The Kingpins Obsession

Lena's pov

After an excruciatingly long week of having the same exhausting classes over and over again, the only thing I wanted tonight was to drown my sorrows in the bitter-sweet embrace of liquid courage. I had come to numb my feelings and drive away the stress that had been accompanied with a lot of anxiety these past weeks, to forget the demands of school life and escape the responsibilities that have weighed down on me for so long. All the weeks of taking mock Exams, tests, lectures, assignments, coupled with my part-time job as a waitress at a local coffee shop up town that barely pays the minimum wage and my mother's failing health, I desperately needed a night on the town to unwind. A night just for me to feel like her age again. At just 21, I already had a lot of responsibilities on my frail shoulders.

And I wasn't alone either, my best friend, Jazz had planned the perfect evening for the both of us to simply let loose and have the time of our lives.

The pulsating beat of the music vibrated through the floors, matching the energy of the club. Jazz and me were seated at a secluded table at a corner. Shot glasses cluttered the table in front of us, the remnants of the liquor swirling in the vibrant neon lights that casted its glow over us and our surroundings. Jazz threw her head back in laughter, and I joined her, laughing uncontrollably at something that might have been far less funny than what we had made it out to be. But who cared? It was the weekend and we were here to let loose and drink ourselves to stupor.

Against the backdrop of the nightclub, my red hair, which I had just recently dyed, was wild like a flame, reflecting the neon lights as it fell in soft waves down my back. Sometimes it looked a bright pink, sometimes it looked a deep indigo. My big brown eyes seemed to reflect the excitement that bubbled at my depths as I felt the alcohol course through my veins. I was filled with unbridled anticipation and confidence as I leaned into my best friend. The giggles wrecking my body. Compared to the bold choice of hair color, my physical features were rather delicate, cute with an edge of Y2K baddie. Growing up, people told me I look just like my mother when she was around my age. An oval face with an upturned nose that led to full lips. Tonight, I had opted to wear a sultry black form-fitting dress that hugged my curves jealousy. A deep neck line that left little to the imagination and an open back. The dress stopped right above my knees and it had a long sleeve that flayed out. My lips were painted red to match my hair and Smokey make up to give me an even bolder look. A small bag hung at my side always and a simple silver chain that adorned my neck to tie my look together. Tonight, Lena Hart was going all out. Sexy and bold.

While I rocked the dress, Jazz had on biker boots, black leather pants and a white crop top turtleneck that revealed the moon shaped piercing on her bellybutton and a tramp stamp tattoo on her hip. A constant reminder of a night she had a little too much to drink without restraints and walked into a low bus tattoo shop. Her eyes were a vibrant green and her hair black as night, she tied it up in a high ponytail. She looked like a cat.

"Another one!" Jazz yelled over the music, sliding another shot towards me, to which i gladly accepted.

"Kampai!!" I clapped my hands together as a grin tore across my lips, stretching from ear to ear as I grabbed the shot glass and clinked it against hers before tossing it into my mouth in one go. The Tequila burned its way down my throat, but it made every fiber of my being come alive like fireworks on the fourth of July, heightening all my senses.

"you know what would be really fun??" Jazz began as she leaned into me, her words came out in a sultry slur as she grinned.

"what?"

"what if We like, hooked up with one of the guys here tonight."

"what?! don't be ridiculous, Jazz. Do you even realize the kind of men who come here?" I shook my head slightly with a small frown hanging off my brows. It wasn't as though the idea of doing that wasn't tempting, but the men in here were...different and you'd never know who took you home. But it would be a lie if I said the liquor hadn't stroked my own desires for something a little dangerous tonight. My body craved for the sinful touch of a man in ways alcohol wouldn't be able to satisfy. Because its been that long. But I shook my head as though to shake out that crazy idea.

"...yeah! Crazy Hot men," Jazz chirped excitedly. I could see the wheels turning in her head. She craved something fresh and exciting, even if that thing were a dangerous one-night stand with a made man. And club Nero was the perfect place to find that, but I wouldn't be persuaded.

