Mafia Claimed (Severin Family Book 3) Page 4

  Lucas lingered there, longer than necessary, letting the liquid cleanse his body. He looked at his clothes on the floor, at the specks of dried blood, and grimaced. Lucas made a mental note to dispose of them later. The situation was contained, the job done and over. Lucas needed to move on. He couldn’t keep returning to the life he’d left to pursue the new life he chose.

  His thoughts shifted back to Grace, falling asleep on his couch a few hours ago. A sinful temptation. Lucas wanted, needed to lose himself in her, in that luscious body of hers. He could call her right now. Tell her to forget her shift and come over to his apartment. Lucas bet she wouldn’t say no. She couldn’t deny him. Hours ago, she’d practically begged him to fuck her, take her right there against the door like an animal.

  Grace wanted to let loose, to submit to him, and he bet she’d yield to him beautifully. Perfectly. She was born to be his, after all. Lucas finally understood he got out of the mob for a reason. It was to be a better man for her. For his woman. His future wife.

  Screwing her to fuck his old demons away wasn’t something a decent man did. Grace deserved dinner, flowers. The whole works. A date. She deserved the entire fucking world. He could give her that.

  Lucas had never been on a proper date. He’d always been contented with one-night-stands. Back when he was in the Familia and even as an artist, he never ran out of women eager to warm his bed. Those days were over now that he had Grace in his life.

  No other women existed for Lucas but Grace. Soon enough, she’d become his. He’d kill anyone who got in his way.

  Lucas shut his eyes and closed his fingers over his thickening prick. He saw Grace in his mind’s eye, lounging on his couch like a queen. She’d be naked, watching him as he gave himself a hand job. He’d order her to pleasure herself, to stroke her pussy, her clit. He’d watch her come undone and all over her fingers before he abandoned his task to join her on the couch.

  Lucas would straddle her, pin her arms above her head. Then he’d push his dick inside that tight little pussy of hers. He groaned, rubbing his dick faster. Lucas bet her cunt would feel amazing around him. He’d ride her until she begged him to come again.

  “Fuck.” Lucas came, painting the tiled wall with his jizz.

  Not enough. Lucas wanted, yearned for the real thing. His hand would no longer do.

  Tonight, Lucas slipped up and let Leo drag him back to his old life, but it wouldn’t happen again. It couldn’t, not when he could picture a future with Grace.

  Chapter Seven

  Grace felt her phone vibrate in the front pocket of her jeans earlier. Her fingers itched to take it out, see if it was a text from Lucas. Since Bert the Jerk, her manager at the diner seemed to be in a foul mood today, she resisted checking the text. Bert seemed to make it his mission to point out all her errors this morning.

  “You missed a spot, right over there, Weaver,” Bert said by her shoulder.

  Grace warily took a step away from him and started running her washcloth over the table. His breath always smelled like onions. Grace never liked him. Bert’s gaze always strayed to her breasts when he spoke to her, not her face. She knew that look in his eyes. Her old high school bullies sometimes gave her that look during gym class.

  The bread delivery guy arrived. Bert had to pester someone else. Finally.

  She took that opportunity to check her phone. A message from Lucas.

  Lucas: See you tonight. I’m taking you out. We’ll have dinner before we get to work.

  That brought a smile to Grace’s lips. Almost sounded like a date. She couldn’t believe she’d begged a kiss from him last night. Grace typed back a response.

  Grace: Looking forward to that.

  She couldn’t get his words out of her head.

  I might just strip those garments off you and fuck you against that door.

  Grace had fallen asleep, fingers between her thighs, fantasizing about what could have happened. It wasn’t just physical intimacy she craved. Grace wanted to dig deeper, find out what made this dangerous man tick. What his story was. Why he quit the mob to become an artist.

  The hours passed by sluggishly. Grace made sure she didn’t get in Bert’s way. By the time the clock hit five, Grace was ready to get out of her uniform. She wanted to get ready, change into her normal clothes and maybe apply some light makeup before heading to Lucas’s studio.

