~~~~~

“Idiots, are we?” One man asked loudly, making Arnie Vespus stiffen with his back to the crowd, and a few who hadn’t heard him turned to look. “I taught you how to reclaim the land we live on!”

“We created sufficient living quarters for everyone, even importing the hardest wood available for longevity!” Another shouted followed by another even angrier voice. “Vespus may be your idea, but we’ve done the work to bring it to life!”

The number of onlookers grew as some took to the stage and Nicolo and I followed suit, getting closer and closer to our target. We were now within range of the toupee wearing fool, but from here, I’d have to run through a large crowd to confirm. I pressed even closer as the yells grew louder. Everyone was upset that their contribution was not only received poorly, but that they were treated like this. Honestly, I got a twisted sense of enjoyment seeing him get some comeuppance from his followers. They deserved it.

I glanced over my shoulder to Nicolo, who’d released my hand to reach for the handle of his own weapon. So far, things were working out perfectly. Ginny was already on the move, having left after the meeting to hack Arnie’s computer while everyone was here. His wives remained on the sidelines, watching the group of growing anger warily, and my target was the target of the crowds upset. I had to be careful, as this might be my only chance.

“Now, now. I meant the country I’m attempting to contact, not all of you!” Arnie tried, his voice closer than before, and bile rose in my throat. “I mean it!”

“We’ve all been demeaned by you, Vespus! Do not try to lie your way out, I heard what you said.” I shouted over the rest, then nodded to Nicolo, who by this point was opposite of me, just out of sight of Arnie. “We’re just money to you, aren’t we? Not actually worth your time!”

“Why do you keep lying to us?” I heard Nicolo bark over the crowd, and watched as Arnie’s face paled. “Stop the lies!”

A cacophony of noise filled the room as more complaints were thrown left and right. I got closer to Arnie until just a person stood between me and him, then took aim with a dart gun equipped with a silencer. The invisible needle–like dart would introduce to his bloodstream an undetectable poison triggering a lethal heart attack. For any other target, I’d use my forty–four, but with this many people around, there was too much risk. The Accardi hated collateral damage.

Not long after the trigger was pulled, Arnie dropped to the floor clutching his chest. Within two seconds, it was over, and everyone gathered started looking around confused as I put my weapon away. Then panic set in. A single scream echoed in my head for a moment as people started running around, the chaos giving me a chance to meet back up with Nicolo and flee the scene. My family would clean things up, but for now, we needed to get off this rig before Interpol showed up.

“I thought you wanted him captured…” Nicolo whispered into my ear as I led the way out of the building towards Ginny’s hut. “Not dead. We needed info.”

“What do you think Ginny was up to? She transferred all the data to me, then cleaned up any trace of us being here.” When his jaw fell, I smirked a little. “Did you forget who you married? I’m never without a plan.”

Panic was beginning to emerge from the community center as more shouts of confusion interrupted our conversation. We quickly ducked behind a nearby set of bushes as a bunch of men with weapons ran by, then ran to Ginny’s house once we were sure we weren’t noticed. I would have all the answers once I got her report. The most important thing was getting out of Vespus and back to Valleza Italy. Credulus opened the door as we arrived, confusion on his face.

“Are you two alright? We heard screams from the center.”

“We’re fine. I’m not sure what happened, as we left shortly after you two did.” I replied, surprised when he nodded emphatically. “There was a bit of an uproar about something, but we didn’t stick around to find out what. Lady Densissima picked up some clothes for us since we’re new here. Is she in?”

He nodded, opening the door wider to let us in. Ginny stood just inside with a brown package in one hand and a mug balanced in the other. I smiled softly as we hugged, perhaps not meant to notice the sad glance she shot Credulus. Perhaps during her time here she fell for her arranged husband, I didn’t know. She was slated to disappear tonight, so their memories stopped here. It was unfortunate, but a part of the job.

I was giving her tonight. The person named for his gullibility would return to his fame in Hollywood, while she returned to the Villa to prepare for her next mission. For some reason, I felt a little saddened by the idea, so when I pulled away, I placed my hand on her shoulder. If people found out about her past, it could put us both in danger, yet when I glanced over her shoulder at Nicolo, I winced.

“If you love him…” I started in a whisper, and her eyes widened but she shook her head. “Okay. We’ll meet later.”

“You…” She replied, voice barely audible. “Really have changed.”

~~~~~

The mission went so smoothly, the three were soon on a jet for Valleza. There wasn’t a single hiccup, and Nicolo could scarcely believe anything happened. What took her so long when she started investigating the Villa? He glared hard at her sleeping face as she sighed and turned away, facing the wall of the private jet. An annoyed sigh had him sinking further into the sofa, eyes falling closed. There were a lot of things he did not know about her.

“The Donna has to be strong. Plan for every possible outcome and direct the family’s every step.” Ginyvra whispered, taking a seat next to Nicolo, so he shifted away a little, uncomfortable around a strange woman only his wife knew. “She places trust in those she knows will follow orders without question.”

“She rewards loyalty?”

“No, at least not always. She’s a woman in a man’s world, Don Romano. Her grandfather taught her to remain firm in the face of danger, and make clear decisions.” The woman returned, gaze falling to the floor in thought for a moment before she glanced at Lili. “You go against everything she’s ever stood for. You remind her she’s human and still wants to be loved.”

