Games With Mr. Red, The Mafia Lord

MILLICENT'S POINT OF VIEW

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..." I counted under my breath as I waited for the elevator to reach his side of the building. I checked the watch on my wrist to see if I was late.

Franco was supposed to pick me up at seven for our dinner date at De La Coste. I waited for almost three hours, and he was nowhere in sight. I was worried sick. What could be the reason why my boyfriend of two years would stand me up like that on the night of our anniversary? Besides, Franco is not known for such behavior.

Yes, we had our differences, just like every other couple out there, but this was not how I planned to spend my night. Maybe something came up, I thought, as the sound of the elevator brought me to my senses. I made my way toward his room, still clad in the red dress he got me for our date.

Getting his keys from my clutch, I tucked the strands of my hair behind my ear before accessing the room. Everything looked the same, except for the bottle of red wine and two glasses on the table.

Did he have a visitor, or was I just overthinking things? I tried to call him, but his number went straight to voicemail, just like the first few times I tried calling.

Sighing softly, I turned to leave but stopped in my tracks when I heard sounds that left me shocked to my bones.

"Franco... ooo," came a female voice, followed by moans and groans. My legs moved toward the direction of the sounds before I could stop myself, and I pushed the door open.

Right there on the bed was my boyfriend of two years with a woman I could barely recognize, riding the living daylights out of him, on our supposed two-year anniversary.

I didn't say anything. I couldn't speak even if I tried, the words failed to leave my mouth.

"Millicent, Milli!" I heard him call as he hurried behind me. I got into the elevator before he could stop me, but knowing Franco, I was pretty sure he joined the other elevator.

"Babe!"

"Babe! I'm sorry, please," he pleaded as his hands grabbed my wrist. I slapped him angrily with the other.

"I'm sorry, babe. Trust me, it was a mistake," he blurted out, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

"A mistake? Do you even feel remorseful for what you've done? Franco, you cheated on me on our anniversary, and you call it a mistake?" I demanded, my voice breaking at the edges.

This was someone I gave two years of my life, someone I chose to trust, yet he threw my heart on the floor and stomped on it a million times.

"No amount of apology will make up for this, Franco," I said, trailing off, and he scoffed angrily.

"You think all of this is my fault? You have a mind of your own, doing things on your own accord, and you think the world revolves around you! I stayed with you because of what you have to offer, a hardworking girlfriend with a generous heart!" he snapped, and I stared at him, my heart breaking painfully.

"Thank you so much for showing me your true colors, Franco. You know what? It's over between us. Thank God I never thought of accepting your stupid proposal to get married. Bastard!" I shouted angrily. When he tried to hold my hand again, I turned and dug my nails into his face. As he screamed in agony, I walked to where I packed my car.

I'm pretty sure I ruined his pretty face. The blood stains on my finger nails were enough evidence. I cursed under my breath over and over again as I drove toward the bar.

I need alcohol in my system before I lose my mind. Franco used me, it was pretty obvious now when I think about all the red flags I overlooked in this relationship.

I mean, he was broke throughout the time we were dating, up until the moment I caught him moaning like his life depended on it.

Life has never been a bed of roses for me, it's always been from one madness to another. Mom cheated on my dad and left for a richer man. My dad could not bear the brunt of the situation and committed suicide, leaving a whole lot of debt for me to clean up.

I grew up on the streets of Sicily, running from one debtor to the other while trying to build a life for myself. I'm no innocent novice when it comes to the madness that runs the streets.

I worked for a con artist at the age of eight. He took me in as his own daughter and taught me the ropes of the business. Paulo might have been a conniving bastard, but he gave me the life I have today. He cleared off my debts, and I retired to the exclusive part of the business two years ago with enough money in my bank account.

I started up Ecstasy, my fashion brand, and things have been going smoothly. Adding the broken Franco to my list of problems was stupid on my part.

I'm twenty seven, how did I let Franco waste two years of my life? Tears rolled out of my eyes as I wore my shades and pulled my hair up into a ponytail.

