Guarded Obsession (Enduring Vendettas #2)

Chapter 1 | Alexis

Alexis

Istood in the home office of my father’s greatest enemy, observing him marry my mother as I wondered when the world had turned completely upside down. Glancing to the right, my eyes surreptitiously traveled over my new captor—or, in everyone else’s eyes, my new bodyguard.

Nick Caruso was huge, and I wondered if he spent the majority of his time in the gym. His cousin, Michael, who my mom was currently marrying, was tall and broad-shouldered, but Nick was another level completely. If he fell on me, I was pretty sure he’d crush the shit out of me.

Not that I was dainty. I was honest with myself that I enjoyed french fries and pizza way too much, and therefore, carried some extra pounds around my waist and a few extra dimples around my thighs. Were they worth the calories? Fuck yes. Life was too short to not enjoy the little things.

This had been affirmed over the past few days when my father was killed by Michael Caruso, the powerful mafia boss with a stern code of ethics who commanded unparallelled respect from the mafia families on the East Coast. Although he had a reputation for being fair and loyal, if you crossed Michael, your days were numbered.

Which was why I stood silently as the ceremony wound down. I was thankful for Michael’s protection, and understood that it would be a terrible mistake to fuck it up...even if I was less than thrilled at my current situation.

After Mom’s wedding, I would be shuttled off to a safehouse in Massapequa, a quiet Long Island shore town where I’d be in hiding until Michael felt it was safe for me to reappear. Why was I in danger?

Well, I’d gone and done something rash, which was kind of my MO, but it was also quite brilliant if you asked me.

I’d studied my father’s secret spreadsheet with his future shipments of trafficked girls from Eastern Europe, made a copy of said spreadsheet on an encrypted flash drive, and then hidden it in a locker in Penn Station.

But the information was also in my head, and therefore, it made me a threat to John Armetta, the man who’d vowed to take over my father’s empire.

“You may kiss your bride,” the officiant said, pulling my attention back to the wedding.

I’d only found out a day ago that my mom and Michael Caruso shared a long history.

To say I was shocked that she trusted the man that killed my father was an understatement, but I also knew I couldn’t trust John or his right-hand man, Simon Ferrotti.

They wanted power, which meant uncovering my father’s Eastern European contacts and future shipment dates.

I was determined they would get neither.

My eyes drifted to Nick again, and I noticed his lips curve slightly as Mom and Michael kissed.

He seemed happy for them, and the smile made him look a tad less imposing.

..but only a tad. My nostrils flared at the thought of being cooped up in a safehouse with the tattooed goon.

But I also liked living, so I figured it was better than being tortured and killed by John.

To say that Nick and I had gotten off on the wrong foot would be the understatement of the century. When he picked up Mom and I at the deli, he’d smashed my phone under his polished dress shoe. Then, he’d proceeded to insult me no less than a hundred times over the past few hours.

“Are you staring at me for a reason?” Nick murmured, his voice low so only I could hear.

“I’m not staring at you,” I hissed, narrowing my eyes. “I’m just wondering how we’re going to survive living together without going insane.”

“You and me both, princess.” His tone was filled with the same dread that sat like a rock in my chest.

I approached Mom, hugging her before issuing a warning to Michael.

“You hurt her, and I’ll murder you myself.”

Michael’s lips twitched, and I noticed the look of genuine affection in his eyes as he glanced at Mom. Damn, he really had the hots for her. Who knew?

“I take my vows seriously, and will honor them to you both, Alexis.”

I lifted my phone from my back pocket and looked at the time. “Thanks for the new phone. I guess it’s time for us to go.”

“It won’t be forever, sweetheart,” Mom said, tenderly rubbing my arm. “Just until we can guarantee your safety.”

Tears welled in my eyes, and I held them back, feeling like an idiot at the ineptitude of my ability to control my own life. “I was going to look for a place and move into the city,” I said softly. “I was going to apply at Google and Meta and finally start my life. I just wasn’t quite there yet...”

“I don’t want to be dramatic, but you can’t do that if you’re dead, Alexis,” Michael said softly. “Nick will protect you until I eliminate everyone who wishes to remain loyal to your father. I’ll work quickly. It does me no good to let Rossi allies linger.”

“I’m a Rossi,” I said, swiping away an errant tear that somehow escaped. “What does that mean for me?”

“You’re a Santoro too, dear,” Mom said, squeezing my upper arm. “And we can weather anything. Please don’t fight us on this. I need to show public support for Michael, and I can’t do this if you’re not safe.”

“Will I at least have internet access?”

“We’ll get you a secure VPN,” Michael said, glancing at Nick who gave an affirming nod. “And Nick will get you whatever you need. You can call your mom anytime on your new phone. It’s secure.”

“Okay,” I sighed. “I’m not trying to be difficult, but you must understand that if I decode the flash drive for you, we have no leverage left. I’m just not willing to do it. Yet.”

Michael and Nick shared a look, and I wondered if I was missing some vital piece of information only they knew.

“If I were you, I’d create leverage for myself too,” Michael said. “One day, I hope you’ll trust me.”

“Take care of Mom and I might.” I tugged her into an embrace and whispered in her ear, “Congratulations, Mom. I love you so much. And he’s kind of a silver fox hottie, so maybe it’s not all bad.”

Mom chuckled and pulled back, smoothing my hair as tears formed in her honey-brown eyes. “Call me when you get to the safehouse and let me know if you need anything. I’ll make sure you get it.”

I nodded before turning to Nick. “Let the prison sentence begin,” I droned.

Nick scowled before gesturing to the door. “After you, princess.”

I gritted my teeth at the unwanted endearment, and flashed him a humorless smile before exiting.

“I’ll do my best not to strangle her,” Nick said before pivoting and following me.

“I heard that,” I said as we walked through the front door.

“Good.”

He strode around the black SUV and pointed to the passenger door. “Sit in the back. It’s too dangerous to have you up front.”

I planted my fists on my hips, my chin jutting forward as I bristled at his tone. “Let’s get something straight. You have zero right to boss me around.” I held up my hand, forming a circle by touching my fingertips to my thumb. “Z. E. R. O.” I said, sounding out each letter. “Are we clear?”

His fingers wrapped around the door handle and pulled it open. “Get in.”

Huffing, my eyes formed narrow slits.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his tone filled with annoyance.

“Cursing you out in my head,” I said, holding up a finger. “One more second...” I waited and then gave a quick nod. “Now, I’ll get in the car, not because you told me to, but because I’m ready to go.”

I slid in and his huge frame filled the doorway.

“Excuse me!” I said, aware of how my heartbeat quickened as he loomed over me.

“I appreciate you getting in the car like I asked, Alexis.” Stepping back, he slammed the door.

“I didn’t do it because you asked,” I said after he slid behind the wheel.

His eyes met mine in the rear-view mirror before he pressed a button on the center console. The privacy screen began to rise, and I sat back and crossed my arms.

“You have the maturity of a rock,” I said, noticing his smirk before his face disappeared.

Sighing, I pulled up my phone to download some of the apps I’d lost when Nick had destroyed my previous one.

“It’s going to be a long few weeks, Alexis,” I murmured to myself as the car began to move.

Little did I know how true those words would turn out to be...