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

"He's been pretty busy lately. I've been having him watching this Bravata group that keeps getting awfully close to our territory." He shrugs. "I told him he could send someone else to do the stakeouts, but he insisted on doing it himself. You know how he is." I nod, understanding.

"So, what's been your fucking deal lately?"

"Meaning?" He fixes me with a look at my blatant disrespect. He should know better by now when we are alone. He is just my brother—no Capo or titles.

"You know what I mean. With Liliana, even I can see you’re being a bit fucking much." He runs a hand through his hair, sitting forward he leans his elbows on his legs.

"She's pregnant." I momentarily forget the cigarette is lodged between my lips as I sharply inhale at his words. I cough instantaneously like a fucking amateur.

"I'm sorry she's what?"

"Pregnant, Daveon." He looks up at me with a strained look on his face.

"But I thought she was on birth control?" I say in disbelief.

He shakes his head. "She said she thinks she might have missed some after everything that happened with Dario."

"Is this a bad or good thing, because I'm having a hard time telling right now."

"Fuck, I don't know. I mean, I planned on it later on. Much later on, but not right now. I don't even think I know how to be a father. You know as well as I, mine wasn't worth a damn so what's the odds I will be any better."

I'm shocked at this revelation. "I know what kind of man your father was and if it’s any consolation, your nothing like that cruel fuck. If you treat that kid half as good as you do Liliana, you have nothing to worry about. You're not him." He turns his head up at me, fear paining his eyes. "Man, that wasn't what I was expecting you to say, can't believe she is fucking pregnant. I figured you'd say something about how you just got all crazy protective and manic again for no reason."

"I never got crazy and manic. What the hell are you talking about?"

"Yeah, okay. I'm pretty fucking sure you were ready to paint the city red searching for her and would have if Elijah hadn't found her when he did. Then after it all, yeah, you got a little overprotective."

"I guess if your ever so blessed to have something happen to Gianna, you might actually shut the fuck up and understand." I shrug it off.

"Maybe, but that won't happen."

"You hope." The nagging feeling that I had pushed from my mind returns at his words. His phone ringsdrawing both of our attention to it. Jerking it up he answers it in a rush.

“Yes.” His brows crease as he listens.

"Is she okay?" My pulse jumps at his words and I tense before he relaxes slightly. "Okay, hurry home." When he hangs up I watch him expectantly.

"Liliana wasn't feeling well so her guards are bringing her home." My worries dive farther at realizing both her and Marina are now left alone...together…at a club.

Fuck. Finishing my drink, I decide to head back down to my loft so that Nico and Liliana can be alone when she gets home. As I step into the loft my phone begins ringing in my pocket. Elijah's name stretches across the screen. I answer, not sure what to expect.

"I've been trying to reach Marina but she isn't answering.” His voice is pinched and angry. “I know it was a job for you so I figured I'd let ye know. That guy you had me watching before, the one from Chicago. He was just seen here in New York somewhere downtown about thirty minutes ago." I freeze in place as my body tenses.

"Enzo?"

"Yeah, that fucker."

"Where exactly was he? Do you know where he went?"

"Do I look like the paparazzi, Daveon? I don't know where he went, I was just letting ye know he is here. He isn't my problem to look out for."

"He would only come here for one reason." I grind out between clenched teeth. "He is here for Gianna, and this becomes your fucking problem too because Marina is with her right now."

He goes silent on the line before a flurry of curses ring through. "Mac soith. An bhean fucking sin?"My own anger rises with his.

"English, Elijah I don't fucking speak Irish!"

"Where the fuck are they, where did they go? I'm working on mapping where this guy is now. It might take a minute since it's dark if he knows what he is doing, but seeing how we didn't know he was here until just now, I'd say he does. We may want to head over to them now."

I'm already in the elevator as he says it, about to land on the bottom floor. "Already on it. I'll send you the club's name. I'll meet you there." I text him the name of the club Marina said they would be going to. What Lies Below

Jumping in my car as I race downtown. It's not every day someone like Enzo makes it into our city without our knowledge, but then again this man is known for getting away with shit.

My hands tighten on the wheel, turning white under the strain. Wishing it was his neck instead of my steering wheel, as I'd love nothing more than to wrap my hand around it and watch his pathetic life slip away. I should have fucking killed him when he first put his hands on her. My regret is like a bitter poison running through my veins, making my blood boil under my skin.

With one hand on the wheel, I grab my phone dialing Gianna in hopes she picks up. The ring is piercing in the otherwise still and quiet car. Each unanswered ring grows quieter and quieter in my ears until it becomes a muffled background noise compared to the sound of my blood pumping through my veins. When it finally hits her voicemail. I jam the