Page 48 of King of Obsession

She sat up, and I tagged the worry - the shit I didn’t like to see - crowding her eyes.

‘They’re Caputo capos and work with his sons, who’ve been running the farm since Franco was put away.’

Her voice was a hushed whisper.

I nodded, taking my time before answering. ‘Sons? How many?’

She shot me a narrowed glance, hesitating.

‘Three.’

‘Their names, cara?’

Her face clouded over for a second. ‘Rocco, Fabio and Bruno Conti.’

I huffed at the cliche names. ‘Stai scherzando. The sound like the members of a shit boy band. You’re joking?’

Her lips twitched. ‘I kid you not.’

‘Tell me more,’ I demanded.

Cleo gave me pressed lips, and I sensed turbulence under her calm waters. ‘The Caputos are paying the Contis for their farmland to grow weed and manufacture meth. At least, that’s what the rumors are. The Caputos have sent in a small army of capos to protect the drugs they’re cooking on their farm. They’re fuckin’ nuts who walk around brandishing guns and their collective outrage, frustration, boredom, and weak-ass gangster fakery.’

I searched her face, aware of the reason for her ire. ‘You hate them,’ I noted.

Her lips twisted. ‘I loath all of them. They have a wanton disregard for the lives and livelihoods of their fellow human beings. They’ve destroyed so many families, and the flow of narcotics has created a serious problem in the area.’

‘Sounds like someone needs to take them out.’

Cleo’s jaw clenched. ‘Not me. My beef is with Franco.’

Her tone carried with it a measure of pain.

‘You’re waiting for him, aren’t you? For revenge?’ I growled.

Her eyes burned when she turned them toward me, confirming my suspicions she was planning to end Franco if she ever encountered him.

‘You’re well within your right, tesoro.’

She jolted. ‘Why are you calling me that?’

Her voice was sharp, her face panicked.

I’d struck a nerve.

‘It means treasure,’ I offered. ‘That’s all.’

‘I’m no one’s treasure.’

Her bleak, stoic statement hit me so hard I sucked my teeth.

I pushed a hand into my trousers and found my jade talisman. Rolling the beads in my fingers, I growled at her. ‘Woman, if you look like a fuckin’ treasure; you talk and walk like one, and your body, tesoro, is out of this world, then you’re a treasure.’

I smirked at the rush of color into her face as she canted away from me.

My eyes lingered on the curve of her spine. Wanting to take her in my arms and soothe away the strain on her face.

To kiss her shoulder and nape, lick her perfect ear shell,make her come so hard she’d forget her momentary troubles.

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