Page 41 of Malevolent Secrets

She turns at the door, giving me one last, lingering look before disappearing into the night. I watch her go, the weight of what I’ve just done settling over me. She’s in deeper now, and so am I.

As the door closes behind her, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. This woman—this beautiful, determined woman—is going to be the end of me. But for now, I’ll play the game.

Because one thing is certain: Daniella Roberto is far too intriguing to let go. The door opens again and I know it is Victor who has just walked in.

Without looking at him, I turn to the window, looking out at the city below. It’s a dangerous game we’re playing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s caught in my web now and I intend to keep her there.

“Who is she?” Victor asks, and I sigh. This is the difference between Victor and Vincent. Victor asks questions about shit that should be obvious while Vincent finds the answers to even the deepest mysteries of the world.

“Come tomorrow morning, she’s our new employee.” he doesn't need to know the sordid details about her relationship with Jeremy.

In fact, none of my men can find out. I'm not the only one who felt the sting of Jeremy’s betrayal. His stupidity had cost the lives of three of my men, men who had families and friends in the Costa Nostra. And the people here do not forgive.

They also do not take kindly to the families of traitors. If they find out who she is, protecting her will become a whole lot harder.

“I didn't realize you were taking interviews in your private room.”

“Neither did I.”

Sighing, I walk away from the window and over to the table to pour myself a glass of the sweet wine I’d served Daniella, drinking from the same glass. Her red lipstick print on the rim of the glass makes me think of her lips.

I stare at it for a second, remembering her scorching kisses, then rotate the glass and drink. It’s far too sweet for me but I am enjoying watching the pink liquid swirling in the glass.

“Boss, do you really think it’s a good idea to have someone you've fucked work here? You usually like to keep business and pleasure separate.”

“It won't be a problem. She won't be working with me, or even remotely close.”

“Doesn't mean it won't be a problem for the other men. I mean no disrespect sir, but the only other woman who has stirred everyone up like this before is your sister.”

I frown. “Saying no disrespect is not a pass to be fucking disrespectful Victor. And I don't particularly enjoy hearing how ‘stirred up’ you all are by my sister.”

He has the gall to smile just a little and I want to punch him. I wonder if my father ever thought about punching his own right hand man, but then again, Uncle Vince was a force in his own right.

“I apologize. All I'm trying to say is that a woman like her coming in here, she's a distraction. My men’s attention will be pulled from their jobs and it is a critical time now. We can't afford to have distracted soldiers.

“Then maybe you should train your men better. Maybe you all need to learn to think with your brains and not your dicks, hmm?”

“Of course, Capo.”

Sighing again, something I tend to do too often these days, I settle down on the plush sofa in the room and cross my legs, taking out my lighter and twirling it in my hand.

“So, what’s the report?”

Victor’s smile is even wider now as he walks forward and hands me an envelope full of photographs.

“Mass destruction,” he says. “Fifteen men dead, another five critically injured, I have it on good authority that two won't make it through the night.”

Looking through the photos of chaos and debris doesn't make me happy. There's so much blood and gore. A torn-off arm here, a detached foot there. I school my face into a mask of indifference as I look through each one.

“Women and children?”

“None hurt.”

I nod. My instructions had been very clear. Only their main depot was to be targeted, and only men worked there. They came for my business, so I went for theirs. Ships had been set on fire and containers full of products, drugs and weapons had gone up in flames. It was total carnage.

Good.

“It will take them months to recover everything that was lost. That should buy us some time to also recover from what we ourselves have lost,” Victor says and I shake my head.

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