“And so humble, don’t forget that attribute of yours,” he says, and she nods her fervent agreement.
“Yes, that too. That’s actually my best quality.” She throws back at him. These two will be the death of me, I can already see it.
Dinner goes off without any other fireworks. Matteo shares stories of our youth, giving Vanessa all the blackmail she could ever possibly need. But for once, I don’t feel uncomfortable with someone learning such personal things about me. I’ve never invited another woman into my home to meet my family in such an intimate setting as this. I always feared they would assume it meant far more than I was willing to commit to. But withVanessa, it feels like this is where she belongs. By my side, in my life, learning the chapters of my history the way no one else has ever heard them before. The idea terrifies me but feels oddly comforting at the same time. I want to show her my world. But will she be able to handle everything she finds here? Something tells me she can. I have to believe she will.
My mother preferred to remain ignorant to the darkest parts of Fortuna Nera. As long as it kept her up to her ass in designer handbags and gave her all the luxuries she felt she deserved, she didn’t ask questions. I don’t think Vanessa would expect the same lifestyle. She wants to know things, to be involved in decisions being made about her life. I can’t fault her for that at all.
“Oh, bella donna, it has been a genuine pleasure to meet you. I am so glad I have been able to bask in your company this evening.” Matteo drowns her in compliments, but she just rolls her eyes.
“You are quite the charmer, Teo. I don’t know how the women survive around you without losing their hearts…and clothes.” Vanessa replies, and I choke on my wine.
“You flatter him far too much. He’s not nearly as smooth as he seems. He’s only trying to steal you away.” I tell her, a part of me hoping she’ll give me some kind of validation.
“That would imply I’m capable of being stolen. I’m not so easily swayed by Mr. Gallo or any other man.” She sips her wine, a simple gesture, She sips her wine, a simple gesture, not understanding the impact her words have just had on me.
“Well, thank you both for a fantastic meal. I look forward to seeing much more of you in the future, Ms. Diaz. Please keep my brother here in line once you’re back in America. He has a tendency to find trouble, even when he doesn’t look for it. If you’ll both excuse me, I have some business I need to attendto.” Matteo excuses himself, leaving Vanessa and I alone in the dining room.
She’s looking everywhere but my face, but I can’t stop tracing every perfect line of hers. I never expected to feel so strongly about her, to feel such a need to protect and care for her, but I do.
“Can I ask you a question?” She breaks the silence, and I nod. “What do you do? And don’t brush me off or give me some bullshit non-answer. Tell me the fucking truth. You want me to let you into my life and into my body, I want you to be honest.”
“I can respect your need for answers, truly I can. But I need you to trust me when I tell you there are so many things that are safer for you not to know.” I don’t want to lie to her.
But in Fortuna Nera, the more information you know, the bigger the target on your back. If she wants to be with me, she’ll have to understand that being at the top of an organization like this means someone is always trying to remove you from power. Like the situation with Luca, there will always be someone who wants what I have, and there is never a shortage of struggles. But in a way, I do feel like I owe her some kind of explanation of what kind of life she would be in for if she chooses this.
“Then I need you to give me something I can know. Because I will not live in the dark, Sebastian. I won’t blindly follow you into the darkness. But I will walk by your side, with my eyes wide open, as long as I get to make my own choices in the matter.” She speaks with such assuredness. I want to put my faith in her, to trust her completely, even though everything I’ve ever known has always told me that’s not possible.
“Fortuna Nera is hundreds of years of tradition, Bambina. Hundreds of years of maintaining the family name and business to uphold that tradition built through generations. No matter how legal the means of maintaining such things may or may not be. We hold more power than the law, more control than thePrime Minister or your American President, for example. We are global, and I’ve worked hard to spread our business ventures as far as I possibly can. I’m still growing this empire, still building this family. And I’m proud to be a part of this legacy, no matter what it’s taken to get to this point. There is blood on my hands, Vanessa. Many would say I am not a good man, and they would be right.” I’ve given her as much information as I’m willing to for now. Hopefully, it’s enough to satisfy her curiosity.
