Chapter 9AngeloWalking into the cathedral, I head down the aisle, barely taking notice of the empty pews.Father Parisi comes out of the confession booth, and the instant his eyes land on me, he hurries toward me. “Mr. Rizzo. This is unexpected.”I’m not a man of religion, and the walls of this building rarely see me, so I can understand why he’s surprised that I’m here.Wanting to get out of the cathedral as quickly as possible, I mutter, “Where can we talk in private?”“Are you here for confession?”I let out a chuckle, and shaking my head, I say, “I’m comfortable with the idea of going to hell.”Big Ricky stifles his laughter behind me with a fake cough.Father Parisi looks visibly disappointed with my comment. He gestures toward a door. “We can talk in my office.”I follow the holy man to the back of the cathedral and into his office. It’s so fucking stuffy in here it makes my skin itch.Glancing at Big Ricky, I order, “Wait outside.” “Yes, boss.”I shut the door before turning
Chapter 10ToriWe’re taken through a set of glass doors at the back of the mansion, and stepping onto a veranda, my gaze keeps flitting over all the beauty, which I can’t help but notice.The backyard is very big, and the lawn looks freshly cut. There are lounge chairs situated on either side of a rectangular pool, and the water looks as blue as the sky.Potted flowers add color to the garden, and there are four large ones at every corner of the pool.I see Father Parisi standing by Tiny, but there are no other guests.Are we early?Without saying a word, Angelo continues to walk to the side of the house until he stops beneath the tree I saw when I was in the living room.Everyone follows him, and when he turns to face me, a shiver creeps down my spine.I’m not going to lie, I feel super uncomfortable being the only woman here.Two of Angelo’s men come to stand on either side of Giorgio, and a hollowness settles in my stomach.For a moment, the thought that they’re going to kill us f
Chapter 11ToriAfter Angelo tells everyone to leave, even Tiny and Big Ricky, I find myself alone in the living room with my new husband.God, this is not what I meant when I said I’d do anything if you’d help me out of the impossible situation with Giorgio.Angelo removes his tuxedo jacket and drapes it over the back of a couch. “Sit down, Vittoria.”I walk to the other side of the coffee table, so it’s between us, and cautiously take a seat on one of the black couches.The tree’s branches throw ominous shadows through the glass ceiling, and it makes a shiver creep up my spine.What do I do? How do I even begin to process this nightmare?Panic keeps flaring hot in my chest, and with every passing second, my dread grows.Angelo doesn’t join me immediately, but instead, he walks to a side table where a bottle of whiskey stands. He pours the brown liquid into two tumblers, and picking them up, he brings a glass to me.“Drink every drop. It will help settle your emotions.”Like he cares
Chapter 12AngeloI have one thing to take care of before I start my married life with Vittoria.Big Ricky stops the car in front of the club, and when I get out, he follows me inside.The place is buzzing with life, and music beats in the air as I head to the back.I shove the office door open and find Giorgio on his knees in the middle of the room while Eddie sits on a chair by my desk with his gun in his hand. “Mr. Rizzo,” he says with urgency, tightening his words. “I don’t have aproblem with you marrying my sister.”“Stepsister,” I correct him as I unbutton the cuffs of my dress shirt. I roll the sleeves up, then say, “This is about you beating Vittoria.”“What?” he gasps. “I don’t know what she told you, but she lied. I have never–”I lunge forward, and my fist connects so hard with his jaw that spittle flies into the air.Continuing to roll up my sleeves, I say, “I fucking memorized the vows for Vittoria because I know how important the church is to her.” My eyes flick to the
Chapter 13ToriI move as quickly as possible to change out of the dress and into Angelo’s T-shirt.I can smell his woodsy scent on the fabric, and it makes butterflies erupt in my stomach.Not being allowed to wear any underwear makes me feel even more nervous.So far, Angelo has been understanding, and I try to focus on that instead of the dangerous man everyone knows him to be.Men like him are used to taking what they want and not caring about other people's feelings, but at least he’s trying. I’m very grateful for that.He’s even hugged me, and I have to admit it helped calm my nerves a little.But my anxiety is spiking again because as soon as he comes out of the bathroom, we’ll probably have sex.Holy crap.I press my hand over my stomach, that’s in knots, and glance at the bed covered in pristine white sheets.How does he keep it so clean?God, Tori. You’re about to lose your virginity, and you’re thinking about sheets.Tonight, I’ll be naked in front of a man. For the first t
