★LUCIANO★

Clutching my pistol with the tip of my finger pressing down on the trigger, I aimed at my nemesis's face.

The only person who could rile up my moods in seconds without even trying. Just seeing his face was enough to stir up my urge to kill. And perhaps, that might be him tonight.

"This isn't the way to greet your friend, Pavarotti. Put that gun down and give me the warm smile you had on your face some seconds back." He sneered as he strutted towards us.

Ramos fucking Ashton.

Every day, I lived and breathed for the moment I'd finally snuff the living breath out of his guts. I couldn't wait to watch his pupils dilate until he has eventually given up the ghost.

"What do you want, Ashton?" I spat distastefully.

Issuing a quick glimpse at Janie, who had a confused look on her face, I squeezed her hand in mine, hoping that was enough to comfort her for the moment.

I'd make sure nothing happened to her. Even if it required my last breath.

Ashton got to our table. A smug smile was visible on his face, but I didn't lower my gun. Not even for a moment.

Placing his hand on the table, he leaned towards Janie and asked. "What's your name, Bella Signora?"

"Don't an-"

"Janie." She answered shakily and I cussed beneath my breath. Dammit!

Without wasting another second, I cocked the gun, ready to pull the trigger this time. "I'm going to fucking blow your head off this minute if you don't state your business here and back away from my woman!" I seethed.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Ashton raised his empty hands. "As you can see, I mean no harm. Can't you chill for one minute, Luciano? This is just a peaceful meet and greet." He commented with that same smug smile.

No moment has ever been peaceful between Ashton and me. Whenever the two of us were in such proximity, chaos ensued. But I hoped this once, that wouldn't be the case. At least because of Janie.

I wouldn't want her to see blood or sustain any bruises on our first date. This moment was special for both of us.

"We are not in that position!" I growled back. "State your fucking business here, Ramos!"

My voice was stern and direct.

Ashton shrugged. "Well, if you so...." He picked up a berry from the ones on the table and munched it. "Anyway, I made a reservation in this restaurant, only for it to be canceled at the last minute. I decided to see who dared to cross me and voila! It's you." He chuckled wryly before adding. "Tell me, Luciano, since when do you do love?"

I made no effort to respond. All I wanted at this minute was to put a bullet through Ashton's skull, however, I knew he wouldn't be so dumb to walk into the restaurant without anyone looking out for him. So I kept my cool.

Ramos Ashton clicked his tongue after I didn't respond. "Ah! I see why you like this one. She's so fucking beautiful. Just take a look at her b-"

Before he could touch her, I jolted to my feet swiftly and smacked his hands away with the butt of my pistol and he let out a loud grunt. "Don't. Touch. My. Woman!" I warned between gritted teeth.

My chest rose and fell in seething rage.

By now, I stood in front of Ashton. Standing face to face with him. He was a bit shorter than I was, so my height towered above his. Ashton raised his fist, his eyes glared into mine and his lips curved into a menacing smirk.

"You are lucky I like this beautiful girl, Luciano because if I didn't, the moment you used your gun on my hand, bullets would have started flying across the air, and you pretty senorita would have dropped dead." He revealed while I heard Janie gasp in shock from where she was seated.

Smirking devilishly, I leaned closer to his head. "You wouldn't dare! What's best for you right now is to get your dusty little ass out of the door. Another day, we will deal with each other man to man. Leave her out of this."

Ashton's eyes flickered with obscurity. His face had five different expressions in under three seconds. And now, he wore a smug smile again. "Relax, I'm just leaving." He blew a kiss to Janie while I scrunched my face in disgust. "If he cannot fuck you well, I'm here, my-"

That's it!

I didn't let him complete his statement before colliding my fist against his face and he lurched backward.

Gun rose from different directions. Thankfully, some of my men were in positions too.

Ashton struggled to regain his stance, rubbing his now bleeding nose while I narrowed a piercing glare at his face. "Take your scum and get out!" I roared.

This time, I had signaled for one of my men to shield Janie and he did just that. The developing knot in my stomach tightened another notch as I steadied myself for battle.

But Ashton seemed to take a hint and he made for the door. "Luciano is in love!" He declared in a singsong voice. "Seeing the love in our mafia king's eyes has made me change my mind. There shall be no bloodshed here today." And with that, he beckoned on his men and they scrambled into their cars and sped off.

I heaved a sigh of relief once they were gone. Thankful that nothing happened to Janie.

Uncocking my gun, I shoved it into my leather jacket then stretched out my arms to Janie and she ran into them.

Her face was now stained with tears. "I was so scared when he got so close to me," she muttered with a teary voice while I combed my fingers through her hair.

"He wouldn't have hurt you, Janie." I cooed softly. "I'm right here, and I won't let him do that."

She tightened her arms around my waist. "Can you just take me away from here? I don't feel safe anymore." I gestured at one of my men to have them pack the dishes except for the berries Ramos touched, then led Janie out of the restaurant.

Since our date wasn't over, I collected the packaged food from him and took the car keys too. "The three of you can take the other car and leave. Inform Romano of what happened here tonight."

"Yes, Boss." They chorused and left.

While I helped Janie into the other car and drove her straight to the apartment I rented around her college premises. Opening the door with my key, I ensured she got inside then I entered and locked the door behind me.

"Who is he, Luciano?" Janie asked.

"No one," I replied casually, placing the packaged food on the sofa, and then I proceeded to remove my jacket.

"No one?" She snorted. "You had a gun to his face. The moment you saw him, your countenance changed. Different sorts of guns came out from various directions and yet, you are saying he is no one?" She queried.

Slipping my arms around her waist, I pulled her to me and she crashed against my chest. A startled yelp escaped her lips from the impact.

"When I say it's no one, then it's no one. Okay?"

She shook her head. "No, it's not okay. As far as we are in a relationship and we want it to work, we ought to communicate. I got into this stuff, knowing fully well what you are. I agreed to be your girlfriend even after realizing the danger lurking in your world. So I need nothing but honesty, and transparency from you. You owe me that, Luciano." She complained.

With a swift maneuver, I gently slammed her body to the door and pressed mine against hers. My fingers curled around her chin as I made her stare into my eyes. "You do not give away your name to strangers! Don't go anywhere without my permission. And most importantly, don't talk to anyone that doesn't relate with people you've known before, am I understood?"

She nodded her head. "Yes. But still, you have to tell me who he is, Luciano. I don't expect our relationship to be rosy all the time, which is why I need to be prepared."

Reading the concern and curiosity in her eyes, I knew within me that I at least owed her the name of my nemesis, so I said. "His name is Ramos Ashton. We don't click, so I need you to stay as far away from him as possible. I'd get a bodyguard to follow you around. The moment you notice anyone staring at you weirdly in public, don't hesitate to call me, okay?" I laid it out to her understanding and she nodded in response.

"Okay."

Silence ensued after her response. The both of us stared into each other in what seemed like forever.

Black against black.

Our heated gaze was entwined and I could hear her heavy breathing over my shallow ones. Just before I'd think myself out of it, I crashed my lips hungrily on hers and she responded with a moan.

I wasted no time whisking her into my arms, straight into one of the available rooms.