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Song: Losing Your Memory by Ryan Star

EPOV

"EC, he'll be with you in a few minutes," Gianna purred from behind her desk. "Do you need anything: coffee, tea?" She might as well have just added "me" at the end with the way she was jutting her tits out and trying—and failing miserably—to bat her fake eyelashes.

Desperate wasn't a good look on her. Or any broad for that matter.

Don't get me wrong—I wanted the woman I was spending time with to beg me to fuck 'em, but right now I had somebody who gave me the fix I needed so I had no use for these chicks throwing themselves at me.

Yeah, fine. Gia was pretty with her shiny pin-straight hair that was wrapped up in a long tail and her Pilates body. The same ponytail I used to grab as I dogged her from behind as she showed me just how bendy that body was. We had some good times. The hot tub sex was fucking amazing, and she gave killer head. But she was too enamored by the lifestyle. She wanted in, in any way she could. So fucking me was more for her to get a leg up rather than because she was thirsty for my cock. Chick was straight-up money hungry. I mean, I got it. I loved money and shit as much as the next guy, but I didn't fucking know anymore, or even what had changed…I was just past that.

Changing bed buddies like you did your drawers just wasn't where my head was at. I'd found what I needed all in one tiny, sexy as hell package. And hopefully she was lying in my bed instead of joining the fucking fanuk bathing buddy of hers on another lunch date.

Jasper—what kind of name was that anyways? What was he—a friendly ghost? I really hated the mamaluke.

Gianna got a call which I presumed was Marcus telling her to send me back.

"He's ready for you, EC." She winked, one of the spiders stuck to her eyelid barely coming down to cover her eye, and gave me a little smirk. Gia stood to escort me over to his office, like I couldn't walk the five feet on my own, shaking her ass more than necessary as she held the door open for me.

When I walked through the double doors that led to Marcus' office, a sharp chill hit the back of my neck. It was fucking cold in here. What'd he want to do? Save money on freezers for the people we iced?

I was sure if I turned around, I'd find Gia checking out my ass. Shit was flattering but I was still not interested. Besides, it was not as if her bed was lonely—Gia had started screwing Marcus anyways, figuring as a mid-level member of the organization, I was small potatoes in the grand scheme of things and not going to get her where she wanted fast enough. I mean, why screw a capo when you can get it from the boss himself? She'd always had an eye for fancy things. That pearl necklace she was sporting probably came from his jeweler after he gave her a whole different sort of one after she sucked him off.

Honestly, I was surprised Marcus didn't make her his goomah after all the years she'd been his secretary. It would be a dream job for Gia. Again, questions like these were above my pay grade.

Jesus Christ, maybe I was turning soft. I needed an assignment. I'd do anything just to kill a motherfucker. Hopefully a new hit was the reason I was called here out of the blue.

"EC, how's it hanging?" Aro said, munching on some chips and flipping through some kind of portfolio.

The room was filled with furniture wrapped in cellophane. Marcus owned a home and appliance store. It was a good front for all the shit that "fell off of the trucks" that couldn't be sold. There was always inventory because you can't sell the "dirty" televisions and such.

Marcus dabbled in many different fronts throughout my tenure with him, but I always loved when he had useful shit. I hated when he bought into a mattress franchise. What was I supposed to do, nap on the job?

"Hey, kid." Marcus looked up from his computer screen, cigarette dangling from his bottom lip. Marcus Volturi was a shorter guinea, who had just turned fifty, but unlike Aro, he took care of his shit. He even slicked back his hair and wore cologne. The ladies went nuts for him. Whereas Aro still paid for pussy at his clubs.

I pulled out the roll of cash in my pocket and flung it on the desk. Marcus looked up at me questioningly.

"From the shipment down by the docks," I explained, waiting for the fucker to tell me to have a seat. Gotta respect my elders and shit or I'd get popped. Fucking guineas. I was shocked they didn't want to do the freaking double cheek kiss today.

Marcus nodded and shoved the wad in his desk drawer, not bothering to count it. He knew I'd need to have rocks in my head to even think about skimming off the top. He continued fiddling around with the shit on his desk, not really paying me any mind.

"Want some, EC?" Aro extended his bag of Fritos to me. I shook my head and muttered my thanks for the offer. Aro really was more of a court jester than anything else.

"Take a seat, kid." Marcus smirked and set aside whatever shit he'd picked up off the desk, holding my gaze as I settled down in the seat across from his. He wanted to look me square in the eye. Another intimidation factor, no doubt.

It was like they were just looking for ways to make you crack, to discover if you had something to hide. Which was too bad for them since I got jack to hide. They could do a full body search and they'd be shit out of luck.

Hell, wouldn't be the first time they had. I shuddered as I thought about it. A few years back, the Feds were poking around, and the Volturi brothers got suspicious of everyone. No one was safe from accusation of being a rat bastard. They tried every tactic to try to sniff out who might be flapping their lips, including a cavity search that could be used as a how-to by the fucking TSA. Maybe I could make them do the same with Blondie. Guy was so full of shit, he could probably benefit from a body cavity search.

