Chapter 16ToriAngelo switches off the light before moving me onto my side and lying down behind me. He pushes an arm beneath my pillow, and the other he wraps around me, resting his forearm between my breasts.His fingers caress my throat, and I feel as he presses a kiss to my hair. In the darkness, the position feels intimate.My thoughts are overrun with everything that’s happened tonight. My emotions are all over the place, and I can’t focus on anything long enough to process it.Now that the afterglow of sex has faded, my fear and confusion have returned full force. Just because he made me feel pleasure doesn’t mean he’s suddenly a different person.Angelo is still one of the bosses of the Cosa Nostra. He’s still ruthless and violent.He’s still a stranger.The sounds in and around the mansion aren’t familiar, and I feel totally out of place lying on the expensive sheets.Even the pillow feels weird beneath my head.Angelo lets out a sigh, then his voice rumbles behind me. “What
Chapter 17ToriAfter taking a long bath and getting dressed in a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a light cardigan, I creep out of the main bedroom.It feels like I’m trespassing.I glance over the wrought iron banister, and not seeing anyone, I sneak from bedroom to bedroom, taking a look around the mansion that’s now my home.Cautiously, I head down the stairs while my eyes flit around. The décor is modern, and everything feels expensive.When I step into the living room, I see Tiny sitting on one of the couches.His eyes snap to me, then a crooked grin forms on his face. “Morning, Mrs. Rizzo.”“Morning,” I whisper. I swallow on the dryness in my throat before asking, “Where’s the kitchen?”He points to the left. “Through there.” “Thank you.”When I step into a state-of-the-art kitchen, there’s a woman who seems to be in her late fifties or early sixties. I suck at guessing someone’s age.Her eyes flit to me, and for a very uncomfortable moment, she looks me up and down.“Morning,” I
Chapter 18AngeloJesus fucking Christ.While Big Ricky and Eddie dispose of the body, I sit down behind my desk.I rub my hand over my face as I let out an angry huff. I didn’t mean to be so harsh with Vittoria, but the call came at the worst possible time.She sounded fucking terrified.I shake my head, wondering how the fuck I’m going to get Vittoria not to fear me.Big Ricky comes back into the office. “What do you want me to do with the drugs?”“Flush them,” I mutter.Jacks, one of the bartenders, stole two grand to buy drugs, which was a stupid move on his part.Like I’ve said before, I don’t make a habit of giving second chances.My thoughts turn back to Vittoria and how scared she sounded over the phone.I’ve never done relationships before, so I’m in uncharted waters.Christ, my longest relationship is with Tiny and Big Ricky. They’re tough as nails, so I don’t have to worry about their feelings.I let out a chuckle at the ridiculous thought.Now, I have a skittish deer for a
Chapter 19ToriIt feels like I have whiplash.Since Angelo scared the living crap out of me, he’s been…nice, for lack of a better word.I can feel his eyes on me as I pour the pesto sauce over the gnocchi, chicken, and rosa tomatoes.Letting the dish rest for five minutes, I turn to him and ask, “Do you want to eat in the dining room?”Earlier today, I familiarized myself with all the rooms in the mansion.Rita is so good at her job that there’s nothing for me to do, which is a bit of a concern.Angelo shakes his head. “We can eat in the living room.”I nod as I grab two plates, and setting them down, I dish up for us. I make sure the rims of the plates are clean of any sauce before sprinkling freshly chopped parsley and shredded parmesan over the food.Taking cutlery from the drawer, I glance at Angelo. “Food’s ready.”He stands up, and my eyes drift over the sweatpants and shirt he’s wearing.I have to admit, he doesn’t look as threatening in casual clothes.I hand him a knife and
