Alessandro
"We have the infrastructure in place, Signore. But the Grave's Cartel is blocking our expansion into the American market, and that's costing us millions by the week."
My eyes were fixed on the smoke curling from my cigar, and I was barely listening to the man speaking across the table.
I had called for this meeting because I needed reports, but I couldn't stop the distraction.
In my mind, all I could see was those hazel eyes flashing with hate. And for the first time in a while, I was in a hurry to go back home.
I could feel the corners of my lips lifting in a smirk and I leaned back, tapping the ash off my cigar.
Every time the man mentioned "America," my mind went back to Kendra Marino. She had spent years there, and somehow she returned to become a nun.
I just couldn't understand it. I could see so much potential in her, but it was all going to waste.
Thinking about her now, I wondered what she was doing. Whether she'd had something to eat or if she was still sulking.
Shaking my head, I remembered how much of a fuss she had made over the cameras in her room. She probably believes she's being watched right now, so she still wouldn't have taken a shower.
I knew women. I'd met plenty of them, but Kendra… I was more interested in the Marino behind the Maria facade. I wanted to get into her mind and understand how it works. How she became so smart, yet chose to abandon the mafia.
I had thought a breed of woman like her had gone extinct. Sharp-tongued and dangerously brave… it was both stupid and admirable.
"Signore De Santis?" A voice pulled me back.
I looked up and the room went dead silent. I turned my attention to the man who had just spoken. His face was a mix of expectation and fear, a look I had gotten accustomed to after so many years of being Il Diavolo.
They were all waiting for me. Judging by Matteo's narrowed gaze, he definitely knew I hadn't been listening.
"The thing is, the Grave's Cartel isn't just a hurdle, Boss, Matteo's voice cut through the heavy silence. "We lost our shipment in Jersey because they tipped off the police. We have to send them a message."
Not listening at such an important meeting came as a surprise. And now, I had nothing to say. I needed time to think.
"This meeting is over," I announced, keeping my voice flat.
The men on the other side of the table exchanged glances. I could see that one of them was deliberating within himself if it was a good idea to say something.
He eventually cleared his throat. "But… umm… Sir… Signore," he stammered, "We need directives for the next shipment…"
"I said the meeting's over," I repeated firmly, cutting him off. I was starting to get irritated because his voice was like a fly buzzing in my ear.
Matteo shot the men a look and they refrained from asking any more questions. He got up immediately after I did and together, we walked out of there.
As we headed to the car, I knew he had questions. Questions even he wouldn't dare ask me.
"Has our little nun tried escaping again?" I asked from the back seat as Matteo took the wheel.
"There has been no call from the house," he replied. "I made sure I locked her door myself."
I said nothing to that. "We should get her another habit since she has insisted on not wearing anything else."
I noticed how Matteo's brow twitched when I said that. I could imagine that he was confused by my 'thoughtfulness', but I had different plans.
"With all due respect, Boss, but we can make her wear whatever you want."
It was almost as if he was reminding me that I could bend anyone to fulfill my wish.
"She's a lady, Matteo," I told him. "We shouldn't use force on a lady."
"I understand, Boss," he said, even though I knew he didn't. "But is she still just a prisoner?"
"Oh, she's quickly becoming much more than that," I confessed.
Matteo caught my eyes in the rearview mirror, but he quickly averted his gaze, focusing on the road ahead.
"Is there anything else you'd like me to get, Boss?" He asked.
"Yes," I said, my smirk deepening. "Tell them at the boutique to cut it four inches above the knee. She's probably 5'6. Have them send over a pair of those high stockings as well."
"Stockings?" Matteo almost glanced back, but he stopped himself at the last second. I saw how his jaw tightened, but I was already imagining Kendra's reaction when she saw the outfit.
When the order from the boutique finally arrived, I didn't wait for Kendra to be brought to me. I went over to her instead.
Opening the door, I saw her sitting on the bed, staring at the floor intently with her eyes darting left and right. She looked tired, but when she lifted her gaze, it was as lethal as ever.
"You haven't showered," I rumbled and she looked like she was trying not to roll her eyes. "You should," I suggested and she frowned.
"Leave me alone," she said, sitting up straighter.
"I insist."
She tilted her head, studying me seriously. "Don't you have more important things to do?" She asked. "Or do you just miss the sound of your voice?"
That last part was said under her breath but I caught it, and again, I found myself smiling.
"Maybe I miss the sound of yours," I replied and she looked caught off guard.
"What exactly do you want?" She asked.
"For you to wear this," I answered, handing her the bag I was holding. She acted like she was just noticing it, but she didn't take it.
Her expression went cold. "I don't want anything from you."
"I'm not asking."
She must have seen that I wasn't budging, because she collected the bag, taking a peek inside.
"I'm sure it's your exact size," I added, almost proudly.
"You've been sizing me up?" She asked, sounding surprised.
Her hazel eyes never left mine as she dropped the bag, her hands reaching up, fingers searching for hidden pins. One by one, she pulled them free, discarding the black fabric until the veil over her head finally came off.
I watched in a heavy silence as her face was fully revealed for the first time since that night in Monaco.
Seeing her like this reminded me of what she looked like in that glass box that night, where she stood in nothing but a red lingerie set. Even though she was still fully covered now, I couldn't help but wonder how that night would have gone if she hadn't played a fast one on me.
Her eyes seemed sharper now, and her brown hair was packed tightly behind her head. She had been sweating under that heavy veil, so a few strands clung to her slender neck.
I focused on her lips. They were small, yet full. At this point, even still in the long dress, she looked less like a nun.
Looking at her, I felt a dangerous heat stir in my body. It was the same feeling I got when I had her so close to me after she tried to stab me with a fork.
"Do you find me attractive, Diavolo?" She asked, her voice low and seductive.
"You are starting to look like you belong in this underworld," I replied and her face quickly contorted into a scowl.
Ignoring the look on her face, I turned my attention to the camera in the room. "I'm the only one watching," I informed her. "You can do as you please in here."
"So you can just watch?" She sounded disgusted. "I don't plan on satisfying your voyeur fantasy. In fact, I plan to bore you to death."
"Mmm," I growled.
If only she knew how thrilling her defiance was. In a world of sycophants and violence, this… nun was becoming my favorite source of entertainment.
I walked toward her, closing the space between us. I expected her to back away, but she didn't. She was glaring at me as I reached out to catch a stray lock of messy hair between my fingers. It was softer than I expected, and I tucked it slowly behind her ear, allowing my knuckles graze the sensitive skin there.
She shivered, but she tried hard to compose herself.
"Tell me, Kendra," my voice dropped low. "When was the last time a man touched you?"
Her lips parted slightly as her brows pulled together. My hand went behind her neck as I leaned in, pulling her flushed body against mine.
"What. The. Hell. Are. You. Doing?" Her voice shook as she continued to glare.
I smiled down into her eyes, enjoying how frightened they were now.
"Let go of me!" she demanded, yet not pulling away.
"You haven't answered my question."