  After putting some lipstick, she checked her reflection in the mirror. Grace never saw herself as beautiful, but Lucas made her feel like a goddess last night. He seemed to be able to see something in her she and other people could not.

  She hurried out of the restroom, only to bump into Bert.

  “Where do you think you’re going, Weaver? Next shift’s about to start,” he barked.

  Cherry, another waitress, whispered to her during break that he was going through a divorce. That didn’t mean he could verbally abuse his employees.

  “I took two shifts yesterday,” she said calmly. “I need a break. I told you yesterday, before my second shift started.”

  Bert glowered at her and grabbed her arm. “Listen here, missy. You know we’re busy on Saturday nights.”

  She tried to wrench her hand from him, but he only tightened his hold on her wrist. “Bert, you’re hurting me. Cherry’s covering me.”

  Bert sneered. “It’s not like you have anything or anyone to go home to. Ain’t that right, Weaver? What’s the rush?”

  Bert looked her up and down. Grace finally pulled her arm back. She was sorely tempted to kick him in the balls, but she’d lose her only source of income. No one liked working here, not under a manager like Bert, but everyone stuck around because they needed to pay the bills. Bert knew that.

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Oh, yeah? I make it a point to know what’s going on with my employees.”

  “If you ever touch me like that again—” Grace began.

  “You’ll do what? File a complaint? To who?” Bert flashed her a nasty smile.

  The diner was only half-full. The dinner crowd would come in a few minutes. The door opened. Grace’s other coworkers looked away and pretended to busy themselves. Bert ran everyone through the grinder. He picked on a new employee every week to let off some steam. Grace was apparently his new target.

  Bert made a grab for her, but someone grabbed him by the back of his shirt and shoved him against the nearest wall. Hard. Grace stared, speechless at the six-foot-plus giant who gave Bert a hard-eyed look. Lucas practically filled up the entire space. The diner had gone eerily silent.

  “Lucas,” she whispered. Grace couldn’t believe he was really here. She’d felt her phone vibrate while she was changing. Lucas had probably texted her that he was coming. “What are you doing here?”

  “Didn’t she tell you not to touch her again?” Lucas asked Bert in a calm, deadly voice.

  “Who the fuck are you?” Bert demanded.

  “Someone who cares about Grace,” Lucas said in clipped tones. “You’re lucky I didn’t break your arm, although I’m tempted to. It’ll be easy for me.”

  She could see him clenching and unclenching his fists and knew he could do plenty of damage with those hands. Lucas was the kind of man who didn’t give idle threats. He delivered on his promises.

  Bert’s face turned red with anger. “Grace, get your fucking boyfriend out of here before he gets you fired.”

  “Lucas,” she began, about to touch his shoulder, but he raised a hand. Grace halted.

  Lucas shoved Bert against the wall again, one hand closing over Bert’s windpipe at a speed Grace didn’t believe was humanly possible. Lucas bent closer to Bert’s ear to whisper, but she was close enough to hear the words.

  “I know the people who run this neighborhood. One word from me and I can make you disappear. The cops won’t even know where to find your corpse. Even if they did, they’ll keep quiet.”

  Lucas finally pulled away. Bert turned sheet-white. Grace’s lip trembled as he held out his h
and to her. His charming smile was back in place as he turned his attention to her. “Shall we, Grace?”

  “Yeah.” She accepted his arm and they walked out of there. Grace risked a look over her shoulder. Through the windows, she could see Bert shouting, probably telling everyone to get back to work.

  She still couldn’t believe what happened. Grace took a deep breath. She had to put her foot down. Lucas wasn’t officially her boyfriend yet and that little performance gave her a glimpse of what it would be like to be his. No one had stood up for her before, not since her father died. Lucas had a protective streak in him. Deep down, she liked that about him.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” she said.

  “Entitled assholes like that need to be taught a lesson,” he said. “You don’t have to work in a shithole like that anymore, Grace.”

  “I need that job,” she said with a sigh. It was true. Bert might be a pain to work with but at least she got paid on time. “I wish you didn’t intervene.”

