ILLICIT DESIRES | 18 +

Chapter 55

ROMAN

It is finally Time.

I step out of the mansion as Mr. Carillo says, calmly, "Antonio's arrived. Three black vans — he's driving through the gate."

The vans pull up and cease. Doors open. Antonio steps out with my brother and Rita's mother between him. Armed men spill from the vehicles and fan toward us.

"So many men," I say, letting a chuckle out. "Do I scare you that much, Antonio?" I gesture at his entourage.

He approaches slowly, steps so confident. "I'm a careful man, Esposito — not dumb enough to walk into unsafe territory without backup. Especially not my enemy's."

"Meaning you didn't come for tea." My smile is mocking.

"I'd sooner boil a traitor like you in a teapot than sit down for tea," he says, his eyes hard, his words so unhinged, his anger understandable. He wants his wife.

"And I'm the traitor because you used the woman who only wanted to protect me?" I scrunch my nose, the contempt easy on my face.

"That woman is my enemy," he replies. "Choosing her over me makes you a traitor."

"You never saw me as a brother, did you?" I say, feeling the old foolishness flare. "Just a piece of shit you could use to get dirty work done."

"You destroyed our brotherhood by breaking my trust," he spits. "I never differentiated you from Donny."

I breathe it out. "I love her," I tell him. "You should understand that — with Helena. But you don't, because you're a narcissist."

He just stares at me. No reply to my words. Because he knows I'm right. "I'm not discussing this. You chose her. You lost me. Give me my wife and get this over with."

"Where's Mia?" I raise a brow.

"In her home. I won't hurt her, you have my word," he says with the casual conviction of a man who twists words to his liking.

"Can I trust your word?" I scoff.

"I only want your bitch dead — she's the main pain in my ass," he says with a wicked, condescending smile.

"Don't worry — you won't have time to kill her while I'm around, because I plan to be the biggest pain in your hypocritic ass." I wink, provocation on purpose.

"Are you sure you can handle me?" he asks, half-amused. "Not that I'll be the one who kicks you in your ass."

"You might have — if I weren't a heartless killer," I say, flat.

"Time will tell if you're a worthy opponent. Now give me my wife, or watch me take your family." He nods toward Rita's mother and Valerio — both on their knees, a man standing behind each with a gun at the ready.

"Mr. Carillo, tell Mrs. Alessi to come down," I say, never taking my eyes off Antonio.

"Of course," Carillo mutters and moves inside.

"I didn't harm her," I say. "I'm not you."

"You can't hold a candle to me — without getting scorched to ashes." He smiles scathingly.

"I don't want to. I don't want people to fear me. I want to be loved by the ones I love." The words surprise me with their steadiness.

I'm glad I found the woman who taught me love. I enjoy the smile in her eyes when I look at her softly. I love how she melts in my embrace when I hold her in my arms. I love to show her love.

"She's turned you soft, huh?" Antonio chuckles.

"And you think you're different?" I retort. "I've seen you with your wife, in tight yoga pants and all that puppy shit you've done for her."