Chapter 14ToriAngelo lies down on top of me, and his weight pushes me deeper into the mattress. A groan rumbles from him as his breath coasts down my throat before he presses a kiss to my shoulder.“Fuck, your innocence is intoxicating,” he murmurs, then his teeth scrape over my skin as his mouth moves down to my breast. “I want to devour you.”A sense of fear ghosts through me, and I swallow hard on the nervous ball in my throat.His right hand skims down my side before it slips between my legs. I squeeze my eyes shut, and my face goes up in flames.Being touched for the first time, I’m unable to focus on how it feels. My emotions are too chaotic.As he parts my folds and the pad of his thumb rubs my clit, he murmurs, “Open your eyes.”When I do as I’m told, I find all his attention is focused on my face.His thumb strokes the tiny bundle of nerves between my legs, causing anticipation to build in my abdomen.A wolfish smirk tugs at his mouth, then he moves down my body until his b
Chapter 15AngeloVittoria kissing my cheek makes something shift in my chest, but the one to my neck has my control dangerously slipping.“Thank you for giving me so much attention.” I hear her take a deep breath. “Take my virginity, Angelo. I’m ready.”I used every ounce of strength I possessed to take things slow with her, but her permission shoves me over the edge.I push my left hand beneath her head, and as my fingers wrap around the back of her neck, my right hand shoots down between us.My mind is clouded with desire as I position my cock at her soaked entrance, and with untamed need, I enter her with a brutal thrust.Her pussy wraps fucking tight around me before I’m forcefully stopped by her narrow walls.I’m only a quarter of the way in, and unable to think clearly because of the intense pleasure, I pull back before forcing my cock to the hilt inside her.A satisfied groan is ripped from my chest, and my body shudders from how good she feels.Christ, nothing has ever felt t
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
Twenty-two years later…)EpilogueDamianoWalking out onto the veranda, I glance at the lake before my eyes drift over my guests.Everyone’s at the mansion for a cookout to celebrate Mamma’s eightieth birthday.She didn’t want anything formal, so I only invited the other heads and their families over to spend the day with us.I head toward where the men are sitting and take a seat.Dario points to where the kids are standing in groups, and he lets out a chuckle. “Rosie is following Enzo around. He can’t shake her.”I watch as Dario’s sixteen-year-old daughter sticks to my second-oldest son like glue. When Enzo stops and wraps his arm around her shoulder, the poor girl almost melts into his side.Fuck.I better have a talk with Enzo, who’s just turned twenty. I don’t want him getting any ideas until Rosie’s eighteen.Thankfully, he gives her a brotherly hug before letting go of her.My gaze follows Enzo as he walks to where his brother, Christiano, is talking to Angelo’s sons.When my
Chapter 45DamianoAmelio arranged a Mercedes van and a Porsche Cayenne for the vacation in Cape Town. As we’re driven to the hotel, my eyes are on Gabriella, who’s grinning as she stares at the landscape.“It’s so green, and the mountain is stunning,” she tells Mamma.She was surprised when I allowed us all to travel in the same vehicle, and I had to explain the risk of an attack isn’t as high on vacation as it is in New York.“The roads aren’t as busy as in Manhattan,” Gabriella mentions. “It’s nice.”I give her hand a squeeze and lean into her. “Are you happy, amore mia?”She smiles at me, excitement making the green flecks in her eyes brighter. “Yes. Thank you for arranging all of this for us.”“Emilio did all the work,” I mutter.“You’re welcome, boss,” the fucker says from the driver's seat. “Don’t make me throw you out of the car,” I grumble.When we pull up to The One & Only that’s situated near the waterfront, I slide the door open and climb out.My muscles are stiff from all
Chapter 44GabriellaEven though I didn’t have much of an appetite, I made Coda alla vaccinarafor Mamma, knowing she loves oxtail.I hope Stefano suffers a lot.It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we arrived home after attending the funeral.I can’t believe Aunt Greta’s gone.I glance at Mamma, where she’s sitting in an armchair with her eyes closed.“How are you doing, Mamma?” I murmur.Slowly, she opens her eyes and lets out a heavy sigh. “I keep listening for Greta. It’s so quiet without her.I know.“Should I switch on the TV?” I ask.She shakes her head. “I’m actually tired, cara. I think I’ll go to bed.” “Let me walk with you to your room.”I get up from the chair and help Mamma to her feet.As we walk to her bedroom, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and give her a sideways hug, then say, “Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you feel better.”We stop near her door, and she gently pats my cheek. “You’re already helping, mia figlia.”Hearing her call me
Chapter 43DamianoArriving at the warehouse, I get out of the SUV and head to the side entrance.“Carlo, go torture Stefano,” I say. “Just don’t kill him yet.”He nods, and I stop by the room where Mrs. di Bella is being held. “Are you going in?” Emilio asks.“Yes. Go keep an eye on Carlo.”When I’m alone, I think about everything Gabriella told me.As ice flows through my veins, I open the door and step inside. I glance at Bobby, who’s been guarding her, and nod to the door.After he leaves, my gaze settles on Mrs. di Bella, who’s tied to a chair. “Comfortable?” I ask.Her breaths explode over her lips, her skin pale with sorrow. Fear darkens her eyes as she stares at me.“Gabriella told me what you did to her,” I murmur, my tone dark with anger. “What you allowed to be done to her.”“It’s all lies,” she cries.I dart forward, and grabbing hold of her neck, I force her and the chair backward until she slams into the concrete floor.I pull out my gun from behind my back and press the
