★LUCIANO★ As soon as I emerged from the house Janie stays in, Romano pulled the black SUV up in front of me. "Get in,"

Issuing him a cursory look, I jumped into the passenger seat. Romano was the driver, while some of my men sat at the back. Then, we zoomed off.

"I thought you were going to bring her along with you?" Romano inquired and I shook my head in response.

"No, she's better off there. I don't want her getting involved in our mafia world. I want to be able to protect her but from afar." I commented.

"Hmmm." He chuckled. "So that's why you went there to exert your claim on her right?"

Pressing my lips into a grim line, I pretended as if I didn't understand what he was driving at.

Romano cast me a sideway glance then smirked.

"Okay, spill," I said, rolling my eyes at him when I noticed that he wasn't ready to back down. Once Romano was in teasing mode, there was nothing I could do other than laugh it off.

He shrugged. "You know I could hear you guys right?" He asked, focusing on the steering wheel and the road.

"Like what?" I inquired, feigning innocence.

He shot me a look then chuckled again. "Your moan. Oh fuck! Janie. Fuck yes! I thought you said you didn't know how but you almost brought me to my knees." He added with a snorty laugh.

And my men in the back seats burst into a series of raucous laughter.

I hardened my jaw, not appreciating the fact that everyone in the vehicle was making jest of me. I issued Romano a death glare, but deep down his silly remarks were cracking me up.

"Sorry, Boss," Romano muttered then roared at the men at the back. "Will you guys shut the hell up!"

That's more like it.

Everywhere became silent. Thereafter, Romano pressed the button and the window between us and the back seat glided up. It was an automated soundproof, so they wouldn't be able to listen to our conversation any longer.

I didn't utter a word, neither did Romano. My mind was focused on the way Janie made me feel. Her hands on my cock and the tension she built from the crown of my head down to the sole of my feet.

"Her moans too." Romano chimed, prompting me to look at him with a narrowed glare.

"Dude stop!" I smacked him playfully on the chest.

"I'm sorry, Boss. So sorry." He kept quiet and then fixated his attention on the road before chipping again. "Funny how she sounded like a feisty lioness ready to consume you whole at first, but after everything, she became as soft as a cute kitten. You have that effect on women I tell you, Luciano."

"I don't want women, Romano. I want only her." I informed him with utmost sincerity.

To be honest, I don't know why but ever since Janie came into my life, I found reasons to feel alive again. I found someone I wanted to protect with everything I've got. I yearned to make her smile even if she didn't want me, I planned to remain in her life for as long as I desired. She's mine. Mine alone.

"So did she like the gifts you got her?" Romano asked.

I expelled a sharp breath. "I can't say, because I didn't wait for her to open it, so I don't know her reaction to them. After showing her where I placed the gifts, I left."

"Hmmm," Romano added a small sigh. "You know, Luciano......I have seen the way your eyes sparkle anytime you talk about Janie. I'm going to promise you one thing— since you are willing to push ahead with your feelings, I will ensure her safety until my last breath. I've finally gotten to see you happy after a long time, and I'd make sure nothing jeopardized that."

His words made my heart swell with profound gratitude.

Issuing him an acknowledging nod and a small smile, I muttered. "Thank you, man."

Romano winked. "Anything for you, Bro." Then he resumed his full focus on the road.

I smiled to myself. One thing I've always liked about Romano— was the ability to keep his words. Whenever he made any promises, he'd keep it until the very last minute. He has proven that to me countless times.

But still, a part of me hoped not to ever be in a situation whereby I'd have to choose between him and Janie. Both of them were now the most important people in my life. I don't mind bringing the whole world down to their feet if I have to.

Several minutes later, we arrived at the quarters.

My men alighted from the black SUV and then dispersed to their respective dorms. While Romano and I head for the mansion.

Just as we approached the front porch, I noticed someone weeping profusely, and so did Romano. Because we gave each other a questioning look, wondering what the problem was.

The moment we got to the front porch, I made out the crying figure to be Mrs Andrea and numerous questions sprang up in my mind.

"What's wrong, Mrs. Andrea?" Romano demanded. "Did someone break into the mansion and hurt you?"

Alas, Mrs Andrea raised her head to look at us. Her swollen, red eyes drifted from Romano to me, and she bellowed. "You are very heartless! A ruthless beast who isn't meant to live amongst humans. You are evil. No, no what am I even saying? You are the devil! How could you do this to me?" Tears rolled shamelessly down her cheeks. "What have I done to deserve such an inhumane treatment from you? How can you be the one behind my laughter and also bring me this much misery?" She hurled.

At first, I was trying to comprehend what she was yapping about.

But then, the sudden realization that she must have figured out her son's death dawned on me, and I gritted my teeth in despair, saying nothing.

"You took away my son from me, Master Luciano!" She wept like a child. "Do you even know how painful this can be? The agony of realizing the child you carried for nine months, the child you struggled to nurture despite the hardship of being a single mother, died and you never got to know!" Her loud squeaky voice resonated into the dark.

" You broke my backbone, the only reason why I bore the title of a mother. So tell me, what's the reason for being alive? What's the reason for wanting to serve you? I know you have done so many nice things to me and my family, but how can you destroy it this way? How can you take him away from me? You are not God, Master Luciano. You have no right to rip me off the joy of motherhood." She roared.

"Please calm down, Mrs. Andrea." Romano tried to pacify her, while I just stood there, unable to utter a plausible word.

"Don't tell me to calm down, Master Romano. You brought me here, you are in this with him. You lied that my son was in Africa and there wasn't reception there. Not knowing he was underneath Mother Earth, buried and decomposing! Why!" She started pouncing her fist on my chest and I yanked her hand off.

"He flouted my order. Anyone who—"

"So the only justifiable punishment for him was death?" She laughed bitterly. "There are other ways to scold him. I know my boy.....Pablo adored you. He saw you like his world. Anything would have suffice as punishment and he won't repeat the same mistake, but death?" She clutched her chest, retching in agony. "Oh, my sweet boy, Pablo. I should have known when you brought me here acting all nice and trying to protect me. I should have known that I've already paid the price."

Anger, a glint of remorse, and regret coursed through my veins.

Shoving my fingers into my disheveled hair, I bit down on my lower lip and then took a step backward as I tried to get a grip on myself.

She wiped off the tears from her face and then looked me dead straight in the eye. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. Thank you for also taking my major source of happiness from my life. But I want you to know one thing, Luciano.......as you have caused me anguish after suffering for nine months to birth him, suffering to raise him. I promise you that you will cry over yours. You will also know the pain of losing a child!"

My heart plummeted into my stomach.

After saying that, she picked up a bag from the front porch and proceeded to leave, but Romano tried to stop her.

"Mrs. Andrea.... please it's already dark. It's dangerous out there and I understand your pain, but I promise to take you wherever you want, once it's morning."

"No!" She spat. "Nothing is more dangerous than spending another second in the same enclosed space with this man!" she tossed me a look of contempt before strutting off.

Seeing the tears in Mrs. Andrea's eyes almost made me numb. For the first time in a while, I felt deep remorse for someone. And it was then, I realized that she doesn't deserve this. Yes, I acted out of rage back then, but still, Pablo does not deserve to die.

Alas, instead of admitting, I entered the mansion and then went straight to my room.