perfect tool

GIOVANNI POV

Marcella was hurt because of me. I was her big brother and protector. I should have been watching over her!

Instead, I had been with a woman. A woman I could not stop thinking about now!

Although Marcella had her personal bodyguard, whom Don Massimo had placed close to her school, I still made it my primary objective to look after her.

Don Massimo had been good to me, picked me from the damned gutters, and brushed me up. I wouldn't have gotten to this stage of my life if it weren't for him. He had treated me like a son.

Honestly, anyone who didn't know the relationship between us would assume I was his child. However, Don Massimo himself had never treated me anything lesser than that.

Marcella had gotten hurt under my watch because I was fucking some unknown woman. Yet, I was here thinking of the same woman instead of looking for those who had hurt her and giving them a taste of their medicine.

Grimacing, I stared at the boner forming on my pants. The dent was noticeable, at least to anyone watching me.

I had bedded a lot of women, all of whom were in my social circle. Women of different shapes, sizes, and even ages. None had made me come back for more.

They were even aware of the fact that I wasn't keen on fucking them twice. Hence, after the first night, they find their way out of my life, and I send them a gift as compensation for their time.

I had done the same to Raven by giving her compensation, but I was the one who did the leaving.

I had left, yet I couldn't stop thinking about her.

The car came to a halt, and the engine died. I stared at Rowland through the rearview mirror.

"Keep driving," I murmured.

"Yes, boss," he nodded, started the car again, and continued driving.

I didn't know how long he had driven for since all I could think of was her delicate, warm body wrapped around me, but I was sure of one thing: I needed to see her. I needed to see her again, even if it would be the last time and the last thing I'd ever do.

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Traditionally, frequenting bars and clubs as a made man was risky and could raise suspicions. Those in positions of power within the organization understood the importance of maintaining a low profile. With their unpredictable environment, clubs could expose a made man to potential ambushes, law enforcement, or rival factions. But I had been there on assignment. At least the assignment was done the last time I was there.

It was to see the club was in order because La notte was the only club in Ravello—in northern Italy, near the coast but tucked away from the tourist-heavy areas—that Don Massimo didn't have complete control over, as it belonged to the former don, Marco Moretti the First.

Now ownership had been transferred to his daughter, the former mafia princess, Sophia Moretti, who then gave it to her brother, Marco, to manage for her.

La Notte was considered a neutral ground for deals and meetings between the inner circle members. Don Massimo had seen strategic value in allowing Sophia partial control at the moment, ensuring it remained a space where negotiation could be done without fear of betrayal.

Even though Don Massimo was making a move underneath to take over the club without Sophia's notice, this could cause a huge rift later.

Yet, that didn't excuse the fact that I needed to stay away from there, except I was an assignment.

But Raven, that little witch... Dannazione!(Damn)

"Take me to La Notte, Rowland," I said.

Rowland frowned, staring at me in the mirror. "Is that a good idea? There's been a shady movement around there lately. I do not think it's good for you to be there. You might get in trouble."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Who's the boss here, Rowland?"

"You, sir," Rowland said.

"Then, do as I say," I let out. Then, he added, as he looked skeptical, "It's a business trip, and I should have been done with it the last time I went there, but something came up."

Rowland nodded. I knew he couldn't argue with me even if he had it in mind to do so. It wasn't any of his business anyway. His job was to drive me to wherever I desired and protect me if there was a need.

But most times, he didn't know when not to stick his damned nose into my business as he was doing right now.

Rowland turned the car around and started to drive towards the direction of the clubhouse.

I needed to see her. Raven. I had never been this fascinated by any woman before. Her confidence, mystery, I find every damned thing about her intoxicating.

Every control I had built and put in place seemed to vanish with her. It was just a stupid one-night stand; I had reminded myself of that, but fuck it. She made me fucking hard just by thinking of her.

I believed this could be labeled an obsession and slightly creepy, as I didn't know much about her. I only knew she was Raven and stripped for Marco. Yet...

"We are here," Rowland announced, parking at a safe distance.

I sighed, pushing a hand through my hair before gripping the door's handle.

"Will you be fine there all by yourself? The twins are not here to be your bodyguard..."

I snorted, opened the door, and stepped out of the car. Of course, I'd be fine. Before becoming a caporegime, I had been walking around without anyone watching me. I never had Jacques or even Luca.

Besides, I had never let my guard down and not done something as impulsive as I was about to do now.

I walked away from the car, taking the club's back entrance, making sure many people didn't see me. When I was in, I bumped into Marco.

Marco Moretti. We weren't friends and never would be.

I had no patience for recklessness, weakness, or any form of stupidity.

Marco was all that and irresponsible. He was not disciplined enough and lacked the ruthlessness needed to survive this world. Sometimes I wondered why Sophia had placed him in charge when she could find someone who was better and less careless than him.

Marco had no respect for me. He was a mere soldato. He had refused to show the respect I deserved as a caporegime. For anyone in my position, respect was a non-negotiable element of my status and identity. Marco knew that since his father was once a Don, he knew the rules.

He was disrespectful and a nuisance. I could kill him, but then I didn't want to get into trouble with anyone because, believe it or not, despite the fact that their father had been dethroned and was less relevant, Marco and his sister had created a name for themselves. They still had alliances and were part of other families. Killing him would definitely make them come for me.

"Caporegime," Marco said, his voice carrying a mocking tone.

"I thought the inspection ended the last time you came, or is there something else?" he raised a brow, staring at me up and down.

"Something came up," I murmured, stepping away from him.

"Lovely, you are welcome to stay," he yelled at my back. His voice had sarcasm dripping from it. I knew he wasn't happy that I was here, but he could do nothing about it.

Immediately, I sat in the VIP section, which had a better view of the clubhouse; I looked around, hoping to find her. As I saw her on the stage, I leaned back on the couch, watching her.

A man walked up to her, causing me to frown. He placed a hand on her waist, and my hand involuntarily clenched. I stood to my feet, about to walk to the stage, and yanked his hands off her before smashing my fist into his face so he'd know how to treat a lady next time.

But Raven beat me to what I was about to do. She slapped the man's hand away before shoving him. He staggered backward and was luckily caught by some people below as he fell.

"Puttana," he cursed.

Even though I wasn't close by, I could read everything just by watching his mouth.

Raven didn't respond to him. Instead, she kept dancing, and her smile was fixed on her face.

Her eyes moved around as she whined her waist, and in spite of the smile, I saw the icy glare in those lovely deep brown eyes with flecks of amber, as if daring anyone else to confront her.

She was strong, with a certain allure, enough to draw powerful men to her.

My eyes narrowed on her. Yes, she would be a perfect bait to lure in rivals and enemies, to set traps for them, and to make them vulnerable in a way they would not expect.

I wouldn't say I was vulnerable around her, but I was the perfect example. She had made me think about her alone and want her over again.

Raven was a perfect tool to get my revenge on the people who hurt Marcella. Why the hell didn't I think of this before?

A smile spread on my face, and I sat back in the chair, shutting my eyes. Opening them again, I laughed out loud.

"I am going to take care of your enemies, Marcella; just wait and see." at the same time, I was going to have Raven in my bed again.