Chapter 20AngeloI brush my fingers through Vittoria’s curls while I enjoy every second of the moment we’re sharing.With the desire burning in her eyes, she looks like a fucking siren. Keeping my tone soft, I say, “Tell me about your childhood.”Her hands slide from my shoulders down my chest until they settle against my abs.My cock jerks from her touch. I take hold of her shirt and tug the fabric over her head. My palms find her breasts, and I knead them through the thin fabric of her bra.Her cheeks flush pink, and her voice is shaky as she asks, “Ahh…what do you want to know?”A smirk tugs at my lips, and when she tilts her head back, I forget what we’re talking about.Leaning forward, my mouth latches onto her throat, and I begin to feast on her soft skin.Vittoria’s hands fly to my hair, and her fingers twist with the strands as she moans, “Angelo.”Hearing my name on her lips has me locking an arm around her lower back, and standing up, I turn and lie her down on the couch. M
Chapter 21ToriWhen I wake up, I find myself alone in bed. It takes a moment before I remember I fell asleep on top of Angelo.He must’ve carried me to bed.I don’t know how to feel about everything that’s happening. Let’s just say I’m cautiously optimistic right now.As I turn onto my back, I see the phone I bought yesterday lying on Angelo’s pillow. I reach for it, and when I unlock the screen, there’s a message. I open it, and a smile tugs at my mouth as I read it.Angelo: My cock misses your mouth. Enjoy shopping for clothes and anything else you like.Not knowing what to reply, I keep reading the text over and over. After a while, I give up and just type something generic.Vittoria: Morning. I hope you have a nice day.I climb out of bed and quickly fix the covers and pillows before heading into the bathroom so I can take a bath and get ready for the day.When I’m lying in the balmy water, my thoughts turn to Angelo. I lift my left hand and take a closer look at the wedding band
Chapter 22AngeloSitting across from Salvatore, we review the schedules of the fleet we currently have at sea.“Will Renzo’s shipment still dock on time?” I ask. “Yes, I’m expecting it Tuesday before lunch.”Salvatore is a lot like me. He’s all business and painfully private. From what I know, the man lives like a hermit.But he’s fucking loyal and a hard worker, and it’s all that matters to me. My phone vibrates, and when I check the message, I see it’s from Tiny.Tiny: We’re wrapping things up. Tori asked if we could swing by her old place to pick up ingredients for the cannolis she wants to make. Is that okay with you?Giorgio is still in the hospital, but I don’t want Vittoria anywhere near her old home.Angelo: No. She doesn’t go near her old house. Take her grocery shopping.Tiny: Yes, boss.Tucking my phone back into my pocket, my eyes flick to Salvatore, then I announce, “By the way, I got married.”His eyebrows fly into his hairline. “That’s the last thing I expected to hear
Chapter 23ToriAfter I light the two candles, I quickly shut the curtains so the room will be darker.I turn to look at the intimate corner of the dining room table, and happy that it looks romantic, I hurry back to the kitchen.I want tonight to be special for Angelo. It’s my way of making an effort to get closer to him.I’ve prepared baked eggplant with melted parmesan and roasted duck with blackberry-orange sauce.Before Rita left, she showed me the wine cellar and helped me pair the perfect bottle with our dinner.I take the chilled Romanee-Conti from the fridge, and grabbing the corkscrew, I try to figure out how the gadget works.“Need some help?” Angelo suddenly says behind me.“God!” I let out a startled chuckle, then mutter, “Please.”I wish the man would make a sound so I hear when he enters a room. I hand him the bottle and corkscrew.He checks the label. “Nice choice.”“Rita helped me choose the wine,” I mention as my gaze drifts over the faded blue jeans and white T-shir
