Captured by the Mob (Bianchi Crime Family Book 2)

by C. M. Steele

  “My aunt is like a mother to me. When I turned seven, my mother didn’t want anything to do with my father and me. She fled to Italy and married someone else. For years, I thought my father had killed her and lied to me, but then I saw her with her husband when I went to Italy for a vacation. She looked at me with disgust and then walked away with her nose in the air.”

  “Why? Does she know what you do?”

  “Oh yes. She left because my father wasn’t the Don and I wouldn’t be in charge. She wanted to be the queen of it all.”

  “Oh shit. My bad about the whole joke earlier.”

  “It’s fine. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you knew all about me and how to stick it right to me.”

  “So why did you hate your father?”

  “Well, he wanted the same thing for me and for himself, but he was a coward and didn’t pull off the coup he wanted. Instead, he got a bullet.”

  “Oh shit. I don’t understand how people you’re close to can be so terrible.” I choke on my own tears as I think about my parents’ sudden dismissal of me. They changed after my father’s heart attack, and they were never the same with me.

  “Don’t cry, baby.” I feel his hand wiping away my tears.

  “Sorry.” Our eyes lock and I feel the pull, but then my phone rings, and it’s not in my pocket. It’s in his.

  “Hello?” he answers, keeping his eyes focused on me. “Never mind who the hell this is. Who the fuck are you to call my woman’s phone? CPD, you say? Your name and badge number. It sure as fuck matters to me.” He grabs his phone and types something in it before responding to the man on the other end. “Missing? She’s not missing. Who reported her missing? Her fiancé?” He stiffens and then relaxes. “Well, that’s nuts because she doesn’t have one. Have a good day. Don’t call again.” He ends the call and tosses it on the counter. “Fiancé?”

  “I don’t have a fiancé. I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

  He stares at me with determination in his eyes. “That’s really good because I’d have to add another dead body to my count this week.”

  “How many do you have this week?”

  “Only the fuck you saw.” He continues working on dinner, dropping the ravioli into a boiling pot like it’s not a big deal. Hell, I’m not even acting like it’s an issue.

  “Who was that on the phone?”

  “It was the police,” he says with his broad, muscular back to me.

  “I swear I didn’t,” I exclaim.

  He turns around with a ladle in his hand. “Relax. I know you didn’t. See—I’m not the only one keeping tabs on you.” He goes back to working on the food as if that’s not pertinent information.

  “What?” I screech, throwing my hands up and nearly sending my juice flying.

  “Don’t worry about it. Like I told you, everything is going to be just fine.”

  “Excuse me, but I’m just supposed to trust you?”

  He has two plates set with a layer of sauce and topped with ravioli’s and some sort of seasoning on top. Setting them down in front of us, he says, “I wouldn’t let anyone touch a hair on your head, so yes. Come, dinner’s almost ready.”

  “You are a confusing man.”

  “Well, let’s just say you confuse me in ways I didn’t know were possible. Let’s sit at the table.” There’s a small kitchen table in the corner that I hadn’t noticed since I refused to take my eyes off Nero.

  “Do you want me to carry anything?” I ask, trying to at least help. I’ve never been a lazy ass no matter how tired I was.

  “If you’d like, you can take the salad to the table.”

  We sit down with a beautiful salad, pasta, and wine. I forget all about the juice because I’ve always wondered what made wine good with food. “You went all out for dinner.”

  “I like to eat. Now dig in.” I nod and just dive into my ravioli. It’s freaking incredible, which takes me by surprise. I don’t know why it does, since I watched him make them and he appeared to be a professional at it.

  “What the hell?” he scowls, setting his fork on the table and then pulling his phone out of his pocket.

  He disappears for ten minutes and when he comes back, he’s scowling. “Sorry about that. It seems we have another matter that I have to deal with. Eat, so I can get out of here.”

  “I’m done.” I push away my plate, hating the suddenly icy demeanor.

  “You’ve had two bites. You don’t like it?”

