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

She snaps at everything I say. It's curious, though, because I know she feels the same tension I do. Maybe that is why she is so on edge. She is such a guarded person.

Not only that, but the mention of her fiancé pisses me off. I try to goad her because I can tell she isn’t happy about it, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Something possessive tries to rear up whenever he is brought up. I try to push it back down, there is no reason to stir that pot of shit up. I do, however, want to know about him. She gets so on edge whenever he is mentioned. I am surprised I don't know anything about him. Pulling out my phone, I send a text to Marina.

Daveon

Hey Mar, I need a favor.

I only have to wait a few seconds before her response rings through.

Marina

What do you want, Daveon?

Daveon

I need you to have Elijah get some info on someone for me.

Marina

Oh, come on really? That’s why you're bothering me?

Daveon

Come on Mar, please.

Marina

Who is it?

Daveon

Name is Enzo Vastilli. He will be the new Capo of the Chicago Outfit.

Marina

And you want to know about him, why?

Daveon

Reasons, now will you do it or not?

Marina

Fine, but only for you.

Daveon

Thank Mar.

Marina

Ya, ya whatever, don’t go thinking you're special or anything. I’ll be in touch.

“Any particular reason I was woken up to a screaming match downstairs featuring you and Gianna?” Nico reprimands as he walks out onto the balcony with me.

“Oh, don’t even fucking start. You’re the one who insisted I babysit. You can only ask so much from me.” I take a long drag from my cigarette that I had momentarily forgotten.

“Watch your fucking mouth, Daveon.” He grinds out, reminding me who I am talking to. “And stop fucking screaming at each other. I’m half tempted to shoot you both.”

I shrug. “You're the one who wanted me to get her here.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me.” He watches me with calculating eyes for a moment. “Anything you need to tell me? You don’t normally lose your temper so easily.” I roll my shoulders, trying to relieve some pent up tension before looking at him.

“Nope.” I lie, not intending to tell him about kissing her on the plane or my unwanted attraction to her. He continues to watch me.

“Okay, because I don’t need to remind you what would be at stake if something were to happen to her.”

Clever bastard. He can tell she gets under my skin in more than just an antagonizing way. “Yeah, I know.” I clip out, irritated at my rising frustration.

“Keep your hands off her Daveon.” He steals me with a look of warning to which I nod. “I have to go, keep an eye on them. I don’t trust Gianna with Liliana. That girl has fucking trouble written all over her.”

You have no idea.

***

After Nico leaves, Liliana informs me they want to go to the beach. Perfect, just what I need, to see Gianna dressed in practically nothing laying out in the sand. Upon arriving, I give them their space, slinking back but still within sight. Not able to take my eyes off her, she lays out on a towel.

Standing back up, she lifts her eyes to me, sensing them on her. Holding my gaze, she reaches down, grabbing the hem of her tank top before swiftly pulling it over her head. She unbuttons her shorts before sliding them down her long legs, never breaking contact with me.

Fuuccck. I breathe in with my nose. Despite our constant battle of wills and bickering, we are both drawn to one another, like two magnets with a pull.

We argue because neither of us wants it. We both know it’s not something we can have. Every time she opens her smart mouth, I want to silence it with my own. Every lash she takes gets me damn near hard. I’m attracted to her fire. Submissive isn’t my type. She is everything I want but can’t have.

Every cell inside my body is raging to take control, to grab her and demand her mine, to beat my fists over my chest like a barbaric ape. I have to be careful not to slip up again like on the plane. I can’t risk touching or tasting her again. Her cinnamon essence is addictive, and I already feel like a drug addict after just the small hit. If we give in to these desires we both have, nothing good would come from it.

I shake my head, trying to clear the turn my thoughts have taken. Gianna has now laid down on her towel, flat on her stomach with her perfectly rounded ass only partially covered by her bikini. A low growl escapes my lips as I notice all the men staring at her. I don’t realize I have been clenching my jaw until it is tense and sore under the pressure I put on it.

I notice a woman coming over to them before stopping in front of Liliana. Alice? What the fuck is she doing now? I never did like that woman. She is whiny and a downright bitch. I step forward, not sure what she is doing. Liliana’s back is to me, and I can’t see her expression, though I know anything that Alice says will probably upset her. After all, she is undeniably jealous of her and Nico, even I can see it.

Gianna shifts around, looking up at her, still lying down. As I get closer, I begin to pick up a part of their conversation as Gianna speaks to Alice. “Not interested in your fake tits and fake personality.”

Oh shit. I watch as Alice's face contorts into something venomous as Gianna just lays back down, clearly dismissing her. A smirk pulls on my lips.

“You little bitch. How dare you talk to me like that. If Nicoli knew what you.-”

Gianna pushes herself off the ground in a swift movement before standing in front of Alice, interrupting her tantrum. “Said?” she finishes her sentence. “He