Four Months Earlier

Luca Salvatore

My eyes were set on their caskets as they rolled them into the ground, and laid them to rest. It angered me that they were able to do this. Those bastards. They were going to pay dearly for robbing me of my father and brother.

The sobs of Mikael's girlfriend reached my ears from where they constrained her due to her erratic behavior. She was going to hurt herself otherwise, so that was best.

I couldn't bring myself to look at her, or anyone else, but my Uncle's presence beside me was somewhat comforting. My father always said, 'A real man stands on his own. He doesn't need anyone, and he must never look weak.'

So, even though I was boiling and breaking inside from anger, and the pain of their loss, I bottled it all in. None of my feelings mattered at the moment.

With my father gone, I was to take over as the leader of the Ombra. Our Mafia was the biggest in the city, and now, it was upon me to continue to uphold our legacy. But… there was just one thing.

I needed an heir. As soon as possible, or else, I stood at risk of losing my rightful position.

To keep the Mafia afloat, a law was passed which stated that, "IF THE NEW LEADER HAD NO HEIR, THE LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE PASSED ONTO SOMEONE ELSE. SOMEONE WORTHY FROM AMONGST THE BETA FAMILIES IN THE GANG."

My uncle cleared his throat, and I turned my attention to him. "I believe you know what is next." I nodded; my expression neutral. I did. I also knew the next thing he was going to say.

"You need to take an heir as soon as possible, or your throne will be threatened. I know Lucio raised you right. So, I don't need to tell you the Mafia is a hungry place."

I already got used to him addressing my father by name. But the way his voice broke a little when he said it this time evoked another round of rage within me. They would regret ever messing with the Ombra Gang.

He finally turned to glance at me and nodded firmly. "Do what you have to boy. And do it fast."

I returned his gesture with a curt nod and returned my attention to the funeral, but not fully. My mind was racing with thoughts of possible solutions for this problem that arose.

The priest was still preaching as their graves lay open when Mia-Rose wrapped her slender fingers around my biceps.

My jaw ticked as I ground my teeth together, anger filling me. She pressed her boobs against my arm and stood on her tiptoes. "Don't you think it's time for you to let go of the dislike you have for me? You need an heir now, don't you? I'd gladly let you toss me around and carry your baby."

I shrugged her hand off the back of my shoulder and pried her fingers off my biceps. "Leave me alone." My voice was cold, and my instruction was clear, but this bitch didn't budge.

I started to wonder what I saw in her, and how I could have been in love with her since my childhood till a few months back. Even after she cheated, she still didn't know her place, and she never stopped bugging me.

My hands itched to throw her out of the funeral right there and then, but I didn't want to cause a scene at my Father and Brother's funeral. They deserved that at least. And even if it meant keeping my cool, I would.

"Baby," she said sultrily and raised her index finger to touch me. I shot her a glare, causing her to stop midway.

"You lost the right to call me that a long time ago."

"So, you're not willing to keep things like that in the past and get back together with me for the sake of our families? Our Union will make you stronger, and no one would dare mess with us."

A nasty headache was forming as she kept rambling, so I shut her up. "Enough." My tone was calm, but it didn't hide my contempt and anger. "I'm not getting back with you, even if you're the last woman in the universe. I suggest you leave before I lose it."

Her eyes widened slightly, and she became offended and embarrassed. "You're going to regret this. And when you do, you'll have to beg me on your knees for me to take you back or help you."

Talk about delusional.

She stormed off, and the peace returned. We all took turns pouring the sand over their graves. When we were done, I bent down and fixed the purple rhinestones in the holes beside their names on the gravestones.

"Rest in Peace, Father. Rest in Peace, Mikael."

*****

Later that Night.

"Boss," Carlson bowed when I came out, and was about to get in the car, but I stopped him.

"I'm going alone. Enjoy." I collected the key to the Mercedes and drove straight to Casa Maria, one of my clubs in the area. It was also my favorite one.

The security man and the other workers bowed as I walked into the club. I was still grieving, and in no mood for fun, so I ignored the strippers that approached me and walked straight to the VIP area.

