showed the pictures of three men, two of which looked vaguely familiar as the men I’d seen from the club, but my memory was still fuzzy.
“Does that mean...?” I started and Teo and Luca turned to look at me. “Did you...?”
Luca jumped up from his seat and hurried to me, wrapping me in his warm embrace. He pulled me back and held me at arm’s length, gazing down at me with a protective expression. “I took care of it. They will never mess with you again.”
I nodded silently. Those men were despicable bastards and Luca had done the world a favor by removing them from it and keeping them from doing something to another woman. But the idea of Luca having taken a life, let alone three, was hard to imagine. I was under no delusion about Luca’s duties within my family but even still, to look into the protective, loving eyes of a man who would lay down his life for me, I never saw a killer.
We shared a silent moment, but his eyes conveyed everything that he couldn’t express with his words, not with Teo so close. I’ll always protect you. I’d do anything to keep you safe. I love you.
My breath caught as the words came to mind and I shook my head, blinking and breaking the connection.
“How are you feeling, Mira?” Teo said as he got up from the couch and came over to us.
“Tired.”
“Should I call Arman to come check you out? I know Sienna said you were fine, but I would think the drugs would have passed already.”
“It’s not the drugs.” I cast my eyes toward the floor in the distance, unable to look at their reaction to what I was about to say. “I just haven't been able to sleep.”
“Why not?” Luca asked.
“Nightmares.”
“So, you remember…?”
“I remember enough. I just need to do something to help me feel safe.”
“Maybe I should see if one of the guys could give you a few refresher lessons with a gun. Now that you’re home, you should start carrying again.”
“I know.”
“And I want you with a bodyguard at all times.”
I tilted my head and my brow lifted in defiance of Teo’s words. “That’s not happening.”
“It is. I don’t want to risk anything happening to you.”
“And I won’t stop living life just because we have a few enemies. But I will take you up on those shooting lessons. I’m pretty rusty.”
“I’ll help,” Luca offered eagerly.
“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure a few lessons could be pawned off on one of the newbies.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, it’s better that you learn your technique from someone with a good deal of experience.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“No problem. As soon as you feel up to it, we can start the lessons.”
“I think I’m up for it now.”
“I thought you said you were tired.”
“I am, but if you have the time, I think doing something to feel more in control will help me sleep better.”
“Well, far be it for me to stand in the way of you and your beauty sleep.”
I glared at Luca. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, nothing at all.” His tone said that he had meant something.
“Are you saying I’m not beautiful enough already? That I need more beauty sleep?” I acted offended but it was all in jest.
“Not at all. You are a very beautiful woman...for now.”
“For now?” My voice pitched. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I mean if you don’t keep getting your beauty sleep there’s no telling what kind of ogre you might turn into.”
My jaw dropped, I glared at Luca, and Teo just laughed. I backhanded Luca’s bicep, but I had a feeling that it hurt my hand more than it hurt him. “Assholes...both of you.”
I turned on my heel and Teo called out in an offended tone. “Hey, what did I do?”
“You laughed.” I didn’t bother looking back, just stuck up my middle finger toward Teo as I stepped out of the parlor to go outside for my shooting lesson.
Chapter 14
Mira
I finally slept through the night after my firearm refresher course with Luca. It felt good to do something constructive, to take back my control. Luca made me feel stronger. Feeling more myself again, I knew that I needed to have another conversation with Stefano.
He’d always been caring and kind to me. The day before had been an anomaly, but it needed to be addressed. He couldn’t truly believe that the events at the club were my fault. And I needed to clear that up as soon as possible if we were going to have any chance together.
I called him as soon as I was up and asked him to meet me at one of my favorite little cafes for coffee. I parked my car on the side of the street and walked along the cobblestone to the cozy patio littered with iron tables and chairs. Stefano was already sitting at one of the tables to the far side, so I headed straight for him.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, I trust you slept well last night.” Stefano seemed a little stiffer than usual with me as he rose from the table and kissed both of my cheeks.
He pulled out a chair for me and I lowered myself into it. “I did, actually.”
Stefano took his seat and waved a waitress over. “Good.” We placed our orders and waited for the waitress to leave before continuing. “And what contributed to the newfound sleep?”
“Shooting lessons actually.” I smiled.
“Shooting lessons? I didn’t realize that you didn’t know how.”
“I did. I’m just a little out of practice so Luca offered to give me a refresher.” A shadow crossed Stefano’s face and I quirked an eyebrow at him. “What?”
“What do you mean ‘what?’”
“What was that look when I mentioned Luca giving me lessons?”
“I don’t like you spending so much time with him. That’s all.”
“With Luca? Why?”
The waitress returned with our coffees, and we waited awkwardly for her to leave.
Stefano leaned in closer, resting his arms on the table. “When you were in trouble at the club the other night,” he hesitated, glancing away before meeting my eye again. “You called him.”
“So?”
“You called another man to come rescue you. I wasn’t the one you turned to when you were in trouble. It was him.”
I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed in frustration. “I called my family’s enforcer, one of my best friends. It’s not like I just called up some random guy to come save me.”
“I know. I know that. It’s just, there is something there between the two of you, I can feel it. I can see it. He’s always there.”
I let out an exasperated laugh. “You’re jealous?”
“It’s not jealousy. I care about you, Mira. I want to be the one you turn to when you need someone.”
“And you will be.” I reached over and placed my hand on his. He looked so vulnerable admitting his insecurities that way. “Luca and I have a long history. We’ve known each other since we were children. He works for my family, and he looks out for me as my friend.”
“That’s really all it is?”
A pang of guilt hit my gut because that wasn’t all it was, not really, but it was all it ever could be. I forced a smile and gently squeezed his arm. “Really.”
Stefano’s whole body sagged with relief, and he let out a heavy sigh. He met my gaze and smiled. “I’m so sorry I ever doubted you.”
“It’s okay. I’m sure it’s hard to navigate all these new people in my life that you’ve never met before, all while still trying to figure out where we stand with one another.”
“It’s just...” he reached out and took my hand, lightly rubbing little circles with his thumb. “I know you had a life before me, before our fathers set us up. I guess I just doubt your feelings for me sometimes. I worry that you’re only with me because of some feeling of duty to your father.”
“I am not that girl. Trust me, if I didn’t want to be with you, there is no way that my father could make me stay in a relationship. It’s true, he was the one who made the initial suggestion, and I was hesitant because it was him who was setting me up, but I’m glad he did. I’m so glad that I met you.”
Stefano leaned over the table, lightly brushing my hair from my face as he cupped my cheek and drew me in for a soft, tender kiss. “What do you say we spend the rest of the day together, just you and me? I feel like I have some apologizing to do, and I think I know just the right way to do that.” His voice turned to a sultry rumble as his suggestive words alluded to all the pleasurable promises I knew he had in mind.
“I think that sounds like an amazing idea.”
***
After spending the rest of the day with Stefano, and the whole night in his bed, I lay there still tangled in his sheets, his steady, even breath behind me, indicating that he was sound asleep, but sleep evaded me.
After sex, I was usually ready to pass out for the night. After our romp in the sheets ended in both of us seeing stars, Stefano rolled onto his back and pulled me tight against his chest but as we laid there in post-orgasmic bliss, and I was just about to drift off to sleep, thoughts of Luca popped into my mind.
