Twisted Hearts (The Camorra Chronicles, #5)

by Cora Reilly

I wasn’t wearing a bra and unlike many of my friends, I already had bre...

Umm… go put one on?

Savio smirked, but he looked away from my chest. He didn’t look anywhere near my body.

Savio smirked, but he looked away from my chest. He didn’t look anywhere near my body.

Get yourself a guy like this ✋🏽

Why are your arms wrapped around your chest as if you’re cold? You can drop the act. I know you’re not sick.” I glowered and dropped my arms. “Sorry if it bothers you.” Despite my embarrassment, I allowed Diego to come to his own conclusion. His eyes filled with realization and he quickly stepped in front of me, trying to cover me from Savio’s view. Savio rolled his eyes, turned and headed for the door. “I’ll be waiting in the living room until you figure out your shit.” The moment he was gone, Diego glared down at me. “Why are you running around half naked in front of Savio?” I cuffed him. “Because this is my home, and I didn’t know I wasn’t alone.” I pinched him, but he wasn’t as sensitive to pain as he used to be before he started training with Savio.

Rage boiled up in me and I aimed a kick at his butt, but he quickly grabbed my heel and shoved me back. I landed on my tailbone, letting out a pained gasp as tears shot into my eyes. Concern flickered across Diego’s face. To pay him back, I covered my face with my palms and started sniffling. He knelt beside me and touched my shoulder. “Gemma, are you hurt?” I quickly dropped my hands and punched his stomach. “Fuck, you little brat.” I grinned. “See, this is why I need to start training with Savio. You always hold back because you don’t want to hurt me. How am I supposed to improve like that?” Diego glowered.

Why would he want to hang out with a little girl?” “He hangs out with girls all the time.” Diego chuckled darkly. “Yeah, he does. You are a kid, Gemma. Just drop it.”

He doesnt JUST hang out with them, gemma

It was the first time I wore normal clothes and makeup around Savio so I was nervous about his reaction. Neither Savio nor Diego gave me a fleeting glance though. “Get us something to drink, Gemma. A Coke for me.” “And one for me,” Savio said, not even looking away from the TV. Flushing, I turned around and headed for the kitchen. I was invisible to Savio.

God I'd start crying

I motioned for Gemma to come over. She beamed and practically rushed toward us, her face flushed. Diego rolled his eyes again. “Hi Savio!” “Hey Kitty.” Her blush deepened and she squirmed. “That’s not my name.” “But it’s so very fitting.” Diego scoffed. “You should see some of her other pajamas—” Gemma punched his arm. “Shut up!” She smiled at me, tilting her head to the side and peering up at me through her lashes. Then she tried batting them. I almost choked on laughter. Kitty was flirting with me.

“If you got something in your eyes, wash your face, Gemma,” Diego growled.

DIEGO LOLLL

That Gemma had even dared to enter a cage with him came unexpected. Maybe Kitty would surprise me.

“Leave me alone. I’m not speaking to you anymore. You keep embarrassing me in front of Savio.” Brand-new stylish black and gold Nike came into view—a limited edition that cost more than Diego’s and my wardrobe together. I wished the ground would swallow me. “That’s what siblings are for, Kitty.” I wanted him to go away, to spare me the mortification, but even now I craved his closeness. I looked up and his lips twitched.

Gemma frowned. “This song doesn’t make sense. Why does a rapper sing about lollipops and rodeos?” “That’s a euphemism for a BJ.” I closed my mouth. Fuck, that’s probably not something I should have said. Gemma stared at me with wide curious eyes. “What’s a BJ?” I focused on the street, trying to come up with a semi-appropriate reply, but chastity wasn’t really my forte. “Forget it.”

Its giving yr7 hannah

Crushing girls’ hearts was practically my special skill set, but knowing I had to break Kitty’s innocent little heart actually caused me a flicker of qualms.

Again the admiration. I really needed to tone it down around Kitty. I helped her put on her gloves, ignoring the way she blushed at our closeness. Then I put on my own gloves and faced her. I let her do high kicks against my palms for a while before I began sparring, but it became obvious pretty quickly that Gemma wasn’t focused on fighting, too distracted by my closeness. I stepped back with a shake of my head. “This isn’t working.” She froze. Here we go. I needed to establish ground rules if this was supposed to work the next few months. I’d given Diego and his father my word to protect Gemma, even if that required crushing her heart. “Listen, Gemma, I agreed to train with you but right now you aren’t fighting, you’re daydreaming.” “I’m… I’m not,” she whispered lamely. “You are,” I said firmly. “I know you’ve got a crush on me, but if you want to keep training with me, you’ll have to stop it. Either you focus on fighting or we won’t work out together again.” Her face was bright red and fuck it, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. If I brought her back to the Bazzoli house with red eyes, that would go over fucking well. Still, I needed to drill the message into her head.

