The Sting of Love: USA Today Bestselling Author

by Gray, Khardine

  I guess that’s her aunt, or maybe it’s a friend. I imagined her aunt to be much older, but the woman before us barely looks any older than Willow. The only thing that makes me think she’s the aunt is the slight resemblance. It’s the bright blue eyes.

  “Oh my God… I’m so sorry. I’m leaving,” the woman says quickly, but I don’t miss the approving smile she gives Willow before the door closes.

  I look over at Willow. Her skin’s red with embarrassment, and she’s doing her best not to look it.

  “I’m so sorry,” she apologizes, bringing one hand up to her cheek. She shakes her head. “She was supposed to be away until tomorrow.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I answer with a smirk and glance down at my nakedness. I look like an idiot with the pink pillow covering my dick. “I guess I should go.”

  There, this is it. My chance. A good excuse to leave, and when I do, there’ll be no excuse to come back. Other than the fact that I want to see her again. I just shouldn’t.

  When I look back to her, the dimness in her eyes is noticeable. She knows this is the end of our fling. What I should do is say goodbye and leave well enough alone. She seems to have enough on her plate, and I really doubt that she needs my ass adding to her problems.

  I’m looking at her, though, and I see that need for me return to the depths of her gaze.

  I’m looking straight at her and know I won’t utter any form of goodbye from my lips. I’m one crazy fucker who’s going deeper down a rabbit hole, and I’m not listening to that voice of reason that’s trying to call me back. It’s trying to instill some sense in my thick head that’s filled with lust for this woman.

  I ignore it and lean onto the bed, crooking my finger toward her so she comes to me. She does, and we kiss.

  I have a really bad idea. It’s such a damn bad idea, but I’m going to do it anyway. I pull away from her lips and get lost in her blue gaze.

  “Come to my place later,” I say. I sound crazy.

  Willow’s eyes widen. “Your place? Donny…”

  “My place, Bella Bellissima.”

  “Did you just call me beautiful gorgeous?” She grins.

  “I did, doll. Come to my place for dinner. Pack a bag and stay the rest of the week with me.” There. I spoke the rest of the craziness on my mind, and her eyes light up.

  “What?”

  “You heard me.” I bend down, grab my boxers, and shrug into them. I find the rest of my clothes and get dressed quickly.

  She looks me over with surprise, her lips parted. “Really Donny?”

  “Do you want to?” I ask to be sure. I know she does, but there’s no fault in checking.

  “Yes,” she answers without any hesitation.

  “Good girl. Then I’ll see you later at eight.”

  “Eight?”

  I nod and go back to her lips for another kiss. One for the road.

  “Oh my God…” she breathes against my lips.

  “Yeah. Oh my God.”

  She’s right to call on the Lord. Only he can help me now.

  “See you later,” I tell her and head out. The last thing I want is questions from her aunt. Worry is on my mind as I leave. I worry over what I’m going to do with this doll I can’t get out of my head. I brought this on myself. She’s coming to my place later, and I asked her to stay the week. Maybe I have lost my mind. She’s just the first woman to excite me this way in a long time.

  * * *

  Thank fuck there was no real emergency.

  Alex messaged to check in last night, letting me know the others are here now. Dante and Gio have arrived, and they’re all in Calabria. It’s the first time that we’ve all been in Italy together.

  Gibbs messaged this morning to let me know there was no update on Mario. That pissed me off because the fact that we can’t find him means he has help. Somebody’s watching his back, and it’s not any old someone either.

  Since I had a break for a few hours, I thought I’d go see my father, so I headed north to my family home.

  This is the house we got after my mother was killed. It’s a little bigger. It was big enough to home myself and my two sisters as we all got older.

  Pa is outside in the yard with one of the groundmen. I can see him as I approach. I can just bet he’s giving some instruction over the vineyard. He loves that vineyard the same as he loves his kids.