“If I ask you yes or no questions, will you answer them?” She pries, and I lean back in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Possibly. But if there’s something you don’t need to know, I will not tell you.” I reply honestly, and she nods, chewing the inside of her cheek.
I can see her mind working a thousand miles a minute, trying like hell to decide what information she wants to know and what she can live without.
“Does the work you do prey on those less fortunate than you?” She asks, and I feel a knife twist in my heart.
“Not a fair question. Do you see this home? Everyone is less fortunate than me, Vanessa.” I’m not trying to brag, it’s just the truth.
“Fair point. Does it harm children?” She cocks a brow.
“No. We don’t deal in people, Bambina. It’s a nasty business and one I’ve actively protested against in my…industry. I do not allow any of our products to be sold to children, either. What happens once it’s out of my hands is something I cannot control, but I do what I can. I don’t intentionally harm the innocent or prey on the weak. That’s not my style.” Much to the disdain of men like Luca, I don’t believe in human trafficking. I don’t care how much money can be made from it, it’s not worth the price it would cost my soul.
“Drugs or guns?” She asks calmly, seemingly unaffected. I really should’ve paid more attention to the background check I asked to be done on her when we first met. I know her family is involved in low level dealing, but I don’t know much past that.
“Both. I don’t discriminate. I have several different avenues for generating revenue, both legal and illegal. Real estate, investments, Fortuna owns a lucrative law practice, and a popular bank in New York City.” I reply, and she nods her head silently, absorbing everything.
I wait in silence for what feels like an eternity, knowing she could run. She could decide this isn’t any kind of life she ever wanted for herself. Hell, she already did when she left her family behind and moved hundreds of miles away to Grovewood. Now I’m dragging her back into the same mess she never wanted in the first place. But if she stays, if she accepts me for the man I am and the things I have done, I can give her a life unlike anything she has ever imagined.
“Okay. I can live with that.” She pushes back from the table, holding her head high with so much fucking grace it takes my breath away. She is incredible. Unlike any woman I’ve ever met, and so much more than I could ever deserve.
Walking towards me, she drapes an arm over my shoulder, bending down to kiss my cheek. Turning my head, I capture her lips, pulling her into a deeper kiss. Tasting her, all dark vanilla and cinnamon, is a heady experience. I’ve never been so completely addicted to anything in my life before her. She deepens our kiss, her fingers curling into my hair, and I can’t suppress the groan that rumbles in my chest. Fuck, this woman tastes so good. I could go on this way forever and never get enough.
Standing, I lift her into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist as I make my way to my bedroom. My fingertips dig into the soft flesh of her ass. Every part of her is so incrediblysoft, such a contrast to every one of my jagged edges. Her fingers tighten in my hair, holding me so close we’re sharing the same breath. Her tongue explores my mouth, sliding across mine as her sweet taste explodes on my tongue. Carrying her towards my room, I kick the door open, never breaking our kiss. I’m so completely intoxicated by this woman. She’s rooted herself in my life and under my skin, I can’t escape her. Setting her on the edge of the bed, the cream linens surround her, making her look as ethereal as she is. I let her go just long enough to unbutton my shirt, and her hands find my skin instantly, nails raking down my chest. Grabbing her hands in one of mine, I stop her advancements.
“I want you. Fuck, I want you so badly it pains me, Vanessa. I used your body so thoroughly this morning, and I have no apologies. But I don’t want to exhaust you. And I’ve come to learn quite a few things about you over the last several weeks. I don’t want you thinking the only reason I’m interested in your company is because of what you can offer me physically.” Kissing her hands, I step away for a moment to take off my slacks, draping them over the chair in the corner before returning to her.
She stares up at me, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. She looks mesmerized, almost speechless, and I don’t quite understand why. Her eyes look a little glassy, emotion building there. Did I do something wrong? Make her feel rejected in some way?
