by Ella Jade
“You would know.” I tapped the table with my fingers. “I don’t know what to say.”
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll help you make a decision.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank Santino.” He nodded toward the path as Gianni and Santino came into the yard. “He’s the one who told me.”
My stomach fluttered with anticipation as Santino made his way to me. My heart raced and I wanted to giggle. What’s wrong with me?
“Good morning,” Santino greeted us.
Gianni went right to Angelique, kissing her as if no one was here. She pressed her hand to his cheek, kissing him back. When he released her, he said hello to everyone else before sitting down.
“Where’s Sophie and Sadie?” He popped a strawberry into his mouth. “Still sleeping?”
“Yes.” Angelique poured him a cup of coffee. “Erica will bring them later.”
“Hey, baby.” Santino kissed the top of my head before sitting next to me. “You made it to breakfast.”
“I could say the same for you.”
“Sorry.” He took my hand. “I got held up.”
“Luca,” Gianni said. “What are you doing here so early? I didn’t think Vincenzo worked on Sundays.”
“Leave her alone,” Santino warned.
“What?” When Gianni grinned, in his sexy glory, tattoos and all, I didn’t see the mob enforcer so many said he was. I saw a man in love with his wife and baby girls. Charming, handsome, and full of smiles. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” I squeezed Santino’s hand. “Is everything okay with your dad?”
“Perfect.” He brought my hand to his lips. “Nothing to worry about.”
I didn’t believe him. There was an uneasiness about him. Something was weighing heavily on his mind and he couldn’t share it with me. It was none of my business. I was certain I didn’t want to know what his father was up to. The difficult part was knowing it troubled Santino and he couldn’t discuss it with me.
“Where are Sal and Hayden?” Gianni asked.
“They had a late night at the winery so they stayed at the loft,” Vince said. “Where’s Dominick?”
“He had to take Gia to her riding lesson.” Santino placed some fruit on his plate. “Pancakes today?”
“Yes.” Nadia stood. “I’ll tell the staff we’re ready for breakfast.”
The staff? Am I dreaming?
“You look overwhelmed,” Santino whispered into my ear. “Don’t be.”
“It’s hard not to be. I make my own toast.”
He laughed as he ran his jaw along my cheek. “I could see how made-to-order breakfast could be overwhelming but you should get used to us.”
“Why?”
“Because I like having you around.”
“I like being around.” I turned to face him. “A lot.”
“Good to know.” He kissed me. “I don’t plan on letting you go.”
Chapter Eight
I don’t want it to end...
Santino
Luca leaned against her car, gazing into my eyes as I stroked her cheek. The time we had spent together had been amazing. I didn’t want the day to end.
“Are you sure you can’t stay for dinner?” I trailed my lips along hers. “My mother would love to have you. We’re having homemade gnocchi.”
“Maybe another time.” She kissed me. “I have to get home and get ready for the week. Plus, my mother is waiting for me. We’re going to dinner and a movie. We do it one Sunday a month.”
“That’s a nice thing to look forward to.”
“She’ll want to hear all about my adventure here at the Marchelli estate.”
“You won’t tell her everything, will you?” He winked. “She might not like the part where I tied you up and blindfolded you after breakfast.”
“I’ll probably leave out that part.”
My cock hardened when I thought about coming back from breakfast and going straight to my bedroom.
“I won’t mention the thirty-minute shower either.”
“That was the best shower I’ve ever had.” I wasn’t lying.
“I agree.” She giggled. “I’ve been here less than twenty-four hours and I’ve taken two showers.”
“Sorry I missed the first one.”
“Maybe next time.”
“When can I see you again?” I took her hands in mine.
“Aren’t you coming into the office tomorrow?”
“I can’t do this at the office.” I traced my fingers down her throat and along her breasts, swirling my finger around her nipple. “Or this.” I cupped her breast in my hand, squeezing it as I kissed her neck. “Vincenzo wouldn’t like it.”
“But I do.” She shot me a wicked smirk.
“What time is your movie?”
“You’re not going to show up unexpectedly, are you?” She pushed me away. “I have to go.”
“I’ll let you go because you have plans with your mother.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and brought her closer to me. “I hope you’ll come back this week.”
“I’d like that.”
“My parents are giving Salvatore and Hayden a reception here in two weeks. It was supposed to be small but my mother doesn’t do anything small, so it’s black tie and there will be a ton of people.”
“Sounds fancy.”
“Would you like to be my date?”
“Yes!”
“I love your enthusiasm both in and out of the bedroom.”
“I bet you do.” She kissed my cheek. “I better go.”
“I miss you already.”
“Santino Marchelli, are you being sweet again?”
“I can be sweet.” I opened the car door for her. “Be careful going home.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait.” I grabbed her arm. “Kiss me.”