"Emphasis on crazy! But no, I think you meant dangerous men, Jasmine Moretti!" I cut in. Club Nero was one of the hottest clubs in town. Just getting in required an exclusive wait list. And it might have taken a month for us to get on that list, thanks to Jasmine's connections, and it was totally worth it. But the caliber of men who frequented this place were not just ordinary criminals. No, these men ran this city's underworld. And I wasn't so sure it would be such a hot idea to mess around with them for a so called, night of fun.

"geeze granma, when was the last time you had a good fucking, Len? You know...." Jazz whined her hips in a suggestive manner and the both of us collapsed into laughter again. I hated how blunt she was sometimes.

As the both of us continued to enjoy the night, we didn't know how oblivious we were to the world that flowed around us as we had our fun. Even then, I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were being watched from somewhere within the club. But I brushed it off as passing paranoia as I took another shot of tequila to calm myself. It was probably nothing, there were a lot of people in here to begin with.

"you know what, shut the hell up, Jazz, let's go dance!!"

Taking a final swing of the tequila, I burst up to my feet and pulled Jazz along with me. The neon lights of the club pulsed around us as we weaved our way through the throng of bodies on the dance floor. Being a contemporary dancer, Jazz's dance moves were un matched as the crowd burst into a cheer and I joined her, moving to the beat of the music, carefree and unrestrained, laughter spilling out of our lips and into the air.

Jazz, with her inky black hair bounced in the strobe lights, raising her hands above her head, her body moving in perfect sync with the music.

Me, with my vibrant red hair and smoldering gaze wrapped around my body as I felt the waves rum through me like a current. Red. The color of power and seduction.

VINCENZO'S POV

From the VIP section of the club, I watched her closely.

And not for a single second did I take my eyes off her, never missing a beat, as I followed her every movement from the private booth across the room.

From the minute she and that other woman had walked into the club, I had my eyes fixed solely on her. Her vibrant red hair was like a flame in the sparely lit space that called me. It was bold, unruly, the kind of color that screamed for attention, and she wore it with charming confidence.

From that moment on, I hadn't been able to fully focus on the meeting before me, never for once taking my eyes off of her. Noticing my sudden silence, Lorenzo, my brother and first commander, followed my gaze and the bright red on the dance floor caught his eyes too. A knowing smile marked his lips as he leaned in.

"Careful, Fragéllo, she might burn up if you keep staring like that." Lorenzo teased. He was an intelligent man, I respected that. But he could be a damn nuisance sometimes. He managed to remain calm and laid back despite the icy glare I shot at him.

I let out an annoyed grunt and i finally tore my gaze away from the strange woman. I straightened the cuffs on my well-tailored ox blood suit that hugged my body snugly, and adjusted the collar of my shirt. A waitress dressed in a slutty dress came to top up my drink, but I couldn't have been less interested in the woman. I saw how her gaze lingered a little longer on my exposed chest before she left. I had intentionally left the front buttons on the shirt undone, exposing a generous amount of inked skin beneath the black shirt. I was nursing on a cigar, one leg crossed over another as I reclined back into my seat and blew smoke through my lips. The prince of darkness, the dark lord, the judge, the executioner, the don, the kingpin, were the different names people called me. I was a dominant force that exuded nothing but raw confidence and a brutal strength that preceded my reputation as the leader of the New York brawlers and current head of the Maranzano family.

"I don't know what you were talking about..." I denied Lorenzo's claim sharply, my voice deep and smoky with an authoritative edge that I used to command my men, but Lorenzo wasn't an idiot. He knew me well enough, far too well to not pick up any subtle changes in my mood and behavior. He could tell that I had suddenly picked an interest in the red-haired woman. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing that. When he gave the woman another glance, he hummed in approval.

Lorenzo wasn't an overtly muscular man, his build was lean, but strong in his own right, and he definitely looked like me. He was the second oldest and the second son out of four boys and a girl. The Maranzano siblings. With me being the oldest. Lorenzo was my underboss. A man I could count on when shit got too real.

