Salvatore: a Dark Mafia Romance

by Natasha Knight

  What the…

  “Salvatore?” Lucia called me back to the present.

  “Go for a swim,” I said, standing and patting my pockets for my keys.

  “So that’s it? Go for a swim?” She snorted, rising too.

  Finding them, I heard the phone buzz again.

  “Hurry, please!”

  “I have to go.”

  “No!”

  She rushed me, gripping my arms before I made it to the door.

  “You can’t just walk away from this. From me! You can’t just leave me here like this! I have a right to answers!”

  I pulled her hands away and sat her down roughly on the couch. “I have to go. When I come back, we’ll talk. I’m sorry, but I can’t right now.”

  “It’ll be too late then!”

  My mind was too full with Natalie’s frantic messages for Lucia’s words to penetrate. I bolted out of the house and to the car that still sat parked in the driveway. I didn’t look back, just drove as fast as I could to Natalie’s house.

  14

  Lucia

  I couldn’t believe this. He’d just left, walked out! I’d really thought last night, after what had happened in the bedroom, the things he’d said, I thought he felt something. And even as I’d told him I hated him, I didn’t. I’d held fast, refusing to let go.

  I felt something for him.

  Then this morning, when he’d defended me, didn’t that mean something? And what about when he’d been so possessive when he’d seen Dominic in our room?

  God, I was stupid.

  His cell phone buzzed again, and I got up. He’d forgotten it in his rush. The latest text was on the screen.

  “Are you getting my messages? I need you!”

  The name of the contact read Natalie.

  Natalie needed him?

  And he’d dropped everything for her. In a fucking heartbeat, he’d dropped everything and run out of the house, not even remembering to take his cell phone with him!

  Fine. That was fine. She was probably the reason he’d release me from my contract. He didn’t want me. I was a burden on him. He claimed not to have liked humiliating me last night, but he’d gotten hard doing it. He’d used me. He was getting off on it while he could. Probably cheating on Natalie while he was forced to keep me.

  He made a fool out of me. I was a complete, fucking idiot.

  He wanted Natalie? Fine. He could have her. He could fucking have her.

  I walked into the bathroom that adjoined his study and dropped the cell phone into the toilet before I ran upstairs to my bedroom. I threw a few things into a duffel bag. I didn’t care about anything anymore. I wasn’t permitted to leave the grounds? I had to tell him where I was at all times?

  He could go fuck himself. Or fuck her.

  Fuck!

  Flinging the duffel over my shoulder, I made my way to the garage. I knew they kept the keys to the cars there, and I’d seen the code Salvatore had punched into both the box that contained them and to open the gate yesterday. I was out of here. I was done.

  Getting into a car was easy. Getting out of the garage easy. By the time I got to the gate, I saw Marco running down the driveway after me. I punched in the code to open the gate, but nothing happened.

  “Shit.”

  I tried again, one eye on the rearview mirror as Marco’s form neared. He ran fast.

  I tried the code again, and again, nothing. I stopped, squeezing my eyes shut.

  “Think. Think! You saw it yesterday!”

  I tried again and exhaled in relief as the tall gates finally crept open, slow as fucking molasses. I inched the car forward, too aware of Marco just a few feet away as finally, finally, the gates opened wide enough that I hit the gas, the tires screaming against stones, kicking up dirt and rock and leaving him literally in the dust.

  I grinned, seeing him pull his phone out and put it to his ear, no doubt trying to call Salvatore, tell him I’d broken one of his stupid rules. Too bad Salvatore’s phone sat in the toilet.

  That made me laugh.

  I didn’t calm down on the drive over to Isabella’s house. The opposite, actually. What was the point of all of this? Why take me when he wanted someone else? Why?

  Because daddy said he had to if he wanted to be boss.

  This was so fucked up. Salvatore’s father controlled him. He had to do what he did, or his father would take away what was his right. He’d give it all to Dominic. My life didn’t matter. What I felt didn’t matter.

  Felt. No, I felt nothing. Nothing tender, at least.

  But I was beginning to trust him.

  The devil you know.

  At least Salvatore’s indifference to me kept me safe. Franco or Dominic, they would do worse things to me. Of that, I had no doubt.

  So why did his indifference hurt me? What did I want?

  Isabella’s house looked empty when I got there. I pulled the car up in the driveway, far enough back that it wouldn’t be visible from the street. I wondered if she kept the spare key where we used to in case we locked ourselves out. But as I walked down the long drive back to the house, I saw Isabella’s face peer out of the kitchen window. I raised my hand in greeting, but she didn’t wave. Her face grew worried. I saw her rush from the window and throw open the back door.

  “Lucia?”

  I fell into her arms, tears breaking loose, although I couldn’t say exactly why. What would I tell her? How could I explain that I was jealous and hurt? That after all the things he’d done to me, all the things they’d done to me, I wanted him. Because I did. I wanted Salvatore.

  “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

  We walked inside and went right into the kitchen.

  “Sit down.”