"How's the Irish doing?" Aro interjected, genuinely curious I think. Marcus glanced up and nodded for me to explain. "Or those fucking Russians?"

"Liam's moving pieces around. I'm keeping an eye on the situation," I explained. I wasn't worried about that asshole. I'd known him my whole life. He thought he was hot shit because he joined the mob a year before me. Whoop-de-fucking-do.

"Do we need to send some guys down there?" Marcus eyed me, seeing if I was on the ball. It was always a test with him.

I shook my head. "Nah, I've got it under control." Liam could think he was dicking my balls all he wanted, but I was a step ahead of him. Fucker better get off my turf and quick. I was eager to ice a stunad asshole.

Marcus nodded and looked down at a piece of paper in front of him. "Little Odessa?" he questioned.

"I gave Aro the compensation. I'll be back down there within the week to see if Vlad has the rest of the vig," I mumbled, already over this interrogation and micromanaging and wanting to leave.

"It's been quiet on the Cigno front. Their administration is messy right now. Two of their guys got pinched by those pigs who were sniffing around last month, and now the higher-ups are going out of their minds trying to close ranks. I've got Dirty Harry tailing a few of the cats. Gotta stay on top of those figlio di puttanas."

Aro nodded along as his brother divulged his strategy. What a kiss ass. The brothers exchanged a look, having a silent conversation of sorts.

"So, EC, I think you know why you've been called down here, so let's cut to the chase," Marcus stated as he leaned back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head, waiting for my response. Fucker would have to just keep waiting because I had no idea what he was yammering about.

Unknown POV

Meanwhile, across town…

The room was poorly lit and bare aside from one table and two chairs. In one of the straight-backed metal chairs sat none other than Charles Lorenzo Cigno. He was dressed in a sharp navy blue suit, shiny cufflinks with the Cigno insignia sparkling at his wrists, salt and pepper hair slicked back with not a single strand out of place. He was the picture of calm, cool, and collected, and he didn't seem fazed one bit to be in an FBI interrogation room.

The door flung open, and Mr. Cigno wasn't surprised at all to see the federal agent who was standing before him.

"Agent Scavone." Charlie smirked, folding his hands on the table. Goddamn, how he wished he had his Glock right about now.

But his adversary wasn't so easily rattled, and with a soft click, he shut the door and walked into the room. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the door before he spoke in an even tone. "Nice to see you again, Charlie. Thanks so much for dropping by. How's the family? Rose and Bella doing good these days?"

Charlie shifted in his seat, uncomfortable after the mention of his kids. "You do know you're not as slick as you think you are, son? I know you've got your guys tailing me every fucking day. I can pick those greaseballs out of a lineup," Charlie quipped, scratching his forehead. "So if you don't have anything of value to say, I think we're done here. If you're hard up for something to do, I'm sure I could just give my friend the DA a call. Have him give you a lesson on proper etiquette."

Agent Scavone rolled his eyes. "A lineup won't be necessary. Yet. And I'll pass on the etiquette lesson. But have you ever wondered if you've got people tailing you, maybe you should be asking yourself what's not to say I don't have more agents planted in your organization?"

"What organization?" Charlie refuted, standing up and walking out the door without so much as a backward glance.

EPOV

The staredown between Marcus and me continued, silence filling the air as neither of us wanted to be the first to speak. Like I said, I didn't have shit to hide. I wasn't bowing down and admitting to nothing. Fuck! Maybe this was about my "abusive tendencies" toward Blondie. Okay, maybe I did have shit to hide.

Eventually Marcus cracked, letting out a barking laugh, cheesing so fucking wide. "You should have seen your face!"

Aro doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach and practically choking on the chips he was eating. Fucking gavone.

I narrowed my eyes but kept the rest of my face indifferent. If I acted annoyed, they'd just keep pulling this shit.

"Oh, EC! I can't believe you fell for the mamaluke's antics," Aro spat, still laughing. "You looked like you were going to shit a brick."

"Blondie already did that," I muttered, lowly.

"Who's Blondie?" Marcus perked up, taking a hit of yak that he had lined up on his desk. "Wanna bump?"

Fuck! I could go for some coke. God knows I needed the kick in the ass. I needed to feel something similar to when I killed someone, and unfortunately it didn't look like that was on the horizon.

I took the dollar bill and pulled the white powder up into my nostril. The stingy fucker gave me a small line, so the buzz was short-lived. Brushing off my nose, I handed the buck to Marcus.

"You didn't answer the question," Aro pointed out. "Who's Blondie?" Great, now the asshole decided to be observant.

"It's just a nickname for your boy, Al," I answered, trying to play it cool. I had to threaten Blondie to say how much he loved the name.

"EC, you better watch it with Alistair," Marcus warned. "He's a key–"

"Vaffanculo." Aro stammered, "I told you not to gossip around with that shit."

Aro jumped out of his seat and stormed out like the woman he was. I looked at Marcus a little shocked that he didn't chase after his brother or at the very least give him a flesh wound for his little outburst.