  “It’s fine, and I’ve had four raviolis and at least a quarter of my salad since you left. I’m actually quite full. I have a small stomach as of late.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Did you not see me living in a hovel and then in a shelter? I’m not sitting on a pile of cash.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your problem. Can I just go up to my room?” A feeling of defeat washes over me, not that I’d let him see it. I keep my shoulders taut and my chin up with a little more attitude than necessary.

  “Yes. I’ll walk you up.”

  “Yes, you don’t want me escaping.”

  It’s supposed to come out snide, but all he does is nod and say, “Damn right. You wouldn’t get far because we’re extremely isolated.”

  I’m not sure why I’m being a bitch other than I’m a prisoner and he just reminded me of it, even though I felt something simmering between us. Maybe that’s just how he operates with women. Hot and cold, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m not here on my own volition. There’s nothing between us, and I need to remember that. I’m nothing more than a means to an end. A repair of a mistake.

  “Whatever. Listen, dinner was nice, but from now on, please bring my slice of bread and water to my cell, please.”

  “Since you asked so nicely,” he snarls, not saying a word again as he closes the door behind me.

  Chapter Five

  Nero

  Fuck. I don’t know what happened right now, but I can’t deal with it. Apparently, Gordon isn’t taking no for an answer, and the slippery fuck has insiders in the police department so he’s got a little pull. I lock the door and look right at Tony D. “If anything happens to her, I’ll string you up by your balls. Do I make myself clear?” I trust him, but when it comes to my future wife, he better be ready to lay down his life for her.

  “Of course, Nero. She’s to be protected at all costs,” he answers, understanding the depths of my intentions. Mariana is the be-all and end-all of my happiness.

  “Good.” I steal a look back at the stairs, aching to run up there and apologize for whatever I did to hurt that fragile connection we have. Still, I have business to deal with and the sooner it’s dealt with, the better it will be for everyone. I jump in my truck and drive straight to Dom’s where he’s waiting for me as soon as I walk through the door.

  “Hey. Let’s talk in the kitchen. You look like shit, by the way.”

  I nod and follow behind him. “Thanks. I feel like it.”

  “Is she fighting you?” he questions, smiling widely at me. He loves when Aria gives him lip.

  “I don’t know. We were having a good moment and then I left to take the call regarding Gordon and all the information Enrico and Vinnie pulled. When I came back, she’d gone back to reminding me how she’s a prisoner.”

  “Did you kiss her? It helps when they get moody,” he offers up his advice as a married man.

  “Oh really?” Aria says, stepping into the room with her arms crossed and brow raised.

  Dom pales and stammers out, “That’s not what I meant.” He’s the man people cower down to when he enters a room, but she has that power over him that only she can possess.

  “Bullshit, Domani. Own it. Anyway, I’m moody and yes, your kisses help because I love you. They are just meeting. It might take a while for her to tolerate his shit. So what did you say when you said you had to leave?” She has one hand on her hip and the other is pointing a finger at me.

  “I said to hurry up and
eat because I had to leave.” I run my hands through my hair because as the words leave my mouth I know why she’s pissed.

  “Well, fuck. I could have told you that was stupid,” Domani says, shaking his head.

  “My wise, all-knowing key to women is right. You were essentially dismissing her from your presence, so no wonder she iced you out.”

  “What the fuck am I supposed to do? I don’t trust that she won’t leave if I let her and yet, I know it’s fucking wrong to hold her captive like that.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll be going over there.” She puts her hand on Dom’s mouth, silencing any objection he was going to toss out. “I am. She needs some girl time to discuss what an asshat you are.”

  “How is bashing me going to help?”

  “Oh, feeble man. You can butcher men, get in their heads before you kill them, but you can’t figure out something so simple.”

  “Simple? Ha. Women—simple?” Dom barks out, chuckling.

  “I’d choose your next words wisely, husband.”

  “I love you, my queen.” He winks at me as he kisses her cheek, but she’s wise to him and slaps his chest.

