The pizza shop looked like a war had just taken place inside of it. The furniture was overturned, blood stains on the counters and the floor, and it appeared that the only survivor was the severely beaten man sitting on the floor in front of us. He was hardly recognizable and looked to be inches from his last breath. Whatever he did, he really pissed Milo off.

There were about five other men in the place with us, all wearing the signature black out clothing and black leather gloves—most of them dripping in blood. Two of the men came over when we entered and stood beside the man on the floor. One of them reached down to grab the guy's hair and pull his face up.

"I don't think I ask much when I give jobs," Milo stated while clicking his tongue as he studied the man. "I let you continue to run your shop, even offer you protection. All in exchange to sell our drugs behind the curtains." He squatted down so he was eye level with the man.

"So why is it that in my absence I hear you are coercing with another gang. On my turf. Using my drugs. Hm? Do you have an explanation to that one Devon?" The man, who I now knew as Devon, looked at Milo with his almost swelled shut eyes before looking away. That gesture didn't seem to appease Milo and he shot his hand out to grab Devon's jaw and bring his head to look at him, making the man whine in pain. I was trying my best not to wince or show any sign of weakness, but this was really intense.

After a few seconds, Milo released Devon's face and stood back up. He grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood from his hands. "No, I would assume you couldn't explain. That's why you're in this state, to begin with. But then that leaves me with two choices." Now he was pacing and I could feel the tension rising in the air.

"I could let you go and give you a second chance or I could kill you. While the first one might seem appealing, there's so much room for error. Once you've broken the trust of a Mancini, there's no fixing it. But you've always been such a loyal person Devon. That's why this betrayal comes as such a shock." He's going to let him live right? I looked down at the guy's hands and saw he had a wedding ring on. Shit. This guy had a wife, possibly kids. He can't kill him. There's got to be another option.

"Milo—" I started to speak and try and find some other way, but my words fell short when a gunshot rang through the air and Devon fell backward. My eyes were wide as I looked over at Milo to see him tucking his gun away. Holy shit.

"Clean this up. And make sure this is shown as an example of what happens when you double cross the Mancini's." Milo ordered the men and they all quickly got to work doing what was told. I swallowed and looked back at Milo to see him staring at me with a blank expression. Oh god, now he's back into his dark mode. Without a word, he turned around and started towards the door and I quickly followed, not wanting to be around all this anymore. We both got into the car in silence and started towards our next destination the same way. I wanted to speak. I wanted to find something to say, but I couldn't. It was almost like I was in shock. I'd done some killing myself, but I was merciful. Sometimes a threat could go a long way. Especially if the person had a family to protect. But what I just saw...it was different. Almost like Milo transformed into some strange creature.

"This is how it is." Milo finally said and I turned to look at him. He continued to stare at the road as he spoke. "How I was before—sparing people because of families or other obligations—that's what made me weak. It's why Devon did what he did. I broke so many rules that I was beginning to look unfit for my position and I will be damned if I have it taken from me." I didn't respond to that and I guess it started a new set of emotions in Milo.

"If you plan to leave me, then you should do so soon. I'm afraid nothing is going to change. It has to be like this. It's always supposed to have been like this." Now that got an answer from me.

"Do you really think something like that is going to make me leave you?" I asked him and now it was his turn to look at me for a second. "Milo, I am no stranger to the gore that comes with this life. I have killed people myself as well. It's a shock to see you changing like this, but it's not enough to make me leave you."

"I just want you to be happy. And I don't feel like you are with me."

"Pull the car over," I told him and he looked at me with confusion on his face. "Pull the damn car over or I'll do it myself." I snapped and he sighed heavily before doing as I asked and putting it in park once we were safe in the grass.

"I am happy with you. I've always been happy with you because I love you. I don't think anything could make me ever stop loving you because I can't see myself being happy anywhere else but in your arms. Stop trying to decide what's best for me when you're what's best for me. If what happens back there at the pizza shop is how things are going to be from now on, then fine. But explain to me why. That guy was married. He may have had children. So why was your only choice to kill him?"

"There are certain rules that are laid down when you join this kind of...career. I didn't tell them to you because I didn't originally plan for you to really be a part of this so heavily, but now you are and...Well, you'll understand better in a few hours." Was all he said before shifting the car into drive and continuing on out journey. So many things weren't really adding up to me and it was becoming more frustrating as time went on. It was starting to make me wish I had been introduced to all this properly so I wouldn't be so damn confused right now. We drove in silence for an hour and a half before turning down a dirt road that led us to a secluded cottage in the middle of a gigantic field. There were quite a few other cars lined up in the field as well and I suddenly got a bad feeling in my stomach. The cottage was clearly not old from what I could tell from the outside. Completely brick with a gravel driveway and pathway leading to a large wooden front door where two men in suits stood. Actually, there were a lot of men standing around the area and I'm sure it doesn't take a genius to figure out they were security. As we got out of the vehicle, three men approached us, one speaking into an earpiece.

