Alessandro DeLuca

CHAPTER ELEVEN – MILA

The wine is getting to me. It’s stronger and headier than anything DeLuca has given me to date.

If I hadn’t seen the glasses and the wine poured from the bottle before now, I might wonder if he had added something to them, but I know he hasn’t.

“Can I get a glass of water, please?”

The waiter bows his head, leaves, and returns with a glass of water. I take a sip, knowing I must keep my head about myself. I may be allowing DeLuca to seduce me tonight, but I am in charge of this seduction, although he doesn’t know that.

I just need to get close enough to get inside, to learn everything I can from this man before going after my real target. We’ve spent just about every other day together for the last couple of weeks getting to know one another.

I’ve learned that he has a close relationship with his mother, sister, and brothers. He has a distant relationship with his father, but he respects him.

There are always at least two bodyguards with him wherever we go. Even now, as we dine, the two primary ones, Bones and Knuckles, stand in the distance. I can’t see them, but I know they’re there. Just like I know someone’s still watching me, I can’t help but wonder if he has something to do with it.

The only thing I haven’t learned is his information on the other crime families, specifically the one after my family.

“Are you okay?” Alessandro asks.

I glance his way, staring into his greyish-green eyes, and smile.

“I’m perfectly fine. Just feeling a little tired.”

“Would you prefer me to walk you back to your apartment? We can take a cart to the entrance of my property and walk the rest of the way.”

“I think I would. It’s been a long day, and I’m ready to call it a night.”

“I didn’t realize that I was boring you all night, Mila,” he says.

Laughing, I reply, “Never boring. You have entertained me all day, and…well, let’s just say that my senses are slightly overstimulated at this point.”

Alessandro takes my hand and smiles down at me.

“Overstimulation is my goal, Mila.”

“It sounds as if you’re trying to seduce me.”

“And if you don’t already know that, then I’m doing a piss poor job of it,” he replies.

Changing the subject, I reply, “I’m in awe of all you offer here in this city. It’s the perfect tourist attraction.”

“This coastal town has its share of tourists, and we welcome them, but we also love to preserve the pristine beauty of our town and its history.”

“And you believe tourism ruins that?”

“I do,” he replies.

“Mm, I think you can change things up and still preserve the beauty of your town and its rich heritage and bring more dollars to the common folk.”

“Commonfolk?”

“Yes, the everyday people. You must know that everyone doesn’t live like your family?”

“I am aware of that, but what makes you think that the ‘common folk,’ as you say, do not enjoy their lifestyle.”

“You have a point there, but I’m sure there are just as many who might be enamored with your lifestyle. I mean, look at this villa. It’s huge. The property that you consider as your family home some would see as a community. Most people cannot afford to live like this or might not even be aware that lifestyles like yours exist.”

He laughs and looks down at me. “Mila the crusader,” he says. “Waging war for the everyday people.”