They are my everything. My world. And I am going to do everything in my power to make sure they know how much I love them. How grateful I am for everything they’ve done for me and given me.
I have a home. A family.
Eva, who I see as a little sister.
I have love and affection.
I have everything a girl could ask for.
Rolling on to my side, I throw back the covers and slip out of bed before heading to the bathroom to take a shower.
The brothers are at a business meeting this morning, but we’re going for lunch this afternoon. Somewhere exquisite and expensive. They’ll likely take me in the bathroom and leave a huge tip as an apology. The thought makes me smile and blush. Perhaps afterwards we’ll do something fun too. The options are endless, though so were the responsibilities.
The casino would be opening in a few short months and they’ve tasked me with making sure it’s ready for opening night. I’ve met with interior decorators and designed every inch of the place to perfection. Helped to interview staff. Arranged the grand opening. This was my baby, more so than it was theirs, and they make sure to tell me of this every single day.
These days I am far removed from the timid, kept princess of Frank Costello. These days, I am very much the busy, entrepreneurial soon-to-be-wife of the Novello brothers. I am busy and wanted and loved for who I am.
I step under the pounding water of the shower and lather up my long hair before rinsing it and smoothing conditioner through its long lengths. I wash myself thoroughly, noting the few bruises I have on my thighs and hips from the brother’s strong hands, and I smile, memories of the previous night flooding back.
Everything was as it should be, finally and I breathe deeply in satisfaction at that knowledge.
I turn off the shower and step out, before wrapping a fluffy white towel around myself. Staring at my reflection, I smile, happy with the image that looks back. This woman, with her knowing eyes and smooth skin, she is everything I’d hoped she would become. Strong, powerful, determined.
She is everything a woman should be in this life, not weak and pathetic like my own mother.
I dress quickly and head back into my bedroom, giving a small squeak of surprise at the man standing by my bedroom window. He turns to face me, his expression hard and serious.
“Donny?” I whisper his name before rushing towards my bedroom door and slamming it closed. “What are you doing in here?”
My father’s old security guard watches me with his intense gaze. I spin to him as he stalks forwards, his face stern.
“I did everything you asked,” he says, his tone giving away his hurt.
“And I told you, you will be repaid for your loyalty.” I tut and head to my dressing table to get myself ready. “You shouldn’t be here. If they would have seen you.”
He sighs heavily. “Natalia,” he warns.
I glance behind me in the mirror, seeing his heartbroken expression and I feel a pang of guilt. Donny and a handful of my father’s security have been employed by the brothers. I had assured Dominic that they were trustworthy, that their loyalty would be to me and now them. At first they hadn’t been trusted, but slowly, they showed their worth, proved their loyalty. It was times like these though that I regret my decision to bring them with me.
“You need to go,” I say and Donny’s expression falls.
“I just…I needed to see you. I miss you.” He places a heavy hand on my shoulder, my nipples automatically hardening at his familiar touch.
I look away from his pitiful stare.
I don’t miss him.
I don’t miss any of the men that had taken advantage of me.
All men, barring the brothers, had used me for one thing or another my entire life. I was a means to an end. Something to be bartered for or used. My father sold my innocence when I was just a baby, just so he could gain power. Did he really think that I would let that slide? That the daughter of the feared Frank Costello would not be strong enough to do something about his filthy betrayal?
And now here was Donny…another man that thought he loved me. Another man that wanted me for their own end. The good little wife. The breeder to bare their children. They all made me sick.
“We’ll be together soon,” I lie. “I’m arranging everything.”
It’s scary how easily the lies slip from my tongue.
But scarier still how easily these men fall for the lies. How much power I hold over them.
