Falling For My Brother’s Best Friend

Mia.

A sharp, intense pain visited my head as my eyes slowly opened to an unfamiliar room. I lifted my body to a sitting position, gripping my forehead with my palms. What the hell was I doing here? I remember going to the club with my best friend Anne, having the blast of all time.

The club was then raided by armed gunmen. I was taken by a man wearing all black—cap and face mask—and then I felt something tingle on my neck before I succumbed to darkness.

Just when I was trying to put the pieces together, the door to the room was pushed open. My eyes widened, seeing the familiar face staring right back at me. Stefano.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I cracked out. Stefano is my brother's best friend and his lapdog, as I call him. My brother, Antonio, is a mafia boss and runs a casino business in Italy, making him not only a well-known man but also the most feared man in the mafia underworld.

Stefano had been with him since day one. I harbored hatred towards him ever since he turned me down when I confessed my feelings to him. I had a crush on him the very first time he came to our house to see my brother. I was brave enough to express my feelings, thinking it was mutual with the way he was being all nice to me.

However, it turned out it was a one-sided thing from my side. Since that day, he stopped being nice and always frowned. I took a dislike towards him because he made me look like a fool.

Now, he just showed up and ignited the feelings I had thought had died. Stefano stopped coming to our house after a few weeks. Even with the way he turned me down, I still got worried. But he never showed up again.

One day, I overheard my brother speaking to him on the phone, asking him about the business in Italy. Stefano moved to Italy and never came back.

"Trust you had a good nap," he spoke. I didn't miss the smirk dangling around his lips. Of all the people I looked forward to seeing after landing in the city, it was him. After graduating from college and angry at how screwed up my life had been, I decided to go into a modeling job. After all, I have a model-like body—perfect curves in perfect places—and a natural beauty. My mom was against it at first, but my dad, who goes by whatever I want, didn't object.

As for Stefano's friendship with my brother? I despise that too. In fact, he's the mastermind behind my brother's overprotectiveness towards me. He led me on with smiles and the way he looked at me whenever he visited, but he had the audacity to tell me he didn't feel anything for me.

The last time we met was roughly six months ago at my parents' anniversary party. I don't know what made them think they could involve him in our family. My mother even praised him instead of her own daughter.

I didn't answer him and proceeded off the bed. Being in the same room with him would only trigger what I wouldn't be able to control. "I advise you not to leave this room," his voice resonated in my eardrums, stopping me in my tracks.

"Meaning?" I said turning to him.

"For your own good."

"Wait... I don't get you. Why are you here exactly? Why did you kidnap me?"

"Kidnap?" He repeated. "You could say that. But I didn't kidnap you. I was given orders by your brother." I couldn't resist chuckling at his remarks. He thought he could disappear and just waltz back just like that? He must be crazy.

"Given orders on my arrival back home? And what makes you think you could show up out of the blue?" One thing about me, I don't hide my feelings. I say whatever is on my mind, whether it will hurt that person or not. And he needed to know how much I despise him for what he did to me in the past.

"Because there's a threat to your life. You should know being a sister to the biggest mafia won't make your life safe."

I huffed. "I didn't ask Antonio to join the mafia. He can't expect me to be caged in one place. I'm a model, Stefano. A top model at that." Maybe he had forgotten my face had been on the front cover of a magazine for months.

"It is what it is, Mia," he said in a voice that had my heart racing. I gulped down my saliva as I took a closer look at him. He hadn't changed much.

"Whatever. I'm leaving," I said, turning around to leave when my body was spun around. Mesmerizing light brown eyes bore into mine. For a moment, my brain went blank. I won't deny the fact that Stefano has those kinds of eyes that make you want to keep staring. His eyes reminded me of how he used to look at me. It made anger surge through me.

"Get the fuck off my face!" I spat, jerking my hand off him. He held it again.

"You're not taking a step out of this room," he said. I wanted to laugh at his face. He must be nuts.

"Says who?"

"Me." Thought as much.

"Then you can go to hell. You can't stop me from leaving this room."