"Sure," Lorenzo chuckled, leaning back in his seat as well, his tone laced with mock amusement. He had on a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled all the way up. On his wrist was a gold Rolex watch that could very much have cost the same as a middle-class worker's salary for an entire year. His knuckles were tattooed _NY Brawlers_.

"... Of course, you don't know what I'm talking about. You deny it, but you know, for someone who's usually so composed, you're acting a bit out of character, Vincenzo. You're practically drooling over that woman."

My jaw clenched, irritation simmering just beneath my surface. I took a long drag from the cigar, my gaze steeling as I blew the smoke out slowly, though my eyes betrayed a flicker of interest that I couldn't quite suppress. It wasn't often that someone captured my attention, and this woman had managed it without even trying. Her red hair gleamed under the dim lights, her movements effortlessly confident, her laugh carrying across the room like a siren's call. It was magnetic, infuriatingly so.

"I've got no interest in her," I muttered, but Lorenzo could see through the façade.

"You don't? Then ten thousand dollars says I can get her in my bed by the end of the night." Lorenzo's sly remark vexed me. It shouldn't have, but it did, because I saw her first. She was mine to claim.

"Relax, that was a joke. Deny it all you want, Fratello maggiore, but I can tell she's caught your eyes. A word of warning, women like that are nothing but trouble."

"Trouble?" My thick brow arched up in question.

"... Who the fuck do you think you're talking too, fratello minore?" I scoffed.

But as much as I wanted to deny it, Lorenzo was right, the woman had indeed caught my attention. I didn't know why, but there was something magnetic about her that pulled me. Even as I sat here with all my men discussing a matter of upmost importance, I could barely take my eyes off the woman before me, nor could I ignore the growing tension in my pants. I gritted my teeth to bite back the lust, but as I watched her put on a show on the dance floor, I couldn't think quite straight. She was twerking for goodness sake, and another man was grinding against her. I couldn't help but imagine it was me up there with her and not that worthless piece of trash right there. It made me angry. This had never happened to me before, but I couldn't say that I hated it.

Lorenzo smirked, catching the flicker of frustration in my eyes. Women were never a cause to worry about.

"Oh, I know exactly who I'm talking to," he replied smoothly, lounging back with a casual shrug. "But even the great Vincenzo Maranzano isn't immune to the charms of a beautiful woman with a dangerous edge. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

I clenched then unclenched my jaw, deflecting with a scoff, but his gaze drifted back to her. She moved with an effortless grace, each twist and sway a siren's call that had me rooted in place, desire simmering beneath my cool facade. I prided myself on always being in control-over my men, my empire, myself-but tonight, she was making me forget all of that. I wanted to lose control in this woman.

As she danced, oblivious to the effect she was having on me, I felt a pang of irritation. I knew I shouldn't be distracted tonight, especially not in a club with my most trusted men, where a single misstep could be lethal. Yet here I was, struggling to concentrate on our discussions, my mind clouded with thoughts of pulling her close and losing myself in the heat that radiated between us.

My fingers flexed around the cigar as I fought to keep my composure.

She was an ethereal beauty. My gaze raked all over her body from head to toe, undressing her from this distance, tracing the curves of her body in that short black form-fitting dress that hugged her in all the right places, teasing me with glimpses of skin as she moved. Fair skin, smoldering dark eyes, she looked like she belonged in a movie. My eyes traveled from her perfect face, down her plush lips that were painted to match her hair. They went further down again, following a path down her chest. The neckline was scandalous, dipping low enough to give a generous view of the swells of her breast, but just enough to keep the imagination guessing. Her long slender legs were equally inviting. The woman's body was a fucking masterpiece, a snack beckoning on me to come have a taste of its tempestuous fruits. With a slow deliberateness, my gaze traveled back up her body to her face again. I wanted her.

"I'm just saying, women like her have been the undoing of men like you for years already." Lorenzo continued.

"is that a challenge, Lorenzo?" my voice was crisp, and I leaned back into my seat like I owned the place and I did. My well-tailored suit was void of any kind of wrinkle. Being the Leader of the New York Brawlers, I never ran away from a challenge. Especially not a woman who looked as delicate as the one before me. But something told me that she would be anything but delicate. I would need to find out for myself.

