Entangled with the mafia boss

Lorenzo.

Omaha, Nebraska.

Here's a revised version of the chapter with explicit content removed:

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I gazed at the cigarette that dangled between my fingers, watching the fragile ashes crumble and fall away. If only I could make him talk, if only I could force the truth from his treacherous lips. He was here to spy on me during my precious five-day vacation, and the thought gnawed at me as I found myself dragged into work even when I was far from my office.

With a swift, controlled push to his chest, he crumpled to the ground, gasping in pain. My anger, though momentarily appeased, still raged within me. "You're going to tell me who sent you," I growled, seizing his collar and yanking him upright. His face was a mess, swollen and bruised.

I didn't care about the state he was in. My knuckles met his chin in a sharp, punishing jab. He cried out, tears streaming down his battered face, but I couldn't muster even a trace of sympathy.

He fell backward, closing his eyes, but his sobs continued, and my frustration intensified.

"I don't think this guy's working for anyone," Miles interjected, standing beside me. With a sigh of irritation, I shoved my hands into my suit pocket.

"Either he talks, or he stays here," I declared, moving toward a nearby basin to rinse my knuckles, which had been grazed in the scuffle. A frustrated groan escaped me as I discarded my blazer and shirt onto the ground.

"Clean up the mess," I ordered, and strode away, leaving the man to his fate. My men knew what I meant.

In my bathroom, I washed the evidence of that encounter from my body, relishing the soothing sensation of the water against my skin. I leaned against the bathroom wall and sighed. This was a first for me, my enemies discovering my whereabouts when I had only just arrived in Nebraska.

I suspected Lucio's involvement in this; he had always sought my downfall. Even after he had brought down my father and Miles's parents, it seemed he still hungered for my ruin, aiming to inherit everything my father and I had worked so hard for. Did he truly believe I was naïve enough to let him seize what rightfully belonged to me?

If I discovered his hand in this, I would ensure he received the consequences he deserved. I cared not how powerful he was; the Massimo family was unbreakable and resolute.

Emerging from the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and left those thoughts behind, determined to hit the beach. As I entered my room, Miles awaited me with a concerned expression.

I dismissed his look and headed for the closet. Miles was the gentle one, the compassionate soul, who had been with me since childhood, and we were inseparable. "That was rather harsh," he began, pointing towards the door.

I chuckled softly as I dried my body with a small towel and tossed it into the laundry basket. I opened my closet and picked out my beach attire. "You should be used to it by now," I replied, pulling on a black short-sleeved shirt, boxer shorts, and knee-length shorts.

He paced the room, his frustration evident. "How am I supposed to get used to witnessing such harsh acts?" he snapped.

I gathered my belongings and approached the door, determined to carry on with my beach excursion despite being under surveillance. "You're the son of a Mafia boss, Miles," I said, urging him to accept the harsh realities of our world.

•••

Half an hour had passed since the morning's chaos, and I found myself on the beach. Miles's warning to keep a low profile echoed in my mind, but I refused to cower. I was here to relax, not to hide from some insignificant pest who couldn't hold a candle to my wealth and power.

I settled into a beach hammock, my attention shifting from the attractive women who waved in my direction to the rhythmic crashing of the ocean waves. It felt as if I were bathing in the salty scent of spring sunlight, as the morning's first rays injected vitality into my very fingertips.

Today was a day to keep my eyes wide open, like an old-fashioned camera waiting for the image to develop.

I heaved a contented sigh, reclining further and lacing my hands beneath the back of my head. I cherished the seaside, a luxury rarely indulged in back in Italy. It was hard to savor such moments when you were constantly under the shadow of danger and surveillance.

"Hey, handsome."

The unfamiliar voice snapped me from my reverie, and I recognized her type—a woman seeking attention. I groaned softly, opening my eyes and fixing my gaze on the woman who blocked the sunlight. My sunglasses hid my expression as I scrutinized her from head to toe. She possessed the kind of figure that graced the covers of magazines; her stunning beauty was impossible to ignore.

Sensing my gaze, she bit her lower lip and flipped her blonde hair provocatively. I clicked my tongue and leaned back, closing my eyes.