"Oh, yes I can. Because I have the right to, and I'm capable of doing that," he answered back, his tone calm. But mine wasn't. I was fucking confused. Why in hell would he take me away? What is my brother trying to do?

My lips curved up into a smile. "Oh, I get it now. I know why you're hell-bent on keeping me here," I said.

Stefano's brows shot up in confusion. "Is it because you haven't found a woman on all your stay in Italy? Or you're back now because I've gotten more beautiful? You want to have sex with me now that my curves have gotten rounder and fuller?" I asked. I didn't know why I was saying all that. Maybe because of the way his breath was fanning my face and doing all sorts of things to my heart.

Stefano's confusion morphed into shock as he stared at me. "What?"

I chuckled, deciding to use my charm. I'm very sure he can't resist that. Who can even resist Mia Di Salvatore's charms? "Come on, Stefano. Admit it. You turned me down back then because I wasn't mature enough. But you kidnapped me now because you want me all to yourself."

His jaw tightened, and he shook his head. "You're delusional if you think this is about the past."

I took a step closer, maintaining the playful tone. "Oh, Stefano, don't be so serious. Maybe if you loosen up a bit, you'll realize you don't need to control everything. Besides, I'm a beautiful woman, you know. My brother doesn't need to know we fuck each other, right?" I muffled out, my hand circling around his neck seductively. I trailed my fingers down to his visible chest and unbuttoned the shirt to reveal more of his body. I could swear I felt something in between my legs.

Stefano's shock quickly transformed into a mix of irritation and disbelief. "Mia, I'm not here for games. I'm here for your sake, not for any of your fantasies," he retorted, pushing my hand away and stepping back.

I felt something drop in my chest. He's rejecting me again. Now that I've gotten thicker and my curves have gotten rounder and sexier, he can't tell me he wouldn't be moved by the sight of my body. I've encountered a lot of men, but all they want is to have sex with me. The only one kind enough to be sweet to me is Lucas. An investor in my agency. And I haven't given him an answer yet. "You know... you can be open to me. We're not strangers. Are we?"

He shook his head. "This is not a joke, Mia."

I smirked, circling him, still maintaining the playful facade. "Well, isn't it more dangerous to keep a woman like me in captivity? You might find it hard to resist." My eyes traveled to his lips. The urge to touch them grew in me. I've always wanted to have a taste.

Damn Mia! You aren't supposed to find him attractive. Remember you hated his gut. My inner voice rang. But I didn't listen.

"What would it feel like to have a taste of these lips?" I inched my face closer to him. Stefano went silent. He didn't move, nor did he say anything, which gave me the upper hand. My core wasn't left out with throbbing. Damn! What the hell was going on with me? I thought you despise him for turning you down Mia. My inner voice rang.

We met each other's gaze and just when I thought he would kiss me, he pulled away instead. "Nothing will change between us." He said and left the room. Leaving me in a confused state and wondering what he meant by what he said.

Mia.

"Stefano, get the hell here and uncuff me!" I shouted. After he left the room, I didn't stay idle. Stefano and I argued, and in the end, he tied me to the bed. Damn him! Damn Antonio!

He handcuffed me like a prisoner. Why the hell did he do that? Did he think I wouldn't escape with him chaining me?

"I swear Stefano, you won't like what I would do to you if-" My words hung in the air when the door was kicked open, and Stefano stepped inside in all his glory. I felt my mouth suddenly go dry at the sight of him. He was naked from his chest down to his waist as he carried a tray and began walking towards me. Like nothing happened! Like he did nothing!

He placed the tray on the nightstand, and my stomach decided to remind me of its emptiness, but I ignored it and focused on the devil in front of me. "What the hell is this?" I asked as calmly as I could muster up. I was trying to hold in my rage, which I was sure would unleash soon.

"Keeping you in place," he spoke. I didn't resist the urge to roll my eyes. I did that and also glared at him.

"I'm not some prisoner, if I may remind you."

My breathing hitched when he occupied the empty space on the bed. "You won't be only if you had behaved well. But as the spoiled brat you are, it ended up putting you in this situation," he said, his lips curving up into the familiar and foolish smirk.

