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

I hear a chair shift, scraping along the floor as Jace stands up, narrowing his eyes on Antonio. Dante looks between the bound and gagged traitor and Nico as a sinister grin grows on his face. "So tell me Nicoli, are you prepared for a war? Because Enzo will not be happy about this. Once we cut ties with them and revoke the marriage agreement between Gianna and him, he will likely lash out."

"We are."

He nods his head, never taking his eyes off Antonio. "Good well, I suppose we should give you a gift as well. As I did not plan for this I don't have anything prepared. Perhaps though we can trade. Gianna was to marry Enzo and while none of us were thrilled over that engagement, I don't see why that agreement shouldn't transfer. Lorenzo? What do you think on the matter?"

His eyes narrow on me as if he sees this for what it is. "I suppose depending on who you plan on giving her to. I won't have her embarrassed by transferring her hand from a Capo to a mere soldier in your ranks."

Nico shakes his head. "No, of course not, she will be given to my consigliere, the highest rank aside from myself." I feel Nico’s hand as he places it over my shoulder. "Lorenzo, this is Daveon, my consigliere. Is this a union you agree with?"

Lorenzo narrows his eyes further, sensing more than we say over this newfound arrangement but not declining. At his pause Dante looks over to him, waiting for his reply. Knowing he won’t decline the offer. "Yes, I condone the arrangement."

17

GIANNA

"So you and Daveon, huh? I knew there was something up." Liliana looks at me with accusing eyes.

"I know. I'm sorry for not telling you. I just didn't know how."

She reaches out holding my hand as we sit on my couch. "It's ok." It feels oddly nostalgic having her in my apartment again. I missed the familiarity that settles over me from it. "Do you think everything is going okay at their meeting?" Her face pulls tight with concern.

"Relax Lil, I'm sure everything is fine. And even if something does go wrong, Nico and Daveon can get themselves out of any situation. I wouldn't worry." She nods at my attempt to help her relax.

"It's just been a while and we haven't heard from them is all."

"Stop worrying they will be here any.-" My sentence is cut short as I hear knocking on the door. Getting up I open the door to find Daveon, Nico, and another woman.

"Did you seriously just open the door without knowing who it was first?" Nico grinds out at me. I place my hand over my hip defiantly.

"Yes, is there a problem Hades? I have guards who watch the building, you know. So it's not like anyone can get in here." He looks from me to Daveon. The clenching of his jaw tells me he is still angry over the whole thing.

"Clearly not anyone can get in here." He rolls his eyes before pushing past me, going to Liliana now standing with a radiant smile waiting for him. I can't help but watch as he pulls her to him, wrapping her in his embrace. She reaches up placing a hand over his face as he whispers something to her, causing her skin to glow with a light blush. He dips down claiming her lips in a kiss.

I turn my head, feeling like I'm intruding on their intimacy, to see I am not the only one. Both Daveon and the woman next to him are watching them as well. My attention becomes focused on the beautiful woman beside Daveon. She is incredibly sensual in every way, from her posture to the way she parts her lips as she breathes. I love her outfit though I don't know if I love her in it beside Daveon. Jealousy, really? I shush my mind from going there.

She turns her attention off Nico and looks at me, eyeing me as I just had her. "Well, you are hot aren’t you. No wonder Daveon couldn't keep it in his pants. So what happened?" She asks, nodding at my bruised face.

She's awfully blunt. "I slapped my fiancee in the face cutting his lip in front of my father and Capo and he lashed out." She raises a brow at me.

"Okay, not bad I'm impressed and a little turned on. You definitely just got hotter. Damn, girl." Turning to Daveon she adds, "well if you're ever in the mood to share, call me for a three way because I would totally switch sides." She jokes, blowing a kiss at me.

"We will not be having a three way." He shakes his head, dismissing her sarcasm.

"That's fine. You don't have to be there, it would be weird anyway since you're more like a brother now. I couldn't imagine going there again."

"She is mine." Daveon growls out. "I don't share."

Wait, again? My head whips back and forth between the two—jealousy rearing up once more. And I was starting to like this girl.

Marina musically laughs at having gotten him worked up. "You can relax, I play for the other team...well, most of the time." She shrugs.

"Fuck off, Marina."

"I always do." She brushes past him making her way inside. "Oh Daveon, you might wanna reach down your pants and re-adjust your thong, I think it might be riding too far up your ass." He flips her off in return as she smirks heading over to Nico and Liliana.

My eyes follow Marina inside as Daveon clears his throat behind me. Turning to him, I give him a questioning look. He lifts his hand to his hair, causing his muscles to flex in his arm as he runs it through. "So that's Marina, Nico’s sister. She's kind of a lot." He laughs, sounding oddly nervous.

"Not a lot for you apparently. Seems like you have a type." I say, annoyed that I'm bothered by