A one nightstand

Chapter two.

               Dante

The music blared from all ends of the bar, as I leaned on the table at an obscure corner. Nursing my glass of wine, I roamed my eyes around.

“You never cease to amaze me, Zio. Why don't we head to the VIP section? You've always been heavy on security.” Luca grumbled, as he crossed his legs over the other.

“Since you know that, you shouldn't have dragged me out here, to a bar.” I drawled.

“Dragged? Don't tell me, you're serious. I could never drag you, without your consent, Dante. Admit it already, you wanted to come.” He scoffed.

And though I wanted to rebuff his words, I couldn't. I'd wanted to come here. This place held memories, beautiful memories I didn't want to forget.

Luca pulled his chair close, placing his hands on the table. “You still think of her, don't you?” He asked quietly.

“Don't…” I turned my head away.

“Just say it, Zio.” He pressed on.

A glare at him, and he excused himself, saying he wanted to go, dance with some women. To boost my adrenaline, he said.

Once he left, I closed my eyes. It'd been years since she left. Years, since that bullet was shot right through her heart. Years since I caused my wife's death.

I still had a portrait of her, in my room. It'd been an arranged marriage, between us. And I could still remember the harsh words I'd told her on our wedding night.

'You want to be my bride, so much? Then pleasure me, like the stupid slut that you are.'

Evelyn…

The thought of her name, roused the pain which I'd long buried in my heart. I grabbed at my glass of wine, and downed the contents in one gulp.

I couldn't be weak. She was dead, and gone. And forgotten.

And then, I saw her. I'd never believed someone could like another person, at first sight. She was dancing with her partner. But for whatever reason, I didn't turn my gaze away.

I'd never been a ladies man, like Luca. To me, they weren't worth wasting my time over.

I stared long and hard at her. Dressed in a blue low cut dress, which revealed her slender legs, she looked…sexy. She was tall enough, for a woman. 

Perhaps feeling my gaze, she turned towards me. A shadow of a smile crossed her lips, and she turned away sharply, her face crimson.

I knew I should look away. But I didn't want to. 

How long had it been since a woman roused my interest?

My eyes narrowed, when her partner began groping her. She tried pulling away, but he held on still. Pulling her close to himself, he brought his head close to her neck.

I froze, when her gaze met mine. They held plea, in them.

“Hey Zio, want another glass of wine?” Luca said, in a breezy voice, as he came over. Two sexily dressed ladies flanked him on both sides.

I rose to my feet, strolling over to them, and ignoring his calls behind me.

“I believe it's my turn.” I began, once I stopped beside the dancing 'couple.'

The bastard didn't even look at me. “Who're you?” He slurred, tightening his hold on her ass.

Slender legs threw an awkward smile at me, and tried pulling away again.

'Fuck it.' I cursed beneath my breath, and grabbed his arm, exerting force on it.

He yelped loudly, finally turning to look at me. “You dog!-” His words died in his mouth, when he saw me. 

“Lascia andare la signora.” I said calmly, to which he nodded frantically. He scampered away, when I let go of his arm.

“Thank you so much. What did you tell him?” Slender legs exhaled, obviously relieved. 

“You shouldn't be dancing with such low lives. You aren't Italian?”Looking at her up close, she was beautiful. Her almond eyes crinkled when she smiled.

“Unfortunately for me, low lives don't have a plaque on their foreheads. And no, I'm not.” She chuckled.

My next words surprised even myself.

“Want to grab a drink?” I asked, gesturing at my table.

She nodded, without hesitation.

Luca wasn't at the table. I sat down, and gestured at the vacant seat at my front.

“Pardon my manners. I'm West.” She smiled, stretching her hands forward.

I didn't take it. I was already regretting my impulse to bring a woman, to drink with me.

“Dante.” I simply said.

She nodded, and poured herself a glass of wine. No words were exchanged between us, as she downed glass after glass of wine. 

“You're handsome,” She giggled, an hour later.

Luca came over, right at that moment. He didn't spare her a glance. 

“Why don't we get going?” he asked.

I took another look at her. She was looking around, while muttering incoherent words. 

“She's drunk. We can't leave her here.” I rose to my feet.

“And when has the Capo ever cared about someone else, other than himself? She can handle herself, we can't afford to stay here, any longer.” He urged.

I took another look at her. Her head was placed on the table, her black hair making a mess. Ignoring his words, I scooped her in my arms, and made for the door.

“Get the car.” I instructed.

Probably sensing that convincing me would do no good, he nodded. “Yes, Zio.”

                  …

She stretched her body on the bed, and my breath hitched. She smelled so good. Like roses, and lavender.

I pulled away, and made to go to my office. Perhaps Luca was right. I shouldn't have brought a random woman to my Dimora. And even let her sleep in my room. A Capo should never be weak.

My father had been sure to drum that rule into my head, while I was growing up. But for some reason, I didn't adhere to it, tonight.

I froze, when she grabbed my hand. “Please, don't go.” she drawled.

I knew what I should have done, was pull her hands away, and walk out of the room. Looking back years later, I realized that single mistake of mine, was the beginning of my problems.

Instead, I stared at how beautiful her face looked, even while asleep. Wondering how her lips would taste, I leaned in without further hesitation, and captured them.

She moaned softly into my mouth, and throwing all caution to the wind, I clambered unto the bed.

                        ***

I opened my eyes slowly, and grunted softly. The gentle breathing beside me, made the memories of last night flash across my mind.

I pushed her figure away, roughly, and sat down on the bed. The room was still dark, courtesy of the blinders, which were still pulled down.

She moaned softly, and blood rushed to my cock. She'd been versatile in bed last night. Giving, and taking. I'd fucked her so hard, and towards the wee hours of the morning, she'd fallen asleep on my chest.

Now, she sat up on the bed, looking at me with sleep-doused eyes. “Where's this place?” She asked warily, moving away from me.

Her actions annoyed me. I should be pushing her out of my Dimora. Yet, she was being wary of me?

“Get out.” I rose from the bed, and stifled a smirk, when she turned her face away.

“Aren't you ashamed? Walking around naked?” Her cheeks were crimson, as she spoke.

Once I wrapped my night robe around me, I began speaking again. “You should leave. I'd pay you, and we'd be even.” And with that, I made to go out of the bathroom.

Her words stopped me, in time. “You took advantage of my drunken state. I'm no slut.” Her voice cracked, and I could tell she was about to cry.

Irritatedly, I turned to face her. 

“How much do you want?” I crossed my arms, irritated at how soft I was acting. I'd never negotiated with a woman before.

Even with Evelyn. She'd been the perfect traditional housewife. A type any Italian man would like.

She pushed her head back, her eyes wide with shock. “I don't have any place to go.”

I blinked, suddenly suspicious. I was a Capo. How could I be sure she wasn't sent, by my rival? Someone who wanted to kill me?

Silence reigned temporarily, and when I finally drew my gaze away from her exposed shoulder, my face was as cold as ever. With all the emotions, gone.

“You should wash up, and be out of here in twenty minutes. My men would take you to wherever you want to go.” And I left.

Luca was waiting for me, at the office. He stood up when I came in.

“What the hell were you thinking, Zio? Ti comportavi in ​​modo strano, ieri sera." He ran his hands, through his hair.

“Know your place.” I said, through my teeth, and plopped down on my chair.

“I'm sorry. I'm just worried. It could be Alexandro's doing. Or worse still, from another 'Ndrangheta.” He heaved a sigh, and sat down.

I turned the swivel chair, so my back was facing him. 

“Call Santino. Tell him, I need him to look into someone.” I ordered, with a dangerous glint in my eyes.