Reckless Games (Reckless Mafia #1)

Chapter 12

Lorenzo

Angela was still under the alcohol effect and passed out again when I scooped her up and carried her to my room. I laid her gently on my bed and did a quick sweep for cameras. If those bastards had breached the mansion, they might have left a few surprises.

And I was right. I discovered one camera hidden behind the LED TV across from the bed, and another cleverly concealed in a photo frame. Crushing them underfoot, I disposed of the remains before taking a quick shower. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I went to my wardrobe, slipping into sweatpants and choosing another pair for Angela. I also grabbed a damp washcloth on my way back.

Sitting beside her, I gently undressed her, leaving her in underwear. The sight of her milky skin made Mr. Lorenzo Junior bounce excitedly, but much to my dismay, I had to push away those sinful thoughts for now. Just be patient, buddy. They say everything good comes with time. I carefully cleaned her skin with the washcloth, then dressed her in my shirt and secured the trousers around her waist. She was so light, making the task almost effortless. Now I know I could have fetched clothes from her room, but I wanted to see her in mine. Arrest me for it.

I kissed her forehead, got up from the bed, and picked up my phone. “Who?” I demanded when Giovanni answered. Since Angela was a heavy sleeper and the fact that she passed out, I did not have to bother to keep my voice low. Do not ask me how I know that.

“Nikolai’s men,” he replied curtly. I knew it had to be that bastard. “The cameras caught nothing. The security system was compromised.”

“How?” I asked, agitation creeping into my voice. Leonardo was in charge of all the Mafia leaders’ security in the Obsidian Order. His code was supposed to be unbreakable. He had his IT firms established in each of our states, and we never had a complaint before. This had to be an inside job.

“That’s still unclear.” My phone vibrated, and I saw it was Leonardo calling. “Wait. Chavez is calling,” I told Giovnni. “You’re late, man,” I muttered, shaking my head before switching calls. “What in the living hel—”

“I know,” Leonardo cut me off. “I got the report. Nikolai bought someone off. But don’t worry, I’ve got him now. You can send your men to pick him up, or I can handle it here.” I considered his offer. I was tempted to handle the traitor myself, but I had too much on my plate right now.

“Make sure every part of his body bleeds before he dies.”

“Gotcha, man. And sorry for the inconvenience.” I hung up and turned back to Angela. She looked so peaceful, like an angel cocooned in silk sheets. Gorgeous. An intense emotion swelled up in me. How had I managed to stay away from her for so long?

Oh, yeah! I had Giovanni knock me out every time I was about to do something crazy, like kidnap her before it was time. I needed to be strong, even lethal, to protect her. I could not bring her into my chaotic life when I did not have control over it—it would put her in danger. So I did all I could. I followed her like a shadow. When I could not, my men did, ensuring she was safe.

Part of me wanted to keep her hidden, safe from threats. But another part wanted to show her off, to declare to the world that this pure angel was mine, the devil’s to own. I wanted to parade her, making everyone jealous of my prize.

Moving up to her, I carefully lifted her into my arms, cradling her close in bridal style. Her head nestled into the crook of my neck, her warm breaths fanning my skin. I felt a familiar tightening in my trousers and had to gulp down the urge to let my inner beast take over. She is fucking sleeping, buddy! Stay in your limits! With determination, I walked out of the room.

As I strode down the hallway, I met Giovanni, who stepped aside respectfully. “Is the jet ready?” I asked, not slowing my pace.

“Yes, but don't you want to wait until morning?” he suggested.

“There’s no time,” I replied firmly. “The enemy is already preparing. I can't wait for the storm and regret later.” The urgency in my voice brooked no argument. Continuing down the hallway, I noticed my men, all geared up and armed, lowering their heads in respect as they saw their Donna in my arms. Good . The sight filled me with a sense of pride. They had been trained well and taught to always show reverence to the Don, and, of course, the Donna. Their behavior affirmed her place in our world and in my life.

As we reached the end of the corridor, I could see the glint of understanding and loyalty in their eyes. They recognized the importance of the woman I held, not just to me but to the entire organization. She was their Donna, deserving of their utmost respect and protection.

