Flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine with a bored expression, I lounge on top of the couch, Luca standing behind me by the window speaking animatedly about business stuff.

My phone vibrates annoyingly as it rings, making me sigh in utmost irritation, reaching for it off the coffee table, I slide the accept call icon. It's an unknown number.

"Hello?" I murmur, placing my phone to my ear whilst still turning the page of the magazine.

"Hey, Iris." The familiar voice of James comes through the receiver, surprising me, my heart literally leaping.

"Oh my God, you dumbass!" I shout, throwing the magazine down something which gains the curious hazel eyes of Luca. "Where the hell have you been?"

Luca cocks a brow at me to which I mouth 'James'. He nods slowly and turns back to his chatting on the phone.

"I was, uhm, staying with a friend for a bit." James says, explaining himself pretty horribly. "I'm so sorry, Ri."

"Okay, but-" I purse my lips running my hand through my hair, ready to give him a proper scolding.

"I-I uh gotta go, Iris, I'll call you later." He ends the call, sounding rather hurried.

The warehouse fans in the background don't go unnoticed either.

Pulling my phone away I place it back on the coffee table and shake my head at his behavior, biting my lip, I contemplate grabbing my phone and dialing the unknown number back.

What if he's caught up in some gang stuff?

What if he's been abducted or something and there giving him a chance to say his final words?

What if—

"Well, amore? I'm guessing they found him." Luca quirks a brow at me, depositing his phone into his pocket and strolling over to me.

"Yeah, he says he was staying at a friend's." I mumble half distracted, crossing my arms over my gray wool sweater.

"I guess that's good then, right?" Luca smiles easily, shrugging his shoulders as if all was good.

But everything wasn't all good.

"I don't know, it's just really weird he seemed to be in a rush...I guess." I push a lock of hair behind my ear, my paranoia eating away at me.

"Was he?" Luca's asks, his brows furrowing.

"Yeah, why what's wrong?" I question with a tilted head, taking a seat on the ottoman, I notice how tense and rigid he stood.

He tosses me a casually smile. "Nothing, amore. I need to get going." Luca grabs his leather jacket off the arm of the couch.

"Where are you going?" I eye him curiously.

"I have some...business to take care of." He replies vaguely, pulling on his jacket and grabbing his phone off the bed.

"Business on a Sunday?" I cross my arms annoyed and give him an 'are you shitting me' look.

"It's me, amore mio. I work regardless of what day it is. Don't wait up." He presses a haste kiss to my cheek before walking out.

Shaking my head at his odd behaviour I uncross my arms, wondering what was with everyone today.

✨

Luca's Pov

I drive the car off the highway, driving unto the unfamiliar dirt road complete with sink holes and graveled uneven terrain hidden behind dense trees covered in fresh white snow.

The sun's going down, the start of a chilling night wintry night already starting to take effect.

If Iris were here she'd say it look like something from a horror movie perhaps even curl into my side and shudder.

I drive for nearly an hour before I finally come upon my destination. An abandoned warehouse which isn't so abandoned anymore.

I turn off the road and pull up beside the other black Range Rovers parked in a line outside, men I knew personally stand in all black chatting amongst themselves in the biting cold.

I turn the car off and get out closing the door behind me, nodding my head in acknowledgement at the men, the snow crunches underneath my white shoes as I stroll into the large dark warehouse, running my hand through my black hair I glance around.

The sound of the warehouse fans humming annoys me greatly. The air smelt musty and old like death had taken toll here which it probably had. It was fucking unpleasant to look at, not to mention everywhere you stepped laid water, blood and possibly other bodily fluids. It was grim but wasn't everything to do with the Italian Mafia like that.

I stare upwards at the rusty hooks which dangle from above, tools which I know my brother must have use for dealing with dirty business.

"So mio fratello, what do you think?" Arsenio questions, sitting on a metal chair under a low hanging light, his signature large Cheshire grin on his face. His black hair falling into his face and casting shadows.

"It's definitely something." I answer blandly not in the mood to play his games.

I take a seat in front of him on the only other chair in the room. I don't think about who else he may have had in these chairs.

"Well, you never really had a very good imagination, Luca." His grin widens and he pulls a pack of Marlboro cigarettes from his pocket. "Want one?"

"No grazie, if we're done with the chit-chat, I'd like to get on with our business." I reply, hands buried deep within my pockets.

"But of course, the ginger boy, I found him on the streets for you, I even allowed him to call your wife and I assure you he is quite fine." He places a cigarette between his fingers and lights it.

"And you didn't, involve him with anything here, correct?" I ask staring into his silver eyes with a pointed look.

"Cazzo no, you know of all people it's made men only." Arsenio scowls looking greatly offended.

"You know what I mean....you didn't make him one of your runners, right?" I question, cocking a brow.

Arsenio grins but rolls his eyes. "Of course not brother, the boy isn't exactly mob material."

