He was a caring man.

Lucio would, though. I have no doubt that man is the devil incarnate.

Back to the present. Ever since Jasper recovered, he’s been having meetings upon meetings. While the cats, Francesco and Salli keep me company, I feel the weight of his loss every time I fall asleep waiting for him.

I don’t like it.

The bed is empty and wrong when he’s not here. For someone who spent their entire life sleeping alone, it’s weird that I can’t stand Jasper’s absence anymore.

Usually, I’d toss and turn until his warmth envelops me from behind and he brushes his lips against my shoulder or the hollow of my neck.

Today, I decided not to sleep altogether. I’ve been reading through Francesco’s textbooks. Apparently, I’m primary school level in Italian according to the little guy.

He keeps telling his grandma that I speak funny. He’s the worst teacher, either laughing or grumbling when I don’t get things right.

When I was with Mom, I don’t recall her speaking Italian with me since she was American. Dad did, though. I remember him trying to teach me words and saying things like I should be proud of my origins.

A pang of sadness hits my chest at the memory. Dad was so affectionate toward Mom and me, how come he left me in that school? How come he’s letting Lucio hunt me down?

The door opens and I startle, realizing I haven’t been focusing on the book.

Jasper comes inside quietly and stops when he sees me. He’s in his usual pants and shirt, but it’s like he gets more attractive by the day.

Seeing him lead all those men and bringing these families together gives him a different type of aura than the heartless, lonely killer he was in Chicago.

Not that he’s not heartless anymore, because as much as the men respect him, some of them fear him and his background. But now, he has priorities and he’s using his skills to teach the younger teens how to defend themselves and their families.

Before, he was cold without an aim, but now he’s a leader and it’s hot to see him belong somewhere after decades of being a lone wolf.

“You’re still awake?” he asks in a tone that implies he didn’t want me to be.

I knew something was wrong.

“Why?” I pretend to focus on the book. “Are you avoiding me or something?”

“That will only happen in your dreams, Pet. You’re the one who likes the avoiding game.” His voice is husky, tired, and there’s this urge that beats inside me to stand up, run my fingers over his stubble and kiss him.

“Well, I’m not the one who disappears early in the morning and returns late at night.” I clamp my lips, hating how hurt I sound.

Jasper crouches in front of my chair, so I’m staring down at him, a gleam shines in the depth of his eyes. “Did you miss me, Pet?”

“I did not.” I stare away.

He grabs me by the collar and forces me to focus back on him. “Are you having withdrawals because I haven’t owned you like my little slut in a few days?”

My thighs clench, but I refuse to answer.

“Are you having withdrawals, Pet?”

I am. But not because of the sex. It’s because he’s not paying attention to me anymore. I’ve always been the center of his life in Chicago. He stalked me, murdered for me, inserted himself into my life until he became an indispensable part of my existence. But lately, his men and his work have become his sole priority.

“What is it?” he asks when I remain quiet.

“Nothing.” I let my hand roam over his face. I feel like I need to get my fill of it.

He leans into my touch, brushing his lips into the palm of my hand, and making me sigh in contentment. I never thought these moments would be possible with someone like Jasper. The quiet, the tenderness, and even safety.

God. I’m getting too engrossed in this man.

“Be a good girl for me when I leave, okay?” he murmurs, still kissing my hand.

My movements freeze. “Y-you’re leaving? Where? When? For how long?”

“You don’t need to know where I’m going. I’ll leave in half an hour and I might stay for a few days.”

“You’re going back to the States, aren’t you?” I release him and stand up, letting Francesco’s book to fall on the ground.

“If you must know, yes.”

“Why?” My voice sounds spooked to my own ears. The thought that he’s going back to hurt my dad keeps playing on a distorted loop in my head.

He rises to his feet. “I need to take care of Lucio once and for all.”

“But he got you shot the last time.”

“Which means he won’t this time. Don’t worry; we have a solid plan.”

I shake my head frantically. The images of him bloody and unconscious barge into my head like a long flashback and I feel like I’m going to throw up. “Don’t go.”

“I have to, Petal. If I don’t, Lucio will come to Sicily and I can’t put you or the people here in danger. I’ve been around Lucio my entire life, and I know he doesn’t stop. He wants us both dead and he will do everything in his power to accomplish that.”

“Then take me with you.” I clutch his hand. “I want to talk to Dad. He’ll help.”

“Fuck. No.”

“Jasper…”

He pulls his hand from mine. “That’s off the table. Lucio will rip your heart out the moment he realizes you’re Paolo’s long lost heir.”

“But—”

“No.” He turns to the closet and starts throwing clothes into a travel bag.

I barge in front of him, folding my arms over my chest. “So you can put yourself in danger but I can’t?”

“Exactly. Besides, I did this for a living. It’s different for you.”

“I can take care of myself. Also, you can’t keep me away from my family forever.”

“Watch me.”

“For the last time, I’m begging you to let me see my dad.”

“For the last time, no. Accept that you have no family but me.”

A tear trickles down my cheek and into my mouth. “Are you going to hurt him?”

He stays silent, but that in itself is an answer. He will. None of the Costas is safe with him.

Maybe not even me.

“Now, let me relieve those withdrawals so you stay a good pet for me.” He tugs on my collar with two fingers and slams his lips to mine.

He throws me on the bed and makes true of his words; he relieves those withdrawals, but he adds a different type of pain.

The one where he’s leaving me so he can hurt my father.

And I can’t let that happen.

 

 

15

 

 

Jasper

 

 

The sooner I’m done with this, the faster I can get back to my little Petal.

That’s basically the only thought that remained with me during the trip from Sicily to the States.

Enzo stayed back to take care of the people, the business and watch over Petal, but I don’t completely trust him.

I only trust his bloodthirst for revenge and the need that beats inside him like a living fucking being. That’s the only reason I left Petal under his protection. He knows if something happens to her, he’ll lose me and that’s not something he can afford.