  “Nice try. Now, I’ll let you guys talk shop, but I’m deadly serious about tomorrow. Someone’s got to save your dumbass from making a fool of yourself.” She kisses Dom’s cheek and leaves the room after stealing my piece of cake. Strangely, my stomach hurts too much to care.

  “I’ll cut you another slice.”

  “I’m good. Let’s deal with this prick. So he’s a huge cokehead, but that’s nothing. He operates a strip club and there are hookers running around. Many of them are reportedly not there voluntarily.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Deadly. The fucker needs to go down. I went to her apartment last night and the shit had been turned inside out. The place was completely ransacked.”

  “So we deal with him, but we need to be careful. He’s kept out of trouble with his hands in these pots because he more than likely has people on the take, and I’m not just talking about the police; maybe a councilman or two who turn their heads, officials from other states. It could be anyone.”

  “He’s hell-bent on getting a hold of Mariana. I refuse to let that happen, but I’m gonna need help.”

  “Of course. You’re like my brother. We’re blood, and if you truly believe she’s the one, then I got your back.”

  I frown and tilt my head before asking a question I already know the answer to. “How long did it take you to decide Aria was yours?”

  “One look.”

  “Exactly.”

  He nods, confirming my answer and respecting it. “We’ll go to war with Gordon, but I’d prefer if we just got rid of the problem from behind the scenes. The less mess and attention for us, the better.”

  “I agree. His club is just between the two Southside families on the outskirts of the city, so there’s a chance that they’re backing him.”

  “I’ll contact them and see what they know about that little bitch and how much they want to dismantle his shitty club.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem. The only problem is when the girls team up against us.”

  “Thank fuck you had a boy and have another on the way.”

  “Damn right. Now go home and we’ll handle this shit first thing in the morning. I’ll send Aria over for a breakfast chit-chat while we deal with business. With her guards and a few extra, both ladies will be safe.”

  I nod, and we hug before parting ways. The second I’m in my truck, I feel a fuck ton better knowing that Domani has my back. A huge part of me already knew that, but there’s something powerful about hearing it from his mouth. I drive back to the house with a feeling of comfort. Entering my property, I quietly climb the stairs and notice that her bedroom light is off.

  “Good. Tomorrow, we’ll have a fresh start,” I say, walking to my room.

  ****

  I slept like shit. She was right across the hall, sleeping like an angel, and all I could think about was touching her until she caved to me. If only I can get her to see we’re meant to be together because once I do, she’ll have my baby inside of her. That way, she’ll have a hard time leaving me.

  It’s just seven in the morning and Aria has already texted me, letting me know I have an hour to get my ass ready to meet with Domani because she and Luca will be here soon. I roll my eyes, but I get up and head over to Mariana’s room. Unlocking the door, I open it to find her working out, throwing punches in the air. God, her ass looks so damn good in those itty-bitty shorts. Her punches need work, but the venom in the strikes lets me know she’s readying herself for a showdown.

  “Are those for me?” I ask. She spins around and her mouth falls open. Fuck, I forgot I’m just wearing a pair of boxers.

  “Is that for me?” she asks, staring at my unmistakable erection which takes the opportunity to jerk under her perusal as if he’s nodding yes. “Is there something you wanted?”

  “There’s a lot I want. Especially when it comes to that smart mouth of yours.”

  “Oh yeah? Well, excuse me, I need to shower.” She turns her back to me and lifts the hem of her top over her head and tosses it on the floor. I close the distance, grabbing her around the waist and carrying her to the bed. With her bare breasts between us, I slam my mouth onto hers, letting her pebbled nipples brush across my chest.

  Her hands dig into the muscles of my shoulders, scoring my skin as she rolls her hips up against my throbbing need. I trail kisses down the column of her throat, nipping and sucking on her smooth flesh, aching for so much more. “Nero,” she moans, and I nearly shoot off my load in my boxers.

