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

past me he startles me as he grabs my waist, pulling me back and pushing me into the wall. Slamming his lips down onto mine he moves them punishingly against me. Using his large hand he sprawls his fingers out over the soft skin of my waist peeking out under my shirt as he pushes me hard against the wall. My traitorous body hums to life under him as if waking from a deep sleep. My mouth moves against his as he drinks me in, like a man deprived of water in the desert but before I know it his touch is off of me. Smirking arrogantly at my body's reaction to him he turns to walk out the door.

I’m left standing there, stunned and pissed off at his return. Why did he bother coming back into my life? I was doing just fine with him gone. I had thrown the hope I had allowed myself to feel into the fire and watched it burn; I’d finally accepted it. Then he comes prancing back acting as if no time has passed, and he didn’t just write me off as a lost cause.My head is spinning with confusion. I want to be angry, but a blossom of hope begins to grow inside my heart. I shake my head. No! You can’t allow that again. It will hurt too much when he decides you’re not worth the battle.

I try to push him from my head as I go about my daily routine, having every intention to continue on with my life like he never showed up again. I work extra hard, putting all my focus and anger into training this morning until I am drained and drenched in sweat. After showering I go out, needing to get out of my apartment. I go shopping, something I haven’t done in a while and by the time I return I am exhausted.

Going through the apartment, I check and lock all of the windows and doors wanting to be sure Daveon stays the hell out and away from me. Laying down on the couch I fall asleep and for once my mind doesn’t require help to slip away.

12

DAVEON

Leaving her apartment is hell on my mind; knowing how angry she is at seeing me, I wanted to stay and explain things to her. Make her understand why I did what I did, but I can’t neglect the reason why Nico sent me here. I still have my duty to uphold, I have already shot my oath to shit. The least I can do is try to finish out my tasks here.

***

One Month Earlier

After I got back from dropping Gianna in L.A, I was pissed off, knowing I needed to allow her to go home in order to come up with a plan for this mess. That and with Nico needing me to take charge while he and Liliana left for their honeymoon, I didn’t have a choice. Despite breaking my oath when I slept with her he is still my Capo. I still owe him my life and would give it in a moment's notice.

Each day that passes by is agonizing. I give up on trying to put her out of my mind. No, she is mine now and I need to come up with a way to ensure her safety while I can’t be with her. I need to come up with a way to keep that sick fuck Enzo the hell away from her. If he were to do something to her, I would go straight to Chicago and put a bullet in his head. Fuck rational sense. My grip tightens on a pencil, snapping under the strain the flow of conversation halts around me at the table.

“Something the matter Daveon?” Aldon asks. All the mens eyes are focused on me.

“Just fine.” I grind out growing irritated. He nods going back to his discussion.

“So with Nico gone, are we to wait until he returns to question the Russian being held?”

My ears perk up. “No, I will handle him. Leave him to me.” He nods at me before they continue on about other meaningless things going on around the city while I eagerly await an outlet for my frustration.

***

Ciro follows me down to the basement to one of our warehouses. The air is cold and stale as we descend the stairway to the concrete basement. I roll my shoulders eager for this. I always did enjoy watching my hands cause agony and pain.

“You seem tense.” Ciro notices behind me.

“What are you suddenly my wife? Who the fuck cares if I’m tense?” His brow raises at me but I ignore him. When we enter the cell the man is tied to a metal chair bolted to the floor. His hands, tied tightly behind him, and his head hangs low. Hearing us enter he lifts his head. The annoying smirk on his face pisses me off and I don’t bother waiting to slam my fist into his face.

Ciro coughs behind me. “Maybe we should try to question him first before you make it so he can’t speak?” I draw in a breath, knowing he is right. I grab the brass knuckles from my pocket, securing them over my fingers.

“I think you know why you are here. Do you not?” The man spits out blood onto the floor but otherwise remains silent. My irritation grows and I clench my fists. “Okay, let me tell you why. You have been selling drugs in our territories again, and you thought we wouldn’t notice. Poor decision on your part. What I want to know is who the dumbass is that keeps sending you?”

He looks unfazed at my words and I know he isn’t going to talk. These Russain fucks don’t fear death. Fuck this shit. I smash my knuckles into his jaw, causing his head to snap to the side. “Want to answer my question?”

“Fuck off.” A dark chuckle escapes my lips. I turn to