~~~~~

I was still aching from our flight back, and had yet to find Ginyvra to talk about what happened on the plane. I thought she’d want to go manage her ‘cult husband’ to convince him to fall in love with her again. Perhaps I was overstepping, but I also needed his father under my thumb. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, drawing my gaze up as Ginyvra entered. The moment couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Donna, please let me apologize for my behavior both on the flight, and since our arrival here.” She bowed, then walked closer to my desk, head down. “I was far too forward…”

“Ginny. Sit.” I motioned to the armchair across from my desk with a wave. “Let’s talk.”

“Donna?”

“I thought you would refuse to call me that when I became the Boss?” I ventured, then chuckled as I leaned forward, fingers interlocking atop my desk. “Mind telling me why you were so abrasive?”

A thick silence filled the room, so I leaned back, waiting. What was up with the dissidence in my ranks? Everyone seemed to have trouble following orders, and often did the one thing they knew I hated. Questioning my orders. We couldn’t let the Accardi fail in their tasks. After several moments of silence, I sighed, then stood and walked around the desk to lean against it. I couldn’t really blame her for being upset. Credulus would not be the same person anymore, at least, not with his memory wipe.

“Is it because of Credulus?” I guessed, watching her eyes narrow as her head lifted. “Or was there someone else on the Rig you were into? Perhaps my target?”

“I was happy there. Sure, I had to do the job the Don gave me, but my marriage and daily life there? It was amazing!” She started with a somewhat half–hearted glare. “Credulus wasn’t like the other husbands there. He treated me like a person. His equal.”

I could only imagine. The entire ‘independent country’ collapsed when Vernus did, and many of the people were returned to their homes. Avaritia, aka Maria Trinidan, helped them, becoming a ‘Savior of People Trapped by Vespus,’ according to the news. No one knew of our involvement. She sank tiredly into the seat, an exaggerated sigh leaving her as she closed her eyes. It was as though performing her mission was too draining.

I’d witnessed what she spoke of back on the Rig, but didn’t dare draw attention to it while there. It wasn’t just Vernus who mistreated his wives, most of the men there did. Credulus’s real name was Jonathon, and his father was a true gentleman to his wife, meaning Jonathon grew up in a household of mutual adoration and respect. It made sense Ginny would fall for a man like him when a mafia comparable didn’t exist. Well, except for Nicolo Romano.

“Now what? You want me to go chase him down, even though that night you specifically drugged him with pills that cause full memory loss!” Ginny questioned as I picked at my nails in a bored manner as she ranted. “Why do you need him tailed anyway? It’s not like he has any major connections.”

“Actually, he’s the son of a certain political party leader. Your Loverboy, after his acting career takes off, plans to run for his father’s office.” I muttered, looking back at her stunned expression. “At least, before the cult, that was what he wanted. I’m willing to bet his goals won’t change.”

“You’ve met him. You cannot honestly believe he’d ever take office!”

“He’s perfect to take office, so long as the right woman is behind him.” I replied, making her mouth snap shut, and I could see reluctant acceptance blooming in her eyes. “You keep me in the know and make recommendations here and there, and you can get your husband back. If not, I could always use a link to the Chinese government.”

I teased, making her glare before a soft chuckle parted her lips. I had links everywhere. It was a requirement to prevent the capture of Mafia, but to prevent that, more contacts could never hurt. Especially as new generations take over. I knew she was starting to accept the plan, I just wished she realized I always had a plan. Except for Nicolo. He wasn’t in the plans. The door opened, revealing him in his usual business attire, a smirk on his lips. He’d been smug since we got off the flight a week ago.

“Nico…” He waltzed over to me, tucking me into his side as he turned to look at Ginyvra. “Ahem. Anyway, I need you there.” Then I turned to stare at her as her eyes widened. “If he makes you feel… a myriad of things… then it’s not wrong to seek that out.”

“Everyone was right. Don Romano has changed you.” Ginny said, a somewhat blush coloring her cheeks. “Jon made me feel like that… I guess.”

“I’m granting you what you want, just remember your loyalty to me.” I countered, crossing my arms over my chest then I shot a glare at my husband as his hand crept towards my hip. “No orders from me will risk his or your life together.”

I knew what it was like. If I could, I would guarantee Nicolo’s safety in everything, but he’d hate that, and it was impossible. The least I could do was make sure no danger came their way. I bit my lip as I considered what that meant for the family. Ginyvra had always been invaluable when it came to fooling people, so we were going to lose a fantastic spy. Even with my own certainties concerning her husband’s future, it was as personal as my grandfather being missing in action.

“How did you…?” She ventured, her gaze bouncing between Nico and I in shock.

“Just a guess.” I shrugged her off, then pulled away from him. “What was once a distraction became tolerable.”

“Tolerable, am I?” He pressed along my spine when I turned away to hide my burning face as he continued in a whisper. “That’s not what you said last night.”