"That wasn't what I meant." Lorenzo shook his head with a tight smile. The real reason he was so weary of this woman was due to the fact that he'd had his heart torn to shreds by a woman like that just two months ago. It had been an aggravating time for him.

My eyes narrowed at him as I picked up on the tension behind Lorenzo's casual words. "Ah, I see," I murmured, my voice laced with a hint of amusement and obvious mock. "So, this is about you. A little heartbreak, fratello minore?" my smile was taunting, but my gaze softened slightly, recognizing the bruised pride behind Lorenzo's warning.

Lorenzo's jaw tightened, and he shrugged, feigning indifference. But it stung him deep. "Call it whatever you want, Vincenzo. But you know as well as I do that when it comes to women like her, the only thing you're guaranteed is trouble." His words were a reminder of the ruthless world we both lived in, where trust was scarce and distractions dangerous.

Lorenzo reached for the Scotch whisky on the glass table. He was perched.

But I merely smirked, rolling the cigar between my fingers like a toy. "Trouble?" my voice dropped to a murmur as I took another look at the woman, who was laughing with her friend, completely unaware of my attention. "Trouble is something I've never had an issue handling, Lorenzo. Besides," my eyes flashed with an unmistakable fire, "..maybe I could use a little trouble."

Lorenzo held my gaze, as if trying to decipher whether I would heed his words or charge in headfirst as I always did. But he knew me too well-once something had caught my interest, there was no turning back.

"Fine," Lorenzo sighed, finally giving in, "but don't say I didn't warn you when she leaves a mark you can't shake off so easily."

"Don't worry about me, Lorenzo. Unlike you, I know how to handle my women." My lips quirked into a menacing smirk as I casted a long glance at him before I returned my gaze back to the woman on the dance floor.

My smile stretched into a dangerous one now as the gears in my head turned. All night, I had been surrounded by men--men in immaculate suits, each of them dangerous in their own right, but I was in a world of his own. I owned the club. This was my territory, my domain. But tonight, I had eyes only for the flame-haired girl on my dance floor. It was like I was getting my own private show separate from the throngs of people dancing and dry humping one another, it was a mess of body movements, but her movements seemed beautiful.

I could no longer ignore this pull, but at the same time, I couldn't completely dismiss Lorenzo's warning, yet I wanted to satisfy my curiosity.

Lorenzo's words echoed in my mind, but I brushed them aside, scoffing inwardly. I wasn't like him, I was not one to get entangled in the emotions my brother spoke of with such quiet resentment. No, for me, women were a game-a challenge I always conquered, leaving me exactly as I started: powerful, detached, untouchable. But something about her seemed to mock that certainty, and it infuriated me even as it intrigued me.

I continued to watch her. She swayed and spun, lost in her own world. She looked up just once, her eyes sweeping the room until they settled on mine and for the first time tonight, we made eye contact. A flicker of surprise, and then something else-a spark that matched my own simmering gaze. I felt a jolt as she held my stare, a subtle challenge in the tilt of her chin, her lips curving up slightly in response, but as soon as we shared that gaze, it was over, she turned her gaze away.

I could have watched her dance all night, but then she leaned over to whisper something to her friend, who nodded and waved her off with a grin. The woman, slipped through the crowd, heading toward the exit near the restrooms, and my dark eyes tracked her every step. This was my chance.

At that moment, I decided. I was going to know everything about this woman-the way her lips would feel against mine, how that fire in her eyes would look up close, and whether she'd burn as brightly under my touch as she did out here in the middle of my domain.

I crushed my cigar in the ashtray, my eyes never leaving her as I rose from my seat, adjusting my jacket with a practiced ease that sent a ripple of command through the crowd. I could sense Lorenzo's sigh of resignation beside me, but it barely registered.

Vincenzo's pov

"Excuse me,"

Tonight, curiosity will win. Whether it brought trouble or not didn't matter.

I was a predator on the hunt, and my prey still had no idea she was being stalked. I followed her closely and waited just outside for her when she disappeared into the restroom. Leaning against the wall, I waited with almost predatory patience.