"Good because Iris would have my head." I hiss making a gesture of running my finger across my neck in a knife like way.

"Well, we wouldn't want that after all you've still to complete your half of the deal." Arsenio smirks, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"On the contrary, I did what you asked," Digging into my pockets, I pull out a piece of paper. "Howard Cooper will be found at this precise location and don't worry brother, he's alive and in one piece however I must inform you he's a bit.......grumpy, which is expected since he's tied up and dangling from a rope."

"How delightful, it's always a pleasure doing business with you, Luca." He takes the paper, blowing out a puff of smoke.

Giving him a curt nod, I get up turning on my heel and make my way to the entrance of the warehouse about to go out the doors, Arsenio clears his throat.

"Oh, I forgot, our mother is hosting her annual family gathering and she wants you to come and bring your lovely wife." Looking over my shoulder at him I see he sports his ever tormenting smirk. "And she's not taking no for an answer."

"Mother must be psychotic if she thinks I'd bring Iris in such an environment especially an environment filled with those people." My lips are pursed in a thin line.

"Those people are family, brother...." Arsenio narrows his eyes at me, his smirk slipping off his face.

Finally.

"Yeah, a family filled with thieves and killers." I grunt, my lip quirking up.

"Oh yeah, like you're any better than them, how many people's blood do you have on your hands. At least they own up to who they are." He laughs humorlessly, throwing his cigarette over his shoulder. "Plus, I guess we are thieves and killers until you need us for your favors."

"I'll have your blood on my hands next if you don't shut up." I hiss my anger flaring.

"Is that what we've come to my brother, threats." He steps closer, standing so that we are face to face. "I doubt the beautiful Iris would believe the words coming from you."

"Don't talk about her." I snarl possessively, my brows lower as my control on my temper threatens to get out of hand.

"You know you should tell her before she finds out cause boy will she be pissed that you kept something this important from her." He chuckles smoothing out his jacket, stepping back.

"I'll tell her when she's ready." I unclench my fists, side eying him.

"You mean when you're ready. You're such a pussy, Luca." He taunts, a smile on his face like some one who'a won the lottery.

"You know Arsenio for being a mob boss, you act like such a big mouthed bitch, little brother." I rebut, taking my own jab at him. "Don't forget how you got here, second choice."

That shuts him up.

"Vanfucullo." He growls, pursing his lips. "I'm just trying to give you some valuable advice Luca but you're too proud and too stubborn to listen to what everyone else has to say. And that will be your downfall. Your lies."

Scoffing, I smirk amused. "Like I need advice from you, little brother. What are you my therapist now?"

"No, isn't pardon me but wasn't that your wife's job." He cocks a brow, hands clasped behind his back, obviously content with himself.

How the fuck did he know that?

"How do you know about that? Did you have something to do with it?!" I bite out venomously, clenching and unclenching my fists. If he does mob boss or not, brother or not I'll kill him myself.

He rolls his eyes. "Everyone knows, news like that spreads fast, one of New York's best marriage counselor and wife of the business beast Luca Donario loses her license.....It's a million dollar story, it's a shocker news reporters haven't come knocking at your doors yet." He announces, enjoying his own theatrics. "And no I didn't have anything to do with it. You did though."

"What?" I furrow my brows.

"Yup, when you married her, you brought her into our world. Maybe not intentionally or on your own accord but did. See, your record isn't exactly the cleanest, things that got covered up, well, they tend come to light. So point blank if they can't catch you...." All playfulness aside, a sort of seriousness settles in.

"They put everything on her." I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration, realization hitting me.

"Bingo." He nods slowly.

Fucking fuck!

"How do you suggest I take care of this?" My mind is grasping for straws at a way to fix this situation.

I'd do anything for Iris, anything.

"What we've all been telling you to do, tell her the truth or .......leave her." He seems to not want to say the last option.

"I can't just leave her......what about the contract?" I counter, running my hand through my hair.

I don't want to leave her and I don't give a flying fuck about that contract, the real reason I can't leave her is because I'm starting to....feel something for her.

"I forgot about that."

"Of course you did, look I'll fix it." I sigh heavily, feeling a headache brewing. "And tell mother I'm coming to her family gathering."

Arsenio grins and places his hands in his pockets, before taking a seat back on his chair. "Will do and if you need any help I'm always here."

Giving him a curt nod, I stroll from the horrible smelling warehouse, mindful of my step so not to mess up my new white sneakers. I exit the building and go over to my car which is parked in the clearing, getting in I close the door and rub my temple.

Cazzo!

Blowing out a breath heavily, I start the car up deciding I'd have to pay a small visit to the people who made my amore lose her license. Perhaps some....talking will do us both some good.

I grab my phone of the passenger's seat, scrolling through my contacts list I select the number of a old friend from college and call him.

"Ciao, Zevenous, I need your help."

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