The Cardinal (The Holy Trinity Duet Book 2)

by M. E. Clayton

  “Not particularly,” I replied.

  Ciro grinned. “The tongues it is.” Only, not only did Ciro cut out their tongues but I watched as he chopped them up and force fed them to both men. Micha threw up.

  The rest of the night was a potpourri of torture from breaking every rib in their bodies to ice picks to the balls. Since Ciro had such a vast understanding of the human body, he made sure I didn’t do anything that would kill them quickly. I knew they weren’t going to survive the night because I wasn’t going to stop. Ciro was just helping me draw it out as long as possible.

  And as for their siblings, the only thing that stopped me from bringing them here and killing them in front of Alonso and Micha was Blake. She had readily accepted that I was going to torture and kill Alonso and Micha, but I knew she’d be against me bringing innocent people into this mess. I drew the line at anything that might make it hard for me to look her in the eye and that was another thing fucking me up. I never thought a woman would make me grow a conscience, but I had one where Blake was concerned.

  When Frankie had dropped her suggestion on me, I had called Luca and had asked him to help me with the psychological torture portion of the evening. He had chuckled proudly over his best friend’s idea and had been more than happy to play his part.

  It was close to four in the morning before Micha’s body finally gave out. I had gone harder on him because I had wanted Alonso to suffer longer. Wrapping the spiked necklace around Micha’s neck, I had tightened the screws until the spikes had damn near severed his head off. I had no idea how Ciro found the shit he did, but some of it sure was fun to play with.

  I finally sent Alonso to Hell as Ciro showed me how to create a Blood Eagle, and I made a mental note to add it to my torture portfolio. It was a hell of a way to make a statement.

  After Alonso was done for, I sent Ciro on his way. Even though Ciro knew his shit, I was the cleanup man. I was the one who made bodies disappear, so I stayed back to clean up my mess.

  I didn’t make it home until around seven and a couple hours of sleep would be all I’d need to get ready for the day. We were used to lack of sleep, so whenever Blake woke up, that would be good enough for me.

  Blake didn’t wake up until ten, so after a good three hours of sleep, I got up, got ready, and prepared her for what was to come next.

  Chapter 24

  Blake~

  I didn’t ask.

  When Sal had crawled into bed with me this morning, the crisp smell of soap and shampoo invading my senses, I hadn’t asked a thing. I had chosen to let him wrap me in his arms and sleep for a few more hours.

  Sal was going to crawl into our bed freshly showered a million times over during our relationship and it wasn’t going to be to erase signs of lipstick or perfume. It was going to be to erase blood and brain matter from his person, and I had to be a special kind of crazy to be okay with that. But then I already knew I was crazy when I had let him have his way with me the night that he shot Hector.

  I still had a lot of things I needed to work through with Mom and Caitlin, but I wasn’t as anxious about it as I had been earlier. Sal said they weren’t going to kill Caitlin and I took that compromise for what it was. I knew, without a doubt, that had Caitlin not been my sister, she’d be dead by now. And Mom was respecting my decision to be with Sal, waiting in the wings in case I ever need to run.

  A warm mug was placed in front of me. “It’s hard to look at you and not feel angry.”

  I glanced up and Sal was eyeing me. Dress impeccably as always, he was in a suit while I was in sweats and one of his t-shirts. My bruised body wasn’t up to wearing anything constricting, so loose and sloppy it was.

  “Yet, you want me to meet everyone looking like this?” After breakfast, Sal had announced that we were going to have company. Since I’ve already met Ciro and Luca, they weren’t going to be in attendance, but I was to meet the rest of the family, as he called them.

  “We’re getting married as soon as those bruises heal, Blake,” he replied. “They need to meet you before then.

  I let out a soft laugh. “You sure aren’t doing anything half-assed.”

  “I don’t know how.”

  Just then, the doorbell rang, and my hands gripped the coffee mug for dear life. “I feel like such an outsider,” I confessed.

