Chapter eight. West“These are so good, Guilia.” I closed my eyes, as I savored the taste of the cookies. And I wasn't even bluffing. She made the best of the best cookies. I leaned on the island, taking a sip of my coffee.“You are sure you don't want sugar in your coffee, sweetheart?” She asked, coming over with an enclosed glass of sugar.“No Guilia, I love it like this.” I chuckled, and continued munching away.“Why don't you learn how to make them? Dante has always loved eating them, as a child.” She said after a minute's silence, as she placed the glass of sugar on the counter.It took me two seconds to realize she was talking about making cookies. I nearly choked on my cup of coffee. What'd happened the last time I tried to make some bacon and eggs, back at New York?I'd nearly burned down the whole kitchen.I could still remember how it'd happened, and the vow I made never to touch a cooking pot again.“No, Guilia. I'm not a quick learner.” I shook my head, thro
Chapter nine Dante“Again?!” I barked, slamming my hands on the table. Luca was seated on the sofa, right in front of me. The worry on his face mirrored mine. “Who do you think did it, this time? Alexandro?” He asked, running his hands through his hair.“He can't be stupid enough to try it.” I shook my head.“We can't tell. No one expected him to sink it, the first time.” Luca argued.“But-” I turned my head slowly towards him. “The ship was top secret. How did he find out?” There was only one way. Realization shone in Luca's eyes, when he looked at me again. “Cristo, it better not be.”“God help whoever the mole is.” I was certain there was someone within my men, who was working against me. That same person would have informed the culprit.“You're losing focus these days, Dante.” Luca remarked, as he lit a cigar.“What do you mean?” Not in the best of moods, the last thing I wanted to hear was to be termed incompetent, by my younger brother.“The new girl. You're
Chapter ten. West“I'm sorry Signora, but this room is out of bounds.” A young man with ponytail styled hair rose to his feet and said, once I walked into the control room.I put on a smile, holding on to the tray of cookie and sauntering in. “Guilia sent me here. And I'm sure the Capo wouldn't mind.” I assured, while I took a quick look around.It was green colored, with white lights flashing around. Huge computers were mounted all around the control room, with huge guards loitering around. There should have been more than five guards.I should be able to take them down, if it came down to it.And I really hoped it wouldn't come down to it.“So, can I sit?” I asked the young man, who was still looking at me closely. He shook his head, and finally bowed.“Yes, please.” He nodded, his voice sounding defeated.Ignoring the curious looks on the face of the other guards, I placed the cookies on a table and took a seat. Back at New York, I also controlled the operational
Chapter eleven. DanteHer eyes widened. “You can't do that, Dante. They are your men.” She pleaded, and I scoffed.“Are they? You know what to do.” I was still trying to hold back my anger. The hallway was virtually empty, with no soul loitering around.I'd always trusted my instincts for as long as I could remember. I'd gotten a weird feeling immediately I left the dungeons where I'd tortured that bastard. My legs had brought me over to the control room. And when I'd seen that familiar slender legs seated comfortably on a chair, I'd almost lost it.Were my men out of their fucking minds? How could they allow someone into the control room, moreso a woman?“Dante-” She called out, but I cut her off again.“You know what to do, Grenade. Apologize, or they die. I can't believe my men were so stupid enough to allow you into the control room. The thought of it is enough to make me want to kill them.” I snapped.She recoiled, dipping her gaze. Her lashes rested on her cheeks,
Chapter twelve. WestHe'd kissed me. And as much as I hated to admit it, I'd loved it as much as I bet he did. And I hated it. I hated all these. The fact that Dante had control over the way my body reacted towards him.Fausto's words were deeply etched in my mind. ‘Don't fall for him.’I rose to my feet, pacing back and forth the room. I began walking towards the door. Maybe spending some time with Guilia would do me so good. Help me take my mind away from the kiss with my enemy.Just then, the door opened and a figure barged in. Since I was facing the door, I saw who it was.“Ever heard of common courtesy, Amara?” I asked, calmly.She paused for a second at the entrance, before strolling further in. She stopped right in front of me, with a look that could freeze a raging ocean. “You should say that to yourself.” She retorted, her chest heaving.As I roamed my eyes discreetly over her body, I couldn't help but admit to myself how beautiful she looked. She was fit, a
Chapter thirteen. DanteHer eyes widened, as she pursed her lips. If Luca had been absent in the room, I'd have grabbed her, and kissed her hard. She'd tasted good when I'd kissed her earlier on. Cristo, this woman was going to be the death of me.“What trip are you talking about, Dante? Are you sending me away?” She snapped, and crossed her arms. At that moment, she looked like a whiny child whose candy had been grabbed from her mouth.I scoffed, and walked towards her slowly. Luca was still standing to the side. “Is the jet ready?” I asked him in Italian. He took that as his cue to leave. Once we were alone, my gaze turned feral. She swallowed, but didn't avert her gaze.“What are you trying to do, Dante?” She asked calmly. So calm that if didn't know her- or think I know her, I'd have believed she was unaffected by what I'd told her.But I knew that beneath that calm facade, she was figuring out millions of ways to convince me. None of which was going to work,
