Santino (Mafia Heat Book 4) Read online

  “Not like them? I don’t know how I would choose.” She gazed at the dresses, totally mesmerized by what she saw. “This was so thoughtful of you.”

  “I thought you might like something new. You can keep all three. I’m sure we’ll have other functions to attend.”

  “I couldn’t.” She shook her head. “One is plenty.”

  “Don’t you know I can give you anything you want?” I lifted her up and spun her in a slow circle. “I want to give you anything you want.”

  “I’m extremely content with having you.”

  “Well, in that case.” I placed her on the bed, pushing her back. When she propped herself up on her forearms, I slipped off her boots and socks. “I was going to order dinner but that might have to wait.” I slid my hands up her legs and to the top of her leggings. “Unless, you’re too hungry.”

  “I’m hungry.” She raised her hips, helping me get her out of her pants. “But not for food.”

  “I love your appetite.” I kissed my way up her legs, licking and nipping at her inner thighs. “Let’s get this off too.” I tugged at the hem of her sweater until she raised her arms and let me tug it over her head. I leaned back to take in the sight of her in nothing but a tiny pair of black panties and matching bra. “You’re gorgeous.”

  “What about you?” She got up on her knees as I slipped off the bed to remove my shoes and socks. “I want to see that perfect body of yours.”

  She ran her hands along my shirt, sliding it over my abs and above my head. As I removed it, she kissed my chest and shoulders, reaching for my belt.

  “One second.” I took my gun out of the back of my pants and set it on the nightstand. When I came back to meet her, she was still staring at the gun. “Hey.” I took her chin between my fingers and returned her focus to me. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s a gun.” Her lip trembled. “Why do you need it?”

  “It’s for protection.” I pushed her bra strap down her shoulder, caressing her soft skin.

  “What kind of protection does a lawyer need?”

  “Do you really want to discuss this now?” I unhooked her bra and let it fall on the bed. “I can think of other things I’d like to do.”

  “I worry about you.”

  “That’s sweet but there’s nothing for you to worry about.” I took my pants off, pulling my wallet out of the pocket to get a condom. Nudging my boxers down my legs and stepping out of them, I sheathed myself in the latex. “I want you.” I spread her legs and moved on top of her, driving my fingers inside her.

  “Ahh...” She quivered against me. “You’re trying to distract me.”

  “It’s working.” I kissed her breasts, concentrating on her nipples. “Tell me what you want.”

  “You.” She hitched her leg over my hip, causing my fingers to propel deeper inside her. “Please.”

  “Don’t you want to come first?” The more I moved my hand, the slicker she became. I thought I’d lose it thinking about how wet she was.

  Her body tensed underneath me as she thrashed against my fingers. I took her nipple between my teeth and bit down, causing her undoing. Before she had time to recover, I withdrew my fingers and slammed inside her.

  Her eyes widened in shock as I covered my mouth with hers, thrusting as deep as her body would allow. Gripping the back of her thighs, I raised her legs, spreading them apart and opening her for me. She scratched at my back as I pounded into her. Faster, harder, in and out. Over and over again until we were gasping for air and close to the edge.

  “I don’t want it to end.” She placed her palm on my cheek. “Slow down.”

  “Like this?” I supported myself with my hand pushed into the mattress as I pulled all the way out and slowly reentered her, letting her feel every inch of me.

  “Yes.” Her voice was low, breathless. “Like that.”

  “Nothing has to end.” I kissed her long and leisurely as I continued my steady tempo inside her. “Ever.”

  She gripped my shoulders as I gazed into her eyes. At that moment, I knew there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this woman. The restlessness seemed to disappear when we were together. The constant stress and anxiety over my family’s dealings weren’t front and center when I was with her. For the first time in my life, I had another purpose. Her.

  “Santino...” My name tumbled from her lips. “I...”

  “I know, baby.” I leaned down and kissed her, muffling her low, lustful moans.

  With a few thrusts of my pelvis, we both spiraled into a mutual ecstasy. My head spun and my heart beat hard inside my chest as I collapsed on top of her. She rubbed my back in long, slow strokes. I buried my head in the crook of her neck, breathing in her vanilla scent. A calmness came over me like I had never experienced.

  After a while, I spoke. “I like the silver one.”

  “Huh?”

  “The dress.” I lifted my head so I could see her face. “I like the silver one. You’ll look like a goddess in it.”

  “Then that’s the one I want to wear.”

  Chapter Nine

  I don’t want to lose you...

  Luca

  I entered the bar knowing I shouldn’t. Santino wouldn’t like it. I wasn’t even sure what I was doing here. I was drawn to it. Drawn to the seedy, dark, dangerous atmosphere. As I looked around the scarce area, I didn’t recognize anyone. It seemed different. It was quieter than usual, less crowded than I remembered.

  Standing in the doorway, something told me to turn around and go but I didn’t listen. I willed my feet to move forward. The pretty bartender, the one they said sells herself for sex, smiled at me. I couldn’t remember her name.

  “They’re waiting for you,” she said.

  “Who?” No one knew I was here.

  “Bobby Loco.” She frowned when she said his name. “They’re in the back.”