"Give me something strong, very strong," I requested from the bartender as I sat all alone, trying to ease the pain in my chest.

"More," I demanded, and he stared at me like I had completely lost it. I had lost count of how many shots I emptied, but I just wanted to stop the pain in my chest. It hurt way too much, I just wanted it to end.

First, it was my mom, and then my dad. I can't imagine the long line of betrayal that awaits me after what Franco just did.

I left the chair and made my way to the dance floor. I felt a manly strong hand wrap around my waist, and the last thing I remembered was his hands making their way into my dress and the delicious sensations that followed.

RED'S POINT OF VIEW

"Merde," I cursed under my breath as I stood up from the bed and took a drag from the pipe in my hand. I listened to the reports from my cousin. There is trouble at the estate, according to his report, one of our warehouses was burned to the ground, killing a few of our men and clients in the process.

No one knew the identity of the men involved in the accident. The most annoying thing about the situation was the fact that we lost a lot, and the location of that deal was not known to the vast majority. I was in charge of the chip that had every single piece of information about that deal.

I rushed to the lockers in the hotel room as I tried to find the chip, went through the pockets of my ripped jeans, yet it wasn't there. How could I have been so careless? At this point, I was anxious as I thought of the disaster that awaited me.

Typing on my phone, I sent for my private jet while anxiously waiting for another report.

I am a part of the Sicilian mafia, or the Cosa Nostra, as it's called. Everyone knows what the mafia represents: a chain of illegal businesses, the fight for power, money, and the bloodshed that follows the game.

My name is Red De Luca, my closest family calls me Frederico orFred and I'm the current boss of the De Luca crime family. The De Lucas are the number one crime family in the country, known for their victories in handling crimes and their extreme smartness.

The business started with our ancestors and has been passed down from one generation to the next. This time around, it went from my uncle to me.

The De Lucas hold power in every aspect of life, in business, technology, and the government. We've made top businessmen in and out of the country, and our shareholders hold the high ranks.

I'm a hotelier running my own chain of the most luxurious hotels, suites, and penthouses. For me, family, business, and power are the most important things in the world.

Especially my family. I grew up in a large household. It's crazy because my grandparents had six male children, although the fifth was born out of wedlock and the last one adopted. No one knows the difference because they all grew up in love and unity.

Today, we all move in their footsteps, having that beautiful bond as children, although we lost my grandfather a few years ago.

The family is organized, and we work hard to protect the family name. And yes, I've got a lot of cousins, one brother from my parents and 14 cousins. Let me not get started on how much I detest family dinners.

The unending advice from our mamas to get married, if my mom had her way, she'd send me out with a signboard saying, "Wife Needed."

"Good morning, Boss," my driver greeted as he pulled the door open for me.

"Good morning, Mr. De Luca. Are we heading to the office directly?" my personal assistant asked as he scrolled through his work pad and then looked back at me.

"There's trouble. I can't go to the office directly, Cade," I replied, and he blinked in curiosity.

"Is it a hangover from last night? Should I get you some lemonade to help?" he inquired, and I shook my head.

"The De Luca estate," I instructed the driver, who nodded as he drove toward the family estate. I racked my brain, trying to figure out how I lost the chip.

It must have been the drinks from last night because the more I tried to think, the blurrier everything in my mind became.

"Cade, can you remember how I went about my day yesterday? I can't seem to grab anything, and as we speak, I think I'm in some serious sh!t," I muttered, and he blinked in surprise.

"Should I be worried, sir? Did you get someone pregnant? Are you getting married?" he asked, and I stared at him like he'd lost his mind.

"Why do you think that's the biggest problem I could get myself into?" I questioned, and he blinked again.

"You're always careful when it comes to those things, sir," he answered, and I rubbed my forehead.

"Tell me about last night, Cade," I requested, and he rubbed his hands together.

"Nothing out of the ordinary, at least until you went to the bar to cool off. You seemed preoccupied with the beautiful woman on the dance floor."

"Beautiful woman?" I repeated as flashes from last night came to mind.

"The lady in red," I muttered under my breath, and he nodded.

"As beautiful as a goddess. I believe you both spent the night together, if I'm not mistaken..." he added with a smile, and I cursed under my breath.

FvCK.

That only meant I did not spend the night alone, and if I didn't, the mysterious woman from last night was responsible for this disaster.

She was nothing but a beautiful disaster, and I have to get my hands on her. She has a lot of explanation to do, not just to me but to the whole familia.

RED'S POINT OF VIEW

"Don," one of the soldiers bowed in respect as he opened the car door. I had a lot on my mind as we made our way into the De Luca estate.

The Costa Nostra is not a place for the weak. It's for men who are ready to roll themselves in dirt and do the needful. From the associates, who are not really rank holders, these are men who are part of the familia because of the protection that comes with being a part of the business.

Then we have the soldiers, who are the workers of organized crime. They carry out the dirty work of the business, from being a part of what goes on in the brothels, casinos, and every business transaction. The soldiers are not necessarily De Luca men, they don't have to be related to us by blood. In fact, they only get into the business through the ritual of the omertà, which involves a blood oath.

We have the Capo, who heads groups of soldiers and takes direct instructions from the leadership. In fact, they get blamed when transactions do not go as planned.

Then we have the Consigliere (Counselor), a cross between a lawyer and a politician. Someone who knows all the dirty businesses and legal dealings of the familia. My cousin Asher handles that position.

The underboss is the next in line after the boss, more like a special advisor and the heir if anything happens to the boss in service. My cousin Aldo is the underboss.

I occupy the position of the Don of the business. The Don is the most powerful and feared member of the Costa Nostra, although this ranking varies from one mafia family to another. It all depends on the family.

Then the overall power holder is the Godfather, known as the Capo dei Capi, Boss of all Bosses.

The De Luca family has existed as a crime family for years, and we call the shots. It's really surprising that something like that happened and I let my guard down.

"Son," Mom greeted warmly as she walked toward me with a smile, then kissed my forehead.

"Mum," I replied, and she raised her eyebrows.

"You have been avoiding the meetings and family gatherings, Red. You didn't even come for your uncle's birthday party," she scolded, and I rubbed my forehead calmly.

"I had business to take care of, Mom."

"Oh, cut it out. You refused to show up because I told you Lucille was in attendance. That was the only reason you didn't come," she muttered under her breath, with sadness in her tone.

"Mom, Lucille and I are done. It's been years. I'm expecting you to move on too," I responded, and she rubbed her forehead.

"Lucy loves you..." she trailed off quietly.

"A relationship does not have to be based on love. Sometimes it takes more than love to make things work. Sorry to say, but if it were all about love, you would never have run away from your wedding with Dad," I remarked, and her eyes widened.

"Ouch, that's mean," she whined as I walked toward the conference room.

"Let's have this conversation later. Trust me, I don't enjoy you trying to hook me up with my ex," I said and made my way to the conference.

Lucille is not a topic I like to revisit at all. What I hate most is the fact that she's still everywhere, trying to rebuild something that is already lost. The thought of it irritates me to no end.

"You have this massive frown on your face. Let me guess, Mom tried to talk you into marriage? When will these women understand it's more than trying to hook us up?" Mason, my younger brother, joked as he handed me some files.

"They're in the conference room," he informed me, and I rubbed my forehead.

"You're not staying for the meeting?" I asked, and he smirked.

"I'm the last person you want in attendance," he said, and I looked away. Everyone knows how rebellious Mason is. In fact, he is considered the black sheep of the familia.

"Stay out of trouble," I warned, and he chuckled.

"It should be 'stay out of women,'" Mason quipped, and I shook my head as he walked out of the room.

"You're late, Red. Being the Don comes with a lot of responsibilities, son," the Godfather declared as I entered the conference room.

"I apologize for the wait, gentlemen," I replied, taking my seat and inhaling deeply.

"Finding out about the chip was quite easy. What I don't understand is how you allowed yourself to be swayed by two beautiful ladies," one of my uncles commented as he dropped a video on the table.

"I can't even recognize them," I admitted, and he smirked.

"The fastest and most efficient con artists in the city. I believe you've heard of Paulo Russo, the man has not come to joke with his dirty business. His girls are his bullets," he elaborated, and my head felt heavy almost immediately.

"Millicent Russo. She's the more reserved and deadly weapon in the business, a seductress with a touch of extreme intelligence. She lured you like the perfect bait to the scene, at least that's what I believe," Tatiana interjected with a sly smile.

"For now, I have her address. She is an artist and a fashion designer... quite wealthy, if I'm not mistaken," she continued, but my mind was more concentrated on the beauty in front of me.

This woman had nothing to do with the innocence on her face, she is a she-devil.

Messing with the business meant messing with my family. I'll show her how wrong and stupid that decision truly is.

"We have a bigger enemy in the picture, Don. I believe Millicent has a lot to tell us who they sold the chips to," she explained,and I sighed.

"Millicent," I muttered. So, that's her name, huh.

MILLICENT POINT OF VIEW

I groaned in pain as I clutched my head, then winced from the banging pain in my skull. Getting up from my bed, I wore my room slippers and made my way toward the bathroom to freshen up and get something for breakfast.

As the water from the shower rolled down my body, my mind went back to the previous night. FvCK, how did I make it home? I was supposed to be at the bar, right? I remember drinking myself into a stupor, so how did I get home? I wondered as I grabbed clean towels to dry my hair.

After the heartbreak, I did not intend to do anything else but drink myself to stupor. I can't seem to remember a thing about last night or how I got home. One thing I'm certain of is the fact that Paulo had a hand in how I got home.

One thing about my foster father is that he has his eyes on me and Bianca. His security system is so tight because he knows he has made enemies to last him a lifetime.

I made my way to the sitting room and stopped in my tracks when my eyes met Bianca's. "Good morning, sleeping beauty. At the rate at which you slept, I thought you were dead," she teased, and I chuckled.

"It's too early for that madness. I'll not die if you'll be the first person to find my corpse, Bee," I replied, and we both burst out laughing.

"Tell me what happened last night," I demanded, and she sighed.

"You were careless. I went on a mission, and trust me, you are so lucky you didn't get laid by a total stranger. Yes, you both got naughty, but I got into the room right in time to stop things from escalating," she explained, and I raised my eyebrows.

"What?" I gasped, and she chuckled. "Calm down, Millicent," she assured me with a chuckle, but I was already freaking out at that point.

"Calm down? You just said I was making out with a total stranger! Did you even hear yourself? What part of that is supposed to help me calm down?" I questioned in one breath, and she laughed.

"Well, whatever I intended to do was successful, and you didn't get f*cked by some random stranger. Paulo is mad at you too," she revealed as she poured alcohol into the glass on the table.

"Isn't it too early to start drinking?" I asked, and she chuckled.

"It's never too late to burn one's throat with the pleasure of a strong drink, sister mine," Bianca muttered under her breath as she stood up, and I rolled my eyes at the length of her dress.

I can proudly say my sister was covered in nothing. "You know what, I have to get to the art gallery and finish up some important paintings before my next exhibition," I announced as I stood up, and she chuckled.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" she questioned, her eyebrows raised.

"I believe there is nothing I'm not telling you," I retorted, and she laughed.

"You were not yourself at the bar. You only do that when you're worried sick about something, sis. Talk to me," she urged, and I shook my head.

"I found Franco cheating on me," I admitted, and she stared at me, her jaw literally dropped.

"You should have cut off his d**k and stuck it on his head! That nigga is a community boyfriend," she exclaimed, and I chuckled.

"Yes, I was hurt, and maybe trying to drink myself to stupor was a stupid decision on my part. Forgive me," I requested, and she snickered.

"I've got you. If you still want me to storm his room and give him the beating of his life, I've got you, sister," she assured me, and I laughed.

"Thanks, Bee," I said as she kissed my forehead and made her way out of my house.

I stopped by my fashion house to get some work done, but I just couldn't. The reminder of everything that happened wouldn't let me concentrate.

Pulling my hoodie over my head, I wore my shades, grabbed my bag, and made my way out of the fashion house after bidding one of the guys goodbye.

Shutting the door of my apartment when I got inside, I moved to switch on the lights and froze when they came on their own.

"Welcome home, madam," I heard the calmest and most dangerous voice I had ever heard in my life.

Right there in my sitting room were men in black, but one of them stood out the most. He was sitting in the middle with his legs crossed, clad in a black suit and dark shoes. His dark eyes met mine, which made me stagger backward from the fear that gripped my heart immediately.

"I believe we have something interesting to talk about, Millicent," he declared as I froze, watching him put out his cigarette.

MILLICENT'S POINT OF VIEW

My eyes followed his movement as he stood up from the chair. I moved backward immediately. "First of all, sir, I don't think we are going to have any other conversation aside from the one that involves you getting out of my apartment! Who the hell are you?" I burst out angrily before I could even stop my tongue from wagging.

I was not new to the activities of the Costa Nostra, these men were definitely part of it. Why else would they break into my apartment in the first place?

"Don't you dare speak to the Don like that!" one of the guys shouted angrily as he charged toward me. The handsome man who looked like a model raised his hand with a smirk on his face.

The Don, Paulo had taught us enough about the Costa Nostra. I would be stupid not to know what being a Don meant. This man was the leader of a familia. People involved in the underground business. They would kill me, and no one would find my body.

"What do you want?" I demanded angrily. I'd been in the business long enough to know the madness running through his head.

"You think I'm here because I want something? Well, too bad, you're not far from the truth, Millicent. Go in there and get me what you stole from me last night," he replied, and I stared at him like he had completely lost it.

"First of all, sir, you are mistaken. This is the wrong address, and I'm definitely not a thief," I retorted immediately.

"I'd be dumb to trust a con artist, wouldn't I?" he remarked, and I choked on my next line of words. He knew I was in the business, but Paulo did wonders covering our tracks.

"I see you did your research, Mr..." I trailed off, trying to figure out who he was.

"Mr. Red De Luca," he revealed, and I took two steps backward. Everyone knew who and what the De Lucas were made of, the most successful crime family in the country. They got away with everything, and not even the government could oppose them. They had burned their enemies to the ground countless times. I couldn't begin to list the crazy things I'd heard about the familia, and now I had these people in my apartment.

"This is definitely a misunderstanding. I would never get myself into any trouble involving the familia," I stammered as I stepped backward again.

Yes, I was part of a gang, the same gang Paulo signed us off to. It's not like we had a choice as growing girls. But I had never been directly involved in the business dealings aside from scamming people.

"Yet you stole from me," he accused, and I raised my eyebrows.

"I would never steal from you. I don't even know you!" I exclaimed angrily, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms before I could fight him off. My heart pounded crazily against my chest.

"Are you sure? If there's anything I believe, it's that you remember this sensation," he murmured, and I struggled against him.

"You think you can get out of my grip?" he taunted, and I turned to glare directly into his eyes.

"I would open my mouth and speak the truth if I were in your shoes. Don't make me stain my hands, Miss Russo," he warned, and I knew at that moment that I hated this man from the bottom of my stomach.

"You're crazy!" I spat, and the men stared at me, too shocked to respond.

"You stormed the club in a red dress, gained access to my room under the pretense of a one-night stand, and made away with my chip," he declared, and I had never felt more frustrated in my life.

"I'll give you a day to provide the chip, Millicent, or you'll find yourself in my dungeons. I believe that's not a situation anyone wants to experience. Have a wonderful night's rest," he concluded as he left my apartment. I realized I was sweating badly.

My breath came out raspily, and I was so scared as I tried my sister's number immediately. She didn't pick up on the first ring, or the second.

At that moment, I knew there was no way I was spending the night in this house. Getting out of my house, I got in my car and drove toward the Den.

Bianca was not in the Den when I arrived, and Paulo was in the fighting ring with one of his trainees. He stopped when his eyes moved in my direction.

"Millicent," he greeted, and I stared at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I questioned, and he looked away.

"Tell you what?" he responded, and I laughed bitterly.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Paulo. Where is Bianca?" I pressed, and he chuckled.

"What has Bee got to do with this?" he retorted, and I stared at him in disbelief.

"The Don of the De Luca Estate paid me a visit. Does that ring a bell?" I demanded, and he stared at me with a small smirk on his face.

"Interesting," he muttered under his breath as one of the girls handed him a bottle of wine.

"What's interesting about what I just told you, Paulo? I could have been killed over something I have no idea about, yet you stand there and act like everything is okay!" I burst out angrily, and he continued to stare at me.

"Paulo!" I shouted when he still said nothing.

RED'S POINT OF VIEW

After my encounter with the strong willed and sassy Millicent, I knew things would not be easy. She did not seem like someone who would want anything to do with us.

But then, the chip was missing, and as long as we didn't have our hands on it, we were going to face even more danger.

"Welcome, Mr. De Luca," Cade greeted as he handed me a towel.

"Who's in my penthouse?" I asked, and he smirked.

"I'm talking to you," I repeated, and he chuckled.

"Your brothers. I believe they're here to see you," he whispered, and I took a deep breath in and out.

"All of them?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"Nope," he replied casually, and I nodded.

"Don," Aldo called as I made my way into my sitting room.

"To what do I owe this impromptu visit?" I asked, and Asher chuckled. He was sitting on the other side of my couch with his glasses perched on his nose and a writing pad on his lap.

"I'm listening..." I trailed off, and he chuckled again.

"Better get used to our impromptu visits, bro. I thought you already sent word to the men in Rome, but it's obvious you're coming from an entirely different place," Aurelio remarked as he dropped some files on the table.

"Did you meet up with the lady?" Aldo asked as he locked gaze with me.

"In her words, she has no idea what I'm talking about," I stated as I sat down with a thud.

"That's b*llshit! She was at the scene of the crime. If there's anything, we should throw her in the dungeon until she admits to actually doing it," Asher exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Chill, Asher. Yet you all think I'm the cold-hearted one?" Aurelio questioned, smirking in my direction.

"This is not the first time something like this is happening in the familia. Remember what happened to my parents? My mom was kidnapped and locked up, yet it was just a case of mistaken identity. What if history is repeating itself and she honestly doesn't have an idea about anything?" Aldo suggested as he lit up a cigarette, and Asher looked away.

The man is quiet as hell and only speaks when he has something deadly to say.

"She took it or she's associated with whoever took it, Red. You're the Don, you should know better what would happen if things go out of hand," he said, and I rubbed my forehead.

"Hey, big guys," Tatiana greeted as she cat walked into my penthouse with a bottle of strong wine.

"Where did you get that from, kiddo?" Aldo asked, and she smirked.

"When your cousin runs the biggest vineyard in the country, you get to own a bottle," she teased, smirking in his direction, and he looked away.

"I should tell them never to let you gain access to my chambers," he muttered, and she chuckled again.

Tatiana is currently heading the units of everything concerning the technological and security aspects of the business under my uncle and his son. The girl is a genius, and she knows it.

"I believe we should forget about that, right?" she suggested as she kissed Asher on the cheek. He groaned and looked away.

"You're so sexy when you make sounds like that, Ash," Tatiana jokes.

"It's Asher, and I'm not supposed to sound sexy to you, Tati," he muttered, and she burst out laughing.

"How was your meeting with Melinda?" she asked, her eyes shifting to me.

"Millicent," I corrected, and her mouth dropped in an O shape.

"Oh, yes, Millicent. Is she dead?" she asked as she lit up a cigarette.

"He didn't end her. I'm beginning to think the girl is something," Asher smirked.

"woahh..." Tatiana teased.

"She's nothing. I can't just end her, or there will be no lead to the chip," I explained, and Asher raised his hands in mocking surrender.

"I surrender," he uttered, and Aldo chuckled.

"You all are crazy!" I exclaimed angrily as I heard Tatiana laugh at me.