by Reilly, Cora
“You shouldn’t touch someone without their explicit permission or they might try to defend themselves,” I said, because obviously I didn’t know when to shut up.
“I don’t ask permission for anything,” Remo said sharply.
Despite my hands trembling, I pressed my palms against Remo’s chest and pushed. He didn’t budge, cocking one dark eyebrow. I held his gaze, and he took a deliberate step back, finally letting me free. My eyes darted down to his hands, curled to white-knuckled fists at his side then back up to his face. I shivered at the harshness of his expression and without thinking about it, I looked away and walked toward the window, bringing space between us.
He followed and his breath fanned over my ear as he leaned down. “I’d better leave now. Tonight isn’t a good time to be around you. Goodnight, Angel.”
His fingers brushed my hair away, and he pressed a kiss to the side of my neck, the tender spot between my shoulder and throat, making me jump in surprise. I clapped a hand over the spot, stunned by the tingling.
The door closed with a soft click then the lock turned. I shuddered out a breath and braced myself against the windowsill. Would Remo allow me to talk to Sam now? I should have asked, but I had been too overwhelmed by Remo’s presence.
This game was getting dangerous in more than one sense. The only question was who would lose control of it first?
REMO
I stayed in front of Serafina’s door, fingers clutching the handle in a death grip. I had half a mind to walk back in and see how much else I could coerce from Serafina with her brother, but I resisted the urge. Taking a deep breath, I leaned my forehead against the wood. That was how Nino found me.
I saw his legs out of the corner of my eye, and even without looking up, I could imagine the analyzing expression he was giving me. “How did things go with Adamo and Harper?”
I straightened and as predicted, Nino was regarding me with that quiet scrutiny that drove me up the wall. “Dante called. He wants another word with you. He seems to be losing his patience,” he said.
“He won’t risk an attack, not if it means I could kill Serafina.”
Nino inclined his head. “Still ... we should start making demands.”
“Maybe you’re right. Think of some ridiculous demand he won’t possibly agree to; I’m not done playing yet. Ask him for Indianapolis or Minneapolis. I don’t care.”
A muscle in Nino’s jaw tightened, a clear sign of his annoyance with me. “Alright. I’ll send him a message.”
“Tell him that I’m allowing Serafina a video chat with her brother tomorrow. He better be ready at eight a.m.”
“You’re cutting it close. Adamo’s initiation starts at eleven.”
“Enough time,” I said then frowned. “You didn’t tell me what happened with Harper.”
“As expected, she used Adamo to supply her with drugs. The moment he told her he couldn’t give her anything, she dropped him and admitted to fucking around with that other guy. Adamo is crushed. He takes these things too personal.”
“Is he angry?”
“Angry at Mason, not at the girl.”
I smiled. “That’s enough. We still need someone Adamo can deal with tomorrow. Tell Fabiano I want him to bring Mason to the initiation.”
Nino looked thoughtful. “Maybe it’ll work. Jealousy and a broken heart are good motivators for brutal acts.”
“Where is he?”
“Outside, smoking. I allowed him one cigarette.”
“I’ll go talk to him.”
“I’m not sure he’s the best dialogue partner at the moment.”
“Nor am I.”
“That’s the problem,” Nino said with a twisted smile.
“Go fuck your wife and stop pissing me off.”
“You haven’t been to the Sugar Trap since you brought Serafina here.”
I sighed. “Maybe I’m not in the mood for whore pussy. I’m taking a few celibate days.”
“You haven’t done that since you started fucking.”
“Stop analyzing everything, Nino,” I growled and stalked off before I punched him.
I found Adamo on a lounge chair beside the pool, scowling into the dark, the cigarette dangling from his mouth giving his face an eerie glow. He didn’t look up when I sank down beside him.
He took a deep drag of his cigarette, and it took every ounce of my almost non-existent control to not rip the fucking thing out of his mouth.
“I hate it,” he muttered.
