Chapter 19
Lorenzo
"Leonardo sent an email. He got leads on the mole from Italy. The bastard uses a different number every time to contact Nikolai, but the pattern is the same. Nikolai is already in Sicily. They will be meeting in an hour," Giovani informed me. So that bastard was already here? And I did not know? Who knew Sicily as well as I did? Something did not add up.
"Where are they meeting?" I asked Gio.
"The club, Heaven on Earth. " Perfect.
"Prepare the men. Double the guards at the mansion for Angela’s security. We're leaving."
"Yes, Capo." This was going to be fun. I was going to have a good time with Nikolai once I got my hands on him. The fool actually thought he could outsmart me on my own territory. He had no idea who he was messing with. And now, there was no way he could escape the consequences. Soon enough, he would understand the gravity of his mistake. There would be no escape, no mercy. I would relish every moment of our encounter, savoring the fear in his eyes as he realizes the full extent of his miscalculation. This wasn't just business; this was personal. And I was going to enjoy every second of it.
My shoes clicked against the tiled floor as I left the study room to see Angela before I left. Ever since she stepped into my life, she had become my saving grace, my light in the darkness, my North Star, always there to guide me. She was the missing piece in my life I never knew I was searching for. Loving her felt like breathing; effortless and essential to my existence. I could not leave for this important mission without getting good luck from her.
She had come back earlier from dropping Emily off at the airport and was currently sprawled on the couch, weeping over some cliché heartbreak romance scene playing on the screen. She tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth, wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and sniffled softly. A smile tugged at my lips as I watched her, so absorbed in the movie that she had not even noticed me standing there, observing her.
This was her habit, a charming quirk of hers. She never realized all the times I had watched her, whether she was lost in a fit of giggles with Emily, sharing a joke, or shedding tears over her boss making her stay late back in Italy. I had always been there watching her. She was always immersed in the moment, blissfully indifferent to what others might think. This endearing trait made me fiercely protective of her.
Angela did not just exist; she lived her life with a passion and authenticity that drew me in like a moth to a flame. She experienced every emotion fully, unguardedly, and it made her all the more captivating. And as I stood there, watching her, I knew I didn't just want to be a part of her world; I wanted to live it with her, every moment, every heartbeat.
I sneaked up behind her, covering her eyes with my hands. "Lorenzooo," she drawled, chuckling as she instantly guessed it was me.
"That was quick," I said, plopping down on the couch beside her before popping a piece of popcorn into my mouth.
"As if anyone else would dare to do that with me in your house?" She scoffed, smirking.
" Our house,” I corrected. “And no, they wouldn’t even dare look at you for longer than a second. Let alone touch," I challenged.
"But what if someone does look at me for longer than a second? What are you going to do, Mr. Big Bad Mafia Wolf?"
"So that’s what you're calling me now?" I raised my brows at the nickname.
"Yep, I like the ring of it. Anyway, that's not the answer to my question."
"Well, for starters, if they look at you for longer than a second, then I’m going to have a problem with it."
"Yeah?" Angela turned all her attention to me, the movie now long forgotten. "What are you going to do, Enzo?" She scooted closer, her intoxicating musky scent making all the blood rush to my crotch. Again .
"I will gouge their eyes out, pack them in a box, and set them in a museum as a reminder to every guy on the planet of what happens if they even as much as look at what's mine," I answered, my voice growing heavier.
"Oh!" Angela spoke seductively as her hand trailed her index fingernail down my cheek, beckoning me forward. Her lips were just centimeters away from mine. "Then what about those who touch me?"
"Trust me, Angel, you don’t want to know," I chuckled darkly.
"Good," she piped, retracting within seconds as if we hadn't just been having a moment. I shook my head at my little vixen’s behavior. She popped another popcorn into her mouth, her eyes now fixed on the television.
"I’m leaving for a mission," I said, making her head snap back to me in seconds, clear worry marking her face.
"Mission? What kind of mission?" Her eyes narrowed as her hand paused from taking another popcorn.
"An important one," I sighed.
"You’re going after Nikolai, aren’t you?" she asked tensely. I nodded. "But you’ll come back, right?" She added quickly, taking my hands in hers desperately. "You’ll come back to me, won’t you?"
"I promise, I will. I could be a little late, but I’ll come back to you. I’ll come back to my home ."
