Ottavio's p.o.v

“How the hell did this happen,” Othello Marino slammed his hand on the table, anger etched on his face as he stared at Brown who was smoking his cigarette aggressively. Trying to keep a front of composure but the tremble in his hand was giving his paranoia away.

“Where did you find the body?” Brian asked, speaking for the first time since Rico brought in the body of one of their biggest allies and Othello's friend.

Rico looked around the room like he was trying to weigh his words before he spoke. “Shore of the beach down the road.”

“Hell. Whoever did this wanted us to find the body” This time it was Liam Othello's best friend who had shown up with him when he heard the news.

“Whoever this butcher is knows what they are doing, he literally pieces every part of Antonio's body except his head.” Othello analysed.

“You, open the bag again.” Liam pointed at me. “Check intensively if we missed anything.”

I walked towards the room, my face twisting in disdain at the condescending way he ordered me. “Are you scared of opening a fucking bag Ottavio. Hurry the fuck up.” Othello barked.

I got to the bag, crounched down and opened it, my face not betraying any emotions as I heard footsteps approaching. Brown tapped my shoulder. “Step aside.”

Brown’s brow furrowed as he leaned closer, the sharp scent of decay cutting through the tension that thickened the air. He blew out smoke through his nose, his voice gravelly. “What’s that?”

Othello barked immediately, his voice echoing through the room. “What the fuck do you mean, what’s that?” He pushed forward, Liam right behind him, both men hovering over the body like vultures circling prey.

I tilted my head to the side, squinting at the faint mark Brown was pointing to. It wasn’t just blood it was etched in. A deliberate carving.

“Hold his head,” Brown ordered curtly.

I crouched down again, my hand gripping the corpse’s cold jaw as I tilted the head to the side. The light from above caught the mark perfectly, a clean, deliberate stroke that cut through the temple down to the cheekbone.

“It looks like an ‘i’,” Brown muttered, flicking his cigarette to the ground.

“More like the number 1/5,” I corrected, my voice calm despite the churn in my gut.

The room fell silent for a beat. Othello’s breathing grew heavier, his eyes narrowing as he processed it. “1/5? What the fuck does that mean?”

Rico crossed his arms, eyes trained on the lifeless man. “It means this isn’t random,” he said flatly. “It’s a message.”

“A message from who?” Liam snapped, his impatience showing.

Brown met his gaze, unflinching. “Someone who plans to send four more.”

The words hung in the air, slicing through the silence like a blade.

Othello slammed his hand against the metal table again, the sound echoing like gunfire. “Find out who the hell’s behind this before another body shows up. I want answers tonight.”

I stood up, wiping my hands on my pants even though there was no blood. My mind, however, was far from clean. “Not tonight,” Brown cuts in. “All this has to pause till after my birthday celebration brother. Tomorrow we start the hunt.”

Othello huffed, then marched towards the door in hurried steps. “Then you better hurry the fuck up with the shit celebration.”

Brown winced like he was hurt by the jab but I know it was far from it. “Wait.” he called out. “What if this is not a threat to us? Antonio might have pissed someone off for him to end on the chopping block. The man's a crackhead.”

“Use your head Brown, if it's not a message to us, then it wouldn't have been dumped on our private beach.”

“Ermmm…” Brown began.

“Fuck off man,” Othello said and walked off.

*****

I sat down far from Othello who had two girls wedged beside his arm, grinding against him. The hall was full with elite Mafia bosses across Italy. It's an exclusive party. With a strict invitation pass.

I yawned, my eyes stinging from the lack of sleep last night. The memory of the early hours of this morning came crashing down at me. The way Aliyah's wall tightened around my finger and the way I was so turned on I had to jerk off to the thought. Breaking my celibacy vow.

What is it about that girl that my cock is so drawn to anyways. She's pretty with the perfect curves yes but they are pretty girls scattered around this room.

“Hi,” A blonde walked towards me, her gown tight on her chest, her breast on full display as she picked up a strand of her hair and began to twirl around her fingers. I didn't bother to answer vocally, I just gave a curt nod.

“You are so handsome,” she ran a hand on my chest and I stiffened. If we weren't in such a public place I would have grabbed that finger and made it useless for ever for daring to touch me. “Lucinda,” she offered, pushing closer into me.

I wondered who let her through to this side of the party. It is strictly reserved for Brown. “I have a secret to tell you,” she whispered in my ear, I could already feel anger rising in my chest. She isn't the first lady that has walked up to me today for a hookup. “I have a fantasy to fuck bodyguards. My friend said y'all fuck like pornstars,” I cringed at her words and shifted from her.

“There are plenty guards here, miss. I’m sure you can find one who’s desperate enough,” I said flatly, my tone cold and dismissive as I leaned back into my seat.

Her lips parted, stunned by the way I spoke to her. Clearly not used to rejection. “You don’t even know who I am,” she spat, her expression twisting in offense. “I was just trying to boost your ego, asshole.”

I didn’t even bother to look at her again. My patience for entitled women was nonexistent. “Then you’ve failed,” I muttered under my breath, raising my glass instead.

She scoffed loudly and stormed off, the click of her heels echoing through the music-heavy hall. I let out a low exhale, dragging a hand down my face. The last thing I needed tonight was another shallow conversation or desperate attempt at seduction.

When I lifted my gaze, my eyes caught Rico across the room. He was leaning against a column, arms folded, scowling straight at me like I’d just ruined his favorite suit.

I tilted my head, arching a brow in silent question. He pushed off the wall and made his way toward me, his usual confident stride dripping with irritation.

His hatred for me was glaring. It has been that way since I arrived. He felt I took his place in the family as the most trusted man. Angered that his cousin had reduced him to a position beneath mine

“You think too highly of yourself,” he said the moment he reached me, his voice low but sharp. “That girl you just rejected? She’s Liam’s daughter. You could’ve been set for life if you’d entertained her for a damn night.”

I barked out a dry laugh, the kind that held no humor. “If that’s what it takes to be ‘set for life,’ you can keep it.”

Rico’s smirk deepened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re too proud for your own good, Ottavio.”

I leaned forward, my tone dropping to a growl. “And you talk too damn much. Now fuck off, Rico.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as he turned away. “Suit yourself. Don’t come crying when pride leaves you broke.”

I downed the rest of my drink, my jaw tightening. “Better broke than dirty,” I muttered under my breath, my eyes drifting once more to the crowd searching, unconsciously, for the one woman who’d somehow gotten under my skin. Aliyah.

Curiosity plagued me as I wondered if she would come despite what happened earlier. As if on cue, my eyes locked with hers at the entrance of the door, the red wig was gun and so is the contact lens and before me is her in full authentic form.

Her eyes drifted away from mine only then did I realize she was looking at Brown.

Of course. Her moneybag.

“Get off me. Shoo.” Brown shook off the girls beside me aggressively. His pupils widened as he noticed her. Then almost immediately he turned and beckoned at me.

I've never seen him this fascinated about a woman in the two years I've been with him and having to send off two women because of her. He always fucks and dump women but I've never seen this much desire in his eyes. My chest tightened.

I walked towards him. “Did you find anything dirty on her?” He asked hurriedly as Aliyah began to walk towards us.

Here comes the trust issues.

I thought hard, trying to figure out the right answer to tell him. “Nothing for now,”

He patted my back like I was a child. “Good boy. Now go.” Irritatedly I walked off, pissed that he talks to me like that when he's only twenty years older.

As she passed me, her smell. Flowery and honey clouded my senses only heightening the anger in my chest. Pissed that she still showed up after she got the job or rather more angry that she didn't spare me another glance.