Chapter 4

                                    

                                          
                             Nico
“I couldn't just leave him there.”
Chiara sounded pained, like my death wasn't the best thing that could possibly happen to her and the rest of her family.
 I pretended to be asleep as she had a hushed conversation with her sister in law, explaining why she went through all this trouble to save my life. 
“You have a heart of gold, Chiara Russo. Just make sure no one uses it against you.” I had no doubt in my mind that she was talking about me, and in every other situation, she would be right. 
Under any other circumstances, I would have used her to my advantage, milked her for information, or tortured her until she gave up family secrets that I could use against her father and brothers. But this was no normal circumstance. Despite our line of work, us Desantis prided ourselves on being honorable people, and we would never bite the hands that fed us. Whether she was my enemy or not, Chiara saved my life, and that was enough to keep her safe.
“I'll keep this between us, but he better be out of here soon.”
Jenna Russo was the first daughter in law of the Russo family. Married to Robbie for close to five years now, she was the family darling, the one who provided them with their precious heirs. The fact that she was the daughter of one of the most prestigious families in Italy definitely helped her status. She was Chiara's childhood friend, then later, when she came to the States, the families arranged her marriage to the eldest Russo. 
I didn't trust her to keep this from her husband. As business rivals and lifelong enemies, I made it my business to know everything about them, and I didn't believe for a second that she wouldn't rat us out. Then again, I never thought a Russo would save my life, so I could be wrong.
After her sister in law left, Chiara sat down opposite me. I cracked my eyes open a little, staring at her from under tired lids. She was in a pink satin robe, the color of cherry blossoms, her blond hair cascading in waves down her shoulders. Her legs, long and pale, were crossed, the robe doing nothing to cover her milky skin. Looking at her, it was hard to imagine she was the daughter of a ruthless mob family who killed with no mercy and took with no apologies. 
I swallowed thickly, my heart dancing in my chest the longer I stared at her. Her long lashes fluttered a couple of times before falling close, her head resting on her palm as she dozed off. Something sinister loomed in my ribcage, a need I hadn't experienced in years taking over slowly. I couldn't possibly be attracted to the one woman I couldn't have, and yet, as I laid on her couch, her scent engulfing my every sense, I knew that was exactly what happened. Maybe it was a twisted sense of gratitude or a sick need to take what I couldn't have. Whatever it was, Chiara was my forbidden fruit, and I had never shied away from sin before.
Bringing myself up to my feet, I slowly approached her sleeping form. Tracing her soft lips with my thumb, I placed a soft kiss on her forehead, an ache that had nothing to do with my wounds throbbing through me. Her skin was soft and silky smooth, her sleeping form looked so fragile, and a primal need to protect her echoed in my bones. 
Pressing the elevator button, I took one last look at her. My mortal enemy, my savior. Right then, I made myself a promise I couldn't break.
No matter what happened. No matter who I needed to kill. 
I was going to make her mine