5. Marianna

The house before me is a luxurious mansion with dark and gothic vibes. It has two stories with large windows and is painted in a matte black color. Large columns with intricate details support what looks like a wraparound balcony with men standing beside each. I waited until the end of the day to show up and boy, is this place lit up. Not even a fly can get past them. Several matte black luxury SUVs are parked around the circular driveway and trees surround the large property. Giving them the illusion of privacy. I say illusion because people like De Luca and Padre are always under surveillance. It could be from enemies the cops or even nosy neighbors. We step out of the car and it's only when one of De Luca's men drives toward a door that I realize there's an underground parking lot. The fucker didn't spare any expenses when he built his fortress. I'm impressed.

I brought Gianna, Simona, and Paulo because I wouldn't dare come here alone. There's no telling what De Luca has in store for me. This house is full of men who kill without blinking and I wouldn't underestimate them. Unfortunately, I grew up in this world so I know they're not above raping and killing me then cutting me into pieces just to mail them over to Padre piece by piece. Hence the reason I brought reinforcements.

I also told Padre that which is the only reason he agreed to let my gang come with me. Not that he has any use for them. I found Gianna in a strip club where she was being treated like trash. Men did whatever they wanted to her and from her face I could see she was close to her breaking point. Back then, if she lost her shit, they would have killed her or harvested her organs before doing it. Knowing how much she craved freedom, I paid the guy a few bucks and threw around the name Lombardi. In the next hour, Gianna was in my car going home with me.

Simona, I found her on the street. I was passing and we had stopped at the traffic lights when I saw her fighting with another girl. Apparently, she was trespassing on the girl's turf, and when told to leave she told them to go stick carrots in their smelly cunts. Her words, not mine. I immediately liked her sass and fire. She flipped them and got in the car with me smirking all the way then when we were out of sight, she asked what my deal was. I hired her on the spot but warned her and Gianna that if they ever crossed me I would feed them their own intestines. Although they don't know it, they are my best friends now. I've had Paulo train them a little so they wouldn't be defenseless. They might not be as good as I am but they're okay.

De Luca walks out looking like a snack and without realizing it, I hold my breath. How was yesterday the first time we met? I've always known he hates Padre but I assumed he would be an ugly ass old man with a pot belly who spits while speaking. He's tall with tan skin and emerald eyes. His aura screams dark and dangerous but in sweatpants and a T-shirt, he almost looks normal. Swoon worthy even. Beside me, Gianna and Simona sigh dramatically.

"If he asks me to crawl, I'll do it in a heartbeat," one of them says and I want to roll my eyes but I'm still checking out Mr tall, dark, and handsome. The thought of him on his knees in front of me doesn't sound so bad.

"You're here," he says scrolling through his phone. I don't like that he's not checking me out the way he was doing last night. I might be in an oversized t-shirt and leggings but I'm still hot. Eyes on me when you speak, motherfucker.

In a sweet voice, I tell him "I hope you trip and fall on your dick" That gets him to look up. Smirking, I walk past him to the house while speaking rapidly. "I need three rooms. One for me, the other for Paulo, and the last one for Gianna and Simona. I don't trust you or your men. And they better be next to each other. You don't want me roaming this house on my own. Trust me"

"Never" he cuts in but I ignore him.

"Simona will taste my food before I eat and Gianna will see to everything else"

"Gee thanks for the extra love sista," Simona says and I do roll my eyes this time.

"I love you. But better you than me" At the landing, I pause. Not knowing which way to go. There are high chandeliers and the living room on my right is furnished with all things leather. I can see the kitchen to my left but the door is half open so I only catch glimpses of it. I look back to De Luca to find he's still pretending to be busy just to prove a point. It's his house and we are to follow his rules. He'll move when he feels like it. The guys carrying our luggage have also stopped and I wonder if they don't know which rooms we've been assigned or are only following their master. But it doesn't matter. I'm used to egotistical assholes.

"Right then. This way ladies" He finally says looking up and meeting my eyes. I try to give him my middle finger but realize Paulo is holding my hand. As if he knew what I was about to do. Which I appreciate because just like Padre, De Luca has a reputation. He could be worse than the man who raised me. People don't get to where he is by being nice and lenient. There's only so much I can do and say before he decides he's had enough and sticks a knife in my throat. That doesn't stop me from wanting to piss him off though.

At the landing, we head right and he explains that our rooms are in the east wing, next to his. Apparently, he doesn't trust me with his men on the west wing. As if anyone would be interested in his dogs. I couldn't sleep last night due to the lecture I got from Padre. That man is the biggest piece of shit I've ever known. He made it clear that I should use any means to get anything I could from De Luca.

Starting with his plans, weaknesses, and shipment schedule, and if that didn't work seduce him. Make him fall in love with me and have him tell me everything. Of course, Padre didn't think he would actually fall in love with me but hey points for trying right? He stops in front of a door and I almost run into his back but Paulo pulls me back.

"Are you okay Mari?"

"Yeah. Just tired" De Luca opens the door but I don't wait for him to say anything. I just walk past him and get rid of the tights I'm wearing. In my head, I can't decide whether to shower first or sleep. The bed looks inviting so I decide sleep it is.

Behind me, Paulo asks "Are we waiting for her to get naked before you show us our rooms?" He sounds annoyed and rude but he wouldn't be my bodyguard if he cowered in front of men like De Luca. Climbing in bed, I lie on my stomach and close my eyes. Knowing it's only a matter of time before he finds out I was lying to him.

I'm not okay.

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