The Mafia Boss's Sweet Secret

Chapter10.

Nico's POV.

"I expect to see results very soon, Agent DeLuca."

Director Jones has a real no-nonsense presence. He says what he means, and he means what he says. He doesn't beat around the bush and one never has to wonder where you stand with him. He's my kind of man. I appreciate honesty and bluntness in others. I respect people who know what they want, and have no problem with making it clear.

It's the way I try to live my life as well. It's also the way I try to do my job. I speak my mind when I need to. I'm always honest, even if it's not what others want to hear, and I know exactly where I'm headed in life. I don't have time for detours, or people who only want to waste my time.

"I won't disappoint you, Director. You can count on me and my team. Thank you, again, for the opportunity."

I hold out my hand for him to shake. He accepts it with a smile on his face. Not a friendly smile, but rather a professional one that tells me that he's only being courteous. He walks out of the conference room without another word, leaving me alone with my Unit Chief, Sera Douglas. She turns to me with a smile on her face. Her smile is friendly, not professional, and she has a hint of pride in her blue eyes. Sera and I have been working together for almost eight years. She's been a mentor and a friend to me. I've learned a lot from her.

"Well done, Deluca. The youngest Operation Leader in the history of the DEA. I'm really proud of you." She pats me on the back.

I can't keep the massive, self-satisfied grin off of my face. I don't see why I should either. This is the moment I've been working my entire career for. This is the moment I've been dreaming of since the day I joined the academy.

"Thanks, boss. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"Yea, I know." She winks at me. "Drinks after work with the rest of the guys. This needs to be celebrated."

I hesitate for a second. Sera shakes her head. I know that she already knows what I'm about to say. I want to get started as soon as possible. I don't want to go out for drinks. I don't even want to spend another second in here talking to her. My idea of celebrating is heading over to my desk and planning my next move.

"Alessio Valentini will still be there in the morning. He'll still be a mafia boss when you get back. You deserve to take a break. We deserve to have a round at the bar, on you."

I want to object. I want to refuse her invitation, but the determined look on her face tells me that it's pointless. She'll just stay on my back until I eventually give in.

"Fine. One drink."

"Sure. One drink." Her eyes have a twinkle of mischief in them.

I smile and shake my head as I begin to usher her out of the door. I'll give her what she wants, but I'll only stay as long as I want to. Sera is always on me to get a life outside of the job, but the job is my life. It's not just something that I do. It's part of who I am at my core.

I've been building a case against Alessio 'Il Custode' Valentini for the past two years. He's one of the most notorious and influential crime bosses in New York City. He's been on the DEA's radar ever since he turned eighteen and took over the family business from his uncle Goodie. We know about every illegal thing that he does: drug dealing, extorsion, racattering, money laundering, and, lately, human trafficking. We've just never been able to pin anything on him. He's too well-connected, and too well-protected in this city, and the higher ups feel that it isn't worth the waste of resources. I don't agree with them. I believe that he's a criminal who should be brought to justice. He should be punished to the full extent of the law. I finally managed to convince the Director to give me a go at him. It took a lot of sweet-talking and promise-making, but, with the help of Sera, and a secret weapon, I finally got through to them. They've agreed to give me six months to get my man, then I'm done. I have no intention of taking that long.

Sera and I are just about to head down the stairs when I hear someone calling my name.

"DeLuca. You have someone waiting for you in your office." It's one of the junior agents from my unit.

"Who is it?"

"Some woman. She didn't tell me her name." He shrugs carelessly.

"And you didn't think to ask? What kind of operation are we running here?" Sera scolds.

The poor guy looks like someone just stole his lunch money. "No ma-am. I'll go and ask." He turns on his heel and starts walking in the direction that he came from. Sera sighs exasperatedly and shakes her head.

"No. It's too late for that now, genius."

He halts in his tracks and turns around to face us again. His face and neck are a deep shade of crimson. Sera can be a real ball-buster when she wants to be. A bully, sometimes, but you have to know her the way that I do to realize that it's just the way she is. She doesn't mean to get personal.

"Sorry ma-am."

She opens her mouth to snap something at him again, but I feel sorry for the poor sap, so I raise my hand to cut her off.

"Let the poor guy be, Sera." I turn my attention to the agent, who is now visibly shaking. "Thank you. I'll be right there." He nods his head appreciatively, and storms off before Sera can have another go at him.

"You're too soft on them, you know?"

"Yes. But you're too hard. Rain check on the drinks?"

Sera sighs again and rolls her eyes at me. "I won't hold my breath." She turns and heads down the stairs while I turn and start heading towards my office. The junior agent didn't need to ask for a name. I already know exactly who it is. I can already feel the irritation flaring up inside me. If I didn't need her to take down Alessio, I wouldn't have even come within an inch of her. She's like a magnet for drama. Way more trouble than she's worth.

I stop just outside my door and peer through the blinds in front of the small window. Selena is sitting behind my desk with her legs crossed, lazily twirling a lock of hair around her finger. She's staring into space. There's no denying that she's a gorgeous woman, with her long legs, full curves, sensual eyes, and long flowing black hair. Very few men are able to resist her charms. I can't say that I really blame them either. She's like a whirl wind. Beautiful to look at, but best to avoid.

I take a deep breath. I try to prepare myself for the theatrics that always accompany her. I'm in no mood for her tonight.

I open the door. She gasps when she sees me. She flies off the chair and flings her arms around my neck. She kisses both cheeks with her trademark red lips.

"Nico! I've been waiting for ages." Her voice drawls seductively.

I push her away from me and wipe off the lipstick marks that I know she left. I walk over to my desk and sit down. The scent of her sweet perfume hangs in the air. It's too much. It leaves a thick feeling in the back of my throat.

"How many times have I asked you to call me Agent DeLuca?"

She pouts and throws herself down on the chair opposite mine. She flashes her eyelashes at me. I can easily imagine another man swooning, but I guess she just isn't my type. She's too much, just like her perfume. I like my woman simple.

"Oh, Nico. Don't be so mean. We're friends. Aren't we?" She smiles one of her most tempting smiles at me.

"No, we're not. You work for me."

She pouts again. I sigh and sit back in my chair. If ever I needed more motivation to get this over and done with. I don't think I'll be able to handle six months of Selina.