Chapter 3[The Package]

Luciano

*Gunshots, loud thuds*

“Congratulations, you’re now the head of your family. Long live the new boss.” I told the whimpering young boy in front of me after I had just shot his father and older brother. Their bodyguards were dead too, I let my men take care of the bodyguards. That’s what they get for questioning my orders.

I moved closer to the boy and whispered

“I hope, for your own sake, you don’t make the same mistake your predecessors made” his eyes were wide open and he was shaking all over as he watched in horror the lifeless bodies of his father and brother and bodyguards.

“Answer me when I am talking to you, boy”

“Ye…ye…yes sir”

“Good. Now run along” I told the boy.

“Make sure he gets home safely,” I told Milo, one of my most trusted men.

“Yes boss,” He said and left with the boy.

“Boss, the package has arrived” Luca announced, my other trusted man.

“Well, well, looks like the madman is serious about this deal” I scoffed.

“Ah, what do I do with Romano” I sighed massaging my temples. "Well boys, let's go receive the package"

"Il resto di voi ripulisce questo casino"

"The rest of you clean up this mess"

“Si capo”

"Yes boss"

"Andiamo," I told Luca and two of my other men

"Let's go"

ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ

I arrived at the manor and there was indeed a package waiting for me. Romano is crazy.

It was bad enough that he was using his step-daughter as collateral, he even boxed her up like a doll but that’s not my problem, It’s their family’s business mine is to get valuable collateral for the huge amount Romano wanted to borrow from me.

I signed the papers Romano’s men gave me “Enjoy” They smirked and left.

Fucking psychos.

The lid of the box was suddenly kicked open and my men were quick to pull their guns out but I signaled them to lower their weapons.

Romano is crazy but not crazy enough to send me a threat.

Out of the box came a young lady dressed in a brown off-shoulder short gown that seemed to compliment her flawless olive skin. Her wavy brown hair flowed down her shoulders.

Green eyes, interesting.

She’s…pretty.

Her mouth was agape as she gawked at the living room of the mansion.

“Are you done?” One of the many things I am not is patient. She cleared her throat and composed herself.

“Where am I?” She asked.

“My manor”

“Where exactly?”

“Sicily”

“Of course,” She said as she tried to get out of the box, Luca tried to help her out but she refused.

“Can I have a phone?” She demanded, my brows pulled together surprised at her tone

“Look, in less than 24 hours I was kidnapped, missed a date with my long-time crush, had The Worst Seafood Risotto, and flew 12 hours in a box all because of this stupid arrangement you have with Romano. Now the last thing you want to do is piss me off. THE PHONE!” She spoke with an aura that emulates confidence and authority, and that made me more sure this girl was going to be trouble, even my men were surprised by the way she spoke.

I looked at Luca; he pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“Thank you,” she said, turning to go somewhere more private.

My men were looking at me, astonished. I just killed a father and his son for questioning my orders, and now I just gave a girl who practically just ordered me a phone.

“Boss?” Luca called and I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

“Mi stai interrogando, Luca?” Of all my men, Luca is the closest to me.

"Are you questioning me, Luca?"

I have been training to be the boss ever since I was a kid and Luca trained alongside me together with my brother, Gio. But despite our closeness, he doesn't dare to question me, at least not in the presence of others.

“No boss” He replied with his head bowed low.

“Any word from Gio?” I asked.

“Nothing yet”

Gio went to California to investigate what Romano planned to do with the money he was getting from us. It was stated in the contract that he wanted to invest it in a new business venture but something felt wrong and I trust my instincts, it has never failed me.

Gio was supposed to be back yesterday but no one has heard from him for about a week now and I was getting worried. If anything were to happen to him our parents would roast my ass, especially my mother.

"Se entro la fine della giornata, non raggiunge, manda degli uomini a Los Angeles e prendi mio fratello"

“If by the end of the day, he doesn’t reach out send some men to Los Angeles and get my brother”

Gio can very well protect himself, he is a very skilled fighter but California isn’t exactly my territory, yet.

“Si signore”

"Yes sir"

“Thank you” Athena came back and handed Luca his phone.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t call the police” She said, addressing me. Her face seemed to be stained with tears and for a split second I was curious as to why she was crying but the curiosity faded as quickly as it came.

“Oh, I’m not worried. Have a seat. We’ve not been introduced properly” Who am I kidding? I knew everything about her even before she arrived.

“Athena Valerio.” She extended her right hand for a shake.

“Luciano Ballarino,” I said as I shook her hand.

“So Luciano, for this to work, we need to set some boundaries. I am Romano’s collateral but that doesn’t make me your slut. For the eight months that am going to be staying here, you can not touch me or…”

“Or what? You’ll call the police?” She's straightforward, I'll give her that but too straightforward for her good. It’s upsetting to have someone talk to me so bluntly, I wasn’t used to it and I hated it.

“Oh, I don’t need the police” Her response made me smirk.

“Don’t worry, I am not the type that touches a woman without her consent” I stood up and moved closer to her to whisper in her ear but I made sure not to make any skin contact

“They beg me to touch them” My voice was hoarse and I saw goose bumps broke out over her skin as she gulped. I smirked satisfied that I got the reaction I wanted.

"Is that all?" I asked

"For now," She said tossing her hair to the back. It seemed like she had gained her confidence back.

"Okay," I said and made my way out.

“She’s a tough one boss,” Luca said as we headed to my office.

“Lo so (I know), that’s probably why Romano picked her but I don’t care. She’s useless to me other than to be Romano’s collateral. Have the maids tend to her needs and you keep an eye on her, we don’t know what The Madman has got planned” Yeah she's pretty but I am not going to fuck the daughter of a madman

“Si, boss.”