004

One of the best things about Palermo, or shall I say, one of the things I love most_ was the chirping of birds every morning.

Something that others might consider highly common, but it always soothes my nerves each time I wake up

And in a way, it makes me feel connected to nature, to life.

Something I never had in the scientists laboratory.

"Hey boss," Darya called, walking into my room, without knocking_ again.

I turned from the window and shot her a glare but she just waved me off.

"If you want people to knock, lock the damn door. You are all dressed up. Where to?"

Darya is the only one in La Serpe Nera who could talk to me like that and get away with it.

She knows it, and she takes advantage of it to the brim.

The brat.

"I have to go see a friend," I murmured, rolling up the sleeves of my shirt in frustration.

Darya frowned, "A friend? Okay, I'll go get ready and...."

"No, I don't need you to come with me," I cut her off, "I just need to take care of something alone."

And I really needed to.

No one around here, not even Darya knows about Brent and that's for the best.

No need raising attention unnecessarily and suspicions.

"Okay."

I finally took my hands off the shirt and exhaled. I hated shirts.

Why can't I just go out in regular T shirts or singlets?

But as the Don of Serpe Nera, I had to look official most of the time.

"How is the girl doing?" I asked, my tone carrying a hint of concern that I hadn't anticipated.

Darya curled an eyebrow "Oh, quite well.

I haven't seen her yet this morning but I can bet She's settling into her new life of luxury and intrigue with all the grace of a swan in a gilded cage."

Her words were laced with irony, and a small, amused smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Darya had a way of cutting through the complexities of our world with her dry humor, a skill I had come to appreciate over the years.

"I'm glad to hear that "

"You have never been into this auction stuff," she asked, walking to my bed and perched on the edge, "What is it about this girl that made you spend such an amount of money?"

Because she's mine.

I shook my head, and placed an easy smile on my face, "That's for me to know."

She whistled, "fifty million dollars, and she hasn't said a word since last night. Let's just hope she's worth her price."

Is it about being worth the price? Is anything too much for my mate?

Of course not.

The Moment I saw her I knew I had to get her at all costs.

Yes, of course she's worth the price.

I didn't respond though, because I do not owe her an explanation.

"Ask Thomas to get the SUV ready for me. I have to go down for breakfast. Oh, and let Alista know that I'd love to have breakfast now with the girl."

Darya nodded and left the room without a word.

After tugging on my shirt for like the millionth time, I picked up my briefcase and left my room, making sure to 'lock the damn door'.

I descended the grand staircase, the imposing chandelier overhead casting a soft glow on the scene unfolding below.

The girl, whose name I still didn't know till that point was already in the dinning hall having her breakfast.

Her shoulders tensed when I walked in, but she didn't acknowledge my presence, didn't look up from her plate even when I sat across her.

For a moment, I took in her features leaning back in my chair.

There was an innocence about her, but from the glint and defiance in her eyes I could tell that she was far from being innocent.

Her father had that same deceiving look, that could make you trust him and believe every word that comes out of his mouth.

A costly mistake that we made.

A costly mistake that cost me my mother's life.

I almost chuckled at the absurdity of it all. Mated to a traitor's daughter.

The universe will definitely look for a good way and time to fuck you over.

I shook my head and kept on looking at the girl.

She didn't seem fazed by my presence at all, only trained her eyes on the plate of grapes before her as she popped them into her mouth one after another.

I noticed that her fingers were slightly shaking, seconds before I noticed the way her lips quivered as she chews the fruit.

Her very red, plump and perfect lips.

Oh, how gorgeous they would look wrapped around my cock.

The cock in question throbbed and I shook the thought off my head.

This isn't the time to think about this or to get distracted by her.

Definitely not the time to think about her beautiful lips, or any part of her perfect body at all.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked, my tone surprisingly gentle, given the circumstances.

Her silence persisted, her eyes flickering but never meeting mine.

But the air filled suddenly with scents of her fear.

Mixed with something else.

Anger, hatred.

Oh dear....

I repeated the question, but she gave no response.

I had heard once how bratty Rossi's daughter was.

Frustration boiled within me.

Who does she think she is?

"What is your name?" I demanded, my voice laced with impatience.

Her eyes briefly met mine, a flicker of defiance in her gaze, before she cast them down again and continued eating in silence. The insolence of her silence grated on my nerves.

With a sudden, sharp motion, I slammed my hand on the table, the resounding thud breaking the silence.

She jumped, and somehow I was satisfied that I got a reaction out of her.

I leaned in closer, my tone lowering to a dangerous growl. "Look at me princes," I took her chin between my fingers and tilted her face so her eyes could meet mine, "Your attitude is something I don't care about. Take note of that. You aren't in your father's little castle. This is La Serpe Nera honey. I bought you with my money so you are here to serve me, to please me!!. The sooner you know your place the better."

