Twisted Bonds by Cora Reilly

CHAPTER 17

NINO

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Having a small wedding inour circles was a social faux-pas, especially if a Capo married, but I was glad Remo and Serafina had chosen to keep it in the family. It made the preparations less complicated, particularly the safety measures. Of course, it would have been even less hassle if Remo hadn’t chosen to invite Serafina’s twin.

“I don’t trust him,” I said quietly as Remo got dressed in one of the guestrooms in my wing. He wasn’t supposed to see Serafina before the ceremony. Kiara and Serafina were really adamant about it. Kiara had been going absolutely overboard taking on the entire organization of the decoration, cooking, song selection, and everything else.

Remo closed the last button of his black dress shirt. “Neither do I, but Samuel would do anything for his sister. I see how close Nevio and Greta already are, even though they’re still small. Serafina and Samuel have formed a bond all their lives. He won’t do anything that could hurt her.”

“I assume neither would you, which makes this is a risk after all.”

Remo smiled twistedly. “You’re right. I won’t lay a hand on Samuel unless he attacks Serafina, which he won’t. But I know that nothing would hold you back if you considered Samuel a threat to any of us.”

I gave a tense nod. Letting the enemy not only into our city, but into our home, wasn’t something I was comfortable with and if Samuel acted out of turn, he’d pay the price for it. I would have killed him last time we captured him, if it hadn’t been for Remo’s veto.

I glanced out toward the gardens where an arc with white flowers had been set up by Kiara who was now spreading petals in a path from the house down to it. She’d barely had a moment of rest these last few weeks, always caring for the twins, the wedding, for every member of this family, and while she enjoyed doing it, that wasn’t the only reason why. We’d been trying for so long to get her pregnant, without success. I’d considered bridging the subject of seeing a doctor and chose to wait until the festivities were over and we had some peace.

Adamo joined her outside for a smoke. I sighed then turned back to Remo who put the small parcel with Serafina’s ring into his pocket.

“I’m still concerned how Adamo will take it. Samuel was among his torturers.”

Familiar hatred burned in Remo’s eyes. “He was. I won’t ever forgive the asshole, but for Serafina I’ll allow him to live, to be here.”

My phone beeped. It was a message from Fabiano. “They’re here.”

“Then go down and keep an additional eye on him.”

Nodding, I headed outside. When I arrived at the arc, Fabiano and Samuel were crossing the Scuderi premises toward our garden. Samuel’s demeanor changed, becoming more vigilant when he noticed me. Sadly, he didn’t reach for his gun. Kiara had disappeared from view and she’d return soon. The idea of having Samuel close to my wife didn’t sit well with me.

Fabiano gave me a curt nod then said something to Samuel, who shook his head and motioned to a spot a good distance to the side of the arc where he stopped, never taking his eyes off me. He and Fabiano looked distantly related even though they weren’t. Both the blond of the Outfit they were famous for.

Our eyes met and I saw the same eagerness in his face that I felt, a desire to end this today, once and for all, but for Remo I’d hold back. In my peripheral vision, I noticed Kiara coming my way with the twins on her hips. She looked beautiful in a red summer dress with her dark hair flowing down her shoulders and the babies on her arms. Her face was glowing with happiness, a sight that always stirred something in me, even on days when the emptiness of the past filled my chest.

Savio was a few steps behind her, stuffing his shirt into his pants and glaring toward Samuel. I met Kiara halfway and took Nevio from her, who squirmed and twisted, wanting to walk as usual. Kiara smiled and her eyes darted toward Samuel. “Do you think he wants to see his niece and nephew?”

“We won’t let him near the children without Serafina and Remo present,” I said.

Kiara nodded. “I guess that’s for the best.”

Nevio let out an angry screech when I didn’t put him down.

“No,” I said firmly. “If you calm down, I’ll set you down.”

Nevio’s eyes flashed with anger and he started wailing. Ignoring his tantrum, Kiara and I headed over to the arc.

“I really prefer doll-face’s quiet,” Savio muttered then poked Nevio lightly in the belly when he stopped beside us. “How about you stop the bawling, PIA?”

“You’re lucky Remo didn’t hear that,” Kiara said disapprovingly. Savio had been calling Nevio pain-in-the-ass for a while now. Nevio was definitely the more taxing child.

I could feel Samuel’s gaze on us and turned to him. He looked from Nevio to Greta, but his expression remaining perfectly guarded. That was the Cavallaro gene.