***

I sat comfortably in my seat, the plush leather molding to my form. Angela was nestled on my lap, her head resting on my shoulder, her breath warm and steady against my skin. My fingers moved in gentle, rhythmic scratches through her hair as I enjoyed the ecstasy of our position.

Her legs were draped over the armrest of my seat, and I couldn't help but marvel at how peaceful she looked, her face free of the usual tension and worry. She looked beautiful, unguarded, and serene.

I continued to trace light patterns on her scalp, my eyes fixed on her sleeping posture. The way she fit against me so perfectly, as if we were two pieces of a puzzle designed to be together. It made my heart swell with a warmth I rarely allowed myself to feel.

As I watched her, I felt a sudden urge to play with her fingers. Carefully, I lifted her hand, marveling at its delicate size compared to mine. Her fingers were slender, a stark contrast to my own, which were calloused and rough from years of training to be lethal. I slowly placed her palm against mine, feeling the warmth and softness of her skin.

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I observed the difference. Her hand was tiny, almost fragile. With a tender touch, I interlocked our fingers, feeling a sense of completion wash over me. A slight turbulence jolted the jet, causing Angela to stir in my arms. Her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep, and she looked around groggily, clearly disoriented.

"What's happening?" She mumbled in a soft, almost childlike voice, her eyes hardly open.

"Nothing, Angel," I whispered soothingly, tightening my embrace around her. "Go back to sleep. I'll wake you up in some time." I kissed her forehead before resuming the gentle scratching on her head, moving my fingers in slow, rhythmic circles. Almost immediately, I felt the tension leave her body, her muscles relaxing as she leaned further into me. The gentle motion seemed to work its magic, and her breathing began to even out once more. "That's it," I murmured softly. "Just relax. I've got you."

Angela's eyes closed completely, her lashes resting softly against her cheeks. Her breathing became deep and steady again, and I could feel the soft rise and fall of her chest against mine. I continued to run my fingers through her hair, feeling an immense sense of peace and contentment as I watched over her.

In moments like these, the world outside seemed far away and unimportant. All that mattered was the feeling of her in my arms. I leaned back in my seat, holding Angela close, and allowed myself to bask in the quiet intimacy of the moment. It was only before landing that I placed her back in her seat, buckled her up, and fastened my own seatbelt. I could not bring myself to wake her, so I carried her in my arms as we got off the jet. The sunrise bathed Angela in a soft light, causing her to stir. She blinked awake, her eyes full of confusion and alarm.

“Good morning,” I greeted her warmly.

“Morning,” she replied, still disoriented. “Where are we?”

I set her down and placed an assuring hand on her back, guiding her towards the waiting car—a sleek, black Bentley. She followed without saying a word, but the confusion in her eyes was still there. As soon as Giovanni began to drive, her questions spilled out.

“Where are we? Did we just get off a jet?” She looked back, her gaze following the jet that was gradually becoming a smaller speck in the distance.

“We did. Relax, Angel. We are in Sicily,” I said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes widened in shock, and she tilted her head, her jaw dropping.

“Sicily? We are in Sicily?”

“Yes. My hometown, Sicily.”

“But…isn’t it…” She shook her head, clearly struggling to process our location. “Isn’t Sicily dangerous?” Her concern was endearing; her worry made me want to scoff at whatever she had probably heard.

“Dangerous? How?” I raised an eyebrow, amused by her naivety.

“Because of the Sicilian Mafia, of course! Haven’t you heard? They are dangerous. They rule the whole place, even more than half of Italy. You really don’t know? I’ve heard there are parts of Sicily that are forbidden for normal civilians. What if we get into trouble for stepping on those?” Her earnestness was almost charming. She had done her homework on the Sicilian Mafia, and I found myself almost proud of her knowledge.

I shared a knowing look with Giovanni in the rearview mirror, who smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Hm, you are right,” I said, folding my arms and shaking my head. “The Sicilian Mafia is dangerous. Very dangerous. But don’t worry. I’m sure the Sicilian Don wouldn’t have a problem with you being on his territory.”

“Why?” Her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. “Do you know him? Is he a friend?” She crossed her arms skeptically. “How can you guarantee that?”

