Undressed By The Mafia God-Chapter 112: Marco Is Not Being Replaced

"None taken," Marco said.

"Marco is not being replaced," Luca said flatly. "He did what he had to do to stop Bastardi from double crossing me." He turned slowly toward Marco. "Book a flight for me to Vienna tomorrow," Luca continued. "It’s time I told Father to either let me handle my shit the way I see fit or find someone else to run New York."

This was not about Marco. Not really. This was about authority. About a father who still reached across an ocean to tug invisible strings.

"Luciano..." Marco started.

"Do as I say, Marco."

"Of course." He turned and walked out.

Ricardo shifted slightly, running a hand through his dark hair.

"I don’t mean to cause any trouble, Luciano," he began.

Luca waved a hand dismissively, already reaching for his whiskey again. "No trouble at all," he said. "Spend a few days with your Zia and return to Vienna."

"Of course... of course," Ricardo replied smoothly. He nodded once and left.

He stepped into the garage. That was when he saw a pizza delivery guy walking briskly toward the entrance, balancing two boxes in his hands. The logo across the man’s chest caught Ricardo’s attention instantly.

Scalese Pizza Parlour.

The same shirt. The same logo.

The same name as the woman he had encountered that morning at Luca’s house.

He slowed his steps, eyes narrowing slightly.

The delivery guy disappeared.

Ricardo stood there for a moment, thoughtful.

He reached the car waiting. The driver stepped out immediately, opening the rear door.

Ricardo paused before getting in. "I’m hungry," he said casually. "Let’s make a stop at Scalese Pizza Parlour."

"Yes, sir."

Back inside Luca’s office, the whiskey glass sat abandoned near the edge of his desk. The pizza box lay unopened.

But it wasn’t the pizza box he reached for first.

He slid a smaller box open first, fingers brushing over the soft white fabric.

Her underwear. White. Delicate lace along the edges.

He held it up for a moment, the fabric suspended between his fingers. He brought it to his face and inhaled.

That faint sweetness that lingered between her legs when he pressed his mouth there.

"Perfect," he muttered under his breath.

He closed his eyes briefly, jaw tightening as he exhaled slowly. He slipped the lace into the inner pocket of his jacket, close to his chest.

That was enough.

Enough to sharpen his focus. Enough to make the rest of the day tolerable.

*****

Across the city, Veronica’s phone vibrated.

The shop was quiet. The ovens hummed softly, staff moving about in the background.

Valentina had just arrived and was leaning against the counter, scrolling through her phone with exaggerated boredom.

Veronica glanced down at the screen.

Luca.

Her face changed instantly. Her lips curved. Her eyes brightened. She picked up the phone and answered smoothly. "Hello," she said softly. "Got my package?"

"Yes. Yes, I did," Luca replied. "You smell marvelous. I’m sitting here thinking how you are currently naked under those jeans."

Heat flared through her instantly.

Vee chuckled. "Are you now?" She crossed one leg over the other, feeling the cool denim against bare skin beneath. "Will you be home early today?" she asked, the edge in her voice betraying her impatience. She wanted him.

And she needed to talk.

About Voss. About the allegations.

"Uh... I’ll come pick you up as soon as I am done here. I’ll bring an Uber so we can take your car," Luca said.

"Okay."

"Where are you right now?"

"I’m sitting at my desk behind the counter."

She glanced up instinctively as she said it.

"Touch yourself for me."

Her stomach dropped. "What? Valentina is here. Tony and Rosa are here!" Vee hissed under her breath, pressing the phone tighter to her ear. She swiveled slightly in her chair.

"Touch yourself. Just unzip your jeans and put your finger inside you, Bambola."

"Luca! No!" She kept her voice low, but her pulse spiked hard against her throat. Her fingers trembled slightly where they rested on the desk. Heat rushed up her neck.

"You need to learn not to say no to me."

"Or what?"

"Are you asking me that question?"

"Uh... yeah?" she pushed, heart hammering now.

"Vee, I am well within my rights to fuck you in plain view of anyone who wants to watch."

Her breath caught. "And that is a violation of my own rights," she shot back.

She shifted in her seat. Her thighs pressed together involuntarily, betraying her body’s reaction to his words.

"And what if you’re the one begging me to?" Luca asked.

