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

"Maybe you didn't hear me correctly. I said, end of discussion. This isn’t open for debate. You have caused enough problems already because you couldn't keep your dick in your pants."

"She belongs to me, and I won’t allow that twisted fuck to touch her again." At my words he looks her over once again—this time taking in her face along with the ring on her finger.

Nico raises a brow at me. "You realize she is wearing his ring right?"

"Yes, I am fucking aware, thanks." I bite out bitterly at him.

"You had better watch your tone, Daveon. You’re already on thin ice.” Nico clips out harshly at my attitude and anger simmering over.

"If you won't help me then you can leave us here. I won't leave her." I stand resolved though my words go against everything I have ever stood for. I may not have been born into the mafia but was taken in by it. By Nico in particular, I not only gave my life to him, but I owe it to him, and here I stand making an impossible choice.

Running a hand through his hair he curses. "Do you love her?" The question is so blunt and straightforward. It's nothing I have thought about before now though I know the answer immediately.

"Yes." I confirm holding no hesitation. I feel her stiffen at my admission beside me.

He stares at me for a long while, holding me with his hard gaze. Hearing a commotion outside, we both whip our heads in the direction of the door just as Liliana comes flying through the threshold. "Gianna!" Two guards come barreling in after her coming to a halt as they see Nico and the deadly look he is giving them.

"You two morons couldn't manage to keep her in the fucking car?" They both sputter an excuse about how she got out, fumbling over each other. Liliana brushes past Nico heading to Gianna. When she steps from behind me Liliana gasps at seeing the state of her face.

Whirling on me she glares up at me. "What did you do to her?!"

Irritation spreads at her assumption. As if I would ever do this to her. "Lil, it wasn't Daveon" Gianna lifts her hand up showing the ring. "It was Enzo." Liliana pushes past me before grabbing Gianna and pulling her into a hug.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay? I can’t believe this happened!” Spinning she faces Nico. “We have to help.”

“Liliana go back to the car and stay the fuck out of this.” He commands his wife. I watch as she fights an internal battle between wanting to help and respecting her husband's wishes.

“Nico please.” Her soft spoken voice pleads with him. As he stares at her I see his expression soften slightly.

"This will put you at risk and I will not allow that to happen again."

"Then we can figure out a way to do this without war." She goes to him standing before him as she consumes his attention. It's quite amazing actually, to watch his darkness ebb away at her presence.

"And how do you suppose we do that. I have pulls but not here. Not in L.A."

"What about an alliance? My father and Dante don't like Enzo. Now that he has taken over for his father, the alliance we have will surely only be held on by a thread." Gianna speaks up beside me.

Nico turns his attention back to us before settling it on me. Drawing a deep breath he exhales slowly. "You're a lucky bastard, Daveon. I'll help you brother, but know if you betray me again for whatever reason that be, I will kill you." His voice is hard and I know he is serious. "You better call Marina, we are going to need her help for this one."

16

DAVEON

For the first time since I have become Made, I get an unnerving uncertainty that settles in my stomach. I have never been afraid of anyone in my life. I’m still not, but the possibility of this meeting going south is high and I need this, of all things to work out in my favor. More for Gianna’s sake than for mine, though it will make things quite difficult if they refuse us.

We sit at Nico’s beach house, trying to be patient as we wait for Marina to arrive. She is late as usual and while I try to be patient, Nico isn't. "Where the fuck is she?"

"I'm sure she will be here any minute."

"She better or I'll.-"

"Or you'll what?" Marina's voice calls from behind us, heels clicking under her feet on the flooring. Coming to a stop in front of us she places her hand on her hip as she raises a brow at him.

"Took you long enough." Nico grinds out at her.

"Yeah Mar, we are going to a meeting not on a date." Glancing down at her attire, I catch sight of her tattoo on her thigh peeking out just under her tight blush pink pencil skirt. "Wait, that's what you're wearing? How the hell are you gonna get out of the room if something goes down being in heels and a skirt?"

"Why don’t you worry about yourselves and not me. Last time I checked negotiations were my forte, so go ahead and stay out of what I'm good at."

"Are you even able to carry a gun in that Marina?" Nico asks, shaking his head.

Reaching down she slips her hand between her legs causing Nico's forehead to pinch. Within a matter of seconds she pulls a gun out from inside of her thigh as she holds it up, showing us. "Happy? For fuck sakes, you two are dramatic."

"How do you even…" Nico starts before stopping himself, shaking his head. "Nope, nevermind, I don't want to know or care. Can we go now? Does Ciro have him?" Nico asks Marina.

"Yeah. You're sure about this? Does Liliana know?"

"Yes she does, she doesn't know how she feels, but she would do