With a smirk, she reached behind her back to unhook her bra and slowly slid the straps down her arms, letting it drop to the floor with a soft thud. "Your turn to tell me more."
I hesitated briefly, taking in the sight of Emilia standing before me, confident and mysterious. "Your father's alliances are shaky at best, but everyone feels a little embarrassed they were blind to you and what you were doing." Letting my eyes drift to her chest, I took a step closer. The pendant I had given her gleamed between her breasts, the rose shimmering as it caught the lamplight. "They think they can outsmart him, and by usinghim, they think can get to me." I watched as Emilia's expression changed, a mix of confusion and curiosity flashing in her eyes.
She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "So, what's the next move then?" Her voice was laced with anticipation, her hands resting on her hips as if she were ready for anything.
"You'll see soon enough," I replied cryptically. "But for now, let's focus on the matter at hand." Stepping closer to her, I reached out to trace a finger along her jawline, feeling the tension crackling in the air between us. The bruise from her father had finally faded, leaving her skin smooth and unmarked.
Emilia's breath hitched as my finger trailed along her jawline, the intensity of the moment palpable. She maintained her composure, but I could see a flicker of something deeper in her eyes, a vulnerability that she was desperately trying to conceal. Fear. Not of me, but of what was coming. Of what her father might do.
In a swift movement, she pushed my hand away and took a step back, her facade of confidence returning. "Enough games," she declared, her voice tinged with defiance. "Just tell me everything you know."
I couldn't help but admire her spirit, the fire that burned within her matching my own. She'd been terrorized by her family her entire life, and here she was demanding answers rather than cowering. Leaning in closer, I whispered, "That's not what we agreed to. Pants off."
Without breaking eye contact, she reached for the zipper of her pants. "Are you sure you want to know everything?" I let the words hang in the air, a smirk playing on my lips.
Emilia's eyes widened as I slowly unzipped my pants, revealing the power I had over this situation. "Yes, I do," she answered defiantly, her gaze eagerly meeting mine. Her pantsfalling to the floor, leaving her standing there in only the scrap of black lace covering her pussy.
"I'll tell you all you want to know." With a swift movement, I tossed my shirt aside and let my grey sweatpants fall to the floor. I watched her eyes graze my body, and the slight smile on her face grew. The appreciation in her gaze made something warm bloom in my chest. She looked at me with desire, and her eyes were locked on me. I pulled her towards me, our bodies coming together with a passionate intensity. "But only if you promise to play by my rules," I whispered into her ear, my breath warm against her skin.
"Don't I always?" Her arched brow and overly sweet tone made me hungry for her. Backing her up, I turned and fell onto the bed. With little effort, Emilia shifted and knelt over me.
"As of right now, I know of two families helping, but I don't know any more than that." I ran my hands up her thighs, feeling the muscle underneath. "The Cardones for sure. They're angry about what happened to their alliance with the Ajellos. Your father promised them he could deliver you to them, use you as leverage against me."
Her jaw tightened. "And the other family?"
"The Russos. Smaller operation, but they've been wanting to expand into our territory for years. Your father promised them a piece of Chicago if they help take me down." I watched her process this information. "I will be keeping a close eye on things, I promise you're safe here."
She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. "My father’s going to use my sisters."
"What?"
"That's how he'll try to get to me. He knows I won't let anything happen to Alessia and Gianna. He'll threaten them, hurt them maybe, to draw me out." Her voice was steady, but I could hear the fear underneath.
"Then we bring them here."
"He won't let them go."
"I'm not asking for his permission, Emilia. We'll extract them. Make it look like a kidnapping if we have to, but I won't let him use them against you." I sat up, forcing her to meet my eyes. "You're not alone in this anymore. You have me, my family, my resources. Your sisters will be safe."
Tears gathered in her eyes. "Why? Why would you do that for them?"
"Because they're important to you. Because every person you love is now under my protection. That's what this means, Emilia. When I married you, I didn't just take you as my wife. I took responsibility for everyone and everything you care about." I cupped her face in my hands. "I meant what I said. I'll keep you safe. All of you."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and I wiped it away with my thumb. "I've never had anyone protect me before."
"You do now."
She kissed me then, and there was desperation in it, gratitude and fear and something deeper. Something that felt like the beginnings of love. When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
"Make love to me," she whispered against my lips. Not fuck, not take. Make love. The distinction wasn't lost on me.
I pulled back just enough to look at her. Dark hair fanned across the pillow, cheeks flushed, eyes glassy with something that wasn't just want.
I ran my hand up the inside of her thigh slowly, watching her breath catch. When I cupped her she was already wet and she made a soft sound and pressed into my hand like she couldn't help it. I stroked her there, unhurried, feeling her slick heat against my fingers until she was rocking her hips and her hands were fisting the sheets.
"Nico,” she panted as I pressed two fingers inside her and felt her clench around me, her back arching off the bed. I worked her open slowly. I watched her face the whole time, the way her lips parted and her brow creased and she tried to muffle the sounds she was making. I pulled my fingers free and she made a noise of protest that cut off when I moved down her body and put my mouth on her pussy instead.
She gasped. Her thighs tensed around my head and I pinned them open with my forearms and took my time, licking into her, loving the sounds she made when I hit the right spot. She tried to muffle herself against her wrist and I reached up and pulled her arm away.
