Page 75 of Massimo

He technically isn't my second-in-command; he's my advisor or consigliere. When I became Don, I convinced Vito to take on some additional 'administrative' duties, as he calls them, in addition to his work in the field for protecting our empire. Marco had as well; he and Vito job-share my second-in-command. It would've never worked if itweren't for the kind of men and leaders they are. But it's not a long-term solution.

In my mind, besides Vito, there are two candidates for the second-in-command position. Gabe had already turned me down, saying he needed to head my security team and wouldn't relinquish that role to anyone else. Plus, he wasn’t Santoro blood, and Gabe is even more conventional and traditional than I am. The other person is Gemma, and I plan to discuss it withZioRiccardo on this trip. If he won’t give her a leadership role in his branch of the family, then I want her as my second-in-command.

We leave the private airstrip to head to Vincenzo Pisani's palatial residence, where the 'Ndrangheta meetings always occur. He's from the founding family's direct line and serves as our de facto convenor. While he doesn't control or rule over any of our families, as all the'ndrinesare independent, he holds more power in certain matters, such as his vote carries more weight.

The drive from the airstrip takes thirty minutes, and I use that time to check in with Gabe. It's seven in the morning here, but it's evening back home. I pull up the security camera feeds on my phone so I can watch Nova, and put in earbuds so Gabe won't be on my speakerphone.

"Miss me already?" he answers.

"What can I say, your ugly mug has grown on me over the years."

He laughs, then clears his throat. "Everything is quiet. She's good."

Gabe doesn't use Nova's name because there's always a slim chance our encrypted call could be intercepted. Crispin's abilities are the best I've encountered, and we use the best technology, but we still can't take unnecessary risks.

I navigate on my phone to select the security camera I want in Nova's room. She sits on the bed, hugging her knees, and stares straight ahead.

None of the guards with me orZioMarco know I have Nova, so I keep my responses vague. "What was on the agenda today?"

"Spent a lot of time in the library. She declined seeing Gemma; said tomorrow."

That surprises me, yet it doesn't at the same time. "How's her mood?" I ask as I study her over the security cameras.

Nova didn't seem upset or withdrawn when I left. Mind you, I had just leveled her world with multiple orgasms, so she was likely orgasm-drunk.

"She's withdrawn some." He sighs. "The food control thing is rearing its head."

This was one of my biggest concerns about leaving her—this, and the fear that the guards might trigger her again, sending her spiraling into hell. Gabe had cleared Damien of having done anything to hurt Nova, and ordered the guards who were allowed into the house to dress in suits and keep their weapons hidden. The memory of watching her slip into those hellish flashbacks still makes me nauseous, but I can't dwell on the possibility that it might happen again while I'm across the world from her. I can't protect her from here in that sense; however, I can still help her with the food and eating part.

Her coloring is better now, but she's still so small and slightly undernourished. She can't go days without eating or drinking again.

"If you have to, give her a direct order, Gabe." I unclench my fist, forcing myself to remain calm.

I don't want to resort to that, but we will if needed. I had spoken about it with Nova last night between eating her out and fingering her tight pussy. She had agreed, but the edging and withholding the orgasm from her until she did might've played strongly into her submission on the subject.

He sighs again. "Jerome discovered she was never even allowed to make a sandwich for herself, Mass. The fucking mind games he must've done on her…"

My vision is black as I think of Mancini.

"You need to get the 'Ndrangheta to change the vote. He can't be allowed to live."

"It's my number one priority," I growl. "Call me if anything changes or comes up.Anything."

"I know. I will. Keep your ass safe. This is killing me to stay behind."

"The family needs you there, Gabe. Keep them all safe."

"You have my word or my life," he vows and disconnects the call.

I know I’ll be under scrutiny for the missing Mancini princess, and I don’t trust that Vincenzo, or any of the other Dons, won’t try to spy on me. So I’ll wait to call Nova until I can ensure it's safe.

Because my obsessive need demands it, I keep watching her on the security feed on my phone as we drive through the countryside. My attention is fully absorbed by my princess rather than the scenic views of the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. I want to know what is going through her head, what she's feeling, and whether she regrets what has happened between us.

Of course, I'm fucking thrilled she wants to give me her virginity. But I know she doesn't trust me yet. And I know she's up to something.

But it doesn't matter, because Nova is mine.

"I just ask that I might be able to live my life in peace. To be free of all the monsters."

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