That would make me bawl my eyes out

“But you promised…” “I promised to fight with you, yes. Right now, this doesn’t feel like training. You need to get a grip. You are a little kid, not to mention Diego’s sister. I like grown women, not little girls.” The last might have been a tad cruel, but maybe that would finally make her stop the fawning.

A TAD?! IM CRYING FOR HER

“You are pretty too, but you are way too young, Gemma. Your dad and brother would kill me, as they should. How about we forget today, and I promise to keep training with you if you swear to forget about your crush on me until you’re older.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking up hopefully.

“Do we have a deal?” She nodded. “Deal.” Then she tilted her head in contemplation. “How much older?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Much older.” “Like fourteen?” I shook my head again. “Older.” “Fifteen?” “Definitely older.” She pursed her lips. “Sixteen?” I straightened and held out my hand. She took it so I could pull her to her feet. “Older.”

“But by then, you’ll already be married to another girl!” I burst out laughing. Oh, Kitty was too hilarious. “Don’t worry, I’m never going to marry...

Gemma 15, Savio 19

WOOP WOOP THATS THE SOUND OF THE POLICE

I dragged myself into my room and fell into bed. Reaching for my cell, I considered sending Diego a text, but then I wasn’t sure what to write. I didn’t want him to think what happened bothered me, didn’t want to appear weak in front of anyone, even my best friend. Dropping the cell, I stared at the ceiling. The silence bothered me today, when it never had before. Usually, I would have gone out and found a girl to fuck, but I wasn’t even in the mood for that. With slashed wrists and a head wound, I wouldn’t be able to deliver a satisfying performance. I’d probably pass out mid-fuck and bury the girl under my unconscious body. For the first time in my life, I wanted someone at my side, if only for a few hours.

Imo u should go to gemma xx

My phone beeped, almost giving me a heart attack. Stomach tightening, I checked Savio’s reply. Thanks, Kitty. The only thing I need is that delicious almond cake your Nonna bakes. ;-)

“What are you doing here?” he asked. Tugging a strand behind my ear, I held out the Tupperware container. Savio’s eyebrows rose. “Almond cake,” I said. He opened the lid and took a deep breath, then he smiled slightly. “Don’t tell me you forced your poor Nonna to bake for me.” I flushed. “I baked it myself.” Savio grabbed a piece and took a big bite, then he nodded. “They’re very good. Baking and fighting, you’ll make a man very happy one day.” “I only want you.”

Im aww-ing and cringing

“No, you don’t, trust me. You’re too young to understand what kind of man I am.” “I’m not that young,” I said grimly. “I’m fifteen and a half.” “Fifteen and a half,” he repeated with a strange smile. He straightened and lifted the container. “Thanks for this.” My eyes were drawn to the bandages around his wrists. Blood tinged them red. “You’re bleeding.” Savio glanced down at his arm, and his expression darkened. “It’s nothing.” His voice held an edge despite the familiar smirk he gave me. “Now go back home.”

Gemma 16, Savio 20

That sounds like PEDO PEDO PEDO PEDO PEDOPHILIA

“I must have gone to Heaven, because this ass isn’t from Earth,” drawled a very familiar voice.

Woahhhhhhhhhhhh

I was so dead, so very, very dead. If Diego was with Savio, I’d be grounded for eternity. I could already hear Nonna’s disapproving cluck and see Dad’s I’m very disappointed in you look. Mom would probably even shed a few very heart-broken tears. Maybe I could just stay bent over like this until he lost interest and left? Then another thought hit me like a punch. Savio was hitting on me. Well, on my butt, but that was more than I had hoped for by now.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see him coming around the bar. “Just thinking of all the dirty things I could do with that ass makes my—” I straightened and whirled on him. “Don’t finish that sentence!” Savio’s expression flashed with shock. Slowly his eyes dragged down my body, lingering on my hips, my stomach, my breasts until he finally looked at my face again—my undoubtedly bright red face. It felt impossibly hot and that wasn’t because of the sticky warm air in the bar. His expression transformed into anger, which stunned me. I’d expected a joke and teasing like so often in the past. “What the hell are you doing here? Dressed like that?” I frowned at his demanding tone. He sounded like Diego, as if what I did was his business. Luckily, my brother wasn’t with him, nor was Mick, even though the latter usually defended me when Diego treated me like a stupid kid. A quick scan of the bar didn’t give me any clues about their whereabouts either. “How does one get a beer around here?” an older man muttered. “I could shove a bottle down your fucking throat, how about that?” Savio snarled. One look at Savio’s face and the man scurried away. “I’m supposed to serve beer—” Savio grabbed my forearm and dragged me away from the bar. Taken by surprise, I stumbled after him. “Savio, what are you doing?” His grip was like steel, impossible to escape from. He didn’t stop until we were in one of the backrooms and he’d thrown the door shut. Then he got in my face. “Explain.” I blinked...