"Don't play games with me and get this shit off me. I want to call Lucas." I spat, wiggling my chained hands at his face.

He didn't do as much as make any expression. "I'm sure I'm not talking to a mute," I threw again.

"First of all, I'm keeping you here as per orders from your brother, which is for your safety. Secondly, don't act childish and do as I say."

Shocked occupied my face. Did he just call me childish? A whole Mia Di Salvatore?

"You're a fool, Stefano. In fact, you're crazy."

The smirk didn't fade; instead, he leaned over, making the rate at which my heart was beating increase. I wanted to move but could not. "I guess we're both crazy because you're not getting out of here until I say so. So be a good girl," he declared, fishing out a piece of key from his pocket. The first thing I did when he uncuffed me was slap him across the face.

"You're out of your mind if you think I would allow you to lock me up like a prisoner!" Shock danced over his face. I bet he wasn't expecting me to do as much as slap him. I threw the bedcovers off my body and got off the bed. However, Stefano was quick to hold my wrist and stop me in my tracks.

"Get the fuck out of my face. Neither Antonio nor you will stop me from living my life," I said, jerking my hands from his hold.

As I turned to walk out of the room, Stefano forcefully pulled me back, making my hand land on his rock-hard chest. I gulped down my saliva as his cologne filled my nostrils. Damn him for confusing my brain once again. Even after months of not seeing him. Even after months of trying to deny my feelings. Seeing him now made me realize I haven't moved on. I had never moved on.

His grip tightened as he locked eyes with me. Frustration coursed through me. I hated the way he looked at me. I hated that he had a big mouth in deciding choices for my brother. I hated that I still had a crush on him.

"You're not leaving, Mia," he declared; his tone sharp.

I scoffed, pulling my hand away from his chest. "I don't need you to define my life, Stefano. Just because my brother is a mafia boss doesn't mean he can control me. I won't allow anyone of you to dictate my life and choices."

"You should know that your brother cares and is just trying to protect you. I-"

"And what about you?" The words escaped my lips before I could have control of them. Something flickered in his eyes. And I continued. "You still don't feel anything for me?" I didn't want my voice to sound vulnerable, but it did.

A light chuckle left my lips. "What do you expect, Mia?" I mumbled. No matter how beautiful you have become, you won't be able to move his heart.

"I don't need his protection. I need you both out of my way!" I uttered, pushing past him and walking away. I managed to walk out of the room. However, I didn't take more than two steps when a loud bang echoed through the hallway, freezing me in my tracks. My heart raced as I turned back to see Stefano holding a gun pointed to the wall.

"What the hell was that?" I muttered, anxiety suddenly tightening my chest.

He took slow steps towards me, and before I could know what was going on, he swung me over his shoulder. "Are you crazy!"

"Put me down!" I shouted, wiggling my legs and also hitting his back. But in return, I was the one feeling the pain in my fingers from hitting his hard back. How can someone be this strong? Has he always been this strong or had he added more weight?

Stefano reversed back and kicked the door with his foot. He dropped me down harshly on the bed before going to the door and locked it. "Are you crazy? What sort of stupid stunt did you pull there? My brother asked you to protect me, not to kill me!" I exclaimed, marching towards him in anger.

Stefano's expression remained stern, his eyes locking onto mine once again, and that wasn't making my heart calm. "I thought you don't need protection? And do you think I'd try to hurt you? Your brother is probably going to chop my head on a platter."

I scoffed, rubbing my sore palms. "Safe? Pointing a gun at a wall doesn't sound like keeping me safe. And I would love if that happens to you. Because you're a fool."

He sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Can you drop your acts already? It will do both of us good if we both come to an agreement."

"I will never succumb to you!" I yelled out, kicking him with my foot. I didn't miss the light hiss that escaped him.

In a matter of seconds, my back collided with the bed, with my hands pinned atop my head and raging eyes burning holes into my head. "Get your shit together, you foolish woman!" Stefano seethed.

