Damiano

I felt slightly irritated by the fact that she proved to be awake. My plan is futile now. My joy almost destroyed…but her attire compensates for ruining my plan. Her body looks extremely attractive in black, and all those tight clothes on her.

I want to see how a dress looks on her… Surely her small waist and curvy hips look sensational in a fitted dress. It annoys me that not only I will stare at her if that were to happen. I might destroy anyone who looks at her with lust, and she will surely get what she ignites in me. Maybe it's better for everyone to let her dress in pants for now.

Her voice sweetly cracks as she greets me. I want to see her up close and hear her voice louder in my ears. She maintains eye contact with me, caught in my eyes the same as I am in hers. As I get close enough to see my reflection in her eyes, I greet her back.

Amara blushes slightly, and I hold my smirk, not wanting to scare her away. I don't want to appear as obsessed as I am with her. She will run away like a rabbit if she gets a glimpse of my desire.

She doesn't seem to move back or break the eye contact. I know she is not a mere girl. No one could stay in eye contact this long without having high confidence exuding high value.

Refraining, I just let my eyes fall on her plump lips. She bites her lip, sensing my gaze. I feel envious that she gets to bite her lips. I want to hear her talk, so I ask her the most basic question someone will ask in the morning. She wants to break the eye contact, not sure why. I can't permit that.

I brush a strand of hair that wasn't even bothering her to catch her attention. The wish to touch her, adding to my desire, my hand moves fast on impulse. I am surprised at how fast she reacts, gripping my hand tightly. Her eyes narrow into an almost glare, the dark aura cracking from her previous composed look.

I knew it…Amara is more than she seems to be. It makes me wonder what she is like when she loses control. I will make sure to get a glimpse of that. And her speed is top-notch.

Soon, I feel her hand losing the grip, and I watch her every movement. Her eyes look a little scared, and her palms fidget. Her voice whispers a sorry as she steps back, breaking the eye contact; I am curious about what makes her behave like this. She surely isn't scared by me. That eye contact and the darkness behind her mask are signs of a born killer.

Testing her, I ask if she was afraid or not. Her response depicts strength and confidence while her eyes drift away, as if she fights her urge to prove me wrong with her whole being. I like this conflicted look. It's like she can't decide which one to showcase, the Amara wearing the veil or the real Amara, raw as she is.

My senses tell me that that blondie will come back soon and disturb us, so I end her suffering with one last question. "Are you sure?" I want her to confirm me properly, looking into my eyes. And she looks in my eyes, drawn by my voice. "I am sure."

That's what I wanted to hear. That's the face I wanted to see. A confident look, dark black eyes ignited to prove they are worth the shot. And I tend to think she doesn't need to prove me that much. I already know her worth.

But for the time being, I will enjoy watching her proving what I already know she is capable of.

I smile satisfied and walk past her, lightly touching her shoulder. The leather material makes her seem sturdier than she looks.

Walking towards the counter, I twist my face in disgust, and the words escape my mouth, "Damn pigs…" I don't even want to think of the person who will clean this mess. I am sure no one present in this apartment is willing to do that.

A girl's voice makes me frown. Her yell is too strident. But I guess that's the only way boys seem to awaken on command. They seem to share the same fate as me. Seems fair.

In a few minutes, Nicolas is entering the room, his breath rugged. I nod, and he approaches. I avoid the mess on the floor and meet him in the middle of the living room. "Fiero will be here…" He looks at the watch on his wrist and states confidently, "Now." He doesn't finish properly, and Fiero bangs the door.

"Damn you! Couldn't you stop the lift?! The man, apparently pissed off, breathes heavily while wiping his sweat off his forehead. I never understood why he liked those sportswear. They sure are comfortable at home but not on duty. They make you look like the ultimate thug. Well, anyway, our men have the possibility to choose their clothes. So no comment.

"You like to do morning exercise anyway." Nicolas looks at him seriously, and if I didn't know him, I would have said that he mocks Fiero. But no, he was serious, no humor meant in his words.

