Luca Vitiello by Cora Reilly

CHAPTER 13

I was blanketed in heat, but my limbs were still too heavy and sore to move. It took me a moment to realize the nature of the heat source: Aria. She was lying on top of me. The low buzz of my phone burst through my sleepy bubble. I jerked upright, my pulse rate spiking and my arm coming around my wife. I fucking hoped that Matteo didn’t have more bad news for me. Yesterday had been enough of a train wreck.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand but, before I could press it to my ear and take the call, I released a harsh breath. My cock was wedged between Aria’s thighs, its length enticingly lined up against her pussy. Her heat seeped through her thin panties, giving me all the ideas I didn’t need. I took the call, staring at my wife who clung to me with surprise-widened eyes.

Aria moved and my tip nudged her ass cheeks. Pleasure shot through me. I groaned, my body tightening.

“You looked like shit last night. An update would have been appreciated,” Matteo muttered. “How bad is it?”

“I’m fine, Matteo,” I said. My wounds were the least of my problems now. Blue balls was the only thing that would kill me.

“You don’t sound it.”

Because Aria is pressing her fucking pussy against my dick. “I’m fucking fine.”

“I could send the Doc to check on you.”

“No. I can handle this. I don’t need to see the Doc. Now let me sleep.”

I ended the call before Matteo could say another word and set the phone back down. Aria peered up at me, tension radiating off her body in waves. Her fingers dug into my shoulders. The nerves in her expression calmed some of my desire, and I laid back down to bring some distance between us and get a grip on my overeager cock.

Aria still straddled me but quickly covered her beautiful tits with her arm, her cheeks starting to fill with pink. She shifted, trying to get off me, and her thigh brushed my cock, sending another shockwave of need through me.

“Fuck,” I hissed. Then I saw Aria’s expression. She was looking down at my dick with wide, curious eyes. It was so fucking obvious that she had never seen a cock. It took all of my self-control not to tangle my fingers in her hair and guide her head down to sink myself into her enticing mouth.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Aria,” I murmured.

Aria quickly looked up, practically squirming from embarrassment. Her blue eyes met mine and I just wanted to kiss her senseless, press her into the mattress and show her how good I could make her feel. I’d desired women before, but it had been a brief burst of interest, a flicker that had been snuffed out as quickly as it had come, but my need for Aria burnt deeper, fiercer. Aria’s gaze dipped down to my chest then slid lower once more.

“If you keep looking at my cock with that stunned expression, I’m going to combust.”

“I’m sorry if my expression bothers you, but this is new for me. I’ve never seen a naked man. Every first I’ll experience will be with you, so…” Aria said defensively.

I wanted to laugh at how oblivious she was to the reality of the situation. She didn’t realize how much I burnt up for her, how fucking hard the thought of being her first made me.

I straightened, bringing our faces close. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s fucking hot, and I’ll enjoy every first you’ll share with me,” I said, dragging my thumb over Aria’s heated cheek. Her eyes flitted up to me and that irresistible mouth tipped up into the small smile that always got me. “You don’t even realize how much you turn me on.”

I kissed her, needing to taste her sweetness. Aria stroked my chest, fueling the desire already burning in my body. I pulled back. “Last night, you asked me if I wanted you to touch me.”

Aria’s lips parted. “Yeah.” She licked her lips, making my insides tight with even more need. “Do you want me to touch you now?”

I wanted everything she was willing to give and more. “Fuck yes. More than anything.” Aria was still covering herself. I grasped her wrist but didn’t pull, wanting her to do this on her own terms. Another first. “Let me see you.”

Insecurity flashed across her face. I didn’t understand how a girl as beautiful as her could be shy about presenting herself. Her body was destined to bring men to their knees, even when she was only mine to see. She finally lowered her hand to her lap. My eyes took her in and my desire burned even hotter.

“I know they’re not big,” Aria said, bringing my attention back to her insecure face.

“You’re fucking beautiful, Aria,” I said, but my mind kept straying to her previous question. “Do you want to touch me now?”

