Page 70 of Cruel Heir

“It’s going to take me the better part of a week to come back,” I tell Lucia, when it’s time for me to go. “We have to be careful about this. If we send our men in a rush, there will be too many casualties, and the possibility of failure. This is our only chance.”

“I know.” The way she looks at me still startles me—both because I never expected her to look at me with anything but hate, and because of how it makes me feel. It feels almost impossible to remember that, at one point, I saw this woman as nothing but a pawn. That I imagined her as spoiled and weak. That it took me longer than it should have to see her strength and tenacity.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I brush my knuckles against her cheekbone. I had her in bed not two hours ago, but I’m already aching for her again. It feels like it never entirely goes away, like even when I’ve just been inside of her, I want to feel that close to her again. The physical desire is tangled up with something else now, an emotion that I’m afraid to put a name to, even now when I have to leave her for a little while. Deep down, I know I should say something. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that something could happen to me. That I might not come back.

Then it’s better to wait,I tell myself.She’ll get over you more easily, if she never knew how you felt.

The problem is that just the thought of Lucia getting over me, of ever being with someone else, of everwantingsomeone else, makes my blood boil.

“You’re mine,” I murmur, holding back the words that I very nearly say instead. “You’ll always be mine, Lucia. And I will keep you safe.” My hand on her waist strays to the flat of her stomach, a thrill sweeping through me at the idea that she’s carrying my heir. “And our child. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I hope so,” she whispers, leaning up to kiss me. And I think she actually means it.

We’re staying at one of Luisi’s estates, located not far from Gaeta’s main house. It’s tucked back away in the countryside, nestled in a place that’s easy to guard, and it’s one that he doesn’t often use. It’s unlikely that Gaeta would suspect that we’re staying here. We arrive separately, moving our men in slowly over the course of the day, so that if anyone is watching, nothing seems particularly out of the ordinary.

Very soon, Gaeta will pay for what he’s done.

It takes two days for our men to do the necessary reconnaissance on Gaeta’s estate. They come back with reports—Antonio working with Di Falci and Luisi’s right-hand men, and I feel more restless than I remember even feeling during those two long years of house arrest on Fontana’s estate.

I’ve never missed a woman before. I can’t even recall having ever slept with a woman who I particularly remember at this point—not faces or names or anything they did in bed. But ImissLucia. I’d always thought I would prefer not to share a bed with my future wife, that I’d stick to the old-fashioned traditions of separate bedrooms. I’ve always liked my own space, wanting any girl who shared my bed out of it as soon as we were finished enjoying each other.

But now, I find that I miss the scent of Lucia’s skin in the morning, the way her eyes flicker open slowly in the early light. I miss the feeling of her warm skin against mine. I miss the soft sigh she makes when she feels that I want her, just after we’ve woken up, the way her body softens and opens for mine, letting me in.

I miss the sound of her voice and the laugh that I’ve only just begun to hear. And I find, to my complete and utter surprise, that I no longer wan anyone else.

The other three men make no secret of the fact that they’re enjoying the time away from their wives. Luisi keeps a very attractive staff at this estate—most of the maids and kitchen staff are young and extremely pretty—and I don’t have to guess why. The first night we’re at the estate, he goes to bed before any of us, taking the beautifulblack-uniformed brunette who had been bringing us wine all evening upstairs. It’s clear that Amalfi and Di Falci have every intention of taking advantage ofallthe hospitality that the estate has to offer, as well. But when I linger for a little while longer after they’re gone, still sipping a glass of port, I find that I can’t summon an interest in the pretty girl who keeps stopping to ask me if I need anything else.

It’s not for lack of desire. Just a day away from Lucia has me aching for a release, my libido every bit as much in overdrive as it’s been since the night I brought her home to my mansion. The girl comes by once more, pausing at the edge of the doorway, and I look over at her, wondering why I can’t seem to summon the urge to fuck her here and now, the way I would have before.

“Is there anything else you need, Don Leone?” she asks, and there’s an obvious innuendo in her voice. It’s unmistakeable. There’s no possible way I could take her tone for anything other than what it is—the suggestion that if I want to fuck her, she’s available for my pleasure. I’ve never in my life turned down that kind of offer. But she’s not who I want.

I want my wife. And anything else seems like nothing but a passing distraction, one that I can’t summon the desire to truly take advantage of. All I can think is that it would be unsatisfying, compared to Lucia.

Compared to what I really want.

“I’m fine. Thank you. Feel free to let me be for the night,” I tell her, and I don’t miss the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. But all I want is to finish this job as quickly as possible, without distraction, so I can go home.

So I can see Lucia again.

On the fourth night that we’re there, after Antonio has given us a clearly mapped-out path through the estate, we move in. The teams of our men are going in first, to clear out Gaeta’s security, and then the four of us will follow. Our enforcers have already been given the instruction that Gaeta, along with his wife and children, are to be kept unharmed until we get there.

Our force should be able to clear his estate easily. But still, I can’t stop pacing as I wait to hear Antonio tell us to head in. This is the only chance I can see to make Fontana hear me out. The only chance to ensure the safety of my family.

I’ve found something that means more to me than vengeance. Something I want more than Fontana’s removal or death. And I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to see it through.

When Antonio gives the all clear and the four of us go out with our guards to drive to Gaeta’s estate, all I can think of is Lucia. Of getting to go home to her, and no longer needing to fear what the future will hold.

I want to give that to her—to us both.

Don Gaeta and Annette are in their living room, surrounded by Antonio, the other three enforcers, and several more of our men. Her face is bone-white, and I can see tears glittering in her eyes. After what she did to Lucia, it’s hard for me to find sympathy for her.

Antonion breaks away, walking over to me. “The children are upstairs,” he says quietly. “But I can have someone fetch them, if you want them to see what happens here.”

Some dons would. Some would think it was a valuable lesson, to see the folly of their parents. Fontana certainly did, when he made me watch my father die. But I know now the path that leads down, and I intend to do my best not to send Gaeta’s children down that road.

“Let them stay upstairs.” There’s a soft gasp from Annette, and I hear her sob.

“Please don’t hurt them.” Tears are dripping down her cheeks. “Please, I’ll do anything—”

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