Hers To Love (complete) Cover By @army_ss841

Chapter 17

Luca didn't waste anytime giving Paulo the third degree on the assignment he'd given him last night.  "What did you find out about Luciano Lucchese?" he demanded.  Paulo began to tell him about Lucchese.  It matched up almost exactly as the story that Ari had told him except Ari would not have known anything about his business dealings.  That's where the story would get interesting.  Luca's father, Antonio, the heads of the other families and Lucchese had all done business at one time.  This also included Morelli.  Lucchese ruled his family with an iron fist.  Your were loyal and that's it.  There was not middle ground.  If you broke that loyalty you were dealt with as a lesson to anyone else who might think that disloyalty was the way to go.  He wasn't cruel but he demanded that his instructions and orders be followed out exactly as he asked them to be.    This would continue until he met Ari's mother.  Some of the men in his lower ranks thought he was turning soft.  Of course this found it's way up the chain to the under boss and the captain.  To prove that he'd not gone soft, because of a woman, he got the point across by presenting the pinky fingers of 3 of the 4 men.  They couldn't find the fourth man.  It was later discovered that he had join Morelli's ranks.  Morelli had started taking chances, getting involved in business practices that the other families did not agree in.  They were making money hand over fist but they were doing it under the radar because they were smart.  They did not draw attention to themselves and they made sure that the right people received a little extra for their help.  It had always been that way.  Morelli got greedy and decided he was going to try and overthrow Lucchese's family.  Luc didn't want his family put in harms way, so he appointed his under boss, Enzio Fabretti, as acting head of the Lucchese family.  Luciano would still get his cut of whatever business but he would no longer be the visible head of that family.  That's when he chose to live with Ari and her mother back in Texas.  To keep them away from all of this.  Paulo continued.  He had met with Fabretti and found him to be trustworthy just like Lucchese was.  Luca made a mental note to go and meet with him after Miami just to get a feel for himself.  He completely trusted Paulo but felt he needed to make his presence known to Fabretti.  Enzio told Paulo that they had all but spanked Morelli and made an example out of him.  He still held his position but it was under the watchful eyes of the other families.  They had each installed key people from their organizations into Morelli's so they could keep an eye on him, his business dealings and what he was doing all the time.  Of course Morelli took exception to this and vowed that he would make the families pay for what they had done.  Paulo added that the families weren't too concerned about Morelli and that he was merely a pesky fly to be swatted at times.  When Paulo finished there was a silence between them.  Paulo knew that Luca was digesting and planning what he'd been told.  Luca was the first to speak.  "If he has vowed to get revenge that means he's directing most of his anger at Lucchese and that means his family.  Ari, her mother and her grandmother.  Anyone that Luc cares for.  The man has a weakness when it comes to Arienne.  She all but told me this last night."  Luca was concerned about his safety.  He wouldn't say anything to her until he had concrete proof.  No need to get her worked up if it was truly nothing.  We would definitely keep a closer watch on her.  Surveillance by his trusted people.  Paulo answered in agreement.  "I think that's wise boss.  Guys like Morelli don't think before they act.  Speaking of Arienne and last night, how did that go?"  Luca sighed.  He and Paulo had known each other since grade school.  They were brothers, best friends, employer and employee, Boss and Under Boss.  Luca would have to tell him how he felt.  "Paulo, she's amazing!" he started.  "She's innocent, funny, giving, caring sensitive, sexy, sensual.  Everything I want, but..." he left off not finishing his sentence.  Here it comes thought Paulo.  "You're not sure if you want to bring her into your life, is that it?" Paulo had an annoying knack and finishing Luca's thoughts.  "Well do you blame me?" Luca said a little angrily.  "This is not something to be done lightly.  I have to make sure she can handle it, you know?"  "If you have any doubts at all you have to end it with her right now.  Before she gets hurt and before you do something stupid."  Paulo was sometimes wiser than his years but Luca knew he was right.  He also knew that he wanted her and was not willing to let her go.  He would go to her when he returned from Miami.  Lay as much out for her as he could and let her make the choice.  He didn't want to take that away from her.  Let it be her decision.

He lit up a cigarette and watched the SUV that contained Luca Constanti drive away.  Once again he'd left the girl alone.  He would call Morelli again this morning.  His trigger finger was getting itchy.  He wanted payback as much as Morelli did.  Lucchese had treated him like a second class citizen.  He'd managed to get away from Lucchese's men with all of his fingers intact.  He set up a meeting with Morelli immediately pledging his allegiance to his family and vowing to help Morelli get revenge.  He, Santiago, was going to make Lucchese pay and in return he would make that bitch pay.  She was a pretty little thing.  He might have to have a little fun with her first before he puts her out of his misery.