She tilted her head, licked her lips, and pressed her mouth against mine. Slowly, she inserted her tongue, twirling it along mine, forcing me to control the urge to carry her back into the house and fuck her. I gripped her hips in my hands, pinning her against my body and the car, allowing her to feel what she did to me. She opened her wide eyes when she discovered my erection. She wiggled out of my hold.
“You’re insatiable.”
“You have no idea.”
“I had a really good time last night and today.” She quickly kissed me. “I’ll text you tonight.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Santino.” She hesitated but I could sense she’d wanted to say something to me all afternoon.
“Yes?”
“Are you sure everything is okay?”
“With us?”
“No, I know we’re fine but I can tell something’s on your mind. I noticed when you came to breakfast.”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about.” One of my father’s shipments had been intercepted by federal agents. Luckily, everything was on the up and up, thanks to some inside sources but now we were on the feds radar and that was never a good thing. Someone had tipped them off and we needed to figure out who before more problems occurred. “It was business.”
“I’m here if you need to talk.”
“I appreciate that.”
When she got into her car, I realized I didn’t like seeing her leave.
“Tell your mom the cake was delicious.”
“I will.” She waved to me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stepped back as she pulled out of the driveway, already feeling her absence. How had she captivated me in a matter of days? I wasn’t the type to fall fast and hard. I’d had girlfriends in the past. Nothing serious. At twenty-eight, I didn’t think I’d be ready to settle down but after getting to know Luca, I could see why my brothers weren’t eligible bachelors anymore.
“Luca isn’t staying for Sunday dinner?” Dominick joined me in the driveway.
“No, she has plans with her mother.”
“I want
ed to give you a heads up.”
“About?”
“Antonio is coming for dinner.”
“Oh?” Antonio was Nadia’s biological father. She hadn’t met him up until a few years ago. He and my father were good friends once but then became estranged. They didn’t reconnect until Nadia and Vincenzo got together.
“Apparently, he and Erica are a thing.”
“Really? Isn’t he married?”
“Divorced.”
“Well, good for them.”
“Anyway, he will be at Sal and Hayden’s reception too. We haven’t really seen him since Franco disappeared. I want to make sure you can handle yourself.”
“Of course I can.” Franco was Antonio’s son and Nadia’s half-brother. He tried to kill Sal a few months ago but luckily, I had been there to take care of things. “What do you think I’m going to do? Tell the guy I killed his son?”
“No but I’m not sure you’ve ever really dealt with what happened. You did what you had to do to protect Salvatore and for that you’re a hero. If mom had to bury Sal, she would never have recovered from that.”
“None of us would have. I’d protect any one of you. I have no regrets.”
“I know and I’m proud of you but we’ve managed to keep a lid on it. Even Sal hasn’t freaked out and confessed.”
“I feel bad Vince was left out but it was for his own good.”
“Now that he and Nadia are trying to have a baby, he doesn’t need any extra stress. Franco’s body won’t turn up. Gianni made sure of that. According to Dad, Antonio knows in his heart his son went rogue and pissed off the wrong people. He’s a smart man. He knows his son is gone. I don’t think he’ll figure out it was us. Because of the Vincenzo connection, I don’t want the Marchellis to ever take credit for that. It will never come back to you.”
“I appreciate that but you know I’m fine with it. Right?”
“Taking someone’s life is never easy, especially the first time.”
“It is when they are about to blow your brother’s brains out.” I shook my head when I recalled that night by the lake at the winery. Sal was defenseless and Franco was about to pull the trigger over something so meaningless. Salvatore had nothing to do with our father’s business. Franco had it coming and I happened to be the one who got there first. I didn’t think, I acted on instinct to protect my brother. “But, in the future, I’d like to leave that kind of stuff to you and Gianni.”
“So, do you want to stay legit like Vince?”
“What? No.” What is he asking? “I mean, I don’t mind helping Vince out at the firm but Dad needs me. Now that his advisor is retiring, I’m the logical choice. Don’t talk him out of it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I thought maybe now that you and Luca are a thing, you’d rather work at the firm and be an honest man.”
“I am an honest man. I can negotiate deals for Dad and keep you and Gianni out of legal trouble and still work for Vincenzo. Besides, working for him looks good on paper. People don’t ask questions that way.”
“People like Luca?”
“Luca knows who we are. Most people do.”
“Knowing and proving are two different things. I’d like to keep it that way.”
“We will.”
“Don’t lose your focus, okay?”
“I won’t.”
“Help Vincenzo out while he and Nadia go through this fertility stuff. Dad will let you know when and what he needs you for. Things should be quiet once he and Mom leave for Italy in a few weeks."
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I?”
“Gia’s class is doing a craft next week and she wants you to go with her.”
“She wants me to go or you volunteered me?”
“Mom is so busy with the party and I suck at crafts.”
“Wouldn’t Sal be the better choice? He likes artsy stuff.”
“He and Hayden are doing a magazine spread for their reception at the same time.” Dominick smirked. “You said you’d do whatever I needed you to do. I could ask one of the guys but you’re her uncle.”
