Chapter 18 Luciano
Luciano
Since the day Charlie took her first kill, I’ve noticed her changing more and more every day, and that wide-eyed city girl has faded.
Now, she moves with purpose, dressed sharp enough to pass as the next Donna.
She’s soaking up everything about the Cosa Nostra, hungry to learn.
But part of me still wants to keep her shielded from our rival families and shield her from the ruthless side of this life. A side which she is starting to love.
We’ve slipped into a new rhythm. We still clash like we’re locked in a constant power struggle, but beneath the surface, something is solidifying between us.
Every chance I get to have her alone, I take it.
I’m addicted to the feel of her, the taste, the way she belongs to me when we’re together.
Every night I look forward to the moment I can get in between her legs.
“Luciano, pay attention,” Stefano cuts through my thoughts.
We’re supposed to be holding a family meeting, but my mind is elsewhere.
Charlie sits on my lap in the Don chair—this has become our new norm.
It makes her feel powerful like she’s calling the shots, when in reality I still have control, at least for another seven months.
I can’t help but play with the hem of her skirt, rubbing her smooth skin.
Fuck, I’m turning into a lovesick puppy.
Stefano clears his throat. “Another shipment’s coming in tonight. 10:00 p.m.”
“Charlie will be coming with us tonight.” All eyes snap to me. Charlie squeals, bouncing in my lap, and my cock grows hard against the movement. I grab her by the waist and pull her down, making her feel my reaction. I give her a warning glance. “Don’t make me regret this, Principessa.”
She reaches across, grabs my face, and kisses me in front of everyone. Carlo clears his throat. She breaks away from me, flushed. “Sorry, just a bit excited.”
Gabriele’s blunt voice cuts through her excitement. “We can see that.”
“Mattia, you’re with her the whole time. She needs to watch from a safe distance.” Mattia nods in confirmation.
“Does that mean I don’t need Rocco with me?” Charlie asks me, her eyes pleading for me to agree. She desperately tries to avoid him as much as possible.
“No, he will still be with you. Stefano, I’ll be on the ground with you.” Stefano nods, tight-lipped.
The rest of the afternoon passes slowly until it’s time to roll out for the shipment.
“Five minutes,” I call out from the foyer. Everyone is at the door in seconds.
Charlie comes running down the stairs, shouting, “I’m ready!” Rocco is right behind her.
Stefano and Carlo shake their heads and stride out to the waiting cars when they see her. Mattia turns to her. “Red, what are you wearing?” She has somehow found a camo-colored shirt and long pants, matched with black sneakers, and has braided her long hair so it’s off her face.
She glances down, striking a pose with her hands. “This is my lookout outfit.”
“We wear black, not camo,” Mattia laughs. “I think we need to hire her a stylist, brother.” He walks out the door, leaving her looking stunned in the foyer.
“That’s not what they wear in the movies,” she huffs, now upset with the outfit. Fucking females.
“Let’s go,” I snap, storming to the cars with a sulky Charlie behind me. “I’ll ride with Charlie,” I yell ahead to Stefano and Carlo.
Rocco jumps in the driver’s seat, while Mattia climbs in the passenger seat, and Charlie and I slide into the back. She chooses to sit in the middle, and I’m unsure if she’s trying to be close to me or if she wants a better view of where we’re going.
The car is silent until Charlie squeals in my ear, smacking the back of Mattia’s chair, “I love this song! Turn it up, Mattia!” He obeys, and she starts singing along, carefree and off tune like we aren’t about to go do something illegal.
Swinging through the night, heartbeats in the sky, chasing every moment like it’s do or die.
No safety nets below, just the thrill ahead.
Living on the edge, where angels fear to tread.
I don’t fear the fall, I embrace the night, dancing with the shadows, chasing the light.
I’m looking for a love so fierce, so bright, it will burn us up and kill us with its light.
“Turn it off,” I demand Mattia when I’ve heard enough.
“But it’s Ellie Raynes.” Charlie bats her eyes beside me, resting her hand on my lap. Like that will help plead her case.
“Yeah, brother. Ellie Raynes,” Mattia teases.
Charlie beams. “I would love to see her in concert. You know she can play nearly every instrument.”
“I play guitar and the occasional spoons,” Mattia says, grinning from ear to ear, waiting to see if Charlie will laugh at his stupid joke—she always does. I shake my head, staring out the window. If I thought my brother was trouble before, the two of them together is worse.
“Did you know Ellie Raynes is also an acrobat and performs all these crazy stunts while singing? Like no lip syncing, it’s all live,” Charles says.
“Yeah, well, I do parkour while killing people,” Mattia adds.
Charlie moves and leans between the two front seats, looking Mattia right in the face. “If you’re trying to compete with Ellie Raynes, then you, my friend, will be disappointed. She’s like an angel and you are no angel.” She jabs his arm.
“No, I like to think of myself more as a ghost.” He shrugs. “Besides, I’m your bestie, not just a friend.”
“Stop here,” I say to Rocco. We pull up behind Stefano’s car. Turning to Charlie, I give her a stern look. “Listen to Mattia. Stay focused and no joking around.” I eye them both, making my order clear as day.
“Yes, Don.” She salutes, causing my chest to grumble. I would love to bend her over my lap right now and smack that sarcasm out of her, but instead I have to step out and watch as the car peels away and up the hill to a safer place.