Page 69 of The Bonventi Hitman

"Sofia?" he asks, though we both know it's not really a question. "You want her," he says, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not surprised. I've seen the way you look at her."

I nod, trying to keep my composure. "I do. I want her to be mine, Luca."

A faint smile appears on Luca's face, and I feel a twinge of irritation. "Well, she is under my protection, as you know, Gabriel. I can't just hand her over without?—"

"I understand," I interrupt, careful to keep my tone respectful. "But I'm hoping we can come to an arrangement. One that benefits us both."

Luca's eyes narrow as he considers my words. "Her body, that ass, those tits," he says, making crude gestures with his hands, "are worth more than you can imagine."

The fact that he's talking about her makes me clench my jaw.

Motherfucker.

I force myself to stay calm. "I get it. She's valuable. But surely we can work something out?"

Luca laughs, taking another sip of his drink. "Look, Gabriel, you're a good guy. Loyal to me and the family, but I just don't know if I'm ready to give her up. It's not about money or anything else - I haven't tasted her yet, you follow me?"

I rub my chin, trying to mask my growing frustration.

"Tell you what. Let me play around with her for a bit, she is a whore after all. You know, fuck her a few times and see how well her mouth sucks, and then," he says smiling, "we can work something out, and you can have the bitch."

The rooms starting to turn a shade of red and every muscle in my body is becoming tense as my fingers tighten around my glass.

Breathe.

"I understand. Let's discuss this properly, though, Luca."

"Discuss what?" He laughs, the sound grating against my nerves. "How you want to fuck my property? How that sweet piece of ass belongs to me?"

"Speaking of property," I say, watching him carefully, "how's Isabella doing these days? I heard she's been spending quite a bit of time at Club Midnight."

The change is instant. Luca's face darkens. "What the fuck did you just say about my wife?"

"Nothing, just making conversation." I shrug, knowing I've hit a nerve. "Interesting crowd there on Thursday nights, I hear."

Luca's face contorts with anger. "Fuck you! You're nothing but Enzo's fucking attack dog," he spits, standing up. "What would you know about women like Isabella or Sofia? You're just a street rat he picked up and trained to kill. You think either of them would look twice at garbage like you?" he says and leans into me, "Let me tell you something, you don't get to make demands. If I want to fuck that whore Sofia, I will. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

The rage that's been simmering inside me finally boils over. Before I can even think, my glass leaves my hand, hurtling towards Luca's face. It shatters against his cheek.

Luca reels back, his hands flying to his face as blood seeps through his fingers. His eyes are wide with shock.

"You motherfucker!" he says reaching for his pistol.

But I'm faster.

I've always been faster.

My gun is already in my hand as he draws his. I don't even have to think, I'm going off killer instincts.

I fire before he can even raise his weapon, the bullet pierces his forehead and he instantly drops to the ground, blood pouring from his head.

For a moment, I stand there, my heart pounding, my gun still raised. Then, slowly, I lower my arm, and walk over to him. "She was never yours," I say, watching the blood continue to drain from the hole "Sofia belongs to me. She always has."

As I look at Luca's lifeless body, all I feel is a sense of satisfaction. He'll never lay a hand on Sofia now. She's free from his grasp, no longer a pawn. She's completely free. Mine without question.

I take a seat and the realization of my actions kick it. The consequences of this could be severe, possibly even fatal for me, but there's only one thought dominating my mind.

Sofia.