Don't forget to vote and comment 💕

~ Luciana's POV ~

I let out a groan when the banging on the door continued. I rolled over in my bed and cracked one eye open to check the time on my phone.

8:07 am

So he was serious then.

I managed to drag myself out of bed, grabbing a mint on the way to the front door. Priorities ladies, priorities. Alessio was still banging on the door, no doubt disturbing my neighbours who are probably going to be giving me odd looks for the next few days now. I opened the door with a glare plastered on my face ready to give Alessio hell when as soon as I opened the door he pushed it open and stepped inside like he owned the damn place. To be fair he was so rich he probably did.

"What took you so lo-" I closed the door and frowned when his sentence cut off. I turned to look at him but his darkened eyes were focused on my body. I glanced down at my body, suddenly realising why he had stopped speaking.

I had completely forgotten that I was only dressed in a cropped T-shirt and panties. Thankfully it was a nice thong but it didn't really matter at that point. I felt my cheeks heat up while he shamelessly kept his eyes on my body. "Uh...I'll just go and change."

I tried to make my way past him to my room but his hand instantly shot out to my waist, pulling me in closer to him. I looked up at him properly to see his darkened eyes were filled with lust.

"I told you I've already seen it all before." His voice came out husky as I placed my hand on his chest to steady myself while also attempting to keep a little bit of distance between us. Alessio's eyes snapped down to my lips when I subconsciously bit lip. The tension between us was palpable while we just continued to stare at one another before Alessio seemed to give into the lust and leaned forward.

I watched as he came closer, his perfect soft lips were inches away from mine before I moved my head back to stop him from kissing me. "Alessio..."

As soon it had registered with him that I stopped him, Alessio let go of my waist like my skin was on fire, taking a couple steps away from me. I watched his movements carefully, unsure of what to say to him when the room began to fill with an awkward tension instead of a sexual tension.

"Alessio..." His eyes shifted over to where I was a few steps away from him, any signs of the previous lust being replaced with anger. So he didn't take getting rejected well, I'll have to keep that in mind for next time. "Alessio please don't be angry."

"You should change, we don't want anyone else thinking you're a puttana now, do we?"

I can't lie and say his words didn't hurt, because they did. But I knew he was just angry, not that it was an excuse but still. I didn't need to make it worse by reacting. I left him for a few minutes while I went to brush my teeth and wash my face before putting on some sweatpants. When I returned he was sitting on my couch, still as angry as he was before when I sat down next to him. It reminded me of the night we slept together after he bought me McDonald's, life was so much simpler back then.

"Alessio stop acting like a child." He didn't say a word to me and kept his eyes on his phone busy typing a message to someone. "Alessio." Once again he didn't respond or look at me until I finally snatched his phone from his hand. I held it behind my back moving slightly further away from him on the couch when I saw the anger on his face. "Luciana give me my phone."

"Not until you listen to me."

"I don't want to hear it. Give me my phone, don't make me ask you again." I rolled my eyes at his words and put his phone on the couch behind me so that he couldn't reach it before moving closer to him, much to his annoyance. I knew he wasn't going to hurt me, but it still didn't make the situation any better everytime I remembered exactly who he was.

"Alessio, I'm sorry about what happened. It's not that I didn't want to kiss you-"

"Luciana just shut the hell up." I narrowed my eyes at him when he cut me off, I wasn't about to let him treat me the way he treats everyone else. "Okay, firstly don't talk to me like that, I have nothing to do with the mafia so don't treat me like one of your men, because I'm not. And secondly, don't be in a pissy mood about what happened. I didn't want to kiss you because it's too early for me after everything that happened with Jake, I just need some time to sort myself out first. It has nothing to do with you. Maybe if you try and kiss me again soon I'll decide whether I do want to kiss you, but right now I don't want to kiss anyone. Okay?"

Alessio kept his eyes down refusing to look at me the whole time but by the time I had finished my rant he was smirking at me. "What?"

