Twisted Hearts by Cora Reilly

The moment Savio was gone, I picked up my phone and called home. Diego answered after one ring.

“Hey Gemma,” he said, his worry palpable.

“I’m fine.”

“You are?”

“Yes. You can stop worrying.”

“So Savio wasn’t an ass?”

“No, he wasn’t.”

“So I don’t have to kick his ass at the meeting?”

I rolled my eyes. “How are Mom and Carlotta?”

“Mom’s been emotional all morning with you being gone. The house feels empty.”

I bit my lip. “I miss you too.”

Diego cleared his throat. “Should I get Mom?”

“Yeah,” I said with a smile. Diego was even worse with emotionality than Savio.

A few seconds later, Mom’s voice sounded on the other end. We talked a few minutes, in which I had to assure her several times that I was fine. I felt guilty for leaving her so soon after Dad’s death, but she had insisted I start my own family. That was what she wanted the most for me.

I grabbed a swimsuit—a sexy two-piece, which Toni had bought for me and I’d never worn because it was too revealing. Wrapping a towel around myself, I headed outside. It felt strange walking through the Falcone mansion as if it was my home. It would take time to get used to my new surroundings.

Laughter and screaming reached me from the pool where Alessio and Nevio were chasing each other. Kiara waved. She, like the other girls, was stretched out on lounge chairs. I made my way toward them. Dark hair pulled up into a cute bun atop her head, Greta was perched on Serafina’s chair, browsing through a picture book. Leona held her baby girl in her arms and Kiara watched her youngest son Massimo as he stumbled after Alessio and Nevio.

I sank down on a free lounge chair, keeping the towel around my body.

“Are you okay?” Kiara asked gently.

I nodded.

“I still can’t believe Savio is married,” Leona said with a laugh. I gave her a hesitant smile. Neither did he sometimes.

“He isn’t really the marrying type,” I agreed.

Serafina’s eyes narrowed. “Does that mean he’s made an ass out of himself again? If he pushed you, we’ll kick his ass for you.”

I laughed, relaxing. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” I dropped my towel and stretched out on the sunchair.

“Please tell me he’s still suffering from blue balls,” Serafina said, whistling as she scanned my body.

I flushed.

Kiara did too. At least, I wasn’t the only one who had trouble talking about sex.

“We slept well,” I said.

Serafina clapped. “Good for you.”

Leona giggled. “You’re a bit too invested in Savio’s sex life. You’re getting as creepy as your husband.”

Serafina shrugged. “Savio deserves to suffer a bit. Look at Gemma, he’ll be suffering like crazy having that body right in front of him without getting any.”

Nevio and Alessio jumped into the pool and I jerked upright, worried they’d drown.

“They can swim,” Kiara said with a tender smile, then rushed forward to stop Massimo from following. “You can’t yet, young man.” She kissed his chubby cheek and put water wings on him despite his loud protests. Alessio, too, was wearing them.

Serafina followed my gaze to her son. “He refuses to wear wings. He always wanted to swim without them. He’s stubborn. I can’t take my eyes off him for a second.”

“They are so different for twins,” I said, indicating Greta who’d only given me a quick smile but otherwise seemed lost in her own world.

“They are,” Serafina said softly, stroking her daughter’s head with a soft smile. “She started ballet lessons six months ago. It almost gave Remo a heart attack. He thought she’d become a fighter… like you.”

I considered the quiet girl. “Maybe in a few years. If her brothers and cousins all fight, maybe she’ll want it too.”

Serafina shrugged, but it was obvious that she doubted it.

“How’s Carlotta doing?” Kiara asked.

“She’s recovering quickly. We really hope that she’ll be able to be a normal kid soon. She’s never been allowed around other kids because the risk of getting an infection was too high.”

“Carlotta and Aurora are close in age, they can play once your sister is well enough,” Leona said.

I nodded, touched how they tried to make me feel welcome.

“You took undergraduate courses at UNLV, right?”

Leona gave a nod. “Yeah. I finished my undergrad shortly before this little one popped out of me. And you’ll start in a few weeks, right?”

“I don’t know. I never really wanted to attend college. It was more something to do while Savio decided when we wanted to marry.” Realizing how pathetic that sounded, I added, “But now I’m not sure what to do. I didn’t even sign up for courses that interest me.”