“Nadia and Angelique?”
“Nadia has a doctor’s appointment and Angelique already works there. She can’t leave her class to do a craft in Gia’s class.”
“Gianni?”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, I guess his language is a bit too colorful.”
“You’ll do it?”
“Yes.” I sighed. “Anything for that kid.”
“She wants something to do with a princess and glitter.”
“Wonderful.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll get right on it.”
THE PROPERTY WAS BUSTLING with contractors and party planners. Sal and Hayden’s party was the talk of the town. It was still a week away but my mother had such grand plans that the designers and decorators would be here for the next seven days. They would transform the estate into a magical wedding oasis.
Across the lake, men in bucket trucks decorated every tree with white twinkling lights. They illuminated off the lake, creating the most dazzling display. In the distance, landscapers were planting more mums. How many mums did we need?
Sal and Hayden had given my mother full authority to do whatever she wanted. She’d even taken a week off from the winery to tend to every detail. When I came outside my parents were standing in front of my house.
“I want white bows on all of the posts and all of the houses should have a spotlight shining on the custom wreaths I’m having hung.” My mother greeted me. “Santino, don’t forget you need your tux. Is it back from the cleaners?”
“I picked it up yesterday,” I told her. “Don’t you think you’re going a little over the top?”
“Santino.” My father closed his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “You should know better than to ask a question like that.”
“Don’t start with me.” My mother put her hand on her hip. “I want total perfection.”
“Mom, anything you do is perfect.”
“He’s right,” my dad agreed. “And expensive.”
“I hear you’re bringing a date.” She ignored my dad’s comment.
“How lovely.”
“Yes, Luca.”
“Vincenzo’s assistant?” My dad nodded. “Nice choice. She’s a beautiful young woman.”
“Smart too,” my mom said. “She wants to go to law school. You should have plenty in common.”
“We do.” I motioned toward the driveway. “Here she is now if you’d like to formally meet her.”
“We would,” my mom said. “I’d like to know who is occupying my baby boy’s time.”
Luca got out of the car and met up in front of the house. She looked like a sexy cat burglar. Her black sweater, leggings, and boots all enhanced her already slim figure. Her long blond hair flowed down her back but it was her full red lips that caught my attention. I hoped my parents didn’t stay long.
“Hi.” She greeted us with an alluring smile. “The property is busy tonight.”
“Wedding preparations.” I kissed her cheek, noting how delicious she smelled. Almost like a cookie or ice cream. “Luca, you know my parents.”
“We’ve met briefly a few times,” she said. “How are you?”
“Hello, Luca.” My mom gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re coming to the reception next week.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Luca smiled at my dad. “Hello, Mr. Marchelli.”
“You can call me Dante.” He grinned. “I’m not that old.”
“Everything looks amazing,” Luca said. “I can’t wait to see everything next week.”
“I’m starting to feel like there’s far too much to do and not nearly enough time.” My mom looked at my dad. “We should get going. We have to meet with the planners in a few minutes.”
“If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know,” Luca offered. “Parties are a lot o
f work.”
“How sweet of you,” my mom said. “I’m sure I could use your assistance next week. Did Santino tell you you’re welcome to have your hair and makeup done at the main house the morning of the reception? I’m having a crew from a salon in the city come here to take care of all of our needs.”
“I was going to tell her tonight.” I placed my hand on the small of Luca’s back.
“Thank you,” Luca said. “That’s very kind of you.”
“It will be fun. We’ll have mimosas to start off the day properly.” My mom and dad got into the golf cart they used to get around the estate. “I’ll let Santino know what time you should be at the main house.”
“Sounds perfect,” Luca waved as my dad took off down the path to the main gate. “That was a whirlwind.”
“My mother will be like that from now until the party is over.” I wrapped my arms around her waist. “My dad will indulge her every whim as it should be.”
“They make an adorable couple.”
“That’s what people will say about us.” I kissed her. “I missed you.”
“You saw me all week at work.”
“What I meant to say is, I missed you in my bed.”
“I missed being in your bed.” She draped her arms over my shoulders. “Although, we did manage that quick encounter in your office.”
“One of the perks of working with you.”
“Vince would kill us if he knew.”
“We’re not going to tell Vince.” I took her hand and led her up the steps. “It’s our secret.”
“I like having secrets with you.” We came through the foyer and to the main staircase. “I want to show you something upstairs.”
“Smooth.” She giggled as she followed me up the steps.
“Well, I always want to show you that but there’s something else.” I opened the door to the guest bedroom and guided her to stand in front of the three dresses I’d had sent over from a boutique. “I had these delivered for you.”
“They’re stunning.” She gently touched the sheer silver one with all the crystals sewn in. “What are they for?”
“I thought you could pick one for next week. Once you decide, I’ll have Kendall, she’s the owner of the boutique, send over shoes and accessories for you. If you don’t like any of these, we can go there tomorrow and you can find something else.”
