Christian

Mia squeezed my arm gently and stepped away, but I grabbed her hand. “I won’t be long,” she assured me with a sweet smile. Then she let go and turned to follow Anna.

The flare of jealousy inside me was completely irrational. Not because my feelings for Mia had been so instantly fierce, but because Nic was a happily married man. Not to mention that he wouldn’t have sent his wife to invite his mistress to a meeting. And, despite my time away, I knew my cousin well and he worshipped his wife. So, why did I have the sudden urge to wrap my hands around his neck and threaten him to never speak to Mia again?

I watched her hips sway until she disappeared into the crowd, only to reappear at the back door and follow Nic inside.

I straightened my glasses and took a few deep, calming breaths. Then I smoothed down my tie, but stopped suddenly. The action reminded me of the burning trail Mia’s hand had left on my chest when she’d done the same thing.

Dragging my eyes from the house, I directed them to the table of food, telling myself to get something to eat and wait for her. My feet didn’t listen though, and I found myself making a slow path to the door where I’d last seen her.

What could Nic possibly need to see her about? Was he warning her away from me? I couldn’t think of a reason why he would do so. Our fathers had been brothers, and they’d both raised their sons to give their whole self to the woman they fell for. To give her anything to make her happy, to protect her above all else. Mia would never spend a moment doubting my devotion—my obsession, with her.

I reached the rear entry and stepped through to the kitchen. It was bustling with women fixing even more food. We’re Italian, what can I say?

My mother put down a bowl she was carrying and came up to me with a big smile. She patted my cheeks before applying pressure so I would lean down and allow her to kiss my cheeks. “My sweet boy, is it true? You’re home for good?”

The only thing that traveled faster than a speeding bullet in our family was gossip. I sighed and lifted her into a bear hug. “Yes, Mama. I’m back to stay.”

She squealed happily and hugged me even tighter before I put her back on her feet once more. “The only thing that would make me happier is to see you settle down with a good girl.”

I opened my mouth to tell her that I was working on it when she spun around and shouted, “Allegra! We need to find Christian a wife!”

“What?! No! I—” My mother didn’t hear my sputtering as she hurried off to confer with my aunt. It wasn’t of any use to try and dissuade them at the moment. They would know soon enough, and I was anxious to find Mia.

I strolled out of the kitchen and down the hall to the front parlor. The empty room put a deep frown on my face. I suddenly remembered that Anna’s message had instructed Mia to meet him in his office. That room was for business associates and other work related things. It was the one place in his home where he stepped into the role of leader, as the ruthless head of the Italian Mafia. I hated the idea that he would bring Mia to that room. I didn’t want that darkness to touch her in any way.

Anger spurred my strides as I stalked to the room near the back of the brownstone. I was about to barge in but Nic’s voice floated into the hallway, stopping me in my tracks.

“I’m sorry to do this to you, but they pushed up their date for the pickup. They want the passports by Friday. Do you think they can be ready by then?”

Mia scoffed audibly. “Have I ever been late with a project, Nic DeLuca?” Her tone clearly indicated that she felt insulted.

Nic chuckled, and I tried to suck air into my frozen lungs as I processed what I was hearing. “Sorry, Mia. I meant no insult. You know I have the utmost confidence in you. I wouldn’t have thought less of you if you couldn’t meet the new pickup date. Honestly, I only asked you to get the motherfuckers out of my hair. This is the last time we do business with Maxim’s crew.”

“These are for the Russians? For what?”

Nic chuckled again. “As much as they piss me off, I couldn’t help agreeing to this job. You won’t believe it when I tell you.”

“Well, I know you and the kind of people you do business with, so it can’t be what I think.”

I heard shuffling and the squeak of a chair. Nic’s voice sounded further away from the door when he spoke again. “Oh?”

“You wouldn’t deal with anyone smuggling women.”

Rage flared inside me at the thought of Mia being involved with anyone who had a connection to scum like that.

“You are mostly right, Mia.” Nic’s voice was full of laughter as he went on. “The passports are for brides.”

Mia gasped. “Nic! How could you?!” she shouted. “Those women are forced—”

“Mia!” Nic’s voice was loud and stern. I clenched my hands and took a step forward, angry that he would dare raise his voice to my woman. Just as I pushed the door open, he spoke again. “You should know better. I have a contact in Moscow. This is through a legitimate agency; no one is coerced. But, the agency doesn’t pay for passports and travel if a match is made overseas. You should have seen Maxim when he came to me about the job. He actually fucking blushed.”

Nic was sitting behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with an amused expression on his bearded face. Mia stood across from him, bent over the desk, her fists balanced on the table top. She stood up slowly, and I noticed her shoulders jiggling. Then she burst into laughter.

Nic’s eyes lifted, immediately aware of my presence, but I barely noticed. I was mesmerized by the beauty of Mia.

“Christian?” Nic asked. “What can I do for you?”

I looked back at him and wasn’t sure what to say. He looked at me with unapologetic eyes, not seeming at all bothered by my interruption. I was shocked by this, considering he had to know I’d heard at least part of their conversation. But honestly, I still wasn’t sure what the hell was going on. She couldn’t possible work for him…right? Mia spun around and stared at me with wide, wary eyes.

“Looking for Mia…” I mumbled.

Nic nodded and gestured towards her. “Well, you’ve found her, and she’s free to go.”

Mia glanced between us, seemingly conflicted about what to do next.

I softened my expression and held out my hand. Hesitantly, she stepped towards me but stopped when Nic called her name.

“Mia, I almost forgot.” Her head twisted back in time to see him push a folder across his desk. “Your next assignment.”

Something inside me snapped. There was no question that Mia was mine. And my stance on the family business had not changed. So, there was only one thing to do.

I stalked forward and grasped Mia’s waist, throwing her over my shoulder, fireman style. She struggled and I popped her on the ass to tell her to settle down. Nic’s brows shot to his hairline, and Mia’s loud gasp filled the room. Yeah, I really didn’t know where that came from, but I wasn’t going to waste time dwelling on it.

“Mia quits.” My tone brooked no argument and I didn’t wait for a response before spinning around and marching out of the office.