  He looks my way, and his face brightens when I pull the bike to a stop. We haven’t seen each other in months, but that’s the usual. Normally, I don’t see him unless I’m here visiting, or when he goes to Chicago to see me.

  His smile widens when I walk up to him. I’m the spitting image of my father. Same face, same height, and same built. Looking at him is like looking at an older version of myself.

  Pa hugs me hard showing how much he missed me. He’s the only guy I allow to do that. Everyone else gets a handshake. The hug is an unspoken action of affection we’ve shared between us since I was a boy.

  He looks proud of me. He always looks like that, but today it’s more, and I know it’s because I’m doing what I’m doing with the business.

  “Donny, look at you. Buona sera, ragazzo mio.” He has a habit of mixing English and Italian, and he still calls me his boy.

  “Buonasera, Papa.”

  “Come inside. Let’s go out back and smoke some Cubans,” he suggests.

  I need one of those desperately.

  We settle in the garden around the wicker patio chairs while one of his maids brings out his humidor. As long as I can remember, Pa has always smoked the same brand cigar, and he always enjoys a whiskey with it, so when the maid brings us a bottle, it doesn’t surprise me.

  “How are things?” he asks.

  “They are okay,” I answer.

  He frowns and straightens up. “Just okay, my boy? You know what you control, right?”

  I chuckle. “Yes, Pa. I know. I still have to earn it though.”

  He flicks his wrist, waving me off. “Oh, please, you have this in the bag, and I’m proud of you. This is going to be very good for the Caporetti family.”

  “Yeah, I hear you.” I know what it all means for all of us. Truth be told, there’s a part of me that wants to do it to make him proud. No matter what I’ve done with my life I know he’s always been proud and supported me, but I know he was disappointed when I headed out to Chicago. I know deep down he wanted me to do more here. If I’d stayed I would have been Pablo’s assistant, not Mario. He just happened to be the next best option.

  “It will be good for you my boy. Some recognition for your hard work. You have so much to give with your education and experience. You couldn’t be more perfect for the role.”

  “Thank you father,” I answer.

  Gratitude fills me. I left for the States when I was eighteen. I went to Northwestern University and got my business and computer programming degree. Because my family had always been a part of the business going back generations, I was well taken care of when I got to Chicago. My expertise came in handy over the years and the chance to be somebody notable has come back to me full circle.

  “You know I will only tell you the truth. Armand Caporetti may be many things, but I never lie.” He gives me a firm nod. “Tell me why things are just okay.”

  I draw in a breath and tell him what’s happening. This is my father, so I don’t need to keep things secret when it comes to business. He won’t say shit to anybody even if they held a gun to his head. He was the one who taught me everything I know and got me to this point.

  “That does not sound good, Donatello,” he says and shakes his head. “There will be spies, rest assured. If a man like Mario can leave and people follow him, that is never good. And they wouldn’t have all just left. They’ll keep a few behind to keep watch, so watch your back, my son.”

  “I will. We’re working on stuff, and I hope to find the fucker before he screws with anything else.”

  “Yes, that is all you can hope for. It’s a shame when a
man goes rogue like that. He had no need to, but then we don’t know what money he was being offered.”

  “I’m guessing it was a lot.” Mario looked comfortable.

  “Money is power. If he’s associated with the triad and the cartel, they would have been paying him more than we pay him. You will need to be careful. Although… I have no doubt you can handle yourself.” He gives me a smile.

  “Thanks. I appreciate your faith in me. You know I will represent our family well.” I’m well aware that this is the kind of job he would have been going for had the opportunity arisen in his younger days. There are a lot of families in the alliance across Italy, and in Sicily in particular. My father is one of those notable men who would have been trusted to carry on business here. Next best to Pablo with his expertise in accounting.

  “I know, that’s why I’m proud. Juliana and Angela will be here next week visiting. It would be nice to have dinner as a family.” His eyes sparkle with the idea.

