Page 43 of The Bonventi Hitman

I stare into the flames as my mind drifts back to Sofia and everything about her.

Suddenly, something stands out that I hadn't really thought about—a remark she asked off the cuff as we laid in bed after our shower.

"What's Enzo's plan for the Russians?"

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"Luca mentioned some feud. When or what do you plan to do about it?"

"Ah, don't worry about such things, Bella," I told her to end it.

Luca does tend to not think and overshare, which is why I wasn't too surprised to see her in his car earlier at a hit. But he's not one to share for the sake of sharing - I wonder if she asked? She could have been the one to bring it up, but why?

Part of the reason I'm drawn to her is the very fact that I can't quite figure her out. There's a thin veil between her and me, and it's intriguing. She's not like most women in our circle.

Maybe she's just curious. I don't want to think about how long she's been a mobster's woman since my desires will turn from wanting to fuck her again to throwing a goddamn glass at the wall.

I have to be logical about things, and the first step is dealing with Luca. They say you should never yearn for another man's woman, but she's not his, she never was—she's mine, and if I had to bet, she always would have been had he not used his ranking to usurp me.

I feel my blood start to boil, and I close my hands into fists.

You need to be loyal to the family, I think to myself.

I do, and I am. He's not dead. Anyone else, and they'd be at the bottom of Lake Michigan. I need to find a way to balance my loyalty and desire. It's something I've never had to think about before.

I undress and lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I toss and turn, trying to shut my brain off, but I can't. I just keep thinking,Youcan't keep pushing your thoughts about how to handle Luca out of your mind forever.

I've tasted her.

She's submitted to me.

I need to protect what's mine.

ANNA - 17

Tonight is the annual Illuminate Chicago Art Gala. It's an event hosted by the Bonventi family to raise money for a given cause each year. In reality, however, it's an opportunity to further their interests, launder money, and wrap themselves in a layer of legitimacy. Most importantly for them, I suppose, it's to communicate power and dominance over the city.

Politicians, rich businessmen, and the who's who of Chicago are in attendance, no doubt. Along with others who more than likely owe the Bonventi family money or are in their pockets.

I slip into the emerald green silk dress Luca gifted me. I've always been a girl who liked dresses, but they are starting to feel different to me now, like a costume or a disguise.

As I adjust the diamond choker, I now only see Sofia in the mirror—the mistress. My world has shifted from black and white to shades of gray, especially with Gabriel in the picture.

I walk out into the living room and take a seat in a chair. The past three days have been quiet—neither Luca nor Gabriel has visited, so I've been left alone with my thoughts.

I hate to admit it, but Gabriel's absence has left a void I'm not sure how to fill—or if I even should.

A knock at the door snaps me out of my thoughts.

I put my heels on as the door slowly opens.

"Ma'am, may I come in?"

"Yes," I say, finishing strapping my left heel.

The door fully opens, and a young teenager who looks just as scared as I did my first night here stands in the doorway.

"I'm... I'm supposed to take you down to tonight's event."