Page 23 of Violent Delights

“We leave for Italy the moment she arrives,” he says, shocking me. I wasn’t expecting him to take her away, but it makes sense. If he has any untoward plans for her, he’ll want to have her as far away from the Vitale clan as possible.

“Then I leave with you,” I say, keeping my voice calm and confident. I can’t fuck up now. It seems I may have a job to do.Also, I need to tell my father about my plan. All I can do is pray he doesn’t lose his shit.

“Then I think we have a deal, Mr. Guzzi. Be here on the tenth with your belongings. I doubt we’ll return to the city anytime soon.”

“Thank you, Mr. Mosca,” I say as I push to my feet. “It’s been a pleasure.” I hold out my hand, which he accepts, and we shake on it.

When I reach home, I’m amped up. My body is a live wire. My father is in his office when I walk in and I know he’s not going to be happy. When he glances up, he offers me a nod.

“We need to talk,” I tell him. “I’ve secured a position in the Mosca clan.” I don’t waste time because there is none.

His eyes are wide on me, shock creasing his wrinkled face. “What?”

“I’m going undercover to take them down.” He doesn’t respond, so I say, “He’s got young women there, none older than twenty.”

“Does this have anything to do with the Vitale girl?” When I don’t respond, he chuckles. “I didn’t expect my son to break his loyalty by falling in love with the enemy.”

“She is not the enemy,” I insist. My father could easily kill me right now. And I couldn’t blame him because I should never have gone near Lelia. But I did and there is no taking it back now.

“So, you’re prepared to take down one of the most corrupt clans there are? All for a girl?” He looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Perhaps I have.

“I am.” The confidence I exude makes him take notice. I’ve always been willing to do anything my father told me to. He is the Boss after all. But this is different. This is my plan, not his.

I knew the lure of killing Ignacio Mosca would be too much for him to disapprove of. He wouldn’t deny it would be a good thing if the bastard were gone.

“Then I suppose you’ll be gone for a while,” Dad says, settling back in his seat.

“I leave for Italy in two weeks.”

“Let’s hope you return,” he says and I know that’s all the support he’ll offer me on this suicide mission. I turn and leave the office, and I know that no matter what, I have to get those girls out of there.

Chapter 12

Lelia

My birthday.

Eighteen years on this earth and I’m being sent off tonight to a house I have never seen before. I’m going to be made to live there because my father decided to sell me off. I am not prepared. I didn’t think I would be this angry, but I am. The sleek purple dress that hugs my curves is sparkling as I walk down the steps to the living room. Everyone is already here, sipping expensive champagne and talking about just what my future holds.

I’m a contract, nothing more. I’ve lost the ability to be a woman when my hand in marriage was arranged. Eyes flit to me when I enter. Everything is decked in gold. The balloons, the table settings, and even the bow ties the waiters are wearing.

Elegance.

Opulence.

And a farewell to the girl I once was.

My chest tightens when I realize I will never see Domenico again. I’ve thought about him over the past couple of weeks, but I haven’t been able to escape the watchful eyes of Cassio and his men. I’m almost certain he told my father about finding me with a Montesano.

Even though he didn’t quite see us together, my cousin isn’t stupid. I’m a prisoner, and when I get to the Mosca household, I’ll be nothing but a captive bride.

“Come,” my father says when he sees me. His heavy arm wraps around my neck, and he leads me over to where myfiancéis standing and talking to my mother. The dark, hungry gaze of the older man drinks me in, and ice courses through my veins.

I want to run.

I want to hide.

But there’s no longer an escape for me.

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