  She pulled a chair out and set a box of tissues in front of me. She busied herself making some tea, casting glances my way as I blew my nose and mopped my face, forcing deep breaths in and out, trying to get myself under control. Isabella set a fresh cup of tea in front of me and then took the seat across from mine, taking a sip from her cup.

  “What’s happened?”

  How much should I tell her? I wasn’t worried about her judging me. I just didn’t want her to think me weak. Or worse, a traitor.

  “I’m so confused.” I shook my head, picked up the mug of tea, and stared into the swirling dark liquid.

  “Did he hurt you?”

  Yes. Oh yes.

  I swallowed a sip of tea then faced my sister. “I think he’s having an affair.”

  She looked surprised. “Why do you think that?”

  “Because we were in the middle of a conversation when he got a text from someone named Natalie and bolted. He was in such a hurry he left his phone behind. I read one of the messages.”

  “What did it say?”

  “For him to hurry. That she needed him.”

  Isabella checked her watch. I went on.

  “He just left me there and walked out in the middle of a conversation!”

  “Wasn’t Natalie the name of his brother’s wife?”

  “What? Dominic’s married?”

  “No, Dominic’s not married. Sergio.”

  “Oh.” Shit, how had I not remembered that? “He’s having an affair with his dead-brother’s wife?”

  “Why are you jumping to that conclusion? It could be anything.”

  “Are you defending him?”

  She sat back and folded her arms across her chest. “I guess I’m trying to figure out why you care.”

  I would almost say there was something accusing in the gaze she leveled me with. I rested my elbow on the table and dropped my forehead into my hand. “I don’t fucking know.”

  Isabella’s chair scraped away from the table. She got up and went over to her phone on the counter. She typed in what I assumed was a text message then turned back to me. She leaned against the counter and studied me with a strange expression on her face before she walked back over to me and rubbed my back.

  “It’s natural, I
guess, if you’re stuck living with someone who basically holds your whole life in his hands, to develop some feelings for that person. You’re not in love with him, though.”

  I shoved her hand away. “In love? Who said anything about being in love?”

  She sat back down. “I’m just saying don’t beat yourself up over it. Good riddance, and hope he is fucking his dead-brother’s wife!”

  “Izzy!”

  “I’m sorry, that came out cold. The most important thing is that you’re out of there. And you’re not going back.”

  “Where’s Effie?” I suddenly realized the little girl wasn’t here.

  “She went swimming with her best friend, and they were going to have dinner together after. I should go get her soon.”

  “You should have seen Marco’s face when I drove away.”

  “I bet that was something.”

  “Izzy, I overheard something this morning at Franco Benedetti’s house. I wanted to talk to you about it.”

  “What?”

  “Salvatore and his father were talking. I’m not sure if Dominic was there or not, but I heard his father say something about taking care of Luke.”

  She didn’t seem surprised by what I said.

  “They know you’re trying to stir things up, Izzy. You have to be careful.”

  “That’s Luke. Not me.”

  “Well, then you need to tell him to be careful. What’s going on with you and him, anyway? I saw how he looked at you at the church, and he was here the other day. Are you two having an affair?”

  “An affair. It sounds so illicit.” She picked up her teacup and dumped its contents into the sink. “You’re caught up on this affair thing today, aren’t you?” she asked, her back to me.

  “Is he Effie’s father, Izzy? Is that why Papa—”

  She snorted and looked off to the side. “Luke is not Effie’s father.”

  “Who is?”

  She turned and met my gaze, her expression cooler. “It’s not important. What is important is figuring out what we’re going to do to keep you away from Salvatore.”

  Isabella’s cell phone rang, and she eyed the display. “I have to take this. I’ll be right back.”

  She walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, surprising me with her sudden secrecy.

  “This isn’t a good time,” I heard her whisper. Then I heard my name before she hung up and returned to the kitchen.

  “Who was that?”

  “The mom who took Effie swimming.”

  “Oh. You could have talked to her.”

  “It’s fine. She was just checking in. Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich.”

  “No, I’m good. I think I’ll go lay down if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course, go ahead.”

  I stood, feeling this space between us, something strange that hadn’t been there before. But then she walked over to me and hugged me.

  “You’ll be okay, sis. I won’t let him hurt you. I’ll take care of everything.”

  An unease settled over me as I made my way up to my old bedroom. Something in her tone or posture was off…wrong. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, though. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was the five years between us. She’d changed too, just like all of us. She’d grown a little harder. But maybe that was what she’d needed to do to survive.

  After a short rest and a microwave dinner later in the evening, I’d gotten ready and gone to sleep in my old bedroom, the sinking feeling never leaving my stomach. It wasn’t too much later when I woke to rain beating against the window and voices arguing. I sat up and glanced at the time on my phone. It was a little after midnight. The display showed eight missed calls, all from—surprise, surprise—Salvatore.

  I guess he’d gotten home from Natalie’s. Asshole.

  I ignored the messages, got out of bed, and cracked the door open. The voices came from downstairs. It was Isabella and a man. Although I knew the voice, I couldn’t place it. It didn’t belong here.

  “You promised me. I don’t want him hurt!”

  My sister sounded agitated.

  “I’m placating. Relax.”

  “How the fuck can I relax? God, I wish this were over!”