“Well, you’ve been sitting in his car for quite some time now, questioning him about irrelevant things, and he’s been patiently answering you. He hasn’t kicked you out of the car, has he? Isn’t that enough to make you believe you’re safe with him on his territory? Besides, you weren’t that scared when you were living in his mansion in Italy. In fact, I believe he quite enjoys your company.” Angela’s eyebrows shot up, disappearing in her hairline, her mouth falling open as it finally dawned on her.

“You…you are the Don of the Sicilian Mafia?” She seemed to be questioning herself more than me. I smirked, leaning in closer to let my breath caress her skin, catching her off guard.

“Come on now, Angel.” I tilted my head and trailed my nose along her neck. “You weren’t that scared when you saw me shooting all those people at the club. In fact,” I kissed a spot on her neck ever so softly, “if I remember your expressions correctly, I’d say you were rather turned on.” She shuddered, her breathing growing heavier. I did not pull back; instead, I inched closer to her ear. “Tell me, Angel, does it turn you on when I kill people?” She had no answer; her silence spoke volumes. Satisfied with the teasing, I finally moved back just as Giovanni announced our arrival, breaking the tension.

“We are here,” he said respectfully before quickly getting out of the car to give us privacy. I looked at Angela, whose face was still flushed. The day was just beginning, and I could not wait to see how she would react to everything that lay ahead.

“I can’t be here with you. I have to go back,” she announced suddenly, her voice trembling with uncertainty. The very thought of her wanting to leave filled me with a rising annoyance. She could not get away from me. Who would tell her that?

“Why?”

“Because...” she hesitated, searching for words. “Because you’re in the Mafia. The head of the Sicilian Mafia!”

“And I wasn’t when you were living with me back at the mansion? Or when I kissed you? And you kissed me back? Or when you moaned my name, when I sucked on your milky skin?”

“But that was different!” She defended. “I didn’t know then that you were the Sicilian Don. I understood you were dangerous, but I never expected you to be the literal head of one of the most lethal, illegal organizations.” So she knew I operated illegally. That would save me some time explaining things. Cool.

I grabbed her arm and jerked her forward, pulling her onto my lap. She yelped at the sudden movement. Grasping her chin, I tilted her face up to look at me. “Look at me and listen carefully, Angel. I am the most lethal and dangerous person you’ll ever know, no doubt.” I moved closer, my lips just skimming hers, asserting my dominance. She needed to understand there was no way she could run from me. “But one thing you need to understand clearly is that there is no difference between then and now. Nothing has changed.” I inched closer, my voice dropping to a whisper, “because you were mine then, and you are mine now. Get that in your pretty little head, Angel.”

“But my work... my car...” Her worries about trivial things were almost cute.

“Since you like your car so much, I’ll have it brought here. And you don’t need to work since you’re with me. Name anything you want, and you’ll have it. But if you want to keep busy, I can arrange for a few cafes to reach out to you if you’d like.”

“But…Emily. What about her?” She was not going to make this easy, was she?

“I’ll have her fly here on weekends. Is that going to be all?” When she finally ran out of excuses, she fell silent. “Good. Let’s show you your new home.”

I gently lifted her off my lap and helped her out of the car. The grand estate before us was sprawling, a blend of old-world charm and modern luxury. Giovanni opened the door, and I guided her inside, my hand firmly at her lower back, ensuring she knew she was safe—and that she was staying.

The entryway was impressive, with high ceilings and elegant decor. I watched her eyes widen in awe as she took in her new surroundings. I led her through the hallways, pointing out various rooms and features, all while keeping her close.

“This is where you’ll be staying,” I said, opening the door to a beautifully furnished suite. If it were up to me, she would already be in my room. But everything good comes with time. So no, I couldn't have her in my room. Yet . “Make yourself at home, Angel.”

She looked around, her earlier resistance softening as she absorbed the reality of her new life. I stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re mine, Angel. Always have been, always will be. Welcome to your new life.” Her eyes met mine with apprehension in their depths. I knew it would take time for her to fully adjust, but I was prepared to wait. After all, she was worth it.

***