“Why don’t you do something you enjoy then? It’s not like you’ll ever have a day job,” Kiara said.

“You could become a self-defense instructor for women and children. You know how possessive mafia men are. They’d never allow another man to teach their daughters or wives how to fight, but nobody would be bothered if you did it.”

I blinked at Serafina. Why hadn’t I thought of it?

“You could start with Massimo, Nevio, and Alessio,” Kiara said. “The men have enough on their plate, so they don’t often have time to work with the boys.”

“I wouldn’t mind working out again,” Leona said. “Since I got pregnant with Aurora, I didn’t have time for defense training… or any kind of training really.”

I grinned, loving the idea. Fitness and fighting were my passion.

We spent the next few hours chatting like that until Savio came our way. The moment he spotted me lounging in my bikini, his expression became so hungry that I felt like we were doing something indecent.

“I think we should give the newlyweds a bit of privacy,” Serafina said quickly.

I almost asked the girls to stay because the way Savio was watching me made me feel hot and bothered. Soon we were alone. Savio was still in street clothes but made me feel naked. “You’re staring.”

He shook his head. “I think you’re really trying to kill me, Gem. That bikini is a joke.”

I hid a pleased smile by putting my sunglasses on.

He leaned over me. “Tell you what. I’ll get changed and then we’ll take a dip.” After a quick kiss, he stalked away. I turned on my stomach, trying to decide if swimming was the best idea. I needed every layer of clothing I could get between Savio and me to resist his charm.

A few minutes later, a familiar shadow fell over me.

“Did you know that you have the prettiest dimples…” Savio began.

I didn’t bother to turn around. “I don’t—”

“…above your perfectly shaped ass.”

I snapped my mouth shut. “What are you talk—”

His hot breath ghosted over my lower back. “Right here,” he said in a low voice that sent a pleasant shiver through my body. His mouth touched a spot right above my ass. Shock shot through me, then indignation, and I was about to whirl on him. Then he began to suck the spot and my limbs turned to mush. What was happening? Heat pooled in my belly. Oh my God. What was he doing with his lips?

He released my skin, then dragged his lips along my lower back. “And here.” He latched onto my skin again, sucked and licked. The heat of his body ghosted over my thighs as he leaned over me.

I should tell him off. Throw my drink in his face and smash my knee into his balls, but I couldn’t move. Savio’s mouth was a weapon in more than one way. I’d heard it from more girls than I cared to recount, but this bordered on insanity. How could he render me motionless by touching his cursed lips to my lower back?

I could hardly breathe, was waiting for my lungs to stop working because every other part of me had.

And then finally, Savio released my skin and stretched out on the lounge chair beside mine. He reached out and slowly pushed my sunglasses up so he could see my eyes. His mouth tipped up in a lazy smile. “That good, hmm?”

If my tongue hadn’t still been tied, I would have given a clever comeback. Instead, heat shot into my head. It had been good, so good that I couldn’t think about anything but the fact that he would see how good if he took a closer look at my bikini bottoms.

Savio chuckled. “If this got you this hot and bothered, Gem, just imagine what my mouth would do between your legs?”

I was trying very hard not to, but of course I did. Toni had once mentioned something along the lines until I’d asked her to never mention her activities with my brother again.

Savio’s smile widened because he knew. He leaned closer and I held my breath. “I know you’re stubborn as fuck, but you’re punishing yourself, not just me. We’re all alone. You don’t even have to say a word. Just close your eyes and I’ll take it as permission to part your legs and bury my face in your pussy. No sex, just my tongue, Kitty.”

Don’t close your eyes, Gemma. Do not dare closing your eyes.

I closed my eyes. I was such a goddamn loser, but the throbbing between my legs was too strong to resist.

“Good decision, Kitty,” Savio growled in my ear before the sunchair groaned and I felt his warmth over my thighs once more. He pressed a kiss to my ass, and I almost moaned. Had anticipation ever killed someone?

I could practically feel how smug Savio was, but right then I didn’t care. There would be time for regret later, and I would regret it, no doubt.

Savio palmed my ass cheeks.