Her lips quivered and her eyes shined with unshed tears.

Feeling like I've been kicked in the guy, I let go of her face.

I take one more look at her and curse out in frustration before leaving the dinning.

***

The ride to Brent's place was a long and slow ride.

Long because I had to be careful to ensure that I wasn't being followed by anyone.

Finally, I arrived at Brent's house, and parked my car in the garage.

I had called Brent earlier to let him know I was coming, so I wasn't surprised to see the old man already standing on the Porch waiting for me.

"Hey Brent," I called, approaching him and he greeted me with a slight nod.

"Are you sure no one followed you?" Brent asked, his voice low and gravelly.

I met his gaze with a wry smile. "You should know better than to doubt my skills," I replied, "and hello to you too."

"Fuck off, I'm just concerned. You mafias and your dangerous games. I have no idea why anyone would get into such a cage and call it a lifestyle."

He led me inside the house, and I almost closed my eyes in bliss as the scent of aged wood and books greeted me.

A very familiar comfort.

Spending five years in a laboratory, becoming used to the stench of dried and flesh blood, chemicals, urine, and alcohol...had taught me to appreciate every little thing.

Like how warm the breeze can get. The scent of books, the fresh aroma of wine. Every little detail.

Brent led me to a cozy sitting area, where two glasses and a bottle of wine awaited.

As we settled in, he cleared his throat and took a sip out of his glass.

"So, how are your grandbabies?" I ask.

"The brats are fine. They are not here now, which is perfect."

I nodded and also took a sip of wine.

"Tell me about your mate," Brent demanded, his eyes fixed on me.

I sighed, my thoughts drifting to the pregnant angry lady in my house

"I'm...confused," I admitted, the words heavy with uncertainty. "I don't know what to do about her."

Brent leaned forward, "She's your mate so I suggest you figure it out. Because you are stuck with her for life."

I frowned.

I knew that, but is that really what I want?

Having or finding my mate was something I never expected, something I wasn't ready for.

A mate is the other half of your soul and your heart. The one you are fated to love.

But I had once made a vow......

I winced.

"It's fucked up man," I say taking a sip of the wine with a frown, "I need something stronger."

Brent ignored me, "Trust me, I understand how you are feeling right now Ivan."

"I doubt that."

"That's where you are wrong boy o. I was there during your toughest times. I was there when you held the body of your beloved and swore to never rest till you get your revenge. It was me who pulled you out of that dark hole Ivan. So yes I know."

My head hung low and I bit my lip angrily.

He was right.

If there was one person who understood what I was going through it was Brent.

"I don't know what to do." I murmured and he nodded in understanding.

"I know and honestly I'm not in the position to tell you what to do either, Ivan. Just follow your heart."

I scoffed, "I can't afford the luxury of following my heart right now. We are so fucking close to our goal. I won't let this be a distraction from my course."

Brent frowned and leaned closer to me. He pressed my knee tightly with his hand before leaning back.

"It can only be a distraction when you want it to be. Why don't you tell me what exactly the problem is about her."

Was he seriously asking me that?

"She is Rossi's daughter, Brent. You know what that man did to us. Is it going to be easy waking up to know that I now have some sort of Supernatural connection with his daughter?"

"She is not his father." Brent whispered.

No she isn't.

And you can't punish her for the crimes of the parent.

But I don't know who she is.

I don't know her enough, I don't know if she's involved in her father's dealings.

"Mmmhmmm,"

"You are just gonna keep contradicting yourself."

I shook my head, "No. I'm not denying that I'm mated to her. The bond is there. I cannot fight the urge to want her, to claim her, to protect and guide her. The urge to keep her close. So I will keep her close, but I will not involve anything beyond the Mating bond. I will keep her close, especially to get information about her father's operations."

"I have nothing to say."

But he didn't have to say anything.

I know what I'm doing, what I have to do.

The Rossi might be my mate but that doesn't mean access to my heart.

That doesn't mean I'm supposed to be stupid all over again.

She's my mate.

She's mine to claim.

Mine to have.

But she's still a traitor's offspring.

And I will take advantage of the bond to get what I want from her.

"Are you ever going to explain things to her?" Brent asked

I hesitated for a moment before answering carefully, "She was purchased as a slave. I do not owe her an explanation."

"And when the heat kicks in?"

"I will cross that bridge when I get there Brent."

That was all I could say.

"What if she doesn't have access to the information that you want?"

I closed my eyes, inhaling fresh air into my lungs.

"She has to. No matter how little. Or, I'll just use her as a bait to draw out the monster who killed my mother."