Page 5 of Alessio

I stepped on his fingers, hearing the crunch of the bones. “That’s for touching what doesn’t belong to you. Come near June again, I’ll end your life.” With a final touch, Michael and I left that fucker in a dumpster to be found by the next person to toss their trash. He was still alive, but he’d have a hard time speaking without his tongue and writing with his broken fingers. The entire drive, a sense of anger and tension builds up in me. Getting my hands dirty is nothing—someone dirtying June bothered me.

I’d rather go home, but I have matters to discuss with Dario, so we go to his part of the estate. My home is a quarter mile down the path and about a fourth the size of his.

As we step out of the vehicle in front of Dario’s entryway, Dario comes from the side with his two German Shepherds, Max and Greta. “Alessio, it’s good to see you back. How did the meeting at the agency go?” He looks at my suit, noticing the spots of blood.

“Good. The new maid will start tomorrow. She’ll be staying here because she doesn’t live close and doesn’t have reliable transportation.”

“Okay. Any concerns about her?” he asks without a hint of suspicion, but I won’t be able to hide it from him when she finally arrives.

Scrunching my face slightly, I confess, “She’s a little young, but that’s it. Nothing to worry about. She’ll be warned to stay away.”

“Good. I don’t want trouble like the last one. If I want her, she’ll know. Please inform Mrs. Ricci about her and then meet me in my office.” He takes his dogs, calling them to follow as he heads inside the house. They are the biggest reason for needing a maid. Between the shedding and their large frames, they can make a mess easily.

Something about his response makes me bristle. “If he wants her, she’ll know.” What the fuck? I hadn’t even considered that I would put myself in competition with him the second I offered to hire her. Maybe he’ll ignore her like he does every single female in existence.

I head into the main house to speak with the housekeeper and cook who will manage the new employee and let her know about the young woman. “She’ll be here tomorrow morning around nine. The agency gave her the basics, but I want you to make her understand the whole ‘don’t get any ideas’ when it comes to the men that work here.”

“I thought it was just Dario?”

“I said ‘the men,’” I grumble.

“Don’t get smart with me. Now, I have things to do.” She waves her spatula at me, and I dash out of the kitchen before she tries to hit me with it.

I return to Dario’s office and take a seat, waiting for the next order of business. “Ricci is crazy.”

“You drive her crazy.”

“Fair point.”

“So, I’ve got a tip off that Coleman has been dealing in more than cards and burgers. Word is he’s dealing in fresh meat. I want to know the extent of his other business. Let’s schedule a meeting with him.” Damn, I hadn’t expected that piece of shit to be into human trafficking, but you never know how low some people will sink.

“Gotcha. Any specific spot?”

“I’m willing to meet him anywhere but here. I don’t want that scum in my home. He owes me a fortune, hasn’t paid it back, and now, he’s upped the ante and really pissed me off.”

“Sounds good.” I stand and nod. “Anything else?”

“No. I’ve got a lot on my mind after the entire Bianchi family married and settled down.” I guess a lot of the Mafia heads have been taking the plunge, leaving them less focused on business.

“There’s a lot more market opening up and ripe for the taking.”

He scoffs, tossing his pen on his desk. “I’m not going to go to war with Bianchi over anything, but it’s got my head spinning about the future and my plans, or lack thereof.”

“You mean a wife and kids?” I raise my brows, wondering what’s come over him.

“Yeah. I’m going to need someone to pass down my empire to, and I haven’t found a wife at my age.”

“You’re only thirty, Dario.”

“Yeah, and I’m not getting any younger, and you know fucking well enough my personality ain’t getting any sweeter.” Ain’t that the motherfucking truth.

“Nope, a prickly asshole as always.”

“So I need to find a girl soon, and so should you. You’re getting up there too.”

“One day I might find one.” He gives me a stare, reading my words a little too closely.

Chapter Four

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