A high-pitched scream rang out. My eyes shot open. A shadow darted past me.

“Ass bomb!”

Nevio catapulted himself from the edge of the pool and did the aforementioned ass bomb. Cold water splashed everywhere. In my face, my cocktail, all over my body. And it doused me with a necessary dose of sanity. I turned around.

Savio, too, was drenched and a look at my face and he knew the moment was over. His eyes latched onto Nevio who was floating in the pool with a wide grin. “That’s it, PIA. I’m going to abandon you in the desert!”

In two large steps, he was at the pool and then he dove in.

I quickly got up, gathering my belongings, not my dignity though, because that was gone. Savio had won today, and he knew it. I wasn’t sure how, but I needed to tip the scale in my favor again, if only my body would cooperate.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Gemma running away as if the devil was at her heels. Nevio splashed me again. Serafina rushed toward us. “He escaped.”

I managed to grab Nevio and held him fast despite his squirming. “Don’t pretend you didn’t use the little PIA as a cockblock on purpose.”

Serafina rolled her eyes and took her struggling son from me. “Enough, Nevio,” she said sharply, and finally he stopped.

I narrowed my eyes at him. He only grinned. I couldn’t wait for him to be a teenager so I could ruin his sex life.

She turned around and left me in the pool, not bothering to hide her smug smile. I pushed myself out of the water. “Fuck.” I’d almost had Gemma, but now her stubbornness would get in the way again. Sighing, I jogged after her.

She was already in jeans and shirt when I found her, gone the delicious bikini that had deprived my brain of blood.

“Do you think I could start working as a self-defense instructor for girls and kids?”

I paused, thrown off by the topic. “I thought you were going to college to study these feminism courses.”

“You know I only signed up for them to annoy you.” She bit her lip. “But it’s not something that I’d enjoy. I’d rather help people get comfortable in their bodies and learn to defend themselves.”

“Then do it. What’s stopping you?”

“I thought…”

I raised my eyebrows, moving closer. “You thought?”

“I should get your permission first. You’re my husband and…”

I pulled her against me despite her protests. “If that’s what you want to do, then do it. You don’t need my permission for that.” I smiled. “How about we continue where we left off at the pool?”

She slipped out of my hold, making an innocent face. “I don’t know what you mean.” Before I could grab her again, she left the room. Running again, Kitty?

Did giving in to me scare her that much?

That night I could see Gemma’s stubborn streak in full effect. She didn’t allow me more than a quick kiss once we were in bed.

I chuckled into the darkness. “Gem, you’ll give in soon enough. You know it as well as I do.”

Silence was the answer.

I gave her some space over the next couple of days, trying to give her a sense of safety before I’d try for another seduction attempt.

“There’s a big fight tonight. Why don’t we watch it together in the Arena?” I asked during our daily morning workout. Gemma gave me a look as if I’d given her a Christmas present. “Really?” She threw her arms around me and kissed me enthusiastically. I deepened the kiss at once. Too soon, she pulled away with a smile.

I chuckled. “If I’d known that this was the key to your panties, I would have suggested it sooner.”

She punched my shoulder. “You got a kiss, not more. Toni’s working tonight, so I get to see her too. I haven’t since the wedding because she had to help her dad in the Arena, thanks to Fabiano beating him up.”

“Next time, he’ll know better than to accidentally give us a smaller percentage than agreed,” I said coldly.

Gemma scanned my face. “Sometimes I forget that you’re a Falcone because you’re so easy going, but you can be really scary.”

I tried to keep my scary side from her. It had its time and place but usually not around my family.

“The Camorra is my life, Gem. My brothers and I won’t allow anyone to mess with it. Roger’s lucky he only got beaten up. I don’t believe it was a fucking accident that he messed up the bookkeeping. He wanted a bigger part of the pie for himself. That’s betrayal and would mean death under normal circumstances.”

“Then why is he alive?” she asked.

“Because Diego has a soft spot for Toni and because I have a soft spot for you, and you’re best friends with Toni. But I won’t turn a blind eye again, so Roger better get his act together.”

Fabiano wasn’t stupid. He knew the truth and so did Remo and Nino, but Roger wouldn’t survive another bookkeeping mistake.