  Sal didn’t comment. He just walked around the kitchen island, helped me off the stool, and pulled me behind him as we went to answer the door together. It was super unnerving but there was nothing to do about it. I had to trust that it wasn’t going to be as horrible as I was pretty sure it was going to be.

  As soon as Sal opened the door, a man who could only be Leonardo Benetti stepped through, tugging a beautiful blonde behind him. When I turned to face him, there was no doubt who he was. With the same black hair and green eyes as Sal, when Leonardo Benetti smiled at me, I noticed he had the same set of dimples as Sal, though not as deep.

  “I’m Leo Benetti,” he announced, his hand out for a handshake.

  I took it because I didn’t think I had many choices when it came to the Benettis. “I’m Blake Turner.”

  Letting go of my hand, he introduced his wife. “This is my wife, Sienna Benetti.”

  She smiled. “I’d hug you, but you don’t look like a hug would do you any favors right now.”

  I chuckled at her candidness. “You’d be right.”

  Leonardo and Sienna made their way into the living room, not needing to be welcomed or hosted. When I turned to join them, Sal’s hand tugged me back. I turned and a beautiful brunette was just passing Sal to come stand in front of me.

  I blinked, having no idea who she was, but I forced a smile and said, “Hello.”

  She grinned and her blue eyes twinkled. “Hello, Blake,” she said, not surprising me at all that she already knew my name. They all probably already knew my name. “I’m Remy Benetti.”

  I balked at the mention of her name.

  I wasn’t sure what I was expecting of Luca Benetti’s wife, but this sweet, beautiful, seemingly normal woman was not it. I had expected spiked heels, leather clothes, and a fire-breathing dragon perched on her shoulder. I did not expect…normal.

  “Uh, it’s nice to meet you,” I semi-lied.

  “I doubt that,” she chuckled. Then she gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’ve been where you are right now, Blake. It was quite intimidating then, as I’m sure it is now. Me, Sienna, and Robbie all understand how unnerving this feels. Please, don’t feel as though you need to entertain or humor us. If you need to drop F-bombs, then let them out, sweetie.”

  I choked out a laugh as she placed the sweetest kiss on my cheek before turning to go join Leonardo and Sienna in the living room.

  Sal was grinning down at me when I turned back to face him. “Wow,” I whispered.

  Sal shut the door behind him. “You’re not the only outsider who’s had to find their place in this family, Blake.” Before I could comment, the doorbell rang again, and when Sal opened the door again, another beautiful brunette walked through, and she was carrying a sweet looking baby.

  Her brown eyes were the kindest I’ve ever seen, and she said, “I’m so sorry for being rude but I need to put this bundle down before my arms fall off.” I couldn’t help but smile back. “I’m Robbie Mancini and this heavy little thing is Mattia. You can meet her when she wakes up.” She looked over at Sal. “I’m just going to put her in the bassinet.”

  Before Sal could say anything, Leo was already up and taking the baby from Robbie’s arms. “Go get the bassinet,” he whispered to her. “I’ll take Matty.” Watching Leonardo Benetti scoop up the sleeping baby had to be the most precious thing I have ever seen in my life.

  I watched Leonardo and Robbie take off down the hall and I realized I needed to do more exploring of my new house. I had no idea Sal had a bassinet in his home.

  Sal squeezed my hand and when I looked back at him, an adorable little boy came waddling through the door as fast as his little legs wou
ld carry him. When he looked up at me, it was like Ciro Mancini looking at me. He had the same color eyes as Ciro, and the little fella just kept on going until Remy Benetti scooped him up in her arms.

  When I turned back towards the door, the most beautiful couple I have ever seen were walking through the door, Sal finally shutting the door behind them.

  I stood there, speechless, as the man reached out to shake my hand. “Phoenix Fiore,” he said, introducing himself, and my breath hitched at meeting The Holy Ghost of Morgan City. He smiled when I took his hand, and his dimples threw me off. It just seemed wrong that these killers had dimples.

  “B…Blake Tu…Turner,” I stuttered.