Chapter fourteen. WestWith a furious expression on my face, I crumpled up on my seat, in the jet. Not in the best state of mind, I didn't appreciate the luxuriousness and beauty of the jet all.I was furious. What right did he have to send me on a ‘little trip?’ I snapped my fingers furiously, my heart swelling in fury as the seconds ticked by.I fell into an angry sleep thirty minutes later.When I finally came to, we'd landed at a tarmac. A posh looking car was already waiting, when I came out of the jet. The men Luca had assigned to accompany me, had cold looks on their face.I harrumphed, and slid into the passenger's seat.An hour later, and I was standing before a beautiful villa. I turned to the men who were about to leave.“What's this place?” I asked irritably. Covered on all side by expanse of sand, the villa gave off the vibe of a beach home.At a not too far distance, waves upon waves of water sounded. Scratch my earlier words, this was surely a beach ho
PROLOGUEITALY. Dante“How long before the chopper descends?” I tapped on the swivel chair, my eyes unblinkingly staring at the large projector.“An hour and half, Capo.” Santino replied, with a polite nod.“Activate the spy buds,” I ordered, and leaned back on my chair.“Zio, what's up? Is the chopper set to descend?” A deep baritone sounded in my ears, and I sighed. Luca was the only one bold enough to call me Zio.“An hour and half is all you have to get the King of Hearts, and get the fuck out of New York.” I rasped.“You know that isn't possible, Zio-” Luca began saying.“That order isn't open for negotiations. The mission mustn't fail.” I cut him off, and turned to Santino."Any threats in sight?” I calmly poured myself a glass of Martini, and took a hearty gulp.“No Capo, there isn't…wait-” He projected the screen, and two red animated figures blinked on it. “They seem to be Fausto's men.”“Take them down.” I ordered without hesitation.“Yes Capo.” Tappin
Chapter fourteen. WestWith a furious expression on my face, I crumpled up on my seat, in the jet. Not in the best state of mind, I didn't appreciate the luxuriousness and beauty of the jet all.I was furious. What right did he have to send me on a ‘little trip?’ I snapped my fingers furiously, my heart swelling in fury as the seconds ticked by.I fell into an angry sleep thirty minutes later.When I finally came to, we'd landed at a tarmac. A posh looking car was already waiting, when I came out of the jet. The men Luca had assigned to accompany me, had cold looks on their face.I harrumphed, and slid into the passenger's seat.An hour later, and I was standing before a beautiful villa. I turned to the men who were about to leave.“What's this place?” I asked irritably. Covered on all side by expanse of sand, the villa gave off the vibe of a beach home.At a not too far distance, waves upon waves of water sounded. Scratch my earlier words, this was surely a beach ho
Chapter thirteen. DanteHer eyes widened, as she pursed her lips. If Luca had been absent in the room, I'd have grabbed her, and kissed her hard. She'd tasted good when I'd kissed her earlier on. Cristo, this woman was going to be the death of me.“What trip are you talking about, Dante? Are you sending me away?” She snapped, and crossed her arms. At that moment, she looked like a whiny child whose candy had been grabbed from her mouth.I scoffed, and walked towards her slowly. Luca was still standing to the side. “Is the jet ready?” I asked him in Italian. He took that as his cue to leave. Once we were alone, my gaze turned feral. She swallowed, but didn't avert her gaze.“What are you trying to do, Dante?” She asked calmly. So calm that if didn't know her- or think I know her, I'd have believed she was unaffected by what I'd told her.But I knew that beneath that calm facade, she was figuring out millions of ways to convince me. None of which was going to work,
Chapter twelve. WestHe'd kissed me. And as much as I hated to admit it, I'd loved it as much as I bet he did. And I hated it. I hated all these. The fact that Dante had control over the way my body reacted towards him.Fausto's words were deeply etched in my mind. ‘Don't fall for him.’I rose to my feet, pacing back and forth the room. I began walking towards the door. Maybe spending some time with Guilia would do me so good. Help me take my mind away from the kiss with my enemy.Just then, the door opened and a figure barged in. Since I was facing the door, I saw who it was.“Ever heard of common courtesy, Amara?” I asked, calmly.She paused for a second at the entrance, before strolling further in. She stopped right in front of me, with a look that could freeze a raging ocean. “You should say that to yourself.” She retorted, her chest heaving.As I roamed my eyes discreetly over her body, I couldn't help but admit to myself how beautiful she looked. She was fit, a