Aria gave a quick nod, licking those irresistible lips, before she brushed her fingertips along my cock. The touch was barely existent, but fuck, it zipped through every muscle in my body, and my chest constricted in a sharp exhale. My gaze lifted to Aria’s face, the way her lips were parted and her eyes shone with fascination. Fuck. No one had ever looked at my dick like that. She was so goddamn innocent, so beautifully mine. Her fingertips touched my tip and I jerked, barely holding back an upwards thrust. Fucking Aria’s hand would have only disturbed her. Her innocence was torture and pleasure combined.

I allowed her to explore me for as long as I could stand it before gritting out, “Take me in your hand.”

Aria’s grip on my dick was as non-existent as her touch had been. She pumped her hand up and down, too gently, too slowly. I reclined on the pillow. Her cheek turned pink under my unwavering attention. Maybe it would have been easier for her if I’d looked away, but I simply couldn’t.

“You can grip harder.”

Aria’s fingers became firmer around my dick but still nowhere as hard as I wanted or needed it. This was sweet torture.

“Harder. It won’t fall off.”

Shame flashed across Aria’s face and she wrenched her hand away, averting her eyes. “I didn’t want to hurt you,” she whispered, sounding ashamed and on the verge of crying. Fuck. I was torn between laughter because she actually thought she could hurt me, and frustration because of my blue balls, but I pushed both down.

Grabbing Aria’s arms, I pulled her on top of me, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Hey,” I murmured, surprised by the calm note of my voice when inside I was close to combusting. “I was teasing you. It’s okay.” I kissed her, my lips stroking hers open, tasting her, forcing her to relax into the kiss, and soon she did. I stroked her body, my hand slowly making its way over the enticing swell of her ass. My fingers dove between her thighs. Aria halted when I traced my fingertips over her crotch. I kept my touch light, reminding myself over and over again that this was new for her. When she relaxed and the fabric of her panties was soaked, I ventured under the material. A growl lodged itself in my throat at the silky feel of Aria. Her blue eyes locked on mine with need and curiosity as I brushed my fingers along her tender flesh up to her clit. Aria released the most torturous moan before she leaned in for another kiss, surprising me when she deepened it on her own while she rocked lightly against my fingers as I stroked her.

I pulled back, my breathing ragged. “Want to try again?”

I kept teasing her nub, knowing it would lower her inhibitions, and I was right. As I brought Aria closer to release, her own hand slid down my body until she finally arrived at my dick. She gripped it harder than before but still too gently. While my fingers kept working Aria’s pussy, I wrapped my other hand around those clutching my dick and squeezed hard. Surprise flickered across Aria’s face at the force of my grip. Then I showed her how to stroke me. I watched her as she watched our hands work my cock. I was already leaking pre-cum like a pubescent boy.

Aria panted, pressing her pussy against my fingers almost desperately, chasing her orgasm as our hands pumped me hard and fast.

Aria’s eyes widened. “Luca.” The exclamation went straight to my dick, which swelled even more. I flicked her clit and she exploded, jutting her butt back, shoving against my hand. The sight sent me over the edge and cum shot out of my dick like a goddamn New Year’s Eve firework. I jerked and groaned as if I’d just had the fuck of my life, when it had only been a hand job. Damn. Aria slumped against my side, staring at the mess I’d made on my stomach. I reluctantly withdrew my fingers from her swollen pussy and stroked her ass.

Aria looked happy as she closed her eyes and rested her cheek against my chest. I pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head. Why? I’d never done this before, never felt the urge to do it. The idea of having someone’s hair all over my face and lips had definitely never called to me.

Annoyed by my own confusion, I reached for a few tissues and cleaned my cum off. I didn’t even remember the last time I hadn’t come in or on a woman. I gave Aria a bunch of tissues and she wiped her hand clean without meeting my gaze. I searched her face as her brows furrowed. She looked as confused as I felt, but I wasn’t sure why.

I stroked her arm, trying to distract her, another goddamn new thing. Why the fuck was I feeling the urge to do all this shit?

Aria jerked into a sitting position. “You’re bleeding.” Her fingers hovered over a cut on my ribs. “Does it hurt?”

I glanced down. I’d completely forgotten about it. My body throbbed with a dull ache, but it was nothing I couldn’t deal with, and this cut served me right for letting the fucker get too close to me. “Not much. It’s nothing. I’m used to it.”

