Chapter 21 A Distraction
Twenty-One
A Distraction
Davide
How did I get sucked into being Mara’s bodyguard? Yeah, I know, it’s an honor to be chosen to protect my capo’s sister, but I never signed up to be a babysitter. I was born into Il Destino, and as much as I fought to pull myself away, this is where I belong.
When my father was killed, I decided that I wanted no part in the family.
Niccolo was the complete opposite. He threw himself into becoming the best soldier Il Destino has ever seen and climbed the ranks to become Alessio’s consigliere.
Niccolo is the second most important man in the family. He’s respected and revered.
Me, on the other hand, I immersed myself in school.
I studied at the finest universities and have a master’s and PhD in Computer Engineering.
I’m a geek, and I love it. I’m good at what I do, but still, even with all my years of education, I’m well aware I’m not the best. There are two men who surpass me.
One is Dante Viale, who studied formally, but basically taught himself.
The other is a man they call Orion, from an MC, who is the master of everything on the web.
I’ve been lucky to meet with both men, and we’ve collaborated a few times on projects. I’m being groomed to take on a role like Dante Viale’s. It’s what I’m meant to do, but all soldiers must work their way up, and right now, my duty is to keep Mara Cassini safe.
Mara is a quiet, thoughtful young woman, sweet as honey. She’s loved by all. She’s the complete opposite of her twin sister, Mia, in temperament. Where Mia is outgoing and never at a loss for words, Mara is pensive and chooses her words carefully before speaking.
Mara Cassini is also a distraction. When she was a kid, she was a cute little girl with pigtails and big brown eyes, completely adorable. Now she’s a woman who is attracting too much attention from the men in this room, and I don’t like it.
Mara has grown into a beautiful woman. Her long dark hair is much like her sister’s, but it’s her eyes that stand out.
They are a deep blue, almost purple, whereas Mia’s are a lighter shade of blue.
Mara is at least a head shorter than me, even with her heels on, and she dresses rather conservatively for a woman her age.
Mia is the fashionista who continues to drive Alessio crazy with her short dresses and tight skirts.
Mara’s a good girl in a world full of bad people, and she’s far too trusting.
Even now, she doesn’t pick up on the group of men standing in a huddle with their gazes glued to her tits and ass.
If Alessio were paying attention, he’d gouge their eyes out, but since he’s in deep conversation with the other capos, it’s up to me to keep the eyes off her.
“Mara, let’s go grab you something to eat,” I whisper in her ear. She turns to me, and I shift my body to shield her from the men ogling her from a distance.
“I’m not very hungry,” she replies, her voice soft and melodic like a warm summer breeze. I glance over my shoulder, and she catches my meaning. “They’re not interested in me.” She actually believes this to be true, which blows my mind. She’s too innocent for her own good.
“Don’t make my job any harder than it needs to be.
You’re a distraction, and those boys are enjoying the view.
I’m here to protect you, so do as I ask and let’s go into the other room.
” I know I’m coming across like an asshole, and as soon as I say the words, I see the sadness in her expression.
But she doesn’t fight me and walks out of the room.
I’m a dick! The problem is that Mara isn’t just a distraction to the men in this room. She’s also a huge distraction to my peace of mind.