"Mancini has arrived. Only the son." Was Alfonso coming tonight? I would think he would be since this was an initiation but with how things are going lately, I'm probably wrong. The man nodded at both of us before returning to his spot while the other two escorted us to the building. Once the doors opened, a large and very spacious entryway was introduced to us. Two pillars separated the room from what I would assume is the grand foyer. A fireplace was lit and there were various couches and chairs around the room, all framing a large round table in the center. The place was already filled with people, all of which immediately stopped talking to look our way when we entered and the ball in my stomach just kept getting tighter.

"The great Milo Mancini has to bring a bodyguard with him? Why not leave him outside with the other bodyguards?" A man I instantly recognized as Giovanni Berardi, a leader of one of the lesser-known factions within the Mancini group. Regardless of power or influence, if you were a part of the Mancini group, you were to attend all meetings so his attendance wasn't strange.

"Because he's not just a bodyguard to him." Another man said, whom I didn't recognize. He was fairly hefty, with a beard growing and clearly close to balding. If he dyed his hair white, he would resemble Santa Claus, I've no doubt. Giovanni, who was looking at the man as he spoke, suddenly whipped his head to stare at us in pure disgust and I realized almost everyone's facial expression had changed as well.

Alrighty then...

"I take the assassination attempts in prison weren't enough? What else do we have to do then, huh? Disgusting that we should have a homo like you--"

"Now, now Risoli. I think your insults are going a bit too far." Everyone tensed at the voice that filled the room and I watched as Milos's father, Alfonso, entered. He looked extremely displeased at the moment and I have no doubt it was from what was just being said about his son. However, I was more focused on what Risoli has just said a few seconds ago. Assassination attempts? Why the hell would no one tell me about that?! The urge to snap on Milo at this current time was strong, but I resisted. Only because we already appeared to have quite a few enemies in this room when it came to our relationship. Alfonso walked further into the room before taking a seat at the round table. I was waiting for everyone else to follow suit but no one was moving.

"Making such bold accusations against someone who could make your entire family disappear without a trace. You're a brave man Risoli." Alfonso applauded and my eyes were fixed on the man as he looked legit terrified. Almost like he was staring into the face of a monster rather than a fifty-year-old Italian man.

"I meant nothing by what I've said." Risoli pleaded, trying to backpedal from his impending doom. While I wouldn't put it past anyone in this room to kill him on the spot, I don't think this would be something that would happen at an initiation. I mean, maybe at dinner or meeting. My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of a gunshot and found myself looking at Milo in utter shock as he lowered his gun and placed it back into his holster around his chest.

"Clean this mess and then we will begin." Milo spat and if no one in this room was scared before, I'm sure they were shitting themselves now. "Alec, with me," Milo ordered as he gestured his head for me to follow him to the table. I did so, trying to control my emotions right now. I may have killed before, but I'm still not used to having people shot without hesitation. I'm used to a little heads up before the killing begins, but so far that hasn't been happening lately. There were around twelve people in the room, only three of which took seats at the table. The empty chair was removed and I'm assuming that was for Risoli.

"The three men here are all leaders of the different factions within the group. You know Giovanni," Milo spoke in a hushed tone to me as he pointed to the man in front of me that looked like an anxious squirrel. "Then there's Francesco, who rules the section we have towards the North and Matteo who rules the South." So that would leave us in the East and Giovanni in the West...

"What part does...or well did Risoli lead?" I asked him because I was fairly curious as to how he had a seat at the table but all sections were already lead by others.

"He was with Giovanni. The West is a fairly large area and there's a lot of jobs and traffic that run through there. Of course, now Giovanni is going to need someone to help control that area now, but I think I'll let him suffer for a few months before assigning someone. Either that or I could make an example of him as well. Never enough killing that can be done in a day."

I was dating the Devil.

The door opened again and I was expecting some other boss or right-hand man to enter, but this time it was someone I didn't reconcile, being escorted by two guards. I thought maybe if he got closer I could recognize him, but as he did his face wasn't ringing any bells. It was extremely angular, a face made for modeling, but it had a very stern almost angry look to it. Of course, his shaved head and harsh eyes didn't offer any assistance to his looks, so he seemed like he was ready to beat anyone an inch from their life if need be.