  “They?”

  “Bobby’s crew and...”

  “And who?” The anxiety rose in my stomach.

  “That handsome guy who you’re always with. The one in the fancy suit and expensive shoes.”

  “Santino is here?” Sweat trickled down my back and the voice in my head grew louder. Run! Again, I didn’t listen. Before I realized what was happening, I stood in the doorway of a back room. I’d never been here before but it was all so very familiar.

  Bobby was yelling but I couldn’t make out the words. It was like he was on mute but I knew he was being loud. I shook my head, trying to stop the confusion in my mind. What was wrong with me? His men were surrounded around a chair. I could see someone sitting but I couldn’t make out who it was.

  What am I doing here?

  Bobby continued to yell. The men laughed when he hit the person in the chair. I swear I could feel the sting of his hand on my cheek when he connected with the faceless person. I couldn’t push back the fear but I continued to move forward into the room, trying to get a better look. No one looked at me. Could they even see me?

  Where is Santino?

  When Bobby brandished his gun, I stopped in my tracks. I couldn’t turn away. He leaned down and spoke to the person, a man judging from his shoes, in the chair. I couldn’t hear what he said but it must not have been good, considering the man in the chair spat in Bobby’s face.

  Bobby’s smug face became etched in my head as he pointed his gun in the man’s direction. I screamed, “No!” When Bobby pulled the trigger, I heard the man grunt and then he slumped forward.

  “No!” I shouted again but no one realized I was there. They couldn’t hear me but how could that be?

  Bobby kicked the man who was now laying on the floor. When Bobby’s crew, who had been blocking my view, moved out of the way, I dropped to my knees and crawled to the injured man. The blood had pooled around him by the time I reached him. He was on his stomach. With shaky hands, I rolled him over and gasped, covering my mouth.

  “Santino!” I cried out. “No!”

  I shot up in a seated position, sweating and gasping
for air. I couldn’t get a full breath as a chill coursed through me. No, no, no! Not Santino.

  “Luca.” Santino sat up and rubbed my back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Santino.” I hugged him. “You’re okay.”

  “I’m fine.” He held me close. “You’re shaking.”

  “I thought, I mean, you were...” I closed my eyes and tried to think rationally. “It was a dream.” I crawled into his lap, straddling him. “Bobby shot you.”

  “No, I’m right here.” He held me tighter. “It was a dream.”

  “It was so real.” I kissed him, running my fingers along his cheek. “I could feel the life leave you. I was helpless.”

  “Shh...” He trailed his hands along my sides. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Promise?” That wasn’t a fair thing to ask. No one could promise they would never leave least of all a mob prince. “I need... we have to...” I raised my hips, sliding myself onto him, wrapping my legs around his waist. “I need to feel you.”

  “Baby, wait.” He tried to push me off. “I need to get a ...oh, fuck!” He moaned when I pushed down on his cock.

  “I’m on the pill.”

  “Nice.” He grinned against my mouth. “Now I can really feel you.” He raised his hips, meeting my downward thrusts. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

  I covered his mouth, kissing him feverishly as I moved my pelvis back and forth. He gripped my hips, lifting me up and down, as he looked between us. My breasts bounced in front of his face as I rode him faster and harder. Our breaths filled the air as our mouths collided in a sloppy attempted kiss. There was nothing coordinated about this encounter. It was a raw need on both our parts. A desire to be connected in a way that would only serve to bring us closer.

  “Luca, baby, it feels so good.”

  “Ahh...” I screamed out my climax, resting my head on his shoulder as he slowly moved inside me.

  “God...” On one last moan, his warmth shot into me, releasing all of my stress over that stupid dream.

  I held onto him, never wanting to let go. I’d fallen for him in ways I never could have imagined.

  “You need to have nightmares more often.” He laughed into my hair. “They make you wild.”

  “I don’t want to lose you.”

  “It was only a dream.” He laid back on the bed, positioning me on his chest. “I’m sorry my gun scared you.”

  “I’ve never seen a gun before,” I admitted. “It must have influenced my dream.”

  “I don’t run around shooting people in the street if that’s what you’re thinking.” He kissed the top of my head. “I really am an attorney.”

  I draped my leg over his hip and hesitantly asked, “Why do you need the gun?”

  “I feel safer with it.” He clasped our fingers together. “My father has always kept us safe. Dominick and Gianni keep us safe but there will be times when they might need back up.”

  “You want to be their back up?”

  “I want to protect my family.” His muscles tensed. “If anything were to happen to any of them and I could have prevented it, could I live with myself knowing I didn’t do everything I could have?”

  “Are there that many threats to your lives?” Why was I asking this question? Did I want to know? “I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about this.”

  “We can talk about anything you want. I don’t want to keep things from you. As long as you understand I might not always be able to share everything about my father with you. Like I said before, there are some questions better left unanswered.”

  “I don’t need to know everything but will you tell me if there is a threat? Will you tell me if you’re in danger?”

  “I’m not in danger.” He held me tighter. “Now that I’ve found you, I’m going to do everything I can to stay out of trouble. I don’t want to miss a single day with you.”