Chapter eleven. DanteHer eyes widened. “You can't do that, Dante. They are your men.” She pleaded, and I scoffed.“Are they? You know what to do.” I was still trying to hold back my anger. The hallway was virtually empty, with no soul loitering around.I'd always trusted my instincts for as long as I could remember. I'd gotten a weird feeling immediately I left the dungeons where I'd tortured that bastard. My legs had brought me over to the control room. And when I'd seen that familiar slender legs seated comfortably on a chair, I'd almost lost it.Were my men out of their fucking minds? How could they allow someone into the control room, moreso a woman?“Dante-” She called out, but I cut her off again.“You know what to do, Grenade. Apologize, or they die. I can't believe my men were so stupid enough to allow you into the control room. The thought of it is enough to make me want to kill them.” I snapped.She recoiled, dipping her gaze. Her lashes rested on her cheeks,
Chapter ten. West“I'm sorry Signora, but this room is out of bounds.” A young man with ponytail styled hair rose to his feet and said, once I walked into the control room.I put on a smile, holding on to the tray of cookie and sauntering in. “Guilia sent me here. And I'm sure the Capo wouldn't mind.” I assured, while I took a quick look around.It was green colored, with white lights flashing around. Huge computers were mounted all around the control room, with huge guards loitering around. There should have been more than five guards.I should be able to take them down, if it came down to it.And I really hoped it wouldn't come down to it.“So, can I sit?” I asked the young man, who was still looking at me closely. He shook his head, and finally bowed.“Yes, please.” He nodded, his voice sounding defeated.Ignoring the curious looks on the face of the other guards, I placed the cookies on a table and took a seat. Back at New York, I also controlled the operational
Chapter nine Dante“Again?!” I barked, slamming my hands on the table. Luca was seated on the sofa, right in front of me. The worry on his face mirrored mine. “Who do you think did it, this time? Alexandro?” He asked, running his hands through his hair.“He can't be stupid enough to try it.” I shook my head.“We can't tell. No one expected him to sink it, the first time.” Luca argued.“But-” I turned my head slowly towards him. “The ship was top secret. How did he find out?” There was only one way. Realization shone in Luca's eyes, when he looked at me again. “Cristo, it better not be.”“God help whoever the mole is.” I was certain there was someone within my men, who was working against me. That same person would have informed the culprit.“You're losing focus these days, Dante.” Luca remarked, as he lit a cigar.“What do you mean?” Not in the best of moods, the last thing I wanted to hear was to be termed incompetent, by my younger brother.“The new girl. You're
Chapter eight. West“These are so good, Guilia.” I closed my eyes, as I savored the taste of the cookies. And I wasn't even bluffing. She made the best of the best cookies. I leaned on the island, taking a sip of my coffee.“You are sure you don't want sugar in your coffee, sweetheart?” She asked, coming over with an enclosed glass of sugar.“No Guilia, I love it like this.” I chuckled, and continued munching away.“Why don't you learn how to make them? Dante has always loved eating them, as a child.” She said after a minute's silence, as she placed the glass of sugar on the counter.It took me two seconds to realize she was talking about making cookies. I nearly choked on my cup of coffee. What'd happened the last time I tried to make some bacon and eggs, back at New York?I'd nearly burned down the whole kitchen.I could still remember how it'd happened, and the vow I made never to touch a cooking pot again.“No, Guilia. I'm not a quick learner.” I shook my head, thro
Chapter seven DanteI twirled the glass of wine absentmindedly, glancing at the door at intervals. I was seated at the balcony of my office, granting me a direct view of the vineyard. Throwing my head back and closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply.Something else I loved, other than torturing others? That'd be the smell of the vineyard. The soil and everything, it was therapeutic enough to calm my rotten soul.“When you said your office, I thought you were about to berate me, or something. I didn't expect quite a scenario.” She chuckled, as she came over.I looked over my shoulder, and my eyes darkened. Her milky skin was barely covered by the flimsy material she was putting on. The outline of her breasts, and nipple left nothing to the imagination. I'd loved how they felt in my hands the night I fucked her.But maybe I shouldn't have-“Dante?” She called out, and I turned my head slowly.“Yeah?” “I was asking if I could sit.” She gestured at the vacant comfy chair, besi
Chapter Six WestThe sun shone down brightly, and I wiped off the sweat on my forehead for the umpteenth time. Right beside me, Guilia was speaking rapid Italian, too fast for me to understand. She gestured at my head, and touched her wide brimmed heart, while saying, “Your head, sun.”I'd declined her offer of giving me a hat, and I wish I hadn't. I smiled at her, and turned to look at the buds on the vines.It was already days since I began staying at the mansion. Days since I started observing without being observed. Days since Dante had ordered his men to hack into my laptop.It'd been an almost invisible intrusion into the system. Once I'd noticed it, I hadn't tried to stop it. Instead, I'd leaned back on the bed, watching nude ladies till late into the night. The next day, I hadn't seen Dante. And when I finally did, he'd looked at me with an odd expression on his face.“...next week, we'll pick them.” Guilia was saying, when I finally turned to look at her.