Page 29 of Bittersweet Endings (Agostino Crime Family #6)

CARMINE RAGETTI

M atteo prattled on, going over business and updates. I narrowed my eyes, my hand twitching at my side.

“It’s not going to be easy,” he muttered.

A wry smile crept onto my face. “Nothing interesting ever is. But that’s half the fun, isn’t it?”

“It is. Everything is arranged with Lucky. He handled Octavia.”

I chuckled just imagining her reaction.

The plane shuddered as it began its descent, and I opened the window shade, watching the sprawling city below. New York. The place where I was going to make my move. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, but it was more like a snarl.

My little doll had no idea what was going on. And I couldn’t wait to see the traitorous look she’d throw at her brother when she realized he was involved in the setup.

As the plane taxied towards the idling SUVs, I slid my jacket on.

I spotted them immediately. Lucky, leaning against the door with his arms crossed and his expression tight.

I could tell all of this was pissing him off.

His usual fury simmering just beneath the surface.

It was comical, like an angry toddler. Beside him was Apollo, ever the silent, cold shadow lurking around his boss.

“Well, well,” I said, after I’d exited the plane, my lips curling into a smile as I stepped forward. “Look at us, making history with a friendship, huh?” I extended a hand.

A moment of indecision before Lucky did the same, but the gesture was far from warm. “Fuck you, Carmine,” he grunted.

Apollo didn’t move. I didn’t flinch either. The motherfucker could dissect my entire body and catalog all the parts, but I didn’t give a single damn.

I shrugged. “Hey, just trying to make the best of things. You know, since we could be brothers someday.”

“Fuck off,” Lucky growled. “The only reason I haven’t put a bullet in your head is ?cause I know you’re psycho enough to handle your father. But don’t think for a second I won’t, if you step out of line.”

I let out a low chuckle. “Don’t forget Peiro. We both have threats we need to handle, don’t we?” I let that linger in the air, before I leaned in and hissed, “Don’t fuck with me, especially when you have two other threats hiding in your city… besides me.”

His face twisted with a mix of irritation and reluctant rage. “It’s the only reason you’re breathing right now,” he shot back.

“Well, good thing we’re all on the same side then, huh?” I slapped his shoulder, enjoying his scowl as he shoved me aside.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Lucky muttered, shifting his attention to his men, barking orders as they dispersed to the cars.

Lucky’s eyes burned with a mix of anger and warning as he took a step closer to me again.

“If anything happens to my sister, Carmine, it won’t be quick.

I won’t just kill you. I’ll make you watch as I put your sister in the ground. ”

I stood there, unmoving, my fingers clenching with the need to pull the gun at my back.

His words were meant to provoke, meant to rattle me.

But I wasn’t in the business of being rattled.

Lucky could threaten me all he wanted. But the truth was, without me, he was as good as dead.

So was his family with all those enemies knocking at his door.

“Be careful, baby devil…” The warning in my tone was unmistakable. “You threaten me again, and you might just find out what happens when people make that mistake.” I glared at him.

Lucky didn’t reply. Apollo’s silence shifted as he took the slightest step forward. And I smirked, cracking my neck as I challenged him to do something. Instead, like a good dog, he growled before turning and walking to the car. Matteo followed him as I filed in behind Lucky.

The engine hummed to life, and we pulled away, the city lights flashing past us. The atmosphere in the car was anything but calm.

“How pissed do you think she’s gonna be when she finds out?” I leaned back in my seat, my hand drumming against the armrest. She’d be fuming, that was for fucking sure. She’d lash out, fight for any ounce of control she thought she could get. She’d find none.

“She’s already fucking furious,” Rocco grunted from the driver’s seat. “Nearly tore my head off.”

I chuckled. “The poor girl thinks she’s getting freedom just by coming to dinner, huh?”

Lucky nodded, immersed in his phone. “She almost said no, but she’s tired of being cooped up inside.”

I glanced out the window, a dark, satisfied grin tugging at my lips. “She’ll believe she’s been let out of the cage . But she’s wrong. I’m still pulling all the strings. And she’s going to hate every second of it.”

We rode the rest of the way in silence. I couldn’t wait for Octavia to see exactly how much of her life was in my hands. She might try to fight. She might try to break free. But I knew better. She wasn’t going anywhere. Not when I was the one holding all the cards.

As the car rolled through the streets of New York, Lucky glanced down at my outfit—jeans, a jacket, the usual look that said I was always ready for a fight. He shot a glare in my direction. “You sure you don’t want to change into something nicer for dinner? Wouldn’t want ya to look out of place.”

I raised an eyebrow. A small laugh escaped me, the sound dark and knowing. “No thanks,” I said, meeting his glare with a grin. “Your sister prefers me like this.”

His expression froze for a moment, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes. He turned away, muttering under his breath.

It was the truth. Octavia had always liked me this way. Rough around the edges, untamed, a far cry from the polished, perfect image of her famiglia’s made men . She liked the danger that came with me. The unhinged danger. She craved it, even if she’d never admit it out loud.

I’d never allow her to be a sheltered wife; I’d want her wild and crazy at my side. And that was where she belonged. Once this all ended, I was bringing her back to my home.

The car came to a slow stop in front of the restaurant, and as soon as the engine cut, Lucky gave me a sharp look, his jaw tight. “Wait here,” he ordered. “I’ll go in first.”

I didn’t argue. I didn’t need to. I had all the time in the world. My thoughts swirled as I watched him walk towards the door, a part of me already imagining what kind of fireworks would be waiting for me with Octavia. That girl always had a way of making things... interesting.