Savio grimaced. “Fuck. I really wanted to smash his face in. I can’t believe he’s standing here in our fucking garden, in our fucking city after what he and his family did to Adamo and Remo.”

Remo could forgive Samuel for his own torture—he considered it fair game, but not Adamo. That was a mistake Cavallaro would pay for one day.

“Maybe it’s a first step toward peace,” Kiara said, trying to put a white flower into Greta’s locks. Greta followed everything curiously with her eyes.

Savio scoffed, his eyes flickering with hatred. “There won’t ever be peace between the Camorra and the Outfit.”

Kiara glanced at me, and while I didn’t like the hopeful look in them, I liked lying to my wife even less.

“He’s right.” It was difficult enough to maintain peace with the Famiglia. Luca would cancel the truce the moment we approached Cavallaro.

Greta fumbled for the flower, grabbed it with her small fingers and stuffed it into her mouth.

“Careful,” Savio hissed.

“They are edible, don’t worry,” Kiara said and started laughing. Part of the flower peeked out between Greta’s pouty lips. Her eyes darted from Kiara to Savio then me and Nevio.

Kiara’s eyes flew back to the mansion where Leona was waving at her. “I think my presence is required. Can you take her?”

Savio’s eyebrows shot up. “I never held her. She’ll cry.”

“Give it a try,” I said. Greta had been watching Savio with more interest these last couple of weeks, more willing to tolerate his easy-going nature than my more reserved approach.

Savio leaned down so he was eyelevel with Greta who still had two petals stuck to her mouth. “All righty doll-face, I’m going to take you know. No crying.” Kiara held her out and Savio carefully took her, and then held her against his chest. Greta’s eyes had grown wide but she was still quiet.

“I’m not sure I like the look on your face,” Savio murmured. He bent down to pick up another flower and held it in front of Greta’s face. “Here, have another snack.”

With a laugh, Kiara hurried toward Leona. Greta ate that flower as well then peering up at Savio, she pulled her fingers from her mouth and touched Savio’s chin.

Savio sighed, his mouth curling in disdain. “Baby spittle on my face, the highlight of my day.”

“You also got a petal in your stubble,” I said.

Savio gave me a long-suffering look. “I worked so hard to earn my street credit. This could ruin everything.”

I raised my eyebrows. “If that bull tattoo didn’t ruin your reputation, nothing will.”

He smirked. “You just can’t accept that the ladies like it.”

“To be honest, I couldn’t care less.” Nevio let out another screech and twisted in my hold, determined to get down to the ground.

“We’ll need a leash for him soon,” Savio said.

“I want to see you put a leash on Nevio when Remo’s around.”

“That kid’s name is trouble.” Savio peered down at Greta who suckled on her fingers. “Am I right, doll-face?”

She grinned toothlessly, a petal clinging to her tongue. She tried to get it off and started drooling. Savio quickly snatched the petal. Greta grabbed his hand and began chewing on his finger. He gave me a look.

“No lewd comment,” I warned.

Savio scoffed. “I’m not that fucking depraved to make that kind of joke around doll-face, trust me.”

“We’ll see. Nevio and her won’t always be babies. One day they’ll be teenagers.”

Savio shook his head. “Doll-face, promise to stay away from guys like me.”

“I doubt any man with a flicker of sanity will dare to approach Remo’s daughter.”

“And if any asshole does, I’ll chop his cock into pieces and feed them to him,” Remo growled as he came to a stop beside us. One of his eyebrows rose when he saw Greta on Savio’s arm and the petal still stuck to his dark stubble. “I see you used your charm on my daughter.”

Savio flashed a grin. “I’m a ladies’ man.”

Greta made grabby hands toward Remo who smiled and took her from Savio. He kissed her forehead, then he looked towards Samuel who was watching us. Remo’s expression hardened, his eyes filling with contempt.

“I’m surprised you have enough restraint not to slash his throat,” Savio said with a nod at Serafina’s brother.

Nevio twisted again, getting angrier. He began to kick, gearing up for the second screaming fit of the day. “It’s enough.”

Remo’s eyes darted to us. “Nevio, you heard what Nino said. Enough.”

Nevio stopped squirming.

“Good,” I said. “Now that you’re behaving you can run around.” I set him down. A grin split his face and then he dashed off, wobbling like a little drunk straight toward Samuel.

“Fuck,” Remo growled.

