Page 3 of Plucking His Daisy

If only.

I’ve watched her grow up and it wasn’t always like this, thank fucking God for that. I’m not some lecherous asshole. At least, I wasn’t until about a year ago. Before then she was like a little sister to me, even though it was clear I was more to her. I could see in her eyes the crush she had on me.

I knew it was dangerous, so I did my best to put distance between us, but not enough that it raised anyone’s suspicions. When the Agosti brothers get suspicious, blood runs in the streets.

About a year ago, I realized she had grown up in front of me and was now teetering on the edge of being a woman. It’s also when I took a hard look at myself and realized the women I had been taking to bed were all stand-ins for Daisy. Some would maybe play it off as a type or preference, but I knew, deep down, it was so much more than that.

I didn’t want them to talk to me. I used them for a release, for pleasure, because I couldn’t have the woman I really wanted. It was depraved. It was dark and fucking wrong.

I stopped then and there.

I haven’t been with a woman in a year and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be with another again.

Because I can’t have the woman I want. She’s 18 now and I’ve seen the sadness in her eyes every time I’ve seen her since her birthday. If she really thought the only thing standing in my way was her age, then she’s forgotten who her brothers are.

They hold my life in their hands, in more ways than one, and I owe them my loyalty. I grew up with them and they’re family. My brother, Sergio, is part of the organization as well, but his position is more on the up-and-up than mine. He works security for Constantino at Sala, a nightclub.

I know Sergio wants more responsibility, but I’ve been hesitant to approve it. My life is dangerous enough. It’s cost me things I’ll never get back and things I’ll never have. Like Daisy.

I can’t love the woman openly; I can’t even let her know. It would rip her apart to know I feel the same way about her that she does about me. She’s a warrior and I know she would try and fight for me and for us to be together if she knew how much she means to me.

She’s brave and fierce. She would go up against her brothers for me.

I can’t let her do it. It’s not right. She deserves more than someone like me—a coward who isn’t willing to rock the boat.

I owe Elio my life. Fuck, I owe the entire Agosti family my life.

So, it is theirs. No longer mine to give away to Daisy, even though I wish it were different.

I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life than for Daisy to put her neck out for me. I know one thing is for sure, Elio won’t be using her as some fucking pawn in an arranged marriage. He loves his sister too much for that and they don’t look at her as a commodity.

It’s the only solace I have.

The thought that one day a man will come into her life who will not give a fuck who her brothers are sits like acid in my stomach. It makes me want to destroy everything in my apartment. I barely hold myself back. It’s my own fault.

If it happens, I’ll have to let her go.

When the day comes, will she be able to see my remorse? My pain? My regrets?

I hope not. Maybe I’ll have enough practice at masking it by then.

I let out a groan when my phone rings and I see its Lily, Constantino’s fiancé. Constantino is the second brother in command and while I usually work directly with Elio, I’m at the disposal of any of the brothers. I suppose the same is true with their women, though Constantino is the only one to have found one so far.

I don’t mind. Lily is a good woman. She’s smart and strong. She’s also the only living Scavo, a family we’ve been allied with for as long as I’ve been part of the organization. Constantino couldn’t have found a better woman to stand by his side.

Too bad the woman I crave to stand by me is the one I can never have.

I shake my head and try not to sound frustrated when I answer the phone, keeping my voice even, “Lily, how can I help you?”

“So formal,” she teases me.

I chuckle and find myself smiling, but it drops quickly. I scoff, “Constantino would have my head if I was anything less than formal with his woman.” She snorts out a laugh, but she also knows I’m right. A little bit of fear shoots through me at thinking about whether Daisy is with her since my little princess has been helping Lily plan her wedding. My voice is hesitant, “Is everything okay?”

Lily sighs, the weary sound making my senses heighten. I stand up and start pacing my living room, dread filling me right to the bone. “No, not really, if I’m being honest, Lorenzo.” I feel myself pale. There’s nothing frantic in her voice which means the threat isn’t immediate but knowing that isn’t doing anything to make the dread in my gut disappear. “I think you’re the man who needs to know about what I just learned.”

My voice drops and octave and takes on a frosty tone, “What did you just learn?”

“I was called and given this information. I won’t be giving up my source, so don’t even ask,” there’s a cheeky note in her voice, but it barely registers over the blood pounding in my head. It’s as if my body is readying for the blow I know is coming. Her tone becomes grave, “I was just informed that Daisy has entered herself into an auction.”

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