Chapter 2

Myra

I close my eyes when I hear my room door creaking open. Leon is coming into my room? I realize and that makes a smile tug at my lips

I sink deeper into the quilt, his heavy footsteps echoing closer this time. I know Leon's footsteps like I know the back of my hand. He walks into a place like he owns it. His raw male power fills the room.

It excites me beyond my imagination. As he walks more closely, I feel my heart fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings. Oh, my God.

And then my stepfather sinks into my bed, his presence dominating me even as my eyes are closed.

My throat becomes utterly parched and I wet it with my saliva. Shivers race down my spine when his fingers reach up my temple, rendering a gentle caress.

He tucks my stray hair behind my ear and I smell the faint scent of cigarettes lingering in his palm.

My heart wants to burst out of my chest at his lingering touch.

Then his deep baritone voice filters through my ears.

“Myra, are you okay?”

Oh, gods above, his voice is touching the inner parts of me. I stir pretentiously and blink my eyes up at him.

He has a rough scruff on his chiseled jaw and I wish to skim my fingers through it. His pink lips are set in a straight line and his thick brow furrows down me.

I drown in his chocolate eyes while I smile at him.

“Father. You’re back.” I murmur, trying my hardest not to moan. My sexual addiction increases whenever I’m with him.

He nods, loosening his detachable collar and unbuttoning a few buttons of his shirt. I peek at the slip of skin and I can’t help how it makes the butterflies flap its wings in my stomach.

I wonder why he's here. I scoff inwardly. I know it’s not uncommon for a father to wish to have a talk with his daughter this late in the night but this is Leon we’re talking about. The don of the Bianci mafia family.

Of course, he has a lot of things that consume his time. So many affairs he needs to handle. But he's here, drowning me with his eyes.

“Yes. I’m sorry I’m late again.” He says, meaning it. But I chuckle, mistakenly running my hand up his arm. They’re firm and muscled.

“It’s not a problem. I guess I’m used to it already.” This is my shy response.

“Regardless, I should always be there for you, Myra. It’s my responsibility as your father. Or stepfather.”

Leon speaks, locking eyes with me. Hell, his gaze leaves a trail of fire on my skin, simmering me up with need.

“I’ve grown used to it. What brings you here?”

My hot stepfather rests his head back on the headboard, wheezing a breath. His broad shoulders occupy whatever space that’s there.

“We have a little party at the casino tomorrow, Myra.”

The casino? A party? My ears ring, prickling my interest. Being born in a mafia family, I’ve been to a lot of parties and I know a little how the mafia men behave.

Not just that, but being at that party will enable me to carry out my goals. I want to know the person behind my mother’s death.

Though my mother may have abused me. Treated me badly, and I still want to know who was behind her sudden death.

I know I should have told Leon to help me but then I can’t. I don’t trust him enough to do that. Maybe it’s because of my abuse at home, maybe not. But I can’t trust Leon or anyone else to investigate my mother’s death.

I’ll do it alone. I guess it'll help me grow strong. I have to.

I’m just obsessed with Leon but it’s not to the level of trust…yet.

“That sounds like fun.” I chuckle while he burns me with his eyes. “I’ll come along, Leon .” I finalize and he nods meekly.

My shoulders become taut as I remember what I’ve been wanting to tell him. But how do I approach this?

Leon might refuse to grant me that.

Quickly, I spring up from the bed and go over to my dresser where there’s a jar of water and a glass.

I fill the glass and take a drink to calm my nerves. My heart pounds under his watchful gaze.

“Tell me, Myra. How was your day?”

I perch my ass on the edge of the dresser, watching him. My nipples jut out through my flimsy nightgown and for a moment Leon’s eyes wander down there.

I catch him swallowing thickly, a lustful look in his eyes but before I know it, it disappears. His expression was plain like there was nothing there before.

“It was cool. I spent most of my day here, reading before I fell off to sleep.”

He looks at the book on the nightstand, The Flapper Wife.

