Page 2 of Retribution

The smell of bacon and waffles aroused my appetite but when I walked over to the stove and saw what my brother left me, I wanted to gag. The bugger made oatmeal with raisins and cut up apples. I hated oatmeal and he knew it. Where the hell was the bacon and waffles coming from? Marching back to the living room, I found Luca eating – waffles and bacon. I stood there for a moment, not knowing what to do. I couldn’t eat the oatmeal because I just wouldn’t be able to get it down.

Without an iota of remorse for how I treated him earlier, I walked over to the sofa. “Scoot over and hand me my breakfast.”

With a smirk he picked up the bag with the food and handed it to me, along with a coffee.

I took it and said, “Thanks.”

In silence the both of us ate our breakfast, while I mulled over the fact that he knew exactly what I liked. Waffles, bacon, eggs, fruit bowl and coffee with just a tad of cream and one sugar. This was either creepy or sweet, that Luca knew this. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but I did enjoy the food. After I’d finished eating, I emptied the coffee cup and set it on the table.

“How much do I owe you?”

He’d finished and leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed. “A kiss would cover it.”

I chuckled as I leaned close to his face, our noses almost touching. “My kisses are way more expensive, certainly worth more than a measly breakfast.”

Before he could respond, the doorbell buzzed. I laughed at the look on his face as I stepped back and hopped to the door. I was surprised to see Alessandro standing there, his good eye trailing lazily over me before coming back to meet mine.

“Alessandro, what are you doing here?”

Luca moved up behind me. “Yes, what are you doing here?”

“I don’t see that as any of your business,” Alessandro replied. “But I’m here to see Ciara.”

“About?” Luca demanded.

I turned to Luca, “Step back and stay out of this. Come in Alessandro.”

“Call me Sandy,” he said as he stepped through the door.

I trotted back to the sofa and grabbed Luca’s jacket that he’d thrown over the backrest. “You, get out.”

“What did I do?” he protested as I pushed him towards the door.

“You exist,” I grinned as I beckoned Sandy inside and pushed Luca out. “Bye!”

“That wasn’t necessary,” Sandy said, jutting his head towards the door. “I should have called first, but I don’t have your number.”

“What can I do for you?” I asked, inviting him to sit.

I was still wearing my shorts and t-shirt, not giving a shit that his eyes constantly strayed to my crotch and boobs. I knew what my body did to the opposite sex, but that wasn’t my problem. So long as they didn’t touch me without consent, we were good.

“Look, I spent my life working for Mercado and haven’t been around many women, so what I’m about to ask you is quite embarrassing.”

I narrowed my eyes, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but I wanted to hear where he was taking this. “What are you talking about?”

“My friend is getting married, and he insist that I bring a date. I was wondering if you’d accompany me.”

I relaxed my shoulders and threw my head back, roaring with laughter at the sheepish look on his face. The man looked mean as the devil, yet here he was looking like a little kid who has never kissed a girl. His skin turned to the color of cranberry sauce as I continued to laugh at his discomfort.

“Yes,” I answered. “I’ll be your date.”

Chapter 2

Ciara

It was time to get back to work, but not until tomorrow. We had some collections to do and some men to find who were in hiding. Since Luca returned, I was looking forward to working with him. Sam and I had been on a few missions together for collections, and once to get some drug dealers out of the territory. But working with Sam wasn’t the fun I had hoped it would be. I needed a partner that was fun to be around and get into trouble with. A part of me felt that Luca was the ideal partner, and I couldn’t wait to see what he had up his sleeves. Maybe, just maybe I’d consider letting him spoil me a little if he was up to the challenge.

I would have loved to work with Sandy, but he made it clear that he works alone. I felt that with his experience, there was a lot he could teach me. But I heard that Luca was no joke in the field, and I needed someone I could click with. Sam was okay, but too much of a stick in the mud in my opinion. Working with Sam was like working with a dad, and not the cool type.

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