Chapter 30GabriellaWith the wedding date scheduled for next Saturday, we’ve been super busy.Mrs. Accardi’s been an enormous help. Honestly, she’s done most of the work.I got to spend some time with Damiano, but tonight, the other heads of the Cosa Nostra and their partners are coming over, and I’m nervous as hell. I’ve just put on the sheer body suit and high heels when Damiano comes into my walk-in closet. His eyes land on me, and he stops dead in his tracks. “No,” he growls as he slowly starts to shake his head, his expression darkening by the second. “There is no fucking way you’re wearing that infront of the other men.”“Hold on before you burst a vein,” I mutter.I grab the cream jacket out of my closet and put it on. When I fasten the belt, and the fabric spreads out like a short skirt, I say, “See. Everything’s covered.”He stares at me for a while before he says, “Fine. But the fucking jacket stays on at all times.”I walk closer to him, and wrapping my fingers behind his
Chapter 29DamianoEven though I want to spend the entire day in bed with Gabriella, I don’t. The women have been cooped up in the mansion for over a month, and it would be selfish of me not to take them out.Especially now that Miguel’s been dealt with.When I walk into the dining room with Gabriella beside me, Aunt Greta grins at us.Carlo’s sitting where Gabriella used to sit, so she can take the chair to my left.I pull out the chair and wait for her to take a seat before I press a kiss to the top of her head. Walking around the table, I place my hand on Mamma’s shoulder then kiss the scar on her temple.“Morning, everyone,” I murmur as I take my seat.When we’re all done greeting each other, I announce, “We’re going out after breakfast.”Carlo lets out a groan. “Where?”“Wherever the women want to go,” I mutter.“Shopping?” Mamma asks, excitement in her tone. “Christmas is only two weeks away.”Fuck. I forgot about the festive season. “Shopping it is,” I agree.“Forget breakfast,
Chapter 29DamianoEven though I want to spend the entire day in bed with Gabriella, I don’t. The women have been cooped up in the mansion for over a month, and it would be selfish of me not to take them out.Especially now that Miguel’s been dealt with.When I walk into the dining room with Gabriella beside me, Aunt Greta grins at us.Carlo’s sitting where Gabriella used to sit, so she can take the chair to my left.I pull out the chair and wait for her to take a seat before I press a kiss to the top of her head. Walking around the table, I place my hand on Mamma’s shoulder then kiss the scar on her temple.“Morning, everyone,” I murmur as I take my seat.When we’re all done greeting each other, I announce, “We’re going out after breakfast.”Carlo lets out a groan. “Where?”“Wherever the women want to go,” I mutter.“Shopping?” Mamma asks, excitement in her tone. “Christmas is only two weeks away.”Fuck. I forgot about the festive season. “Shopping it is,” I agree.“Forget breakfast,
Chapter 28GabriellaWhen Damiano pulls out of me, I flinch, and it has his eyes snapping to mine.“You okay?”I nod quickly. “Yes. Just sensitive.”He lies down on his back, and when I climb off the bed, his gaze follows me to the bathroom.I quickly clean myself before wetting a washcloth. When I walk back into the room and crawl onto the bed, he takes the washcloth from my hand and throws it on the floor.My eyebrows draw together, then he says, “I don’t want to clean you off me yet.”His possessive tone makes my stomach flutter.Damiano pulls me closer, and when I lie down beside him, his arms wrap around me, and he buries his face in the crook of my neck.Just like earlier, I throw my leg over his and hold him tightly to my body.My fingers trail up and down his back, and I press a kiss to his temple. He lets out a heavy sigh and melts into me.I keep caressing his back, and not even minutes later, his breaths even out as he falls asleep.He smells like rough sex and danger, and
Chapter 27GabriellaI startle awake when I’m picked up off the bed.Grabbing hold of broad shoulders, it takes me a few seconds before I realize Damiano’s carrying me out of my room.“You’re home,” I say, my voice hoarse with sleep. “Hmm…” he grumbles.He stalks into his suite and places me on the bed before he goes to shut the door. The room is dark, but I can see as he comes back to bed.He lies down beside me, then orders, “Turn on your side. Back to me.”I do as I’m told, and when his arms wrap around me, and I feel his face press against the back of my neck, a wide smile spreads over my mouth.I hear him take a deep breath before he lets it out slowly, then his body shudders. An intense energy pours from him, filling the air with tension.“Are you okay?”Not saying anything, he only nods.Needing to hold him, I turn around, and wrapping my arms around his neck, I nudge him to tuck his face beneath my chin.Brushing my hand over his hair, I press a kiss to his temple. His arms ti