Moments later, the doors opened, and there she was, smoothing the fabric of her dress and running a hand through her hair. Her cheeks were flushed, lips slightly parted as if she'd forgotten how to close them properly. The alcohol had worked its way through her system, letting a carefree smile tug at her lips.

She turned, intending to head back to the party, but the carpet had other plans. Her foot caught the edge, and she stumbled forward.

It happened in an instant-her body tilting off balance, her soft gasp escaping into the quiet hallway. And then she was in my arms.

I caught her effortlessly, pulling her against me before she could hit the ground. The scent of her perfume, delicate and feminine, mixed with the aroma of tequila. My hands steadied her, firm and sure, as if they'd known the shape of her all along.

Her head tilted back, wide eyes meeting mine.

She blinked, startled, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of us. Her chest rose and fell against mine, and I could feel her pulse quicken as she registered exactly who had saved her.

"Careful," I murmured, my voice low, the edges smoothed by amusement and something darker. My eyes never left hers, as her body pressed into mine like we belonged together from the start.

We were impossibly close, my dark eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

------

Red.

That was the color of her hair. I followed that blur of red through the crowd, never tearing my gaze away from it as I tailed the woman there. I stood against the wall, casually loitering in front of the restroom, watching and waiting for her to come out. It was a bit out of character for me to stalk anyone like this, but her presence had sparked my curiosity. I needed to know who she was, and I wasn't the kind of man to sit back idly and play the waiting game; I pursued what I desired with relentless determination. It was that very mindset that had allowed me to build my empire in the underworld. If I wanted something, I went after it-no hesitation, no retreat. And right now, I want her...

A moment later, the restroom doors were pulled open, and she went out. I hadn't realized it earlier, but she had a dimple. A moonshaped mark on her cheek that deepened whenever she smiled. She ran her fingers through her hair. Her movements are sensual. But she tripped almost instantly, and I was there to catch her.

Strawberries.

Mixed with alcohol. That's how she smelt, her body was soft against mine. Fuck, she was so soft as she pressed flat against me, she fit so perfectly in my hold and my heart raced as I pulled her closer to me. But the hard look in my eyes gave nothing away of the fire burning within me. When her eyes fluttered open she barely hid her shock.

"Careful," I murmured, my voice low and steady.

Her hazel brown eyes blinked as she tried to pull herself away from my hold. But I was reluctant to let her go.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you." she had apologized. Her voice was sweet like a melody. I hated how I was acting because of this woman in my arms. I didn't even know her name and this was the first time I'd seen her here in the club, yet still, all I knew was that I had to have her.

My lips quirked into a small smile as my grip on her loosened just enough for her to straighten up. But I never fully let her go. How could I? "That's quite alright," I chuckled, "I've had my eyes on you all night." I admitted.

The woman shot me an incredulous look, a subtle flicker of panic flashed in her eyes, but it didn't last long as her lips curved into the most seductive of smiles, as if she was in control of the situation, refusing to let my overwhelming presence intimidate her. I was intrigued by this, because not many had the courage to stand this close to me without feeling the overwhelming weight of my presence around them, let alone look me in the eye with defiance the way this one did. It pissed me the hell off.

"Do you say that to all the girls?" she remarked. There was a playful tease in her words that amused me. There was no fear, just defiance that filled her eyes. She probably didn't know who I was.

My gaze flicked to her full lips, then back up to her eyes. Her confidence was attractive, I'd give her that "No. Just you, Cara mia." I purred into her ear and she chuckled softly. The kind of chuckle that made my heart thump. I could not fully understand why this woman was so enthralling to me. I didn't know why I wanted her so badly. But I knew from the second I laid my eyes on her, even before Lorenzo figured out my interest, even when I had denied it, I knew I would not have slept well tonight if I had not acted on this burning curiosity in me. The way she smiled, her laugh and her voice, all fascinated me.

"I should get back to my friend," She whispered into my ear, but she made no move to step away from me.

My smile was confident as I held her back. We'd begun this teasing game now, it was far from over. "Or," I leaned closer, "you could stay with me a little longer."

