Page 3 of Craving Chaos

And not the fun kind of trouble.

Renzo Donati is the saucy tattoo you get at eighteen, then spend the rest of your life regretting. No, thank you. As mad as I was a few minutes ago, I’m glad he reached out to Conner. Let the two of them sort out the guns. I wanted no part of it or the man whose stare chases me from the building.

CHAPTER 2

RENZO

Rumors run rampant in our small circles of family and associates. Who needs social media when the Italian gossip mill can blaze from house to house faster than a California wildfire? I’d heard plenty of stories involving Shae Byrne—our cousins are married to one another—but our paths hadn’t crossed until now. Not in such a direct manner. Seeing her at a distance is an entirely different experience than being the sole focus of her charismatic confidence.

I can see why she’s developed a reputation. I try not to let whispers color my judgment, but in this case, Shae was everything promised and more. The way she goaded me—few would be so brazen. I would have said it was reckless had she not been able to back up her words with actions, but she can and did. She moved so damn fast that I barely had time to react.

It was beautiful, if I’m honest.

The phrase poetry in motion comes to mind as I watch her leave the warehouse, her athletic frame moving lithely with each confident stride toward the exit. I can’t seem to tear my gaze away until the door closes behind her.

I rub my face, probably getting grease all over me, but not caring. I need to shake off whatever spell she cast and get my head on straight. I have too many responsibilities weighing on me to allow in distractions.

I turn to my guys. “I understand you wanted to protect me, and I appreciate that, but no one is to lay a finger on her. Understood?” I demand in a calm but firm tone. I’m not going to explain my outburst any further. It’s none of their damn business, and to explain, I’d have to figure it out for myself first. That’s not happening. It could only lead to no good.

I meet each man’s stare before letting the subject drop. “Let me know as soon as this damn thing is operational.” I scowl at the forklift, then head for the back exit where I parked.

Shae wasn’t wrong when she pointed out that this meeting today wasn’t exactly worthy of my time, but our alliance with the Irish is relatively new, and it was my fault we hadn’t returned their guns to them weeks ago. I thought it would be a show of goodwill to handle the matter personally. And I can admit that knowing Shae would be here impacted my decision. I was curious, and rightfully so. Shae Byrne is rather fascinating.

When I get to my car, I check my phone and see a text message from my mom.

Mom: I need to talk to you.

I sigh heavily. It’s been one hell of a month taking over the business and dealing with my father’s death. Mom has struggled. I feel responsible to help her through, but so many other matters also demand my attention.

Months before Dad died, his own brother-in-law, my uncle Fausto, tried to overthrow him. It seems he’d had his sights set on being boss for years, his fury going back years to when I’d taken over as underboss. I can’t say how many others might have the same resentment about a twenty-eight-year-old not only rising to underboss but now boss of the entire Moretti family. The possibilities worry me. If I don’t prove myself quickly, I could be facing a violent overthrow and never see it coming.

Our loyalty as a family is unquestionable when it comes to outsiders, but squabbles within the organization are endless. That’s how it is with family.

Before Dad died, we’d been discussing a strategic marriage to Ariana de Bellis, daughter of the Giordano family boss. Uniting our families, especially now that the Gallo and Lucciano families have allied, would have been helpful. Christiano de Bellis ended up with a bullet between the eyes before we could solidify anything. The family has a new boss, so I’ve scratched that plan.

If given time, I’m confident my leadership skills would prove themselves worthy, but time is a luxury I can’t afford. I need to find a way to prove myself and soon, especially to the older generation. My ongoing worries about my standing is the reason Shae’s goading actually got to me. That sort of petty ploy would normally have rolled right off my shoulders. She managed to stab right where I was most sensitive, and I don’t think it was luck. Her ability to read a situation is impressive. That more than anything is why I wasn’t truly mad at her. I’m just glad I was able to jab back with equal accuracy.

Shae Byrne would be sitting at the helm of her organization if her cousins would allow it.

Maybe she’s content with her current standing. I’d guess she had to work a hell of a lot harder to get there than her cousins did. I respect that. Despite what she and others might think, I’ve had to face continuous scrutiny to get where I am. It might have been harder for someone else to rise to the top, but that doesn’t mean my journey has been easy. There’s no such thing as childhood when your father is grooming you for a place at the top.

I grew up in a 1980s mansion that doesn’t look much different today as it did then. When I pull up to the house, I feel at home and out of place at the same time. The house is so damn ostentatious. Dad was a big believer in appearances. I think a degree of subtlety can be even more effective in conveying a message. After all, can you actually be all that powerful if you have to tell everyone how powerful you are?

Regardless, Dad loved the place, and I doubt Mom will ever leave it now that he’s gone. So many of her best memories took place within those pale salmon-colored walls.

“Hey, Ma. Where are you?” I let myself in and drape my jacket over the back of a chair in the entry.

“In the kitchen.” Her voice echoes through the empty rooms. There’s furniture and decor and knickknacks, but no real life. My younger brother and cousin technically live with her, but they’re rarely home. It’s just her in the giant place. I find it depressing.

“Making yourself some dinner?” I smile and place a kiss on her cheek.

“Yeah, you want some? The tuna salad is fresh.”

“Nah, it’s still early for me.”

“You sure? I know how you love this stuff.”

“Ma, what’s up? You texted that you needed to talk, remember?”

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