Gianni
If only my cock wouldn’t twitch at the mere mention of her name. Not in front of my daughter, for fuck’s sake. Good thing I’m seated, or else I might have some explaining to do. “Why would she need them?”
"Please don't get upset," she starts, her tone indicating potential trouble. "But I might have forgotten to mention something. Caterina broke up with Luciano a couple of nights ago and needs somewhere to stay. I offered her a place in my wing of the house since it’s empty. I tried to convince her to come with me, but she declined, saying something about responsibilities and being an adult. You know as well as I do she won’t cause any problems. You probably won’t even notice she’s there."
Her naivety is both charming and frustrating. At least she’s unaware of my darker, inappropriate thoughts, and I intend to keep it that way.
I'm caught in a tough spot. Refusing now feels impossible, not just because it's being sprung on me at the last minute, but because it would be unfair to deny Caterina if she’s already enroute. I can’t explain to Tatiana why this might be a terrible idea without revealing things I’d rather keep hidden, like the incident on the patio less than a week ago.
"You know I dislike when you surprise me like this," I say, narrowing my eyes. "I don’t appreciate being put on the spot." It would be wiser to prevent this situation altogether. I know what will happen if Caterina stays here. With Tatiana gone, there’s nothing to stop me from indulging my cravings, possibly to the point of inviting numerous women over just to keep myself in check—if I can resist claiming Caterina right from the start.
"Dad, it's Caterina. She’s practically family. What else was she supposed to do? Move back in with her father? You know he’s overbearing and controlling. It wouldn’t work out. She’s not a bird to be caged; she’s a phoenix that needs to fly."
But the truth is, she does need to be confined—by my arms, in my bed, with me dominating every part of her.
Tatiana crosses her arms, her lips forming a small pout. "Besides, I feel terrible leaving her in such a situation. Friends don’t abandon each other in times like these. I’d never enjoy myself knowing she’s here struggling and worrying about what Luciano might do."
At her core, Tatiana is genuinely warm and generous—a trait she didn’t inherit from me. Instead, it's my own cool demeanor that she has picked up. She can switch it on and off as needed, much like I can, but it’s something she learned instinctively rather than through any direct teaching from me.
I can’t fault her for wanting to support her friend, even if it puts me in a difficult position. Having Caterina alone with me while Tatiana is halfway across the globe—without any distractions like a boyfriend—creates a dangerously tempting situation.
Unable to resist, I ask, "You mentioned they broke up. What happened?"
Her pout quickly shifts to a smirk. “Oh, so now you’re interested in gossip? I didn’t think you’d care about something like that.”
“Be as sarcastic as you like, but I need to know if there’s a chance an ex might try to get back into her life and potentially cause problems.”
Her expression darkens. “That cheating jerk better not try to reach out to her.”
Just as Roger had said. “Well, I hope she’s holding up okay.”
“She seems to be managing well for now, but once the moving excitement fades, she might struggle. At least with me gone, she’ll have a safe place to stay.” She checks her phone and grimaces. “I wish I could stay longer, but I’m already running late.”
Fatherly instincts kick in as I stand and embrace her. “Call me as soon as you land, and again when you get to the rental. This is your first time without a bodyguard. If anything seems even a bit off—”
“I know, Dad.” She rolls her eyes but with a fond smile, standing on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Christopher is with me, and he can handle himself if needed.”
“I’m not going to stop worrying anytime soon, so don’t waste your breath trying to change that.” I kiss the top of her head and guide her to the door. I keep my arm around her until we’re at the entrance. “Have a great time, but stay alert. If you run into any issues, call me immediately. I’m just a flight away.”
“You know I will. Nobody messes with me.” She growls with a determined look, and I can’t help but shake my head. If I thought she was joking, I’d laugh it off, but I know she genuinely believes she’s invincible—a confidence that only youth can bring.
I watch as Tatiana skips down the walkway. Christopher waits for her in his Mustang, and I give him a nod. He acknowledges with a wave, his gaze steady. From what I’ve gathered, he seems like a decent guy from a respectable family. I had Roger dig into him and his background when they first started seeing each other. If there had been any doubts, I wouldn’t have approved of this trip. Tatiana might be an adult, but I still support her financially, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.
Once Tatiana is safely in the car, I close the door and head back to my office. I pause at the window, surveying the grounds with a sense of pride. My empire is a testament to my hard work—building a network of associates and earning their trust, all while remaining cautious. In business, you can never fully trust anyone; friends and foes often look the same.
The fruits of my labor are evident. Eighty acres enclosed by high walls and guarded by my most reliable men. A fleet of cars, a boat, a private jet. The freedom to go anywhere and do anything, all while knowing that the law can’t touch me. I wrap my operations in layers of complexity, making everything appear completely legitimate.
Sometimes, I think people might envy me a bit, even the detectives who can never quite pin anything on me.
“Boss?” Roger’s footsteps announce his presence behind me. “It’s almost time for the call.”
I nod in acknowledgment and continue to my office. It’s almost possible to forget the intense desire that grips me.
The thought of having Caterina—sweet and innocent—under my roof, completely under my control, with nothing standing in our way, is almost overwhelming.