Chapter 26DamianoMy phone starts to ring, and seeing Dario’s name on the screen, I answer, “You better have good news for me. My men killed the fucking uncle.”“Miguel’s in Miami.” I can hear the relief in his voice, and it finds an echo in my chest.“Wheels up in thirty minutes,” I order. “Let the others know we’re meeting at the airfield.”“On it.”Ending the call, I lock eyes with Carlo. “Dario found Miguel. The fucker’s in Miami.”Climbing to his feet, he says, “Let’s go.”As I walk out of the lounge, I signal for Vito and Emilio to join us.When they catch up to us, I mutter, “Get a group of men to meet us at the airfield. I want them heavily armed. We’re attacking Miguel.”“Got it, boss,” Emilio says, immediately pulling out his phone to make the call.We hurry out of the club, and once we’re all in the SUV, Carlo starts the engine. “Fucking finally.”“You can say that again,” I mutter, more than ready to put an end to Miguel.I haven’t been home in two weeks, and I’m exhauste
Chapter 25GabriellaWith my lips parted, I watch as bag after bag of clothes is carried into the foyer.Holy crap.“Did we really order so much?” I ask.“I added a couple of items I thought you might like,” Mrs. Accardi says.Caro Dio.“Should I take the clothes to your suite, Miss di Bella?” Martha asks. “Or do you want me to wash them first?”“They’ve already been dry cleaned,” Savannah, Mrs. Accardi’s personal shopper, informs us. “My team can pack the clothes in your closet. Just show them the way.”Martha leads the team up the stairs, and all I can do is shake my head.“Damiano is going to lose his shit when he sees how many clothes I got,” I whisper under my breath.“No, he won’t,” Aunt Aida says. “As his fiancée, you always have to look your best.”Still.My thoughts turn to Damiano, who hasn’t been home in over a week. “I’ll be right back,” I say before I head up the stairs.Walking into my bedroom, I hear the staff work in the closet. I grab my phone and quickly leave so I d
Chapter 24DamianoDressed in black cargo pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a coat, and boots, I tuck my Glock behind my back as I leave my suite.As I take the stairs down to the first floor, my phone starts to buzz like crazy.I dig the device out of my pocket, and a dark frown forms on my forehead as I answer, “What?”“The hotel is on fire!” Emilio shouts, sirens blaring in the background. Anger explodes in my chest, my fingers tightening around the phone. “Fuck,” I mutter. “I’m on my way.”“Carlo!” My voice thunders through the foyer.He comes running out of my mother’s sitting room. “What?”“The hotel is on fucking fire,” I relay the message to him as I stalk toward the French doors. When I step out onto the veranda, I mutter, “You’ll have to fly.”“On it.” He runs ahead of me to start the helicopter.When I climb inside, I glance at the house and see Gabriella standing on her balcony. She’s only wearing a bathrobe, and it’s freezing outside.I yank my phone out, but not remembering t
Chapter 23GabriellaWhen I wake up, it takes a moment to make sense of my surroundings.I become aware of Damiano’s arms wrapped tightly around me, my back pressed to his chest. He’s holding me the same way I hold my pillow when I sleep.With his face pressed to the back of my neck, his breaths warm my skin. One of his legs is thrown over mine, and his manhood is hard and big against my butt.I had sex with Damiano.After the first memory hits, they all pour into my mind. The shooting lessons.Damiano hugging me.The nightmare, and him comforting me. Experiencing my first orgasm.My thoughts stop on the memory, and my lips curve up.When Damiano kept rubbing his cock against me, it made me feel so much pleasure it was overwhelming.I remember everything when he took my virginity. The look on his face. The way his body moved. The pain as he kept thrusting until he found his own pleasure in my body.Even though it hurt a lot, I’d do it a million times to see that hot look on his face a