“Hate what?”
“Hate that with our last name people always want something from us.”
“You shouldn’t have tried to make friends by giving them drugs,” I said. “We’re not Santa Claus. We’re selling the shit, not handing it out for free, and we never fucking take the shit ourselves.”
“When will people ever like me for myself and not for what I can give them? They only see my name. That’s all they care about.”
“You’ve got people who care about you,” I said roughly.
Adamo glanced at me.
“You’ve cost me millions so far with the cars you crashed and the drugs you let disappear. What would I do to anyone who stole something from me?”
“You’d torture and kill them,” Adamo said quietly.
“I would and have.” I paused. “But here you are, safe and sound, and you know you will remain that way until the day I take my last fucking breath.”
Adamo lowered his head.
“Tomorrow you’re going to swear loyalty to the Camorra. You will take the oath and the tattoo,” I ordered.
“I don’t give a fuck about the Camorra,” Adamo whispered, and my anger rose, but then he spoke up again. “But I will swear loyalty to you because even if I hate what you, Nino, and Savio do, you are my family.”
I straightened up then looked down at my brother for another moment. “Don’t waste your energy on another thought of that girl. She’s worthless. There are many more girls out there. She used you. Maybe now you’ll start using them as well.”
Adamo frowned. “I can’t help how I feel.” He swallowed audibly. “She’s been fucking him the entire time.”
“So what? You fucked her. He fucked her. You move on.”
“I didn’t,” he said quietly. “We didn’t get that far.”
“Please tell me she at least gave you head,” I muttered.
Embarrassment flashed across Adamo’s face. I sank back down.
“Can I ask you a question?” he said quietly.
I had a feeling this was turning into the sex talk I’d avoided with Savio by throwing him a freebie with two whores; he gladly accepted.
“How long does it take to get control?”
“Control?” I echoed. I didn’t bother controlling myself during sex, but I had a feeling Adamo didn’t mean that kind of control.
Adamo tossed his cigarette to the ground. “To hold back, you know? I kind of ... you know ...”
“Shot your cum the second she put her mouth on you,” I provided.
Adamo grimaced and looked away. “Yeah.”
I chuckled.
Adamo scowled. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m not,” I said. “You’ve never been with a girl, so it’s pretty normal.”
“Did it happen to you too?”
“No, but I fucked out of anger. That gave me better control.”
“I bet Mason and Harper had a good laugh behind my back,” he said miserably, then added in a low voice, “I want to kill him. Mason.”
“I know.”
Adamo’s eyes widened. “You’re going to make me kill him tomorrow.”
“You will have to kill someone in front of our soldiers. It’s either him or someone you don’t hate. Mason is a dead man either way. He can die by your hand or Fabiano’s.”
I regarded my brother. He was biting his lip, staring down at the pool. “I’ll do it.” I touched his shoulder, and for once he didn’t try to shake me off.
CHAPT
ER 10
SERAFINA
I was still in bed when the lock turned and didn’t have time to sit up before Remo stepped inside the room.
Feeling vulnerable lying in the bed, I pushed into a sitting position. Remo regarded me with an intent expression. I was only in a chemise and shorts and was acutely aware of how little the fabric covered. Swallowing my nerves, I got out of bed, not wanting to show weakness. Remo’s eyes followed my every move, lingering on my breasts. My body betrayed me as my nipples hardened in the cool air.
“I’m fairly sure God designed your body to drive men into insanity,” Remo said darkly.
Stifling the excited thrill Remo’s words sent through me, I retorted, “You believe in God?”
“No. I don’t. But looking at you, I could turn into a believer.”
I huffed. “There’s a cozy warm place in Hell reserved just for you.”
“I’ve burned before.”
I slanted him a look. He’d said the same words before, and I wondered what exactly he meant by it.
“You have a video call with your brother in five minutes, so you better hurry.”
