Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
POSSESIVE
LUCA
Dinner turned out to be more than I bargained for, especially after Paolo showed up. Everyone knows that he is callous when dealing with people. But when he’s forced to tolerate someone, he can be downright despicable.
The hostility that clouded the room should’ve made Alicianna want to flee as quickly as humanly possible. But she sat at the dinner table, making flirtatious remarks to anyone who gave her the slightest attention. She made it clear that intimidation wouldn’t make her leave.
So, following my lead, my brother and Paolo decided to just ignore her. My Mama is pissed, but she didn’t comment in front of Alicianna. I’m sure we’ll get an earful when she gets us alone, but it won’t be tonight. Roman got a call about important business, and we left.
Mama may not have believed him, but she wouldn’t make a scene about us having to handle business. I am thankful that we could get away from Alicianna before I could delve too deeply into her actions. She didn’t do anything too outlandish, but Alicianna doesn’t do things for no reason.
She showed up here for a reason, and I want to know what it is.
The families here in Dallas have been up to no good lately.
We had a shipment of guns hijacked, and a brawl had broken out at one of Roman’s clubs.
I want to ensure that the Amano family had nothing to do with any of it.
They need to stay in Louisiana and out of our business.
When we show up at Club Obsession, we have a meeting with Roman’s club security. And unfortunately, we have a rat in our business somewhere. It makes me even more suspicious of Alicianna and her sudden appearance.
The meeting lasted two hours, and they came to the conclusion that the Giuliani family was causing trouble.
They just didn’t know why they had a sudden urge to upset the balance of the families.
We are the most powerful mob family in Texas, and that will never change.
No matter how many snakes are in the garden or rats in the house.
We sat around in the club’s VIP section before Roman took off behind some woman. I have to admit she is gorgeous, but I am surprised by my brother’s reaction to her. Roman never chased a woman, but it looked as if things are changing.
“Looks like Ro is on a mission. How about we get out of here and go meet up with some models?”
Paolo posed his words as a question, but I knew they weren’t. He wanted to leave Club Obsession because Ro warned him to stop fucking his dancers. I don’t know why he wanted me to go with him, but my cousin always has his reasons, so I just nod and follow him outside.
“Did you valet?” Paolo questions, absently scrolling on his phone.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re driving,” I dryly respond.
“Come on, Luc. I know you’re not gonna drink, and you’ll leave as soon as I turn my back.”
Paolo has a point, even though I won’t tell him that.
I planned on leaving as soon as he was distracted.
I haven’t figured out why Paolo insists on hitching rides everywhere when he has more cars than any of us.
I’m clearly not the only one with quirks in the family.
Paolo has been in America for years, but for some reason, he hates driving here.
“Fine. But when I’m ready, I’m leaving. So, don’t give me any shit.”
“Grazie, cugino.” Paolo nods.
He’s trying to hold back his smirk, but I see it. I don’t acknowledge him, thinking he’s gotten one over on me; I don’t mind driving him. I just like to mess with him every now and then.
When we arrive at the spot, I’m immediately annoyed. There’s a line around the block. Paolo knows I fucking hate crowds, especially in a place I’ve never been.
Even though I’m observant, and it would take a ninja with inhuman skills to sneak up on me, I still don’t like new environments.
New places always bring out the silent killer.
I do my best to control that part of my personality, but sometimes it slips out.
I’ve never been diagnosed with any type of disorder; I just prefer to separate the components of my personality.
It’s easier for me to think of him as a separate entity.
At least, it was easier when I was younger and had uncivilized urges to kill for no reason.
However, the older I get, the more comfortable I am with all of my character traits. I wouldn’t say it out loud, but the silent killer is the biggest part of my personality. I know that about myself, but I’m still afraid to fully embrace him. It’s probably the only thing that I am afraid of.
When I pull up to the valet, I make sure not only to give him a tip but also a deadly look. No words need to be exchanged because when the guy swallows hard with a nod, I’m certain that my car won’t be fucked with.
“I’ll leave your car up front, sir. Have a good night,” the young guy nervously says.
