Ryder's Claim (Mafia Heirs 2)

"I'll see you tomorrow," she says, the hope in her voice unmissable.

"Goodbye, Nicoletta," I grunt, closing the door for her.

I sneak back to my room with a guilty conscience and a raging fucking boner that won't give until I stroke myself to an orgasm, the scent of her wetness still strong on my fingers. When I finally fall asleep, I'm desperately trying to get my mind off Nicoletta. I force myself to picture Livia instead. She's a better choice even though she's gone forever. My chances of getting her back are bigger than me getting Nicoletta.

My sleep is fitful and I wake up often. By the time morning comes, I'm exhausted but fucking determined.

I visit Gustavo's office first, openly explaining I have to go away because of personal reasons. He doesn't seem as pissed as I would've thought, but when we say our goodbyes, the man seems genuinely disappointed to see me leave. I wonder whether I'll see him again. I suppose I will – at Nicoletta and Adrian's wedding.

Fuck. What kind of mess have I gotten myself into?

On the ride away from the Carlucci Villa, I don't look back once. I leave Nicoletta and her papa behind me and go back to our family mansion.

When we drive up to the mansion, Adrian is already waiting, a confident grin on his face as he opens the car door for me.

"Good to see you again." He claps me on the back. "I trust Nicoletta is doing well, si?"

"Of course," I smile tersely. "I just couldn't stay there. Too... boring."

"I understand," Adrian laughs. "Why would you waste your time watching a little girl when you can be sleeping with a new woman every night instead?"

There's an edge to the way my brother speaks, and I don't know whether even he believes his own words. I choose to ignore it because the situation is awkward enough as it is. I follow him behind while the help carry in my luggage. My mind is like a broken record, forever stuck on the seventeen-year-old bride I can never have.

Later that day, after I've settled in, my brother, Father and I sit down in Father's office to discuss business.

I find out all about Marzia, a girl I only vaguely remember from stories Adrian told me. But when my brother speaks of the girl, I see a spark in his eyes I never saw when he was with Nicoletta. I tell myself it's nothing, and yet it awakens hope deep within me, making me pray Adrian will somehow end up with the captive girl instead of the blushing bride I covet.

Finally, Father turns to face me. "What about you, Ryder? Have you given any thought to who you might want to marry?"

"I have a choice?" I smirk, playing it cool even though the question has rocked me. I remind myself never to tell the truth, not in front of my brother. "I thought you would decide for me, Father."

"I have an open mind." Father grins at me. "I'll consider all the prospects you bring forward."

"Thank you." I clear my throat, trying to distract both Father and Adrian. "How are things back here?"

"Marzia is proving to be a thorn in our side," Father mutters while Adrian shoots him a look of annoyance. "We'll have to figure out something to do with her soon."

"She stays here," Adrian grunts. "That was part of the deal."

Father just waves him off before saying, "Leave us now, Adrian. I have to speak to your brother alone."

Adrian leaves the office and suddenly the tension in the room is oppressive. I have not had a one-on-one with Father in a long fucking time – since before Livia.

I know what happened between me and the love of my life tore my relationship with Father apart. He's at fault she's dead, but I'm at fault for even bringing her in close enough for her to permanently hurt us. Because no matter what Livia said, that puttana didn't love me. She was in it for a cheap thrill and a big paycheck. And because of her, I'll never trust another woman again.

And yet I can't stop myself from thinking about her – the woman who left me a broken, empty shell.

Livia was beautiful, seductive and snappy. She always had a smart-ass remark to throw back at me. She wasn't like Nicoletta at all. And I was foolish enough to fall for the raven-haired seductress' charms. Father must've lost so much respect for me when he saw me falling for Livia. I don't know whether we can ever rebuild our relationship to what it was before Livia.

Finally, I turn my face to Father.

“You’ve been quiet a long time,” he nods. “Something on your mind?”

I think of Nicoletta, of Livia. How could I possibly share this with Father? He’s not a sentimental man. I can’t open up to him.