“I’ll get him.” I jogged after Nevio and got him before he reached his uncle. Samuel hadn’t been looking at him anyway. His narrowed eyes were on Remo, and when I straightened only a few steps from him, they settled on me. I returned his gaze steadily.

A cold smile stretched his lips. “Looking into your eyes, I don’t get how Fina can allow her kids to be near you. No emotions, right?”

I didn’t say anything, only regarded him coolly while Nevio squirmed in my arms once more.

“You could probably kill us all even the babies, without blinking and then have a piece of that wedding cake while you’re still covered in our blood.”

I smiled. “I could kill you now and have my cake with my clothing unsoiled.”

Samuel’s eyes flashed with eagerness.

“Nino,” Kiara said, stepping between Samuel and me. “Serafina, will be ready soon, why don’t you take your place by the arc?” Then she turned to Samuel. “Hello, Samuel. I’m sure your sister will be very happy to see you. She misses you.”

Samuel’s brows drew together but he inclined his head politely.

Kiara took my hand and led me toward the arc. “I know you don’t like him, but today is about Serafina and Remo, not blood-spilling.”

“It’s not a matter of liking. He poses a threat and almost killed my brothers.”

“A wedding is about bringing people together, so please ignore him.”

I gave her a small smile that was meant to set her at ease, even though my insides yearned for violence and revenge. “You don’t have to worry, Kiara. I won’t make a move toward him. I’m in this for the long run.”

Kiara stood on her tiptoes so she could kiss me. Nevio let out another screech, causing her to laugh. “Time for your mom and dad to marry. I hope you’ll behave.”

“Chances are slim. He’s a fatal combination of Remo, Savio and Adamo.”

Kiara tilted her head. “Nothing of you?”

I glanced towards Greta, whom Remo carried around. “Greta’s like me.”

“I know, and so does Remo, right?”

I nodded. Remo and I hadn’t talked about it, but he was too perceptive not to realize it.

The wedding ceremonypassed without incident and Serafina was very happy about her twin’s presence, which led to my brother being happy as well. Seeing Remo content at all was a rare experience, so I tried to make peace with Samuel’s attendance. There would be enough time to kill him later once Serafina had gotten used to being without him.

I didn’t miss Adamo’s furious eyes when he saw one of his tormentors. He hadn’t argued when Remo and I had asked him if it was okay for Samuel to attend. I made my way over to him, while Serafina and Remo talked to Samuel.

Adamo stood off to the side, smoking. Remo and I had given up trying to bring an end to this habit. He was almost sixteen, old enough to decide for himself. Taking another drag, he tore his eyes from Samuel when he noticed me.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

“Sure,” he murmured. Then put out the cigarette on his forearm where the burn scars marred his tattoo. I gripped his wrist hard to stop him. “What are you doing?”

Adamo frowned. “With the kids running around, I don’t want to leave butts on the ground.”

“Adamo,” I said tightly. “What the hell are you doing?” I jerked his arm toward me, checking the small burn. There were similar marks all over his burnt skin. I looked into his eyes but he merely stared back.

“It’s not like I’m feeling much. The skin there is pretty much dead anyway.”

I released him, peering over my shoulder toward the others. No one was looking our way. “This needs to stop.”

“Why? Didn’t you listen? The skin is numb. It doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” I growled. “Is this because Samuel is here today? You should have said something. Remo wouldn’t have allowed him into the city if we’d known you’re dealing badly with it.”

Adamo glanced toward Samuel again. “I’m not dealing with it badly. It’s good that he’s here. Maybe there can be peace.”

The look in his eyes wasn’t that of someone who wanted peace. I stepped even closer. “Adamo, if you need help, you can always come to us. You know we’d die for you.”

“I know,” Adamo said. “Remo almost did, remember?”

Giggling sounded and Nevio staggered toward us, falling down twice before he finally bumped into Adamo’s legs. Adamo smiled and ruffled his hair. “Hey kiddo.”

It was strange to see him like that, no longer the kid he always was for my brothers and me, but grown and angry and jaded. So much like the teenage Remo, it worried me.

Nevio raised his arms and Adamo shook his head. “Go to Nino.”

I picked up Nevio and held him with one arm. Adamo motioned toward the arc. “Kiara is trying to get us to come over. Why don’t you go ahead? I need to go to the bathroom.”

I narrowed my eyes, having a feeling that he wouldn’t join us anytime soon. I decided to give him the space he needed and headed toward my wife and the others. When I stopped beside them, Kiara gave me a worried look.

“Everything okay?”

