Chapter 19
Dance With Me?
I can't drag you into my world, no matter how much I wish you were here with me. —Love you, Enzo
Enzo
Goddamn idiot.
The hell was I thinking?
She didn’t cower—didn’t look at me with disgust—when she saw the man I’ve become. No, she fucking matched me.
Izzy isn’t the sweet, innocent thirteen-year-old that I left behind. I’m starting to realize this.
Seeing that cold, icy, expression? I couldn’t hold myself back. I had to taste her.
And fuck—nothing has ever tasted better than her cum on my tongue. I savor the coppery taste of her blood on my lips.
And then I fucked it up.
I close my eyes, breathing deep, as I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Uhhh, boss?”
The sound of Dante’s voice has my head snapping in the direction of the door.
“What?” I bark, my patience thin.
“Just letting you know that the big boss is waiting for you in your office.”
I nod once. “Okay.”
Dante turns to leave.
“Wait!” I call out, striding over to him.
He twists, waiting.
I slap a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
He shrugs me off. “Anytime.”
When I get back to the apartment, I shower first, making myself presentable in a new suit—black, as always—then find Papa sitting in my office chair.
I gulp, standing before him, waiting for him to speak. I know he’s here to berate me. I gave him an order when he’s the boss. I shouldn’t have spoken to him like that. I was just so consumed by Izzy that everything else faded to the background.
Papa leans forward, his head tilted. His eyes—ones that match my own—are watching me with quiet intensity. The silence stretches. Then he finally speaks. “I want you to take over.”
I think there’s a loading bar on my brain that’s frozen because the words don’t compute.
“Huh?”
He rolls his eyes. “As leader. It’s time.”
Nope. Not understanding.
“What?”
Papa sighs, and I notice for the first time just how tired he looks.
“I’m stepping down—you’ll be the new Don.”
“Why?”
“I’m getting old—”
I snort. “Hardly.”
“—and I want to take some time to get to know your sister.”
“I thought you were here to punish me for speaking out of turn.”
He chuckles at that. “I considered it.” He flashes me a rare smile, one full of unexpected warmth. “But you’ve been a leader for far longer than I’ve given you credit for. It’s time you were allowed to act like it.”
This is everything I’ve ever wanted. Ever since he dragged me into his world, I wanted to be the one in charge, the one calling the shots.
But now that it's mine, all I can think about is her.
“Who will take my position?”
He shrugs. “Up to you. But if you want a suggestion—go with the person you trust most.”
I know without any hesitation that I want Dante as my underboss—my right-hand man.
“When is this effective from?”
“Soon. We have a lot to discuss, things to sort out. But I know you’re ready.” He rises, moving around the desk to shake my hand and pull me into a hug. “It’s time.”
The club is packed with our men—most of them already drunk or not far off.
Papa dipped out early on while the rest stayed to enjoy their night. After taking down the Ivanov’s for good, this was needed. It’s not often we get nights like this, where everyone can relax and have fun.
Or, at least, everyone else is.
Me? I’m thinking about Izzy.
Thinking about how I want her standing at my side.
But she’s dancing with Noemi, barely acknowledging my existence. It makes my fists clench, and my jaw tighten.
Every bastard in here is looking at her, their greedy eyes drinking in her beauty. She’s breathtaking; short emerald-green dress against her tanned skin, blue eyes catching the low lighting, toned legs leading down to dangerously high stilettos.
My dick throbs at the sight of her hips swaying to the beat, her arms up in the air, head tossed back. That fucking smile on her face undoes me. She looks so happy, so carefree.
It’s a far cry from the terrified girl she was just a few short weeks ago. She still has nightmares—she often wakes up screaming. But I can see in the way she holds herself that she’s healing. She’s no longer scared of crowds and strange men.
So fucking strong.
“You’re staring.” Gio. Of course he turned up even though this is a private event. Not that I mind. I’m finding his presence more tolerable lately.
“Can you blame me?” I murmur.
He smirks at me. “Are you going to do anything about it?”
“Nope.” I pop the ‘p’.
“Stupido.”
I go to retort but my words die as I note one of the rookies coming a little too close to Izzy. He leans in to talk to her.
Her shoulders tense, body stiffening.
I see red.
I’m over there in just a few strides, pulling him off her—and not gently.
“So much as look at her again and I’ll pluck your eyes out,” I hiss, my voice lethally low.
He squeaks, face flaming red.
I shove him away, and he scrambles back.
My body is vibrating with anger.
I turn to Izzy, finding her muscles bunched tight, a slight tremor wracking her small frame. Pulling her into me, I cup her cheek. “Hey, you okay?”
She blows out a breath. “Yeah, I—Thank you,” she murmurs, her cheeks heating. “I feel embarrassed that he affected me. I almost forgot… until…”
I nod, understanding. “It’s okay, Cuore mio. You’re allowed to feel.”
She smiles at me, eyes twinkling. Beautiful.
“Dance with me?” she asks, pouting playfully.
How could I ever deny her?
I shouldn’t. I’m supposed to not show weakness. Now more than ever.
But…
For the next hour, I forget all about my new position. Instead, I dance with the most beautiful woman in the world, feeling her warm body pressed against mine. She’s terrible at it; the woman has two left feet. But it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters, except her.
The whole time, I'm thinking that maybe she fits with me better than I once thought.