CHAPTER 003

LEO’S POINT OF VIEW

By the time I got home the rain had come, but the cold had stuck to my skin like a shadow that could not be shaken off. My coat was wet and full of water, and I threw it on the armchair by the window. I took him here because I did not trust the lady who cleaned the main house.

The housekeeper would scream bloody murder at the sight of the mess. The spot was quiet save only for the snorting of Fur, my so-called dog. He was not a guard dog. He was a sleepy dog.

The indolent swine never stirred unless he saw food or a belly rub. Did she not know she had her own sins as heavy as I had mine? She would most likely pour him some antifreeze and pass it off as Gatorade."Useless," I said to myself, looking at him lying across the couch as though he were the owner of the couch.

Would you bet somebody broke in, and you gave him my silverware and wagged your tail as they went? He snorted in his sleep. I sighed.

This hideout was not special. There was not much furniture, just bare walls, but the sight out of the broad window was invaluable. Below, the city was glittering with light and lies.

I divested myself of my wet garments and left them in a trail upon the floor. I considered throwing them in the laundry. Then I brushed that idea aside as I always did.

The foggy air in the bathroom spared me the view of myself. I was unlucky enough to see one, however—and there it was.

My cock was as hard as if it had a mind . “Really?” I snapped at myself. “She’s a nun. A nun, you idiot. Better chance of screwing a cactus, you horny bastard.

I turned on the shower. The scalding water struck me, and it was like punishment, and then it was clean, and then my brain failed me once more. Her face. Her voice. Her eyes. Not just a nun.

She was the nun. I watched her lips praying to my soul. As though her words would peel the blood off me. I pictured her again, on her knees in the rain, but not praying. "Father, forgive me, I have sinned," she would murmur sweetly. She was kneeling to me, with her eyes open and her mouth open . I heard my shriek on the tiles, and my flesh was angry and not lustful.

My breath caught. My hand was moving faster, and I was pressing it against the wall as the water dripped. Her voice was in my head, more gentle, imploring. Failing to pray to God—to beg me to pull her further into sin. Her habit slid off her shoulders, her naked flesh flushed under my fingers. She would gasp, shake, and whisper my name in a secret.

"Fuck," I grumbled, and I pushed harder. Water beat, and my ragged breaths. The discharge was a wave that was forming in me. Then my phone buzzed. Loud. Sharp. “You have got to be kidding me.” I banged my fist on the wall. Should have put that fool of a thing on silent.

The name lit the screen. Manuel. Always him. Worst timing ever . I ignored it and clung to the picture in my head. Her lips were round my body; her nails tore at my flesh--Another buzz. Then a knock on the bathroom door. “Boss!” Manuel’s voice.

“For fuck’s sake!” He was wet in the rain and pale, and his eyes were wide with panic. The moment was gone. My cock was there to taunt me. “What?” I screamed and turned off the water and grabbed a towel. "There is a problem," Manuel said.

I pulled the door open, towel around my waist. This must be worth interrupting. " I cannot leave something," I said to myself, pushing past him. “There was an attempt tonight. On your father. Three men injured. My jaw tightened. “What?”

“They tried to break him out. Planned, organized. Almost worked. ”Fire flashed through me, no longer lust—raw anger. I dragged a hand down my face. “Where is he?” “In the safe house. We should move him. It’s escalating fast. If word gets out—” “We’re not moving him.”Manuel’s brows drew together.

“But—”“No buts. Double security. Triple it. Lock the place down tighter than a virgin’s belt if you must. But we are not quitting New York. There is something here I must see to. His voice lowered. Why is it such a big thing we have to lose? Her face flickered in my mind. Her voice whispering. I showered, put on sweats, and took a cigarette. “That’s all you need to know.”

“Yes, boss.” The shower was cold in the bathroom. My cock was now soft, withered with rage. The idea of my father and his escape scalded away any remaining desire. That bastard.

You were told about the attempt by Manuel? I was not a smoker, not really. However, there are occasions when you must burn something other than yourself. I looked out at the city, and smoke curled into the air. The view of New York was serene. Lies.

The rot ran deep. Bloodshed in the family, secrets piled like corpses. I said to myself, smiling, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. I laughed, bitter. She was likely asleep now, huddled in, not touched by the dirt of this city. Or maybe not so untouched. The idea made me sick, as I would have liked to destroy her.

The door creaked. I had my knife in my hand in a moment. It was only Luigi. He came in, wet and looking as though he had swallowed his tongue. I said, "You are late," and pulled smoke off the cigarette.

"You're half naked," he retorted, shaking the rain off his hair like a mutt. “Not completely,” I smirked. He turned a blind eye to me and threw a file on the counter. Luigi looked at me as though I had lost my head. “Three injured. No deaths.” I blew smoke. “Could’ve been worse,” he said.“ Could’ve been avoided. ”Luigi swore to himself and threw himself on the couch.

The wet jacket wetted the fabric. My eye twitched.“ Nice. Ruin my couch, Luigi. Furniture is manufactured from trees, right?“

Relax,” he muttered. That is a dumb thing anyway. “Watch it,” I warned. He went on as though I had not spoken. “We have to move your father. Somewhere safer.” “And where would that be?” “Another country. Somewhere I do not nearly get shot at being with you . “We’re not leaving.” “Why?” I shot him a glare.

“I told Manuel. Now I’ll say it again. Slowly this time. I have things here that I have to fix. I’m not leaving until it’s done.” “What things?” I exhaled sharply. You remember the chapel you blew up because you were too lazy to look inside? Luigi frowned. The one who had the priest who died? And nuns weeping in the papers?

I didn’t correct him. I did not say to him that one of those nuns haunted me every night. “Yeah. That one.” It had cost me more than money to clean that mess. Suit, press, breathing down our necks, rival families rounding like sharks. It was only that the building was mine that we got away. Private property.

Trespassers, technically. Luigi shrugged. “You want me to take them out? ” “No. ”He blinked. “No?” “No. I want to help them.

”His mouth fell open. “Wait. You? Leo fucking Gianni? You want to help nuns?” “Correct.” “Is this penance? Did they blackmail you? Blink twice if they did.” “Shut up. The safe house is doubled with security.

He muttered, leaning back. “Fine. But do not think I shall be knitting rosaries any time soon. “Pick out a building in Albany. Big enough for a shelter. Get me the cost to fix it. ”It must have been the manner in which she gazed at me, as though she could see something to save.

"None," I said, snatching the cigarette between my teeth and crushing it in the ashtray. “Just do it.” He stood, heading for the door. He looked back before he went. You want to be a saint, boss; perhaps you should stop sinning every five minutes. Just a thought.” Before I kill you, get out.

The laugh died away as the door closed. I sat up again alone and looked out over the glittering city. I would remind my father who pulled the strings tomorrow. And I would wait for her response. The nun. Why was I not able to get her out of my head? It was maybe the way she looked at me, like she could see something to rescue. Or perhaps it was because I wished to shred that innocence to bits.

I smirked at the thought. She would likely pray to me tonight and speak to a God who never heard. "Forgive him, Father, he knows not what he does," I mocked myself. But I did know. I was fully aware of what I was going to do.

The actual question was—would she forgive me when I at last ruined her?