by Piper Stone
“Yes, you had the strongest kind of contract, Luigi. You gave your word. That was gold to my father, but you already knew that.” I slowly eased the gun from my jacket, purposely checking the ammunition clip in front of him. The terror on his face was almost reward enough.
Almost.
“You don’t understand, Matteo!” Luigi was close to shrieking, keeping the stupid float in front of him as if the piece of foam would shield him from bullet spray.
“I completely understand. You fucked with the family because our father was murdered. You mistakenly believed that you could do whatever you wanted, ignoring the deal you made two decades ago. I’m saddened that you lost respect for our father, but as you can imagine, I can’t let that go unpunished.”
“Please don’t do this,” Luigi begged, trying his best to back away.
I wasn’t used to the man pleading for anything. He’d been as brutal and ruthless as Pops had been, carving up his enemies when necessary.
“I’m sorry, Luigi, but our father taught us to have standards in business as well in pleasure. If I would even consider allowing you to get away with your sins, then how many others do you think would follow in your footsteps? That’s not going to happen. The Benedetti Empire is just as strong if not stronger than before. The bottom line is that you betrayed our entire family. For that, your punishment can only be one thing.”
“What?” he managed to choke out.
I lifted my weapon, making the sign of the cross as my mother had always requested that I do. “Death.”
The single bullet to his brain was all that was needed, my aim as perfect as ever. I usually didn’t watch when the assholes fell to the ground. There was no need. I turned quickly, nodding to both my brothers. “Our work is done here.”
“Should I send soldiers to clean up the mess?” Stefano asked.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. We have other business to attend to.” As I walked out of the pool area, all I could think about was Catherine.
Somehow, she’d managed to break through a portion of my defenses. One thing was certain.
I couldn’t allow that to continue. Not for any reason.
Chapter 9
Catherine
Strings of vibrant color.
A warm breeze flowing through the open door.
The scent of fresh flowers and what smelled like bread baking.
All three were incredible yet my heart remained heavy and I was unable to count all the reasons why. While a part of me remained on edge, still furious with everything that had occurred, I was forced to realize that a small part of me missed Matteo.
The night of passion had been exactly as he’d described, filthy and decadent, reeking of more intimacy than I would have imagined. My entire body still ached from the three rounds of incredible sex, my nipples bruised from his rough actions.
I’d awakened to find him standing next to the bed, his soft words that I’d pretended not to hear remaining in the back of my mind. Before he’d left, I’d seen an odd look in his eyes. Pain. The man had been in some kind of emotional pain. While I wasn’t certain I’d dreamt his anguished cry at some point after I’d fallen asleep, the cracked crystal tumbler remaining on the floor indicated he’d spent some time away from his bed.
Our bed.
Our marriage bed.
A shiver trickled down my spine, forcing me to hold my arms as I walked out onto the veranda. The view from his room was spectacular on this late morning, allowing me to truly understand the magnitude of the family’s estate. Breathtaking wasn’t a strong enough word.
Yet it wasn’t my home, and it never would be.
At least I’d gotten a good night’s sleep, which was the first time in over a week. I’d felt relaxed when I rolled over, at least until my foggy mind had cleared and I realized where I was. Even the incredible view couldn’t take away the knowledge that I was a prisoner, a man’s possession and nothing more.
Sighing, I returned to the suite, glaring at the now withered rose petals still adorning the bed. Matteo had promised a set of rules for the estate, but he’d left me with no indication of whether or not I could leave the room. A bitter laugh bubbled to the surface, the sound almost foreign to me. There was so little of myself left that I barely recognized the woman in the mirror after taking a shower.
Even worse, Matteo’s scent remained no matter how long I’d scrubbed my skin. I closed my eyes for a few seconds before returning to the closet and retrieving a pair of shoes. The walk-in was filled with new clothes, none of them belonging to Matteo. That was as confusing as the man himself. I steadied my nerves before trying the door to the bedroom, shocked to find it was unlocked.
What little I’d seen of the house had been limited so being able to explore actually gave me a smile. However, I found several of the rooms upstairs locked from the inside. What was he hiding behind the closed doors and why?
I’d thought the house would be quiet for some reason, but hearing noise drew my interest. I tentatively walked down the expansive set of ornate stairs, able to marvel in the exquisite design. While the design was completely old world, there was no doubt the house had been built for Matteo even if I was surprised at his tastes.
Maybe I’d imagined stark modern furniture, glass and steel. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I allowed the scent of fresh baking to guide me through a house I didn’t know and wasn’t interested in learning about. I realized I was famished, barely eating anything for almost two days.
I stood in the doorway to the kitchen, staring at the woman who had just removed bread from the oven.
“Miss Catherine. Do you need help?” Maria asked.
She’d appeared out of nowhere, standing behind me. I held my tongue as I turned to face her. “No, Maria. I was just taking a look around.”
Her mouth twisted, her eyes darting back and forth. I could tell she was both trying to understand as well as find a response. “I don’t know if allowed.”
