Adrian's POV:
My men are gathered around the table, with Luca by my side. The air is thick with tension. Maps, files, printed photographs are scattered across the table.
Luca steps forward, and clears his throat before addressing everyone. "This is all we found in the last sweep. Romano's men were stationed two blocks away from the hall that night. Close enough to attack, but not to be caught.
"They had been watching for a while before they attacked. They made sure to cover almost all their tracks too, so we didn't suspect anything."
Blood rushes through my veins, and I tighten my hold on the table. "You all know we do business with the Romanos from time to time. And I know you're all aware of how he's been circling for years, keeping his acts just behind the threshold of war."
My men nod their heads in confirmation.
"But this time, they've crossed a line. Not only were they bold enough to plot an attack on me, but they did it on my wedding day too, putting my wife in danger. An action that they're going to pay for in due time."
"What's the plan, boss?" Romano asks on behalf of the others.
I lock my jaw. "We're going to send a message."
All heads lift.
I stand straight, then circle the table as I continue. "We're not starting a war. Not yet. But we're going to make them understand that consequences come with action."
The men shake their heads in approval.
"We won't respond blindly," I shake my head. "That's how men get killed. It's how power is lost. We need to be strategic with every action we take, so it's going to be simple."
I stop at the center of the table again, then fold my sleeves up my arm. My eyes fall to the map in front of me, and I drag it closer.
"This," I tap on the map. "Is all we need. The Romano territory sits northwest. It's where most of their warehouses are situated. All their electronics, and whatever else they smuggle under the radar."
All their attention is on me, listening to every word I say. "It's important to them," I lift my head and meet their gaze.
"you want us to burn it?" Luca asks.
"Not entirely," I straighten, and fold my arms. "Burning it alone won't be enough. We'll shut down every system, destroy the inner storage, so there's no way to get any of it back."
Small chatter breaks out, mumbling sounds left, right.
"Then we burn the ones with the goods in it. All of it."
Luca faces me. "You want it done tonight?"
"No. We attack at night tomorrow. Let's give them time to relax for a bit, shall we?" I drawl.
"I'll alert the strike team ahead of tomorrow," Luca says, already pulling out his phone to send a message.
"No."
He returns the phone back into his pocket but looks at me with questioning eyes.
"No guns. No shooting. We're only after their goods. They sent bullets, but we'll respond without one."
At first, everyone is silent, turning their heads to look at each other warily, but then they nod their heads slowly in agreement.
"Okay, boss," they all respond in unison.
"I'll go over the whole plan with the men again so that we're clear for tomorrow night." Luca says.
"Good," I give him a hard, reassuring tap on the shoulder. "Handle it."
He faces me, eyes filled with loyalty. "Of course, boss," he bows. And all the other men join him.
I nod and head toward the exit. The cold air outside slaps against me and I embrace it, taking in a deep breath. It is sharp.
A certain someone comes to mind. I tried to keep her out of my thoughts while I was still inside, and I only managed to contain it.
For all her quiet nature, she has managed to get under my skin faster than anyone has. Or should.
I also haven't been able to get what she said out of my mind. It was such a stupid thing, and I couldn't help the laughter that escaped me.
It was a little funny too until I saw how serious she was about it. And of all the things she could fucking want.
I grip the steering wheel tighter.
How am I supposed to let her go work at a bakery, especially now that I know Romano has eyes on us. He attacked once, and I'm sure he'll do it again.
It's easier watching her from home, than outside where she's more prone to danger.
But at the same time, I understand where she's coming from. She's home all day, morning till night with nothing resourceful to do. And I actually admire her though for the fact that she wants to be reliable, and actually do something for herself. I can't lie, I did expect her to be the type to sit around and eat through their husbands money.
But she's... different.
I let out a deep sigh, as I take a right turn down the road.
And I promised. I fucking promised. Since when does that ever happen? I keep saying, with this little demon, I just keep doing new shit every day.
