As much as I worry about it, Amorte can’t prove we killed them.Massimo and his brothers made damn sure of that.The remains of the men sent to kill us in cold blood are now at the bottom of the sea, if the bottom feeder fish haven’t gotten to them yet.Right along with the remains of Massimo’s beautiful white yacht, a sacrifice made to protect us all from harm.
I’m not naïve enough to think the Amortes won’t continue to pursue trying to find out what happened on that yacht before it so conveniently exploded or try to seek their revenge for the death of their men.It’s in a crime family’s DNA to seek retribution when wronged, it’s how we’re raised, and trained from early on.Especially with a rival family and the Amortes are certainly an enemy now.
And as much as I want Anna to be at my wedding, she is far safer where she is, and as much as I want to believe, as much as my heart wants to feel, it’s not truly a real wedding anyway.It has a termination date of a year.A binding contract.A deal with the boss.Some would think a very pleasant deal, but not a long-term one at all.
As I get out of bed and head for the shower, I have to remind myself, it’s a debt, one year, we’ll grow tired of each other, he’ll have scratched his itch and hopefully we’ll part as friends, or at least as some sort of respectful allies versus the enemies we’ve been for all of our lives.That is something I can hold in my hopes.
The warm water from the dual-head shower rains over me luxuriously, the suds of the creamy vanilla scented body wash sliding down my body before swirling at my feet and rinsing away.Every inch of me is clean, but yet, I can still smell the scent of him, like he’s invaded my very essence.I inhale deeply; this is real.In less than four hours, in the place I’ve called a prison, then a home, and now a place of refuge, I will be married to the dark-eyed devil I was raised to hate.A devil’s pawn.And he’s vowed to mark me, to take me and to make me his own in the dirtiest of ways.
3
Massimo
Itighten my tie in the mirror, hearing my brothers’ loud voices talking in the great room below.All of them look up as I get to the stairs and watch me descend the same curved staircase that in a very short time my bride will walk down, to stand at my side and say I do.
Leandro gives a nod of approval, taking in my black tux complete with tails as I stride down the stairs.Angelo, Tristano, and Renato whistle, making wisecracks as I cross the polished marble floor of our great room.
Holding back with Sophia has been challenging, not because I didn’t think she’d like what I have in mind, I know she will, but when I take her the way I want, it’s going to be a claiming in its own right.She will know who she belongs to without a doubt, will never crave a man’s touch other than mine, her entire body and soul will belong to me.That light in her eyes, that soft voice, her gentle caress, the way she purrs while riding the end of my dick.All of her is going to be mine after she says I do and that’s all I can think about as I reach my brothers.
Leandro claps me on the back and grins.“Big day, brother.Elsie tells us that your bride looks beautiful, just like a picture.She’s been fussing over her for the last hour.”
My jaw tightens.Elsie may be sweetly caring for Sophia but it’s Anna who my dark-haired beauty would really like to be by her side right now, and that’s not possible without putting her life and the life of everyone who tries to smuggle her out of the Cassone estate in jeopardy.It’s just not possible, even for a wedding.Even for my kitten, there is far too great a risk.
The Amortes have a score to settle and until we get this issue resolved for good, Anna and her father are far better off seeing a video of the event than being killed in cold blood for exposing themselves to an enemy with a grudge.I won’t tell my kitten that her father is likely to refuse an open invitation anyway.She probably knows it but there’s no reason to bring up something that will just make her sad.“Where’s Dad?”I ask Leandro.
Leandro gives me that look.“He’s coming.Not completely convinced this is the right thing to do, and still grumbling about the trouble it’s causing with the family in Italy, and that he has to fix the whole damn mess.”Leandro smirks.“But I’d say he’s coming around to the idea.Old man Amorte made his own bed coming after you on that yacht.Dad may be a stubborn son of a bitch, but you mess with his kids and he’s gonna put you in the ground.He may not show it today, but he’s got your back, Massimo.It just takes him a long way to get there.”
The door opens and my father surprises the fuck out of me, walking in dressed to the nines, his arm around my mother, who gives me a wink in her polished blue dress, and lovely long dark hair.My mother ages gracefully, still the envy of many women around.She gives me a long hug and a kiss on both cheeks.“I never thought I would see this day, Massimo.I’m so happy for you.Now, make amends with your father.He’s trying hard to be what you need today, si?”she whispers before discreetly walking away to talk with my brothers, leaving my father to me.
