~~~~~

“We’re not her brothers, as I’m sure you’re aware.” The three men from yesterday walked into the office with Nicolo with annoyed expressions. “We are some of her former suitors.”

“She’s never mentioned brothers, so I knew what was going on.” Nicolo shrugged, then refocused on his phone to send a message to Piero. “You’re some of her enforcers. No need to worry. I will not mess up your undercover activities.”

He was not all that worried anymore. Sure, Nicolo was jealous. These men knew a side of Lili that he didn’t. They were there for parts of her past. Thing was, he and Lili were planning a trip out of the country, so he was booking their lodgings, airplane tickets, and rental vehicles to meet an investor of Vespus. Piero was handling the Soldati accommodations, while the Don made special plans for his wife and himself.

Nicolo didn’t know how she pulled a meeting with the investor, only that her contacts played a role in it. It wasn’t the first time she surprised him, so that was nothing new. He was almost used to it. Her being a woman of mystery drew him to her in the first place, so it was no surprise she had contacts in high places. He was still learning just how powerful his wife was, if she could make grown men far bigger than her cower like abandoned puppies.

“Hope you’re a loyal man.” The one Lili introduced earlier as Claudio said with a wagging brow. “She’s probably already hacked your phone and can see everything you do.” Then peeked over Nicolo’s shoulder, making him shrug away. “Looking at rentals in Florida? The Accardi own vacation homes there, so you could just ask the Donna.”

“I don’t care.” Nicolo replied, gaze on his phone, though he glanced at the younger man warily. “I have nothing to hide. All I use it for is work.”

He was also sure Lili didn’t care about that kind of thing. She seemed to think his love would fade, though he knew time would tell her the truth. Nicolo’s eyes dropped to his phone again as he refocused on searching for things worthy of her for their trip. He may not have the connections she did, but the least he could do was reserve places for them to enjoy themselves in a place where her safety was assured.

“Perhaps it’s not him we need to worry about, but her. Liliana’s always been popular with men.” Luccan tried, though Nicolo continued ignoring them in favor of swiping through pictures of a rental house to check its security. “She once worked in an exotic dancer club in the states to get information about the president.”

“If this is what you do with your free time, how are you one of the Accardi’s top earners?” A feminine voice wondered, drawing Nicolo’s gaze up to clash with the angry brown eyes of his wife, who closed the door behind her. “Do you three not have orders to follow? Nicolas, I need you to go down to the police station and pick up some documents. Ask for the chief and tell him the Romano sent you. Claudio, you’re assigned to the French Contact. Luccan, you’re supposed to be in California working with that director. You all will attend the dinner meeting with the Romano family later today, then return to your assignments.”

“Yes, Donna.”

The three mumbled, then turned towards the door without another word. She was so powerful she emptied the room of anyone but them in a matter of seconds. Dressed in blue jeans and a red tee-shirt, she looked like an average woman, yet seeing her order her family around reminded him once again that she was not. She turned to him with a smirk, then glanced at the screen of his phone.

“Found us some nice accommodations in the States for our brief trip?” Lili wondered with a smile as she tucked her hands into her back pockets. “Our target is off the coast of Florida in international waters. We could stay in the Florida Keys. They have tons of vacation rentals and it’s the perfect weather there right now.”

“Claudio mentioned the Accardi owned vacation homes there, so I’ll just focus on our vehicles…” He replied as he locked his phone and put it away in his pocket. “I admit, it’s a little frustrating not really being able to do anything for you.”

He didn’t have to provide for her, financially or physically. Liliana had money, she had strength, and she had protection. Nicolo often questioned why her grandfather wanted him to be the one to marry her. She was her own person, independent, smart, and talented. Why would she ever need a man? Her gorgeous eyes narrowed for a moment before she tugged at his arm.

“Nico, I see you.” Her sweet voice responded, then she lifted on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “There’s a difference between needing something and wanting it. With you and those two different things, my answer is the same.”

“What…?”

“Don’t make me say it out loud, because you already know. Also, in case what Luccan said earlier bothers you, I still only have time for one man.” She nodded, and turned away, though not before he saw a flash of pink spread across her face. “The past doesn’t matter because you’re here now. I want to live in the moment with you. Now stop making me say corny things, you egotistical prick.”

He thought she’d go back to being cold, but this time she came and comforted him. They had to trust each other to get anywhere, so he would trust her until she gave him a reason not to. Nicolo pulled her back by her hips, then wrapped his arms around her waist. She’d never been this consistently kind to him before, and though he liked a nicer her, he also craved her harshness.

“You’re a masochist. I still don’t understand what there’s to like about me,” Liliana grumbled softly, though she didn’t pull away like she would’ve in the past. “I can barely manage being kind longer than five minutes a day because I hate cocky people, yet when you are, I like it.”

“You may not understand what others love about you, but you don’t have to. I do.” He murmured into her ear, enjoying watching as her shoulders shrugged. “From the minute I met you, ‘I do’ has been my answer. And I’ve told you before. I only act that way with you, love.”

