Chapter 183 Giuseppe’s

Chapter 183 Giuseppe’s
SANCIA

I was about to say something when my other phone suddenly started buzzing. I pulled it out of my bag and glanced at the screen.

Fucking Antonio.

“What is it?” Lorenzo asked.

“It’s Antonio. I must have accidentally turned on my other phone. He and Isabella have been calling me nonstop, which is why I turned it off in the first place.”

Lorenzo took the phone from my hand, turned it off, and slipped it back into my bag.

“Come. Let me introduce you to Giuseppe and get you something to eat.”

“Who is he?” I asked as he took my hand and led me back toward the restaurant, where Luca and Savio were waiting.

“He’s the owner of this restaurant,” he replied. “The old man who was at the counter when we came in.”

The older man, whom I now knew was Giuseppe, was sitting with Luca and Savio at one of the tables. Lorenzo guided me toward them before pulling out a chair for me.

“Giuseppe, meet my wife, Sancia,” Lorenzo introduced. “Sancia, this is Giuseppe, a friend of mine.”

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I took his outstretched hand.

He smiled. “Same here, beautiful girl. We’ve met before, when you were much younger. Your father brought you here along with your sister.”

My brows furrowed. I glanced at Lorenzo before looking back at Giuseppe. I couldn't remember ever coming here, although the restaurant felt strangely familiar.

“You know Papa? Are you two friends?”

He chuckled. “Yes, you could say that. I’ve known your father for a very long time.”

I blinked.

This was the first I’d ever heard of it.

“And you’re friends with Diavolo?”

Giuseppe roared with laughter.

“She calls you Diavolo?” His eyes twinkled with amusement.

Lorenzo’s lips twitched. “Oh, I like you. And to answer your question, yes, I’m friends with Diavolo.”

“I’m friends with almost everyone,” Giuseppe added, “unless you get on my bad side.”

“And what do people do to get on your bad side so I can avoid it?” I asked, smiling.

“Start a fight in my restaurant or mess with my car,” he replied with a chuckle.

My eyes flicked toward Lorenzo.

His expression had suddenly changed. The amusement that had been there only seconds ago had disappeared, replaced by something distant and unreadable.

“Noted,” I teased, although my mind was already wondering what had caused his mood to shift so quickly.

Giuseppe’s eyes crinkled as he chuckled again.

“I like you, so order whatever you want. It’s on the house.”

He stood, grabbing a cleaning cloth I hadn’t noticed on the table.

“Thank you.”

As soon as he walked away, I leaned toward Lorenzo.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered.

He smiled, then reached for my hand.

“It’s nothing. I’m just thinking. Your brother will be here any second, and we can’t do this here where we might be seen.”

“How about the back room?” I suggested. “You guys can wait inside while I bring Sergio in so he does a flip when he sees you.”

Lorenzo’s expression remained serious.

“For all he knows, Enzo started the war. He’ll think it’s a trap if he sees you guys before I can explain the situation.”

“That’s a good idea,” Luca agreed.

Lorenzo glanced at Savio.

“Savio, go and make sure he isn’t being tailed. I wouldn’t put it past Antonio to keep tabs on him.”

I frowned.

“You think they’ll have him followed?”

Lorenzo shrugged. “It’s what I’d do if I were in their place.”

I nodded. It made sense, but I still felt angry about it.

“Call me if you notice anything,” he ordered just as Savio shot to his feet.

“Will do, Capo,” he replied before he strode out of the restaurant.

My stomach twisted with nerves as I thought about seeing Sergio again. I missed my brother. I loved him despite everything, but for Lorenzo, things weren't that simple.

I didn't know how this would go. I could only hope everything went smoothly instead of escalating like it usually did whenever those two were in the same room.

“You’re nervous,” Lorenzo murmured. He reached across the table and took the hand I hadn’t realized I’d been tapping against it.

“Promise me you won’t hurt Sergio,” I whispered. “I know Sergio is hot-tempered and can be rash sometimes, but promise you’ll let me explain things to him.”

“You’re worrying too much.” He kissed the back of my hand. “I promise I’m not going to kill him. Besides, if I were going to kill him, I would have done it already. I just want to end this so you and Dario won’t have to live with this threat hanging over your heads, and I can finally be at peace.”

I sighed; I believed him. “Thank you. I know this can’t be easy for you. I want you to know that I appreciate you not killing him or Isabella.”

His expression hardened. “Sergio was merely a pawn. What I want is the real people behind Fabio’s death to pay for what they did,” he replied. “And they will.” From the edge in his voice, I knew it was a promise.

I nodded, although the knot of anxiety in my stomach remained, despite his reassurance.

“Luca, check on Rico. See if there’s any update on the task I gave him.”

