“Yep.”
Bash is sitting at his desk in the office of Crimson. I admire him for his work ethic.
Under his father, everyone feared the mafia. They feared the unpredictable don who would chop your hand off for being too close to him. While everyone obeyed his every command, it was caused by fear. No one respected him. Then again, it’s hard to respect a man in our business who refuses to get his hands dirty. He had everyone else handle the business side of things, while he sat in his house ordering people around, fat and happy. All while his men went out every day and worked their asses off to keep him on top.
The concern became evident when Bash, the prodigal son of Tommaso Catalini, took over. Would he be as cruel and cold as his father? I knew the answer. I’ve known Bash for a good portion of his life. I saw the differences between them. Where Tommaso had been cold and cruel, Bash is calm and collected. Bash cares about the community and his men. He has no problem getting his hands dirty, but he’s been trying to move us away from all the illegal shit his father insisted on doing. The clubs we own used to sell drugs, prostitutes, and guns. With Bash at the helm, they are reputable businesses.
He has also invested a lot of his own money into the stock market and up-and-coming businesses. All of his earnings, he invests into the family, clubs, or other businesses. He has evolved our little illegal mafia operations into something legal and on the rise. This family needed him.
“Mind if I go with you? We can have dinner there.”
He stops what he’s doing and looks up at me with a smirk. “Looking to run into a certain blonde bombshell?”
“No,” I reply quickly, and I watch his smile widen.
“Whatever happened with you two? You used to be thick as thieves.”
The kiss pops into my head—a searing, earth-shattering kiss. Fuck if I haven’t thought about it every day since. Then my idiotic words after.
This is a mistake.
I didn’t mean the kiss. I would never call kissing Mia a mistake. Kissing her has been the only thing keeping me going.
No, the mistake was putting her in that position. I didn’t even think; I simply kissed her. I don’t deserve someone as pure as her. She is everything light and wonderful in the world. I am Lucifer reborn. I couldn’t bring her down with my darkness.
“I was protecting her. With her permanent guard, I don’t need to be there for her.”
He chuckles. “You should be visiting her. She’s been cranky lately. Sofia’s worried about her.”
I roll my eyes at the shit-eating grin that appears on his face anytime he thinks of Sofia. Yeah, it’s pretty much always there.
“Why would Mia have anything to do with me?”
Maybe because you kissed her then made her feel worthless, you piece of shit, the devil on my shoulder reminds me.
“I don’t know. Just seems you stopped spending time with her, and suddenly she acts as if she has PMS 24/7, or at least Sofia makes it sound as such.”
I chuckle at him. “Don’t let the girls hear you. You might lose your dick.”
He laughs. “Sofia loves it too much to get rid of it. Trust me.”
“Gross, man. She’s my sister.”
“I can’t help the fact she can’t get enough of the D.”
“And,” I say, drawing out the word, “on that note, I’m out. I’m going to check in with some of the employees before we leave.”
“Go on. I’ll be done in thirty.”
-
“Well, hello there, Isabella. How are you this evening?” Standing at the hostess stand, I smile at Isabella.
“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Izzy?”
I chuckle. “Okay,Izzy. I enjoy getting a rise out of you.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Are you hitting on me? Please for the love of God say no.”
