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6

Two weeks later,

Lucian's pov

I leaned back in the booth, surrounded by the club's loud music and flashing lights. A blonde girl was on top of me, her hands running over my chest while her lips pressed against my neck. I barely paid her any attention.

She was just another one of my throwaways, something to pass the time. She reeked of cheap perfume, like she'd bathed in it to hide the stench of desperation she had thrown herself at me with. She wasn’t even close to my type and her body was the only thing she had going for her.

Her hands tightened on my shirt, pulling me closer and pressing my lips against hers. Our tongues moved together. As I kissed her deeply My hands roamed freely across her body, tracing the curves of her. My hands slid under her shirt, tracing along her sides until they reached her breasts. I fondled them gently.

Vito’s voice cut through the music, loud enough to get my attention. “Lucian, you just gonna make us all watch, or are you sharing?”

I smirked against the blonde’s lips and pushed her back gently. “You want a go, Vito?” I said, as she pouted at being interrupted.

Vito,was leaning casually against the booth across from me, His eyes flicked to the blonde before returning to me. He definitely was holding back his amusement.

Vito had a loud personality, always quick with a joke or a sarcastic remark. He liked to show off, and reserved wasn't his thing. Unlike the rest of us, he dressed flashy, in bright colors that stood out in a crowd.

His family dealt in weapons and muscle—brute force was their answer to everything, and Vito was no different. When you needed someone to get their hands dirty without asking too many questions, Vito was your guy. His wild, cocky attitude made him unpredictable, but that’s exactly why I kept him close.

“I don’t think I could handle your leftovers, boss,” Viti said with a smirk, sliding into the booth next to me. “Besides, I’m more interested in what you’ve got planned for tonight.”

Davide, the other one , was sitting across from us, with his drink in his hand. He was more reserved than Vito preferring to observe than engage in our conversation. A thinker, but just as deadly when it came to it.

His expertise lay in strategy, ensuring our operations ran like clockwork. While he wasn’t as flashy or loud as others, he was the kind of person you wanted in your corner when things went south. His family had deep connections in banking and laundering, making him important for cleaning up after the chaos we caused.

“Leave him alone, Vito,” Davide said, leaning back. “You know Boss doesn’t share his toys.” He smirked.

I just chuckled, letting the blonde slip off my lap and settle beside me.I reached for the pack of cigarettes on the table and lit one up, the smoke curling around me as I exhaled slowly.

“I heard Moretti’s little plan didn’t go so well,” Vito said, leaning forward. “That bimbo really thought she could make a move without us noticing.”

I didn’t respond, just took another drag of my cigarette, the blonde shifting beside me I leaned forward and kissed the base of her throat. My hands moved up her torso, my fingers brushing against her nipples through her shirt. I pressed my lips against her neck once more, sucking and nibbling as I worked my way back to her lips.

Davide chuckled, shaking his head as he took another drink. “I don’t know why these women think they can be anything other than bed warmers” He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Though I will admit, the Moretti bitch does have a nice body. If she weren’t such a headache, I might make her my pet.”

Vito laughed, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, a nice pet. That’s about all she’s good for. Maybe if we’re lucky, she’ll put the moretti family to ruins and finally realize her place.”

Their laughter echoed around the room, but I just smoked, watching the room silently. Tigress. Moretti. I’d dealt with her kind before—headstrong, convinced they could claw their way to the top without knowing what it really took.

“Lucian,” Vito said, his tone a bit more serious now, “what’s the plan? Are we going to handle this, or let her dig her own grave?"

Before I could respond to Marco, the energy in the room shifted. I didn’t need to turn to know what was happening—when someone like Vivienne Moretti walks into a place like this, you feel it. Even with the music blasting and the bodies moving, you knew she was here

"Speak of the devil,” Vito muttered, his cocky grin vanishing as he sat up straighter, eyes darting to the entrance. “What the hell is she doing here?”

For a split second, no one spoke. It wasn’t just surprise; it was the kind of disbelief that comes when someone walks into a place they’ve got no business being.

I exhaled smoke, watching as the crowd parted for her, people giving her just enough space without making it obvious. She wasn’t wearing anything special—just a sleek black dress that hugged her figure and a pair of heels—but there was something about the way she carried herself that called for attention.

I could see the confusion in some of the faces around the room. Vivienne Moretti, in my club, my territory, walking in like she owned the place? Bold. Stupid, maybe, but bold.

“Looks like the mouse wants to play,” Davide said taking a slow sip of his drink, his eyes following her every move.

I leaned back, letting her come to me. This wasn’t a game of cat and mouse. I wasn’t going to rise to the bait just because she decided to come in here. Let her come to me.

