Chapter 26

Nico

What was I thinking undressing her and tucking her into bed, I am not that kind of man? Least ways I never have been, only seeing her so exhausted and like she had given up for the day, the softness of her features, I felt compelled to make her comfortable. Is it my age? Maybe I’m getting soft the older I get. In my library I pour myself a hefty measure of brandy, I swirl the liquid in the Waterford crystal brandy balloon the gold shining in the firelight. Enjoying the warmth as it creeps down my throat and hits my gut.

Tomorrow morning, I will teach her self-defence, if she is going to be in my life then she is going to have to know how to handle herself. My Russian trainer, and bodyguard is here, I will have him show her some moves. The thought of Lucky in tight workout leggings and some kind of bra top makes my groin stir, I place my hand over my cock, now is not the time. Easily, I could have crawled into bed with her just now and had my way, parting her legs and finding her entrance and slip inside her, but that’s not my style. Like I’ve told her, she can have me only when she begs me. I want Lucky Gianluca to want me. Why? Who fucking knows, but right now I have more pressing matters to attend to.

I reach for my mobile from the table by the fireplace and press the call button against Tony’s i.d.  He picks up.

“Hey, you safe?” He asks, his white button down open at the neck and growth along his chin. His eyes look tired.

“Yeah, we’re safe. I have doubled up the protection. You find Dario yet?”

“Nowhere?”

“What about Monletto the fucking snake?”

“No sign of him either.” Tony sounds exasperated; I am weary from all this bullshit.

“Keep looking. You don’t suppose Dario is with Monletto?”

“Are you kidding, Nico? Why would he even want to be with that cunt? He’s from a different family, they are as much our enemy as the Gianluca family.” I rake my hands through my hair.

“I don’t know, Brother. I just have a sinking feeling about shit where Dario is concerned. We know Monletto is a big drug cartel and Dario is a junkie, maybe he’s sidled up with them.”

“Hey, you need some sleep,” Tony says gently, concern laced across his face. He’s probably right, only having been shot at and my money going missing, well that doesn’t allow for much sleep. I shrug my shoulders. He continues. “Honestly, I don’t think our baby brother would be such a jackass, he’d have to be seriously fucked in the head to go against us especially you. He’s always looked up to you, Nico.”

“Maybe when we were kids, but not so much anymore,” I let out a long sigh. There was once a time when my kid brother loved to hang with me, we’d play ball together, ride our bikes, hell all three of us were close, we had a good childhood.

“Don’t be so ridiculous, he’s just lost his way that’s all and we need to try to get him back on track.” I wish my elder brother’s words were that easy to put into action.

“I think he’s too far gone, Tony. He’s off his head all the time, he goes missing for days on end. He needs a fucking tracker put on him.”

“I’ll organize it when I next catch up with him.”

“I worry we’ll get the police telling us they found him in a dark alley one night with a knife in his chest.”

“Shit, don’t say that Nico.” Now Tony looks seriously concerned, that’s because it is. Having a druggie for a kid brother sucks, it more than sucks. It hurts and cuts your heart in two. You’re torn between loving the fucker and wanting to kill him yourself. There is no seeing reason with Dario.

“He doesn’t respect me anymore, Tony. He thinks I’ve got it in for him all the time, he doesn’t want to listen to me when I suggest he goes to rehab and cleans his act up. I’m lost about what to do for him and fucking kills me.”

Tony sighs and takes a drink of whatever he’s drinking the other end. “Listen, we’ll find him. You know what he’s like, as soon as his money is dried up, he’ll be back looking for more. In the meantime, I’ve got people on the street keeping an eye out, visiting the usual dens and the new ones. We’re speaking to a couple of the Monletto guys, the ones who want to come over to our side. Stop fretting and just make sure you and Lucky stay safe. Maybe they were aiming for her to get to you.”

“A possibility. I’ve got us in hand. How about everyone there? Everyone in the safe house, except of course, Dario?”

“Everyone and we had Gianluca’s family moved to theirs. They didn’t like it but they are naturally concerned they are now a target too. By the way old man Gianluca sent his regards and to pass his love and best wishes to Lucky. He’s glad she is safe and in your hands.” That makes me snort, since when has Lucky’s father ever been glad she is in my hands?

“Anything from the camera footage?”

“Not yet, a couple of shady looking people and some guy in a black face mask pulled up to his nose and a black beanie down to his eyes. No sighting of a gun yet. Our guy is taking a closer look with one of his colleagues. We’ll turn something up soon, Nico. In the meantime, stay safe and keep your head down and perhaps not go ahead with the wedding just yet. Maybe delay it a few months.” I swish my brandy round in the balloon glass musing on his words.

“I’ll get someone in to marry us here. There is no way I am delaying the wedding; you know it means to much to me and I’ve come this far sparring with that woman to back down now. If I don’t marry her and something happens to old man Gianluca, I won’t have everything.”

“Nico, Nico, Nico. You need to realign on your priorities, it could be that this is a sign not to be so greedy.” That enrages me, this isn’t about greed, well maybe some. It’s about having the power that my grandfather wanted and my father, it’s now a must to be in control and wipe those scumbags off the streets of New York City. I don’t want sex traffickers and drug traffickers or cartels dirtying my streets. No fucking way.

“Keep me posted, Tony. I’ll have my mobile on most of the night. I want the guys on those cameras doubling up, more eyes more chance of catching something and start investigating on the street who would want either Lucky or I hit.” I press end and see the call die. Finishing my drink, I place the glass down and stretch my legs out in front of me and think what would have happened if Lucky had been shot. What would happen if she’d been killed. It makes me shudder, am I actually feeling something for the fucking brat? I have to admit her defiance and strength enamour me to her, the resilience she demonstrates, and her brattish ways are starting to make me warm to her instead of pushing her away. One day she will be my Queen and whether she thinks so or not, she will beg me to be inside her and she will give me children to carry on my name. Dario will never settle down and Tony, well Tony is a playboy he isn’t interested in marriage or kids but me, I want the whole American dream and if that means getting Lucky Gianluca to accept me then I will impregnant her until I have at least five children of my own.

It's time to turn in, now being past two in the morning. My detail nods as I pass him on the stairs, he will be on until six then he swaps with Liam my other guard. It’s a long night for them, every night is. As I reach the top, I find my feet going in the direction of Lucky’s suite. Outside a man dressed in black stands with his arms crossed in front of him, his hands hanging low. He nods and steps aside as I ease open the door.

Staring at her with the moonlight casting a glow on her face does something strange to my heart, it almost seizes at her alluring beauty, the serenity of Lucky Gianluca in sleep. She stirs, I hold my breath not wanting to wake or startle her, and make my way back out the door, even though I could sit in the chair and watch the rise and fall of her chest all night to make sure my Princess is safe.

It hits me like a punch to the gut, it’s physical the realization that I will do anything in my power to protect Lucky Gianluca.