  His smile deepened. “I know,” he said before stepping back and allowing the woman next to him to step forward. “This is my wife, Francesca.”

  The Church.

  With dark brown hair and yellow eyes, there was no way to miss the relation to her brother. And as gorgeous as Ciro Mancini was, Francesca Fiore had to be the most stunning woman I have ever seen. She looked perfectly ethereal, and power radiated off her like it did the men.

  Francesca reached out and hugged me, though she made sure to do it gingerly. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” When she pulled back and smiled at me, I wondered how her husband ever let her out of his sight. “Let’s get you off your feet.” Grabbing my hand, she led me to the living room, fluffing some pillows to make me comfortable in one of the armchairs.

  It was like being in an alternate universe.

  Leonardo and Robbie came back into the living room, rolling a beautiful bassinet behind them. Once Leonardo got comfortable on the couch next to his wife, Robbie asked, “Anyone thirsty?”

  Before anyone could answer, Francesca Fiore said, “Sure, I just have something to say to Blake first.” The entire room quieted down, giving Francesca the floor.

  I turned towards her. “You do?”

  The captivating beauty nodded. “I do.” Her husband came up behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and they really were a stunning couple. “Willingly or by force, your sister will be placed into rehab,” she announced, and my heart started beating a painful rhythm inside my chest. “But understand, Blake, she will be kept there until she is no longer a threat to you or this family.”

  “I…I don’t-”

  Francesca put her hand up. “I am going to do everything I can to help you and your family,” she said. “However, I want you to understand that your sister gets this one chance only. If she ever puts you or any member of this family at risk again, I will go after her myself.” I believed her. “That’s why she’ll stay in rehab indefinitely if that’s what needs to be done.” Francesca leaned back, her husband’s hands squeezing her shoulders gently. “I just wanted to get that out of the way. I didn’t want you worrying about your sister unnecessarily.”

  No one said anything. They were giving me time to absorb and accept Francesca’s conditions. But I was so happy they weren’t going to kill Caitlin, nothing else matter. “I understand,” I told her.

  She winked at me. “I had a feeling you would.”

  Chapter 25

  Salvatore~

  One certain thing to come out Blake meeting everyone was that I was going to get her pregnant as soon as possible. Watching her play with Vincent and tending to Mattia once she had woken up had me ready to kick everyone out and impregnate her on the spot. And if her body had been up to it, I would have.

  After Frankie’s clear announcement of what she planned to do with Caitlin Turner, things had settled down and the next couple of hours had been spent getting to know everyone. I knew Blake had felt more comfortable with Robbie, Remy, and Sienna, but that was understandable. As tight as Frankie was with the girls, her place was with the men. I was just glad Blake had people she could connect with and help her navigate through all the doubts and questions that were sure to come in the future.

  I also caught her glancing at Phoenix a lot and I knew she was going to have to get over her trepidation of him, Ciro, and Luca. Leo had an easy disposition about him, so I knew Blake would be comfortable around him, but it was The Holy Trinity that she was going to struggle with. Still, I wasn’t sure it was anything that could be forced. Robbie’s been married to Ciro for ages now and she was still skittish around Luca. Though Luca’s gone out of his way to make her feel welcomed and comfortable, she still had trouble looking at him.

  “Why do I feel so exhausted?”

  With everyone gone, lunch served and eaten, Blake and I were on the couch, her legs over my lap, something frivolous on the television. I had to leave soon and that was another thing we needed to discuss. Though Luca had handled her sick days with her job, she had to know she wasn’t going to go back.

  “Because they’re an exhausting lot,” I teased.

  Her blue eyes regarded me. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to them, Sal. You know that, right?”

  I nodded. “I know.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Francesca wasn’t lying, was she? When she said she’ll go after Caitlin if Caitlin messes up again.”

  There was no sense in sugarcoating it and I was never going to lie to this woman just to make her life easier. “No, she wasn’t,” I answered honestly. “Frankie takes the protection of her family very seriously.”