"You have to. You don’t have a choice," she said solemnly before pulling me in for a chaste kiss. This one was different from the ones we had shared before. It was slow and passionate, filled with unspoken promises and love.
***
Waiting outside the club, I sat in my car with Giovanni, the glow of the neon lights casting an eerie glow on our faces as we watched from our hidden spot. My men were strategically spread throughout the club and positioned outside for cover. We were ready. We were always ready.
As the minutes ticked by, I scanned the entrance. My eyes narrowed when I saw a man in a cap and dark clothes moving suspiciously. He bypassed the main entrance and slipped in through the back door. A gut feeling told me this was our target. "That's him," I muttered to Giovanni, who nodded and sent a quick message to the team. We exited the car, blending into the shadows as we followed the man discreetly. Inside the club, the pulsating music and throngs of people made it easy to stay out of sight.
The man moved swiftly, weaving through the crowd, but we kept pace. Just as I thought we had him, he vanished into the sea of dancing bodies. I cursed under my breath. "Spread out and keep your eyes open," I instructed Giovanni, who relayed the orders to the others.
I moved toward a quieter area of the club, away from the throbbing bass and flashing lights. My instincts led me down a narrow hallway, the sounds of the crowd fading behind me. The air grew cooler, and the walls seemed to close in, creating an intimate, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The dim light cast long shadows, making every corner look like a potential hiding spot.
As I walked further, I noticed a subtle seam in the wall, almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. It was a secret door, blending seamlessly. The faint outline of the door was barely visible in the low light, but my years in this business had honed my senses to spot such details. I pushed against the door, and it gave way silently, swinging inward on well-oiled hinges. I stepped into a small, dimly lit room that seemed like it had not been used in years. The air was thick with dust, and the faint smell of mildew lingered. Faded posters of old club events adorned the walls, curling at the edges. A single, bare bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a weak, yellowish glow over the space.
Immediately, I felt a presence. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and my senses went on high alert. I was not alone. The room was eerily silent, save for the distant thump of the club's music, now muffled and distant.
"There’s no use hiding. Come out now. I know you're here," I said darkly, my voice cutting through the stillness like a knife. My hand hovered near my gun holster, ready for any threat. I moved slowly, eyes scanning every inch of the room. My footsteps echoed softly on the concrete floor as I advanced, the tension building with each step. Suddenly, I heard a slight shuffle behind me. Instinctively, I spun around, my gun already in hand. I fired a shot, but the man in the baseball cap was quick, dodging the bullet. His swift movement almost impressed me. Almost . Nikolai finally gave me a worthy opponent.
We both started firing, the room filling with the deafening sound of gunshots. I managed to get a clear shot, hitting his gun and making it fall out of his hands. Seizing the moment, I lunged forward. He was fast, though, and before I knew it, he had disarmed me as well.
He swung first, a wild punch aimed at my jaw. I ducked, feeling the air whoosh past my face. I countered with a sharp jab to his ribs, making him grunt in pain. He retaliated with a swift kick, catching my side and knocking me back a step.
We circled each other, breaths heavy, eyes locked in a deadly stare. I charged, landing a solid punch to his gut before he could react. He doubled over, but not for long. In a quick move, he grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back. Pain shot through me, but I did not let it slow me down. I used the momentum to spin, freeing myself and delivering a hard elbow to his face.
Blood spattered from his nose, and he stumbled, but he did not go down. He was tough. He recovered quickly, launching himself at me. We grappled, exchanging blows, each one more vicious than the last.
I felt his strength waning, and I took advantage, slamming him against the wall. He tried to push back, but I was relentless. With a final, powerful punch to his temple, he crumpled to the floor with a tired groan. He lay there powerless, not unconscious but clearly defeated. I loomed over him, a mocking smile playing on my lips.
"I'm glad you were good," I taunted, "but sadly, not good enough."
But what surprised me was that he scoffed before a mockingly evil chuckle escaped his mouth. "Yeah? And I'm glad you're in the wrong place at the right time." I frowned, his words starting to settle in. "Say hello to your little girlfriend for me. I’ve heard she has a golden puss—" Before he could finish, my blood boiled at his mention of Angela. I punched him again, making him pass out.
Breathing hard, I stood over him, fists still clenched. Giovanni and the others burst in, having followed the sounds of the fight. "Get him out of here," I ordered. "I want him alive." As my men moved to secure the unconscious man, I picked up my gun and holstered it.
***