“He's open about it, but it’s not like he wears a sign.”
I roll my eyes at his sarcasm which only serves to make him smirk. “There are no openly gay men in the Cosa Nostra. Too many tiny brains.”
He chuckles under his breath. “Not in the Trio either. My grandfather and father wouldn’t allow Leone to take the oath which is part of why he manages the farm.”
“Would you let him take the oath?”
“If he wanted to? Sure. But Leone enjoys living out here, unbothered and without those tiny brains, as you put it, judging him for his preference.”
“Okay. I'm glad he likes it here.”
I’m enjoying the passing scenery as Nico grasps my hand, pulling it up for a kiss. “I was impressed by your bravery again today, Matilde. I know it can’t have been easy going to that warehouse.”
“It was not, but I feel like that door can close now. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” He kisses my hand again, and the warmth in his expression makes me wish we were in a limo on the way back to Chicago. We could pass the time very happily, I’m sure.
“Could I see the cascades?” I’d like for him to show it to me. I feel like it would be another way to deepen our bond.
He shakes his head. “Another time when the weather is better. It’s a bit of a hike, and it will already be late when we get home.”
“The children will be in bed. What would you like to do?” I ask, resting my hand on his knee. His eyebrows raise as he meets my intense stare, so I slide my hand up his thigh, imagining the many things I’d like to do with him at home or in this car or anywhere at all.
“I didn’t expect you would enjoy our sex life this much. A very pleasant surprise.”
“Ersilia reminded me earlier that I am a teenager.”
“A horny teenager,” he clarifies, chuckling when I nod. “I’m afraid I have an important virtual meeting scheduled with an overseas supplier when we return home.”
Disappointment fills me at his clipped dismissal… until he swerves suddenly, driving the SUV down a dirt trail in the woods.“Cosa fai?!”
“What my horny little wife wants. Get in the backseat, Matilde.” He jerks his chin over his shoulder, shrugging out of his coat. Grinning widely, I scramble into the backseat, happy to comply.
39
Nico
“How’s your bride, Nico?” one of my underbosses asks, the first to appear on my laptop screen before the meeting starts.
“She’s good.”And insatiable.
“You’re a lucky asshole.”
Don’t I know it.
When Caterina asked me about my upcoming arranged marriage to Margareta over two years ago, I told my sister the things I believed back then – It’s for strategic purposes, I have little to offer a wife in terms of emotional bullshit, my cruel heart belongs to the Trio.
The universe, or whatever, listened… and paid me back for my hubris.
After Margareta’s death, I was navigating fatherhood on top of my other obligations. I had to devote myself to them. I had to ensure they would be safe and cared for. That was more than enough to handle.
I didn’t think I’d ever want to marry again.
But the universe, in all its dark humor, seemed to think plucking this poor Sicilian farm girl from her quiet life, throwing her into the grim and gritty realm I rule and then plopping her down on my doorstep was exactly what I needed.
And the motherfucking cosmos was right.
I never would've gone looking for her, but there are just too many little ways we’re entangled and aligned for me to pretend it’s all a happy accident.
