Page 22 of Violent Delights

I scroll through conversations with the Moscas, until I find the most recent one that was sent just this morning. I click on it after the subject line sets me on edge.

The Final Agreement

As I scan the message, my blood runs cold. I’m turned to ice when I realize I have to act quickly. None of these bastards know what I look like, which is my advantage. I don’t think twice about my next move.

I’m on my feet, heading out the door. I should run this by my father, but it’s going to be too late. I’m in the car and out on the road as I ponder how this could go. If I can get it right, I’ll be in the perfect position to take down one of the most violent crime families in the world. If it doesn’t, my father will be burying his son sooner than he thinks.

My phone rings in my pocket, but I ignore it. There’s no time to waste, and if it is Dad, then he’ll only want to know what I’m doing. I can’t let him know, not yet. Once I land this position, I’llensure the safety of the girl who’s stolen my whole fucking world from me.

She’s the enemy.

She should not be on my mind, least of all in my dirty thoughts. I should be planning to go there and murder her, but I can’t. I cannot bring myself to hurt her. Or allow anyone else to harm her.

When I pull up to the large ornate gates that have the Mosca clan symbol emblazoned on them, I come to a stop and wait for the security to reach my window.

“Ciao, che cosa vuoi?” he greets me, asking what I want. His narrowed gaze takes me in, slow and steady. I’m a stranger, and he should be wary.

“Salve, sono qui per vedere signorMosca,” I tell him with a smile that I’m here to see his Boss, hoping it comes across as friendly.

“Qualé il tuo nome?” He asks for my name, and I have to think quickly. I didn’t consider this when I got in the car. I’m running into this without a solid plan because the girl I want, the girl who kisses like a sinful angel, has fucked with my head.

“Guzzi. Diego Guzzi. For the job of bodyguard,” I tell him, this time in English. When I saw the email Mosca sent to Aldo, I knew it was my only in. I have to land this fucking job. My father is probably going to kill me for doing this without his knowledge or agreement. But I can’t turn back now.

The security nods, then opens the gate, and I make my way into enemy territory. And I know that I’m in it for the long haul. Either I’ll leave here tonight with a job, or I’ll leave in a body bag. But one thing I know for sure is that I have to try.

When I come to a stop outside the door, one of the guards comes out to greet and lead me through the entrance into the house of the Moscas. It’s elaborate. Everything I imagined it to be.

I’m escorted through the house, into a large room that has been furnished with deep red, gold ornate furniture. The art that hangs on the walls is of those passed, the ancestors. Every inch of the room screams of overindulgence.

And then he walks in.

“Diego Guzzi.” His voice is a rasp of intrigue. I’ve heard of the Guzzi family, not part of any clan; they run on their own. It’s as if they don’t care that familia is what makes us great.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Mosca,” I tell him. I know my plan may be fucked if any of the Vitale walk in, but for Lelia, I’m taking a chance. She’s well and truly fucked me over because I want her. And I won’t stop until she’s mine.

“I hear you’re here for a job interview,” he remarks as he settles into an armchair that looks much more like a throne. Perhaps it’s his way of showing me he’s in charge. I won’t argue with that, not when I’m alone in his home, in his territory.

“I am,” I tell him as I settle on a chair that faces him. “I have the experience. I know this life better than most. And I’ll kill to keep a woman safe.” There is no lie in my words, and I can feel his watchful gaze assessing me.

“My new wife is young,” he informs me. “I want her watched twenty-four seven.” My blood boils at his statement, but I school my features and nod. “She’s fiery, and the only reason I’ve chosen her is because one day, she’ll gift me enough heirs to take over the Mosca Dynasty.”

Jealousy surges through me. Even though I know Lelia doesn’t want this bastard, I can’t help but feel anxious knowing his plan for her.

“She’s got a good bloodline, and there will be men lining up to steal her from me.” He doesn’t realize one of them is sitting across from him. “But I have signed the contract. Her father has confirmed I’ll get her in two weeks once she turns eighteen.”

“Very young,” I throw out, unable to stop myself, but the asshole thinks I’m impressed and chuckles haughtily. His fat fingers lace together.

“It’s how I like them,” he says, and my gaze burns right through him. Just then, two young women walk into the room carrying a tray each. One with drinks and the other with cigars. They set these down on the table between us and stop, waiting for their orders from Mosca.

“These are two I acquired not so long ago,” he murmurs, his hand tracing one of the girls’ arms, then he takes her hand and tugs. She falls into his lap. His show of dominance in this room is stifling.

The grimace on the girl’s face is apparent. She can’t be more than eighteen. There is no way. Bile surges up to my mouth, the burn of acid causing me to clench my fists. But he doesn’t notice because he’s far too enthralled by the pretty girl.

“If you work for me, you are loyal to the clan. I know your Guzzi name is nothing more than a front because your family are cowards.”

I grit my teeth. It feels like a personal attack, but I have to remind myself that he thinks I’m someone else. I nod to appease him. “I’m not like them,” I tell him. “I was born into the wrong bloodline,” I continue, hoping he’ll see the ruse for what it is.

He does laugh. The sound is throaty, as if he’s had far too much alcohol already. And it’s only three in the afternoon. I want to leave now. I need to know that the next time I walk into this house, I’m part of the clan.

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