Nero
"Tell me it isn't true." My brother said as soon as I picked the call.
"That what isn't true." I drawled, acting oblivious.
"That you didn't employ a fucking American to be your bodyguard." He bit out over the phone.
I glanced over at the rearview mirror and caught Roman's gaze already on mine. A strange feeling rose at the pit of my stomach and I squashed it immediately. "Let me guess, Enzo?"
"This isn't about him."
"I don't like you putting your nose in my business."
"I'm the only family you have. Of course I'm going to put my nose in your business." Dario said. "Enzo tells me that this man attacked you, and you still went ahead to employ him. I'm currently looking through his file."
"And? "
"And he's clean." He said. "Maybe too fucking clean. There's not even one red flag in his entire bio, and that's suspicious. It's almost like he's gone through the effort of cleaning up his image."
"You're being paranoid." I said.
"Someone has to be. This Hunt guy could have been sent by one of the bastards trying to kill you." Dario pointed out. "You're being reckless, Nero."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "What do they say about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?"
"I don't like this."
My jaw ticked. Since when did everyone think they had a say in my fucking business. "I don't care what you like."
"Boss, we're here." My driver said.
From the window, I could see the Don's sprawling mansion. I had bigger fish to fry than arguing with my brother. I hung up and stepped out of the car, pocketing my phone.
Earlier today, Don Giovanni had requested a private meeting with me, and it set off many red flags in my head. My father had been a traitor to the Don and after I had taken over, the Don had kept me on a short leash, monitoring my actions and constantly trying to undermine my decisions.
We were stripped of our weapons by the Don's soldiers at the door before we were let into the house.
"He's waiting for you in his study." One of his men informed me.
Nodding, we made my way down the hallway. I stepped into the study, but just as Roman tried to join me, the Don's soldier stepped in front of him.
"Just him."
"I'm not letting Mr. Ferrara out of my sight. Get out of my fucking way." Roman said.
"The Don's orders are that only Mr. Ferrara should enter." The soldier said, reaching for his gun.
"The Don's orders aren't my business." Roman smirked. "I only take instructions from my employer and I'm not supposed to let him out of my sight. So stop me if you like. I'd like to see you try anyway."
I was beginning to understand what Enzo and Dario meant by him being a wild card.
Ignoring him, I stepped into the dimly lit study, aware that he was right behind me.
The Don's eyes narrowed over my shoulder at my bodyguard, but after a moment, he glanced away. "Ferrara, you're here, take a seat."
I dropped down into the chair, crossing my legs and leaning back into the chair. "You requested for me."
"I heard about the attack on you at your home. Quite unfortunate." He said, lighting up one of his Cuban cigars.
My fingers tightened on the arm of the chair. How had the bastard found out about the attack so soon? I had tried my best to keep everything under wraps.
"Very." I responded, keeping my expression blank. "It's being handled, and as you can see, I've improved my security detail."
He laughed. "You must be desperate to hire the services of an assassin. One who isn't even part of the Cosa Nostra."
I smiled. "Unfortunately, don, I'm not bullet proof. Hence, the need for the assassin."
"I hope you find who is after your life, Ferrara. Clean up this mess in time for your wedding."
I jerked up in the seat, heart thudding against my chest. "My wedding?"
He shot me a condescending look. "Yes. I've decided that your bachelor days are over. The Torricelli family have been trying to secure alliances for their latest ammunition business. I've heard rumours that they're being approached by the Irish. We can't let them form any sort of collaboration with those bastards. Which is why I've offered them an alliance."
"I see." I said easily, trying not to show the extent of my fury.
"There's nobody with better transport connections than you. It will benefit you a lot. The Torricelli family is one of the most powerful in New York, and their only daughter Elena doesn't look half bad." He informed me, puffing on his cigar.
"I don't need to marry the girl to work with the Torricelli family." I said.
His eyes flashed. "Make no mistake, Ferrara. This isn't a request. It's an order. You'll marry the girl within six months."
"Certainly."
"You're dismissed."
Rising from my feet, I made my way out of the study, ignoring the questioning look Roman shot at me. As soon as we were out of the house, he stepped in front of me.
"Are you going to do it?"
"Do what?" I asked.
"To marry the girl." He gritted out.
I met his gaze. "I'm not paying you a fortune to question me. Your job is to protect me."
"So you just do whatever the Don wants?" He demanded again, ignoring my warning. "My job is to protect you, which means, I have to know everything that's going on."
"Get out of my way."
"This marriage might cause friction that might put you in more harm." He insisted, stepping forward till we were a hairs breadth away.
That strange feeling rose again in my stomach at his proximity. A heat rising under my skin.
"You_" the rest of my words are cut off by the deafening sound of an explosion that rocked through the courtyard.