“Gracie,” I respond.
“Damn, Luc. Relax, man. I thought the kid was gonna stroke out from the death glare you gave him.” Paolo shakes his head, laughing.
“I don’t need to relax. I need him to know I’ll kill him if he fucks up my car.” I narrow my eyes at my cousin.
Paolo knows that I don’t particularly like people touching my shit, especially my cars. But I’d rather valet than park it myself and have some numbskull ding my door. At least this way, I can assure they won’t let it get damaged.
“Let’s go before you kill somebody before the night even gets started,” Paolo says, patting my back.
He’s purposely being an ass because he knows I hate when he does that. Paolo likes to push buttons, it’s just part of his personality. Although I’m used to it, I still get irritated. But I don’t let him know that I’m annoyed. He’ll stop being an asshole when he doesn’t get a reaction.
We go from the valet directly to the front of the enormous line. The bouncer doesn’t check his clipboard as he automatically steps aside, letting us pass. Although this may be a new club, everyone in Dallas knows who we are.
As soon as we step inside the huge venue, Paolo moves to a VIP section.
Again, there’s no hesitation to let us inside.
The club is packed, and the VIP is full.
Eyes follow us as we make our way over to Paolo’s women.
We’re used to people staring and whispering when we walk into a room.
Although I ignore the reactions, I am very aware of each and every one of them.
The women are giggling and hanging all over Paolo as soon as we walk up. I simply nod and move around to a seat where my back is to a wall with an exit at both ends.
They give me frowns, but don’t comment. My behavior may come across as rude, but really, I’m just trying to control my emotions with the sensory overload I’m having. Although having my back against a wall has somewhat curved my irritation, I’m still looking forward to getting out of here.
I usually can handle the club atmosphere, but after my kill and being on high alert throughout dinner, I didn’t get a chance to unwind in a safe environment. My parents’ house is my refuge, and Alicianna being there messed up my balance. Now, I’m too wired.
I watch the room until my eyes land on the most magnificent creature I have ever seen.
She is wearing a black dress, but even sitting down, I can see the plush curves of her body.
Her hair is slicked back away from her beautiful face, which makes it easier to see her plump, red lips from here.
I sit up instantly intrigued. In a club full of people, she’s completely alone.
The sadness seems to be wafting from her in waves.
I want to know why she’s alone and who made her sad.
I want to know why she looks so miserable.
I don’t approach her, I sit and observe the woman for at least an hour.
She never moves from her seat, and that intrigues me even more.
I want to ask her why she’s sitting alone, but before I can, I see a man approach her. He’s average height with blond hair, and I can tell by the way he’s strutting through VIP that he thinks he’s something special. He’s not. However, I plan to find out who he is.
It doesn’t take me very long to observe the average-looking man and the beautiful woman to figure out that they’re a couple. It also doesn’t take a genius to see that both of them are fucking miserable. I don’t know his reasons, but her misery is obviously because of him.
The music is too loud and I’m not close enough to hear what they’re saying, but I can tell by their body language that he’s pissed about something.
When I look closer, though, I can see she isn’t arguing with him.
The gorgeous woman looks terrified as she shakes her head.
She’s leaning away from the man with her arms hugging her body.
When the man gets into her face, it takes a hand on my shoulder to keep me from getting out of my seat. I look up and see Paolo shaking his head. I frown at my cousin.
“Not our territory, cugino .” Paolo is staring at the couple.
My eyes shift from him back to the man and woman.
My heart is beating rapidly, and I can feel the silent killer itching to come out.
My family has a tentative truce with the other organizations here in Texas.
The Dalonzo organization is by far the largest and most powerful, so if I decided to fuck someone up in their territory, there would be very few consequences if any.
However, I don’t want to disappoint my brother. He’s been working hard to step out of our papa’s shadow as the Don, and I won’t be the cause of anyone being able to hold something against him. So instead of following my instincts, I sit back in my seat.
I was already wired as fuck, and now that I’ve zoned in on the couple, I will never settle down. I’ve made up my mind that I won’t make a scene in the club, but I also refuse to take my eyes off of them.
