Page 36 of Depths of Hunger

Mia unfolds herself from the sofa, her movements graceful but guarded. She takes a slow sip from the delicate China cup in her hands, the steam rising in soft tendrils around her face. “No, it’s not Big Tony,” she says confidently. “He’s always wanted to be the leader; he thinks he’s earned it. But Tony doesn’t have the guts to go against everyone to take it. If he did, he’d already be in charge—my father would’ve caved to him long ago. Tony had his chance, and he didn’t take it. And it’s not Giuseppe, either. Both of them push back, but if Giuseppe wanted control, he would’ve made his move years ago as well. Besides, he wouldn’t go against Tony; Giuseppe’s smart, but he relies on Tony to keep the gears turning.”

Luca nods thoughtfully, his gaze still fixed on her. “If it’s not Big Tony or Giuseppe, then we’re left with Colucci.” He taps the next finger.

“It’s not Colucci.” Mia shakes her head as she sets the cup down on the coffee table with a quiet clink. “I’ve spoken to the cartel contacts. They’re in the middle of finalizing a deal with Colucci and his people that will bring in a lot of money. He’s all in on that; he doesn’t have the bandwidth to take on anything else. This deal will set him up for life. He’s not risking that.”

I nod, impressed once again by her logic and by her insight. “I agree. Big Tony and Giuseppe wouldn’t have done it, and Colucci’s too busy pissing himself over this cartel deal. No way he’s got the stones for anything else. Bobby Sticks isn’t all that interested in being in charge. He’s more into his whores and making money.” I can’t help but feel a swell of pride. Mia has shown more understanding of the inner workings of the family in two weeks than most men manage in a lifetime.My wife.

She is so much more than I ever imagined.

Nico moves to the bar and pours himself a glass of deep red wine.He raises the bottle, offering Mia some. I shoot her a warning look. It’s early, and she knows I don’t approve of her drinking. I’ll have to deal with that later, and the thought sends blood pumping to my cock. She senses my displeasure, shrinking back slightly, but still accepts the glass when Nico hands it to her. I let it slide for now, but she’ll pay for it later in the best way possible, with multiple orgasms. My blood quickens.

Nico settles into one of the plush guest chairs and takes a slow sip, his eyes never leaving Mia. “So, who’s left?” he asks.

“Lombardi,” Mia says quietly, her tone thoughtful but laced with tension. “He’s ambitious, smart, and has the potential to be a future don. He’s younger than the others, and he’s already made a move on me. He’s thinking the same way Angelo was. With you gone, Renzo, he could take over by claiming me.”

Hot, unyielding fury ignites in my chest. I thought Lombardi knew his place, but if he’s been circling Mia, he’s just signed his death warrant.

Luca leans back, considering her words. “Are you sure? I’m not convinced Lombardi’s ready. He’s got the ambition, sure, but he hasn’t proven himself yet. The other capos are established; they’ve been in this game for years. Lombardi’s new—he’s still got a lot to prove.”

“Well, that just leaves Luigi,” Nico says, swirling his wine. “But with his wife’s condition, I can’t see him making a play for power.”

Mia nods, her expression unreadable as she takes another sip of wine. “Luigi doesn’t want to run the family. If he did, he also could’ve taken it from my father whenever he wanted, but he didn’t.”

I watch her closely, testing for any sign of weakness as we discuss her father. She remains steady, her eyes sharp, betraying nothing. “You’re not wrong,” I say, my voice calm and measured. “So, either we’re missing something entirely, or we’re wrong about one of the five.”

Nico nods slowly. “Then we investigate all of them, top to bottom. I’ll get my people on it. But Renzo, are you staying dead or coming back to life?”

I’ve been weighing that decision since this all started, and Mia’sperformance at the meeting has only solidified my choice. “For now, I stay dead. Mia did well—better than I anticipated. You impressed me, and that’s not easy to do,” I say to her. “I’ll let you play the head while I move in the shadows. I can get more done that way. But,” I say to my brothers, “I want security on Mia at all times—no one gets near her. One of us needs to be with her 24/7.”

