Chapter 31
CHAPTER 31
D imitrios
Death was a part of my life.
But not in the way most crime syndicates viewed the final result.
Other syndicates had no real care or understanding that life should be considered precious. But most did gather family that meant everything. That’s why spouses were considered true weaknesses.
From what I knew about Luca Marciano over the last few years, the man was considered a Neanderthal in the world of the Cosa Nostra out of Italy. They neither embraced nor had attempted to disown him.
Especially given he’d been close with Don Bernardi, a man that was highly respected and Delphina’s father. The most repulsive aspect of their twisted relationship was that Luca had married Delphina’s younger sister. The world of crime syndicates could be toxic.
“You’re certain he’ll show up?” Havros asked.
“Yeah, I’m certain.” And I was. There was no way the man was stupid enough to show up at the estate. Not with a house full of people capable of blowing his brains out. We’d cleared out as many civilians as possible in case things got a little out of hand. I wanted him and his men bloody, but refused to allow anyone who didn’t deserve injury or death to face my wrath.
Maybe I was turning into a nice guy after all.
“What about Willow? Don’t you think she’s going to get tired of being the bait?”
I grinned. “You don’t know my fiancée. She insisted.” She’d come close to demanding, which had prompted me to remind her I was the boss. My little dove still needed to be tamed. Yet having her as a partner was exhilarating. I winked as I watched her approach.
“I can speak for myself, you know,” Willow said as she rounded the corner, obviously overhearing our conversation.
Havros threw up his hands. “Yes, ma’am. I should have figured out by now you’re not fragile.”
“See? I’ve been telling your brother that for two weeks and he hasn’t listened.” She poked me in the side and I laughed.
Time remained short. And very precious. Two days from now we’d be leaving for the States. I’d promised I’d take us both back to Boston so she could bury her parents. I’d even committed to helping her decide what to do with her parents’ home. In the meantime, I refused to have everyone looking over their shoulder on a constant basis. So another lure had been established.
We’d been assisted by the very members of the press I originally loathed. If their stories paid off, I’d reconsider my view.
The quaint restaurant had been rented out for the night so I could have a romantic dinner with my fiancée. The press had gotten wind of the ‘secret’ rendezvous and had gone to town with a few stories. They’d also been outside the cozy location when we’re arrived alone, finally sent away by several of my men.
“We’re all set, boss,” Nico said.
“I do like your chef’s coat,” Willow teased.
“She’s a ballbuster if you don’t mind me saying so, boss.” Nico grinned and spun in a circle.
“He does look good in that. Maybe I’ll change his job description.” The situation was serious and needed to be handled carefully, but it felt good to joke around for the first time in a while. “Get out, Havros.”
“I’ll be in the storeroom. Christos is coordinating with the men flanking the restaurant. We’ll know when Luca arrives. Just remember he’s an animal.”
“That much I know. Now, go. We’ll be fine.” If this didn’t work, we were still going to enjoy a lovely dinner together.
“Boss, I don’t mind telling you that I don’t love the thought of you doing this by yourself,” Nico added. “No offense to your lovely bride to be.”
“None taken.”
“You’re not pushing me away,” she told him.
“She’s tough. Besides, nothing will happen to her. I won’t allow it.” That didn’t mean I wasn’t concerned. Luca had a reputation for becoming unraveled when something didn’t go as planned.
Nico whistled. “That doesn’t mean I won’t be on the standby, six other men as well. We’ve got your back.”
“I know you do. This is my situation to handle. No one touches the bastard but me.”
I moved to the other chair, pulling it out for Willow.
“Being a gentleman, I see. I’ve rubbed off on you,” she told me.
“In some ways, yes you have. I’m curious,” I said to her as I pulled the already opened bottle of wine closer. “How was the feel of that weapon?”
She lifted her clutch purse for me to see. “Perfect for my fingers. Not too heavy yet powerful.”
The little dove had insisted she show me just how talented she was in using a weapon. In truth, I’d been shocked how accurate her shooting had been. The woman could be a marksman, but I refused to allow it.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Is Luca being tracked?” she asked as I poured her a glass of merlot.
“He left Italy yesterday.”
“I hope you’re right about your plan. This needs to end.”
While pouring my wine, I lifted one eyebrow, which always seemed to amuse her. “You mean the nightmare?”
