Less than a minute later, that coiled energy burst and as waves of pleasure crashed through me. I moaned into his mouth, my body trembling, breathless, undone. He released my mouth and loosened his grip on my neck. My body arched back slightly, but the arms I still had wrapped around his neck kept me from falling.
When the last spasms of my body faded, I finally realized what I’d done, what we’d done. Flushed with embarrassment, I tried to straighten myself, to get off his lap, but he didn’t let me.
Unable to meet his eyes, I stared at the armor tattoo inked across his sculpted chest and shoulders. He lifted my chin gently, forcing me to look at him while I was still breathless. I expected a smirk, something smug and satisfied. Instead, he surprised me with a kind smile.
He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss across my lower lip. “Starting tonight you’ll be having dinner with me. In the dining room.”
He then picked me up again, and placed me carefully on the couch, as if I might break. Then he walked out. I pressed my hands to my flushed cheeks, breathing deep, trying to steady myself. My fingers drifted to my lips on their own.
I closed my eyes and let the moment replay in my mind. That last minute was more thrilling, more intense than anything I’d ever felt in my life.
ELEVEN
Emily
The dinner table looked nothing like it had a month ago. Same room. Same chairs. Same table. But the air had changed without those despicable people. Carlo now sat at the head of the table, where Don Fernando used to hold court. To his right were Maxim and Lorenzo. To his left, me.
I’d heard from the servants that Carmen had run off with her brother. Not that I cared. Honestly, I was happy about it. Instead of the usual servant bringing out dinner, Aida was doing it, still in that skimpy Thunder bar outfit.
Up until this morning, I hadn’t felt any type of way about her. But apparently that orgasm had rewired something in me, because now I couldn’t stand the sight of her. Especially not the way she looked at Carlo. The way she touched him, subtle but shameless. The idea that she served this family with both handsandher lower body made my stomach twist.
We hadn’t even finished the main course when Brando strolled into the room.
“Such a coup,” he smirked. “I’m hearing there’ll be an official transfer-of-power ceremony soon.”
“Why didn’t you announce yourself?” Carlo asked, still focused on his plate.
Brando took the seat next to me and shrugged. “Why should I? This is my home.” Then he turned to me. “Looks like you’re feeling better, little bird.”
“Thanks to you. I’m really grateful,” I said with a genuine smile. “You saved me that night. If it weren’t for you, I don’t even want to imagine what could’ve happened.”
“That’s exactly why he’s still allowed to walk in and out of here,” Carlo cut in. “Why I haven’t punished him for letting that bastard Giuseppe escape, or for refusing to swear loyalty to me.”
Brando looked back at me. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure about your ‘saved’ fate. The hands holding you now aren’t much cleaner than Giuseppe’s.”
Then he turned his gaze to Carlo. “If your men had tried to catch Giuseppe that night, it would’ve ended in a bloodbath. He had the numbers, and you know it. As for the oath of loyalty, we need to talk.”
Carlo leaned back in his chair, shooting a glance at Maxim and Lorenzo, both watching Brando like they were ready to pounce. Then his gaze slid to Brando. “What’s left to talk about? All the underbosses kissed my hand. They’ve accepted me as Capo. If you’re thinking of dragging up that tired bullshit Giuseppe’s been preaching for years about ‘legitimate’ and ‘illegitimate’ heirs—”
“I don’t want to be Capo,” Brando cut him off. “I never did.”
“Then there’s nothing left to say.”
“There is. I’m willing to kiss your hand, right here, right now, and accept you as my Capo. But only if I know you’re ready to let go of this grudge and be the man you used to be ten years ago.”
Something flickered in Carlo’s eyes. Recognition. He knewexactlywhat Brando meant. But he played dumb. “I’m the same man I was ten years ago.”
“Not to me. I want to swear loyalty to you as your brother, not as your soldier. I want you to see me as yourbrother, not a subordinate, not a rival, not your enemy.”
He looked at Brando with something close to affection for a brief second. But in an instant, the steel returned. His hand clenched into a fist so tight, his knuckles went white. Fresh cuts marked his fingers, no idea where they’d come from, but they were there. Brando, still holding onto a flicker of hope, met his brother’s gaze.
Carlo laughed. Loud. Cruel. “Do you even hear yourself? You want abrother? You’d be better off going back to that whore of a mother of yours and begging her to spread her legs for some other bastard so you can finally get the sibling you’re so desperate for. Because you won’t find one here.”
He leaned forward, landing the final blow. “I am your Capo. You are my soldier. And I’ll treat you like one.”
Brando didn’t say anything. His face didn’t show rage, only quiet, hollow resignation. He held Carlo’s gaze for a second longer, then offered a bitter smile and rose to his feet. “I won’t swear loyalty to you.”
Maxim and Lorenzo jumped to their feet, reaching for their guns. But Carlo’s voice cut through the tension. “Sit down.”