Aria’s brows tugged together as she caressed the skin below the wound. “It needs stitches. What if it gets infected?” Her lashes fluttered as she looked at me. Was she concerned for me?

“Maybe you’ll get lucky and become a young widow.” It was the dream of many wives, and I didn’t kid myself into thinking that Aria had been happy about our union. Being shackled to a man like me was a fate many women would do anything to escape.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “That’s not funny.”

I regarded her, trying to detect deceit in her expression or tone, but I couldn’t find any. She seemed serious. Her reasoning was difficult to grasp. Maybe she feared she’d be married off to the next monster if I died, though she could hardly think there were worse monsters out there than me. But there were monsters who didn’t hide their monstrous side.

I could have taken her worry by telling her that she wouldn’t remarry even if I died. If Matteo was Capo then, he wouldn’t force her, that much was clear. But my father? I wouldn’t put it past him to dispose of Nina and marry Aria himself.

“If it bothers you so much, why don’t you grab the first-aid kit from the bathroom and bring it to me,” I said, breaking my disturbing strand of thoughts.

Aria didn’t hesitate to jump out of bed. “Where is it?”

“In the drawer below the sink.” My gaze followed her beautiful ass and slender waist as she strode into the bathroom. Fuck. I didn’t fear death, but I really loathed the idea of dying before I got the chance to have Aria at least once. And even one time seemed entirely inadequate to sate my desire for my young wife.

Aria returned with the first-aid kid. To my disappointment, she put on her nightgown before she climbed on the bed. She avoided looking anywhere near my half-erect cock.

I ran my thumb over her heated cheek. “Still too shy to look at me after what happened.” I touched her satin nightgown. “I liked you better without it.”

Aria ignored my comment. “What do you want me to do?”

The way the pursed her lips, one thing immediately came to my mind. “Many things.”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the pleased shiver that passed through her body. Aria was getting more comfortable around me. “With your cut.”

“There are disinfectant wipes. Clean my wound, and I’ll prepare the needle.”

Aria wiped my wound clean while I unpacked the needle. The sharp stench of the disinfectant tingled in my nose and the familiar sting of it numbed my wound. “Does it burn?”

“I’m fine. Wipe harder.” Usually Matteo or Cesare took care of my wounds, if I didn’t handle them myself, and they definitely weren’t as careful as Aria.

I stitched myself up under her watchful gaze, wondering what she was thinking. I threw the needle away when I was done.

“We need to cover it,” Aria said, searching the kit for bandages.

I stopped her. “It’ll heal faster if it’s allowed to breathe.”

“Really? Are you sure? What if dirt gets in?”

If I told her often I’d been wounded in the last decade, she would trust my word. “You don’t need to worry. This won’t be the last time I’ll come home injured.”

I opened my arms, not in the mood to get up yet. “Come.”

“Don’t you have to leave?” Aria’s eyes darted to the clock. We hadn’t spent many mornings in bed together so far, but I really wanted to change that.

“Not today. The Bratva is dealt with for the moment. I’ll have to be in one of the Famiglia’s clubs in the afternoon.”

Aria’s answering smile was dazzling and knocked the breath right out of my lungs. She pressed close to me, one arm slung over my stomach, and I held her tightly, stunned by the burst of emotion I felt.

“I didn’t expect you to look so happy,” I admitted, even if I regretted it right after. I needed to be more careful what I let slip. Emotions could be used as a weapon, and even if I didn’t think Aria would do something like that, I should be careful.

“I’m lonely,” Aria whispered. Life at my side would always be a golden cage, and making friends as the future Capo’s wife was as good as impossible. The majority of people would only seek Aria’s closeness because they hoped to gain something from it. Her sisters would probably always remain her only true friends. Maybe Matteo’s obsession with Gianna would be good for something, after all. Aria would have one of her sisters in New York. That would make her happy, even if the annoying redhead would probably bring me nothing but trouble. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell her about Gianna yet, not until things were ready to be announced.

“I have a few cousins you could hang out with. I’m sure they’d enjoy going shopping with you,” I said instead.