  “I’ll be here. Just say when.” I haven’t seen my sisters and their families since my last visit so that will be good.

  “Good. I guess I should ask the looming question that’s been on my mind.”

  “What’s that, Pa?” I’m not exactly sure what he’s going to ask me. We talk regularly and have a very open relationship, so if there’s anything looming on his mind, it’s news to me.

  “How are you feeling about coming back to live here?”

  I nod. “It’s good. I think I can handle it. It’ll be a change, but a good change.”

  The question is one that links with unspoken pain. The same pain we share from losing my mother. The memory of her death never left me. Pa always instilled strength in me. I was twelve when she died but I was old enough to hold my own, just not amongst a bunch of men with guns. I couldn’t do shit to save her and they made sure I knew it.

  Sometimes I still feel their hands on me, holding me down, making me watch as they took her away from me. Every time I look at my father since guilt filled me, even though I knew there was nothing I could have done.

  I left Sicily as soon as I could, trying to leave the memory behind me. I’m the youngest. My sisters are married to rich, powerful men who took care of them, so I knew I wasn’t needed. Whenever I come home, it’s brief. Hardly more than a week and never long enough for me to start getting settled. Pa knows me, which is why he’s asking.

  Pa dips his head for a reverent bow. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s good to have you back and know you’ll be here for a while.” I appreciate the change of subject, although we weren’t really talking about her. We don’t need to. He knows my reasons for leaving and the guilt I still carry. It’s the same as his.

  “It’s good to be home,” I state.

  “Speaking of which, your house is maintained as always, just waiting for you.”

  I smile at that. He’s not talking about my home in the city. He means the beach house in Marsala. It’s on the other side of Sicily. Pa bought it when we were kids and we used to go to it every summer as a family. He gave it to me for my twenty first birthday because he knew my love for it.

  He has staff that tend to it on a monthly basis. Last I checked the house was as perfect as I remembered with its beautiful chateau like structure and surroundings. It’s like an island by itself connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land, a lone road that can either take you back to civilization or away from it. I already planned to check on it. It’s always on my to do list when I’m in Sicily. I stay for a night or two, that’s it. No longer.

  There are too many memories of my mother in that house. Sometimes I’m fine and I want the memories. I even encourage them by keeping some of her stuff around, and things that remind me of her. Other times are overwhelming. Those are the times I remember how helpless I was when I couldn’t save her.

  “I’ll go see if everything’s okay,” I tell him.

  “I would love to see you there. It’s a massive house, fit for a family,” he answers with a knowing look. I know what his talk is going to be about next if he’s reminding me the house is fit for a family.

  “Yes it is a massive house,” I agree, hoping we can avoid the subject of family.

  He chuckles. “My son, I did not get you that house for you to check on it every now and again. You loved that house when you were a boy. We all did.”

  “Yes, Pa, I know. I’ll go see it.”

  “Now that you’re here, it might be a good time to think of finding a good woman and settling down,” he says, and I chuckle. I knew that was coming. He always tries to fit that talk in somewhere.

  “Pa, I’m a busy man,” I answer, but then a rebellious voice inside my head reminds me that I didn’t act like the busy man I claim to be last night, and definitely not this morning. And… if I were too busy, Willow wouldn’t be coming to my home later to spend the rest of the week. How much work am I going to get done with her around? The only part of my body that’s going to be working is my dick.

  “Donatello, do not tell me such nonsense. You travel with a pack of guys who know business, and they know family. Nothing replaces the famiglia. Believe me, I know.” Pa nods.

  I don’t know how he can say such a thing to me.

  Maybe it’s because he didn’t have to watch Ma being killed. By the time he got home that day, it was over, and he found me crying over her dead body. At least I’d managed to lock my sisters in the safe room, just like he made me promise if trouble ever came. I was to take care of my sisters first, then Ma. I was just too late when it came to her. The men were already in the house.