She didn’t hesitate. She walked straight to our booth, ignoring the eyes and whispers from those who recognized her. Vivienne stopped right in front of me. The blonde beside me stopped, her hands still on my leg, unsure of what to do.

Vivienne didn’t even glance at her. “Lucian.”

Her voice was calm, but there was a challenge in it, like she was daring me to react. I took another drag of my cigarette, blowing the smoke out slowly before finally meeting her eyes.

“Tigress,” I said, smirking. “Didn’t think you’d have the guts to walk into my place after what went down at the docks.”

She didn’t flinch, didn’t rise to my bait. Instead, she did something I didn’t expect. Without a word, she pulled out a gun and pointed it straight at my head.

What was with tigress and always pointing a gun at a gun at me.

The blonde beside me froze, but she was smart enough not to make a move. Everyone else in the booth stared, wide-eyed, unsure of what to do.

For a moment, there was silence. Then Vito burst out laughing, slapping the table. “Is she serious? She’s really going to try that here?”

Davide joined in, He laughed as he shook his head. “You’ve got balls, Moretti. I’ll give you that.”

But I didn’t laugh. I just looked at her with a smirk "You’re gonna shoot me, right here in my territory. Tigress? In front of my men?" I flicked the ash off my cigarette. "Or are you just putting on a show?"

Her grip on the gun tightened. "This isn’t a game, Lucian. You mess with me again like you did at the docks, and I won’t hesitate."

I leaned forward slightly, taking another drag of my cigarette, watching her carefully.

“You still mad about that, Tigress?” I said . “It was just business. You are the one who claims to rule the moretti. You should know how this game works by now. The docks were fair play.”

“Fair play? You think trying ruining my plans for the Rivera's was just ‘fair play’? Her eyes flared with anger.

“You have to learn the hard way,Tigress,You were too obvious. The Rivera's saw your move coming a mile away.”

Her jaw clenched. But she didn't move the gun “You are literally the reason everything went wrong You’re insufferable,” she spat.

"And yet, here you are," I shot back with a grin. "Still chasing me despite the risks. " I leaned forward slightly "You know I always tell you’re even more beautiful when you’re pissed off, Tigress. You should get mad more often."

Her finger twitched on the trigger, and for a moment, I thought she might actually pull it.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she took a slow breath, her eyes never leaving mine. “I’m telling you, Lucian. Stay out of my way.”

I chuckled, leaning back in my seat. “Or what? You’ll shoot me? We both know you can risk the chances of war"

Vito laughed again, shaking his head. “She’s got a temper, I’ll give her that. ”

Her grip on the gun tightened, but she didn’t say anything.

“I’ll give you this,Tigress" I continued. “You’ve got guts. But let’s be honest—if you were really going to shoot me, you’d have done it already. You’re not here to kill me. You’re here because you can’t stop thinking about me.”

One thing about Moretti was that flirting worked on her like a charm. If you pushed the right buttons, her focus would slip, even it was only for a moment.

Her eyes flashed with anger. “ I am here to give you a warning, You arrogant son of a—”

Before she could finish, Vito laughed loudly“What’s it gonna be, Moretti? You gonna shoot our boss, or are we all just wasting our time here?”

Davide smirked “If she doesn’t, I’d be happy to think of better things for those hands to hold."

I reached out, pushing the barrel of her gun away from my face, “Relax, Tigress. Why don't you come sit with me.”

She kept the gun down "You're pushing your luck, Lucian," she said "I'm giving you one final warning: stay out of my business."

“Is that so? Because last I checked, You don't make the rules. And You’re the one stepping on my territory, Tigress.”

She scoffed. “Enjoy your night, DeMarco. But remember, cross me again, and I won’t miss next time.” With that, she walked off.

Vito laughed the moment Vivienne disappeared into the crowd. “I wouldn’t mind crossing her myself,” he muttered “She’s got fire. I’d love to see how much heat she brings to a bed.”

Davide chuckled “ Wonder what it would be like to have her wrapped around me. That fierce attitude? I bet she’d be wild in the sheets.”

For some reason, their comments annoyed me. I didn’t like the way they spoke about her, as if she were just some object to be conquered. My tigress wasn’t just another woman; she was a player in this game, and I had no intention of letting them underestimate her.

“Enough of the jokes,” I interrupted. “I want a few men watching her. Report her every move. Let her think she has the upper hand for now.”

“You got it, boss,” Vito nodded, though I could see the smirk still playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Make sure they blend in,” I added“I don’t want her catching on. If she senses someone is watching, it could blow up in our faces. I’ll be damned if I let her slip through my fingers.”

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