“Why does everyone think I want to go shopping?”

“Then do something else. Have a coffee, or go to a spa, or I don’t know.”

“I still have a spa certificate that I got at my bridal shower.”

“See? If you want, I can ask a few of my cousins.”

She shook her head quickly. “I’m not too keen on meeting another one of your cousins after what Cosima did.”

Cosima was one of my least favorite cousins. She was good friends with Grace and both lived for bitching. “What did she do?”

Aria lifted her head, eyes widened in what looked like realization. A fucking bad feeling overcame me.

“She gave me the letter that led me to you and Grace,” Aria whispered, her voice catching. She withdrew from me and hugged her legs to her body, looking small and hurt. The sight, the fucking sight felt like a sucker punch. I pushed upright, bringing us closer, wanting to console her and assure her but, as so often. at a loss at how to do it, especially now when my concern for my wife battled with fury with my cousin in my mind. Following my instinct, I kissed her shoulder. “Cosima gave you a letter that told you to go the apartment?” She wouldn’t have done it by herself. Grace and her had come up with the plan.

I was going to kill the bitch.

Aria shivered, and I touched her waist, sliding my thumb along her soft skin. “And a key. It’s still in my bag,” she said quietly.

“That fucking bitch.” Grace was pissed about my marriage with Aria. The brainless twit had probably hoped to become the next Mrs. Vitiello. As if I’d ever marry an outsider, especially one of the fucking thrill-seekers who’d always only be with me to be in the spotlight and add a kick to their pathetic lives. A woman like that would never understand what it meant to be bound to the mafia, what kind of sacrifices were required to be part of our world. Sacrifices were a foreign concept to a creature like Grace.

“Who?” Aria asked.

“Both of them. Grace and Cosima. They’re friends. Grace must have put her up to this. That cunt.”

Aria jerked away from my anger, eyes wide and shocked. Fuck. I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. My nose in her hair, I breathed in her scent. At once, my anger dimmed. Aria wasn’t supposed to witness my brutal, vengeful side.

Aria softened in my hold. “Grace wanted to humiliate me. She looked really happy when I found you.”

“I bet,” I muttered. Grace and Cosima had probably met right after the incident and laughed their fucking heads off. They wouldn’t laugh for much longer. “She’s a fucking rat trying to humiliate a queen. She’s nothing.”

Aria was a queen, and nobody would treat her as anything less than that.

“How did she react when you told her that you couldn’t see her anymore?” Aria asked curiously.

I hadn’t seen or talked to Grace since our last fuck, and I had no intention of doing so. I’d never even considered telling her that we were over. Why? We’d never been a couple or even an affair. I’d messaged her when I’d wanted to fuck, and she’d always come running. We hadn’t gone on dates or even been exclusive. Far from it.

“You promised you wouldn’t see her or other women again,” Aria whispered, and I realized my fucking mistake. She tried to escape my embrace, body trembling, but I didn’t allow her to pull away.

“I did, and I won’t. But I didn’t talk to Grace. Why should I? I don’t owe her an explanation, just like I don’t owe a fucking explanation to the other sluts I fucked.” Aria was stiff in my hold, not believing me. I tilted her face up so she had no choice but to meet my gaze. She needed to get my next words into her head. “You are the only one I want. I’ll keep my promise, Aria.” It was the goddamn truth. I desired Aria like I’d never desired a woman—in the obvious way, but also in a deeper way that didn’t even make sense to me.

Aria searched my eyes. “So you won’t see her again.”

“Oh, I will see her again to tell her what I think about her little stunt.” I’d probably end up killing her. I’d never been more furious in my life. Grace tried to mess with my marriage, and I knew she wasn’t done yet—if I didn’t put a stop to it once and for all.

Aria touched my arm. “Don’t.”

I stared at her incredulously. I thought she wanted me to end it verbally.

“I don’t want you to talk to her again. Let’s just forget her.”

Forget how Grace had not only tricked me but also tried to humiliate my wife? “Please,” Aria begged, her fingers digging into my biceps.

