I grind my teeth to my molars, biting back my retort. I know his intentions are coming from a good place, but I have loved Natalia for a long time, and if he thinks I’m holding back now, he’s got another think coming.
Sierra greets us at the door, throwing her arms around Ben and kissing him like she didn’t just see him this morning. I have rarely felt envious of their relationship, but lately, I’m beginning to crave what he has. I’m sick of meaningless sex, and I want the intimacy that comes from being with the same woman. As well as all the other benefits of being in a committed relationship. The trouble is, the only woman I want that with is already married.
To a cheating asshole who deserves to die a slow and gruesome death.
If I didn’t know it would cause immeasurable problems for Ben, I would kill that motherfucker on the sly. Mateo and I got away with killing Carlo Greco, and no one found out. Don Accardi would be trickier, but I know I could pull it off.
“Hey, Leo.” Serena gives me a quick hug as I step into the hallway. “This is a nice surprise. We weren’t expecting you this weekend.”
“I will probably have to leave tomorrow.”
“We can travel to the city together,” Alesso says, slapping me on the back.
“Welcome.” Sierra kisses my cheek while keeping one arm around her husband. “Ben never mentioned you were coming, and we have already eaten, but we have plenty of food. Nat’s been cooking up a storm the past few days.”
Nat’s go-to stress reliever is cooking, so I’m not surprised to hear that. “Sounds good. I’m starving.” I take off in the direction of the kitchen, and Alesso keeps pace beside me. Serena walks with her sister and Ben behind us.
“I hear things have gone to shit in Chicago,” he murmurs in a low voice.
While Alesso is young and technically only asoldato, Ben respects and trusts him, and he confides things in him the same way Angelo used to confide in me and Mateo.
“It’s not looking too hot right now,” I agree.
“Do you think he’ll send someone else in Gino’s place?”
“It’s a strong possibility if Accardi continues to fuck up.” Though I’m not sure who we would send. It’s not like we have suitably qualified men beating down our door looking to move to Chicago, even if it’s only temporary.
“I want to gut that fucker for hurting Natalia.”
“You and me both, buddy,” I murmur, wondering if Alesso would be up for taking the prick down. I know he doesn’t care about Gino, but Alesso is loyal to Ben, through and through. Ben rescued him from a bad situation, and Alesso has never forgotten. I doubt I could convince him to go behind Ben’s back on anything.
No. If anyone will be my wingman, it’s Brando. He is loyal to Ben too, but we have known each other a long time, and he cares about Natalia. They were good friends growing up, and there is mutual respect between them. I think he would do it with me. I lock that away in a mental box to think about later, as I round the corner and enter the kitchen.
Natalia is at the stove, stirring something in a large pot. A half-drank glass of white wine is on the counter beside her. Her long hair is tied up in a casual bun on the back of her head, drawing attention to her elegant neck. She glances over her shoulder, offering me a timid smile. “I thought I heard your voice, and I presume you’re hungry.”
“Ravenous.” Food is not the only thing I’m hungry for.
“Sit,” she commands. “You too, Benny,” she adds when Ben steps into the kitchen with his arm around Sierra.
“You’re so bossy.” Ben smirks.
Nat swings around, pointing a wooden spoon in her brother’s direction. “You know the kitchen is my domain.”
Ben shucks out of Sierra’s hold and crosses to his sister. Taking the spoon from her hand, he puts it back in the pot and clasps her face, kissing both her cheeks. “Are you okay?” he asks, trying to whisper, but his words still carry.
“I’m fine.” She removes his hands from her face. “You don’t need to ask me a hundred times a day.” She gives him a hug. “I love you, and I love how much you care, but you have your own priorities. Stop worrying about me.”
“That’s an impossibility,” Ben says as the same words flit through my mind.
We take seats at the table, and Nat serves Ben and me with heaping plates of Mazzone meatballs and spaghetti and freshly made garlic bread. Alesso and Serena wander off to check on the kids, who should all be sleeping at this hour, while Natalia and Sierra take seats with us.
“Damn, this is so good. And it takes me back,” I say in between mouthfuls.
“I remember you and Mateo devouring this any time I made it.” There’s a wistful smile on her face.
“Your chicken parmigiana too,” I remind her. “And your apple cake. Nothing tastes as good as that melting on my tongue.”Except your pussy, I mentally add.
Ben narrows his eyes at me as if he can read my thoughts.