  “She’s…she’s quite something, isn’t she?” Blake remarked. “She’s not like the others.”

  “Francesca has been surrounded by this life since her first day in kindergarten,” I told her. “She’s definitely not like the others.”

  “It’s going to take a lot of getting used to,” she muttered.

  “Speaking of getting used to things, Luca handled your absences from work these past couple of days, but you’re going to have to call them with your resignation soon, Blake.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  I slid my hand underneath her pant leg, rubbing back and forth. “Baby, you do know that you can’t be married to me and still work at Sil-Med, right?”

  “Sal, I’ve…I’ve always worked.” Her brows drew in. “I…what would I do?”

  “Have my babies,” I replied smoothly. “I know a lot of women don’t feel being a stay-at-home mom is ambitious enough, but I’d love for you to give me as many babies as you can handle.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about that,” she said quietly. “I mean, I’d love to have children one day, but…I don’t know how I feel about doing nothing all day long.”

  I pulled my guns from the holster and placed them on the table. I reached over, grabbed her hips, and yanked her across the couch until she was flat on her back. Crawling over her body, I nestled my dick between her spread legs. Her lids were heavy, and her chest started rising with want.

  Fuck, she was beautiful.

  Even with her face looking like it went straight into a brick wall, Blake Turner was beautiful. Those big blue eyes and that light blonde hair, she was perfect. If she gives me any girls, hopefully, the come out with the same blonde hair and blue eyes. The same sweet face and quiet strength. The same everything that made Blake who she was.

  “How about you work with one of the girls?” I suggested.

  Her brows shot up. “They work?”

  I nodded. “With Vincent and Mattia here, they could use the extra help.” I decided to share a little bit more. “Remy’s pregnant and I suspect Frankie and Robbie will be again soon. And even though I plan on getting you pregnant as soon as possible, the girls can still use an extra pair of hands.”

  Blake didn’t say anything for a long time, but when she finally did, it was as if I could finally breathe easily. “As long as I contribute, I can…I just want to contribute.”

  I slid my hand down her sweatpants. “You contribute more than you think, baby.”

  She blushed. “That’s hardly a contribution.”

  “My cock disagrees,” I smirked as my fingers found their destination.


  Blake moaned. “Salvatore, I don’t think I can…”

  “Shh, baby,” I cooed. “I just want to make you feel good.” Two fingers found their way inside her tight body and her eyes closed in pleasure as her hips pulled me in deeper. “I just want to make you cum for me before I have to go to work.”

  Her hands grabbed at my suit jacket, wrinkling it all to hell. “So good…”

  “I agree,” I said, peppering her jaw with kisses. “Your pussy feels so fucking good.”

  “You…” she panted breathlessly. “You feel so good…”

  I added a third fingers to my assault. “Say yes, Blake,” I practically begged. “Say yes to it all. Say yes to me and the babies and forever.”

  “Don’t stop…oh, God, don’t stop…”

  “Say yes and I will make you cum every single day of our lives, baby,” I promised. “With my fingers, my tongue, and my cock, you’ll never stop cumming for me, Blake.”

  “Yes,” she cried out. “Yes…”

  “I fucking love you, baby,” I growled as I felt her pussy start pulsing around my fingers. “I’m going to love you forever.”

  “Salvatore…oh, God…”

  “Cum for me, Blake,” I ordered. “Give it to me. Give me what I need from you.”

  “Yes!”

  Blake exploded all over fingers and I took her mouth as she creamed all over me. I kissed her like both our lives depended on it, and maybe it did. I needed this woman to love me back as much as I loved her, or I was sure to lose my mind over it.

  When she was done with her ride through ecstasy, I pulled my fingers out of her drenched pussy and licked them clean. Blake’s sweet pussy was the best meal ever.

  I sat up, my dick roaring in protest at not getting wet, and hauled this bruised and battered woman in my arms. She curled her body into mine and she let me hold her for a few peaceful moments. I had shit to do but holding Blake in my arms was the key to keeping me from losing myself complete to what I’d become.