"Nothing, you're just very assertive, you don't let anyone tell you what to do. I like that." I rolled my eyes at his words trying to stop the blush that was rising on my cheeks. Honestly this man makes me blush like no other human has before. Even when I went for my first gynaecology appointment and the doctor was just as young as I was and looked like he walked straight out of a cover shoot for men's Vogue, I didn't blush once.

"What are you doing here?" I decided it was best to change the subject before Alessio found something else to get angry about or before I became a tomato.

"I'm taking you to a job interview."

"What?" Alessio frowned at me and like he was speaking to a child he slowed his words down, saying them much clearer the second time. "A job interview. Where people go in hopes of getting a job. But it's just a formality really, you've already got it. Your resume is impressive."

So I did hear him correctly. At least I know I don't have hearing problems.

"Alessio I never asked you to help me get a job. I can handle it on my own I don't need help and I can't believe you looked at my resume." Alessio nodded as if he understood what I was talking about but we both knew he didn't give a crap.

"Luciana it was my fault all this has happened to you, so just let me help you. I'll even let you carry on paying rent if you want. Just take the job."

"What do you mean you'll let me carry on paying rent...? Do you own this building?" My eyes were wide while Alessio nodded like it didn't mean anything that he just happened to own the building I lived in. "Yeah, and the one next door. It's a good way to clean money."

"Okay, I'm going to pretend like I know what that means." Alessio smiled at this and leaned back into the couch before speaking. "It's when money that comes from...not so legal things, is put into a legit business to make it seem like legit money. I own quite a lot of businesses for that purpose - including the one you're going to be working at. Its an investment business, that invests in major businesses and corporations to get them earning as much as they can."

"I don't want to work for you Alessio. I told you I'm not part of the mafia, and I'd prefer it to stay that way."

"I just told you it's not part of the mafia, it's a legit business. And you're not going to be working for me, exactly. You'll be working for your boss. He works for his boss who works for me." He was unbelievable. I understand he was trying to help but I was the sort of person who liked to do things on their own, even if life was pretty awful at the moment I knew I could fix it myself. "Just come with me today, meet your boss and think about it. If you don't like it I'll let you find one yourself." I thought about his offer for a moment before eventually giving in. It couldn't hurt, right?

"Fine." I huffed out a breath and passed him his phone which was still sitting on the couch next to me. I stood to my feet and made my way to my room once again to change.

"Oh by the way Luciana." I stopped half way and turned back to look at Alessio who had his signature smirk plastered on his face. "I definitely will be trying to kiss you again."

I rolled my eyes at his words although a small smile was playing on my lips.

"Just come and help me pick what to wear." Alessio followed me into my room and took a seat at the end of my bed where my closet was. I opened my closet grimacing at the mess that was inside. I did have a plan to clear it out a while ago, but then I decided to wait a few years to see if the mess would clear itself up instead.

I pulled out a few random dresses and skirt/top combos for Alessio to choose from but he didn't like any of them.

"Let me see. Move." I let out a sigh and moved aside so that he could go through my closet. I dropped down onto my bed staring up at the ceiling while Alessio went through my clothes.

"I like this." I lifted my head up to see what he was holding, but as soon as I did my eyes widened and I jumped up to my feet ripping the red babydoll from his hands. "Alessio!"

"What? I like red. Does it
come with a matching thong?" He smirked watching me in amusement as I threw the babydoll on my bed before sitting back down. That happened a few more times every time Alessio found some lingerie that he liked he would make comments about it enjoying the reactions he got out of me.

He finally pulled out a tight black dress that ended just above my knee, it wasn't a slutty dress it was definitely work appropriate but still showed off my figure in all the right places. "Here."

"This was right at the front of my closet." I took the dress from him while he gave me a cheeky grin and took my previous spot on my bed. "I know I just wanted to look at your lingerie. You'll have to try it all on for me."

"Not in a million years. Now go I have to change."

"Just change here. I won't judge." I rolled my eyes at his words before removing my shirt. It was a bold move I know but like he always says, he's seen it all before.
I felt his eyes on me the whole time while I slowly removed my sweatpants leaving me in a matching black bra and thong. I wasn't going to miss the perfect opportunity to tease him.