“Because we’re friends?” she asked hopefully, those dark green eyes meeting mine. Plump lips parted, high cheekbones flushed. When had Kitty become this awfully pretty? My feelings definitely weren’t friendly. Fuck, I had hit on Gemma.

Not intentionally

I could only stare. “You mean your stomach?” “Yeah.” “Fuck, Kitty, don’t be ridiculous. If you enjoy showing off your curves, why not do it? It’s your body, so it’s your decision how much skin you show.”

She doesn’t do it bcos Its HARAM

God, these curves would haunt me for a while. She frowned. “But you were angry…” “I’m fucking livid, because dressed like this, you better make sure Diego or I are at your side, got it?” She searched my face. “You?” Me, yes, why me? I wasn’t Gemma’s protector, that was Diego’s task in life.

“Is Diego with you?” I nodded, still having a hard time not checking Gemma out. Kitty had abs. Not as defined as mine, but the proof of her hard work was still unmistakable. And that narrow waist and those swung hips. Goddamn it. “But he’s busy with Dakota in his car.” “Dakota?” “It doesn’t matter. She’s probably opening her backdoor for him as we speak. Don’t try to distract me.” Gemma tilted her head with that fucking curious expression. “Toni locked the backdoor after I arrived. Nobody’s supposed to use it, except for staff.”

Gemma love... They're doing IT

“Were you hitting on me in the bar?” I considered my options. Lying and not get kicked in the balls by Diego, or the truth and seeing Gemma’s delicious blush deepen. “Yes.” As expected, she turned a darker shade of pink. “Why?” I gave her a look. Did she have to ask? “So,” she said curiously. “You wanted to get me into bed?” I chuckled. “I wanted to get the girl with that body into bed, not you.” Indignation flashed in her eyes. “I’m that girl. That’s my body.” Sadly, it was, which meant I’d never get to have it. “It is, but I’d never consider getting you into bed, Kitty. For one, Diego would have a coronary, second, you are too young and third, your family would force me to marry you if I as much as kiss you, so… no, thank you.” She turned away, glaring at the side window. She was pissed, and I wondered which of my words exactly had disgruntled her.

Well obviously

Mick followed me toward the bar. I slanted him a look. “You didn’t touch her, right?” His voice held a strange note. I couldn’t tell if it was anxiety or curiosity. “Why do you care?” He gave a shrug. I scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’ve got the hots for her?” He flushed. “She’s the hottest girl in Vegas.” That was true. “She’s off limits.” “So, you’re not going to ask for her hand?” I choked on my drink, chuckling. “Hell, no. I won’t marry anyone.”

“Was that why you were in that fight?” A couple of days ago, he’d come home with a split lip from a meeting with several other Camorrista in his age. He hadn’t been very forthcoming with information. “Yeah, a few guys voted you hottest piece of ass and aspiring sex bomb.” “Oh.” “And no, Savio wasn’t one of them!” Diego hit the steering wheel. “I didn’t ask if he was.”

“If you don’t go, then you’ll have to live with my presence,” I said. Before I had time to think about it, I sank down on Savio’s lap. Diego’s sharp intake of breath made me smile, but it died when Savio’s arm came around my waist. Shock shot through me. I hadn’t expected him to react that way. Shove me away? Yes. Shock? Yes. Pulling me closer as if I belonged on top of him? No. My gaze darted over to him and he leaned back against the headrest, pulling me with him. His eyes met mine and there was something in them that had me swallow thickly.

The way i gasped

He didn’t seem fazed by me sitting on his lap in the slightest. Of course not, Savio was used to girls being on his lap, but usually with less clothing and more hip rotation. His eyes held mine, the sexy infuriating smile on his face. Butterflies filled my belly at our proximity. This was the first time I sat on a guy’s lap, on Savio’s lap, and it felt good. I could feel his muscles through our clothing, the strength in his body, and his warmth. God, he felt so good. I wanted to lean into him, bury my face in his neck.