“I’m the lady of the house now, Maria. Certainly Mr. Benedetti would find it acceptable for me to enjoy the prison I’ve been forced into.” I knew the words were far too harsh, but I didn’t need a babysitter, no matter how nice she was. I noticed fresh rolls and purposely walked further into the kitchen, snagging one of them then heading toward the refrigerator. The woman responsible for the baking had already turned around, lifting her eyebrows then saying something in Italian directly to Maria.
Maria’s face turned a warm shade of rose and she nodded to the baker before scuttling away.
I grabbed a bottle of water, cracking the lid and taking a sip before turning my attention to the older woman.
“You are Mr. Benedetti’s new wife,” the woman said in perfect English.
“Yes.”
She wiped her hands on her apron before pointing to one of the kitchen chairs. “Sit. You are far too skinny.”
I laughed genuinely for the first time in far too long. For some reason, I felt comfortable around her, doing as she requested. “You work for Matteo?”
She gave me a cautious look before pulling out several items including butter and some kind of syrup. “I have worked for the family for almost thirty years.”
“Baking?”
Her smile was slight, but her light gray eyes lit up. “Yes, I handle baked goods for the tasting facilities and small restaurant.”
“There’s a restaurant here?”
“Of course. It was Master Benedetti’s idea years ago. God rest his soul.”
“You speak perfect English.”
Laughing, she handed me a plate as well as a napkin and I was forced to admit that my mouth watered from the simple creation. “A must for tourists.”
The conversation lagged given I had no idea what to say to her. After a few seconds, she returned to her work, removing two pies from the oven. “This is incredible.”
“Eat. I can make more.”
While I found myself gobbling the fabulous creation, I couldn’t take my
eyes off her. Maybe she was a source of information. “What can you tell me about Matteo?”
She didn’t answer me at first, taking the time to place the pies on a cooling rack. When she shifted toward me, her look was stern. “Matteo and his brothers are very special. They are like my own children. I’ve watched them grow up. I am very pleased Matteo has found someone. I thought that would never happen again.”
The footsteps were loud and within seconds, the smile on her face disappeared. She immediately turned around, busying herself as if we’d never been talking.
When Gio walked in the room, the look he gave her was harsh. Very slowly he turned his head, his look of disdain pissing me off. While he said nothing, he grabbed three of the rolls, stuffing one of them into his mouth then walking out.
I let out an exaggerated sigh, immediately reaching for my water. The soldier didn’t like me anymore than I liked him.
The lovely baker faced me once again, giving some kind of a gesture in his direction, her soft words spoken in Italian something I couldn’t understand but the meaning was clear enough.
“Maiale selvaggio.” She stiffened, still glaring at the doorway.
“What did you say?”
She seemed flustered but leaned over the table. “Savage pig.”
I was surprised when she laughed, which put me at ease. “I think I’m going to like you.”
“Don’t let the soldiers bother you. They are all pigs in my opinion.” She smacked her hand across her lips. “Please, please don’t tell Mr. Benedetti what I said.”
“Not a word. Your secret is safe with me.”
She studied my eyes for a few seconds before wiping her hands again, extending one in my direction. “I’m Else.”
“Else. That’s not Italian.”
“My parents were German. They came to this beautiful country when I was a little girl. Matteo’s grandfather gave my father a job when no one else would. This was a wonderful place to grow up.”
“Like Maria.”
Her smile was brighter. “Yes. The Benedettis have been very generous over the years.”
That bit of information didn’t correspond to what little I knew from interaction with Matteo.
I wasn’t certain why the information surprised me, but it did. “What did you mean by Matteo finding someone else again? Was he involved with someone before?”
Else was instantly nervous, blinking several times then looking away from me.
“Else. I won’t say anything. I promise you. I’m just curious about him. I know so very little.”
She busied herself, shaking her head a few times. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t my place. Matteo is a very nice boy. That’s all you need to know.”
Nice. She evidently didn’t know much about the darker side of him.
I finished my breakfast realizing that she wasn’t going to say anything else. After placing the plate in the sink, I moved to the doorway, studying her for a few additional seconds. “Thank you for the lovely breakfast.”
“My pleasure.”
I could tell there was more than one secret hiding in the darkness of the Benedetti estate.
And I was determined to find out what they were.
Whether or not it was allowed, I needed some fresh air. I walked toward the front of the house, peering out one of the windows. Gio was standing guard like some watchdog. Maybe there was an exit located out the back. I scurried around the kitchen, moving into one room after another. When I passed by what appeared to be an office, I was happy to see a set of doors leading outside.
As I walked in, I had the distinct feeling I was in Matteo’s private space. Everything was so masculine from the beautiful wooden desk to the leather furniture and artistic drawings positioned on two of the walls. There was even a framed diploma from the Universita degli Studi di Pisa with Matteo’s name. I studied it for a few seconds before hearing footsteps again.
I scurried to the door, unlocking and moving outside as quietly as possible. The landscaping was exactly as I’d expected, lush and green, the scent of several species of fresh flowers floating all around me. The backyard was spacious, the tiered patios allowing for an expansive view of the mountains in the distance.
After noticing a gorgeous wooden bench, I headed in the direction, not able to hear anyone approach until a hand was snapped around my arm.