Fuck. How was I supposed to deny her when she looked at me like that? Begging didn’t work with me, but Aria…

I nodded, even if I knew I couldn’t do nothing. I’d keep my word and not contact Grace, but I sure as hell wouldn’t forget what happened. Next time I saw her father to give him money for his campaign, I’d tell him exactly what was on my mind. He knew that Grace was good for nothing. “I don’t like it, but if that’s what you want…”

“It is,” she said quickly. “Let’s not even talk about her anymore. Pretend she doesn’t exist.” Aria gave me a small smile. I touched her parted lips, loving their softness.

“Your lips are too fucking kissable.”

Aria averted her eyes in embarrassment. Shy and sweet. That men like Fiore Cavallaro and my father had chosen this kind of woman for me was a miracle, but one I was definitely grateful for.

“There’s something I wanted to talk to you about,” she mumbled.

“More bad news?” I asked carefully. The Grace thing was already souring my morning.

Aria shrugged. “Well, I guess that depends on your viewpoint. I want Gianna to visit me. Her school doesn’t begin for another two weeks, and I miss her.”

I stifled a groan. “It’s been only a few days since you saw her.”

“I know.” Aria’s expression became pleading once more, and I knew I was screwed. If Matteo found out that Gianna was coming to visit, he’d be ecstatic.

“Where would she stay?”

I immediately knew what she was up to.

“I don’t know. Maybe in our guest room?” She bit her lower lip with that smile, her eyes so fucking hopeful that I knew there was no way I could say no to her, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Your sister is a major pain in the ass,” I muttered.

Aria leaned closer, her expression pleading.

My eyes dipped down her nightgown to her beautiful tits. “How about a deal?”

Aria’s smile fell, anxiety taking over. “A deal?”

She sounded as if I was going to force her to let me fuck her. I wanted nothing more than finally being with her, claiming her, but not if she was so fucking terrified. “Don’t look so nervous. I’m not going to ask you to sleep with me so you can see your sister. I’m not that big of an asshole.”

“No?” Aria grinned, her entire face transforming, and I just couldn’t resist. I kissed her hard, needing to taste those lips.

“No. But I’d like to explore your body,” I said, my hand trailing over her waist and hip, imagining how it would be to taste her beautiful tits and pussy, to bury myself between her legs. Fuck, I was getting hard again.

“What do you mean?” Aria asked, her voice low.

“Tonight, I’ll try to be home early from the meeting at the club, and I want us to soak in the Jacuzzi for a bit, and then I want you to lie back and let me touch you and kiss you wherever I want.” I ran the tip of my tongue along her ear, showing her what I’d do to her lovely pussy. “You’ll love it.”

Aria exhaled, her body tensing under my touch. Her eyes reflected her conflict, torn between curiosity and anxiety.

I slid my hand between her thighs, putting pressure against her clit. Aria’s resulting moan and the twitch of her hips made me smile. Her mind was anxious, but her body definitely wasn’t. Her panties were wet with her need for more. She was so wonderfully responsive. The idea of how slick she’d be around my cock almost drove me to insanity.

“You like this, Aria. I know you do. Admit it.” There really was no doubt about it. Her body sent a clear message, and the soaked lace was all the answer I needed. I pressed the heel of my palm against her clit again, earning another gasp.

Aria’s face was flushed, her eyes hooded. “Yes.” Watching her, I rubbed my palm over her slowly, enjoying her amazed pants. “Don’t stop.”

“I won’t,” I rasped against her throat. I wouldn’t stop at all if she allowed it. I wished she’d allow herself to turn off her brain and let her body take over control. “So, will you let me have my way with you tonight? I won’t do anything you don’t want.”

“Yes.”

I kissed and nibbled her throat as I stroked her pussy through her panties, faster and harder, matching the rhythm of her desperate rocking. She arched and cried out as she came under my touch.

I regarded her closed eyes, parted lips, pink-tinged cheeks. Breathtakingly gorgeous.

I left another lingering kiss on the tip of her chin before I met her gaze. It was obvious that Aria’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts again, worrying, wondering.

She pressed her head against my shoulder, gripping my biceps.

“So, can I call Gianna and tell her to buy plane tickets?” she whispered against my skin.