I put the dress on slowly before pulling it down over my body effectively ending the little show. By now the same look was in Alessio's eyes from earlier except this time he was more amused. "Did you enjoy that?"

I let out a laugh at his words while going over to my vanity to put some make up on. "Not as much as you did I'm sure."

Twenty minutes later we were finally out the door heading to what I know now to be one of the biggest corporations in New York.
When we walked inside everyone turned to nod their heads at Alessio in respect as he walked towards the elevator completely ignoring everyone.

We stayed silent for the whole ride up to one of the top floors and I followed quietly behind Alessio to a far office at the end of the hallway. "This is the CEO, he answers directly to me."

I nodded as Alessio opened the door without knocking catching the man sitting behind the desk off guard. I watched as the middle aged man dropped his pen and scrambled to his feet when he saw Alessio at the door. "Sir I didn't know you were coming by today."

"It's a surprise visit. Surprise." I had to hold back my laughter when Alessio's words caused the man to visibly pale. I know everyone sees Alessio as the big bad Capo which he is obviously, but I haven't see the deep dark ugly side of him - yet. I've seen glimpses, but to me he's still just a rich powerful Italian man with serious anger issues. "Is something wrong?"

"N-no sir. Everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?" Alessio shrugged while taking a seat infront of the man's desk gesturing for me to sit next to him, which I did.

"I don't know, you tell me. Why wouldn't it be okay?"

"Sir?"

"Maybe because you haven't fixed the books yet? Have you made sure they match the computer system? Wouldn't it be tragic if your boss found out you were stealing from him?" I watched Alessio carefully as his casual facade began to slip away revealing anger instead.

"Sir please, I'm sorry, I didn't take any money, I promise - it'll never happen again." The man began to shake slightly, his face becoming paler and paler by the second. He was guilty, it was written all over his face especially since his words were no longer making much sense.

"Wait a second." Alessio held up his hand signalling for the man to stop speaking before he turned to look at me. "Luciana what would you do if someone you're supposed to trust stole from you, would you trust them again?" I knew he was basically asking me what this mans fate should be, so I had to think carefully about what my answer was.

"No, I wouldn't. I mean, just because you caught him this time...doesn't mean he's not done it many times before, and it doesn't mean he won't do it again..." Alessio seemed satisfied with my answer, probably because I didn't sit here and beg him to let this guy keep his job. But I wouldn't, because it was clear he tried to steal from Alessio, so he deserves to suffer the consequences.

"Good. It looks like this guy won't get to see you make your way up through this company. I was looking forward to you taking his job, I never really liked him, and of course it means I get to see you more."

"Alessio I-" Alessio sent me a wink but didn't wait for me to tell him, once again, that I hadn't actually taken the job yet because I didn't need his help. Instead he turned back to the man who looked like he was about to pass out at any second.

"You're fired."

<<<<<<< >>>>>>> <<<<<<<

Half an hour later after Alessio's little show, he had shown me around the rest of the building introducing to the extremely happy man who was now the new CEO, he seemed a lot nicer than the one who just got fired but it didn't matter really because I hadn't accepted the job yet.

I did ask Alessio about the little scene with the CEO and of course he admitted he already came here with the plan of firing that guy anyway. So he was just killing two birds with one stone by bringing me here to get me a job.

"Alessio I don't think this is the best idea. I mean, we're not even friends. What if we have another argument and you fire me. Then I'll have to find another job-"

"Luciana I'm not going to fire you. If you did anything to piss me off that much I wouldn't let you carry on living let alone keep your job." He gave me a small smile in an attempt to show that he was joking but honestly, it just reminded me that he was a criminal. I tried to force a smile of my own but he saw straight through it.

"Relax Luciana, I'm not going to hurt you. You know that. I told you, I'm trying to pay you back for all the problems I've caused. After this in my eyes it'll be like none of this has happened. We start fresh."

"Fresh?" Alessio nodded and sat on the desk of the empty office we were currently standing in, keeping his eyes trained on me.

"Yes. That's what you need right? A fresh start. No more thoughts about your old job, that freaking cop, your father, nothing. Just a fresh start." A small smile tugged at me lips while Alessio spoke and I soon found myself stepping closer to him.