As I say it, I realize I don’t mean one of us—I mean me. No one else. Mia isn’t going anywhere without me by her side. I won’t have my brothers or any other man near her. I have to know she’s safe at all times. I will not tolerate anyone hurting my woman.

Nico and Luca exchange glances, their expressions thoughtful but guarded. They know me well enough to recognize when a decision has been made, and I can see the wheels turning in their heads as they silently process the implications. Luca straightens from the desk, adjusting his cuffs with a casual flick of his wrist, but there’s a stiffness in his movements, a tension that wasn’t there before. Nico finishes his wine, setting the glass down with a deliberate clink that seems to echo in the stillness of the room.

“Keep us updated,” Nico says, his voice calm but carrying the underlying weight of expectation. He pulls his coat tighter around him, eyes flicking briefly to Mia before turning back to me.Do you think you can trust her to keep our secret?

She doesn’t have a choice. She wants to live, and she’s witnessed first-hand what happens when someone crosses me. I don’t think she’ll soon forget it.At least, I hope she won’t. I don’t like to think what would happen if she betrayed me.

Nico says, “We’ll keep looking into the capos. You focus on staying in the shadows, Renzo. It’s safer for all of us if they think you’re still dead.”

I nod, my mind already shifting gears, but my attention keeps drifting back to Mia, sitting quietly on the sofa, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her wine glass. She’s trying to seem composed, but the tremble in her hands is visible and her eyes dart to the door as if she’s contemplating an escape route. Luca hesitates at the entry for amoment, his gaze lingering on Mia a beat too long, and I have to fight the urge to throw him out myself.

“Be careful, Mia,” Luca says, his tone almost teasing but edged with something darker. It’s a threat, and I don’t like my brother threatening my wife, but I need her to realize just what her situation is. There will be no turning to anyone else for help. I let Luca leave without reprimand, but he knows I’m not happy.

Mia doesn’t respond to Luca, but I see the flicker of unease cross her face. Nico follows Luca out, closing the heavy wooden door behind them with a dull thud. The sound feels final, like a seal being set on whatever comes next.

I turn to Mia, letting the silence stretch out between us, thick and oppressive.

The room feels even darker now, the fire’s light casting twisted shadows along the walls. I slowly walk toward the window, watching the moonlight spill over the sea below. The vast expanse of ocean has always made me feel at home but right now, it feels distant, irrelevant. My focus is solely on Mia and the way she’s watching me, like I’m a beast that’s just stepped out of the shadows. She is not wrong, but it doesn’t stop the longing in my chest. My arms still ache to hold her and soothe away her fears.

“Do you know why I had to kill Angelo?” I ask, my voice low, almost conversational, but there’s an undercurrent of menace in every word. I don’t look at her yet, letting her stew in her thoughts.

Mia’s silence hangs between us, her fear palpable. Finally, she forces herself to speak, her voice small and shaky. “I don’t understand any of this, Renzo. I—I thought it was a joke when you said you were a vampire. Some sort of magic trick that allowed you to look like you have fangs and can survive being shot, but seeing you… seeing you do that—” Her words falter, and she bites her lip, trying to steady herself.

I lean against the window frame with a casualness that belies the tension simmering beneath my skin. I see in the mirror across from me the moonlight catching on the sharp lines of my face, casting half of it in shadow.

“You think you know what I am now, Mia?” I say softly, steppingcloser. Each step is deliberate and predatory, and I watch as she shrinks back further into the couch. “You think you know what kind of monster you married now that you’ve seen me kill Angelo?”

Her eyes widen, and I recognize the raw, unguarded fear in them. She’s seen a glimpse of what I am, but she hasn’t even scratched the surface. I can smell her fear, sharp and intoxicating, mingling with the faint scent of her perfume. It’s a heady mix, one that stirs something sinister and primal inside me.

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