Back to business, the little minx. “Sure, but remember our deal.” The buzzing of my phone ruined the moment again, and any chance of me getting another hand job or, better yet, a blowjob. I didn’t even look at the screen before growling, “For fuck’s sake, Matteo, what now?”

“We got another message from the Russians,” he said. “They left pig heads in front of Ferris’ best restaurant.”

I shoved down the string of curses lingering on the tip of my tongue. Business wasn’t something we should discuss in detail over the phone. I gently untangled myself from Aria and stood. “We’ve got his back. I won’t let another fucking restaurant go to the Russians.”

“Father wants us to have a word with him.”

“Yeah,” I gritted out. I’d assumed that much. Ferris’ restaurant chain paid a shitload of money for our protection. We definitely didn’t want to lose him to the Russians because their threats got to him.

“ASAP,” Matteo added.

“Yeah. I’ll be ready in thirty minutes.”

So much for enjoying a nice, calm morning with my wife. I dropped my cell on the nightstand. At least my annoyance over the Bratva had gotten rid of my boner.

“I have to talk to the owner of a restaurant chain,” I told Aria.

She was propped up on her elbows, her hair spread out behind her. There were a million things I’d rather do than convince Ferris that being on our bad side was worse than having the Bratva as his enemy.

Aria’s face fell. “Okay.” She looked honestly sad about my leaving. The realization gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

I moved back to her and bent over her. “Call your sister and tell her she can come. And I’ll be back in time for dinner, okay? I have a few take-out menus in the kitchen. Order whatever you want.” I kissed her, realizing with a start that I, too, was disappointed about not getting the chance to spend more time with her. I enjoyed being around Aria, and not only because I couldn’t keep my hands off her. “Let Romero take you to a museum or something like that.”

Aria nodded. I kissed her again then headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. When I emerged, Aria was typing on her phone with a small smile, probably telling the bitchy redhead that she was allowed to visit. Seeing Aria’s happiness, I couldn’t even be pissed over having to endure Gianna for a few days.

Pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, I mumbled, “Can’t wait for tonight.”

“Be careful,” Aria whispered.

I pulled away, then turned and left, feeling slightly stunned by her words. Nobody had ever said something like that to me.

Matteo waited for me in the underground garage and we took my car to Ferris’ place. He was a sleek business type who owned close to thirty restaurants in New York and New Jersey. The Russians were trying to convince him to switch to them. That wasn’t going to happen.

“You look better than I thought after last night,” Matteo commented, scanning me.

“I’ve had worse.”

“Did Aria help you recover?” His lips pulled into a suggestive grin.

“Do you have the video of me torturing that Bratva bastard on your phone?”

“So no sharing naughty details?”

“Matteo,” I growled.

“Of course. It was one of your brightest hours, torture-wise. All that pent-up sexual frustration is good for something, after all. If I wasn’t already such a master torturer, I’d consider a few celibate days.”

I rolled my eyes.

When we pulled up in front of the restaurant in Brooklyn, I spotted Ferris pacing the boardwalk, speaking into his phone. We got out and headed for him. His agitated expression turned to anger when he saw us. A few of his employees were scrubbing the once white front, trying to get rid of the blood splatters. The pig heads were already gone. “I have a business to run and a reputation to uphold. This is unacceptable. If you don’t put a stop to it, I’ll have to consider a new cooperation.”

Cooperation? Did he think we were some kind of business venture he could decide to work with? I smiled coldly. “Why don’t we head inside to discuss this away from the public eye. You don’t want to attract the wrong attention,” I said in forced calm.

He scowled and moved into his restaurant, actually believing me. Fucking idiot.

Matteo and I stalked inside after him. The moment we reached his office, my pleasant mask slipped right off.

I grabbed him by the collar and raised him up, shoving him against the door.

“Have you lost your mind? I’ll call…”

“Call the police?” I finished in a deadly murmur. “We pay more than half of them. We pay the people who matter in this city, too. And let’s not forget the things you don’t want to get out in the open, Ferris. Like the pretty little bellboy you’re banging behind your wife’s back.”

I set him down slowly and waved Matteo forward.

“Now listen up, Ferris, and listen well, because I’ll say this exactly once. Our cooperation ends when we end it, not one fucking day sooner, and if it ends, trust me, you won’t like it.”