  “Mariana, you’re driving me insane. I need you to come for me. I want to hear your cries as you explode.” The blunt head of my cock presses into her entrance, our clothes the only thing keeping me from penetrating her when it’s all I want. I dip down and kiss a path to her tits while she grips and claws from my scalp down to my back. Our movements are frantic and intense. All new to me, and I’m doing my best to not jet my load all over the inside of my boxers. “Damn it, amore. Come for me.”

  She lets out a whimpering moan that grows as her body shatters, and then her moans shift to a wild cry of my name. Her orgasm is a fucking sight to behold, and luckily I’m the only one to witness it. I kiss her as she comes down, allowing my jealousy of other men to keep me from nutting just yet.

  Cupping her chin, I look into her unbelievably gray eyes and confess, “I can’t wait to taste your cream all over my tongue. You’re a goddess when you let go.”

  “I can’t believe it. I mean, I… I just. Wow. I don’t know why I let you do that to me.”

  “You taunted a bull and waved the flag in my face. You’re lucky I didn’t pierce you like I wanted to. Now that I’ve experienced how sexy you are when you come, I need you to get ready.”

  “You’re letting me leave?”

  “No, but Aria’s coming over here with Luca.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. I tried to tell her that it wasn’t okay, but she listens to no one. Hell, Dom will kill a bastard if he talks back to him, but Aria is the one to make him crumble.”

  “Well, then, since I’m not going to get out of it, please leave me so I can shower.”

  “With pleasure.” I stand and my cock juts out, stretching the material. I do my best to adjust him and then walk out of the room with a hint of dignity. Now, it’s time to beat off. I don’t know how Dom made it three years waiting for Aria. It’s insane how much I want Mariana.

  Chapter Six

  Mariana

  I watch him walk out of the room with his cock so big and long. A part of me feels upset that he didn’t come like I did. I guess with experience comes a level of control. Still, I’m thoroughly relaxed. I can barely catch my breath as I toss my head back on the bed. I’m not ready to shower, but I don’t have a choice because we’ll have company soon. Does she know I’ve been kidnapped? Maybe she was too.

 
Shaking my head, I try to ignore any interest in any future with Nero. He’s an underboss of a mafia family, and he’s actually killed someone in front of me. Why doesn’t that bother me like it should? From the first time our eyes locked, I could only focus on wanting his mouth on mine. Now that I have, nothing else matters other than getting extra kisses and so much more.

  After getting out of the shower, I select a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. It’s almost the end of Spring and quite a warm day. I sit on the bed and wait for Nero to unlock the door, but when the knob turns, it’s not him, but a beautiful raven-haired woman with a baby in her arms.

  “Hi. Sorry to barge in on you like this, but Luca and I needed some time away from the guys, and my sister has abandoned me for Ireland. Like what the heck does Ireland have that I don’t? Oh, I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Aria Bianchi, and I’m Dom’s wife. I don’t know if you know who he is, but anyways, Dom and Nero are cousins. So I came to welcome you to the family.”

  “Welcome me to the family?”

  “Yeah. Pretty soon you’ll be a Bianchi as well.”

  “Did Nero tell you that I’m his girlfriend or something, because that’s not…”

  “Please. I know exactly what you’re doing here. He’s an idiot. A kind-hearted killer, but he’s a man with very few brain cells when it comes to women. So anyways, this little guy is my sweet Luca, and we’re gonna have some breakfast together. Now that you’re dressed, how about we head downstairs? I brought my chef, Giuseppe, with me. You’ll love him. Although don’t let Nero hear that. They get really possessive when you mention love, but Giuseppe’s food is to die for. Come.” She stands with the baby and walks to the door. “Well, are you coming?”

  I like her. She seems a bit over the top, but she’s nothing like I expected. We head downstairs and there’s a handsome man standing at the bottom, scowling at Aria. He looks so much like Nero that it’s shocking, and then he pulls Aria into his arms for a kiss. “What did I say about going up and down the stairs with the baby?”

  “He’s not heavy, Domani.”