Gemma licked her lips. “It would break Toni’s heart if something happened to her dad.”

“Then she should make sure her dad stays in line, Gem. That’s all I can say. Remember your loyalties.”

She stepped back. “I’m loyal to you and to Toni. I’ve known her all my life. She’s my best friend.”

“And I’m your husband.”

She swallowed. “Toni’s more responsible than her dad. She’ll make sure things go smoothly.”

I kissed her temple.

Around eight in the evening, I waited for Gemma in my living room. The moment she came down the stairs, my heart sped up. She was wearing a tight red skirt and a red crop top. Holy hell.

Slowly I pushed to my feet, not sure if I wanted to take her into public like that.

Gemma tried to act casual but this wasn’t her usual style. Until recently, she’d still worn those horrendous dresses. “I have a feeling I’m going to kill someone tonight.”

“You threw someone through a window for talking to me, don’t you think that was bad enough?”

“He survived, didn’t he?”

She huffed.

The moment we entered the Arena, every fucker with eyes in his head checked her out. Only a death glare from me stopped them. The Camorrista spending their evening here gave me polite nods. Like usual, they made up only about a quarter of the customers, the others were the people that really brought us money: gambling addicts.

Toni waved at us from behind the bar. We headed that way and she and Gemma hugged each other over the counter. The bar was crowded and apart from Toni, I could see only one other waitress.

The girls whispered among each other briefly, probably about our still non-existent sex life. Like all girls, Gemma had definitely kept her best friend updated on the progress of our bed activities.

I kept my hand on Gemma’s waist to dissuade a guy from looking at her. We took seats at the bar, not my usual spot, but I could tell that Gemma wanted to be close to her friend. Diego joined us shortly after, grimacing when he saw where we were sitting.

He and Toni were in the off part of their on-and-off affair once more. Gemma hugged her brother briefly. Toni gave him a look that suggested she hoped his balls would fall off.

“What’s with them?” she whispered.

“After the quickie at our wedding, things cooled off again,” I said.

Gemma sighed, giving Toni a worried look. I clapped Diego’s shoulder. The first fight was over within two minutes, a fucking bore, but the one after reached a level of bloodshed that would have made Remo proud.

I chanced glances at Gemma who looked shocked but unable to look away. I loved that I could take her to fights with me without having to worry that she’d pass out. Fuck, I could even discuss moves with her afterward.

She gave me a distracted smile when she noticed my gaze before she returned her focus to the cage, completely mesmerized. “Can I have a quick word with you?” Diego asked after the second fight.

I nodded and followed him into the back. “What’s the matter?”

“I’d like to deal with the Arena instead of Fabiano in the future.”

I shook my head. “Diego, that’s a fucking bad idea and you know it. Toni’s going to take over from her dad at some point. She already handles part of the business.”

“I can handle it. We’re only fuck buddies. Let me deal with it.”

“Remo’s not going to like it, neither do I. Do you really want to bring yourself into a position where you risk sitting between chairs?”

“I can handle it,” he said again.

“Not if you keep fucking her. That’s not going to work.”

When we returned to the bar, Gemma was serving drinks because Toni had to deal with a customer at a table. The looks the guys at the bar gave her made my blood boil.

I strode over to the bar and sat down, causing them to back off. Gemma gave me a hesitant smile. “Toni asked me to take over for just a moment.”

I nodded. The moment Toni returned, and Gemma came back to my side, I pulled her between my legs and kissed her hard. She squirmed. “Savio, everyone’s watching.”

That was exactly why I was kissing her like that. I ran my tongue along her mouth then sucked her lower lip gently. “That fucking mouth is mine.” I nibbled at the sensitive skin. “And I want every fucker in the room to know it.”

She leaned back, raising her hand with the engagement ring. “I think this thing is getting the message across.”

“Maybe, but better safe than sorry,” I said. “Don’t tell me you don’t like my ring? It’s a symbol of…”

“Your ownership?” she finished with an angry gleam in her eyes.

“Of my feelings,” I said with a wink.

“And what are they?”

I looked away from her hopeful eyes. What did she want me to say? “Right now, I feel sexually deprived.”

She pulled out of my hold and sat down on the stool beside me. “Well, that won’t change until you can find a better answer to that question.”