To Have & to Hurt by Morgan Bridges
Tristano
“Igive you my vow, and those of my ancestors, ‘loyalty ’til death,’ Carina. That’s what you and your sister will have from me and mine.”
These words, spoken less than half an hour ago, are already plaguing me. I meant them and will keep my promise, but I’m already berating myself for it. How Carina Nardone talked me into babysitting her younger sister will always be a mystery to me.
I glance at the young woman, who hasn’t moved from the chaise lounge she’s perched on, and blow out a breath. Violetta’s unnatural stillness has yet to disappear, nor has the sharpness of her turquoise-colored gaze. She cannot be more than eighteen years of age, but I’ve never seen her at the annual gala. That’s not saying much since I don’t pay attention to the women in attendance during that mandatory event, which is nothing more than a silent bridal auction. The fathers and guardians of the mafia princesses parade them around for us. It’s how empires are built, and how power shifts and grows.
Not only do I have no desire to be married anytime soon, but it’s highly unlikely I would find anyone who I’d be willing to stomach for the rest of my life.
Yes I can marry to secure a business alliance with another boss and have nothing to do with my wife once that’s all said and done, yet the idea is vexing. I’d like to have children at some point, to build the legacy of the Silvestri name, and in order to do that I need to fuck my wife. Repeatedly. Not a hardship, however, there’s more to it than that. I want my children to have a mother who isn’t a shitty human being. Considering the entitled mindset of the majority of the eligible women in the underworld, my chances of success are slim.
Carina is not like the rest of them, so there is that.
Knowing Rafael is detained by her father, Paolo Nardone, is distressing. Not only because my brother has a smart mouth that always lands him into trouble, but due to the fact Nardone isn’t known for his tolerance of others. Tethering my brother’s life to Carina’s is beyond risky, but she’s the only one who can get to Rafael without having a firearm aimed at her. Which is the only reason I let her leave.
Rafael is going to be so fucking pissed.
But if he’s alive to be in that state, then I’ll welcome his anger.
A single chime from my cell phone notifies me of an incoming message and I retrieve the device, assuming it’s Maximus. My youngest brother will no doubt be wanting confirmation from me, concerning Rafael’s status. Actually, I’m surprised Maximus isn’t already here.
The phone’s screen illuminates when I press my thumb to the sensor and the text is immediately on display.
Unless you restore my brothers at once…
The words dig into my retinas, blurring my vision, and then shoot to my lungs, making them nearly collapse. My grip on the phone tightens until the device creaks in protest and my arms shake. It takes several thin breaths and rapid blinking for the haze to lift from my mind and my eyes. I read the first line again and force myself beyond it this time.
Unless you restore my brothers at once,
my lion will tear you in pieces.
Airstrip on Bloomingdale and Peters.
Arrive no later than 3 a.m.
It’s concise and direct, leaving no room for interpretation. Yet, my mind nearly explodes from the questions that arise, and my chest constricts with blinding agony after reading the message. The first two lines are from a story I haven’t heard since I was a child, something that my mother would know to say to me. I’m always skeptical about such things, but this proves beyond a doubt it’s an authentic missive.
Because she’s the only one who used to read it to me every night. And to my brothers once they were born.
Is she alive?
This thought, along with strands of doubt, circulate in my mind and wrap around it until I’m bound with the need to know the truth.
There’s a chance someone miraculously uncovered information from the time of her life before the Wolf Pack unleashed their hellhounds on her. But that’s highly unlikely since the only people who were close to her then are either dead or still loyal to my family.
I shake my head as if it’ll alleviate the pressure building inside. The action doesn’t do a damn thing except deliver a sharp pain to the space between my brows. I massage the center of my forehead while considering what to do next.
There are many options, but none that include my newly acquired ward.
When I shift my gaze to Carina’s sister, it lands on a pair of eyes, already studying me. Violetta Nardone is mystifying. Not just because of her beauty, since there are many attractive women in the world, but due to the intensity that simmers just below the surface of her blue-green eyes. It makes me curious about the thoughts running through her mind, but now is not the time. Not now or ever because she won’t be my responsibility for very long.
The only mystery that needs to be solved is: Who sent this secretive text and what do they want. Because no one would do that without wanting something. At best, they sought out my attention.
And they fucking have it.
“Arturo.”
My right-hand man walks swiftly over to me, his steps expedited by the urgency in my tone. His astute gaze meets mine and I lower my voice, not wanting this conversation to be overheard by Nardone’s daughter. No matter how harmless she may appear, Violetta could always use this information, and not necessarily in my favor.
She may have my protection but not my trust.
“I received a cryptic text a minute ago,” I say. “It could be nothing other than someone fucking with me, but if not…Well, it’s worth me taking the time to investigate.”
Arturo nods. “What do you need, capo?”
“The girl.”
“What about her?”
“I’m taking her with me.” I stroke my chin, the day’s growth scraping my fingertips. “I don’t see another option.”
He flicks his gaze to Violetta and then brings it back to me. “You can leave her with me. I’ll make sure she is safer than a cock in a cunt.”
My lips tilt in a half-smile. “If Rafael doesn’t kill Carina Nardone, he’s going to marry her, which makes that young girl sitting over there my future sister-in-law.” My smile fades as I blow out a breath and run my fingers through my hair. “ I can’t allow anything to happen to her and leaving Violetta behind would break my word to Carina.”