A trait that would be highly praised in the mafia.

One of the guards moved off to the side while the other stayed beside the man. "As a third party that can confirm this man has no background with the police, I would like to introduce Carlo Basicino." This Carlo guy inclined his head in a sort of bow and when he lifted his head, his eyes met mine and a cold shiver went down my spine. I didn't like him. At all.

"You've chosen well Nic." Alfonso praised the guard. "I've heard quite a bit about you Carlo. One wouldn't expect that you did fifteen years in prison for attempted murder." Holy fucking shit.

"I don't feel we should draw this out longer than it needs to be, so I will begin by laying down some ground rules. Portare il vino. (Bring some wine)." Alfonso ordered and we all waited as a few men disappeared and then reemerged with glasses and some bottles of wine. They all set them on the table and began filling them. I didn't hesitate to down my glass in one go, ignoring the looks of everyone at the table, especially Milos look of amusement.

"Wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you," I grunted at him and he chuckled before asking one of the men to leave the bottle in Italian. I refilled my glass as Alfonso began speaking again.

"Our main rules are fairly simple to adhere to I believe. There may be some more that follow up from the leader of whichever faction you are sent to, but these rules are to be followed at all times. Be rational. Do not engage in a conflict if there is no sign of you winning or that could lead to many unnecessary causalities. Have respect to the women and elders within our world, and even more so to those outside of it. Keep your head level and be classy. Know what you're doing and how you are to speak and act. Your mouth is to remain shut when the situation calls for it, but your eyes and ears are to be open and vigilant. And lastly, loyalty. I don't feel I should need to warn you of the punishment that comes with betrayal."

"Then the rules that also hold the same punishment as a betrayal. While we have a hand in the narcotics trades here, you are under no circumstances to be caught with any. Do not look at another member's wife with lustful stares and do not engage them unless given permission, the same goes for engaging with another member's sister or girlfriend. At all times, you are on standby. I don't care if your wife is giving birth; if you are called upon, you drop everything. Then there is Omerta. You do not engage in conversations with authorities' and you do not interfere with illegal actions by others. Break any of these rules and it won't be just your pinky finger I will be taking from you." Hearing these rules for the first time was shocking and nerve-wracking. Each time Alfonso would list off a rule, a ball of anxiety would fill my stomach out of fear that I may have broken that rule already. Thankfully, I haven't yet. At least I don't believe I have. Rudy didn't count, right? I didn't know he was working against me to arrest Milo and when I was dating him, I had cut all ties with the mafia.

Alfonso snapped his fingers and a man came into the room with a tray holding three items. A pistol, a card, and a knife. The man set the tray down and I saw the card had a picture of a saint on it. Alfonso nodded his head towards Nic and he reached forward, pulling the card and the knife off the tray and laying them in front of Carlo. He then picked up the knife, grabbed Carlos hand and sliced his finger. Blood bubbled out of the wound before his finger was smeared across the card.

"Your blood is now a part of my family," Alfonso stated as he pulled out his lighter, giving it a kiss and tossing it to Nic, who caught it effortlessly. I watched as he flicked it open and lit the card on fire before dropping it into Carlo's hands. The man tossed the card back and forth before it stopped burning and he held the ashes in his hands.

"Betray us and you will burn just the same," Alfonso said in a cold tone. Carlo nodded his head, his expression remaining still. This guy was seriously freaking me out and I have no idea why. "I think that's everything that needs to be done. Welcome to the family Carlo. You will be held under surveillance by my son to see that you are to be trusted. Keep in mind the rules. I'd hate to have to kill you weeks after you were just indicted. "And with a clap of the hand, the meeting was over and everyone was standing to either socialize or leave. Milo stood and I joined him before pulling him aside.

"Who is he going to be working with?" I asked in a hushed voice and Milo glanced around the room before letting his cobalt blue eyes rest on my face.

"He will be training under you."

"Excuse me?" I snapped, not meaning to sound as harsh as I did. "Is this your way of firing me?"

"Of course not." Milo snorted. "Think of it as a promotion. Once Carlo has proven his loyalty he will take over as my bodyguard so you can move on to...bigger and better things." I narrowed my eyes at his little smile and pursed my lips.

"Like what?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest. Milo bit his lip, glancing around the room again and stretching his back a little before meeting my eyes and giving me the most heartwarming smile.

"To stand beside me as my partner, my love and my Donna."