"I’m pretty sure I will not be doing that kind of begging."

"We’ll see."

She adjusted her position again, trying to will the heat away. "Listen..." Vee cut in quickly, forcing the shift before he could drag her deeper. "Uh... I got another visit from Detective Voss. We need to talk."

"Alright. I’ll see you when I get there," Luca said.

"Love you," she replied.

"Obsessed with you," he answered, and the line went dead.

Veronica slid the phone into her pocket and scanned the shop.

Veronica folded her arms.

The drought of walk in customers had been stretching longer than she liked. After Inferi’s men had attacked the shop, business had dipped. Fear did that. Even when the damage was repaired, even when Luca made sure Inferi was gone forever, fear lingered.

The bell above the door jingled.

Veronica’s head snapped up, hope flashing across her face. A customer. Finally.

Then recognition hit.

It was the man from this morning. The one she had seen at Luca’s house.

She rose from her stool immediately.

But Valentina moved faster.

"I got this!" Valentina said brightly, already smoothing her hair with both hands as she darted toward the counter.

"What the hell—" Veronica muttered under her breath, watching her younger sister practically glide across.

Valentina’s energy shifted instantly. That reckless sparkle in her eyes that Veronica knew too well.

Veronica stepped back, crossing her arms, choosing to observe.

Ricardo approached the counter with a smile that belonged in black and white cinema. It was devastatingly effective, and just restrained enough not to look arrogant.

"Hey," he said, leaning casually against the counter. "I know you."

Valentina giggled, a soft, musical sound. "I know you too." She leaned forward slightly, forearms resting on the counter.

Veronica rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle she did not strain something.

Enough.

She stepped forward and slid between them.

"And I know you too," she said coolly. "What are you doing here?" she continued, arching a brow. "Besides flirting with my sister?"

Valentina gasped softly in mock offense.

"Wow! No! I’m not... I mean... just came for pizza." Ricardo’s composure slipped. The polished confidence cracked at the edges before he recovered it with a quick smile. He had not expected to see Valentina here. He had come for information. That was the truth of it.

Bianca’s suspicion had grown exhausting. If he could understand what had Luca so tangled, maybe he could feed Bianca enough scraps to quiet her. This stop was strategic.

It was not supposed to be distracting.

"What would you like to order?" Valentina asked brightly, physically nudging Veronica aside with her hip.

Veronica shot her a look that promised a later conversation.

Ricardo cleared his throat and glanced up at the menu board. "Pizza without obvious peppers and onions," he said carefully. "I like a lot of cheese. Sausages, of course."

Valentina’s fingers moved swiftly over the register screen, nails tapping softly against glass. "You don’t like veggies, uhn."

"I just prefer them in very tiny bits," Ricardo replied smoothly. "Or blended instead."

"That’s a peculiar taste," she said.

"I’m a peculiar man," he answered.

Valentina’s lips curved.

She tore the small printed ticket from the machine and handed it back to Rosa. "One custom. Extra cheese," she called out.

Rosa raised a brow knowingly before sliding the ticket onto the metal rack for the baker.

"You can wait over there," Valentina said, gesturing toward the dining area.

Ricardo turned slightly, surveying the empty tables.

"By myself?" he asked lightly.

"You want some company?" she asked.

Veronica stiffened from behind the counter, arms crossing instinctively.

"Uh... of course," he said finally.

Valentina smiled, victorious and entirely too pleased with herself.

"I’ll get you a bottle of soda and be right by."

"Best customer service ever," Ricardo said lightly, offering a half salute with two fingers before turning away from the counter. His smile lingered even as he stepped toward the row of empty booths.

Valentina pivoted away from the counter, only to collide directly into Veronica, who had planted herself behind her.

The impact made Valentina gasp. Veronica did not budge.

"That was pathetic," Vee said flatly.

Valentina pressed a hand to her chest. "I know," she admitted, sighing dramatically. "But he is so cute."

"Where did you meet him?"

"Uh... I can’t tell you. Yet," Valentina said carefully, glancing toward the dining area where Ricardo now sat, scanning the room.

(Please check out this novel below. It is the work of a novelkiss colleague who needs more feedback about her work. She is just venturing into this space and well...needs all the encouragement she can get.)