I nodded, not wanting to burden her with this. She had enough to deal with because of her problems to conceive.

“He’s been pulling back,” Fabiano said, watching Adamo.

Savio grimaced. “He changed.”

Adamo disappeared inside the mansion. I should tell Remo about Adamo’s new habit to burn himself. However, Remo had a certain way of dealing with problems that might not help in Adamo’s situation.

Keeping a secret from him and from Kiara wasn’t something I liked to do, but maybe it was for the best until I knew exactly what we were dealing with.

KIARA

A couple of days after the wedding, Serafina, Leona and I poured ourselves glasses of champagne and settled on the sun chairs. We still had a few leftover bottles from the wedding and now that Fabiano had asked for Leona’s hand, we had reason to celebrate.

“I still can’t believe he asked me to marry him,” Leona whispered, beaming at the diamond ring on her finger.

“The wedding seemed to motivate him,” Serafina said with a smile.

I raised my glass. “See, I told you he would ask.”

Within the first hour we started our second bottle, and somehow we ended up talking about sex. The alcohol helped lower our inhibitions, though Serafina was definitely the one with the least problems to discuss those matters, which wasn’t that strange considering who she was married to—being around Remo all the time, you just got desensitized.

“What was the strangest place where you’ve had sex?” Serafina asked over her glass, her eyes glowing with mischief.

Leona considered that with pursed lips. “The fight cage in the Camorra gym? Or maybe in Fabiano’s car on our favorite hill?”

Serafina took a sip. “Fight cage, that sounds thrilling.” She drew her lower lip between her teeth with a small smile. I had a feeling Remo would soon get another reason why he loved the cage.

“And you?” I asked her, feeling tipsy and warm.

“During our runs in the canyon, in the pool, in an elevator, in the alley behind the Sugar Trap ... but my favorite was in the gardens here,” she said with a small laugh.

“That’s not very daring,” Leona said.

Serafina gave me an apologetic smile, and I wondered what it meant. “When I was still a captive, Remo and I made out under your bedroom window—while you and Nino...”

Leona’s mouth fell open and she clapped a palm over it with a giggle.

Acute embarrassment washed over me. “Really?”

Serafina gave a small nod.

“Oh God, what did you hear?” I shook my head. “No, don’t tell me. How embarrassing.”

“I think the ones who should be embarrassed are Remo and Fina for spying on you,” Leona said with a laugh.

“As if Remo would be embarrassed about that,” I muttered. I nudged Serafina’s knee. “How can I face him again knowing you listened to us?”

“It was a long time ago,” Serafina said and clinked her glass against mine. “And from what I heard you’re a lucky girl.” She laughed at my expression. Had she heard when Nino had gone down on me?

“He likes to travel to Down Under?” Leona said, her cheeks flushing even as she giggled.

I drank the rest of my champagne. “Don’t Fabiano and Remo?” I shot back, trying to pay them back, but they weren’t as shy about these topics as me, especially Serafina.

“Oh, Remo loves it.”

“Fabiano as well,” Leona said with a conspiratorial smile.

I let myself fall back on the sun chair and stared up at the sky. I was torn between laughter and acute mortification.

Serafina nudged my thigh. “Come on. No reason to be embarrassed. It’s good that we have men who know how to make us happy, right?”

“Right.” I sat up.

Serafina smiled. “Okay, I’ll tell you about another place to distract you.”

“I swear if you and Remo had sex in our bed, I’m going to freak.”

She shook her head. “We had sex on Savio’s flamingo.”

I burst out laughing.

“I’ve always wondered how that works,” Leona mused. “You can’t really be both up there without the thing turning over...”

Serafina filled our glasses again, emptying the bottle. Luckily there was a third one in the cooler waiting for us. I had a feeling I’d need more alcohol.

“Okay, we had a form of sex on there. It’s really comfy relaxing in that thing with your feet dipping into the pool while a guy is dipping his tongue into your pool.”

Champagne shot out of my nose when I snort-laughed, my skin heating. “TMI, Fina!”

Leona was grabbing the edge of her sun chair so she didn’t fall off as she giggled and sloshed alcohol everywhere.

“Does Savio know?” Leona asked.

“I doubt he’d care,” I said. “The flamingo has seen a lot from what I hear.”

Serafina shrugged. “We cleaned it afterward, so...”

I clamped a hand over my eyes, unable to believe the turn our conversation had taken. A few years ago something like this would have been impossible for me.

