Page 13 of Inevitable

Chapter Four

Luca

“Fuck!” I roar, throwing the glass tumbler in my hand against the wall.

I feel a small bit of satisfaction at seeing the glass shatter to bits. 7 years apart and this woman still has the power to drive me crazy. She is no longer the soft sweet girl I left behind in the grass that night. She has changed, so have I, I suppose. I went from a poor handyman to a rich family to the Don for one of the most powerful Mobs in the States.

The Mariano family is one to be feared and taken seriously. Most know to fall in line, so Ashlynn Adams will have to get the picture and quick. I have to keep reminding myself to keep my distance from her. But damn, I didn’t know it was possible for her to become more gorgeous, she has though. Before, she was the beautiful girl that I fell in love with under the stars. Now, she is the most breathtaking woman I have ever seen.

I can’t think like that though. I am as strong as I am because I don’t have any weaknesses like others typically do. I have no wife or children, no family of any kind. My parents are gone as well as my Uncle Stefano, the former Don. It’s just me which means there is nothing to stray my attention. Except for the golden-haired beauty staying just two doors down. Fuck, what have I gotten myself in to?

I go to pour myself another drink when I hear a knock. I grunt in response and the door opens. Giovanni, my consigliere strides in. He takes one look at the shattered glass scattered on the floor and the new drink in my hand as he shakes his head with a smug smile on his face.

“Rough day Boss?”

I shoot him a dark glare and toss back the amber liquid in one go. The drink burns as it runs down my throat and I welcome the feeling, it’s the most I have let myself feel in a long time.

I have known Giovanni for over 7 years. He was my first friend when I officially joined the Mariano Family. We rose through the ranks together and when I became Boss my first move was to promote him. He is my closest confidant and I trust him with my life.

Unfortunately, he knows how deep my loyalty runs and he thinks he can give me shit and I won’t shoot him dead. If I were him, I’d tread carefully today, I am not as agreeable as usual.

Another knock sounds from my door and my underboss, Mario strides in. He was the consigliere for my Uncle and when he and my father passed away, I brought him up to be my underboss. Some thought he should have technically become Don when my father and uncle died. He isn’t a Mariano though and that is not how we do things in the family.

“What do you have?” I ask, outstretching my hand for the file he is holding.

He hands it to me, and I open it quickly as I walk over to my desk and sit in my overstuffed leather chair. I read the contents and swear under my breath. There are dozens of email exchanges between Francisco Farelli, The Boss of the Farelli Family, and several of our business associates. There are also several pictures of him and his men meeting with them at their businesses. Looks like Mr. Farelli is trying to poach on our territory. I raise an eyebrow to Giovanni and Mario and toss the file on to my desk.

“The Farelli is out of control. We have warned them. I am sick of them trying to flex muscles they do not have. If a member is seen on our territory again take them out, no questions asked.”

The Farelli Family is the only rival family around, if you can even call them that. They are a third of the size of us with far less resources or lucrative businesses. They have been moving in on our territory and trying to bully our associates for a while now and I am out of patience.

“Will do Boss,” Mario says as he strides out of the room.

Giovanni sits down in the seat across from me and gives me a devilish smirk. I already know where his mind is. I knew I would be having this conversation sooner or later considering the events that played out at the Adams Manor the other night.

“So,” he draws. “Miss Adams sure is pretty wouldn’t you say?”

“Just spit out whatever you are going to say Gio and get the fuck out of my face,” I snap. I know he is just goading me, but it makes my blood boil hearing any man recognize how stunning she is. I don’t care if we have both changed or how long it has been. She will always be my Ashlynn. My Angel. He lets out a hearty laugh and shakes his head.

“You are too easy when it comes to this woman. What’s the love story?” He asks.

“More like a tragedy,” I murmur, pouring another drink.

He raises an eyebrow in question, waiting for me to explain. He will be waiting a while. Sensing it is not turning into story time he sighs in mock disappointment.

“Fine. Keep your secrets. But just so you know if she is yours, you better make that public knowledge soon. I’ve heard murmurs among some of the men already about how they can’t wait to guard her room.”

“Who!” I shout, jumping to my feet. I had no problem killing the man that caused her to fall down the stairs, and I have no problem tearing through my soldier’s one by one if they so much as think about her. Now Gio is practically rolling on the floor, howling and hooting with joy.

“Oh man you have it bad. You should see the look on your face. No one has said shit, they wouldn’t dare. We all know that she is yours even if you won’t say it out loud.”

My shoulders relax and I slowly sit back down in my seat. I lean forward and rest my elbows on my desk as I massage my temples.

“She is going to be the death of me,” I groan.

Gio shrugs. “What a way to go though,” he muses.

The look I send him must be extra poisonous because he jumps up from his seat and shouts over his shoulder.

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