  “I couldn’t let that fucker lay another finger on you,” Lucas said in a cold voice which frightened her a little. “I can get you a new job.”

  “I can’t let you do that.” First, Lucas wanted her to model for him and now, he was offering her another job?

  “Pay’s better. So is management. It’s an Italian restaurant my family owns. We’re having dinner there tonight. I’ll introduce you to the owner.”

  Lucas opened the car door to a black Lamborghini. A normal person who brought a car like that in this neighborhood would have it stolen in minutes, but no one touched Lucas’s car. She remembered Lucas warning Bert he knew the people who owned this territory. A shiver crept down her spine.

  Everyone knew who the Severin Family was. So, Lucas had ties to them?

  Now, more than ever, she became aware they came from two different worlds. Grace refused to let his connections intimidate her. She huffed, still annoyed at him but she got in his car anyway.

  “You can’t stay mad at me forever,” Lucas said.

  They cruised past several residential neighborhoods, but he eventually stopped the car. She looked out the windows at the charming street lined with restaurants.

  “Lucas, I don’t understand any of this,” she finally said.

  “No? I’m taking you out on a date.”

  “I thought guys like you don’t do dates.”

  Lucas looked deep in thought. Then he leaned over, tipped her chin using his fingers, and kissed her. He thrust his tongue down her throat, making Grace forget why she was angry at him in the first place.

  “I usually don’t,” Lucas said, moving from her lips to cup her cheek. “But you’re an exception.”

  “I’m no one special,” she whispered.

  Lucas smiled. “To me, you’re everything.”

  Chapter Eight

  Lucas got out of the car, walked over to the other side, and opened Grace’s door for her. She accepted his hand. Lucas could tell she was still spooked from earlier. He wouldn’t tell her this, but he intended to run a background check on her manager. Grace might not appreciate him getting rid of Bert permanently, but he could make sure the fucker would be out of a job.

  He led her inside the restaurant. Inside, it was crowded. Grace brushed shoulders with him.

  “Am I dressed okay?” she whispered, looking at her jeans and sweater.

  “You look amazing,” he told her.

  “Do you have a reservation?”

  “I don’t need one.” Someone recognized Lucas immediately.

  “Lucas, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you around here,” Gino said. The big mafioso with the salt-and-pepper hair and dressed in a designer suit pulled him close for a big hug. “You’re doing good I hear. Who’s this?”

  “This is Grace. Grace, this is my uncle Gino.”

  “Pleased to meet you, sir.”

  “Sir?” Gino laughed. “Can’t remember the last time anyone called me that. I like her already, Lucas. I’ll get you two a table right away.”

  Gino hollered at a passing waitress in Italian. A minute later, they were being seated at a prime table near a window. Gino gave him a thumbs-up sign before walking away.

  “You mentioned your family owns this place?” she asked him, curiously looking around. “The place looks amazing. Homey but elegant.”

  “They do. They also serve the best seafood risotto and carbon in town. Wait. Don’t tell me. You don’t like Italian?”

  “I do. It’s just I can’t remember the last time I actually had a sit-down at a restaurant, or for that matter, when I last dated.” Color bloomed in Grace’s cheeks. “Aside from occasionally accompanying Sadie to her events, I don’t get out much. I usually go straight home after my shift.”

  That confession pleased Lucas a great deal. Less competition meant Grace was practically his for the taking.

  “Well, order whatever you like. Last time, I only offered you water.”

  “You hired me for a job,” Grace reminded him.

  “You were always more than that to me.”

  Grace’s cheeks and neck turned a bright shade of red. It seemed words like that unnerved her easily, but he was only telling her the truth. Lucas reached out across the table to touch her hand. He traced her fingers, stroked her wrist, and thumbed her pulse. Her breathing sped up.

  “There’s something between us, Grace. You could feel it the first time we kissed. Don’t deny it.” Lucas paused. “Most women who catch a glimpse of my life, of who I really am, run the moment they see the darkness in me. You’re the exact opposite.”