“What about you, Kiara? What’s the freakiest place where you had sex?”

I peered at Serafina through my fingers then lowered them slowly, sending her an embarrassed smile. I ran my fingers along the rim of the glass as I contemplated how little I’d done so far. We hadn’t ventured out of our bedroom often so far. “We made out in the shower of the changing room in Roger’s Arena once, and in the pool,” I said. “But that’s it. I think Nino’s holding back for me.”

Serafina pursed her lips. “Then you’ll have to show him that you want to be more adventurous. I can really recommend doing it somewhere in the nature or try the flamingo.”

I shoved my glass toward her. “I need more alcohol.”

We had finished the third bottle and had moved on to a peppermint schnapps Serafina had discovered somewhere in the back of the bar when the men found us. By then we were completely trashed.

Remo was carrying Greta and Nevio, and cocked his eyebrows when he saw us. “I see you found Savio’s secret stash of schnapps.”

I took a gulp from my glass and shuddered from the taste. “Disgusting. It tastes like toothpaste.” Then I laughed, and Serafina and Leona joined in.

“That didn’t stop you from emptying the bottle, I see,” Nino said, lifting the schnaps bottle.

Fabiano walked over to Leona and helped her to her feet. She fell into his arms, grinning. “We talked about traveling Down Under.”

Fabiano frowned and he glanced at Remo then Nino who shrugged. “Maybe next year.”

Serafina and I burst out laughing.

“I hope you head Down Under more than once a year,” Serafina teased.

Realization crossed Fabiano’s face and he cocked an eyebrow. “Come on, Leona. I’m in the mood for some traveling.”

Remo shook his head. Nevio was babbling and laughing, determined to be in on the fun even if he had no clue what it was. Greta, as usual, watched everything with her quiet scrutiny.

“I guess I should try to get our little monsters to sleep. You’re probably randy as fuck after all the sex talk?” Remo said and gave Serafina his twisted smile. She pushed to her feet, swayed then managed to make her way over to her husband and twins. “I’m in the mood for a bit of Down Under traveling too.”

They disappeared and I stumbled to my feet, but plopped back down on the chair again. Nino came over and I smiled up at him. Slowly my eyes traveled the length of his body, the way his shirt hugged his muscles, and my core tightened with need. Nino bent over me, grabbing my waist to pull me to my feet. I grabbed his neck and kissed him. He responded but he was restrained. I pulled back. “I want you.”

He searched my eyes. “You’re very drunk.”

“I always want you. I don’t need to be sober for it. This isn’t a first date,” I joked. I cupped him through his pants, kneading lightly and feeling him harden under my touch.

Nino’s mouth twitched. “I see alcohol lowers your inhibitions.”

“Does it bother you if I’m like this?” I asked and didn’t stop rubbing him, enjoying how quickly he responded to me, how eager he was for me.

Nino got down on his haunches, leaving me no choice but to release him. “No, I’m glad that you’re finally confident enough to say what you want and act on your desires.”

He wrapped one arm around my waist and leaned closer as his other hand slipped under my skirt and began stroking me. I was already wet and aching for him. I looked towards the house, wondering how much of this would be visible from the windows. This part of the pool area wasn’t as hidden as the pool itself. I didn’t see anyone but the risk remained. Most of it would be shielded by Nino’s broad back though. Nino followed my gaze. “Should I stop and continue inside?”

I shook my head quickly. “No.”

His mouth twitched and he slowly pushed two fingers into me. I gasped at the delicious stretch as he thrust into me.

“Fina told me that she and Remo listened in on us having sex once,” I said between moans, curious about Nino’s reaction and surprised when he only nodded.

“I know. Remo told me, and I heard them through the open window.”

My eyes widened. “You knew they were listening and you didn’t stop?”

“I didn’t care but I knew you would so I didn’t tell you.”

“Oh God, please kick Remo’s ass next time he tries something like that.”

Nino thrust into me again. “I’ll let him know your feelings on the matter.”

I moaned, then shook my head. “No...no, don’t. I’d rather he forget it ever happened.”

Nino nodded, his eyes focused on his fingers, and my toes began to curl at his hungry look. My release hit me and my arms gave out. I fell back on the chair, moaning and giggling., completely overwhelmed and also increasingly dizzy.

Nino’s head appeared above me. “I think that’s it for now.”

“What about you?”

“Tomorrow,” he murmured and picked me up gently. I nodded groggily against his chest, then my vision turned black.