My words hung in the space between us, a challenge, an invitation.

Lena's pov

Tonight was meant to be about having fun and letting loose with my girlfriend. Was I drunk? Yes! But at least I was happy. Happier than I'd been for a while now. I felt as though I was on top of the world right now. I was blissfully unaware of the world around me. It felt as though I was in a telenovela, and I was the star of my own franchise.

"I need to use the bathroom!!" I had said to Jazz, and she nodded, waving me off dismissively as she started dancing with a random guy that had been eyeing both of us.

I walked off, my steps wobbly, but I somehow found my way to the restroom.

The interior was pristine, unlike bathrooms in regular clubs, this one looked like it belonged in an ad. Soft lights lined the ceilings, full mirrors over the vanity sinks and hand dryers. There were four stalls and two of them were occupied. The grotesque sounds of someone throwing up made me chuckle. At least I knew how to hold down my liquor.

As I stood in front of the vanity, I turned to the door to be sure Jazz hadn't followed me. What I was about to do was off limits. I'd been clean for about a month now, but I couldn't resist the itch to make one hit. Just one, I didn't want this feeling to end.

With a soft click, I opened my clutch purse and pulled out a plastic baggie–Co**ne, Fairy dust, Bolivian marching powder, happy pills, snowboarding, disco dust. Whatever you wanna call it. I just needed the high. I knew it was bad for me, damn it, but I couldn't resist.

I felt guilty, Jazz had been helping me work things out, to step out of this. But ever since I started doing Dr*gs three years ago, thanks to my ex, it's been a constant roller coaster of ups and downs. I got better, but the thing with addictive habits is that they die hard.

Taking out a mirror and a rolled up dollar bill, I took it to my nose and inhaled. My eyes dilated and my smile widened.

"What's the worst that could happen?"

Once I could feel the effects of the dr*gs kick in, I splashed some cold water on my face. And with a final affirmative nod at my reflection in the mirror, I walked out of space. The pulsating beats from the speakers reached me and I smiled. Running a hand through my bright red hair. It was a giddy feeling, the kind of excitement you get from doing dr*gs. My mind was a bit fuzzy, but fuck did I feel like I was on top of the world.

The night was still young and all I wanted was to get back to the party. Back to Jasmine.

But the last thing I had expected tonight was falling into the arms of a handsome stranger. My breath caught in the back of my throat and my body shivered from the close contact when our eyes met. I should have been terrified out of my mind, but there was something about him that felt magnetic, or maybe it was just the dr*gs and alcohol coursing through me. The man was dressed in a sharp ox-blood tailored Italian suit and a black shirt on the inside. He had left a few of the buttons undone, giving me a generous view of his well-formed chest that had tattoos inked onto it, dark hair to match his equally dark eyes, and he smelled of cigars and expensive cologne. I swooned when his muscular arms tugged me closer to him. There was no doubt in my heart that he was a made-man. But it was his voice that truly got me. A rich low rumble that echoed in my ears to accompany the darkness in his eyes.

"Careful,"

I blinked as I tried to pull myself away. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." I apologized once I found my voice again.

From that impossibly close distance between the both of us, I watched how his lips quirked into a small smile to reveal perfectly lined pearly whites. His hold around me loosened just enough for me to straighten up, but he never fully let go. "That's quite alright," he chuckled, "I've had my eyes on you all night." he had an American-Italian accent to his words and I smirked, unable to bite back my own amusement.

"Do you say that to all the girls?" I teased. Feeling a surge of adrenaline rush through me.

He leaned closer, and I caught the strong whiff of his cologne mingled with the faint scent of cigar smoke. My heart raced, a mix of thrill and nervousness swirling in my stomach. "No. Just you, cara mia," he replied, his voice smooth like velvet wrapped around steel.

A laugh escaped my lips, playful and light. "I should get back to my friend." Although I said that, I made no move to leave his side. All night, Jasmine and me had received all kinds of attention from both men and women alike, but nothing felt like the kind of attention Vincenzo was giving me. I wanted to indulge in these new feelings a little bit longer.