  “Last night you said you saw me. That rattles me a little,” Grace admitted.

  “But you’re not backing away.” Lucas withdrew his hand. Plenty of time for that later on because he had every intention of claiming Grace tonight.

  She shook her head. “I want to know more about you.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  Someone took their orders. A waiter soon appeared with wine. He poured their glasses. Before he left, he murmured, “Marco would like to see you before you leave.”

  Lucas clenched his jaw. He hoped he could put off any business involving the Familia tonight but then again, he promised Grace he’d get her a new job. “Fine.”

  Once the waiter left, Grace asked him. “Who’s Marco?”

  “My cousin and the man I used to work for.” Grace was a smart woman. She’d probably figured out he had mob connections.

  “I see. He’s the owner of this restaurant?”

  “Giovanni is, but Marco’s recently taken over his father’s business.” Lucas took a sip of his wine. He didn’t know why he was telling her all this, but he wasn’t worried. Grace wouldn’t betray him. “I grew up here. After my parents died, Giovanni took me in. I grew up with his sons.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s tough losing a parent.”

  Lucas knew she spoke from personal experience. “Your dad?”

  “While he practically left me to my own devices, it still gutted me when he passed away.”

  “It must’ve been hard.”

  Grace had no one, no other family according to his research. At least Lucas had a big family he could rely on. They always had his back even if he retired from the family business to pursue his career as an artist.

  “It’s okay. I have Sadie.”

  “And me,” he added.

  The rest of the evening passed by smoothly. They shared dessert, had coffee. After he paid for their bill, Grace excused herself to head to the bathroom. Lucas took that opportunity to see Marco. Gino was still around, drinking with a couple of his buddies.

  Lucas stopped by their table. “Uncle Gino, do me a favor. If you see Grace, tell her I’ll only be a minute.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll keep a look out for her.”

  “Thanks.”

  When Lucas got out of the life, he avoided Paolo’s and all of the establishments the Familia owned, but he realized that was foolish. Coming back he
re felt like going back home. Marco had moved into Giovanni’s old office on the second floor. Only members of the Familia were invited up here.

  “Go on in,” one of the suited guys standing outside the office said.

  He knocked then turned the knob. Lucas found Marco sitting behind Giovanni’s old desk. It looked like Marco hadn’t bothered to redecorate his father’s old office. Giovanni’s favorite books were still on the shelves, and the rest of his furniture remained. Marco had a phone to his ear. Seeing him, Marco nodded to the chair in front of him.

  Lucas sat.

  “Get it done, I don’t want to hear excuses,” Marco said to the caller before setting the phone down. He studied him. “You finally have the guts to show that ugly face here.”

  Lucas grinned. “I wanted to impress a girl.”

  “Matthias mentioned you have a woman now. For real? Gino didn’t mention seeing a ring on her finger.”

  “Soon.”

  “Is she the same one who witnessed you shooting Donny Castello in the knee?”

  Lucas expected this little interrogation and reminded himself that Marco only wanted to make sure he had all the bases covered. “That’s right.”

  “In the past, you would’ve gotten rid of Donny. Did you hesitate because of her?”

  He gripped the armrests of the chair he sat on and counted silently to ten in his head. Lucas was used to Giovanni being the boss. Privately, he always thought Marco was a dick. If Marco managed to get Matthias back on board the family business, that meant Marco had changed. Even a little.

  “It was practical. I didn’t want word to get out there’s a dead man in one of my shows,” Lucas answered. “Plus, I didn’t want to scare this girl, not when I had every intention of making her mine.”

  “Women.” Marco sounded disgusted. “First Ryker, then my own brother. Women are a weakness.”

  “You won’t be saying that once you find a girl of your own,” he said.

  Lucas thought that might be laying it too thick. Everyone knew Marco had a temper. Marco only let a few individuals talk to him this casually, but Lucas was blood. He’d done his time, killed off plenty of enemies so the Familia could remain on top. Marco knew that.