Chapter 42DamianoAfter leaving Gabriella in Mamma and Vito’s care, Emilio drives Carlo and me to the warehouse.Yesterday was a quiet day for us. Once we all got some sleep, Emilio ordered food for everyone. There wasn’t much talking being done, because we were all processing the shitstorm we just went through.But as I’m on my way to the warehouse, my thoughts are focused on what lies ahead.Vengeance burns in my chest, an incessant inferno that can only be extinguished with blood.A fuck ton of blood.Today, everyone who’s hurt me and mine will die. Everyone but Stefano. He will suffer a million times more than Gabriella did before he meets his gruesome end.After the SUV pulls up to the warehouse, I shove the door open and climb out.Dressed in a suit, I adjust my jacket before I walk to the side entrance while pulling my phone out to call Tommy.“Yes, boss?” he answers on the second ring. “Bring them.”“Be there in ten minutes.”When I enter the building, I head to the room wher
Chapter 41DamianoI got little to no sleep with my cock buried deep inside Gabriella. Not fucking her is impossibly hard, but she needs the rest, so I power through.I deserve a fucking gold medal for the sweet torture I’m forced to endure.Then she fucking stirs against my chest, and her pebbled nipples brush over my skin.Christ.When her inner muscles clamp around my cock, I let out a harsh breath, sweat beading at the back of my neck.Before I can ask if she’s awake, Gabriella slowly starts to swivel her hips.I let out a groan, my fingers digging into her ass cheeks. “You’re killing me.”“Hmm…”She rubs her clit against me, the movements quickly pushing me toward an orgasm.“Amore mia,” I grunt. “You’re going to make me come.”“That’s the plan,” she moans before starting to press kisses to my pecs. “You feel so good.” Her teeth tug at my nipple. “You taste even better.”I don’t stand a chance against my wife, and I thrust up once before shooting my release into her wet warmth.M
Chapter 40GabriellaI was allowed a very quick shower before a nurse tended to my wounds.I sit on the side of the hospital bed, and clench my jaw while I watch as Damiano talks with a doctor.I just want to be alone with my husband.Somehow, I manage to keep my expression neutral as I struggle to keep all my emotions from spiraling out of control.Finally, the nurse leaves, and I slip off the bed. Even though my feet are raw and ache from running barefoot through the damn woods, I walk to the window and pull the blinds shut.“I’ll take her home first thing tomorrow morning,” I hear Damiano tell the doctor while I gingerly move back to the bed.I brace my right hand on the white sheets and suck in a desperate breath of air.I hear the door shut, and I glance at Damiano to make sure we’re alone.I suck in another breath of air, then all the trauma I’ve been forced to endure shudders through my body.Damiano moves closer to me, and when his fingers wrap around the back of my neck, I ca
Chapter 39DamianoDirt shoots into the air as we come to a screeching stop in the lot at the front of the property. The house is medium-sized and looks like it hasn’t been painted in the last decade.There are a dozen armed men scattered around the property, and they open fire on the SUVS while they try to find cover against the sides of the house.I shove the door open and order, “Launch the fucking grenades!”Tommy sends a grenade flying into the side of the house where a group of men are taking cover, and bodies fly into the air.Using the door as a shield, I open fire on the fuckers that are shooting from inside the house, and I have to reload the magazine before I’m able to move away from the SUV. With the submachine gun held in position, I run toward the house while shooting every fucking man I lay eyes on.My vision tunnels on the front door, and I riddle it with bullets before my body slams into the wood. It gives way easily, and I keep going, taking out target after target u
Chapter 38DamianoWith Mamma and the other women and children safe, we all focus on getting everything ready for the attack.Impatient as fuck, I glance at Dario, who hasn’t stopped working since I gave the order. “Do you know where Stefano is?”“His phone signal is bouncing off three towers. I have the area but not a precise location.”“Where?” I bark.“Somewhere near Manorville. Just over an hour away by car.”My phone buzzes, and I rip the device out of my pocket. Unlocking the screen there are more messages from Stefano.I haven’t tried to call him, because then I’d be playing straight into his hands.They’ve had Gabriella for twenty-four hours now, and I try to brace for the worst as I open the text.You’re quiet, cousin. I hope you don’t think you have any other option than to step down.I suck in a deep breath before pressing play on the attached video. It shows Gabriella still hanging from the ceiling by a rope.She must be in so much fucking pain.“Let’s get started,” the sa