Luciano
As I stepped out of the elevator with Raven by my side, I knew the moment of disappointment was imminent. Giorgia stood there waiting for us, a glint of anticipation in her eyes. I had planned this outing with her, fully aware that it would prevent me from going home with Raven and indulging in our intimate desires. Some things were just more important.
Like making sure my men do not go wild. The news was bound to reach them soon. We had an impersonator on the loose, bringing dirt on the mafia’s name and reputation. If I didn’t address the matter soon enough, I’d lose my whole damned organization.
That was the plan of the fucking Castello all along. That was what they wanted. Those bastards. When I found whoever was in charge of that little band of fuckers, id have his head on a pike!
Raven’s expression shifted from excitement to sadness as she realized our plans had been thwarted. She looked up at me, her eyes silently questioning the change in circumstances.
Those pretty green eyes. Recalling the moment we had shared in the elevator, I closed my eyes briefly. I had made a pact years ago with myself never to choose a woman over my gang. I hadn’t thought it would be this fucking hard, though. I wanted nothing more than to haul her ass over my shoulder and sink myself into her warm, wet, and willing heat.
I took a deep breath, preparing to deliver the news I knew she wouldn’t want to hear. She had wanted it so bad in the elevator.
“Luciano, I thought we were going home together,” Raven said, her voice tinged with disappointment. Her lips pouted, and I almost leaned down to kiss it.
Have some fucking dignity, man!
I glanced at Giorgia, then back at Raven, and replied, “I’m sorry, Cara, Giorgia and I have some urgent matters to attend to. It couldn’t be avoided.”
Giorgia interjected, her tone laced with sarcasm, “Oh, how unfortunate. The two lovebirds can’t have their cozy evening together.”
I shot Giorgia a sharp look, silencing her with a glance, and turned my attention back to Raven. “I apologize for the change in plans. Marcus will escort you home. You’ll be safe with him.”
I gestured at Marcus, who stood a few meters away, staring into space like he didn’t hear a thing we said.
Smart ass.
Raven nodded, her smile faint but appreciative.
Giorgia, who for some reason unknown to me cannot hold her fucking tongue, sneered at Raven, “Enjoy your chauffeur-driven ride home, whore. I’m sure you’re devastated you won’t get to spend more time with Luciano.”
I raised my hand, signaling Giorgia to stop her taunting. “For fuck sake, that’s enough, Giorgia. What the hell is wrong with you? We have matters to attend to. Focus on that.”
Giorgia rolled her eyes but complied, her bitterness evident in her voice. “Fine. Let’s go, Luciano. The sooner we deal with this, the better.”
As Giorgia and I began to walk away, I couldn’t help but steal a final glance at Raven. Hoping she understood the complexities of my situation. I yearned for her understanding, for her to know that it wasn’t by choice that we were separated at that moment.
Wait a minute! What the hell was I thinking? Understanding? I sounded like a teenager in love.
Oh, I was fucked. Big time.
My eyes rested on her, imagining what would have happened if those damned security guys hadn’t ruined things for me. She’d be screaming my name loud and clear in the fucking elevator.
My pants tightened even further, and I stifled a groan. The things she did to me. She had crawled underneath my skin without me noticing. Somehow she had become that fucking important.
It’s because you haven’t shagged her yet. My mind consoled, and I nodded, tearing my gaze off her lovely figure, and walked towards the car. That had to be the only reason why I ached for her. There were a lot of women out there. A few tosses in my bed, and she would be out of my system.
“Luciano!” Raven called behind me, and when I turned, she strutted towards me, the vision of a vengeful goddess. Her shirt was rumpled, and even though it was faint, I could see the slight bounce of her breasts under it. Her skirt was short and clung to the flare of her hips enticingly, driving me mad.
She was maddening. Raven Gonzalez. She was trouble in a sexy woman form, and I had a fucking inordinate urge to tame her. To have her submit to me. For a minute, I forgot where the hell I was and watched her approach, every part of me eager like a panting dog. I wanted to tip her over my car and have my wicked way with her. I wanted to make that tart mouth of hers scream my name. I wanted to mark her, brand every crevice, every corner until she and every other fucker around her knew who she belonged to.
At this rate, all she would have to do was touch me, and I’d explode.
Raven finally stopped before me, her green eyes blazing with a barely concealed hunger.
Soon, Cara, I wanted to say.
“Don’t you dare come home late,” she whispered, reaching for my suit and dusting off invisible specks. And then, in the most sensual way possible, she slid her hands down my torso, brushed my rather noticeable bulge, and licked her lips sensually.
Fuck. Me.
“I’ll be waiting,” she breathed and walked away before I could answer.
Naughty minx! Oh, she would have it when I got back.
Giorgia huffed and turned on her heels, walking towards the car. That broke me out of the damned spell Raven had placed on me, and I walked behind her briskly.
“Keys,” she demanded, her brown eyes blazing with anger. “I’ll drive since you’re in no condition to.”
As Giorgia and I drove out of the city, her demanding questions filled the air. She couldn’t resist prying into my personal affairs, particularly my involvement with Raven.
Giorgia had always been persistent, protective too. But damn it, it racked my nerves like hell. It was a good thing I knew I had to handle her inquiries carefully.
Giorgia’s voice carried a sharp edge as she questioned, “Luciano, who is this Raven? Why are you getting involved with your employees?”
I shrugged nonchalantly, keeping my eyes on the road. “She’s my assistant, Giorgia,”
“Didn’t look like she was a few minutes ago. I saw what she did!” Giorgia snapped, and I shrugged.
“Since you did, stop bugging me.”
Giorgia wasn’t satisfied with my vague response. Her tone turned more insistent. “There’s something about her, Luciano. I can tell. Don’t try to fool me. Do you have feelings for her?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, a bitter and hollow sound. “Feelings? Love? Giorgia, you must be joking. I could never love someone like Raven. She’s just a temporary distraction, someone I enjoy being intimate with. Nothing more.”
Sure, Raven was hot, and she drove me crazy. That did not count as love. A man like me simply did not do shit like love.
Giorgia sniffed, and when I glanced at her, her eyes shimmered with tears. My brows furrowed in confusion.
“What happened this time?” I demanded.
“Nothing,” She snapped. “You’re still the same as ever.”
I shrugged again. “I’ll assume that’s a good thing. Now brief me on the situation with the men in base four. They better not be thinking about starting an uprising.”
As Giorgia’s words faded into the background, my thoughts returned to Raven. Her image danced before my eyes, her strong and bold demeanor leaving an indelible mark on my mind. Something was captivating about her, a unique blend of beauty and strength that I found impossible to resist.
I recalled how her eyes sparkled with intelligence and determination, challenging me at every turn. Her fiery spirit mirrored my own, which intrigued and frustrated me. Raven was not the type of woman I could easily control or manipulate, and that fact both thrilled and unnerved me.
Yet, as much as her presence enticed me, I couldn’t deny the inner conflict it caused. The world I lived in was dangerous, filled with treachery and deceit. To allow myself to be vulnerable, to open up to someone like Raven, was a risk I couldn’t afford to take.
The memory of her touch lingered, fueling a longing that I struggled to suppress.
I wanted her. So fucking badly. I wanted to play her games, listening to her silk tongue tease and taunt me. I wanted to get her angry so I could tease and taunt her. She was addicting.
Yet, I knew that if I allowed myself to delve deeper into my desire for Raven, I would be treading dangerous waters. She had a power over me that I couldn’t fully comprehend, and it thrilled and frightened the hell out of me.