"True. But now I have to change because of you…Fuck…There are occasions where I don't run. Remember that Nicolas! Remember it!" The man gesticulates towards Nicolas.

"I will keep that in mind." Nicolas looks a little frustrated by Fiero's circus and puts his hands in his pants. I can see him noting that in his mind, just not to let Fiero screw his day with his nagging. I feel amused by the two, but this is not the time to laugh.

"Boss, sorry for the wait. I will go grab some clothes to change, and we are on the roll." Fiero looks at me apologetic, and as he passes me, he pats my back.

"Hurry."

I turn to look where he goes, and he strides towards the corridor. The recruits are making a free space between them to let him pass. I look over them, and my eyes fall on the boy I saw with Amara. He looks suspicious at me and Amara, who stands behind me. I can't contain a smirk shortly and then turn to Nicolas.

"Do you have preferences?" I ask shortly, looking at him. Nicolas and Fiero are in different sections of our gang. Nicolas is with loan sharking, and Fiero is with protection racketing. Both need good fighters, but some more intelligent recruits can be chosen for loan sharking.

"I want Amara and Leo. The others you can choose based on their profile. Here!" Nicolas passes me his phone. I look at the short summary everyone has under their name.

In total, ten people, everyone varies with their expertise. Well, it's not like they will be given jobs based on the leader they are under. The leader assigned to them will be responsible for their actions until they become made men. Then, they will be assigned to a particular role in the gang.

I can understand why Nicolas chose Amara and Leo. They are the less hard to deal with. I know Nicolas hates to deal with brats, and I might as well help him with it. Fiera will be able to control the brats better anyway. He will beat them to a pulp if they give him problems.

"You take Emilio, Terry, and…Niko." I wanted to choose the guy who seemed docile driven by money for his family, named Julio, but I prefer to put another girl in the same team with Amara. Niko…the girl is surely skilled and crazy, as I look over her record. However, she is still a girl. Better than Julio.

Nicolas nods and glances at the recruits behind me who overheard our decision. "Let's form the team. As I call your names, get on this side." Nicolas points at his right side and looks at his phone to read their full names. It was good for the recruits to know each one's full name. Bet some of them didn't introduce themselves.

"Terry Neri, Amara Morelli, Niko Messina, Leopoldo Russo, and Emilio Albino." He recites their names, and each one comes, aligning along his body.

I glance at Terzo. His profile helped me remember his damned name. I see how he controls himself not to oppose the fact he wanted to be in the same team as Amara. After all, they came here to work as a team.

But not anymore. I plan to rip Amara's wings in order to see her real form. And her being alone will be the only way she will be forced to show herself. I know she is hiding behind Terzo, to not outcast her real skills.

I am glancing at Amara, who seems to be content with the decision. She looks lost in thought. Emilio pats her back, and she whispers that she is fine. How in hell everyone protects her? I wonder if Emilio will be some sort of Terzo. I will see if I have to dispose of him or not.

Fiero finally comes and looks at the team Nicolas already formed. He grins and glances at the recruits left. "You play safe as always, Nicolas." His grin transforms into a smirk. I know he is pleased with the parting.

"Better safe than sorry." Nicolas responds without much interest. Fiero scoffs after calling him a coward, but Nicolas doesn't mind it. They look at me, and I glance over the recruits and the two new leaders.

"In a week, there will be the ceremony. Recruits, the ultimate test will be killing. I hope you all pass the test. The chance given to you, take it seriously." Everyone nods subtly, and I turn to Nicolas.

"Call me if something happens. You too, Fiero." My eyes glance at the muscular man who assures me that he is in control.

I didn't say it because I am concerned about their skill. I said it out of courtesy. They know if I have to interfere means they lack skills, meaning they are unworthy of their role. I am sure none of them will call, which is exactly what I expect of them.