I drive through the streets, headlights slicing through the night. I'm not ready to have this conversation with her tonight. Even though I promised, because I have a feeling that when I look at her stubborn face, or the way her brows pull together when she frowns, the way her plump lips puck out, and the way her breasts jiggle when she folds her arms, I might just give in to her request, which is something I don't want to do.
I pull into the driveway, and kill the engine. As I step out into the darkness, I hope she's asleep already. It'll only make it easier for me. Everywhere is quiet, and most of the lights in the house are turned off except for the soft glow coming from the living room.
I step inside, and shut the door behind me. Just as I'm about to cross over to the stairs, I hear that soft voice.
"You're finally back."
Fuck me.
I turn, and she's there, seated on the couch, arms folded, and legs tucked under her. She's wearing one of those oversized tees again, and it annoys me the way I notice. Her hair is let loose too and that urge that I always feel comes back. The need to run my hand through the soft curls, to wrap them in my hands as I ram my..
"Adrian."
"Jesus!" I mutter under my breath, bringing my attention back to the present.
"Can we have this conversation another day? I had a long day at work today," I breathe, hoping she'll let it pass.
Her brows draw together. "No. You promised, Adrian."
"I did, but I didn't say when it'd be, did I?"
She gets up from the couch and comes to stand in front of me.
My eyes dart down to her bare thighs, and God, I want to squeeze the soft flesh, just to know how it feels.
"I waited for you, Adrian. Let's just settle this tonight. It won't take long, I promise."
How the hell am I supposed to say no, when she's looking up at me with those eyes.
"I want to work," she says with conviction.
"You've made that perfectly clear," I say flatly.
"So,...then let me work then."
"Elena, you.."
"Adrian," she cuts me off, glaring at me. "You said I could ask for anything. And this is what I want."
"What you want is not reasonable."
"It is," she bites back.
"No. It's not. I'm not letting you walk into a world where I can't guarantee your safety."
"I'll be fine," she says, "besides, if I die today, it'll be better for you since you hate my guts so much."
"What?"
"Nothing," she rushes out.
I narrow my eyes at her. "You have no idea how dangerous things are right now. People are after me, they can easily use you to get to me, don't you understand that?"
The Romano situation is a perfect example.
"I do, but it doesn't mean that I should let that stop me, does it? I mean, they're after your life but you still go to work every day."
"That's different," I grind my jaw at her pathetic means of an excuse.
"How is it different? Okay, fine. You can assign guards to me. They can stay around and keep an eye on me if you want. That's better, right?"
"Elena.."
"Please Adrian, I really want to do this. Just let me have this, just this once."
Her eyes are pleading with me, even though her body language is conveying stubbornness.
Don't do it, Adrian, you're stronger than this. Are you really going to waver because a five-foot-something demon is standing in front of you, looking as hot as she could possibly be in only an oversized tee, with eyes looking up to you pleadingly? Eyes that make you wonder if she would look at you that way if you had your cock shoved up her mouth?
"Fine," I sigh, long and heavy.
I really am just a man after all.
"What? Are you ..are you serious?" she jumps back, bringing a hand to her mouth.
"I could change my mind if you want," I taunt.
"No," she rushes out, straightening her shoulders and maintaining composure.
My lips tilt upward at her little act of indifference.
"Uhm.." she clears her throat. "Th..thank you for letting me uhh.. letting me work." She blurts.
I only give her a narrowed look. "But it's on a condition."
Her face twists instantly. "What.. condition?"
"I'll get to pick the place. And you don't go anywhere without the security I assign."
Her brows furrow. It's like she's weighing the pros and cons.
"I'll take it."
Of course she will. She's stubborn but she's not stupid.
"Good," I turn towards the stairs. "We're done here. Go to bed."
I leave her there to deal with her own thoughts while I try to gather mine.
This woman is going to be a problem.
A beautiful, stubborn problem.
And one I'm afraid I'm already waist deep in.