  SANTINO

  Draping my tuxedo jacket over my arm, I locked my front door and then headed to the main house. Weather wise, the day couldn’t have been more perfect for Hayden and Sal’s reception. The guests would be arriving soon but my father wanted the immediate family in his study for a quick toast.

  As I came into the back entrance of the main house, the kitchen staff were scurrying around trying to make sure everything was in order. My mother’s standards were high and no one wanted to disappoint her, especially not on Sal’s special day.

  I headed down the foyer through a sea of staff and caterers, searching for the one woman I hadn’t seen since she left my bed this morning. My sister-in-laws’ had whisked her away for a morning of hair, makeup, nails, and pampering. I was glad they had included Luca.

  Between work and personal time, Luca and I had been spending plenty together. We were doing things as a couple. Seeing shows, going to dinner, the movie theater, bowling, and somehow, she managed to get me to go on a haunted hayride on Halloween. She wanted to go ice skating in a few weeks and she’d found several tree lighting ceremonies in December. She had turned me into the ideal boyfriend. I wasn’t complaining. It was a nice change of pace.

  When I turned the corner, I almost lost my breath. Luca stood in front of the large mirror at the end of the hall, fidgeting with her curls, pressing her lips together, and looking over her dress.

  “You look stunning.” I came up from behind her, staring at her reflection in the mirror. “The silver dress was the way to go.”

  “You sure it isn’t too much? My boobs are on display.”

  “Your boobs should always be on display.”

  “My hair and makeup? I mean, I feel like a movie star but it doesn’t look like me.”

  “Who does it look like?”

  “I’m not used to being so glamorous. I have fake eyelashes on.”

  “You should own it, sweetheart. Not that you aren’t gorgeous on a daily basis but you are a freaking goddess today.”

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She turned to face me. “You certainly know how to wear a tuxedo.”

  “Years of practice. We dress well around here.”

  “I’ve noticed.” She reached into her small clutch and handed me her phone. “Let’s take a selfie for my mom.”

  “A selfie? I’ll have the photographer take a professional shot of us. One of you by yourself too.”

  “Okay but first I want a selfie so I can remember this moment.” She put her arm around me and held up her phone. “Say cheese.”

  “No.” I laughed as she snapped the picture.

  “Give me that.” Gianni came down the hall and held out his hand. “I’ll take a proper picture of the two of you.” He kissed Luca’s cheek. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” She blushed and if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought she had a little crush on him. I couldn’t blame her. All the women did.

  “Santino, you’re a lucky man,” Gianni said as he took photos of us. “I hope you don’t screw this up.”

  “I won’t.” I kissed Luca as my brother snapped the last picture. “I’d be a fool.”

  “Everyone is already in Dad’s study.” Gianni headed down the hallway. “You coming?”

  “We’ll be right there.” I took Luca’s hand. “Gianni’s right.”

  “About what?” She inched close to me as we followed him to the study.

  “I’m a very lucky man.”

  “I didn’t do so bad myself.”

  When we reached the end of the hall, the double doors to the study were open and we could hear laughter from my siblings and champagne being popped. Luca stopped, her body tensing before we could enter.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Are you sure you want me to come in here with you?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I heard your mom say that your dad wanted to see the family before the guests arrived. I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You’re not intruding. I wouldn’t want you to be anywhere else.” I gently kissed her. “You belon
g by my side. I’m certain of that.”

  “Oh, good,” my father said when we entered the room. “We’re all here.”

  Vincenzo handed Luca and I a flute of champagne. “You look lovely,” he said to her.

  “I wanted to start off by saying how amazing everyone looks.” He gazed around the room. “There’s a lot of beautiful people in this family.”

  “I’m beautiful, Grandpa!” Gia shouted out.

  We all laughed as my father responded, “The most beautiful, Gia Bella.”

  Dominick shook his head and took Gia’s hand. “I think I’m going to have my hands full with this one.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Gianni said. “How did we end up with the girls?”

  “It serves you right.” My mom winked. “Now you’ll have to make sure they find men who were raised right by their mother.”

  “Jenny,” my dad continued. “I wanted to say thank you for doing such a fantastic job putting this party together. Our guests are in for a real treat. I know I give you a hard time but you know how to throw a party.”

  “Yes, Mom,” Sal said. “Hayden and I are so appreciative.”

  “We’ve been blessed to have so many wonderful things happen to this family.” My father raised his glass. “Today, I’d like to officially add the addition of Hayden to the Marchelli clan. You make my son very happy, as do all of the exquisite, strong, talented, and stunning women my sons have chosen to stand beside them.”

  “I have to agree,” Gianni said. “We all did a bang-up job.” When he kissed Angelique and whispered in her ear, she giggled.

  “You see.” I held my glass to Luca’s. “There is no one else I’d rather have here with me today.”

  “Congratulations to the bride and groom.” My father raised his glass again. “Salute.”

  We all repeated after him and then each of us hugged and kissed Salvatore and Hayden.

  “You make my brother extremely happy,” I said to Hayden. “Welcome to la famiglia.”

  “I’m so proud to be part of your family.” Hayden held Sal’s hand. “I’m blessed to be his wife.”