Diego huffed. “Of course not. She’s his precious little princess. The idea that you could hurt a single hair on her angelic little head would drive him insane. He couldn’t bear her begging anymore and wanted me to take her with me so she can watch. As if she’ll be happy with just watching.”
I glanced behind Diego.
Gemma was bobbing on her heels, her hands entwined. She was wearing some strange updo with braids. She was lucky she knew how to fight because with that hairdo, she’d otherwise get beaten up in school for sure.
Gemma was a scrawny kid, but she’d been working out with Diego for a while now. She knew how to throw a punch. “Maybe we can get her off our backs once and for all.”
Diego frowned. “Gemma is stubborn. Once she’s set her mind on something, it’s close to impossible to dissuade her.”
I grinned. “Maybe. But I might know of a way.” I glanced toward Remo, who did a high kick toward Nino’s head. He was sweaty, scarred, and the crazy as fuck look in his eyes made grown men shit themselves. I knew how my brothers appeared to strangers, and most people had every reason to be scared as shit of them.
I motioned for Gemma to come over. She beamed and practically rushed toward us, her face flushed.
Diego rolled his eyes again.
“Hi Savio!”
“Hey Kitty.”
Her blush deepened and she squirmed. “That’s not my name.”
“But it’s so very fitting.”
Diego scoffed. “You should see some of her other pajamas—”
Gemma punched his arm. “Shut up!” She smiled at me, tilting her head to the side and peering up at me through her lashes. Then she tried batting them.
I almost choked on laughter. Kitty was flirting with me.
“If you got something in your eyes, wash your face, Gemma,” Diego growled.
She tore her gaze away from me. She swallowed. “So, will you fight with me today?”
“Is that why you’re here?” I asked.
She nodded, expression brightening. “Diego’s always holding back. How can I improve with that training?”
Diego gave me an exasperated look over her head, and I smirked. “If you want someone who won’t hold back, you’ll have to fight my brother, Remo. He won’t hold back, trust me. After that, I’ll fight with you.”
Nino and Remo stopped their fighting in the cage, their eyes on me.
Gemma’s eyes grew wide as her gaze slid past me toward my brothers. Remo was a scary fucker. Most men wouldn’t dare face him in the cage, or anywhere else. He had left a bloody trail in his claim for power, but he was the best Capo the Camorra had ever seen.
Diego pointed toward a few chairs next to the boxing ring. “Come on, Gemma, sit down and let me train with Savio.”
Gemma tore her wide-eyed gaze from Remo and looked up at me. “If I fight him, you’ll train with me twice a week for the next year.”
Oh, now we were bartering?
“Three months,” I said with a shake of my head. Even that would mean a seriously deep cut in my free time—meaning less time with girls who actually had something to offer.
“Six months,” she said firmly, lifting her chin. She held my gaze.
I gave her a smirk. “All right.” She’d run away screaming the moment she was in a cage with my brother anyway.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Diego said quickly. He looked worried for his sister. Remo had been on edge lately with his trip approaching to Outfit territory to kidnap a bride, but my brother wouldn’t hurt a girl.
“Hey Remo, can you come over for a sec?”
Remo rubbed his face and chest dry, then dropped the towel and climbed out of the fighting cage. Nino followed after him and both stopped beside me.
“Gemma wants to play with the big boys,” I told Remo. “She wants to fight you.”
“You’re Daniele’s youngest,” Remo said, more statement than question. People were always surprised when Remo knew them, but my brothers and I knew all our soldiers in Las Vegas and the high-ranking Camorrista in our entire territory. You couldn’t establish power without knowing the people you’d have to control.
Gemma flushed. “Yes…” She trailed off, obviously unsure what to call him. I had to stifle laughter. I’d have loved to see her call him Sir or Mr. Falcone.
“Gemma’s only thirteen,” Diego added. A hint of protectiveness rang in his voice.
Remo nodded, but he was looking at Gemma, then at me. I cocked one eyebrow at him.
“Maybe,” Nino drawled. “Gemma should fight me instead.”
Gemma’s eyes darted to Nino. She didn’t look happier about that. His reputation wasn’t much better than Remo’s. Most people were creeped out by the fact that Nino didn’t have emotions.
Remo’s mouth twitched. Of course, he found it funny when Nino tried to prevent a misfortune from happening.
“That wasn’t the deal,” I said.
Remo tilted his head with the fucking twisted smile that made grown men piss their pants. “You want to fight me?”