by Cala Riley
I point the gun back to his head and press it against his forehead. I smell the piss before I hear the liquid hitting the ground.
I angle the gun down so the bullet will go out of his head and into the floor instead of the exterior wall behind him. He doesn’t look at me. Instead, he is praying in Italian. I turn and look at Sofia. She is still standing in the same position, but some of her confidence has left her eyes. Lo sets down the food on a table and sets up behind her, ready to silence her if she screams.
I stare right into her eyes and I pull the trigger.
Chapter Three
Sofia
I jump a little as he pulls the trigger. I expected a loud bang, but instead there was a small pfft. I don’t take my eyes from Bastiano. My heart is racing and I can feel Lorenzo at my back, but I don’t dare make a move or sound.
I just watched him kill a man.
I let that sink in and feel my body being to tremble, but I take a deep breath to calm it. Even though I have never seen someone murdered before, I need to put up a strong front. Either they are going to kill me now, or they will try to scare me to stay silent. Neither one really scares me like they should.
Oddly enough, seeing the power he has actually turns me on. I feel a warmth spread to my center and I feel slightly embarrassed by my reaction. This dark and deadly man has a power my body craves.
I resolve myself to whatever happens next. I can handle it.
Bastiano must see something in my eyes because he quirks his eye brow at me as he takes the silencer off the gun. He hands it back to Giovanni.
“Gio, take Leo home.”
Giovanni doesn’t respond. He stands and the other man, Leo, stands with him as they head towards the side door.
“Stop! That will sound an alarm. Go out the front.”
I gesture to the closed door next to me. Gio changes course without a word and the two men walk out. Lorenzo steps out behind them and shuts the doors behind him.
“You are such an asshole.” I throw at Bastiano.
Before I know it, he is in front of me with his gun pointed at my head.
“What did you say?”
I am not a complete idiot. I do feel a little afraid, but part of me believes he won’t do it. Especially since his silencer just walked out the door.
“You heard me. You are an asshole. Who do you think is going to have to clean that up?” I poke him in the chest. “Me. So thank you for that.”
We stand in silence for a moment before he lowers the gun and wraps his left hand in my hair. He pulls my face to his and crushes his lips into mine. I feel his gun press into my lower back as he wraps his right arm around me.
This wasn’t a gentle kiss. No, this kiss was full of passion and punishment. He is punishing me for my words. He presses against me harder as he pulls my back closer arching me into him. I feel proof that he is just as turned on as I am right now.
He continues to kiss me rough and fast until a knock at the door stops us. He slows the kiss before pulling back and giving me one last peck. He rests his forehead against mine as he looks into my eyes.
“Watch your words around my men, Tesoro.”
Treasure.
He keeps calling me Tesoro and I don’t know what to make of it. I have only met this man twice so using such a term that is reserved for lovers seems too intimate.
“I’ll try.” I retort.
He smirks. “I like your fire.”
Another knock sounds and he sighs deeply.
“I need to deal with this. Sorry about the mess. I will pay for someone to deal with it. You won’t have to clean it. I promise.”
He gives me another quick peck before going to the door.
Him and Lorenzo speak in quiet voices at the door before they open completely.
Bastiano turns to me.
“Do you know the rules of the neighborhood, Sofia?”
“You mean no speaking to the cops? I am not an idiot Bastiano. I won’t say anything.”
He chuckles. “Call me Bash. All my friends do.”
Then he winks at me and I feel my heart stutter. This man is a hurricane. One minute he’s threatening me, then he’s kissing me silly, then he laughs and winks. I don’t know what to make of him.
“Ok, Bash. What are we going to do about our friend here?”
I nod my head to the body I still haven’t had the nerve to look at.
“Well Lorenzo here has cleared out the restaurant. All I need you to do is grab your things. I will take you home when Gio returns while Lorenzo takes care of things here. Do you have a key to the place?”
I nod.
“Good. Go get your things, Tesoro.”
As I walk by him, he grabs my arm and pulls me to him before pressing a kiss to my lips. Then he releases me and smacks my ass.
“Hey!”
I turn and give him a slight glare as I walk away, but then give him a small smile. I can’t lie. That was hot as hell.
By the look on his face, he knows it too.
Damn this man. When I get home, I am going to need a date with my rabbit and new panties.
∞∞∞
An hour later, and we are stopped in front of the brownstone I share with my Uncle and Gina.
“Thank you for the ride.”
I turn to get out, but he pulls me back. I glance at Gio sitting in the driver’s seat not looking our way.
“Remember. You didn’t see anything tonight.”
He gives me a seriously menacing look that heats my blood. Dark Bash is sexy as fuck.
“Sure, I did.” His eyes harden. “I saw this asshole tonight that didn’t even tip me for my extraordinary serving abilities. Really, he was an ass.”
I hear Gio snort from the front seat as I watch Bash’s response.
“I should kill you.” He states as if it is a fact.
“You wouldn’t be the first that has tried.” I answer honestly with a slight shrug.