Matteo held his cell in front of Ferris’ face, then played the video of me slicing the Russian into tiny pieces. His screams blared from the speakers. Ferris squirmed, trying to get away. When I didn’t let him, he closed his eyes.

“Either you open your eyes or I’ll remove your fucking eyelids.”

His eyes flew open and his face began to perspire as he watched the video. He retched and I quickly shoved him away from me so he threw up on his shoes and not mine.

Matteo flashed me his shark grin and put his cell back into his back pocket.

“We’ll handle the Russians,” I said. “You only need to worry about paying us in time.”

Matteo clapped the man’s back hard. “Good talking to you.”

We left.

“Why do they always throw up?” Matteo asked as we headed for my car.

“I need to pay Cosima a visit,” I said.

Matteo sent me a curious look. I’d never talked to Cosimo by choice. “I have a feeling it’s got something to do with your Grace debacle.”

“It does. She told Aria where to find me.”

Matteo whistled. “Bitch.” He regarded closely me as we settled in the car. “But Aria forgave you?”

I frowned. I’d avoided talking to him about this topic. “She doesn’t really have a choice. This marriage binds us both.” It was the half-truth, but I wasn’t willing to discuss Aria in detail, especially not my feelings or hers. I wasn’t sure if she’d forgiven me, and she probably shouldn’t, but Aria wanted this marriage to work, and I was grateful for it.

We pulled up in front of Cosima and Giovanni’s house. She’d been married to him for four years now. His father was one of our Captains.

“Want me to come along?”

I shook my head. “I’ll handle this alone. It won’t take long.”

I walked up to the townhouse and rang the bell. A maid opened the door, her eyes widening in alarm upon spotting me. “The master isn’t home.”

“I need to see his wife,” I said, stepping forward, forcing her to open the door wider and allowing me entry.

“Who is it? I told you not to let anyone in, you useless cow!” Cosima screamed, appearing in the hallway. She froze. She was still in her bathrobe. “Giovanni is not here,” she said quickly.

I closed the entrance door, meeting her gaze. “I’m not here for him.” I turned to the maid. “Leave us alone.”

She quickly hurried off. Cosima crossed her arms in front of her chest, but worry shone in her dark eyes. “You can’t be alone with me. It’s not proper.”

I gave her a cold smile and advanced on her. “I know you sent my wife to my fuck date with Grace.”

Cosima’s expression slipped for a moment, then she quickly masked it with feigned shock. “I didn’t do anything. How can you accuse me of something like that?”

“Do not lie to me,” I growled, and she backed away but bumped into the wall.

“I’ll call Giovanni,” she said, reaching for her phone in the pocket of her robe before she raised it.

I grabbed her arm. “This is between you and me.”

With her free hand, she clutched her robe closed, lowering her eyes. “Giovanni and my father won’t be happy if you dishonor me.”

I released her as if I’d been burnt. “Fuck, Cosima, I’m not going to touch you like that.”

“Everyone knows the stories of your father. Don’t pretend you’re not like him. Even he didn’t crush a family member’s throat.”

I leaned down, scowling. “I can promise you I’ll crush your throat before ever fucking you.”

I nodded toward her phone. “Call Giovanni. Then I can have a word with him as well. He should keep a closer eye on you.”

She didn’t call him. Instead, she looked up at me with badly played guilt. “It wasn’t my idea. Grace came up with the plan. She wanted to win you back and destroy your marriage.”

I laughed darkly. “My wife is my possession, Cosima. You know that as well as I do. This marriage will last until the bitter end.” Nobody would ever find out how desperate I’d been when Aria had run off. “The only thing your insane plan did was make me furious, and trust me when I tell you that it’s never a good thing to be on my bad side, dear cousin. So the next time Grace asks you for a favor, you’ll say no, or your husband won’t become Captain.”

She paled. Cosima was ambitious. She’d dreamed of marrying an Underboss, but she hadn’t been graced with the beauty required to lure a man in that position. If Giovanni remained a mere soldier, that would be a humiliation she wouldn’t survive.

I left her standing there. She’d think twice before going against me again.