It doesn’t take long before the man makes his move and grabs the woman roughly by the arm and pulls her out of her seat. He slaps her before dragging her toward the back exit nearest me. I don’t wait, I immediately get up.
“Don’t make a mess,” Paolo says seriously.
“No promises, cugino ,” I reply, following after the couple.
The man drags the woman inside of what looks like a private restroom.
I stay just far enough out of sight that he doesn’t see me.
He’s busy mistreating his girlfriend to sense the danger he’s in.
He probably thinks everyone is partying, so they won’t notice them.
Most people are. But I’m not most people.
I hear the man yelling even over the loud music, and I know that I’m going to kill him. It’s not any of my business, and I shouldn’t care about these strangers, but I do. I won’t even pretend that I don’t know why I care… she is the reason I care.
All I can hear is the man shouting like he’s lost his motherfucking mind. I can barely control the rage that’s bubbling to the surface. I watched the woman for over an hour, sitting quietly by herself. She didn’t have a phone out, and she didn’t talk to anyone, so what the fuck is he so mad about?
I hear a loud thud and a sound like someone slamming against the door, and all logical thoughts flee from my mind. I know this motherfucker has lost his mind. How do you beat up your girlfriend in public? What kind of coward does that?
When I rush to the door, I don’t have to even force it open. In his haste to beat his girlfriend, the idiot didn’t bother to lock the door. I see the man hunched over and punching the woman who is lying on the floor.
The man is so distracted by being an abuser that he doesn’t even notice me. My rage won’t let me just observe him like I normally would. I like to get to know my prey. This time, though, I don’t have time for that.
The beauty is obviously suffering at the hands of a man who doesn’t deserve her. So, I’ll rectify that. Once I’m finished with him, he won’t be able to abuse anyone else.
The man raises his closed fist to hit the woman again, but he doesn’t get the chance. I have him by the throat and slam him against the wall before he can blink. I could easily choke this motherfucker out. The last face he will see is mine, and I’ll be happy about it.
“Wh-oo arr?” He tries to choke out his question, but I tighten my hand.
“You want to know who I am? Doesn’t matter.” I shake my head and squeeze.
The bastard scratches my hands, leaving angry red welts on my skin.
However, I don’t let up. I want to see the light fade from his beady eyes.
He continues to try to pry my hands from his neck, but it’s no use.
I don’t care how much the welts begin to bleed because I don’t have any plans on stopping.
“Plea-ease, help me—” the sweet voice breaks through my killer haze, and I loosen my grip.
I will never turn my back on an enemy, so I slam my fist into the assholes face before slamming his head against the wall. It’s lights out for him, so I let him drop to the floor. He’s slumped on the floor when I turn to help the beauty.
The woman’s eyes are slowly shutting when I drop to her side. Her nose is bleeding, and there’s a bruise on her cheek, and her right eye is already turning purple. Her dark irises are glazed and unfocused. I can tell by the large knot forming on her head that she might have a concussion.
“Sweetheart? Stay with me. Keep those pretty eyes on me.” I run my hand down her cheek, and her eyes flutter open.
“My head hurts,” she whispers brokenly.
“I know, honey. But you gotta stay awake. Okay,” I reply softly.
I don’t know the first thing about this woman, but I know I need to get her out of here.
The problem is, I don’t know who the man is either.
Technically, we’re not in Dalonzo territory.
The guy could be a part of another family.
The issue is that the other families have been gunning for my brother, and this little incident could cause him a headache.
I know as much as I don’t want to cause my brother any problems, I won’t leave her. I can’t leave her. I have to protect her. So, I gather her in my arms and start for the door. I look back at the unmoving man on the floor, and I want to kill him so bad my teeth itch.
“Another time, Luca,” I remind myself out loud.
“Luca, that’s a pretty name,” the woman whispers.
Her sweet voice brings a smile to my face. Not many people can do that, but I’m not surprised she did. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something that just draws me to her. That something also makes me possessive.