Tilting my chin with his thumb and index finger, he says, “It’s okay. I know who I am, Miss Campbell, and I don’t run from it. Tell me.”
His compelling gaze directly opposes the underlying demand in his tone. There’s a hint of a threat that can only be perceived, but I know it’s real. Alessandro DeLuca is used to getting his way.
“I heard that your family is in the mafia.”
His eyes flicker away for a moment and then back to me.
“Miss Campbell, my family is the mafia.”
“Oh.”
“What else have you heard?”
“You’re a dangerous man but one who pampers the women in your life. You’re not to be crossed and that you don’t like liars. Umm…that you can be a bit overprotective of those you love.”
“Okay, now you want to tell me about the rumors?”
I force a laugh. “So, all of those things are true?”
“I didn’t hear you say anything bad yet. Isn’t that true of most men?”
“Okay, um…how about that you’ve murdered people? Both…directly and indirectly.”
“Miss Campbell, those are pretty serious allegations. What do you want me to say?”
“The truth.”
“I am a man who leads a very dangerous life where complications arise. Those complications have to be managed for me to enjoy the success that I do and to protect the DeLuca name. That protection extends to anyone in my life, including you, Miss Campbell, if you’re interested enough.”
Clearing my throat, I take a risk and ask my next question. “Wasn’t your family the one involved with that restaurant explosion a couple of years ago in Atlanta, Georgia?”
He takes his time answering that question. I watch his jaw work as he swallows more wine and stares out onto the city that he just told me his family rules and owns. I didn’t think my question required much contemplation, or maybe he was contemplating something else.
Turning to me, he smiles and finally answers.
“We were.”
“I’m not certain it would be a good idea to become involved with you then, Mr. DeLuca. I wouldn’t want to get caught up in that.”
“If you were involved with me, I promise you’d always be safe.”
“Mr. DeLuca, your family kills families, women, and kids. You all don’t care about anyone. How could I be safe with you?”
His jaw clenches, his mouth narrows, and those greyish-green eyes are jagged shards of glass. “I haven’t killed any kids.”
There’s an edge in his tone that warns me to back off.
Turning around, I look back out at the city.
“You’re a lucky man, Mr. DeLuca, to own this property that affords you such a stunning view like this one. Don’t take it for granted,” I say, leaning on the railing.
He cups my elbow and softly treads a finger down my arm. Leaning onto his right arm, he stares down at me. Gone is the flare of hostility he just showed, and in its place is a renewed interest.
“I take nothing for granted, including the responsibility of protecting anyone I am interested in. And you, Miss Campbell, are very interesting to me,” he says.
“Am I?” I challenge.
Pushing off the railing, he stands before me and places a hand on my hip. His eyes flash and then darken before he lowers his head.