Luca nodded, pulled out his phone, and excused himself.

Now it was just Lorenzo and me at our table. “What do you want to order?” he asked with a grin. “Giuseppe’s makes one of the best insalata di riso.”

As if reminded that I hadn’t eaten lunch and that it was already well past lunchtime, my stomach chose that exact moment to growl. “Even better than Zetta’s?”

Lorenzo grinned. “No one cooks like Zetta, but Giuseppe’s is a close second.”

I nodded, smiling. “All right. I’ll leave the ordering to you.”

I stared at him as he waved a younger version of Giuseppe, probably his grandson, over to our table. “I’ve always thought the first time you took me on a date, it would be just us.”

Lorenzo smirked. “You think this is a date?”

My face heated. “It’s not?”

He dragged my chair closer to his. “Absolutely not. When we finally have our first date, it will be just the two of us.” He paused when the waiter arrived, and he gave our orders.

I waited until the man was gone and his entire focus was back on me. I took a sip from the glass of cold water before arching a brow. “Tell me more.”

He lowered his voice as he brushed my hair away from my face and leaned closer. “Somewhere remote. Possibly an island where I can fuck you raw on the table without an audience to disturb us.”

My stomach fluttered wildly. “I thought you were into exhibitionism, considering the amount of time you’ve gotten overly handsy in public.”

“I’ll kiss you and touch you whenever and wherever I want because I love touching and tasting you.”

His eyes glinted with that familiar possessiveness. “But know this, mia tigre,” he murmured. “I’ll never expose your beautiful body to anyone else. You’re mine alone, Sancia.”

Before I could respond, he leaned in and captured my mouth in a kiss that made my breath hitch. For a moment, I forgot everything except the feel of his cool lips against mine and the way his tongue stroked mine mercilessly.

“Capo, Rico said it’s done. He’s back at the villa.” Luca’s voice broke through the haze, and I tried to pull back. Lorenzo gave my lips one final, lingering lick before letting go. I blinked, feeling my cheeks flush with warmth.

“You need to work on your timing, Luca,” Lorenzo said, glaring at him.

“Maybe you don’t care, but I’m sure Giuseppe would rather this not happen in his restaurant,” he replied, completely unrepentant.

My eyes widened as I glanced around. Sometime while I’d been distracted, more than half the patrons had left the restaurant, leaving only a handful of people who were still finishing their meals.

And they had probably noticed me sucking face with Diavolo. I was beyond mortified; my gaze shifted toward the counter, and I immediately met Giuseppe’s eyes. I quickly looked away, and I bit my bottom lip, my blush deepening.

I felt like the earth should open up and swallow me whole. Fortunately, our food arrived at that exact moment, giving me the perfect opportunity to hide my face and stuff food into my mouth.



We had just finished lunch when Savio’s call came through. Lorenzo answered and put it on speaker.

“Capo, he’s here, but he’s not alone. He’s with his cousin Leonardo. And you were right. There’s a car following him, a black sedan with two men inside. I don’t think Sergio even knows he’s being followed.”

“How far away from Giuseppe are you?”

“A couple of minutes. Five max.”

Lorenzo nodded. “Get back here now. We’ll need to create a decoy. Come through the back door.”

“Okay.”

The call ended, and Lorenzo shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Luca and I will wait in the back room. Get Sergio to the back room. We’ll have to reschedule our meeting place to one of my safe houses.”

He paused. “This means we might have to knock him out and take him with us.”

“Wait, what?” I asked, frowning. “No. Absolutely not. You’re not knocking my brother out.”

“Do you really think your brother will agree to come with us without thinking we’re leading him into a trap?” he asked, that dark brow arching.

I hesitated, just as my phone began to ring. “Fine. But be careful. You don’t hurt him.”

“I don’t break my promises.”

I narrowed my eyes at him before checking the caller ID on my phone.

“It’s Sergio. He’s here.”

“Good. We’ll wait inside.” I nodded and watched as he and Luca disappeared toward the back room.

Wiping my sweaty palm against my dress, I pressed answer. “Sergio, where are you?”

“I’m here. Where are you?”

“Did you come alone?” I asked, even though I already knew Lenny was with him.

“No. It’s just Lenny and me.”

I inhaled in relief. If he had lied, it would mean he either wanted me to let my guard down or was planning to take me back to Antonio. Although I wanted to believe he wasn't like Isabella, I couldn't help being cautious.

“I’m inside the restaurant, waiting for you.”

A couple of seconds later, two tall, well-built men walked through the entrance of Giuseppe’s. Even with their cliché mafia getup and fedora, I recognized them instantly.

A smile broke across my face as my eyes met Sergio’s, then Lenny’s.