Dad’s looking more formal than I’ve seen him in a while.I meet him halfway and put my arm around him.It’s not his fault he was raised hating the Cassones or that he taught us to either.It was survival, what we all had to do.No matter that things are different now.He’s here, he showed up no matter that he doesn’t like it.My father claps my back, holding me tight to him for just a minute, causing some of my tension to ebb.“I’m glad you came, Dad.”
He swallows through his normally gruff exterior, most likely not remembering half of what he said last night.Dad lowers his voice.“Cassone or no.She’s owed my respect after saving your life.If she’s the one you want, I will support you after what she did for the family.We’ve been through enough at the hands of the Amortes.I’ve come to realize that, even if it’s taking longer than it should.They made a big mistake, and they will pay dearly for their attempt on your life.”
My eyes meet the dark intensity of his, knowing how much it takes to admit when you’re wrong and wanting him to know how much it means that he’s trying to do right by me and the family.I give his shoulder a pat.“Thank you for that.It means a great deal to have your support at a time like this.Now, let’s get this ceremony going.I have a bride I want to make mine in the worst of ways.”
He grins and I gesture to the priest who has been in the dining room waiting for everyone to arrive.The graying man with matching beard wearing a black gown and long silver cross around his neck walks through the arches with a gold embossed bible in his hand.My father greets his longtime friend with a hug.“Pedro, so glad you could officiate today.”As though Pedro or any other priest would tell my family no.
Layna comes to stand by my side with flushed cheeks.“Elsie asked me to tell you that Sophia has been prepared the way that you asked.”She whispers so quietly that I almost don’t hear her.
“Perfect.Alaina is in the sitting room.Why don’t you tell her that we’re ready, and she can start the music without delay.”I myself am already tired of the formality, and in a rush to see my beautiful bride.The only reason the pianist is here is because my mother insisted and because she’s the niece of her closest friend in the world.
Leandro breaks away from my brothers to stand by my side as my father joins their side with my mother.His dark eyes meet mine and he pauses before deciding to say what’s on his mind.“I’m glad Dad came around.I wasn’t sure if he would or not.One thing though, Massimo.I know you want her, but you do know that you can have her without marrying her, right?”
My jaw clenches.“Not you too?”
He shrugs.“It’s just a question.I will support you in anything you do, you know that, but are you sure it’s not just you trying to break free of his grip?Are you sure you and Desiree are really done?That there’s nothing between you that you’re letting slip out of your fingers?”
My jaw locks hard and I breathe through my nose.I’m almost certain my little brother by a year can see my irritation yet he has a way of ignoring what he doesn’t want to see.A way of keeping deep conversations light but still making his point.Whether I fucking want to hear it or not, he’s always got something to say.A damn good negotiator and the best right hand a next in line don could have and the best of brothers, although at the moment more than a pain in my ass.
“I told Dad last night and I’ll tell you today.Sophia is going to be my wife.End of story.Desiree and I have never been a thing.She doesn’t want me, I don’t want her, there’s never been anything but friendship and empathy for the other.I want to see her happy, but her happiness is not with me, Leandro.As for Dad, I get that it’s going to take time.You can’t expect me to throw his whole world into a spin and have him accept it lying down.He gave it to me good last night, but he showed up.No matter what, when pushed against the wall, you are right, he’s in our corner.”
Leandro grins.“You know I had to ask.It could all blow up in your face, Massimo.It’s my job to take care of you and fuck with you at the same time.Besides, you don’t think Mamma had a hand in him coming around?”
Now it’s time for me to smile, because I know for a fact that she did.That woman is an angel putting up with my father and the Roselli boys.My eyes narrow at my brother.“You know she did, fucker.Now leave me alone.I’m ready to see my bride.Go get her and give her to me.”
He laughs, not fazed a bit by my rough exterior.I join my brothers and parents who are talking animatedly about the coming Christmas holiday, not even a couple months away.Soon the autumn leaves will have fallen from the trees and be blown away, and the branches will be bare but covered with fresh white snow that ladens their branches with weight.
My thoughts drift to family, to Sophia, myself and family at the holidays, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace with holiday music softly playing in the background.As if a soon-to-be mafia boss can find serenity in a world filled with bloodshed and crime.