The book has a lot of erotic content that keeps my desire burning for Leon. It helps me in imagining what being with him will be like.

“That’s impressive…” He trails off, watching me again. I’m hyper-aware of every dip of his eyes around my body.

His gaze leaves a scorching trail through me, I can’t resist.

“Listen, Leon .” I pause briefly, anxious. I knit my fingers together, biting my lower lip.

Leon rises from his seat, sneaking a look at me.

“Is something wrong?” He peer at me while I shake my head.

“It’s just…” Hell, c'mon Myra, let it out.

Leon bounds into my space, urging me gently. “Say it, Myra.”

Gathering the courage, I lock my eyes with him. “I want to join the mafia fully. Maybe I can just start with the junior rank--- Soldato?”

Gosh, finally. It’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulder.

Surprisingly, Leon lifts my chin with his fingers. Then. “Is that what you want?” He asks.

“Yes,” I murmur, my voice filling the air between us.

“Then I shall grant you your wish…”

“Thank you,” I say, interrupting him.

“But you'll start as an enforcer, a higher rank. However, you'd need training. ”

That has my eyes bulging and unthinkingly, I wrap my arms around Leon, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you…so much, Leon .” I spew in joy.

“Anything for you, Myra.” He caresses my hair one last time before pulling me backward.

We exchange a few words before he leaves my room, his shadow lurking around.

I can’t wait to start the training. It'll help me in becoming strong. Aside from that, joining them full-time in the mafia will enable me to find out who truly killed my mother.

I’m a step away from uncovering the hidden truths about my mother’s death.

The next morning arrived with speed. I yawned stretching wondering what had awakened me. At least I hadn’t had any more nightmares, so that was good enough for me. A glance around revealed nothing, but another knock at my door told me everything I needed to know.

“Come in,” I called not caring who it was that saw me in my skimpy nightwear.

"Miss, your father will be coming soon," Alistair cautioned, his voice a low murmur laced with concern.

"Why? Are you frightened?" I asked playfully, my toes teasingly grazing his Adam's apple.

Noticing the blush creeping across his usually unflappable face, I allowed my slender calf to brush against him, feeling the evidence of his reaction beneath my touch. I moved with deliberate, flirtatious intent, savoring the way he stiffened.

Alistair was visibly taken aback. "Miss..."

"This is just a test, Alistair," I said, my voice a silky whisper. "Endurance is as vital as the code of silence."

I shrugged with casual elegance, letting him assist me into my clothes as my hands rested languidly behind my back. But when the faint sound of leather shoes descending the stairs reached my ears, I straightened with sudden alertness, my eyes locked on the door.

The door handle turned, and the entrance was graced by the bright-haired figure of my father, his presence illuminating the otherwise dim room.

With a playful tilt of my shoulder, I rubbed one eye as if just awakening, and called out in a voice still thick with sleep, "Good morning, Father."

"Good morning, Myra," Leon took a solid minute staring a terrified Alistair down before he released him. When he did let him go, Alistair fled looking like a little naughty puppy.

"Come here, my daughter," Leon's voice purred, dark and alluring, like a devil weaving a spell around an innocent angel.

He guided me to the mirror in the cloakroom, his touch both firm and tender as he helped me into my coat. We stood side by side before the glass, my head barely reaching his chest. I tried to stand on tiptoe to appear taller, but in doing so, the back of my head brushed softly against his chin.

His breath fanned across my head simultaneously warming and tickling me. Goosebumps broke out across my skin, and I leaned into him. Leon reached around me fastening the buckle. His muscled arms closed around me causing me to shiver. His hand against my stomach was almost too much for me causing me to jump.

"Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable?" His voice held a note of concern, but his gaze, half-lidded and scrutinizing, never left my flushed reflection. It was the look he gave when he suspected the truth lay beneath my words.

"It's just... a little warm in here. Let’s step outside," I stammered, unable to meet the depth of his penetrating eyes that seemed to unravel every secret I held.