“The area is off limits, Mrs. Benedetti.”
While Gio’s accent was heavy, his English was almost as fluid as Else’s. However, the man instantly pissed me off. I jerked my arm out of his hold, backing away by a solid foot. “Don’t touch me.”
“I was asked by Mr. Benedetti to keep an eye on you. There are certain places you are not allowed to go.”
His response only angered me further. “And I was told nothing of the sort. I live here now. I am entitled to go where I want when I want.”
He shook his head, the look in his eyes cold and brutal. “I can’t allow you to do that. You are certainly welcome to talk to Mr. Benedetti when he returns.”
“Don’t you mean, boss?” I chided, instantly regretting bothering. I wasn’t going to make headway or become friends with the brute. I shifted my gaze in the other direction, noticing a vineyard that I hadn’t before. It was within walking distance. “Is it all right if I take a look at the crop of grapes?” I returned his expression with an angry one of my own.
Gio shifted his gaze toward the vineyards before glancing at his watch. Then he nodded. “I will follow.”
“I doubt I’ll get lost.” I knew better than to try to get him to leave me alone. He was like a trained seal, performing whatever tricks his boss had instructed. I dared take another glance toward the area where he clearly didn’t want me to go. Did the location have something to do with whatever secret Matteo was hiding?
When he remained quiet, I studied him, noticing the outline of a weapon. The soldier was wearing a suit, for Christ’s sake, and it was at least eighty degrees outside. Sighing, I tried to ignore him as I headed for the vineyards, trying to imagine what it was going to be like with someone following me no matter where I went.
The situation and the thought were almost comical except it was very real.
As I continued walking, I tried to enjoy both the scenery as well as what I knew would be limited time alone. While I wanted to ask Gio where Matteo had gone, I also realized I’d be wasting my breath. Maybe at some point I could have another conversation with Else.
There were trees placed in strategic locations, several sitting areas and other gardens for as far as the eye could see. When I rounded a corner, I noticed a knoll. At least Gio didn’t try to stop me from heading closer. This had to be the best view on the entire estate. “My God. This is amazing.”
I was actually surprised when I heard Gio’s comment. He didn’t sound nearly as gruff as before. “Everything you see belongs to the Benedetti family.”
“Really? How many estates are there?”
“Mr. Benedetti built one for each son in addition to the main house. There are also a few cottages located on the outskirts where several of the employee families live.”
“Do you?”
He chuckled, actually showing emotion for the first time. “No one wants the soldiers to live near them. They fear us instead of believing we will keep them safe.”
“Safe from what?”
His deep exhale was telling enough but when he walked closer, I found myself wanting to back away. Why should I be afraid of him? “There are many enemies, Mrs. Benedetti. Some of them will and have stopped at nothing to break the sanctity of the family. Losing Roberto was a tremendous blow, but one many of us feared would happen. Make no mistake that there will be an attempt made on Matteo’s life at some point. If that happens, I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
“It sounds like a horrible life you’ve chosen.”
“It’s much better than my father’s or my brother’s. This is an honorable position and one
I don’t take lightly.”
Honorable. Neither the word nor the meaning equated in my mind. How could he consider being forced to murder people to hold any concept of honor? I decided not to challenge him at this point. At least he’d offered a certain level of perspective, even if I thought it was jaded.
“Do both other brothers live on the grounds?”
“Only Enrique.”
“I suppose you won’t tell me why.” I gave him a quick glance. By that point he’d already shifted back into soldier mode.
“We all have our reasons for making the choices we do, Mrs. Benedetti.”
“That is very true, Gio. Choices. That means Matteo can choose to be a better man.” It was easy to see I’d pressed my luck, his face now pinched out of frustration. “This must be a beautiful place to work.”
“Looks can always be deceiving, Mrs. Benedetti.”
His words gave me an instant chill. “Please, call me Catherine.”
“That I can’t do, Mrs. Benedetti.”
“Matteo keeps you on a short leash, doesn’t he?” I didn’t wait for or expect an answer. I took another look before resuming my walk, making it to the vineyard only a few minutes later. I could tell he was prepared to follow me as I walked past the vines of grapes. “Please, Gio. I’m not going to run anywhere. I just needed some air. That’s all.” I tried to give him a pleasant smile.
Huffing, he shook his head. “Fine. But make it quick.”
“Of course.” He was more than just keeping some kind of timetable. And I doubted he was merely concerned about my well-being or the fact I might run. I tried to ignore the man as I casually walked down the first row of grapes.
What I’d read versus what I’d heard about the family didn’t seem cohesive. While there was no doubt that they were merciless killers, the fact they’d provided not only jobs but housing for so many employees was fascinating. Was it enough to keep their souls from being taken by the devil? That I wasn’t so certain.
I couldn’t help plucking one of the dark grapes from a vine, rolling it in my hand. It was plump and juicy, and the second I bit into it, I had to fight to keep from giggling from the trickles of juice sliding down my chin. The taste was fabulous, much like one of the wines I’d been required to enjoy at the reception. Everything about the situation and the man I’d married was far too confusing.