~~~~~

I sat across from a fearful Marcello within the confines of a tattoo and piercing shop with a smirk on my face, arms crossed as I leaned back against my seat. Marcello was about the only person in the Mafia I knew who didn’t have any body modifications, so this had to be uncomfortable for him. He viewed it as against our religion, and had a heavy hatred for the tattoos I got at eighteen, which made this the perfect punishment.

“All I did was display my concern for your safety, Donna. You’ve proved your point.” He whined as the artist joined us, her green hair falling over her shoulder as she leaned forward to narrow her eyes on him. “Do I have to do this?”

“You have your orders.”

He was lucky. A stricter boss could have ordered his tongue removed instead of pierced, or even had the piercing done by someone who didn’t know what they were doing. I refused to risk infection or the arteries in his tongue getting damaged, so I brought him to a professional. She smiled as he grumbled then opened his mouth, then clamped his tongue with the forceps. His eyelids fell shut as soon as the needle appeared in his vision.

Maybe it seemed unconventional to those who heard of the Mafia, maybe not, but it would make for a good reminder for him of his position. Marcello was a capable man, well versed in his job, his hobbies, and multiple languages. He’d proved himself invaluable many times over, which is why I knew this would likely be the most severe punishment I ever ordered for him. Once the professional walked away, his moistened eyes locked with mine.

“You are an invaluable member of the family and imperative to our mission. Remember, the punishment the family wanted me to give you was much harsher than this, Marcello.” He looked betrayed, yet subdued as he slumped against his seat and crossed his arms like a grumpy teenager. “You put me in a rough position with the Romano family and almost revealed my identity you’ve worked so hard to protect. I need you to trust me, even if you trust no one else. No harm will come to the Accardi while I am Donna.”

His gaze narrowed as he turned to look at me, then nodded and stood. There was an acceptance in his features and stance as we made for the door to our car outside. We had another mission to complete on this trip into town, down to the docks. As the storefronts and scenery passed by outside the window, I glanced at Marcello, who remained silent. I’d never really paid attention to him before, but he was rather handsome.

Though I knew it was none of my business, I often wondered why he never married. He was tall, at least six foot two, with brown hair, deeply tanned skin, and black eyes. When he wasn’t working, he was at the pool, swimming laps like an Olympic Swimmer, so he was also rather lean and muscular. As far as I knew, he could have his pick of women. Why had he never even dated before?

“What?” He wondered with a slight lisp, then winced a little as he turned the car to the right, down the next street.

“You’ve been with the Accardi since birth but have never requested marriage.” I stated with a shrug, then looked back out of the window. “It made me a little curious.”

“Hah! You, curious? Since when?” Marcello countered, his words slurring as we pulled up to the docks. “There is only one woman I’ve ever wanted.”

As he shifted the car into park, he turned to look pointedly at me, but I glanced away. I’d never seen him as anything other than my assistant or a brother, both with great annoyance. He had been overprotective since we were kids, and a nuisance about anything I chose to do with my free time. His controlling manner was one of many reasons I never fell in love with him. I don’t think I ever explained that to him, though.

“You spent far too long trying to control everything I did. There was never a chance.” I replied somewhat harshly, then glanced at him as I opened the car door. “Now, we have a job to do. Let’s get to work.”

We came here to pick up something being shipped illegally from the states. A ‘truth serum’ of sorts to get information out of our little friend. He’d refused to answer any questions after his capture, so I’d reached out to a contact to get ahold of this. I needed information, someone who knew Arnie Vespus I could get information from, yet even physical duress failed to get us the answers we wanted. Marcello’s car door closed, and he fell into step beside me.

“You are right. We never would’ve worked.” He shrugged as he grabbed for the handle of his weapon. “To be honest, my father was pushing for the marriage to you. There’s another I want.”

“Then why were you always turning up in my room?” I stomped as I glared at him, and his footsteps came to a halt. “Rather rude to the woman you want, isn’t it? Loyalty is everything to women.”

“I didn’t know I wanted her until you became unachievable. Is that bad?” At his words, I facepalmed.

“You need to figure yourself out first, Marcello. Right now, you just said something really stupid.”