Suddenly, the door to the restaurant swung open, and Apollo appeared, his towering frame filling the threshold. He gave a brief, almost imperceptible nod in my direction before disappearing back inside.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, pushed open the door, and stepped out into the cool night air.

I walked through the restaurant with purpose, my eyes flicking around the room, watching the way the patrons glanced at me—some with mild recognition, others with fear. But I wasn’t here for them. I was here for her .

I spotted her immediately. My Octavia. Sitting with her back to me, her posture defiant even in the quiet of the space. I took a few steps closer, slowing as I approached, curious about what she might be saying.

Her voice cut through the air before I even reached her.

“This is ridiculous, Lucky,” she snapped. “I’m not some kid you can dress up, take out to dinner, and expect to be grateful. You don’t get to control me like that. I’m not your fucking doll!”

Lucky’s response was low, almost a growl, but I couldn’t hear his words from where I was standing. A dark grin spread across my face as I stopped behind her.

“No,” I said, my tone deliberate and dangerous, “but you’re my little doll, aren’t you?”

Her back stiffened, and I could practically feel the fury boiling in her veins. She didn’t turn around right away, but I knew she’d heard me. Octavia’s voice was tight with rage when she finally spoke, though it was directed at her brother, not me.

“You can’t control me, Lucky,” she said. “Not anymore.”

I leaned in just a bit closer, feeling the tension between us. “ You’re right. He doesn’t,” I told her. “And I don’t need to control you, Octavia. Not when you’re already mine.”

Lucky’s expression darkened, but after a brief moment, he pushed himself out of his chair while muttering something under his breath. He shot me one last glare, his eyes narrowing. “Yell at Pops,” he grunted. “It was his idea.”

Without waiting for a response, Lucky turned and left, his footsteps echoing as the door swung shut behind him.

The moment he was gone, I slid into his vacated seat.

I leaned forward, my fingers curling around the stem of his wineglass, bringing it to my nose and inhaling deeply. Cheap, watered-down crap.

I scoffed, leaning back in my chair while raising the glass to the waiter who’d been hovering in the corner. The moment he saw the look on my face, he rushed over, eager to serve.

“Throw this shit out and get me a glass of the good stuff,” I said, my gaze still fixed on the wine I held in my hand as if it disgusted me. “Actually, forget the glass. Bring the whole damn bottle.” Then I looked back at Octavia. “So, how have you been, little doll?”

Her posture was stiff, but I’d expected that. She’d try to put up a fight, resist me, just like she always did. But this time, she wasn’t going anywhere.

The waiter returned moments later, setting the bottle down in front of me with a slight tremor in his hands. He poured me a generous glass. I didn’t acknowledge him as he scurried off again.

Octavia watched him go with a small chuckle. “Look at that,” she mocked. “He ran off like he was being chased by a ghost. You really do have everyone in every city afraid of you.”

I took a slow sip of my wine, my eyes never leaving hers. “Everyone but you,” I said .

The atmosphere shifted instantly, like a switch had been flipped. What had been a moment of light teasing, a game between us, turned heavy. Charged. Menacing.

I leaned forward just a bit, my eyes scanning her.

Taking in the way she sat, the way she carried herself in that dress.

A vibrant red little number that clung to her body in all the right places.

It was a far cry from the childish outfits she used to wear with those ridiculous frills and bows.

She was no longer the little girl her family owned.

I let my eyes linger a moment longer, before forcing out a slow, almost appreciative hum. “You know,” I said, “you look fucking sexy in that dress. You have much better taste these days.”

The words hit her like a shockwave, her eyes flashing with irritation.

She clenched her jaw, no doubt ready to spit out something sharp at the same time I could make out the flush creeping into her cheeks.

I had to admit it was a hell of a lot more fun when she hated me. When she wanted to attack me.

The sex was even fucking hotter.

Octavia’s eyes narrowed. “What the fuck are you doing in New York, Carmine?”

“Watch your tone, little doll,” I warned. “If you misbehave, I have no problem putting you over my knee. And we both know how much you love that, don’t we?”

She stiffened, and I could feel the fire between us. The defiance was there, the challenge. And something else. “You wouldn’t,” she muttered, though I could hear a hint of uncertainty, a flicker of hesitation that made me smirk.

“Wouldn’t I?” I deadpanned. “Push me, and I’ll tear that dress right off you. Lay you over this table and show the whole fucking restaurant how you scream my name when I get you off. ”

For a second, the world around us seemed to disappear. The staff, the patrons, the noise—it all faded away. Leaving just the two of us locked in this dangerous, twisted moment.

Octavia matched my posture, leaning over the table and lowering her voice. “Seriously, Carmine,” she demanded, “why are you here?”

I shoved back in my seat, swirling my glass of wine. Slowly savoring the feeling of having her so worked up. I could practically taste her anger, and it made my dick hard.

“Why else?” I drawled out. “Only one reason I’d come to this shitty city… and that’s to see my little doll.” I watched her reaction closely. “I know you’ve been missing me.”

She scoffed before getting serious. “You did something. Lucky locked me down and then got me here… because of you. What the fuck did you do, Carmine?”

I chuckled, locking my gaze on to hers. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

She hated it when I played games with her, hated it when I kept things from her. But it was that very thing that also kept her coming back, kept her tangled in my web. That and the promise of my cock.

She could ask all she wanted, but the truth of it was... I wasn’t ready to give it to her. Not yet.

I took another slow sip of my wine, the corners of my lips curling up in a sinister smirk. “If you want answers, little doll, you’ll have to earn them.”