Taming Ricardo, The Italian Billionaire

Alfio cocked a brow. “Girlfriend and secretary. Our brother knows how to pick ’em, huh Mario?”

Mario rolled his eyes. “Let’s just go. We can talk to Ricardo another time.”

Yes. Please go, Kyra begged silently.

“There’s nothing wrong if we have a chat with our brother’s lady. By the way things are going, we might be family one day. Right, Kyra?” He took a step toward her and she felt the need to retreat. “I mean, it looks like our brother is in love. You must be really good in the sack to get him to completely change his mind about what we originally had planned for our property development venture.” His eyes roved over her in a way that made her feel violated. “The power of the pu*sy is incredible.”

Kyra gasped at his audacity.

“Alfio,” Mario called in warning.

Alfio ignored his brother, advancing toward her. She scurried backward until her back hit the floor to ceiling window. “It’s because of you, why our business went down the drain. Now Ricardo is putting his time and money into helping the poor. He was supposed to help us get rich. But you came along and just like that it was over. It’s all your fault.”

Kyra shook her head. “I didn’t push your brother to do anything. He decided on his own to do things differently. He members that he too grew up poor and wants to help others. He’s doing all of this because he’s a good man, not to please me. Maybe you two should take a page out of his book.”

Rage twisted Alfio’s face that even Mario appeared surprised and worried. He snarled. “Next time, his building won’t be the only property of his that we violate.”

 His eyes held a malicious gleam that made Kyra shrink back. She gulped. “Why would you do something like that to your brother?”

“He ruined our plans.”

“But he told you that the both of you could still be a part of things.” She glanced Mario’s way and he hung his head, wearing a guilty expression.

“Why the hell would we want to be a part of something that isn’t going to make us rich? Renovating and renting for the same price or lower? What kind of sh*t is that?”

“It isn’t always about money.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re spreading your nice little legs for him so he’ll share his billions with you.”

Kyra’s mouth fell open. “Why you disgusting prick. Don’t you-“

His hands wrapped around her neck and she gasped.

Mario moved toward them. “Alfio! Don’t.”

The door flew open so hard it slammed against the wall and in an instant, Alfio’s hand had been removed from her. Her eyes widened seeing Ricardo’s fist raised to strike his brother. Before she could stop him, his fist connected with Alfio’s jaw.

“How dare you touch her?” He roared, ready to strike again.

“Ricardo, stop!” She yelled just as Mario pulled him away from his twin.

Ricardo snarled and turned on Mario. Marissa let out a shriek and Kyra moved quickly grasping his arm. “Ricardo, please.”

He paused and dropped his fist, turning to her. “Are you alright, Kyra?” His eyes searched her from head to toe.

“I-I’m fine.” She was shocked and shaken but relieved Ricardo had come in.

Mario moved to hold on to Alfio who was glaring at both Kyra and Ricardo as if he wanted to charge. Instinctively, Kyra stepped closer to Ricardo and he placed himself in front of her. He radiated menace, looking more dangerous than Alfio. Kyra prayed that a brawl didn’t ensue.

“Well, it’s good to know that the police can finally make and arrest for the vandalism of my property.”

Alfio snorted. “You’ll have to prove it.”

“Not a problem,” Ricardo replied with a smirk. “Marissa, is the recording ready for when the police gets here?”

Marissa too wore a smirk. “It sure is, sir.”

An hour later, Alfio had been taken away in cuffs with Mario trudging behind him. Kyra sank onto the leather couch in Ricardo’s office. She dropped her head in her hands and sighed. Ricardo crouched in front of her.

“It’s over now,” He cupped her face, lifting her head so she could look at him. “Stop worrying. What you and Marissa did was brilliant. At least, we know who was behind the vandalism.”

Kyra nibbled her bottom lip. When the twins had arrived she’d had a bad feeling, what with Alfio giving her the death stare. So when Marissa had told her to call if she needed her, they had shared a knowing look. Shortly after, Kyra had turned on Ricardo’s office phone, allowing Marissa to hear everything that was going on. Luckily, Marissa had thought to record the entire confrontation while going to get Ricardo.

Kyra smiled sadly. “When I pressed that button, I wasn’t expecting to catch a confession. I just felt…uneasy. They’re your brothers Ricardo. Do you think it was good idea to press charges? Mario did apologize.”

His expression hardened. “Mario went right along with Alfio when he was committing a crime. For years I have wanted those two to grow up and they haven’t. Perhaps a little jail time will teach them a proper lesson.”

Kyra felt terrible. Mario had confessed to them plotting to get back into Ricardo’s good graces, offer to take over from Kyra as Communication Officers, and drive Ricardo’s project into the ground. They would then return the property development business back to its original premise. Kyra wondered, how they were so foolish as to think they could take down their brother, an experienced cutthroat business man. They had blamed her for everything and that was why she felt like shit.

“I’m sorry Ricardo. If it wasn’t for me-“

He placed a finger over her lips. “What did I tell you about blaming yourself for things? This is all on Mario and Alfio. They are money hungry and manipulative.”

“But they’re your only family.”

“And they deserve a little tough love. Maybe one day if they decide to change, all can be forgiven. For now, I still have you, don’t I?”

She smiled. “You have me.”

“You’re all I need.”

Warmth flooded her and she felt that everything would be okay. No, she knew everything would be okay. His love for her was always evident. He never tried to hid it from her or others. She was the luckiest girl in the world.