I take my leave. Today is a long day. Let's find a bodyguard for Rosa! By the time I arrive home, late at night, I brought a man with me.

Rosa called a few hours ago, telling me that she didn't go home. I found that relieving since she was not in the state of mind where she could act like she knew nothing with dad. And she was trash when it comes to acting. Anything having to do with lying or concealing her emotions was impossible for her.

The man next to me scrolls on his phone. We are in the elevator. "If I find out that you touched her, you are dead." I glare at him, and he flinches looking at me. "Boss, I will do my job, like I always had. If I have urges, I can take care of them. Your sister is safe." He puts his phone in his pocket and keeps a serious face.

"I warn just once…I trust you, so better live up to it." I sigh. The man was one of the most loyal men we have in the gang. I feel ashamed to do this to him. He was the youngest to be recruited as a made man. Franco itself recommended him. Rosa will be in good hands.

"Franco gave me permission to use you. Be discreet with my father if he asks you unnecessary questions. You just have to say you were put by me to guard Rosa." I inform him.

Around lunchtime, I gave father a call and got his permission to keep Rosa here, after announcing to him that I found Rosa an artist job close to my apartment. It helped me brush aside any suspicions about my real reasons, but I had a hard time convincing him.

This experience will be new to her. She will be happy. Father never let her pursue her dream, given that she had to go out a lot for classes and protection was needed. Father let her draw at home just because he probably pitied her fate. He believes she is a piece of meat at sale used to create peace treaties with potential enemies. It disgusts me.

I almost convinced him, saying that I will keep her for less than two weeks. In the end, what really made him agree were the words, "Let her be happy once; she will treasure this a lot. Maybe she will appreciate father more after this. You will shut her mouth forever."

Their relationship was on a bed note since mom died. Her bluntness always hit him without mercy, a fact that brought distance between them.

He agreed, still not truly convinced that it was best for her…Arrogant hypocrite. I can't let her fade in that house till she will be destroyed by a future mafia man.

The door is opened by the man, and I enter the house. Rosa's voice yells to me from the bathroom, "Damn, is it you?" "Hurry up and come to the kitchen!" I yell back, and I hear some things crashing in the bath. Her clumsiness is still unhealed, I conclude.

I take my jacket off and bury it in the couch. The man with me sits next to me scrolling on his phone again. I glance, and his smile is bright. That gets me curious about what he watches so happily.

"Your girlfriend?" I inquire, almost mockingly, aware that this man has never had a girlfriend. Just casual encounters.

"Sadly, she can't be my girlfriend…" He laughs and tilts the phone so I can see the picture. It's a golden dog, such a big ray of sun. You wouldn't think he'd be into this.

"This is Daisy, my golden retriever. Isn't she cute?" His words trail off as he swipes to another picture of the dog appearing.

"She is…" I mumble as I see the dog jumping on a ball. It reminds me of my black retriever, Rosa. I feel that he can handle Rosa now.

It's amazing that he can be obsessed with Daisy but not with a girl. Maybe it's better that he has this strong affection towards the dog. Rosa will be safe with him. He might end up treating her like a dog… I feel like giggling. Again, better than looking at her with lust. She is a pretty woman after all.

"Dam! Did you bring something to eat?" The girl we're waiting for appears, wearing a pair of my pants and a large shirt reaching her thighs. Her face is covered by a face mask. My face mask. She stops, observing the man who grinned at his phone, now looking serious at her.

"I will order something." I stand up and point at the man who also rises. "This is your new bodyguard, Armando de Luca."

She strides towards us and tosses herself on the opposite couch. "Okay. Now command something; I am hungry."

I like the indifference she expresses towards Armando, who looks incredibly hot even from a man's perspective. Sighing in relief, I am thinking about what to order.

Tomorrow seems brighter with all things going well… Though I feel tired as heck.

Rosa starts talking to Armando, who happily shows her Daisy. Both of them begin to talk enthusiastically about the dog.

I just want to go and sleep.