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

“I don’t think he is going to talk.” He watches the man for a moment before nodding. He is calculating, doesn’t run off emotions, just logic. When he nods, my lips pull up in a grin before I turn back to the russian filth. “So since we have already given you a nice warning with your friend before, I don’t think we need to be so kind this time. Ciro?”

I look back at him. “I think they have had enough mercy. Killing him would send as good a message as any other.” His voice is calm and even, like he was ordering a drink instead of a man's death sentence.

I allow my control to slip as I take out my frustration over my situation on him. Needing an outlet for everything I can’t control.

***

Standing in the now silent room, my breathing is heavy. My fists are covered in blood as well as specs staining my shirt. I still can’t focus on anything but Gianna. Fuck. I step away from the limp lifeless body on the chair.

We head out, telling a soldier to deposit the body on the Bravata territory across town. Ciro takes off, leaving me to stew in my head. Knowing I need to find a solution I grab my keys, needing to search for an answer to my problem.

I find myself pulling up to a high scale apartment in Brooklyn as a feeling of familiarity washes over me. Placing the kickstand down on my bike, I make my way inside, knocking on the door as I wait for her to answer.

As she cracks the door, I’m met with two hard sapphire eyes. “Daveon?” Her voice is silky smooth, etched with curiosity. “What are you doing here?”

“I need your help with something Mar. Can I come in?”

Setting her gun down on the table next to the door she pushes it open before she turns, walking back into her living room. Wearing only a large tee, her gracefully toned legs are on full display, though they don’t hold my attention. Grabbing a pair of pants off the back of the couch she slides them up over her bare legs. I shake my head. This woman…

“Are you ever not going to answer the door half-naked Mar?”

“You act like it bothers you Daveon. It's not like you haven’t seen it all before.” She says, reminding me of our past.

“I know, I just mean it’s not safe. You don’t even fucking look through the peephole to see who is here before you open the door half-naked. Nico would disapprove of it and you know it.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “You act as if I’m not capable of taking care of myself. Anyway, did you come here to chastise me on how I answer my door or did you need my help with something? Let’s not waste my fucking time.” She walks over to the counter by the window. Opening the decanter, she pours a glass of whisky before turning to me, holding it up. “You want one?”

I nod as she pours another before heading back to the couch. Crossing her legs overtop she leans back into the couch, looking at me expectantly. “So?”

“I need you to pull some strings for me. I need you to somehow get Elijah to help me with something.”

“Oh fuck.” She groans, taking a big gulp of her drink before looking at me again. “Really? That is what you came here to bother me about? This is what I fucking put pants on for? Forget it. I don't know why you and my brother can't just ask him to do things yourselves. You both act like fucking children.”

Sitting up straight, I lean forward. “Come on Mar, I can’t ask him myself. You know he doesn't like me. If I ask he won't do a damn thing."

She lets out a frustrated groan. "Fuck sakes. What do you want anyway?"

"I need him to pull some strings in Chicago to keep Enzo busy. His father should have passed by now so he is most likely Capo. I need things to happen to keep him preoccupied and busy so he stays put." Her eyes glint with curiosity.

"Why?"

"My reasons are my own."

"Not if you want my fucking help they aren't." She tilts her head, looking at me as if seeing through me. She was always good at reading people. I hated it, how she would always dissect me when we were younger. She was the first to pick up on my nice guy facade, seeing it for what it was.

Pursing her lips, she narrows her eyes before leaning back on the couch once again. "You know I'd bet my next month's income this is about a girl, isn't it?"

She must have seen something in my expression because she laughs out. "Oh my, you're in deep aren't you?" My jaw clenches at her spot on accuracy. "Amuse me, who is it?"

She stares at me waiting for me to reveal the name. "Well, do you want my help or not? Spill it."

"Fine." I grind out irritated. "You know Liliana's friend from Los Angeles?"

"Gianna?” She sits up, interested. “And what does the Capo of the Chicago Outfit have to do with any of this?” She tries to piece together the puzzle.

“That is who she is set to marry.” I watch as shock crosses her smug face.

“She is already engaged? Does Nico know?”

I shake my head as I feel her eyes still on me. “What in the world would possess you to go after her when she is already engaged, Daveon? Have you lost your damn mind?”

“There is just something about her. She gets under my skin in every imaginable way possible. I can’t fucking think when she is around, and when she isn’t, it’s all I can think about.” I run my hands through my hair trying to put to words how I feel about her. “But fuck I don’t know. I have this need to be with her; I am drawn to her in every