  “Okay. I hear you.” That’s all I’ll say. It’s best to.

  Things were different for him. My mother’s death came about as a result of a business deal gone wrong, and Pa killed the man who took her from us and made sure none of his family ever came for us again.

  The villains I’ve encountered in my time with Claudius and even our former boss, Raphael Rossi, are something else. Pa never had to deal with The Triad, cartel members, and anybody like that we’ve come up against in just the last few years.

  It’s all danger and death. The survival of the fittest.

  I promised myself I wouldn’t fall in love and lead the life my father is talking about. A woman to love and family.

  Damn it though, I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit Willow is the first woman I’ve ever met who makes me want to try, but I barely know her, and she shouldn’t know me.

  Chapter Nine

  Willow

  “I got everything,” Dad says, and my whole body sighs with relief.

  “Oh, Dad,” I say and pull in a sharp breath. “Thank you so much.”

  “You are welcome, sweet girl.”

  He called moments ago with an update on what’s happening. I’ve been stuck in the bubble Donny and I created since yesterday. Being with him left my head spinning so badly I barely remembered the new shit William decided to throw my way. I was too busy thinking of going to Donny’s later and my complete embarrassment at Lurlene catching me and Donny naked. She left the house and hasn’t been back for hours. I’m hoping she returns before I leave, so I can apologize.

  “Dad, I’m so glad you were able to sort it out for me.”

  “Willow, I won’t lie or pretend that this hasn’t gotten out of hand. It has, and I’m not happy about it. I had to call the cops. It was only then that William allowed me to get your things.”

  I shake my head at that. “Why does he hate me so much? Why is he being such an ass? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  He takes a moment to consider before giving the answer. “It’s power. He’s on a power trip. He knows he messed up and wants to justify his actions. He’s pushing you down as he does it, but I’m not going to let that happen to you.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” I say, and for the first time in forever, I have a sense of calm settle over me. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Don’t worry. We’re going to do all we can to help. And … um
, we know about his secretary. We’ve known since last week. Your mother really wants to talk to you. Just to see how you’re doing.”

  I shake my head even though I know he can’t see me. “Dad, I’m going to be real with you. I can’t talk to her now. Not right now. Not even in the next few days. I just need to heal a little more.” I told him how Mom blamed me for everything. He was upset, but as usual, he didn’t confront her. That’s one of the things I can’t stand. Mom gets away with her bullying because he allows her to, so she keeps doing the same old shit to me.

  “Sweetie, she honestly just wants to know how you are.”

  “I get that she might, and I appreciate that she cares, you know I do, but I don’t want to risk hearing how my ex-fiancé was cheating on me because it was my fault. I can’t risk it, Dad. It would crush me because it’s absolute shit. Sorry to swear.”

  He hates swearing but laughs. “It’s okay, baby girl. I get it, and I understand. I’ll just tell her you need some time. I think you did the right thing by going to Italy. If you’re happy there, stay for a while. I do miss you, and I was hoping we could do some painting together, but I think Lurlene is who you need right now.”

  He’s right, and I’m grateful for his understanding. “I miss you too. We can paint when I get back. I promise.”

  “I’m holding you to that.” He chuckles, and the phone line goes a little staticky.

  “You don’t have to. I’ll be back soon, and stronger, I hope.”

  “Don’t worry about William anymore. Sometimes when one door closes, another opens somewhere. I know you loved him, and he hurt you. That’s the bottom line. I won’t allow him to hurt you anymore. Your artwork is safe. I’ve made arrangements with the staff at the gallery to get three months’ worth of pay, and that’s all you need to know right now. We can sort out the rest whenever you get back.”

  “You’re the best, Dad.” I smile.

  “Anything for you. Call me if you need me, okay?”

  “I promise.”

  He hangs up, and I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the wall in the living room. I’m in the passageway between rooms, so I walk in and get closer to the mirror. That afterglow is still there, but what I notice too is that I look like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders.