The Devil Has Feelings Too

Azzurra

The baby's wail pulled my attention like a fishhook. It was constant, sharp, and so goddessdamned insistent.

I glanced up from the register, eyeing the little girl as she squirmed in her mother's arms. She was red-faced, her tiny fists flailing in frustration while the mother, barely sparing her a glance, bounced her absentmindedly.

I wondered how it felt to have someone depend on you like that, and I didn't envy it.

The clock on the wall behind them caught my eye, it was 9:58 p.m. Relief coursed through me.

Almost there. Just two more minutes, and I'd be free from this badly lit hellhole for the night.

I handed the woman her bags with a tight smile, her child's cries still ringing in my ears. As she shuffled away, I slipped off my name badge and tossed it onto the counter. My shift was over. Finally.

I made my way to the back room, the hum of the blinking lights overhead grating against my nerves. The locker door creaked as I opened it, grabbing my scuffed leather bag. Slinging it over my shoulder, I straightened up and exhaled. It was go time.

Stepping outside, the cool night air wrapped around me, a stark contrast to the stale warmth of the store. My worn sneakers squeaked against the pavement as I scanned the street for a taxi. At 5'2", it wasn't exactly easy flagging one down, but I had places to be.

More importantly, I had people depending on me.

My two little sisters didn't know or maybe didn't want to know how I made ends meet. They just knew there was food on the table when they got home from school.

That was all that mattered

Tonight, I needed a score.

Not just for me, but for them. Gas, electricity, water, everything was overdue. I didn't have the luxury of caring where the money came from, only that it came.

And on time.

A taxi finally pulled up. I slid into the backseat, giving the driver the address of a nearby mall.

Inside the mall, I made a beeline for the clothing store, scanning the racks until I found something that would do the trick. And tonight, it happened to be a burgundy dress that hugged every curve just right.

It screamed expensive, even though I'd only be borrowing it for a few hours. The price tag stayed on, of course. I wasn't keeping it. Eighty dollars gone, and my purse was officially empty. But it didn't matter. This was an investment. I had one shot to make tonight count, and I wasn't going to blow it.

In the dressing room, I slipped on the dress and swapped my sneakers for the only pair of decent heels I owned. I got into another cab, resting back on the chair and twiddling my fingers as I prayed to the goddess for the night to go as planned.

By the time we reached the lounge, I looked like a million bucks or at least someone worth spending that kind of money on.

The line outside the club stretched down the block, but I didn't stop. I strode straight to the bouncer, a mountain of a man whose grim face broke into a grin the moment he saw me.

"Azzura," he greeted, his deep voice rumbling.

"Hey there, big guy," I said, tapping his chest lightly. "How's the night treating you?"

"Better now," he replied, stepping aside and pulling the velvet rope back for me. I was a regular, after all.

I slipped inside, the heavy bass of the music vibrating through my chest as the warm, dim lighting painted the room in golds and reds. The air was thick with expensive cologne and men full of desperation, just the way I liked it.

Walking in, I kept my chin high, my smile inviting.

My eyes scanned the crowd, cataloging details quickly: suits, shoes, watches. Some men wore leather jackets that had seen better days and easy passes. Others had crisp suits paired with scuffed sneakers. Amateurs.

Then, like a beacon, I saw it, a glint of silver on a man's wrist. A Rolex. Not just any Rolex, but one that would fetch a good price at the pawnshop, even if they tried to lowball me. I sauntered over to the bar, sliding onto the stool next to him. His suit was tailored, his shoes polished. He noticed me almost immediately, his grin wide and inviting.

"How are you doing?" he asked, his voice warm but tinged with the faintest hint of arrogance.

I opened my mouth to reply, but the smell of his breath hit me first, it reaks of cigarettes. Not the expensive kind either. Not cigars.

But cheap, stale cigarettes.

I recoiled, turning away slightly. It didn't matter how much money he had. Some things weren't worth the trouble.

Before I could decide on my next move, another man slid into the seat beside me, his presence quiet. He didn't glance at me, didn't even acknowledge me at first.

Instead, he placed an order in a low, smooth voice. "Whiskey. Neat."

The bartender nodded, glancing at me expectantly.

"I'll have what he's having," I said, lifting my chin.

The bartender hesitated, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You sure about that? Might be a little strong for you."

I narrowed my eyes, ready to snap back, but the man beside me beat me to it.

"Make that two," he said, his voice firm.

The bartender's smirk vanished, his eyes dropping to the counter as he hurried to fill the order.

I turned to look at the man, studying him for the first time. His suit was dark, perfectly tailored.

I eyed him carefully.

"I didn't need you to order my drink for me." I said to him, my eyes still scanning him.

His eyes glinted, slate, liquid grey. "Who said the drink was for you?"

My lips parted.

Touché.

He pulled out his phone and rested it face down on the bar top. I watched him, thinking I'd seen a hint of a smirk as he turned slightly away from me.

"What are you hiding?" I asked, referring to his phone.

The bartender put the drinks on the table, and the handsome man in the pressed suit took a glass and slid it to me. I wrapped my hand around it, our fingers brushing for one slight second.

"Do you often question strange men you meet at random bars?" he asked.

I pondered his question. "Do you classify yourself as a strange man?" I asked back, and his grey eyes narrowed.

I leaned down and took a sip of my drink, holding back a wince at the burn.

"Tell me your name," he said, after a moment.

'Tell me,' not, 'what is'.

He demanded to know like it was his right.

"And if I don't?" I asked, rubbing my finger on the tip of the glass, seductively.

He lifted his glass to his lips, tossing the entire thing back in one smooth move. The soft clink of his glass setting on the table made me sit up straighter in my chair. For some reason, I now felt like I had all his attention.

"Why wouldn't you?" His voice was low and seductive.

And okay, he was fucking handsome. Like, of a GQ cover handsome. Blonde hair, radiant grey eyes, a chiseled jaw, and full lips. Part of me felt like I could stare at him all day.

But we didn't mix feelings with work.

And this was work.

I reached out with my hand, extending it for a shake. "Azzurra."

He took my hand, and the rough calluses on his tickled my nerve endings. In an even baritone, he said, "Adriano Giordano."

A shiver ran through me.

Adriano Giordano.

Adriano. Rion. Giordano?

My eyes flitted up to his, and as much as I tried to hide it, I felt it as he saw the recognition on my face.

This man sitting before me wasn't just one of the most powerful Alphas to ever walk the realm but also... the don of the Italian Mafia and I had my hand in his.

My day couldn't have gotten any better.

I swallowed suddenly, wondering if this was a mistake. The mafia swears not to harm women and children, right?

I let my eyes shift to his suit, noting he wore no watch, no accessory except for the large ring on his middle finger.

How much was that ring worth?

Hundreds of thousands, it had to be.

If I could just get my hands on that...

But what would happen if I got caught?

A man of his status couldn't have reached such leagues if he was the type a pickpocket could get the upper hand with. But... the possibility was too mouthwatering.

I slipped my hand out of his, hoping he wouldn't notice the slight tremble, as I ran my fingers along his wrist, letting my voice drop to a sultry octave.

"Why don't we... go somewhere private?" I whispered, keeping my gaze on his. "To talk?"

His gaze held mine, giving nothing away.

And then suddenly, he stood up, taking my hand in his.

Goddess.

This was really happening and then his warm breath brushed my ear, mint and the scent of his cologne clouding my senses. His voice rumbled low in my ear, "Every moment of my time is precious. It'd be wise of you to use it well."

I smiled to myself.

Oh, honey, I intend to use it, and you, to the best of my abilities.

But of course... I didn't say that out loud.

Azzura.

Adriano led me out of the club, and my heart pounded in my chest like a drum. The bass from the music faded behind us as we stepped into the cool night air. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves.

As he maneuvered through the crowd, it was as if the throng of bodies parted like the sea for him. I couldn't help but wonder if they all recognized him, if they knew the power he held.

As we approached the front, I spotted a man in dark sunglasses and a sharp suit standing next to the bouncer I knew from previous nights. The moment this man turned and saw Adriano, he put a phone to his ear and barked out orders that I couldn't hear over the noise of the street. Then, just like that, he walked away, leaving me feeling even more curious about the man I'd chosen as my hit for the night.

When we got outside, I wasn't surprised to see the man in the suit holding open the door of a sleek Range Rover. It looked expensive, just like everything else about Adriano.

His hand slid to the small of my back as he guided me into the backseat, sending tingles along my spine. I helped myself in before he got in beside me, and I felt a rush of warmth at his proximity.

In the car, I pondered what to say. Words usually flowed easily for me; I had a knack for charming my targets. But with someone as attractive and powerful as Adriano sitting next to me, I found myself coming up short.

He glanced at me, his eyes sharp and observant.

"You're tense," he said in a smooth voice.

It was hard not to feel self-conscious under his scrutiny. "I'm not tense," I replied, trying to sound casual.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You're the one who extended the offer," he reminded me.

I crossed and uncrossed my legs nervously, watching him as his gaze followed the movement.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that regardless of how powerful a man was, he would always be just that-a man.

This was going to be easy as long as I remembered that.

Sitting up straighter, I let my gaze bore into his. "I've been thinking about all the ways I intend to 'talk' to you tonight," I said with a playful smile.

Adriano's eyes darkened at my words, and for a moment, an electric tension filled the air between us. It was thrilling and terrifying all at once.

When we arrived at our destination, my breath caught in my throat.

The high-rise building loomed above us, so damn luxurious and expensive-looking. Adriano walked into the lobby with an air of confidence that made me feel small in comparison.

He nodded at the concierge before leading me to a separate elevator that I realized led to his penthouse suite.

As we rode up, I stood in front of him, feeling his stare prickling against my back like a warm touch. The silence between us was thick with...anticipation.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, I felt his hand wrap gently in my hair, once and then twice before he tugged slowly, almost teasingly.

Flirtingly.

Dangerously promising.

The pull on my scalp sent delicious shivers I felt all the way to my toes.

He let go just as quickly as he had grabbed me, leaving me breathless and slightly dazed. Inhaling shakily, I stepped into his lavish apartment when the doors opened. My eyes widened as I took in the large space filled with minimal décor and rich-looking appliances that gleamed under soft lighting.

I walked further inside, trying to keep my awe under control.

What would I give for my sisters and me to live in a place like this? It felt like stepping into another world, one filled with possibilities far beyond what anyone of us had ever known.

As I turned back to find Adriano again, I saw him by the kitchen island pouring another glass of amber liquid for himself with careful precision.

He caught my gaze and smiled slightly, "Do you want another?" he asked casually.

"Yes," I replied without hesitation. "What are you having?"

"Whiskey," he said simply as he poured another glass for me and slid it across the counter toward me.

I picked it up carefully, admiring its rich color before taking a sip. The warmth spread through me instantly.

Adriano leaned against the counter with one arm resting casually on it while he took a sip from his own glass. "So tell me about yourself," he prompted after a moment of silence.

I hesitated for just a second but then decided to play along. "There's not much to tell," I said lightly. "Just your average girl trying to have a good Saturday night."

He studied me intently as if searching for something deeper beneath my words.

I felt vulnerable under his gaze but also so... intrigued by him, the man behind the power and reputation.

"What about you?" I asked curiously. "What's your story?"

Adriano chuckled softly but didn't answer right away. Instead, he took another sip of his drink while considering my question carefully. "Let's just say mine is complicated," he finally replied.

"Complicated?" I echoed with interest.

He nodded slowly.

"Maybe one day you'll share those secrets with me," I teased lightly.

Adriano's lips curved into a slight smile at that suggestion, a flicker of something more than mere interest passing between us.

"Maybe," he replied softly before taking another sip from his glass.

The atmosphere shifted again. And it felt charged with unspoken promises and possibilities hanging in the air around us.

In that moment, I thought I'd have a little more fun than I bargained for.

I set my drink on the counter top next to my purse, then walked up to him, taking his glass straight from his hand.

I took a sip, held it in my mouth. Then leaned over, heat engulfing my body as he let me trickle it between his parted lips.

When his mouth pressed against mine, I erupted in shivers.

His lips were soft, full, so warm and I parted my mouth for more. He didn't hesitate, delving his tongue into my mouth with a harsh groan.

The sound made me squeeze my thighs together.

He tasted of mint and something else, something I believed was so entirely him and I relished in it, arching my back, pressing the tips of my breasts against his hard chest. I was rubbing myself against him, desperate for more friction.

"I want you," I whispered the words into our kiss.

He pulled away just an inch, his lips hovering centimeters away from mine.

"Say that again." His words came out strained, rough.

I pressed forward, leaning in and capturing his bottom lip between my teeth. I pulled back just enough to see his eyes grow hooded. Hungry and then our mouths collided once more.

I was hot all over, mindless from just the feel of his lips on mine. Our teeth clinked, we bit, pulled, absolutely mauled each other.

And it still wasn't enough.

He grabbed my waist, pulling me closer to the bar stool and over his lap, so I was straddling him.

My dress pooled on either side of me, bunched by each of my legs straddling his hips. His mouth met my collarbone, kissing up my neck while his hands moved across my body.

An explosion burst inside me the second his lips ghosted across the sensitive spot behind my ear. My body sizzled, tingles spread along my skin as he bit, dragging the skin into his mouth through his teeth.

I rolled my hips, an electric current spreading straight from my core to the rest of my body at the feel of his erection.

Hot, hard, big, pressed right at my center.

Shamelessly, I ground against him.

His teeth sank into the side of my jaw, a hot exhale slipping through his clenched teeth. A surge of confidence ignited in me. The knowledge that I had the same effect on him as he did on me.

And it lit me on fire.

Suddenly, he dragged me off him. Leaning down, he hauled me into the air by my waist. My thighs automatically wrapped around him, hands linking behind his neck.

His movements were fast. Once we were in what must have been his bedroom, I didn't even have it in me to be embarrassed about the state of myself.

He tossed me on the center of the bed, pulling back to shrug off his open shirt in one fluid motion. He toed off his shoes, his socks, and trousers in the span of seconds.

Standing completely naked while his cock hung proudly, bobbing by his navel.

My pussy clenched around nothing.

The thought of it inside me?

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth.

"You can't have second thoughts," my eyes jumped up to Adriano's face.

"I-"

His hand closed around my ankle, dragging me down to the edge of the bed.

"You're fully dressed," his eyes moved over my clothes like they'd insulted him, "Let's rectify that."

He undid the satin belt on my waist, the sides of my dress fell away, pooling on the bed at either side of me.

"You're divine," he said, eyes taking in my exposed flesh, "Simply divine."

He wrapped his arms around the backs of my thighs, and I let out a moan as he dipped his head, pressing his nose over the lace of my panties and inhaling.

His hot breath fanned over my core, his nose tracing my seam through my underwear. It was too much and too little at the same time.

He pressed an open-mouthed kiss right over the swell of my achy clit. I pressed a hand over my mouth. His tongue darted over the fabric, his teeth grazed me. I was trying to keep calm, trying to be quiet, but his mouth wasn't even directly touching me and I was a mess.

His fingers curled into the side of my underwear, pulling it down my legs. I lifted up on my elbows, shrugging the dress off my shoulders and pulling it out from under me. My back hit the mattress again and he crawled over me, stealing my next breath in his mouth. His cock rested on my stomach like a heavy steel rod, and I couldn't resist reaching down to stroke it.

He groaned into my mouth, his hand slipping underneath my body, curling up and undoing the clasp of my bra with a flick of his wrist. My breasts spilled out of the loosened cups, and I tugged the straps down my shoulders, pulling it off and away from me. I reached for his length but he pulled away from the kiss, grabbing hold of my hands and pinning them above my head.

His lips trailed along my throat, I tossed my head back to give him more access.

"Do you have even the slightest idea," His voice came out strained, "what you're doing to me?"

And then his hips rocked into mine. I gasped, my thighs falling open. The head of his cock speared through my folds, nudging my sensitive clit as he ground the length of himself against me.

My fingers stretched into the air, reaching for something to hold on to, but I was bound by his heavy grip on my wrists.

I felt the tip of him spread my slit, the veined length dragging over my flesh till his balls nudged over my clit. Over and over again.

"Fuck," he growled.

I was slick, my wetness coated my thighs, coated the entire length of him as he glided back and forth easily. My thighs tensed on either side of him, I could come so hard from just this.

He pulled away, ghosting his mouth over my collarbone, gliding across my chest. I was breathing hard, my breasts danced along with the rapid movement of my chest. Adriano watched, his eyes transfixed on the milky swells.

And then he leaned down, his tongue darting out to trace over my skin. He kissed an open-mouthed trail to the underside of my breast, his teeth sinking into the supple flesh.

He nipped all around, sucking, licking, before pulling the tip into his mouth.

My back arched off the bed, and my hands tensed, still secured tightly above my head. He suckled me deep into his mouth, grinding his tongue over me, pulling at me with his teeth. While hot light shot behind my closed lids as he switched to the other breast. His hand lifted, smacking the side of one to watch it jiggle and then he recaptured it with his mouth, pulling at my nipple with a punishing drag of his teeth.

My eyes rolled into the back of my head and a breathy whimper escaped me. I felt his hands trail from the top of my knee, curling over the inside of my thigh and settling between my legs. He pressed his thumb to my clit as he sucked.

"Adriano!" I thrashed my head over the pillows. Fuck, it was too much. His middle finger traced my slit, reaching down to my entrance.

My body tensed.

I gasped at the intrusion. He pulled back. And suddenly, two fingers slipped into my pussy.

"Oh!"

He pulled them out just as quick. He coated the area with my wetness and then pushed off me. Now he was on his stomach, head between my spread legs.

His head dropped down, and I lost it at the first stroke of his tongue. My thighs tried to find each other, but he pressed them further apart. He licked and sucked, the hot length of his tongue dragging over the most sensitive part of me again and again.

My hands tangled in his hair, pulling and pushing at the same time. He groaned against my flesh, his tongue dipping into my entrance.

"Oh, my Goddess," My thighs trembled, a release was so close, I could practically taste it. He pressed two fingers into me, ghosting a third at my back entrance. Hesitating a moment, before pressing it in.

A gasp escaped me. It was so different, so taboo. But I felt so full, drawn tight like an electric coil bound to unfurl at any given moment. He pumped them into me, all three knuckle deep.

The feel of his mouth, the fullness of his fingers, my breath came out in short pants. And then he curled them inside me.

I burst at the seams.

My body ignited, a rush filling and consuming me, like five shots of vodka poured straight through my veins.

My fingers dragged through his scalp as the orgasm ripped through me.

He was fully naked by the time I came down, kneeling on the bed, stroking his cock in his hand. He kissed up my body as he positioned himself above me, blocking out my view of everything else in the room.

His thumb grazed my cheek lightly, as he rested his other hand above my head. He reached down, aligning the head of himself at my entrance. Our eyes held each other hostage, as he thrust in.

My mouth fell open. His girth stretched through my folds, creating a dull burning sensation.

A soft whimper escaped me. He leaned down, pressing a light kiss to my lip, to my cheek.

He rocked into me, slowly at first. My body tried to accommodate his size, and not long after, I was a moaning mess beneath him

.

"You've adjusted?" His question was ground out through clenched teeth.

I was breathless as I nodded.

"Good."

And then the control was knocked from my grasp. His hand closed around my throat and he pummeled into me. He moved his hips at a heart-racing pace, making me lose all my bearings. I could only focus on him. The feel of him inside me, the feel of him wrecking my body.

Each time his hips ground into mine, molten heat spread from my clit outwards.

He cupped my breast, pinched a nipple between his fingers. His hand moved all over me, the other cutting off my air. I wrapped my hands over the wrist by my throat, my hips lifting off the bed as his thumb stroked my clit.

He leaned down, smashing his lips against mine.

Now I couldn't breathe. I couldn't feel anything except him and the way he was everywhere. The hand between my legs, the length of him inside me, his tongue thrusting into my mouth in sync with the movement of his hips. The hand wrapped around my neck, holding me in place.

I lost it.

I came so hard stars danced behind my eyelids.

He let go of my neck, hands pressed on either side of me as his movements grew messy, harder. And then he pulled out of me, grasping his erection at the base, I watched as he stroked himself. Hot spurts of cum arched from his head onto my belly.

His stomach tightened as he groaned, throwing his head back.

I dipped a finger into the mess on my skin, his eyes met mine as I pushed it into my mouth.

A slow smile spread across his face as he shook his head.

He got off the bed and left for the bathroom, returning with a damp washcloth. My chest warmed as he cleaned his mess off me, before laying down beside me.

It wasn't something I'd expect a man like him to do.

And my body was so spent, so exhausted... it was no surprise when I felt my eyes drifting shut.

Adriano.

The little rat thought she was clever.

No, she must have assumed she was a damn genius to have actually had the pair on her to pull of such a stunt.

In my house.

With my presence just mere inches away from her at the time.

I remained in bed, alone now.

I rested on my back, staring at the ceiling as I let my breathing even out. Everything seemed calm, but my mind was racing, thinking back to this morning.

If I could even call it morning.

Thinking back to her.

The best goddessdamned lay I'd gotten in a long, long time.

Because when I'd opened my eyes earlier today, seeing a half naked little vixen tiptoeing through my room, it was barely dawn at the time.

But it wasn't surprising to see that the best fuck I'd had in a damn long time had a different agenda as she pranced around my room. Rummaging through my things like a little thief.

And she was a thief, in fact.

I'd watched her through half lidded eyes as she immersed herself in filling her pockets.

She went through my dressers, my closet, even the bathroom. She didn't miss a single spot as she pilfered.

It made me wonder if she only followed me here with the intent to steal from me. And the sex was just a bonus.

The thought made a slow, involuntary grin spread out on my face.

Watching her bend over, stuffing random trinkets into that burgundy dress that hugged all those luscious curves of hers like sin, was almost enough to keep me in bed. Almost.

Maybe it was the sheer audacity of her actions that amazed me. Or maybe I wanted to see how far she'd go.

Watching her search for a new area to fit whatever she'd gotten her hands on into her tight dress had me wanting to expose myself just to pin her on the bed and feel those curves underneath me again.

Because fuck, she showed me a good time.

But either way, I didn't stop her.

Not right away.

Not at all.

She was desperate-that much she'd made clear the night before. With all the things she drunkenly told me about her family struggles and the financial strain she dealt with, it felt the weight of the world was on her slender shoulders.

After the night we had, bet on us to stay up after.

Restless.

I filled her glass with enough wine to keep her mouth running. Part of me knew she wouldn't have uttered those things to a man like me if she wasn't intoxicated.

But after a few more drinks yesterday, she certainly was.

I didn't pry then, and I wasn't about to now.

Not when I'd seen her actively pilfering my belongings.

When she finally managed to slip out of the room, thinking she'd actually pulled one over me as she clutched her little stash, I almost laughed.

She thought she'd pulled one over me.

Me.

Adriano Giordano.

She had no clue that I'd already alerted my guards to let her leave. She'd get no trouble as she headed out of the penthouse.

And, it amused me to watch her slip through my fingers like water, thinking she was free.

But the amusement didn't last long.

It hit me the moment I sat up, the sheets pooling around my waist.

Something felt off.

My gaze darted to the dresser where I kept the one item I never let out of my sight.

The ring.

My ancestral ring.

A wave of building fury crashed over me.

That wasn't just a ring. It was a symbol of power, of control. It had been handed down through generations, a testament to the strength of the Giordano bloodline.

My father had placed it in my hand the day I became don, and his words echoed in my fucking ears even now.

'This ring isn't just yours, Adriano. It belongs to the family. To the Cosa Nostra.'

And now that little... could have stolen it.

I shot out of bed, my muscles taut with anger.

My heart pounded, not from fear of losing the ring. No one would dare to keep it for long, but from the sheer audacity of her actions.

From my carelessness.

Catch some good pussy and my head suddenly wasn't screwed on straight?

I ripped open the drawer, and just like I'd sensed, it wasn't there.

Like a broken dam, a sudden, forceful current of bitterness rushes through my senses.

I paced the room, my mind racing. How had I been so careless?

How had I let my guard down with her, of all people? A random woman I'd met at a bar?

But my mind knew the answer, and bitterly offered it to me like I begged to hear the truth.

Because she was clever.

Beautiful.

Dangerous in her own way.

And now she was mine to hunt.

I grabbed my phone and called Luca, my second-in-command. His voice was sharp and alert when he answered. "Boss?"

"The woman I brought with me last night, who'd I'd instructed the men at the gate to give safe passage to? Is she gone?"

His response was a yes.

My jaw tightened. "I've lost my ring." I said, hearing how cold my voice sounded.

And then I changed my mind, remembering that I didn't loose it.

Someone fucking took it.

"No." I corrected, "It was stolen from me."

There was silence on the other end. Then, "The Giordano ring?"

"Yes," I bit out.

Luca didn't ask any more questions. He knew better. "What do you want me to do, Boss?"

"First thing first, I want that woman found." I said, my voice low but firm. "Send men to all the usual places. Tear the fucking streets apart if you have to. And bring her back here. I want her tracked down by nightfall."

His response, as usual, and without complaint or emotion came swiftly, "Yes, boss."

I ended the call and stood by the window, looking out over the city.

The skyline was beautiful, and I took a moment to let it sink in.

Gave it a chance to calm me down.

The view was why I'd chosen this high rise in the first place.

But as of right now, it did nothing to calm the raging storm brewing inside me.

I should've known better.

I rarely showed mercy. It wasn't in my nature. And now I was paying the price for letting my guard down. She'd made a mistake. A big one.

Because no one stole from me and got away with it.

And Azzura?

She was about to learn that the hard way.