Okay, I know Stefano doesn't have an ounce of charisma in his heart. But the rage in his eyes didn't fail to send shivers down my spine. I don't know why my brother will keep such a friend who doesn't have any sense of humor to him. But I know for a fact that my brother had gotten himself a bad friend. Because no one would tell me otherwise.

Despite Stefano's harsh words, I glared back at him. "Good for me or not, I don't need you or Antonio controlling my life. Now, let me go!"

He released his grip on my hands, and I pushed myself up from the bed, shooting him a challenging look. Stefano's frustration seemed to deepen as he watched me, and for a moment, the room felt charged with tension.

"I don't care what you think, Mia. But you need to understand the danger you're in. And you're going to fucking do exactly as I say," he uttered, his tone much more serious than before.

I folded my arms across my chest, finding his statement quite amusing. It seems he's giving himself too much pride. Or maybe he was thinking he was on the same level as my brother.

"And what makes you think I would do as you say?" I questioned.

"Because I fucking said so. So, I advise you to get your shit together. You will have to follow every damn rule I set for you." Okay, I guess he had gotten ruder.

I couldn't help but scoff at Stefano's arrogance. "You don't own me, Stefano. I won't dance to your tune or anyone else's for that matter."

He copied my action, folding his arms across his chest. "You may not like it, Mia, but I'm doing this to keep you safe. Your brother trusts me to protect you, and I won't let you jeopardize that."

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed. "Keeping me safe? Why didn't you do that in the past? And you're talking of trust? That's more like blind faith. You're overstepping, Stefano. You should know that you're not up to my brother's level just because you're his best friend. Just because you run the mafia world together with him."

Stefano took a step closer, his voice low and commanding. "It doesn't matter. You'll follow my rules, Mia, whether you like it or not. I won't let anything happen to you, even if I have to protect you from yourself."

"I don't need protection," I declared.

"Yes, you do. You might not know it now, but you fucking do. So, for the first rule," he commenced.

"You won't leave this house without my permission."

I scoffed, annoyance creeping inside me. "This is ridiculous. I'm not some prisoner."

"The second rule," he continued.

"You're not allowed to call anyone. Not your brother, or anyone," Stefano stated, his voice firm.

I rolled my eyes, disbelief washing over me. "You're stupid if you think I'll agree to that."

Ignoring my retort, Stefano continued, "The third rule, you need to address me with respect if you want me to respect you too."

I scoffed at the absurdity of it all. "Respect is earned, Stefano. It's not part of some rulebook you get to enforce."

He shot me a stern look. "These rules are for your safety, Mia. It's not negotiable."

"Well, all the best to your so-called rules because I'm not going to fucking follow that," I hissed out, rolling my eyes.

"You're going to follow every single one of it, Mia. Mark my words." I found myself adjusting my standing posture as I stared at the man in front of me.

"Why are you such a foolish man?" I blurted out. "Do you think your so-called rule will work on me?"

Stefano's eyes narrowed as he absorbed my words. "You're underestimating what I'm capable of, Mia."

I crossed my arms. "Well...your rules won't change that."

He took a step closer, his presence dominating the room. "This is different, Mia. You're not just facing danger. You're clueless about all these."

I scoffed, unimpressed. "Save your dramatics. I'm not the old Mia you know. Not the old Mia you rejected."

Okay, maybe I had gotten too far. He'd think I hadn't gotten over the rejection.

You haven't. Or had you?

We shared a heated look. With the way he was determined, I knew I needed to find a way to get out of this fucking hole. I don't know why the hell brother thinks I needed protection when nothing had happened to me in the past. And then Stefano thinks he can waltz back and confuse me more. I had been perfectly fine without him. And that won't change. The two men cannot chain me down in one place. Hell no.

"Now sit and eat that damn food." Stefano's controlling voice charged through my ears.

"Or else what?" I challenged. If he thinks he's stubborn and crazy, I will show him the level of my madness.

"I would have to use a means you won't like. And I'm fucking serious. So, drop that shit attitude of yours and eat that damn food!"