  I stepped out onto the landing and crept over to the stairs. Hearing the familiar creak on the third step, I froze, hoping they hadn’t heard. They continued arguing.

  “You need to go. You can’t be here.”

  I suspected my sister didn’t realize she was whispering that loud.

  “I took care of what you wanted done. Don’t I get a little reward?”

  What you wanted done?

  “I’m sure Salvatore will be here any minute. He’s not stupid, he knows where she’d run to. Get out of here before he gets here.”

  Salvatore was coming?

  “I parked a few blocks down. I’ll duck into a room. No worries, babe.”

  Was that Dominic? Calling my sister babe?”

  Tires screeched to a halt just outside the house. Headlights shone through the windows, and a car door slammed shut.

  “Pussy whipped,” the man said just as someone leaned on the doorbell.

  I turned and ran into my room, pretending to just come out of it when I saw Izzy run to the door.

  “Is that the doorbell?” I asked, not wanting her to know I’d overheard anything.

  “Here we go,” Izzy said.

  I walked down the stairs. Izzy opened the front door.

  A soaked and furious Salvatore stood just on the other side, his gaze fixed on me.

  15

  Salvatore

  “It’s the middle of the night,” Isabella said, standing in the doorway.

  I looked over her shoulder and saw Lucia standing on the bottom step of the stairway. “I won’t be long,” I said, my eyes trained on Lucia. “I’m just here to collect what’s mine.” I then turned to Isabella. “Move.”

  “No.”

  “Move.”

  “I’ll call the police.”

  “I own the police.”

  “It’s okay, Izzy. Let him in.”

  Lucia stepped down from the stairs and folded her arms across her chest. She wore a short pink nightshirt that reached to just beneath her ass, and her hair looked like it did when she woke up: a beautiful mess.

  “You don’t have to listen to him,” Isabella said, although she stepped aside.

  Lucia’s eyes were locked on mine.

  “Get your things,” I said to her.

  “How’s Natalie?”

  “Natalie? That’s why you left?” I’d gotten home to find my cell phone in the toilet. Had Natalie sent another text that Lucia had read? My phone was password protected, but the messages flashed and stayed on the screen for long enough that she wouldn’t have needed the password.

  Lucia stuck her chin out. She was jealous. She was fucking jealous.

  I watched her, and the longer I did, the more nervous she became, shifting on her feet, biting her lip.

  “Let’s go home. We’ll talk about it there.”

  “This is my home, Salvatore. I’m staying here.”

  I stepped toward her, dropping my gaze to her bare feet with their pretty pink toenails, before I took her arms and unfolded them. I attempted a smile. I’d been pissed when I’d gotten home to find out she’d run. Marco had tried to get hold of me, but all he’d been able to do was leave messages and assume I got them. But since my phone was in the toilet, I’d only found out about Lucia leaving when I got home around eleven at night.

  But now, understanding why she’d run, I wasn’t angry. I was surprised.

  “You’re coming with me,” I said in a quiet whisper. I didn’t care if her sister could hear or not. I also couldn’t have cared any less what she thought of me. I’d talked to Roman about the DNA tests, and I was putting two and two together. “Your home is not here, not anymore. It’s with me.”

  Lucia’s eyes widened, and for a moment, I saw she wanted to believe, wanted to do as I sa
id, but then Isabella cleared her throat.

  “Luce, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  I glanced at her, feeling only disdain as things slowly fell into place, piece by piece. I turned my attention back to Lucia.

  “I’ll say it one more time. Get your things, and get in the car, or I will carry you out over my shoulder. But one way or another, you will be sleeping in my bed tonight.”

  I watched Lucia swallow and saw how her breasts tightened beneath the pink nightshirt.

  She was turned on.

  “What’s it going to be?”

  “Luce—”

  I held a finger up to Isabella, not taking my eyes off Lucia. “This is between us.”

  Lucia stiffened, looking over my shoulder at her sister, then back at me, defiance in her gaze.

  “You can’t make me go.”

  I grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  She squealed, surprised I guessed, when I gripped her hips and heaved her over my shoulder, slapping her ass hard when she kicked her legs and pounded my back with her fists.

  “I’m calling the police!” Isabella ran into the kitchen.

  I ignored her and moved us out the door, sheets of rain soaking us both.

  “Let me down!”

  “I gave you a choice,” I said, opening the passenger-side door and dropping her into the seat. She immediately tried to spring out, but I pressed her back with the flat of my hand against her chest. “You chose wrong.” I clicked her seat belt and shut her door, locking it until I got into the driver’s seat. I hit the gas, propelling us forward.

  “You can’t just…take me like that!”

  “Put your seat belt back on.” She’d unbuckled it. What did she think she’d do, jump out of a car going sixty miles per hour?

  I made sure the door was locked just in case.

  “I swear, Lucia, if I have to pull over to discipline you—”

  “Slow down!” she screamed as I took a turn.

  “Fasten your fucking seat belt.”

  “I hate you.”

  She fastened it as I merged onto the highway. “You say that a lot. Mostly when you’re turned on.”

  “I’m not turned on!”