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

"I'm going with you to meet with him. I won't let you go alone."

"Darlin, you're not going anywhere near him right now, bad fucking idea."

"Yes, I am. You can't stop me. You have no resources or men at your disposal to keep me here. I'm going."

I shake my head knowing how bad this could all turn out. "Fine, we have about four hours till we need to leave."

***

We pull up to Nico’s beach house before he arrives. After arguing and trying to convince Gianna to stay home again and failing, we enter the house. Helping myself to Nico’s liquor, I pour drinks before leaning against the counter. I watch Gianna down her drink in one gulp before walking over to me and I watch her with weary eyes. She reaches out grabbing my glass, swapping it with her empty one. She manages to down the contents as well before I grab it back from her. "Fuck Gianna, what are you doing?"

"Sorry I'm nervous." She shrugs it off.

Shaking my head I set both now empty glasses down behind me. "Since when do you get so scared? And of Nico."

"Since the possibility of him shooting you became a real thing." She bites out at me. My expression softens as I watch her. My eyes roam over her face again and I feel a dark pull. My fists clench again out of anger but I do my best to keep it at bay. Without wanting to I look down at her hand. Staring at the fucking obnoxious thing on her finger that I want nothing more than to rip off her.

Who knew such a little thing could cause so much inner turmoil and rage. I can tell when she notices my eyes on it again because her body tenses before she slips her hand behind her, out of sight. Reaching to her wrist I pull her hand back out, jerking her to me. Wanting to taste her but not wanting to hurt her again, I place my lips to her throat. Moving them along her jawline as my tongue flicks out against her skin. As I nibble my way to her pulse point, I place my mouth over it sucking lightly as I drink in her rising heartbeat. Sending a silent fuck you to Enzo as I feel it race under my lips.

Wanting nothing more than to really get it worked up, I don't notice the car pull up outside at my distraction. Hearing the slamming of a door pulls my attention from her as I pull away, straightening myself. Within seconds the front door is ripped open as Nico enters the house. He stops at the entryway to the kitchen as he watches us. He is seething as he turns his hardened gaze to Gianna. If he notices her face he doesn't give any indication of caring as he eyes her menacingly. Feeling a wave of protection wash over me, I step in front of her, blocking Nico's silent assault.

A flash of pure rage crosses his eyes as I step towards him. I notice him take a step forward before balling his fist and striking out as he punches me square in the face. Fuck! I should have seen that coming.

I feel as blood runs from my nose at his connection. He steps closer getting into my face. "When I told you to watch her in New York so we didn't start a war. I didn't mean you were the exception! You fucked her, in my house, behind my back! You deliberately disobeyed my order.”

Gianna steps forward. "It wasn't his fault. It was mine." His dark gaze narrows on her as she speaks.

"Do not fucking speak unless you are spoken to. You are no better. Do you know the danger you could put Liliana in for this? Some fucking sister you claim to be." She blanches at his harsh words.

"Nico calm down. She didn't mean for any of this to.-" He presses a finger into my chest.

"You shut the fuck up. You're lucky I haven't already put a bullet in your head for your disobedience." Glancing between us both, he continues. "You have just started a fucking war; both Chicago and Los Angeles will want our heads for this. And now I'm left with a decision to make. I could kill you right here and now. After all, you would fucking deserve that fate. Or I can simply let this play out. Then when the time comes and they call for your heads, I can give you both up for them to punish as they see fit. Or I can allow this foolish lustful affair to continue damning and putting everything I have at risk. Including Liliana!" He roars out in rage, looking as if he wants to smash my head into the wall behind me.

I remain silent knowing now isn’t the time to push him. Taking a step back he puts a little distance between us, looking as if he wants to hit me again. Going against his orders and putting us in this situation he could do a lot worse, should do a lot worse, but he won’t and we both know it.

I would let him if he did though, after all I deserve it. I swore an oath to him, both as my brother and Capo and I broke that. In our world that is something unforgivable and had I been any other man, he wouldn't have hesitated to shoot me.

"Whatever ridiculous plan you have, it's over. The fooling around has to stop now. Enzo is going to be fucking livid when he finds out she isn't a virgin. Though I doubt there will be any ties to us. After all her father can't outright blame us for it when he allowed her to come in secret." He says, trying to work out reason in his head." You are coming back to New York with me, and Gianna will marry Enzo. End of discussion."

"If I