“Are the risks manageable?”
“They are if I do reconnaissance first,” I say slowly. There’s actually no need for it. The message sent had more than enough proof that whoever wants to speak to me is either my mother or knows of her. But I’m not going to explain myself to him or anyone else. “This is a time-sensitive matter, so I’m leaving now.”
“I’ll come along as well, plus Enrico and Beni.”
I shake my head. “I need you to oversee Rafael’s freedom from Nardone, whether or not my brother’s fiancée obtains his release. If she does, watch over them. And if not, then we will employ the contingency plan I’ve devised, but wait for my command on the order. I don’t want anyone attacking Nardone prematurely and in doing so, putting my brother’s life in greater danger.”
“For the love of Christ, capo, at least take Beni and Enrico with you.”
Arturo has never hidden his thoughts from me or silenced his opinions, but he’s always done so with the utmost respect, even if it’s not said with the most tact.
“Tell them I’m leaving in less than five minutes.”
He has his phone in hand before I walk away to my private wing of the house.
The charcoal pants and matching dress shirt I’m wearing are more than suitable for any business meeting, but I head to my bedroom anyway to obtain my firearms, holsters, and body armor. I frown at the thought of Violetta’s dress. She won’t be able to successfully hide anything with that on and I don’t have any women’s clothing available for her to change into. There’s nothing to be done except leave her in the vehicle with either of my men.
Once I’m fully armed, I descend the stairs and waiting at the bottom are Benito and Enrico. They’re both ready, their anticipation shown in the way they lean forward on the balls of their feet. I enjoy nothing more than having good men under my leadership.
Nothing brings down an empire faster than a weak army.
They each nod as I pass by and then automatically fall into place, flanking me on either side. Violetta’s gaze follows us as we approach and when she’s within range, I jerk my chin toward the door.
“Come with me.”
She slowly rises from her seated position and I’m not sure if the unhurried, deliberate way she moves is done to irritate me. I wait for her to draw near and then lead the small group from the foyer and down the front steps to the vehicle already idling.
“Shotgun,” Benito says with a wink at Violetta.
She, in turn, narrows her gaze as though he’s an imbecile.
I have to school my features to keep from smirking. Benito is generally an upbeat person, despite his ability to kill people quickly and efficiently, and nothing fazes him. He grins at the young woman and then takes his seat in the front of the SUV while Enrico gets behind the wheel. I climb into the backseat, as does Violetta.
“Where to?” Enrico asks.
I give him the address to the private air strip and he puts the vehicle into motion. Benito, on the other hand, turns to look at me over his shoulder.
“Are we leaving the city?”
“No. This should be nothing more than a simple meeting.”
He nods. “Cool, because I didn’t pack my lingerie.”
“For fuck’s sake, Beni,” Enrico mutters.
Benito’s face nearly splits with his shit-eating grin. “Come on, Rico. Don’t tell me you won’t be missing your vibrator.”
I resist the urge to exhale in exasperation. Benito is always like this and it’s similar to the way Rafael acts, which is probably why it irritates and amuses me simultaneously. I slide my gaze to take in Violetta’s reaction and it almost makes me laugh.
She’s giving him a blank stare with her head slightly tilted, akin to how one would look at a dog biting its own leg.
Not that I’ve seen her be expressive about anything, but not all communication is verbal. Although, now that I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve heard her speak this evening.
“This won’t take but a moment,” I say quietly to Violetta. She brings her gaze to me and I continue. “I’m sure you’re eager to rest comfortably, given the recent events. Or not, considering where your sister is and what she's aiming to accomplish. Either way, I don’t expect this meeting to be long.”
Violetta blinks. Once. Her eye-color isn’t discernible to me with only the city lights for illumination, but her gaze is dull, almost lifeless. Is this because she’s frightened, not only for Carina but for herself? Or does she not care about her sister’s welfare?
Whether I offer encouragement due to her young age, or the fact her sister’s in a dangerous situation, doesn’t matter. I think she needs to hear something reassuring nonetheless.
“I gave your sister my word I would keep you safe at all times, so you don’t have to worry. And as far as Carina and her self-imposed mission… I believe, if anyone can successfully retrieve my brother, it’s her. She is a courageous woman.”
Violetta scans my face, her eyes darting back and forth like a metronome. I’ve learned to decipher people’s expressions and body language, or lack thereof, in order to gain insight to what they’re possibly thinking. When dealing with criminals on a daily basis—those who’d gladly murder you—it becomes imperative to obtain as much intelligence as possible.
It can mean the difference between life and death, more often than not.
This young woman is not a threat to me, and I consider her presence a hindrance more than anything, but her odd behavior is prompting in-depth observations and conclusions. She could be acting in such a way to gain my attention so I’ll spend time decoding her motivations. If that’s the case, then she learned the art of feminine wiles at an early age, which isn’t surprising for a boss’s daughter.
Regardless of her skill level, that bullshit doesn’t work on me and she’ll figure it out soon enough.
Violetta keeps her silence in response to my attempt to encourage her. That act, in and of itself, makes it clear this woman has no interest in speaking to anyone.
And truth be told, I prefer this.