Undressed By The Mafia God-Chapter 173: Go Places I Cannot Reach

Not just because helping her was dangerous—but because every instinct he had told him this was a spiral he wanted no part of. Not to even mention the fact that he would be hurting Valentina.

"All I need from you, my darling," she said softly, "is to be my feet in New York. Go places I cannot reach," she continued. "Deliver messages I cannot give. That’s all."

"You’re a witch, Bianca."

If the insult bothered her, she didn’t show it.

Instead she smiled.

"I grew up in the mafia," Bianca said slowly. "But I was mostly dismissed because I was a woman. I learnt everything. I learned how things get done. I learned how people disappear."

Ricardo felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Bianca pushed away from the desk and straightened her dress casually. "Luca has claimed the girl as a Genovese," she continued. Her lips pressed together slightly. "I can’t touch her. But I can damage what they have. And I will damage it so badly," she added softly, glancing back at him, "she will be the one to be thrown off a balcony by Luca himself."

Bianca smiled one last time.

And she walked out of the office.

Ricardo sat there for several seconds without moving.

Because he knew two things with absolute certainty.

First—

Bianca Genovese was far more dangerous than most men in the room gave her credit for.

Second—

He had just been dragged into a war whether he liked it or not.

*****

Don Genovese sat comfortably in one of the armchairs, a delicate porcelain cup balanced between his fingers. He took another slow sip and let out a satisfied breath. "Nonnina," he said warmly, "this tea is magnificent."

Nonnina stood nearby with her usual grace. "You say that every time."

"Because every time it is true."

She allowed herself a small smile.

Just then the front door opened.

Luciano stepped inside.

Nonnina was already moving. She hurried toward him. Her small hands reached for his jacket as he shrugged it off, and Luca leaned down automatically.

The routine was muscle memory.

He wrapped his arms around her briefly, hugging her close and pressing a kiss into her soft silver hair.

"Luciano!" Don Genovese boomed from his armchair. "Nonnina’s brew is still the best I ever had," he declared, lifting his cup slightly like a toast. "When are you going to outgrow her. I need her back in Vienna."

Luca loosened the collar of his shirt. "You’re not getting her."

Nonnina smiled quietly, clearly used to the tug-of-war between father and son. She patted Luca lightly on the chest before heading toward the staircase. "I’ll get you a change of clothes."

Luciano gave a small nod of thanks. Bianca was still occupying his bedroom upstairs, which meant the annex wardrobe would have to do again.

As Nonnina disappeared up the stairs, Don Genovese sighed dramatically.

"You are so selfish."

Luca moved toward the bar as if the comment hadn’t existed.

Crystal glasses clinked softly as he poured himself a drink.

"So I heard you were very busy today," Luca said casually.

Don’s eyes narrowed slightly. "By busy you mean, going to see your mistress."

Luca took a slow sip of his drink. "And delivering threats I didn’t ask you to deliver."

Don set his teacup down carefully. "Since you are bent on defying your family for this woman," he said calmly, "I needed to make sure she is worth it."

Luciano turned slightly, one eyebrow lifting. "How much?"

"A hundred million euros."

Luca pushed himself away from the bar and walked toward his father, drink still in hand.

"You don’t know her," Luca said softly. "You don’t. You know what she said the first time I fucked her?"

Don raised a brow.

Luciano’s smile widened just slightly. "The only way out is death."

Luca took another sip of his drink. "I mean it," he said calmly. Then his eyes flicked down to his father’s. "She means it."

"I hope so, Diavolino," Don said thoughtfully. "I do hope so."

"She isn’t mom."

"We’ll see." He lifted the cup again, inhaling the aroma. "But this tea," he muttered with genuine appreciation, shaking his head slightly. "God! I have to send our chef in Vienna over to learn from Nonnina."

"She brews it with love."

Don’s eyes lifted slowly toward his son."What," Don said slowly, "has she done to you?"

"Who?"

"God," he muttered, shaking his head with disappointment. "You’ve become a fucking pussy."

Luca shrugged one shoulder lazily.

The insult slid off him like rain off glass.

Maybe a month ago he would have snapped back.

Tonight he didn’t bother.

"You should go see your brother," Don said after a moment.

Luca’s brow furrowed slightly. "Why?"

Don’s patience snapped instantly. "Luciano!"

"Dad, it’s not happening. This was eventually going to happen," he continued. "The dam was going to burst one day. I get that he resents me because you trust me with the familia," Luca said. "but our issues started way before now. Way before you even started to notice something wrong. Or maybe you just turned a blind eye."

"Oh," Don said calmly, "I am going to carry out your punishment the day after tomorrow."

The punishment.

Of course.

Every broken rule demanded its price.

Don folded his hands loosely together. "And now," he added conversationally, "I would like your mistress to be present."

Luciano’s gaze snapped back to his father. "What? Why?" Luca asked.

"She is the reason for this madness, isn’t she?" Don explained evenly. "She needs to see exactly what happens when you cross family."

"Dad! Dad! No! I’m begging you!"

"She is in the mafia now, son," Don said simply. "You put her there."

The old man rose from his chair, handed the empty teacup to Luca.

Then he patted his son’s shoulder.

And walked up the staircase.

*****

Luciano woke the next morning to an incessant knock pounding against his door. "What the hell?" he groaned. He rolled onto his back, blinking against the pale morning light that slipped through the curtains. He swung his legs off the bed with a frustrated exhale. He was wearing nothing but his underpants.