GIO
Just two days prior, Sebastian and Harper had reentered the bustling city of New York alongside us, an act that had a hidden agenda, though it hardly registered on my radar. It was evident that Sebastian’s intentions revolved around maintaining a vigilant watch over me, while Harper’s focus was fixated on her own sister. Their underlying motives, however, failed to captivate my attention in the least.
Dario and Sienna, for their part, had already been situated in New York. The obligation of Dario’s newfound role as Captain necessitated his presence, and Sienna found herself occupied with assisting Dario’s mother, who had suffered the misfortune of a broken leg. Millie, my beloved, radiated joy at the restoration of her familial unit. With her sisters, she took residence on the couch, leafing through an assortment of baby magazines thoughtfully provided by Sienna.
As long as an additional guardian for Millie was absent, my determination remained steadfast: she would not step foot beyond the confines of our apartment without my accompaniment.
“I could potentially take on some shifts,” Dario ventured.
My head shook in gentle dismissal. Matters between us had been resolved, and though I’d much preferred entrusting Millie’s safety to him, that option had regrettably dissolved. “Your station as Captain and your role as a husband have redefined your priorities.”
Dario’s gaze darted toward Sienna, a silent acknowledgment that he was no longer suitable to oversee Millie’s well-being. The transformation in his allegiance was palpable; love had reshaped his loyalties. Aware of the power of affection, I recognized that any future ultimatums would not sway him to jeopardize Millie’s life over Sienna’s.
I broached a new topic, directing our discussion toward Leonardo. “What are your impressions of Leonardo?”
“He’s a proficient fighter, undeniably loyal, and unburdened by personal attachments. The Famiglia is his sole allegiance,” Dario appraised, his lips tightening with a tinge of remorse.
“He secured Eli’s capture for us, and his resolve remained unshaken when you eliminated Amadeo.”
Leonardo’s resentment toward his father and half-brothers had been a deep-rooted sentiment. Enduring a life intertwined with them as an illegitimate child had inflicted its own brand of suffering. His gratitude for my intervention in their demise was unmistakable.
“I’m entertaining the idea of appointing him as the Underboss in Washington, provided he validates his capabilities.”
“The additional incentive will undoubtedly serve its purpose,” Sebastian chimed in.
Dario nodded, yet uncertainty flickered in his eyes. “He’s still quite young.”
“Merely twenty. You, yourself, were not much older when you embarked on guarding Millie.”
A question emerged from Sebastian. “Do you harbor trust in him when it comes to Millie?”
My gaze drifted to my wife, whose attention was captivated by her sisters, a radiant smile gracing her features as her hand rested gently on her belly.
“No, trust is not within the equation. Nonetheless, I find myself in possession of limited alternatives. I cannot serve as her guardian every passing moment. Leonardo’s vulnerabilities are known to me. If necessary, I shall exploit them to maintain his compliance.”
As the heavy door swung open, Leonardo cautiously stepped into our dimly lit gym. His wary eyes scanned the room before settling upon Sebastian and me. A sense of tension hung in the air, his usual training partner being Massimo, the son of one of my trusted Captains. It was evident that Leonardo couldn’t help but wonder about my intentions for summoning him here. Although not an official member of the family due to his status as a bastard, he was one of the few individuals I could tolerate, and his loyalty had always proven unwavering.
“Gio, Sebastian,” he greeted cautiously, pausing a few steps away from us. His gaze lingered on my attire, his brow furrowing slightly. I had changed into sweatpants, a practical choice that spared a shirt from becoming stained with blood.
His eyes then shifted to the boxing ring situated behind me, and a subtle tension seemed to ripple through his body. While he stood at the same towering height as Sebastian, he fell a couple of inches short of my stature, his muscles less prominent but substantial nonetheless.
There was an unmistakable blend of caution and concern in his gaze, yet he didn’t make any sudden movements to reach for a weapon or attempt an escape. “You called for me?” his voice held a firm edge, and he locked eyes with me without flinching.
I nodded, closing the distance between us with measured steps. To my surprise, Leonardo didn’t retreat; he stood his ground. “Over the past years, you’ve demonstrated your unwavering loyalty. I’m contemplating naming you the Underboss of Washington.”
His surprise was evident, his eyes registering a mix of shock and realization. Washington held immense significance within my territory, and to bestow such a title upon the bastard son of my uncle Amadeo was an unexpected twist. He wasn’t the natural heir to his father’s legacy, but he was someone who had never given me reason to doubt his commitment. Ordinarily, he might have risen to the rank of Captain, and that would have been the pinnacle of his ascent.
“It’s an honor,” he replied, the words measured and respectful. However, an undercurrent of caution and skepticism lingered beneath the surface.
With a nod, I motioned toward Sebastian.
Sebastian’s grin resembled that of a predatory shark as he drew his knife. “You might want to ready your blade too. Don’t worry, I’ll try not to do any lasting damage.”
Leonardo slipped off his jacket and drew forth a long, curved knife. He held it before him at chest level, his stance steady as he squared off against Sebastian.
In a swift motion, Sebastian lunged, the clash of knives resonating through the space. Leonardo skillfully parried, demonstrating his proficiency, even though Sebastian wasn’t aiming for anything lethal. I found myself content with the display before me.
“Enough,” I intervened, my voice authoritative. “Now, you’ll face me.”
Leonardo wiped a trail of blood from a shallow cut on his cheek, his gaze fixed on me with a mix of caution and anticipation.
“Unarmed,” I clarified.
He relinquished his knife, and I advanced. The blows I landed were forceful, striking his sides, stomach, and face, yet he managed to return a few, not enough to break me, but enough to earn my respect. Eventually, I seized his throat, bringing him down to the ground before pressing my knee against his chest. I eased my grip enough to allow him to breathe, then lowered my face to his, our proximity intense. “Millie is my wife. She belongs to me.”
He swallowed hard, a flicker of anger mingling with the darkness in his eyes. “I’d never cross that line, I swear.”
“I shouldn’t have to spell out the consequences if you ever do.”
“Everyone knows she’s untouchable, Gio,” he ground out, his resolve unwavering. “I might not be a saint, but I’m not foolish enough to defy that boundary. And, with all due respect, she’s not exactly my type.”
Sebastian’s laughter resonated through the room, his eyes fixed mischievously on Leonardo. “Leonardo, my friend, you’ve certainly got an eye for beauty,” he teased. “She’s your type, no doubt about it. And hey, even I, Gio’s brother, can admit that I’m liking what I see.”
I shot Sebastian a quizzical glance, to which he merely shrugged, his amusement still evident.
Leonardo, however, shook his head, his expression thoughtful. “She’s undeniably beautiful,” he admitted, causing a subtle twitch in my fingers. “But you know, Gio, I have a soft spot for those from outside our circles. There’s an unbridled spirit to them, a lack of restraint that’s somewhat missing in our own women.”
I tilted my head thoughtfully, recalling how I used to share that sentiment before Millie entered my life. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at Leonardo’s candid response. There was an honesty in his words that I appreciated. “Just remember, Leonardo,” I interjected, my tone laced with a mixture of authority and confidence, “you will guard her with your life.”
His response was swift and assertive, his voice carrying conviction. “She’ll be safe with me,” he affirmed. It wasn’t a statement I doubted, yet deep within me, I couldn’t help but wish it was Dario who stood in his place. But circumstances had changed. Dario was now the Captain, and his complicated feelings for Sienna made him unpredictable. If push came to shove between Millie and Sienna, the choice was painfully clear.