I stepped between his legs and wrapped my arms around his neck in a hug. "Thank you."

Alessio chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me tighter against him. "You're welcome amore mio." I pulled away from him and placed a small kiss on his cheek before moving away from him.

"So do you like it?" Alessio gestured to the huge office we were in, much bigger than the one I used to work in. I nodded and looked around but my eyes kept going back to the huge floor to ceiling windows looking out at the New York skyline. "I love it."

"Good, because this is where you'll be working from now on. You start tomorrow." He gave me a smile when my own broke out on my face at the thought of working in here everyday. "Really?"

I walked around the office admiring the modern furniture, the huge desk and leather chair. I stopped in front of the window and looked out the busy city in front of me. I heard Alessio stand up from his seat on the desk and seconds later his arms wrapped around my waist from behind. We stood in silence for a moment before I finally broke the silence asking a question that had been on my mind for the last few minutes.

"Alessio...when you said we were starting fresh as if none of the last few months had happened...did you mean that we're...are we still.." I let a huff of frustration from not being able to word my sentence properly. "Don't worry Luciana, I still want you to try all your lingerie on for me." I could hear the amusement in Alessio's voice obviously because he knew what I wanted to ask him. I rolled my eyes at his words thankful that he couldn't see the blush on my cheeks.

I turned around in his arms causing him to take a step back from me. "It's still not going to happen."

"Yet, amore mio. It's not going to happen, yet."

<<<<<<< >>>>>>> <<<<<<<

I held in a deep breath when the elevator doors pinged open. Yesterday I was the girl that came to look around the with the boss and now I've got a job here. I'm pretty sure everyone has made assumptions about our relationship, and sadly they're probably true.

I went into the empty office Alessio showed me yesterday except this time there were files and things on the desk.

"You must be Luciana." I turned around at the sudden voice behind me to see a young blonde woman smiling at me. Her blonde hair was pin straight and her make up was extremely light, only accentuating the gorgeous features she already had. She didn't seem to be much older than I was, but I could tell she was mature enough to handle herself in a place like this.

"I'm Gemma, I'll be working with you on some projects that we have together. If you need anything I'm just next door to you." I gave her a smile and thanked her. We spoke for a few minutes about the internal workings of the business, ie. who I can trust and who I should stay away from. Thankfully she didn't mention anything about Alessio but I could tell she was curious when she asked me if I have any relationships outside of work. Of course I didn't tell her anything, I couldn't.

She went through some of the work with me that I would need to do but once I understood it, she left me to get on with it. A few hours later my boss who was in charge of the department I worked in with Gemma and a few other people I was yet to meet, came to my office to introduce himself. He seemed like a nice guy, nothing like my old boss which I was glad about. That guy was prepared to let someone grope my ass just because he was an important person for the company.

I let out a deep sigh when I finally managed to sit down at my desk after half an hour. All I wanted to do was get a cup of coffee but as soon as I did, Gemma forced me to go around with her and meet everyone at the company, and I do mean everyone. It was already 4:30pm and my feet were absolutely killing me in my heels.

If I thought I had to look good at my old job, this is a whole other level.

All I could think about was going home and taking a warm bath and getting into bed. The sound of my phone buzzing next to me caught my eye. I looked down to see a text from an unknown number staring back at me.

Luciana, I'm coming for you. Alessio can't protect you forever.

I frowned at the message infront of me, suddenly feeling a chilling shiver go down my spine. You know that feeling you get when you feel like someone is watching you? Yeah I had that. Obviously no one was, but it felt like it.

An internal debate struck up inside my at head at whether I should bother Alessio with this.

On one hand; it was just a text. It didn't do me any harm and lots of people knew who I was in relation to Alessio because I had been to the mafia complex and I had also been to that gala with him. He also said he was going to be super busy with work over the next few days, so obviously I didn't want to start getting on his nerves.

On the other hand; only people he trusted or knew very well were around me, and it was still a threat, even if it was a text. It also meant that person had to get my number some how.

But it could have been an empty threat.

Possibly.