His eyes darken at my statement.
“Who?”
“Just an ex of mine. No need for you to worry. He is no longer a concern.”
I feel a weight settle at this topic. I glance away from him. He reaches up to turn my face back.
“Tesoro, no one will hurt you in this neighborhood, including me. I think you have a death wish, but I like your refreshing personality. I will protect you.”
Now it’s my turn to snort. “I don’t need protection, Bash. I can protect myself.”
I open my purse and show him my 9mm Beretta. I purposely leave it in my purse, so he doesn’t feel threatened. I bought it with my first paycheck from Uncle Tony. He doesn’t even know I have it.
“Do you even know how to use that?” He asks with humor in his voice and possibly admiration in his eyes.
“Don’t you just point and shoot? Thought it was pretty self-explanatory.” I reply sarcastically.
“Very funny. Have you shot it?”
I shake my head no. “Uncle Tony doesn’t like me leaving Brooklyn and there really isn’t anywhere here to shoot.”
He nods his head like he understands.
“I will take you shooting. You better get inside. Tony has looked out here no less than four times since we have pulled up.”
I glance over to the brownstone and see the curtain move as if someone is indeed looking out.
I sigh. “Great. Here’s to twenty questions that I get to dodge.”
Bash grabs my hand and stokes the back.
“Want me to go in with you?”
I snort. “Yeah because that will make it better. No. I will make something up.”
He nods.
“Well, thanks again for bringing me home boys.”
I glance up to see Gio look in the rearview mirror and nod.
I glance back to Bash and he tugs my hand making me fall into him. He brushes a stray strand of hair back from my face then leans in and captures my lips.
“I will see you soon, Tesoro.”
Words escape me.
I don’t know what this means. The look in his eyes says dirty sex is in my future and I am not sure if I should be afraid or excited. Seems my soaked panties decided excited is the way to go.
“Go on. I will contact you.”
With that, Gio gets out and comes and opens my door. He then escorts me to the front door and waits until I shut it behind him before he jogs back to the car. I watch out the window beside the door as they drive away.
“Bella! What have you gotten yourself into?”
I turn and find Uncle Tony, Gina, Mia, and Izzy standing at the end of the hall. All with worried faces.
Aww shit.
Bastiano
It’s been three days since I saw Sofia. I have been itching to call her, but wanted to give her time to digest everything that happened. I also needed to clear my own mind.
I had my gun pressed to her pretty little forehead and she didn’t blink. Her heart was racing, but it wasn’t fear I saw in her eyes. She was turned on.
I should have killed her. The disrespect she shows for me is unforgiveable. Yet, I don’t take it as disrespect. I think she does it to try and get a rise out of me. She wants to see how I will react. When I react differently to what she expects, it gives her a thrill. I can’t lie. It gives me a thrill to see her reactions as well.
I watched her eyes as I pulled that trigger. I expected a scream. Tears. I expected her to break down like most females, hell and some males, do. Instead, she briefly jumped, but kept her eyes locked with mine. Her eyes were unwavering. Then she spoke and called me an asshole. The anger that filled me caused me to react without thinking. That doesn’t normally happen. Each one of my moves is calculated. Even killing that piece of shit has been a move that I calculated in my head before proceeding. I knew the next 10 steps before I pulled that trigger. With her, I didn’t even think about the consequences. This woman has the ability to make me lose my temper yet make me want her all in the same breath. Add in her lack of self-preservation and she is a dangerous woman.
“Boss.” Lo stands at the door.
“Yeah.”
“Gio says that he checked back in with Leo. It is his opinion that he is loyal and good to continue.”
Step 10 is finally complete.
“Set him loose, but keep an eye on him.”
“Of course.” He types out a quick message on his phone before sitting in a chair across from my desk.
“I want to have dinner tonight at Bello Italiano.”
I don’t ask for things in my life. I demand them and my men make it happen.
“I will call ahead and have the room reserved.”
“You make sure it was cleaned and that Tony was compensated?”
“I did.”
“Did he have any complaints?”
“He was concerned about his niece and inquired as to if he should be worried about her safety. I assured him that she has proven her loyalty and will be under our protection until further notice.”
“Good.”
He looked at me as if he isn’t sure if he should continue.
“Spit it out.”
“He said that she has had to deal with a great deal of violence in her past and he is concerned it might trigger her.”
My hands tighten on the arms of my chair.
“Did he say why?”
“No. He said it wasn’t his story to tell, but that we should be aware if we were planning to spend more time with her.”
He means if I plan to spend more time with her. I saw the hurt in her eyes when she admitted I wouldn’t be the first to try and kill her. It angered me then, but I was able to keep it in check. I attempt to do the same now.
“She said it was of no concern. We shouldn’t worry about it if she’s not.” I tell him even thought I am worried about it.
“If that’s what she said, then we should trust her.” He repeats, but he seems just about as confident about it as I do.
“Very well. Tell me how the clubs in the Bronx are doing.”
