27
Massimo
Far after we are completely satisfied, I watch my kitten sleep, admiring her bravery and the pure innocence of her love.She would walk away before putting me in the position of having to endure heartache with my family, not because she doesn’t love me, but because she loves me so much.I vow that this feud, this thing with the family is going to come to an end.Because no matter the wars with other rivals that will come and go through the course of our life, we need the support of the family.She was right about that needing to be solved.And it’s fucking next on my list to take care of very swiftly, first thing in the morning.
Sophia’sstill sleeping when I get up, jump in the shower, and get dressed.I smile at my exhausted little kitten, who has turned into a little hellcat in bed.She will need her rest because I plan on a repeat of last night’s little adventures, with her riding my cock well into the night again tonight.This time, though, she’s going to ride it while I do incredibly dirty things to my kitten.
Elsie is downstairs when I reach the bottom of the stairs.I give her a curt nod as I make my way into the kitchen.The woman is still on my shit list, and she has the good sense to stay out of my fucking way until I decide if I’m going to fire her or give Sophia her way.I exhale a deep breath already knowing she’ll stay, but still, she can think about what she’s done for a few awhile longer.Sophia could have been tortured, maimed, and killed because she helped her escape the guards I have in place to protect her and that’s not easy to forgive.
Layna has breakfast on the stove and the smell of the Aleppo pepper and eggs permeates the air.“Coffee?”she asks as I walk into the dining room.
“Sounds good, Layna,” I open up the email from my cousin confirming the name of the yacht company he worked with when purchasing his own not too long ago, along with an invite to stop by soon.Clearly my cousin, a CEO of global corporations but with a home base in Jersey, wants to talk to me about something that he can’t put in writing or say on the phone.I grin.Alphons may appear straightlaced to the community but he’s no fucking saint, although he does try to walk a fine line between right and wrong.
Leandro walks in a few minutes later and tosses his briefcase on a couch in the great room before joining me in the dining room.His eyes meet mine.“Coffee, Leandro?”Layna asks, barely looking up from her work.
“Yes, please,” he tells her before turning back to me.“One day, I’m going to steal her away from you.I swear I’ve gone through four people in the last four months.I think Mom keeps sending her friends’ daughters my way, not people skilled at what I really need.”
I grin.“Well, that’s one perk to being arranged away.I wasn’t the target of Mom’s incessant matchmaking.Personally, she sounds like she’s pretty enamored with Sophia.You get whatever was bugging you worked out last night?I didn’t lie to you, but when Stix called and told me she was there with no one and getting a little out of hand, what was I supposed to do, leave her there?I swear, Desiree is like a fucking pain in the ass sister I never wanted some days.”
Leandro’s eyes close and he doesn’t say anything for a while.“I’m good.I’m glad things are working out with Sophia.Mom probably just needs to stay somewhat neutral while trying to tame the old man on the idea of the Cassones and Rosellis being together for real,” Leandro says.
Layna places food and coffee in front of us and walks back into the kitchen.My eyes meet Leandro’s.“I told you most of what happened with the Amortes last night but once Emil gets all the legal paperwork drawn up and it all gets signed and put into place, I need you to keep an eye on Desiree.Make sure she can get out of that place and lands well.I want a clean break from dealing with her, I owe Sophia that.She knows Desiree and I aren’t in a relationship, were never, but it’s still not something I want hanging over our head.You do that for me?”I ask.
His dark eyes meet mine but then he looks away.“Clean break, as in nothing at all between you ever?”he asks.
“Never was, Leandro.You know that, right?”
“I know that’s what you both said, repeatedly.If you’re sure you want her gone, I’ll see what I can do.I’ve got some contacts that can help get her settled somewhere far away, somewhere she’ll like and be comfortable too.”
I nod.“Good.Now Cousin Alphons wants me to stop in for a visit.I wonder what the other side of our family has been up to.Can you get as much information as you can before next week?I’d like to walk in a little bit more prepared than I am today.Any big mergers, takeovers, or company issues that may be sources of contention for him and our cousins.My guess is he’s going to ask for a little under the table help with removing some resistance or barriers.Like I said, I’d rather walk in knowing a little more than I know today.”
He nods as Layna returns to take our dishes and refills our coffees.I take a drink and place my cup down as he turns his around on the table so the handle faces the right.“Did you get him to tell you who built that yacht of his?It’s pretty fucking fantastic.You’re going to replace her for sure?”
“Bigger and better.I have the name of the company.I’ll reach out to them later today.First thing though, I want to meet with Dad and talk to him about the next steps with Amorte and the Italian family.I didn’t feel like talking through his alcohol haze, but I owe him the truth.I had planned to talk to him about it right away today anyway.Wanna go for a ride?”
Leandro grins.“I wouldn’t fucking miss it for the world.Let’s take my car.The boys can follow,” he says, taking a couple swigs of coffee before standing to gather his stuff.“You really think Amorte is going to hold up his end of the bargain with everything?”he asks.
“They fucking better, but that’s what I want to get Dad’s assurance on.They go back on their promise, and I want Dad’s word and the entire fucking family’s that they back me and make him fucking go away if he doesn’t.I’ve gone out of my way to be respectful to Desiree and her feelings for her father but I’m only going to bend so fucking far.I’m at that point.The ball’s in his court and he better appreciate the deal he’s been dealt, because the next one’s going to be a dark hole, I swear, I’m done with him Leandro.”
We walk out the door and Jimmy pulls up in a black sedan and gets out.“Mind if I ride with you two?”He gestures to Encino and Mario who drive up in a black SUV, and two more vehicles that arrive as we get to Leandro’s souped-up Astro Martin.“Sure, get in.What’s going on?”
Jimmy rakes a hand through his hair.“Can I tell you on the way?”
I gesture toward Leandro’s car.“Sure.Let’s see what this new vehicle of Leandro’s has under the hood.”It feels fucking freeing to get in a car with my brother and best friend.We get to the bottom of the shoreline drive and my brother puts his foot on the gas and peels down the highway with the top down like there is no speed limit at all.
“Nice fucking ride,” I tell Leandro, appreciating the luxuriously smooth feel under our wheels as he winds around the city on his way to our dad’s.The breeze kicks up and Leandro hits a button to close the top.Jimmy clears his throat from the backseat.“I found our rats, guys.”
Jimmy always has our attention.Leandro and I both trust him with our fucking lives, our fucking best friend for fucking forever, and part of our family since his old man went to prison and his mother died.I turn in my seat and meet his eyes.“Who is he?”
“Who are they.”
“Fuck.You talking rats to the Rosellis or rats for the old man, Jimmy?”
He runs a hand through his hair.“That’s what took so long to figure out.Your dad’s got men on the payroll that are being paid only to be loyal to him, watch what we’re all doing and report back to him.You both knew that, we all did.But some of them, the ones he thinks are loyal to him only, are not loyal at all.”
“So, what are we doing talking about the bastards.Let’s go round them up.Shake ‘em up and see what falls out,” I tell Jimmy.
“They’re already on ice.The problem is explaining their disappearance to your dad.Three of his men are now in our warehouse being interrogated.We think they work for the Gallinis, boss.”
