Seducing the Mafia Boss

Regret

Gio’s POV

I watch as Silva walks away, admiring the view as she does, but the whole time, I’m arguing with myself in my head. Silva’s been a pain in the ass for years. Entitled, rich, and spoiled. Her family was to blame for what happened to my brother—there’s no doubt about that.

The memory of the day my father called to tell me that my brother was killed still haunts me. It was like a piece of my heart was ripped away, and the realization that the family now rested on my shoulders was too heavy to take.

I’ve never wanted to be in charge, and even now thinking about taking on those responsibilities makes me angry. I was supposed to be free to do what I want, when I want.

Now, I’m stuck preparing to take over.

Though I can’t necessarily blame Silva for my current position. There’s this little voice way deep in the back of my head, telling me that even if it was the fault of the Magliacanos…that doesn’t make Silva responsible.

She was here when it happened. It wasn’t like she put the hit out herself.

Even if I did take my anger out on her for years and blame her for everything.

Looking at the empty doorway she passed through moments ago, I sigh. We used to be close when we first got to Exton, before all this craziness happened. Before I knew who she really was, and the family she came from. And it was never just her looks either, our connection was deeper than that.

Somewhere, underneath all that privilege, is mostly, a kind person—what she just did to Michele being an exception, of course. Everyone likes her, everyone but me, apparently. She has lots of friends and her loyalty to her people is pretty well known.

I try my best to shake those thoughts off.

Her father had my brother killed! And that’s the only thing that should matter!

Except, now that she’s left the party, I’m wishing she would’ve stayed.

Suddenly, there’s a tap on my shoulder, pulling me out of my inner turmoil. I turn around to find Max and Olivia.

“What the f**k was that, Gio?” Olivia shouts at me and I can’t help to flip that switch pushing back my emotions once more.

Narrowing my eyes, I look at Max. “Remind your girl of her place.”

Max’s eyes widen as he realizes I mean business. However, as he tries to contain Olivia, I don’t miss the words that fly out of her mouth.

“I don’t give a s**t!” She yells at him. “He was being a prick. Sil hasn’t done anything to deserve that kind of treatment from him and you know it!”

“Liv, take a breath, okay? Gio’s been through a lot.” Max continues to calm Olivia down so she doesn’t cause more of a scene.

“Of course you take his side!” She yells as she tries to push him out of the way. “I can’t believe you! You can forget about getting lucky tonight. If you are shoved up his ass, then you don’t need mine…”

She storms away through the crowd, several of whom have stopped to watch this little show.

“Liv, hold up,” Max says, but it’s too late. She’s gone.

He turns back to me, a look of ‘what-the-f**k’ on his face.

“Thanks man…” He says sarcastically.

“I don’t want to hear it, Max. She needs to mind her business.”

He shakes his head. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” He says, rolling his eyes. “She just needs some space to calm down. I’ll talk to her later. But Gio…she maybe had some points to make. Know what I’m saying?”

I glare at him, my brow slightly raised as I cross my arms over my chest. “Is that right?”

“You make whatever choices are best for you, man, but ask yourself…is Silva really deserving of that kind of…attitude…from you? I mean…I always thought she was pretty cool, but that’s just me.”

An involuntary sigh escapes my lips.

“I hear you, Max, but she is my problem. And everyone else needs to mind themselves.”

He doesn’t bother to argue with me further as he gives me a subtle nod and disappears off into the crowd to find Olivia. I look around and notice I am now completely alone. It’s definitely not a good feeling to have.

Tired of the bullshit, I head towards the doors. My guards follow me like the shadows they are as I’m greeted by my driver who is standing by the door to my car waiting on the curb. After a moment, we drive back towards the school grounds. A gnawing feeling grows in the pit of my stomach as I pull out my phone and scroll through my recent messages from my father.

You’re to marry Silva.

I need to think about what’s going on, this whole “offer” with Silva my dad talked about and marriage and connecting the families and all of it. It’s a smart move, but it’s not how I envisioned myself getting married, nor entering a relationship.

Though I shouldn’t be surprised. My brother’s future wife had been planned long before he turned eighteen. Part of me expected that she would be passed off to me, but she wasn’t.

Pulling my flask from my pocket, I take a swig of the dark amber liquid and cringe at the burn that travels down to the pit of my stomach. Since the change over in power between my brother and myself, drinking has been the only thing that helped ease my nerves.

The only thing that has helped me to clear my mind.

“Sir, your father asked me to remind you that you need to prepare for your return. There will be a few changes taking place, and his secretary is emailing you over a detailed itinerary.”

I pause, taking a moment to calm myself before turning to the large balding security guard sitting in the front seat of the car. “I’m aware. Though, he is conflicting with what he wants. One moment he wants me to stay here…the next he is preparing me to go home.”

The car is silent. They have no remark to what I said, and instead, keep their eyes forward. Their only job is to ensure I stay alive and relay information to me if my father or his Capo tell them to.

To them, I’m nothing but a mark.

The moment that we make it back to the school grounds, I pause on the driveway outside of the car and look up towards the window that marks Silva’s room. A mix of confusion and irritation flows through me with how tonight went. I let myself revel in the idea that I can own her, and in doing so. only made my situation of claiming her even harder.

Though, the idea of a chase is enticing.

She may think that she can escape me…but she’s wrong.