Page 26 of Sworn to My Heart
“What’s happening here?” I look at Luca and ask curiously.
“They started a war. We’re going to end it,” Luca replies decisively, and I begin to grasp that they’re going to put themselves in danger tonight.
I don’t ask any more questions, not expecting any further answers. I leave the room, slamming the door, leaving them to continue their discussion alone. It seems the bubble Luca and I created a few moments ago has vanished.
Instead of feeling satisfied and moving on as I expected, I find myself craving more of the tsunami that has entered my life.
Luca
I brought her into our world; there’s no turning back. She’ll have to bear the consequences now because of me, but I’ll take full responsibility for it. She belongs to me whether she likes it or not. Those bastards messed with what’s mine, and they’ll learn the hard way that it won’t end well for them.
“We’re taking down Vladimir today. I don’t care that he’s Stas’ right-hand man,” I snap angrily. Mariano nods. Stas, the boss of the bratva here in New York, has caused us too many problems since he took over for his brother six months ago. He still doesn’t understand what it means to mess with us, that useless bastard.
“Abert did some digging with our informants. They’ve been on us since we got back from Vegas. Looks like they were out for revenge for the five Flavio took down,” Mariano updates me, showing me screenshots of the message exchanges he got from the informants. Abert is one of my most reliable soldiers. I immediately think about assigning him to guard Alin.
“They also said Stas has a new woman he’s keeping close at all times. No one knows who she is; no one has seen her, but word on the street is he’s losing his mind over her,” he adds.
“We don’t torture women, Mariano. Unless you’re telling me now that she’s also running his operations?” I clarify, raising an eyebrow. Since when does Stas keep the same woman around?He changes them every five minutes and tosses them back to the streets like a wounded dog. Something here doesn’t add up.
“I would never have believed it myself, but I heard he’s turned into a doormat. One of the informants said he sold one of their most profitable clubs and a casino just because she asked,” he replies, and I chuckle.
“Looks like there’s someone whose more of a pushover than you, brother,” I tease, and he throws a few curses back at me.
“I need you to get me all the security footage from the aquarium. I want to know who was with Vladimir and how long they’ve been following us. And make sure to locate Vladimir; I am not letting him off today!” I command.
“I told you, everything’s already set. We have a location and soldiers in the area. They’re in their hideout in the southern district,” Mariano responds, and the hungry-to-kill look returns to his eyes. Now we’re really ready. Today, we’re going to add a few more bodies to Stas’ list to deal with.
I send a message to Flavio to update him on all the details so he can be ready on his end in Vegas if new problems arise because of this.
Think there will ever be a time where I get a message from you like ‘I love you, brother’ instead of more problems to add to the pile? You’re a magnet for trouble.
6:07 PM
I chuckle at the message I receive back from him.
Mariano and I lock down our strategy to take out Vladimir and his number two. We pinpoint their hideout and get everything set with our people.
Mariano never disappoints. His ruthless precision ensures every detail is covered. We are going to unleash hell for them today, sending a clear message to Stas. I send Mariano out of theoffice, his orders clear.
Now, in the silence, my mind drifts back to Alin. I can still feel her under me on this very table, her body responding to my every touch. The primal need to claim her, to own every inch of her, burns deep. She’s mine, whether she realizes it or not. The thought of her drives me wild, a fierce possessiveness I can’t shake. She’s in my veins now and no matter how hard I fight it, I can’t get her out of my head.
I don’t have time for this bullshit called ‘love’, but I am more than willing to explore her more and keep her here next to me. Now that I have her all to myself, I’m going to finally finish the puzzle that is called ‘Alin Gray’.
I step out of my office and immediately spot Alin sitting on the sofa just outside. She’s still wearing that damn torn dress, or whatever that piece of cheap, useless shit is. The way it clings to her provocatively makes my blood boil with a mix of anger and desire. She gives me a stare with those gem-like eyes, and I can’t resist. I rush over to her, sitting down beside her, pulling her onto my lap, and running my nose down her neck from behind.
“From now on you will never wear shit like this outside,” I murmur into her ear, my breath hot against her skin.
She shivers slightly, leaning into me. “Now you’re controlling what I wear too? Maybe I like the attention,” she teases, her voice soft but challenging, responding to my touch.
“Attention from me, sure,” I growl, tightening my grip on her waist. “But no one else gets to look at you like this.”
She tilts her head, offering more of her neck to me, and I trail my nose up her skin, savoring her scent. She’s responding so well, waiting for my next move, her body practically melting into mine.
Just as I’m about to take it further, my phone buzzes with a call. I glance at the screen and see it’s my signal to leave. I curseunder my breath, annoyed at the interruption.
“You’ll sleep in my bed tonight,” I say, not really asking for permission.
She pulls back slightly, her eyes defiant. “I’ll sleep in the guest room.” She argues, and I narrow my eyes at her.
