Chapter 4

I really thought Stefan would put the gun down. But at that moment, I didn’t care. Anger burned in my chest because of my cousin’s disrespect—and even hotter because he was threatening Sweet Milene. A strange feeling hit me, like I was the only one who had the right to threaten her. So, I shot him, watching the blood splash on Milene’s white dress.

Tony had wanted me dead ever since I killed his friend Joe Zanetti with my .45 years ago. I knew Tony and I would have issues, but I didn’t expect him to be stupid enough to bring it up at lunch. I guessed the idea that I’d be sleeping with his sister was bothering him more than my usual presence.

I tapped my cigarette against the table and looked at Sweet Milene. My eyes narrowed. If it weren't for her, I would only owe Luca $25000. Blood could be seen on her skin, but she continued to eat her dessert since her father told her to. I don't normally get off on things like this, but there was something about it—it was actually quite hot. Then I saw my cousin Lorenzo a few seats down. He was looking at her, almost unable to take his eyes away. And not because he was following orders—he always messed them up—but because he was truly obsessed. The man had a taste for danger, something you wouldn't expect based on his appearance. Knowing this, and watching him stare at Milene irritated me a bit. She probably liked things gentle and slow. Perhaps even liked the guy to beg a little. Lorenzo would do it. I would rather throw my hand into a car door. She gave me a frown in church today, and I couldn't help but wonder what she had against me. I had heard her nickname before I met her. Guys called her "Sweet Milene"—a nickname that referred to her figure because of how she looked. I'd heard way too much about her figure over the last few years, and it was getting old. Overhyped items usually disappoint. I was wrong. She really is as beautiful as the rumors say.

When my idiotic cousins talked about her, I would always tune them out. I'd never seen her, but they'd talk about her as if she were the only thing on earth. It drove me crazy. Her name had become like an itch that I couldn't scratch. So when her father told me she wasn't marriage material, I didn't question why. I had just signed a deal for someone else. Then I saw her in church. Damn that. My cousins would look at any woman under fifty who had even one attractive feature, so I assumed they were lying about her. But they didn't. She was the type of woman a man fantasize about.

Her body is Out of a magazine. That hair—jet-black, smooth, and long enough to wrap around my hand—was a weakness of mine, and the thought came to me right then in church. Made me feel guilty for a tiny moment. But it was her sweet, innocent look that drew me in, heating my skin and leading to emotions I hadn't felt in a long time. She looked so nice, I could see why she was given that nickname. However, this could not have been based on her personality. Not a chance. I stood in the back of the church, staring at her for much too long. She smiled at each man who approached her, as if she were royalty. I'm six feet three—not exactly hard to miss, yet she didn't notice me until around half an hour later. Then she gave me the most piercing look I had ever seen. Everyone said "Sweet Milene," but she was nice to everyone but me. It made me want to laugh if it hadn't gotten under my skin. Since I became Boss, no one has dared to look at me like that. I hardly knew her, but for some reason, I wanted Milene Abelli to know I didn't like her much either.

No girl who had guys gushing over her could be anything but spoilt and phony. Her pink expensive heels told me that she enjoyed spending her father's money. Her sister wore flip-flops; I'd probably save millions by marrying her instead. Adriana was weird, but still attractive. She looked amazing alone, but next to Milene, she disappeared into the background. That suited me perfectly. I did not desire the woman that my cousins couldn't stop thinking about. I didn't really care who I married anyway. It was simply time, and in my view, marriage meant business. Ricardo has some problems with a Mexican gang. He was losing his edge as he got older, and I would help him settle it after the wedding. I'd help him settle it the way I'd been taught: one bullet at a time. This partnership would increase my wealth and allow me to control the majority of the city. A shiver rushed down my spine as I felt Milene's stare on me from across the table. Her attention was warm but annoying like a weight on my face. I wanted to ignore it, but then I looked back. She looked away first. Following her gaze at church, I looked into why she was "unfit" for marriage. Sweet Milene had run off with a guy and lost her so-called purity. But I knew that wasn't why Ricardo hadn't offered her to me. He simply didn't want me to have her. And, honestly, I got it. If I were him, I wouldn't give her to me either. So he offered Adriana instead. Adriana sat opposite me, calm in a black dress, her brown hair flowing over her face as she drew on her hand with a pen. I had barely noticed her since her arrival. I figured it was time to actually speak with my future wife. "What are you drawing?" She stopped, then extended her hand. "A rabbit." It wasn't a question; it was clear. "Mr. Rabbit," she corrected with a sharp tone. Normally, that would have annoyed me, but I put it aside and started planning what I would do to her brother. "Right or left?" I asked.