Chapter 6
Angelo The tension coming off Vittoria makes the air tremble. It’s too fucking hot outside for her to be walking around in what can only be described as winter clothes. I have a million things to tend to before the poker game tonight, but knowing Vittoria would visit Father Parisi this morning, I ordered Big Ricky to drive past the cathedral. Having her schedule puts me in a position to watch her. But it wasn’t my intention to drive all over town like a fucking chauffeur. She’s my future wife, and I might as well get used to taking care of her. Once we’re married, she’ll have a driver and guard to take her wherever she needs to go. Unable to focus on the contract in my hand, I give up and glance at the trembling beauty beside me. I notice the flower that’s being crushed in her tight grip and mutter, “You’re killing it.” Vittoria’s eyes fly to my face as she gasps, “I’m what?” I gesture at her hands. “You’re killing the flower.” Her gaze flits to her lap, then she mutters. “Shoot.” She eases her grip on the wilting carnation, then adds, “Technically, it’s already dying.” With my eyes locked on her exquisite face, I ask, “Why are you out and about on such a hot day?” Her gaze darts to me again. “I had errands to run.” She fidgets with the carnation, and I don’t think she’s aware of what she’s doing as she starts to pull the petals off. “And the errands couldn’t wait?” Now, I’m just asking questions to hear the soft tone of her voice. “Ah…” Her fingers move faster, the petals falling one by one onto her lap. “I always meet with Father Parisi on Tuesdays to give him a cooked meal and to discuss the baked goods for after Mass.” Of course, she provides meals for the holy man. She pauses, and her tongue darts out to wet her lips before she continues to ramble, “I stopped by Rosa’s store to tell her what kind of flower arrangement to prepare for Sunday, and now I’m going to the store to get the ingredients for the cannolis we’ll serve after Mass.” Finally, she stops talking so she can suck in a desperate breath. I find the way she rambles fascinating and even…cute. In the meantime, the carnation has been obliterated, and when she notices, she lets out a panicked sound. “I’m so sorry!” Clearly terrified that I’ll punish her for messing in my car, she frantically gathers the petals. Big Ricky finds a parking spot outside the grocery store, and it has me saying. “We’re going in with her.” “What?” Vittoria whisper-shrieks, her wide eyes staring at me with shock. “It’s not open for discussion,” I mutter as I get out of the SUV. Truth be told, I’m enjoying our little interaction way too much. I wait for Vittoria to climb out, and when I place my hand on her lower back, she almost jumps out of her skin with fright. I ignore her reaction, figuring she’ll get used to me once we’re married. Big Ricky hovers somewhere behind us as we walk into the store, and I grab a cart. Vittoria gives me a confused look, but she doesn’t have the courage to ask why I’m joining her on her shopping trip. Every pair of eyes in the store locks on me, and I feel the wave of fear ripple through the aisles. As we head toward the baking section, people scatter to get away from us, and it has Vittoria nervously glancing up at me. “What do you need?” I ask so she’ll focus on why we’re here. She digs a scrap of paper out of her handbag, and rushing from one ingredient to the next, she quickly gathers what she needs. When we reach the cashier, the woman keeps her eyes lowered as she scans everything. The fear all these people feel for me is thick in the air. It’s something I’ve worked my ass off to attain. It’s power. When Vittoria pulls a few dollars out of her handbag, I mutter, “I’ll pay.” “It’s for the Parish,” she says, her eyes filled with uncertainty. I don’t repeat myself. Ever. Ignoring her comment, I hand my black limitless card to the cashier to pay for the meager ingredients that don’t even fill a shopping bag. I’ll have to arrange a card for Vittoria. While the payment is being processed, I make a mental note not to forget. The cashier’s trembling like a leaf in a shitstorm as she hands the card back to me. I tuck it back into my wallet while Big Ricky grabs the shopping bag. When we leave the store, Vittoria scurries to stay beside me while whispering, “Thank you. I’ll let Father Parisi know you paid for everything.” “You’ll do no such thing,” I order. “But I didn’t use the money he gave me,” she argues. “He’ll ask why.” For a moment, I’m impressed that she’s got enough courage to argue with me. “Then don’t tell him why, and keep the money for yourself,” I mutter. She stops dead in her tracks and stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “I’m not lying to Father Parisi, and I’m certainly not keeping the Parish’s money.” When she motions the sign of the cross, I let out an unexpected chuckle. “Why?” “It’s lying and stealing,” she gasps, looking absolutely shocked. The corners of my mouth curve up as I close the distance between us. When I lift my hand to her face, she startles, and her complexion grows pale. Ignoring her strong reaction, I brush my fingers over her cheek while I keep her terrified eyes imprisoned by mine. I lean down, and when she holds her breath, a chuckle rumbles from my chest. “It’s not stealing when I’ve paid for everything. I’m ordering you to keep the money, which is technically mine.” Instead of using words, a squeak escapes her as her head bobs up and down. Lifting my head an inch, my eyes capture hers again. “Relax, Vittoria. I don’t plan on killing you.” The air wooshes over her lips, and figuring I’ve fucked enough with her for one day, I pull away and gesture at the SUV. “Get in.” Like the little deer she is, she dashes to the vehicle and hurries to get inside. When I slide in next to her, she practically squashes herself against the other door. I’m fucked up for taking so much pleasure in her fear, but the thought doesn’t stop my mouth from curving into a smirk. Christ, I’m high from the exhilaration of hunting my little deer.Chapter 7ToriBy the time the SUV stops in front of my house, I feel faint with fear and confusion.I can’t even bring myself to look at Angelo as I say, “Thank you for everything.”Grabbing the plastic bag, I quickly climb out of the vehicle and shut the door before rushing up the path to the porch.Father, we need to talk.Why are you allowing this man to cross paths with me constantly?I unlock the front door, and as I step into the house, I let out a breath of relief when I hear the SUV drive away.Freaking finally.I shut the door and make sure to lock it again before walking to the kitchen.I can’t believe what happened today. Why did Angelo drive me around?What does he want?People like him don’t do anything without expecting something in return.I set the bag down on the counter and unpack the groceries.It’s only then I remember the dollar bills in my handbag, and digging the money out, I stare at it.Even though Angelo ordered me to keep the money, I’m definitely giving it
Chapter 8AngeloI throw down a Jack of Hearts and mutter, “One card.”Carlo, one of Damiano’s men, slides a card my way, and when he sees me frown at the Jack of Spades, he gives me an apologetic look.Tonight’s game is being hosted at Damiano’s house. We each take turns to host a game, and I had mine the last time we got together.“You have zero poker face,” Dario says with a mischievous grin while he slides another chip into the growing pile. “I raise you all another hundred thousand.”“Fuck off,” I grumble.I’m on a losing streak, and they’re all getting a kick out of it.Damiano’s also frowning, and when Renzo and Franco throw down their hands to bow out, Dario lets out a chuckle.Damiano narrows his eyes at Dario. “If I catch you cheating, you’re going to bleed.”“I never cheat.”“Right,” I mumble. Knowing I have a shit hand, I fold. “I need a drink.”Carlo moves to the bar and pours a round of bourbon while Damiano matches Dario’s bet.The two men stare at each other for a whil
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