“Yes, but more of a charade.” She lifted the glass, licking the few drops I’d spilled off the rim. Shane had provided all we needed, enjoying spending time with his sister before heading back to Paris and the people he worked with. He’d devised a story about the Stalker’s death and I couldn’t care less whether he took the credit or not. He’d been chasing the man for well over a year. Why not allow him to enjoy the kudos.
The fact he wasn’t the bad guy I’d believed him to be was priceless for my fiancée. “Charade. Are you suggesting our engagement is fake?”
She rolled her eyes and leaned over the table. “Come on now. You no longer need to tie yourself down to a young woman who just might take your money and run.”
“You think I’m worried about whether your skills will top mine?”
“Yes, I do.” Her lips were pursed, her breath purposely labored. The woman was also a little tease.
I sat back as if in a huff, which I wasn’t. “Is that what you want, to get out of our arrangement?”
Maybe she hadn’t been prepared for me to ask her directly. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
Willow took a few seconds to think about her answer. “Dimitrios. I know it might seem ridiculous or too girlie, but I want the fairytale. Business is meant for outside the home, not inside. I don’t have the best track record with men, but that doesn’t mean a man won’t come along who wants to marry me for me. Not for a deal or because the family thinks we’ll work well together. I want the man down on one knee proposing, making a big deal out of the honeymoon. You’re an amazing man, but I don’t think I’m what you really want.”
There were so many things that needed to be said, but time didn’t allow for us to truly get into a long conversation. “You don’t seem to understand what I meant about the deal, Willow. You are not being allowed out of it. You will be my wife.”
Her face pinched because she didn’t know what to make of my almost harsh sounding statement. “No, I won’t become your wife because you don’t love me.”
“Do you love me?”
She blushed, trying to hide her emotions behind her glass. I’d made an earlier decision that I knew now was the right one. Perhaps the best decision I’d made in my entire life.
“Yes, I love you, Dimitrios. I meant what I said before. There will be people who’ll say I couldn’t because we’ve only just met or that I should be worried about you lying to me or using me. But I don’t care. I love you.”
My brothers would like to tear me apart for what I was about to do given the timing, but I refused to allow her to think for another minute I didn’t want her in my life. I placed my wine on the table, easing down onto one knee in front of her.
“What the hell are you doing?” she asked in the same rebellious way she’d done with so many other questions.
I slipped my hand into my pocket, pulling out a velvet box.
She gasped, shocking me with the tears forming in her eyes.
“Willow, the moment you came crashing into my world less than two weeks ago, I was reminded of a time in my life where every moment seemed filled with joy. I hadn’t realized until you returned how much I’d missed your bright eyes and that smile, that killer smile. Only you were different, a beautiful and intelligent woman who didn’t care about my status or wealth. You weren’t impressed with the world I live in and didn’t hold back for a second to tell me when I was wrong. Which, by the way, was often.”
Laughing, she pressed her hand in front of her mouth. Her entire body was quivering.
“You stood by my side and although we’d made a sinful deal, you were right there to comfort me in my loss when you’d suffered so much. I can’t imagine my life without you. No, I won’t allow my life not to have you in it. If that’s the case, there is no joy left in the world. I love you. Willow Elizabeth Winters, will you marry me? This time for all the right reasons.”
She opened her eyes wide and for a moment, I was certain she planned on telling me over her dead body. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I was yet to get the ring on her shaking finger before we both heard howls from the kitchen. She was the first of us to throw them a nasty look. With the ring on her finger, I pulled her into my arms. This time capturing her mouth was the sweetest thing in the world.
“Guys. We’re about to have company.”
Nico’s voice came from behind us.
Damn it. The timing sucked.
I pulled away, taking a second to slide hair from her face. “Back to business. But I promise you we’ll get back to what we started.”
She backed away from me, giving me one of her tough looks. “You better. Just remember I also have a temper.”
I laughed, enjoying the way she was wiggling the huge rock on her finger. Surrounded by rubies, it would go well with the necklace her brother had given her. The one she had on tonight.
“You ready?” I asked as I brought my wineglass to my hand again.
“As my mother liked to say: Ready, Freddy.”
“You Americans amuse me.”
The fact she could laugh while potentially in the face of danger would remain as one of the most incredible things about her.
The music was soft, but enough to create a lovely atmosphere.
“Where would you like to get married?” I placed my phone on the table. Any new information about Luca’s whereabouts would come from a text.
“Corfu. I love that place. It’s perfect. You can fly all your guests in your new private plane.” She winked. I’d yet to even think about purchasing another one.