I didn’t have a bathrobe to pull over my clothes, so I reached for a dress but Remo shook his head. “Stay as you are.” He grabbed my arm then paused, dark eyes roaming over me.
“I thought we were in a hurry?”
“You are. I’m not. I don’t give a fuck if you talk to your brother or not.” Despite his words, he led me out of the room, through the hallway and downstairs.
“Again in your torture chamber?” I asked, shivering violently when my bare feet hit the first stone step leading down into the basement. I wasn’t sure how the floor could be that cold when outside the sun was blazing.
I cried out when Remo lifted me in his arms. “Don’t want you to catch a cold. That would be a shame. I’ll have to ask Kiara to shop for clothes that fit you.”
I was frozen in his hold. “You can send me back to Minneapolis. I have enough clothes there.”
“I think Danilo wants you in Indianapolis, Angel, or have you forgotten?”
I realized I had. My wedding seemed so very far away, and it was the last thing on my mind.
Remo chuckled joylessly. His stupid manipulations were getting to me. How was he doing it?
I didn’t answer his question because he knew. My traitorous body mourned the loss of his warmth when he set me down on my feet in the cell where he’d recorded the last message to my family. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly overwhelmed by the memories. My gaze flitted to my wound. With the Tylenol I barely noticed its existence and it was scabbing over. It wasn’t the pain or the cut that bothered me. It was the memory of Samuel’s and Dad’s expressions when they’d seen me in Remo’s hands. They were suffering more than I did, and that was the worst thing about all this.
Remo stepped up to me, his body a warm presence at my back, and he took my wrist, lifting it so he could inspect my wound. His thumb lightly traced my skin. He leaned in. “I won’t cut you again, Angel. Don’t be afraid.”
That wasn’t what I was scared of most. “You won’t?” I asked curiously, tilting my head so I could evaluate his face. Why would Remo say something like that?
Remo cuts deep. Hits hard. Kills brutally.
Remo dropped my wrist, something in his expression shifting, his guard slipping in place. “Time for your call with Samuel.”
He went to the screen on the table and turned it on followed by the loudspeakers. I moved closer when Samuel’s face appeared. My heart clenched violently at the sight. His hair was a mess, his expression haunted, and dark circles spread under his eyes. He probably hadn’t slept at all since my kidnapping.
Guilt crashed over me for not being as bad off as they all imagined. I could tell Samuel was struggling to keep his expression controlled. He wouldn’t show weakness in front of his enemy.
“Sam,” I said quietly, my voice shaking.
“Fina,” he got out. His eyes scanned me and the skimpy outfit I was in. He swallowed, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” I said. His brows drew together in disbelief.
“How much longer she stays that way depends on your Capo’s willingness to answer my demands,” Remo added.
What demands?
Samuel began shaking. I touched my palm to my chest, letting him know that he was in my heart. He mirrored the gesture then his eyes hardened as they settled on my forearm. “How bad is it?”
“Not bad,” I said.
I could see he didn’t believe me. He thought I was trying to protect him. I could feel Remo’s eyes on us the entire time, but I tried to ignore him.
“How are Mom and Dad doing?”
Samuel’s expression was cautious. He couldn’t tell me everything with Remo close by. “They are worried about you.”
“How’s Sofia doing?” I whispered, fighting back the tears.
Samuel’s eyes flitted to Remo, and I stiffened in turn. I shouldn’t have mentioned my sister in front of him.
Remo made an impatient sound. “I don’t kidnap children, don’t worry.”
“You only kidnap innocent women,” Samuel snarled.
Remo pressed up behind me, and Samuel’s expression switched from fury to dread. “Who says she’s still innocent?”
Samuel jerked. Remo gripped my hip in warning, but I didn’t care.
“It’s not like that,” I said fiercely.
Samuel’s eyes found mine, searching, and a flicker of relief showed on his face.
Remo grasped my chin, turned my head, and gave me a harsh kiss. I froze in shock, not able to believe he was doing this in front of my brother.