Marcus inhaled deeply. "Kid, I think it's time for you to go. We'll be in touch."

I knew when I wasn't wanted anymore. Thank fuck! I had a girl I wanted to go home to.

XxxX

After the shitshow at my boss' office, I drove around the neighborhood, doing a little surveillance. With things being hot right now, I couldn't be too careful.

I even went the long way home, partly to make sure I wasn't being followed, but also to let the drugs dissipate in my system. Last thing I needed was Bella starting to ride me if I came home high as a kite. Thankfully I liked to think I had built up a good tolerance for the yak.

I circled the block a few times as I looked for a spot. I was still a little jittery from the coke, but I didn't think Bella would be suspicious as to the cause. I'd be shocked if she ever even tried yak. Although this chick was full of surprises.

I finally found a parking spot and hopped out of my whip. I hurried up the steps to the brownstone, and as soon as I unlocked the door to my crib, I was hit with a delicious aroma. It smelled like Ma's cooking but better?

"Honey, I'm home!" I called out. I'd started to notice that Bella loved the playful shit, and after the day that I'd had, I wanted to see her smile.

I turned into the kitchen and found Bella with her hair up in a messy bun, apron on, stirring a pot of sauce.

Fuck me sideways! She was a dream come true. The only thing that would make this better would be if she was wearing the apron and nothing underneath it.

I came up behind her and wrapped my arms around her torso, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Hello, Bella."

Bella jumped a little, and I noticed that she had her earbuds in. "Edward! Oh my god, you scared me. I didn't hear you come in." She took out her earbuds then turned around in my arms, giving me a quick peck on the lips. I wasn't letting her get away with that and pulled her lips back to mine to give her a proper kiss. She smiled at me when I finished kissing her. "I hope you're hungry."

"I'm starving. It smells amazing. You're amazing." I moved to kiss her neck, gently nipping at her skin. She tasted amazing.

I wanted her. I wanted her to be mine.

We grabbed our plates and settled in at my dining room table. Bella was gracious enough to make me my favorite meal—chicken parm. As I took my first bite, I groaned in appreciation. It might have even been better than Ma's, but I knew I needed to take that shit to the grave unless I wanted to end up in there prematurely.

We sat and ate in silence for a few moments before I set my fork down and just looked at the woman across from me. I was starting to realize that Bella just might be the perfect woman. She was beautiful, strong, sure of herself, a hellcat in the sack, and a fucking phenomenal cook. I didn't want to be with anyone else. What was I waiting for?

"Be mine," I blurted out, after taking a sip of my wine. Clearly the cocaine had affected my filter.

Bella looked at me with wide eyes, her fork paused in midair. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she seemed confused. "Be yours? What does that mean?"

"Be my girl. My girlfriend. I know you said you don't do the relationship thing. Up until now, neither did I, but then I met this fucking fantastic broad who turned my whole belief system upside down." I peered over at Bella, who was sitting in my cushioned dining room chair. "Be mine," I repeated, taking her hand in mine, caressing the back of it.

Bella looked at me, clearly torn. She shook her head. "There's a reason I don't do relationships, Edward. It has nothing to do with wanting to be independent and all that superficial bullshit. It's to keep me from getting hurt. I like you, Edward. I care about you so much, more than I should, but I…" She broke off, her eyes starting to water. She looked down and wouldn't meet my eyes. "I'm scared."

"I'm scared too." I lifted her chin to look at me. "Would it help if I said I don't want to hurt you? I wouldn't hurt you intentionally," I vowed. "I might be a real fucker most of the time, but I'm loyal. I'm not gonna fuck around on you."

She stood and started pacing. "How can you promise me that? My mom sure as hell didn't think that she was gonna leave me, but she still did. I'm not talking to my dad, and Rose and I are fighting too."

"Well I hate to break it to you, but they are all kind of assholes. You're talking to me. Doesn't that count for something?" As I spoke, I rose from my spot at the table and walked over to her. Crouching down, I gripped her hand in mine and brought it to my lips, placing a kiss on her palm. Madonna mia, what was she doing to me? She had me under a fucking spell.

She stopped pacing and looked surprised at my gesture. She smiled and weaved her hand in my hair, gently tugging on the strands. "You have been here through all this shit. Plus, you also kinda stalked me, so obviously you're invested." She pulled harder on my hair to get me to stand. She launched herself in my arms and wound her legs around my waist.

I kissed her hard, crashing my lips against hers. "Mine." I grinned, looking into her beautiful brown eyes.

She nodded and chuckled, sliding down and off my waist, pressing her forehead against my chest. "I have every intention of letting you violate me later, but I spent six hours cooking that tomato sauce and making the chicken parm, so you aren't touching me again until you eat your dinner."

"I wouldn't dream of wasting that delicious meal," I assured her. I lifted her chin to look at me. "But I still want my dessert." I licked my lips and walked back to my seat across from hers.

I didn't miss the shimmy she did as she settled into her seat, slowly nodding her agreement to my plan. Checkmate. Dinner and dessert. What a lucky fucker I was.