“With all that said, I can place you in direct, daily contact with Jonathon.” Was my attempt to return to the previous conversation with Ginny while sliding under his arm. “You see, as I mentioned before, you would be his manager and…”

I froze as her arms locked around my neck in an encompassing hug, my breath caught in my chest. Family was everything to me, but I almost forgot what it was like until she appeared. The truth was, she and I were a lot alike. Men were hesitant to have us in power, despite how high our intelligence was. There were things some of us would rather never do, but because of our positions, we had to. Her smile was worth it even if it meant I was losing one of my best.

“Thank you, Lili.” She froze when I placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, her eyes widened when I pulled away, hand cupping over it. “Donna?”

It was not a simple gesture to our family. This was a promotion to her, a tradition modified by my great grandfather. This granted her authority to give orders in the states to other leaders, making her my third in command. I needed to decrease my workload some so I could make time for one day missions, so I was granting power to those who proved loyalty to me. I was thinking it was time to review our family enforcers and earners and perhaps create some new positions. Territory heads might function better than what he wave now.

“What better way to grant you protection?”

“I thought we needed a witness?” She questioned, somewhat dumbfounded as she stared at me then glanced at Nicolo. “Wait…”

“He is your Don, now. He is the witness.” I replied with a shrug, and his hand tightened on my hip, almost burning through my jeans. “Nicolo passed all the tests, as witnessed by Marcello, you, and I. He may not be Accardi blood, but he has the values, capability, and smarts.”

I knew I would have to answer for that later, but it was something I was avoiding until I was alone with him. The tests were given to members joining the Accardi, but his had to be especially tough. Everyone wanted to know how he would react during a mission that required stealth, and were impressed at his capability while on the Rig. It was determined, from the documented evidence, he would serve well with full capabilities as the Don of the Accardi.

“Of course, he agreed he would focus on his family more than what mine were up to, so any direct orders are all you’re required to follow unless they directly conflict with the Omertà.” I heard his breath catch in his throat, but I continued, opting to ignore the burning glare I also felt from the door. “Though I doubt we will have any problems with that. Right, Nico?”

“Right…” He paused for a second, staring at me with his head tilted in wonder. “I’m the Don? I thought…”

“Ginny, could you give us a moment?” She nodded, walking towards the door, where Marcello’s face disappeared as quickly as I glanced over there. “I didn’t have the chance to tell you about it…”

Since our return, what time I’m not working, I’m passed out from his insatiable taunting of sensitive skin. I backed away from his hands this time, crossing my arms in annoyance. I’d foolishly hoped our conversation last time would end the problems. We had things to deal with, not this. I didn’t know how he found free time. Noticing my expression, he held his hands up and took a seat in the recently vacated armchair.

“Sorry, sorry. If it helps, I’m trying to limit myself, but the way I hunger for you is persistent.” His emerald eyes twinkled as he stared at me, a smirk lifting the corner of his lips. “I wondered something. When did my status change to you? When did you realize we were so similar?”

“From the start of our marriage.” I sniffed somewhat distracted at his demeanor and sudden questions. “You’re the determined sort. You even had knowledge about Vespus I didn’t, though that was likely thanks to your ‘little girlfriend.’”

It was annoying. Like an itch I couldn’t quite reach to scratch. I leaned back against the desk, watching as that smirk grew, then he stood. Large hands pressed into the desk on either side of me, those wicked emerald eyes sparkling with mirth. He got on my nerves, but that expression had me nervous. I never knew what he would say or do next! As much as I tried to deny it, I was jealous of his ex-girlfriend.

“I did not know you could get jealous.” The scent of his cologne entered my nose, scattering my senses a bit as he continued. “I am also guessing, thanks to your little database, you know just how many girlfriends I have had, do you not?” When my lips tightened into a thin line, his grin grew. “Who knew my little uncaring wife could display her envy? What, do you want me all to yourself?”

He was the most frustrating, sexy, and annoying man in the world, yet the more negative words I thought of decreased as gentle hands wrapped around my waist, drawing me against his chest. I was jealous of the scores of women he’d been seen with before we got together. There was none since, but I wasn’t blind. Nicolo was handsome, all chiseled muscle with flawless features. It wasn’t fair, but I knew he was equally as envious.

“You are the only woman in the world whose orders I’ll follow.” His head disappeared to suck hard against the skin of my neck, causing another gasp to part my lips. “And you always mark me like that. See?”

His long fingers pulled down at the collar of his dress shirt, revealing a dark red mark. My cheeks burned, but it wasn’t like I could deny it. Nicolo made me feel things I still didn’t understand. It was unfair, yet that passion–packed gaze always made me give in. I loved him. Nicolo knew me better than I knew myself and I both loved and hated it. The heat of his hands startled me from my thoughts as his face approached.

“This is not what I wanted to talk about.” I pushed away from the desk, making him straighten as I turned away. “You ask me something on the jet I didn’t explain. About my parents?”

“Right? What about them?”

“I know where they are.” I replied as the atmosphere shifted to one of confusion. “Are you ready to meet them?”