Chapter 103: 103 ~ Jace
She knew she wrapped me around her finger. I could tell from the way she carried herself around me.
Mira had finally realized how much power she had over me. I was a fool only for her.
I stood under the shower and groaned. I wanted her. I knew she was playing hard to get but the only thing I could think of at this moment was how much I wanted to pin her to my bed and fuck her until she had consecutive toecurling orgasms.
I wish I had just taken the chance when she was teasing my cock.
But no, I needed to woo her slowly and gently so she would not be able to resist me when the time comes.
~
"You’re leaving today?" I asked when I saw that her suitcase was still where we left it.
"Yes. I’ve seen your face a lot for the past week. It’s more than enough."
I bit back a smile. "Not enough to catch up for lost time."
"Only you would say that Romano."
"Well, it’s the truth. I want to be around you all the time."
"Marry me then." She joked.
"I already did." I grinned.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the shocked expression of my staff as she cleared the table.
I was sure she was going to gossip with the chef about how she saw me smile for the first time.
To everyone else I was the stoic, grumpy mafia boss but for Mira, I was a softer man in love even when I was not sure she had fully let me in. But were making progress. That’s all that matters.
"I’ll have my driver drop you off then."
"Of course," she said with a sigh as she rose to her feet.
"A kiss before you go?"
Her mouth lifted in as a slight grin. "Don’t push it Don Romano,"
"Alright. I’ll let you off this time." I said, raising my hands in mock surrender.
"You better," she retorted.
I gestured for one of my men to help her with her suitcase. Then I placed a kiss on her temple before she walked off.
My eyes stayed on her until she was out of my sight when the elevator doors closed.
I exhaled. Now I had to get back to work and distract myself from constantly thinking about her.
~
Bang!
The sound of the gunshot rang through the open area. Birds flew far away from the scene as the sound tampered with peace of the environment.
I was currently at an old mansion on the outskirts of town. It was a large expanse of land with a solid mansion standing in the middle. I bought it for some of my activities like this one.
The bastard stole from me. I let him off the first time with a warning and he did it again. Twice.
I hated it when these boys tried to test me. I blamed it on the fact that I had become slightly lenient. But that didn’t mean I was a weakling.
Straight to the middle of his forehead that was where I hit him so he would not survive it.
That would serve as a lesson for his cohorts he refused to snitch on.
I was supposed to let my men handle something like this but I was bored. I needed the rejuvenating scent of blood to fill my nostrils. It made me feel alive again holding this gun and pulling the trigger.
"Parcel the body and send it back to his family. Add a note from me." I said to one of my men who stood beside me.
"Boss?"
I glared at him. "You heard me. Do well to tell your colleagues about this. I’m not messing around this season."
He visibly gulped.
Changing my mind, I decided to call for an emergency meeting for all my men. Those in other cities would have to join the conference call as I spoke.
I picked up my phone and called Tomas, telling him to get all of them ready.
In few hours,
I stood in front of them, the stink of gunpowder still hanging in the air from the man whose life I had just ended.
Their faces told me everything. There fear, unease, the quiet scramble of rats who suddenly realize the walls are closing in. Good.
I let the silence stretch, savoring it. Making them wait was part of the punishment. I was also trying to calm down. I had not been angry like this in a while.
Finally, I spoke.
"You all saw what just happened," I said evenly, my voice cutting through the thick silence. "And let me make it clear that it wasn’t just a punishment. It was a reminder."
My gaze swept over them, sharp and unforgiving. "This family doesn’t tolerate betrayal. You think I don’t notice when money goes missing? You think I don’t see the hands skimming off the top? I see everything. And for those of you who think you’re clever, remember this. He thought he was clever too. Now he’s dead and about to be parceled in a body bag to be sent to his family."
A murmur rippled through them. I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t need to. I let them have their fill before I spoke up again.
"You work for me, you eat because of me, you live because of me. But the moment you think you can steal from me, the moment you forget who put power in your hands, your life ends. Just. Like. That." I snapped my fingers, sharp as a bullet casing hitting concrete as I emphasized every word.
I leaned forward slightly, my tone low and lethal. "This isn’t a season for weakness. We are at war on more fronts than one. Ricciardi is circling. The feds are sniffing."
I let out a ragged breath as the weight of the betrayal hit me. "And some of you have the audacity to test me from the inside? I don’t have patience for traitors. I will cut the rot out before it spreads, even if it means I’m standing alone at the end of it."
I shifted my attention to the screen where the rest of my men were dialed in. My voice didn’t waver, didn’t soften. "This message is for every single one of you, no matter where you are. Step up. Stay loyal. Do your job. Or be ready to bleed."
Silence. Then I allowed myself the faintest curl of a smile. "I’m not asking for your loyalty. I’m demanding it. And the price for disobedience... you’ve already seen."
I straightened, my eyes narrowing into steel. "Now get back to work. And pray I never have to give this speech again."
They dispersed.
I looked at the screen and met Tomas’ eyes. There was a glint of approval on his eyes as he nodded at me.
I nodded back. Our non-verbal communication skills were always up to par.
~
"Sir, Mrs Romano sent you a package."
I looked up from the file I was reading through.
Mrs Romano? Was it my mother or was it Mira? I thought.
After the somewhat hectic day I had, I hadn’t heard from Mira. I planned on calling or texting her later but work got in the way.
"My mom?"
"No sir, your wife."
"Oh."
I fought back the grin that was creeping up on my face.
"What’s in it?" I gestured towards the box.
"It smells like baked good sir."
My heart thumped harder. If not for the fact that it was not in my nature to show off too much excitement, I would have been jumping like a kid. But I smiled softly instead.
"Leave it on the table."
He dropped it and left.
That was when my smile widened.
Getting on my feet, I walked around the table and peered into the box with a transparent cover.
I removed the cover and the scent of the freshly baked treats hit my nostril.
There was a loaf of banana bread, some cookies, a chunky cake slice, doughnuts and what seemed like homemade orange juice.
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread all over my cheeks.
"Mira Valente," I said aloud, picking up my phone to call her.
"Hello beautiful,"
"Mr Romano, how can I help you?"
An earsplitting grin broke out on my face. This woman was really trying to act oblivious?
"Oh I just wanted to hear from the angel that decided to put a smile on my face."
"Oh? Your admirers must be working over time."
"You admire me Mrs Romano?" I fake a surprised gasp.
"Mrs Romano? That’s what your staff said?" She laughed.
"Precisely."
"You have very presumptuous workers."
"Well, they’re only saying the truth."
"Here we go again..."
I could tell she was rolling her eyes as she said that.
"I can’t eat these all by myself."
My eyes trailed over to the treats again.
"You can share with your men."
"Some things are better shared with the one your heart beats for."
I heard her breath hitch for a brief second.
"You’ve become so cheesy." She tried to water down the moment.
"Only for you."
"Hmm,"
"I’ll send a driver. See you soon."