A Burning Flame by Daniella Kunz (book recommendations txt) 📕

I open my mouth to speak when a noise off to the side draws my attention. Looking over, I see Daveon coming around towards us. My father sees him too and instantly jumps up, pulling his gun as he aims it right at him. My heart stops as I watch as Daveon stops not drawing a weapon of his own.

“Who the fuck are you?” My father calls out.

“Lorenzo, sorry to intrude so impolitely on you, but I was hoping we could talk for a moment.” He says, raising his empty hands.

“You know who I am, so why don’t you explain who the hell you are and what you are doing unannounced at my home?”

“My name is Daveon Saunders. I am the Conciergerie for the New York Familia, and Nicoli Black sent me with a request.” His voice is all business as he speaks to my father, no hint at the playfulness he holds when he is with me.

Not lowering the gun, he watches Daveon with wary eyes. “And what is his request?” I can hear the curiosity in my father's voice at what the New York Capo would want from him.

“I’m sure by now you already know, you had a traitor amongst you here. Antonio Rossi. You know he ran away to avoid punishment, but what you don’t know is that his daughter Liliana is marrying Nicoli.” My father pales at this information, clearly taken aback by what he just revealed.

“And you came to tell me this, why?” His voice is stern with suspicion.

“Nicoli requested that I come here to convince you to allow your daughter to come back to New York with me in support of Liliana for her wedding.”

Wow, okay, just going to be blunt and honest about it all. Interesting tactic.

“No. She will not be going anywhere with you.” He watches Daveon as if he expects him to retaliate at his denial. “While I commend the honesty, I suggest you get the fuck out of here while I allow you the chance to leave.” I hear my father cock the gun, backing his threat.

I step forward, hoping to help sway my father's mind. “Father, please allow m-.”

“Gianna, I do not want to hear it. My answer is no, and that is final.” I look over at Daveon, unsure how to change his mind. He gives me a look of encouragement while raising a brow in challenge.

Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself. Well, Liliana did always call me dramatic…

“Father, please, I am begging you, please let me go. You know how close we are. She needs me. Please! I will do whatever you want. I will stop fighting you on marrying Enzo. I will be obedient. Please just allow me this one thing. I know you don’t want me to marry him. I can see you hate this just as much as I do. I am asking you to give me this one last thing before I am forced to live the rest of my life in misery. If any part of you cares for me still, you will allow me this one thing.”

Tears begin to fall from my eyes, and while most would think it was an act, they are very much real. They fall as I beg my father to give in on my last request before I no longer will get to ask anything of him ever again. Before I am forced to endure the horrors that await me to be a pawn for the Cosa Nostra, for upholding the alliance they need.

I see his composition shift as he watches me cry. Though he has seen my eyes water, he hasn’t seen me cry or be the vulnerable young girl I used to be for a long time. “I swear on my honor as a man, she will be safe. I will protect her and return her safely when the time comes. If anything should happen to her, I will come back and endure any punishment you deal, even death if you see fit.”

I turn to look at Daveon, sincerity written all over his face, as he means every bit of it. My father's shoulders slump as I see him begin to give in. Lowering his gun slightly, he looks over at me once more. “You will accept what is asked of you if I allow this?”

Feeling the weight of my words heavy on my heart, I agree. “Yes, father. I will.”

“Fine, I will allow you to go.” He looks over at Daveon, holding him with his gaze. “Normally, I would send some of my men with her, but this whole thing will have to be kept secret. I cannot risk allowing this to get out. Should anything happen to her while she is there, I will hold you alone personally responsible and punish you accordingly. Nicoli is not to interfere, is that understood?”

“You have my word.”

My father nods, knowing he means it. Feeling a rush of excitement and joy, I rush to my father. Wrapping my arms around him I thank him once again. “When do you leave?”

“Tonight, we will arrive in New York tomorrow morning.”

“Good, I do not want anyone to see you. I will assume you can disappear whichever way you got in here unseen, and Gianna, I will speak with your guards once you are dropped off. They will not be a problem.” He waits until Daveon disappears before he too, walks away into the house, leaving me alone to bubble in my excitement.

6

DAVEON

Holy shit, I can’t believe that worked. I shake my head. Somehow my nonexistent plans always seem to pan out. I'll be the first to admit they are pretty reckless, but they work. I mean, I'm still alive, aren't I? I sneak back past the guards stationed at her father's house, jogging my way back to my car down the road. Climbing in, I pull away, wanting to put distance between this neighborhood and me.

Enzo? My mind travels to what