Same x

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Gemma? Get up!” Diego growled, grabbing my wrist in a bruising grip before he scowled at Savio. “And you take your fucking fingers off her waist or I’ll break them.” Oh no. Tension shot through Savio’s body and his hold on my waist tightened further as he slowly sat up with me still on his lap. “Try it.” The threat in Savio’s voice stunned me. I touched his forearm, fingertips brushing the scars there, and his expression, still fixed on my brother, became even harsher. My eyes darted between my brother and Savio, realizing this had just turned dead serious for them. This was going to turn into a testosterone-fueled shitfest. And no offense to Diego, who was a nasty piece of shit in the fighting ring, but I had seen Savio in the cage. He was a Falcone, and fighting was in his blood, and so was a talent to destroy his opponents with words and fists. If those two ever killed each other, it wouldn’t be because of me. I jammed my heel down on Savio’s foot. He grunted and loosened his hold on my waist, giving me the chance to jump to my feet and ram my fist into Diego’s stomach, causing him to groan and jerk back. “You are idiots.” I whirled around and stomped upstairs. I needed to get away from Savio before I did something even stupider.

Gemma was the hottest girl in the city and didn’t even realize it. She was the girl I wanted most and couldn’t have. Diego narrowed his eyes at me, still standing over me. I leaned back again, cocking a brow. “Don’t ever touch her again.” I rose slowly, stepping up to him. “Or what?” Diego looked like he was considering murdering me. “If you don’t honor our values, if you don’t respect that our women are off limits unless they are your woman, then you can’t come over anymore. I’ll have to protect Gemma at all costs. If you pose a risk to her, our friendship has to end.” “Pose a risk to her?” I scoffed. “She sat on my lap. I didn’t pull her down, and I didn’t touch her inappropriately, Diego. I wrapped an arm around her waist.” “That’s already too much,” he muttered. “Gemma doesn’t know what she’s doing. She doesn’t realize how you’ll take it if she sits on your lap.” “How do I take it?” “You’ll think she might be up for more or that she’s hitting on you.” “She is hitting on me. We both know it.” Diego tensed. “Calm the fuck down, asshole. I know Gemma isn’t up for more. But you know as well as I do that she’s got a crush on me.” “It doesn’t matter. You can’t have her—unless you marry her.”

No but diego has

Making me cry diego

I was going to marry Mick. Not Savio.

🔪🔪🔪

Mick nodded with a satisfied smile. “Now that everything’s settled, I’ll go looking for an engagement ring for you.” My face muscles quivered from the effort to hold the smile. Engagement. Rings. Everything’s settled. A sense of finality overcame me and with it a strange mix of sadness and anger.

Sometimes I still couldn’t believe that Remo really had kids. Most of his life he’d spent hating women and now his daughter and wife had him wrapped around their fingers. “They sleep,” she whispered, peering up at me before she opened her tiny arms. “Want cuddles.” Cuddles. I smiled wryly and picked her up. She snuggled against my chest like a cat and I wrapped my arms around her as she huddled on my lap. She was tiny for a two-year-old, and so sensitive and quiet that it brought out my protective side.

Awwww baby fever

States. Remo would burn down the world to protect Greta. Of course, Nino, Adamo, Fabiano, and I would be right by his side.

If anyone saw me like this, that would make the rounds. Savio Falcone cuddling with his niece and watching cartoons about nosy rabbits and know-it-all pigs. Greta didn’t release my finger, clutching it tightly in one hand while she held her stuffed rabbit in the other. I always found children annoying, and my nephew Nevio definitely had a talent to drive me up the wall, but fuck, they’d somehow weaseled their way into my fucking heart. And Greta, I doubted anyone who met her didn’t like her.

Sometimes when I looked at her cute face, I considered having kids myself in the distant future, then Nevio usually did something that made me want to get a vasectomy.

It’s giving Aiden King 😭

Maybe they had the hots for the same girl. Diego had only recently dumped Dakota.

Nope

Over my dead body, Michelangelo. I looked him up and down. He didn’t deserve Gemma, and he sure as fuck wouldn’t get her.

new wave of insane fury raced through me. “Michel-fucking-angelo won’t get into Gem’s panties or anywhere near them.”

Diego shook his head. “It’s too late. She needs to be promised, that’s just how it is. Unless you decide to marry after all?” I scoffed and Diego’s expression darkened. “Then there’s nothing you can do, Savio. Whatever you want from Gemma, you can’t have it. Not unless there’s a ring with your name on her finger.” I glared. A ring with my name. Marriage. Did I really want that?