"Give me two Blue Moons," I ordered, and the bartender got to work immediately.

"Yes, boss."

I turned my back to the bartender and faced the club. I could see the other places from here, and it gave me a sense of joy that I built this shit. Brick by Brick, and this is part of my Empire.

Casa Maria was built after my mother died. Bless her soul. Maybe that's why it was my favorite. Because it always gave me some kind of solace.

I was still looking down at the people having fun when I noticed a redhead serving a table. I knew all my employees. She was definitely new here.

Something about the way she looked out of place attracted me to her. She seemed so innocent, and it was evident in the way she worked. I could also tell that she was uncomfortable.

It surprised me that I spent a whole five minutes analyzing the girl when normally, I'm never interested in my workers.

"Sir, your drinks are ready."

I turned back to him and downed one of the glasses. It was better I minded my business, and I wanted to, but I couldn't take my mind off her.

Watching her from afar wasn't wrong anyone, and if it was, I didn't care.

But by the time I downed the second glass, and decided that watching her was more intoxicating and distracting than the two glasses of Blue Moons I just drank, A group of four men had surrounded her.

My eyes darkened as one of them grabbed her arm, while she meekly tried to get away. "I am not afraid of any of you, you know?" She spat. "I am not one of those girls you treat like garbage. I won't let you have your way with me."

The men chuckled at her resistance. I bet it was more of a turn on for them.

However, watching them, I had no idea what came over me, but I believe what I felt was rage. Primal and Dangerous.

I knew these men had no sense of reasoning, but I wanted to give them a chance. "Let her go."

They turned to me and laughed. "Pretty boy. This isn't any of your business, so scurry along."

A sadistic smirk tugged the corner of my lips, and I looked at them through my hooded eyes. His hand snaked around her waist, and he pinched her so she'd stay quiet.

My blood boiled to an impossibly hot degree, and I lost it. In an instant, I reached her and kicked the one that grabbed her by the waist. As my foot connected with his back, there was a loud satisfying crack sound.

He fell to the floor and started groaning in pain. I focused my attention on the others, ignoring the now lame idiot writhing in pain on the floor.

The bald one lunged at me, and I sidestepped him. He crashed into the wall and didn't get up again. He probably fainted.

At that moment, I saw red and didn't care if they died in the process of the fight. Assault was a big NO, and that fueled my anger even more.

The last two glanced at each other nervously but still came at me nevertheless.

I lost focus, and they managed to land a punch on my lower lip, causing it to burst. "You shouldn't have done that." I seethed and slammed their heads against each other before kicking them in the balls.

They ran away after that. I turned to the girl I saved, and my eyes landed on her name tag. It looked nice on her boobs. Serena.

It was no wonder the men were trying to get their way with her. She was gorgeous, and those lips. Fuck.

The shirt she was wearing was a size too small, which made her chest look fuller. It looked like the buttons were going to pop anytime.

She quickly grabbed a bandage from the tiny purse strapped to her waist and put it on the side of my head. I hadn't even noticed that I got injured there. Her scent filled my nose, and I had to fight the animalistic urge to devour her neck.

She smelt like detergent and strawberry. It was an oddly sexy smell. Or maybe it was the Blue moon.

"You didn't have to fight for me." She muttered as she focused her attention on my bruised lip. "I could have stood up for myself."

My left brow raised, but she seemed to be oblivious to it.

"Sure. You looked like you had everything under control. I should have let them do what they wanted instead and minded my business." I was pissed that she didn't acknowledge my help. But then again, why was I pissed? That was unlike me.

I never really cared what anyone thought about my efforts. Plus, this girl was a complete stranger.

"Thank you," I said, bolting away before she could say anything else. She looked surprised and confused, but I wasn't planning on entertaining her any further.

I left Casa Maria and went back home immediately.

"Luca." My uncle's voice boomed as I got in.

I raised my brow at him, wondering what news he had for me this time. He didn't look like it was good news.

"The BETA families have called an emergency meeting concerning the new leader." He paused, an emotion flashing across his eyes so fast that I couldn't read it.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's not looking good."