“Charlotte!” I hear Luciano’s voice radiating in my head. “I’ve got you. Wake up.”
My eyes burst open. “What happened?” I whisper. I’m now sitting on Luciano’s lap, his big arms cradling me and rubbing my back soothingly. I look around the room and all the brothers are on their feet staring at me, unsure what they should do.
“You had a nightmare. You were screaming in your sleep,” Luciano says gently.
I burst out crying. “I killed someone,” I sob, my cries becoming harder as my emotions flood out of me.
“Fuck,” Carlo mutters under his breath. I can hear someone pacing the room.
“Luciano. Do something,” Mattia urges.
I bury my face into Luciano’s chest, not wanting the brothers to see me ugly crying.
“Sit down, Mattia,” Luciano says. “She just needs to cry it out.”
“How long?” I hear Gabriele ask.
“As long as it takes.” Luciano pulls me closer into him, his familiar scent reminding me where I am.
I am safe,I repeat.I am safe.I try to control my breathing.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Mattia says.
One by one, the brothers grunt their concern and settle in, half-watching the movie, half-watching me—except for Stefano who is now nowhere to be seen.
“I’m here, Principessa,” Luciano whispers, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. He never leaves my side while I cry. When I finally stop, he says, “After today, no more tears. Every person we kill deserved their fate.” He picks me up and carries me to bed.
18
Luciano
Since the day Charlie took her first kill, I’ve noticed her changing more and more every day, and that wide-eyed city girl has faded. Now, she moves with purpose, dressed sharp enough to pass as the next Donna. She’s soaking up everything about the Cosa Nostra, hungry to learn. But part of me still wants to keep her shielded from our rival families and shield her from the ruthless side of this life. A side which she is starting to love.
We’ve slipped into a new rhythm. We still clash like we’re locked in a constant power struggle, but beneath the surface, something is solidifying between us. Every chance I get to have her alone, I take it. I’m addicted to the feel of her, the taste, the way she belongs to me when we’re together. Every night I look forward to the moment I can get in between her legs.
“Luciano, pay attention,” Stefano cuts through my thoughts. We’re supposed to be holding a family meeting, but my mind is elsewhere. Charlie sits on my lap in the Don chair—this has become our new norm. It makes her feel powerful like she’s calling the shots, when in reality I still have control, at least for another seven months. I can’thelp but play with the hem of her skirt, rubbing her smooth skin. Fuck, I’m turning into a lovesick puppy.
Stefano clears his throat. “Another shipment’s coming in tonight. 10:00 p.m.”
“Charlie will be coming with us tonight.” All eyes snap to me. Charlie squeals, bouncing in my lap, and my cock grows hard against the movement. I grab her by the waist and pull her down, making her feel my reaction. I give her a warning glance. “Don’t make me regret this, Principessa.”
She reaches across, grabs my face, and kisses me in front of everyone. Carlo clears his throat. She breaks away from me, flushed. “Sorry, just a bit excited.”
Gabriele’s blunt voice cuts through her excitement. “We can see that.”
“Mattia, you’re with her the whole time. She needs to watch from a safe distance.” Mattia nods in confirmation.
“Does that mean I don’t need Rocco with me?” Charlie asks me, her eyes pleading for me to agree. She desperately tries to avoid him as much as possible.
“No, he will still be with you. Stefano, I’ll be on the ground with you.” Stefano nods, tight-lipped.
The rest of the afternoon passes slowly until it’s time to roll out for the shipment.
“Five minutes,” I call out from the foyer. Everyone is at the door in seconds.
Charlie comes running down the stairs, shouting, “I’m ready!” Rocco is right behind her.
Stefano and Carlo shake their heads and stride out to the waiting cars when they see her. Mattia turns to her. “Red, what are you wearing?” She has somehow found a camo-colored shirt and long pants,matched with black sneakers, and has braided her long hair so it’s off her face.