She spoke in a sultry tone, attempting to entice me, but I remained unfazed. I simply wanted peace and quiet, an escape from the chaos. If only she knew who I was and the danger that came with being near me, she might have run for her life. Anyone who dared to get close to me understood that their life was at risk and that they'd have to lead a reclusive existence once our association became public.

She tried to occupy the hammock next to mine, but I stopped her firmly. "You're so dull and unimaginative that you fail to grasp that I'm not interested, and you're far from my type. Leave before I have my men escort you out, and they're not the gentle kind."

She recoiled, furrowing her brows, her exasperation and annoyance evident. My words had been sharp, and she likely hadn't encountered a man as ruthless and arrogant as me before.

"Jerk!" she spat and departed.

A sigh of relief escaped me as she left, and I leaned back. I massaged my temple, feeling the headache and irritation settle in as more women approached, seeking my attention. This was precisely why I avoided public outings and ensured my home in Italy had everything I needed to avoid such nuisances.

My disgruntled gaze wandered when, amidst the sea of flirtatious advances, I laid eyes on the most exquisite figure I had ever seen. She leaped gracefully, her form captivating, and my heart quickened. Her physique was perfection, slender and elegant, with a slim waist and radiant fair skin. Her arching brows framed sparkling eyes, and her heart-shaped lips beckoned. Her raven-black hair flowed like a cascade, a mesmerizing sight.

Without a doubt, I had found my future partner on this Alaskan beach. I wasn't going to let her slip through my fingers. She was perfect for me, exuding an air of indifference toward social conventions that I found irresistible.

Two insufferable ladies stood in my path to reach her, and my irritation flared. "For heaven's sake, get out of my sight," I muttered as I pushed past them, but by the time I reached the volleyball court where my dream woman had been, she was gone. I frantically scanned the beach, but she had vanished.

How could I have let my future slip away in a mere moment?

•••

"How long did you say you were going to remain in Omaha?" Lydia inquired, her speech slightly slurred. She scratched her temples, attempting to concentrate but found it difficult after so many drinks she had taken.

"I just have a week until I return home. This is the fourth time you've asked me the same question, Lydia. You're drunk and need to go home..."

"No... no, you're drunk." Her eyes closed as she dropped her head over the bar table.

I sighed as I stared at her for a minute. Lydia is my only female friend, whom I have grown with together with Miles. She is beautiful and has a charming personality, but one or two things I dislike about her are how abrasive and rude she could be at times. To others, not to me. She would never breach my boundary. She knows how good I am at enforcing limits with those who cross my line.

I sipped my drink in one go and set the glass cup down, ready to call it a night.

I got on my feet after paying the bill. I was sober but exhausted. Every inch of my body ached because, after the beach, I had to deal with another issue again. I wasn't about to go back to my guest house, so I headed to a hotel and booked a room.

I finally made it to my suite and slumped on the king-sized bed the instant I walked in, as all my energy appeared to have gone.

When I closed my eyes, the first thing that sprang to my mind was the girl I had seen earlier at the beach. "Darn," I muttered as I got off the bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up before going to bed.

Her image lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but think of her beauty and grace. I’ve never desired to be with someone like I wanted to be with her. Her presence excited me, and I didn’t even know why. This wasn’t like me to be captivated by someone I merely saw, but she was different. She looked different. She even felt different from the others I’ve met in my life.

I slid into my bed and shut out the lights. After a few minutes, I rummaged around the bed for my phone and called a number as soon as I located it.

I spoke into it. "Don't waste my time, or I'll change my mind and call someone else." I abruptly terminated the call.

The door to my room swung open in less than five minutes, and a lady

Aubrey.

As the soft, morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, I stirred in an unfamiliar room, trying to make sense of my surroundings and what had transpired. This was definitely not my room; I couldn't recall booking a suite or even being in the right hotel.

Heavy drinking was not my usual practice, but last night had been a wild exception. After Colleen dragged me to the club, my memory was nothing but a blur. I could vaguely recollect leaving Colleen behind and hailing a cab. The next thing I knew, I had found my way into a hotel lobby. Perhaps, in my inebriated state, I had pushed the wrong floor button on the elevator...

Suddenly, clarity struck like a bolt of lightning, and I sat up, wide-eyed, as the pieces of the puzzle snapped into place. I had indeed selected the wrong floor on the elevator, stumbling into the suite level. Desperation must have led me to try all the doors on that floor until I found this one unlocked.

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