Nicolo swallowed thickly as he considered her words. Was that why she hated him so much at first? He was well aware of what men in the Mafia thought of women in power. The Accardi Donna who pulled world’s strings, a secret to even the most powerful of Mafia Families, had to fight for her place. Nicolo knew his wife was exceptional, but this mission proved it. The element of danger was there, yet they seemingly faced nothing life–threatening.

“That mission…” Nicolo started, glancing back at his conversation partner with a raised brow. “How did it go so smoothly?”

“Believe it or not, she prepared for this eventuality months ago. The Donna has always been like this. One step ahead of everyone. She probably even knew she was going to marry you before her grandfather did.” Ginyvra shrugged when he glanced at her incredulous. “Who can say? All I know is, the woman she is now is not the woman she was before…”

“Are you done?” Liliana asked, magnum in hand as she aimed at Ginny, who’d since gone wide–eyed. “Nico already knows. I do nothing without a plan.”

“Well, he seemed confused to me. Not that I’d ever question you, Donna.”

The two glared at each other, their irritation at each other unnerving, though not as much as the realization of just how powerful his wife truly was. Even though she’d expressed it countless times, she really was the most dangerous woman in the world. When her gaze turned to him, he smirked, watching as her cheeks flushed a bright pink. The danger she bought with her wasn’t enough to stop his pursuit of her, though.

“Now that Vespus is through with its chase, what’s next for my dangerous wife?” Nicolo questioned, crossing the room to join her on the bed. “Are we going to find your parents?”

“No.” The expression she gave when she answered him gave him pause as she turned to Ginyvra. “There’s a specific actor I believe will go on the rise in the states. I need you to manage him.” She shifted to the edge of the bed as she put her weapon away, a smirk lifting her lips. “Turns out, his father is on the opposite side of the political party I already have under my thumb.”

Nicolo glanced at his companion on the sofa, whose eyes narrowed dangerously, but he had an idea of what Liliana was actually up to. He’d sensed it, too. Ginyvra loved her husband, despite their situation, so Lili was giving her the chance to fall in love with her man all over again. The thought, though rather sweet, could backfire, though. He was positive Liliana dosed the man with a drug that would make him forget Ginyvra.

“There’s someone you don’t control?” The woman ventured, crossing her arms as Lili tilted her head in confusion. “I doubt that.”

“What happened to you? I thought you were going to follow orders.”

“It’s none of your business!” Ginyvra threw a curse into the air before stomping off through the door to one of the guest rooms in the back of the plane. “Go jump out a window!”

Liliana stood, perhaps intent on following the wayward girl, until Nicolo walked to the door and closed it. There were so many rules Ginyvra just broke, that he dreaded to think what the Donna would say or do to her. He then turned to face her with a smirk, gaze traveling up her body. For once, she hadn’t slept bare, wanting to avoid the chance of the pilots or flight attendants from seeing her. She’d picked one of his black button–ups, the cuffs of which barely reached the tips of her fingers.

One hand dangled at her side, holding her favored weapon, while the other pushed her hair back above irate brown eyes. She was red in the face, likely from her upset, and tapping her foot. Unfortunately for her, Nicolo was too distracted. He walked towards her, loosing his own cuffs, then reached for the buttons on his chest. He’d followed her orders during their mission, now it was her turn.

“Why would you stop me?” She ventured as he approached, a sigh parting her perfect lips. “I’ve told you over and over to not get in the way of my work, Nico…”

“Lili.” Her mouth closed with a click once he stopped before her, then leaned over her as she swallowed. “I followed your orders like a good soldier. Your turn.”

“But…”

“No buts. Your turn.” He growled, watching her eyes widen like saucers. “Get on your knees.”

He ran his hand down the arm holding the weapon and removed it from her to put aside, then lifted a lock of her soft brown hair with his free hand. For a moment, he thought she would deny him. Liliana’s eyelids narrowed, but she slowly sank to her knees, a wary expression on her face. A shiver shot down his spine as her fingers reached for his buckle, a little pink tongue peeking out, but he had other plans.

Nicolo grabbed her chin, drawing her gaze up to his face. He ran his thumb over her lips, making her redden further, this time a lustful haze flooding her brown orbs. Her fingers traced along his now exposed waist where it met with the black dress pants he wore, and it was teasing at his sanity. As much as he wanted to order her around, he knew he would just fall into her web as always. He no longer cared who was in control.

“Your orders, my Don?” Damnit. “I got ahead of myself.”

“Unbutton your shirt, I want to see you.”

His body was throbbing. She wasn’t the type to get on her knees for anyone, yet here she was. The shirt opened, revealing the flawless peaks and valleys of her flesh and it was his turn to swallow. Liliana was sexy. His thumb stroked over the full skin of her lips again, then shivered when they parted to gasp. Why was she always so sensitive? The heat of her skin, and warmth of her love had him lean forward to kiss her precious lips. Then he backed away, his pants pooling at his ankles.

“Take it. All of it.” Her knees squirmed a little as she stared defiantly until his hand grabbed the back of her head. “Now.”