“Only if you agree to being a stewardess on every flight.”
“Darling, they’re now called flight attendants. What century are you from?”
“You do remember I owe you a savage spanking. Yes?” I asked her.
“Oh, hockey pucks. I was hoping you’d forget that.”
“I never forget anything. That’s something you need to remember.” I took a sip of wine, watching the way she wrinkled her nose. She had no idea how adorable she truly was.
My men made it clear the man was headed in our direction. While there were other businesses within walking distance, since most were either being staffed by my men or already closed for the night, the darkness would provide the cloaking the man needed to slip in through the back.
We chatted about wedding plans, rhetoric I doubted either one of us would remember.
Well, some of it I would at least.
Christos: He had his men park on the street behind the restaurant. Five minutes.
My brother had kept me updated with a play by play, right up to the minute the man should be waltzing in through the back door. I usually only traveled with two men, and they were well represented in the lighted parking lot for Luca to see.
“Do you trust me?” I asked her.
“Implicitly. Do you trust me?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Then remember that I’m not so fragile.” She winked and I shook my head. “Also remember I might be of use. What are my cues?”
“Don’t provoke the man, little dove. Luca is deranged.”
“What man isn’t to a degree?”
It wasn’t long before I knew we had company. With no pretense, no concern that he was walking into a possible massacre, Luca came in from the outside. He had his weapon in his hand, holding it casually.
“Well, well. Look what we have here,” Luca said as if greeting friends.
I immediately jerked up, grabbing my weapon as he expected me to. “Luca. What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Surprised? Did you really think you could get away with being responsible for my fiancée’s death?”
Willow coughed. “You are a real bastard. Aren’t you?”
“You must be the girlfriend.”
She held up her hand with her ring finger. “Fiancée. You weren’t invited to our party.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Dimitrios and I have unfinished business.” Luca barely looked in her direction.
“I suggest you leave or you’re not going to like what happens.” I had no emotion toward the man. In truth, it was amazing how calm I felt.
“I have your men being held by my soldiers. You’re all alone and I seriously doubt anyone in the kitchen will come to your defense. If I were you, I’d hand over your weapon and maybe I’ll spare your girlfriend.”
“I don’t think I can do that,” I told him.
Luca exhaled. His move wasn’t unexpected as he pointed the barrel of his gun toward her face. He was only inches away. The thought I’d put her in harm’s way crossed my mind, but I sensed she wasn’t terrified, just as cautious as I was.
She was also conniving.
“Now, put your damn gun down or I’m afraid I’ll need to destroy your love affair.”
His command irritated the fuck out of me. I hesitated.
“Just do it, Dimitrios. Please. I love you.” She was begging but I knew the woman too well already. She was a much better actress than I’d given her credit for.
“I suggest you listen to her.” Luca laughed.
“Baby. Please,” she whined. With her purse in her hand, she looked at me with imploring eyes.
He noticed the look on her face and had a smug one on his.
“You would never have cared about Delphina. You didn’t love her the way I did.”
“You’re right,” he admitted. “But fucking her would have been worth the money and power achieved. You took that all away. You’re such a fool, Dimitrios. Her father would have never allowed her to marry scum like you. Last time I’m going to tell you this. Give me your weapon.”
I glanced at Willow and sensed my men were itching to take him out. They knew better than to disobey my commands. However, I wasn’t entirely certain he wouldn’t go off the rails, killing Willow anyway. Yet I pulled out my weapon, noticing her gaze was imploring. I could almost hear her words.
“Trust me…”
And to take her cue.
As I held out my Glock, he laughed and walked closer. “The big, bad Greek.” He pocketed my gun and held his weapon to my forehead.
“Hey, dumbass,” Willow called. “I have something for you.”
With her weapon in her hand, I sensed what she intended on doing.
Luca did exactly as she’d hoped by goading him, the man turning his head long enough.
“Here, lover. Catch.” She tossed me her weapon, which I easily grabbed with one hand. In two seconds, I knocked the Beretta from his hand, placing the barrel of the weapon I’d given her right in between his eyes.
“You underestimated both myself and my fiancée, Luca. Big mistake. Your mistake.” As I fired off a single shot, I could still see the look of shock on his face.
Most would say revenge was best served cold, but, in my mind, it was best done with the help of the most beautiful woman in the world.
My partner.
And soon to be my wife.