Only my immediate family knows about my special workspace. They know about the urges I have, and they found an outlet for them. My papa taught me how to control myself and my Mama taught me about loyalty.
My family means the world to me, and I’d do anything for them. If anyone betrays them, they betray me. If you don’t want to meet your maker before it’s time, you better not cross the Dalonzo organization.
When I reach the elevator, I scan my palm and the doors open up. I get inside, still humming that annoying ass tune. I look at my watch and see it’s just after eight. I still have time to make it to my parents’ house for dinner.
My Mama will be ecstatic when I show up, but she will also hound me about bringing a woman home and grandchildren. It’s the last thing I want to hear, but I will grin and bear it.
Maybe my brother and cousins will show up and take some of the heat off of me.
As the youngest of the crew, I have a bit more leeway than everyone else. But not by much. My Mama can be relentless when she’s fixated on something, and right now, it is getting us married off one by one.
The elevator stops and the doors slowly open. I step out into the secret back hallway that leads to a hidden door inside of my cousin Niro’s office. Niro is our head of security; nothing gets past him. The man knows everything about everyone.
I scan my palm once more, and the door swooshes open quietly. When I enter, the sounds of a woman moaning hit my ears. I roll my eyes because I already know it’s about to be some fuckery going on.
“Yeeeess. Oh Niro. You fuck me so good.”
“Prendi questo cazzo,” Niro’s raspy voice growls in Italian at the woman.
I know he knows I’m here because my cousin doesn’t miss anything, so him telling a woman to take his dick while I’m behind him is wild. My cousin just doesn’t give a fuck that his naked ass is out, and he’s pounding away into some bimbo.
I keep walking to exit the outer office when Niro calls out. I turn with a raised brow.
“Cugino, vediamoci stasera al Obsession,” Niro says, still pumping away.
I quirk an eyebrow at my cousin. Meeting him at my brother’s club later tonight was not what I had on the calendar. I don’t even like crowds like that.
However, the last thing I want to do is have a conversation with my cousin while he’s fucking. We’re close and all, but that’s taking it to another level. Besides, I have no desire to talk in front of some strange woman that I’ll never see again. Hell, Niro probably won’t see her again either. So, a nod of acknowledgment is all I give as I head to the parking garage.
The men of the Dalonzo organization are spread throughout the building including the parking garage when I make it downstairs. You can never be too careful especially when you have as many enemies as we do. Although anyone running into me in the dark should be very afraid.
I’m the thing that goes bump in the night. I’m scarier than anything that anyone could ever imagine. I’m not afraid or need security, but it makes my family feel better. Even though they know better than anybody that I’m the biggest threat, they also know that I’d do anything to please them.
“Mr. Dalonzo,” one of the men greets me.
I don’t acknowledge him. I keep walking to my car. I never acknowledge them when they talk to me. I’m not sure why they keep greeting me or trying to talk to me. It makes me anxious when people talk to me for no reason.
It makes me think they want something from me, then my overactive brain has to figure out what they want and why they want it. Then I have to compartmentalize if what they want is dangerous or will it lead to something dangerous. Once I figure that out, I have to decide whether or not that person is a threat.
I kill threats.
So, in order to keep from killing most of the organization’s men, I don’t speak to them.
It may be rude, but I think living is a choice they would make over me saying hi. They still speak to me when they know who I am and what I do. I kill for a living, and I like it. I won’t apologize for it because it keeps my family safe.
I continue to my car, pulsing excitement making its way through me from my kill. But it still wasn’t enough to fulfill my urges. I need something else.
I feel something in the air, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. I’m not the most spiritual, but my intuition is something I take seriously. Yes, I am a thinker, and I have an intelligence that most people can’t fathom, but spirituality cannot be denied, especially by a smart man.
“Every breath you take, that’s the song. Fitting.” I keep humming as I get into my SUV and drive away.
I use my key to get into my parents’ house, and I’m greeted by the sounds of laughing. I frown because I hear feminine laughter, and I know it isn’t coming from my Mama. I hope that she isn’t trying to set me up or, as she calls it, “getting me out of my shell.” I know she means well, but my Mama should know me better by now. Nobody will ever accept me, love just isn’t in the cards for me. And I’m okay with that.
“Ahhh, my beautiful bambino,” my Mama croons in her heavily accented English.
I lean down to kiss her cheek, and she smiles up at me sweetly. Her blue eyes twinkle with mischief, and I instantly know she’s up to something.
“You know Alicianna Amano, she stopped by to say hello after visiting her Nona. Such a sweet girl.” My Mama smiles in the direction of the woman.