With that I put Sofia in the back of my mind and get back to the business at hand.
∞∞∞
“Hello, Isabella.” I say to the hostess.
She visibly gulps as she looks to Gio and Lo.
“Hello, Mr. Catalini. I have your table all ready.”
I grab her elbow and stop her. “You can call me Bash. You will be seeing a lot of me, so you should use the name my friends do.” I give her a smile, but she seems nervous.
She keeps looking over to Gio. She grits her teeth as she replies.
“Of course, Bash. Right this way.”
I toss a look to Gio who shrugs, but he looks guilty. I assume he slept with this woman and tossed her aside as he often does. Hell, I usually do it as well. Usually I have several different women a week. Since I met Sofia, I haven’t had a moment to even think about another woman. Between her haunting my thoughts and the work bringing the organization back into a positive standing, my days have been pretty full.
As we sit at the table, Isabella turns to me.
“I assume you want Sof?”
“Yes, please.”
I watch as she glances down to look at the new carpet that was put in three days ago. I knew they had to close for a day or two. She seems shook by it.
“Of course, Mr…” I give her a glare and she corrects herself, “I mean Bash.”
I nod as she walks away.
When Sofia enters moments later, I stride up to her and cup her cheek as I kiss her. Instead of falling into the kiss, she immediately retreats.
“You can’t keep kissing me like that.” She whispers to me as she glances back to my men.
“Sure, I can.” I lean forward again, but she pushes me back as she turns her head.
“I am not some skank you can just fuck and have a good time with. With that being said, I am also not looking for anything. Like no fuck buddies, no one night stands, no boyfriends. Got it?” Her voice gained a little volume, but she attempts to keep it low so the boys don’t hear it.
What she doesn’t know is my men would hear if a mouse pissed on cotton. They are trained to do so. I appreciate her effort to show me respect though.
I take a step back.
“Fine. What was the other day then?” I grin as her face turns red at the thought of our little kissing session we had right in this room.
Her eyes immediately go to where I killed Pagolo. She shivers, but I don’t think it is in fear. The look in her eyes tell me it is pleasure. Whatever she is thinking about turned her on.
“It was a mistake. I was caught up in all the drama, which by the way, I don’t like. Next time you plan to off someone, please do so when I am not around.”
I chuckle at her.
“You were the one who came in here while I was handling my business. That is your fault, not mine.”
I didn’t think her face could get anymore red, but I was wrong.
“Asshole.” She hisses at me. “I was bringing the food you ordered.”
"The door was shut.” I shrug at her.
“Your man opened it and ushered me in as soon as I approached. Had it stayed closed I would have knocked and if you didn’t answer I would have left!”
Her voice has lost all the quietness it had before. Immediately, my dick stands to attention.
“Semantics.” I shrug again and turn to walk back to the table.
“I don’t think I want to serve you anymore. I will have Mia come.”
“ENOUGH!” I order as she turns to leave.
She freezes as do Lo and Gio who were pretending to be busy on their phones.
She slowly turns to me with wide eyes. Yeah, she thought she saw the beast inside, but she only got a taste. While I find her entertaining, her disobedience also makes me want to punish her. Bend her over my lap and spank her ass until it is as red as her face was a moment ago. My dick twitches at the thought. I adjust myself under the table.
“You will serve us and you will do so with a smile on your f
ace. I know you think you are tough woman, but the only reason you still breath is because I find your lack of self-preservation entertaining. DO NOT mistake my mercy as weakness. If you go against me again, I will take action and you will not like it.”
Her mouth falls open at that statement.
“So much for being under his protection.” She whispers under her breath. Then she plasters the fakest smile I have ever seen on her face as she walks over to us.
“Good evening, my name is Sofia and I will be your server tonight. Can I get you started with something to drink?”
I narrow my eyes at her. She is doing exactly as I said, but it disappoints me slightly. While I commanded obedience, I was really hoping for a little of the defiance that calls to me.
I sigh.
“Just bring wine. Whatever you would suggest.”
She keeps the smile on her face.
“Of course, sir. I will be right back with that.”
She turns and walks out of the room. I let out the breath I was holding and rub my hand down my face.
“Seems you will have your hands full with that one.” Gio says from my right.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“It’s obvious that you have some weird fascination with her. The question is that fascination going to get you or her killed?”
“Watch what you say, Gio. You might be one of my best friends and advisor, but that doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want.” I spit out at him.
“It is because I am your advisor and best friend that I feel I need to say it. You need to figure out what is going on with her. If you like her, cool. Make her your wife. If not, then you need to cut this off now. She has already caused you to have to kill one of your men.”
“Pagolo was a sorry piece of shit. He would have ended up dead anyways. I just did it before he could turn rat.”
Gio sighs. “I have a feeling he won’t be the last man you kill for her.”
“That’s enough Gio.” Lo says as he watches me clench my fists.
“Do you agree with him Lo?” I turn to my other best friend and watch him contemplate his next words.
