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 24AngeloI watch as Vittoria’s tongue darts out to swipe up the cream from her lips, and it makes me rock fucking hard.When I bit into the strawberry, I almost gave in and claimed her mouth.The only reason I’m honoring her request is because I want her to kiss me out of her own free will. From the flush on her cheeks and the desire in her eyes, I know I won’t have to wait much longer.Christ, I hope not. A kiss never meant anything to me until she slammed me with the restriction. Now, it’s the one thing I want most in the world.Gripping hold of the fabric by her thigh, I order, “Feed me, baby.” When she reaches for a strawberry, my hand slips down to her calf. “I love this dress,” I compliment her.“You better. It cost a small fortune,” Vittoria mutters as she brings the fruit to my mouth.Taking a bite, I slip my hand beneath the fabric and trail my fingers up her leg. A shiver ripples through her, making my lips curve into a smirk.As I swallow, Vittoria brings her thumb
Chapter 25ToriI’ve made two batches of cannolis, and as they cool down, Angelo comes into the kitchen.“Christ, I love the smell in the house since you moved in.”I grin at him from where I’m leaning with my hip against the counter while drinking a cup of coffee.When I woke up this morning and felt his arms around me, there was a shift in my heart.I’m starting to see Angelo in a different light. Not once has he been violent with me. Even though I’m well aware he can change at any time, I’m clinging to the hope that he’ll never raise a hand against me.He’s been kind and patient with me…and even loving. Sometimes, I forget he’s one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra. I forget he’s killed people. I forget he makes a living from criminal activities.When he’s home, he’s just Angelo, my husband.We’re forming a bond, and it has my feelings changing toward him. I’m not always on high alert around him, and I even smile more.Angelo steals a cannoli and leans back against the counter. With