He released me abruptly. “How innocent she returns to you depends on your cooperation. Tell your uncle that, Samuel.”
I twisted out of Remo’s hold and looked at Samuel, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
“Take me in her stead. I’ll exchange myself for her.”
“No!” I shouted desperately, but Samuel wasn’t looking at me. I whirled around on Remo, wide eyed. A cruel smile played on his face. I caught his gaze. “No,” I said forcefully. His eyes lingered on my lips then dipped lower before they locked on mine once more and relief coursed through me. Remo wouldn’t exchange me for my twin. He wouldn’t release me. Not before he got what he wanted. I wasn’t sure what that was, but I had a horrible feeling it wasn’t something my uncle could give him.
“Serafina is worth too much, I’m afraid. Time to say goodbye.”
I turned back to my twin. “I love you, Sam,” I whispered. Words I’d never said to him when other people were around because emotions didn’t belong in public, but I didn’t care anymore. Let Remo see how much I loved my family.
A haunted look passed Samuel’s face, and he surprised me by rasping, “And I love you, Fina. I’ll save you.” For him to say those words in front of another man, his enemy, he must be even more worried for my life than I thought.
The tears spilled over then. Remo walked past me and switched the screen off. I didn’t hold them back. I let the tears flow freely, not caring if Remo saw them. Remo watched me with narrowed eyes. Maybe my emotions annoyed him. I couldn’t care less.
“I thought Danilo was the man who owned your heart, but now I see I was wrong.”
I wiped at my eyes. “He’s my twin. I’ve never been without him. I would walk through fire for him.”
Remo nodded slowly. “I believe you.”
REMO
Nino, Adamo, Savio, and I drove to the initiation together. My thoughts kept straying to Serafina. I’d locked her in the bedroom again, and Fabiano would keep an eye on her and Kiara while we were gone. I would have preferred to have him at the initiation as well, but someone needed to protect Kiara and make sure Serafina didn’t do something stupid. I doubted she’d find a way out of the bedroom, but if anyone could do it, then it was her.
Nino was driving and Savio and Adamo sat in the back. It reminded me of
the past, the months we’d spent on the run from the Russians, part of the Camorra, and the other mob families. We’d been on the road almost constantly, never staying anywhere for long, and still our pursuers almost got us a couple of times.
Nino slanted a look at me as if he, too, was remembering those days.
We pulled up in front of one of our casinos on the outskirts of Vegas, where the initiation would take place. The parking lot was crowded with limousines. My soldiers were already there. I got out first, not waiting for the bellhop to open my door, and stalked inside the casino with my brothers on my heels. The place had been closed since yesterday for the occasion. Inside familiar faces greeted me. Some of my men were nursing drinks at the bar. Others were engaged in conversation with each other. None of them were playing poker or roulette, even though the croupiers were there just in case. They knew it was a test. An alcoholic shouldn’t run a bar. And my underbosses and captains better not gamble or do drugs. Lower soldiers had more leeway.
Eleven Underbosses and their Consiglieres were invited for the initiation. Most of them were barely older than me. When I’d taken over power, I removed most of the old Underbosses and chose their young ambitious heirs or bastards. Similar to me and my relationship with my father, only a few of them had been sad to see their fathers gone. Only three cities fell under the rule of older Underbosses, who were loyal to the bone.
I shook their hands before we gathered in the center of the room. I put a hand on Adamo’s shoulder. He stood tall, for once his expression not betraying his emotions, but I could feel his tension under my palm. “Today we’ve come here to initiate my brother Adamo.”
The men nodded a greeting at him. They had all dressed in suits for the occasion, and my brothers and I had followed the tradition of dressing up. “As with every initiate, blood has to be paid.”
Nino dragged a struggling Mason toward us. Fabiano had locked him in the utility closet. Adamo tensed under my hand, and I squeezed his shoulder lightly.
