Francesca #2
Don Russo considered the question for a long time, his eyes drifting away. “We can’t allow those two to team up. It would be the end of Cosa Nostra.”
“I agree.”
“But I don’t trust a word of what Leo says.”
“I trust that he hates Warren for making a fool out of him.”
Don Russo stared for a while before he gave a nod. “If Leo is being truthful, we can’t afford to squander this opportunity. So let’s prepare the troops.”
Wolfe nodded. “We can use my old place out there for our rendezvous. That way, we’ll be close by when Leo gives me the information.”
The gardens were breathtaking and immaculate, a sprawling estate surrounded by walls made of limestone.
I sat in one of the chairs at a round table and examined the water that splashed down onto the bricks of the fountain when Wolfe appeared on the path between the hedges, hot as fuck with his massive size chiseled and engraved with black-as-night ink.
Even when my heart was heavy with our current circumstances, I couldn’t deny what a hunk he was.
Every day, I couldn’t believe he was mine.
He sat in the chair beside me and propped his elbow on the armrest. “Once we’re ready, we’ll head to my old place to wait for Leo’s information. Caltanissetta is too far a drive to plan a hit with little notice.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Don Russo said you can stay on the top floor in one of the guest rooms until I get back.”
My heart dropped into my stomach in shock. “I’m sorry, what?”
He turned to look at me. “His wife and children live on the top floor.”
“I understand that. But I’m not coming with you?”
His eyebrows rose slightly as he stared at me. “Why would you?”
“Uh, because these assholes killed my family and took my vineyard. That’s why.”
He studied me for a while before he leaned slightly toward me in his chair.
“That vineyard is mine—and I’m going to take it back.”
He stared at me for a heavy pause, his eyes taking in my rage with a hint of respect. “And I’m going to get it for you.”
“You don’t understand,” I snapped. “I want to take it back.” My hand tightened into a fist, and I rested it over my chest. “Leo conspired against my father, and some asshole shot my dad in the head, then tried to make me his personal pet, and took over our business. I want to take it back. I want to kill everyone who fucked with us. I want to shoot Warren in the head and then my brother next. Capisiti?”
A slight grin moved over his lips.
“I’m serious, Wolfe.”
The smile lingered. “Oh, I know, baby.”
“I want to be there. I’m not going to sit back and let Cosa Nostra take it, when it should be me.”
“Not gonna lie, I love this fire from you,” he said. “But I can’t do my job if I’m worried about you. I’ll be too focused on you to look after myself, and that’s how I’ll get shot. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come with us.”
“This isn’t a request, Wolfe. I’m coming.”
“Baby—”
“Don’t fucking baby me. When I was cornered in my office, I blew all those assholes to hell just fine.
When Warren hit my villa, I killed at least half of those assholes who came for us.
And then when my brother betrayed us, I held my own for a long time before they captured me.
You’re the one who said I’m a tough fucking bitch. ”
“And you are.”
“Then I deserve to be there.”
He dropped his chin as he gave a sigh. “In all those situations, you were already in an indoor location. Hitting the vineyard out in the open is different. Bullets are coming for you from different directions. It’s like modern warfare. You don’t have that experience.”
I felt smoke come out of my ears as I stared him down. “I won’t let you take this from me.”
“I’m not taking anything from you. I will deliver your enemies on a silver fucking platter.”
“I want it to be me.”
His playfulness evaporated as the frustration hit.
“I admire your rage. It was the only language I spoke until I met you. But all of this will be for nothing if you don’t survive.
I need you to live, and I can’t do my job and protect you at the same time.
I’m not going to change my mind. I’m sorry. ”
“Not going to change your mind?” I asked coldly. “The decision isn’t up to you. I can do whatever the hell I want, and I’d like to see you try to stop me.”
The frustration faded as the playfulness returned. “I’d like to see that too.”
“Wolfe.”
He inhaled a rough breath and looked away for a while.
“This is important to me.”
“I know, baby,” he said gently. “But you need to put your need for vengeance aside for the success of the operation.”
“I’m going.”
He sighed again before he looked at me. A long silence ensued as he stared at me, his eyes possessing a haze, as if his thoughts were elsewhere.
“How about this? Cosa Nostra and I go first. Take out the guards and security outside and secure the perimeter. And then you come in, and we hunt down Warren together. That’s the best compromise you’ll get from me. ”
I didn’t care about the small fish that Wolfe and the others would handle. All I wanted were the two men who had killed my father. “I’ll take it.”
A slow smile crept on to his lips as he looked at me. There was a lightness in his eyes too, affection mixed with respect and love. “Fuck, you’re so hot when you want to kill everyone.”
Cosa Nostra prepared to depart Palermo for Caltanissetta.
Wolfe took me back to the house so I could pack a couple things because we weren’t sure how long we would be stationed there.
I grabbed a bag and threw in some clothes, my toiletries, and my makeup.
I collected everything I needed from the bathroom and then returned to the bedroom, seeing Wolfe sitting on the edge of the bed in nothing but his boxers.
I stilled at the sight of him. He somehow looked lethal and terrifying…and utterly delicious at the same time. He lacked a knife or a gun, but his strong build and distinct ink all over his skin would make any grown man fear him.
But what scared men only turned me on.