The Vatican: (Standalone) (The Holy Trinity Series Book 5)

by M. E. Clayton

Uncle Ciro owned four clubs-The Diamond, The Ruby, The Emerald, and The Sapphire. The Diamond catered to the very rich and very elite. It was basically a big boardroom with alcohol and food at your disposal. The Ruby catered to women. It was where you could go to unwind without being hit on. The Emerald catered to the party crowd. It was what you imagined a club to be on a Friday or Saturday night. But The Sapphire…well, The Sapphire was something different entirely.

  The Sapphire catered to sex. It wasn’t a strip club, and there was no prostitution involved, but it was understood that, when you walked through the doors of The Sapphire, you were there for sex, and sex only. You weren’t there to find love or happily-ever-after. Hell, first names were optional at The Sapphire.

  And it’s where Francisco Benetti found his willing pussy.

  Granted, it wasn’t hard to find a woman who wouldn’t be willing to spread her legs for the man, but The Sapphire was one of Francisco’s favorite places, and most of us knew it. And, if I was being honest, I had spread my legs for him just yesterday, so who was I to judge anyone for falling for his looks and charm? And, if I was being completely honest, Francisco was the perfect man to help me work out these violent tendencies I was feeling.

  I couldn’t deny I felt something for him. I admitted it the morning after I killed Trent. I’ve always been attracted to him, but…this wasn’t about that. This was about trust. I was supposed to trust him and my family with my life, but they obviously didn’t trust me, and that hurt.

  I recalled how I let him finger me to orgasm on my couch and it was crippling to know that, for all my strength and independence, he could easily control me through sex if I let him get close enough. I had been reduced to my baser instincts, and I had no one to blame but myself.

  And it had felt good.

  When he had finally gotten tired of my shit and slammed me on the couch, the weight of his body on mine had felt glorious. I knew the second he stared at me from above I was in trouble. We had fought long enough that you’d think I would have felt spent, but that didn’t come until after he had taken me over the edge with his fingers. And I needed that…calm now. I needed someone to help me work through the rage that was every bit alive as it had been yesterday.

  Oh, I knew Mica had texted him the second he knew where he was taking me. I knew the Benetti sentinels in the club had texted or called him as soon as I walked in, but I didn’t care. Everyone knew Francisco frequented this place. I dare him to say something to me for being here.

  As I sat at a corner table, my back to the wall like I was taught, I noticed that, even for a Sunday night, there were still a lot of people here. But then, people didn’t reserve sex for just Friday and Saturday nights, I supposed.

  When the cocktail waitress approached me, I asked for a reserved placard. I needed to go to the restroom, but I wanted to save the table because of its location. Once she brought it, I headed towards the restroom with Mica in tow. He stood just outside the door as I went inside to freshen up.

  And to steady my nerves a bit.

  I’d never done something like this before. With the exception of that one night with Francisco, I’ve always dated the men I’ve slept with. Granted, there’s only been three men in the three years since I was with Francisco, but they were still men I knew. Men I had dated to some degree. I’ve never had a one-night stand, and I’ve never just trolled for dick.

  I was also afraid of being disappointed. I didn’t want someone who was going to try to make love to me. But I didn’t want someone who was only going to last for five minutes and care only about his pleasure. I needed someone I could use. Someone to release all these jumbled emotions before I lost my goddamn mind to them.

  I stared in the mirror, and the look was more high-class escort than street-corner hooker. My dress was electric blue with a crisscross middle and fell just below my ass. I was short, but curvy. I had handfuls everywhere and this dress was accentuating those handfuls exceptionally. The killer matching heels were a nice touch, too.

  I was just reapplying my lip gloss when a tall-well, taller than me-stunning redhead walked in. Her hair reminded me of a fire and her willowy blouse and black slacks screamed class. The outfit also boasted of a great body underneath.

  She caught my eye in the mirror and smiled. “Hey.”

  I smiled back. “Hey.”

  “Wow. Your eyes are stunning,” she remarked. “Are they contacts?”

  I was often asked that question. “No, they’re not,” I replied.

  Her brows shot up. “Well, they’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I went back to checking my face.

  “You seem familiar, but I’m sure I’ve never seen you in here before,” she said, continuing the chitchat.

  “It’s my first time here.”

  She smiled as she touched up her face. “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a regular, but this place is great,” she said. “And, tonight, I’ve hit the jackpot.”

  I buttoned up my clutch. “Lucky you.”

  Her face lit up, and she really was pretty. “Yeah, Francisco Benetti just walked in and it’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

  My stomach hollowed, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it was from knowing Francisco was here or that she knew him. My chest ached with the possibility that it was a little of both.

  I steeled myself to sound casual. “Oh, you know Benetti?”

  I found myself jealous of her smile. “Intimately,” she bragged, confirming what I already knew. However, she didn’t brag in an unattractive way. She spoke as if she really liked Francisco. “And I have to tell you, the man is a beast in bed.” She fanned herself dramatically, and I found myself smiling despite the topic of conversation. “I know he can’t be…tied down, but…God, he’s just so good, you know?”

  I did know.

  I shook my head. “Uh, no, I don’t,” I lied.

  “Oh, honey, what kind of men have you been sleeping with if you don’t know pleasure so intense you can’t put it into words?” she teased.

  I hadn’t eaten dinner, but it still felt like my stomach was going to revolt. I knew Francisco fucked around. And I knew he came here to do it. He admitted as much at my apartment last night. So, why in the hell was I feeling jealous? Why was this nice woman, who didn’t know who I was, bothering me so much with her genuine interest in Francisco?

  “Clearly, I need to get out more,” I joked. “Hence, why I’m here.”

  She rolled her lips in, but then smiled again. “If this doesn’t sound too weird…well, Franklin Hennessy, who’s sitting near the lily painting, is a good choice.” She blushed a little when my brow arched. “You won’t be disappointed,” she promised on a laugh.

  “What’s your name?” I shouldn’t be entertaining this woman knowing what she was to Francisco, but our issues weren’t her fault.

  She stuck her hand out. “Jessica. Jessica Silvio.”

  “Hi, Jessica. I’m Ria,” I said, shaking her hand. “Thanks for the advice.”

  Jessica grinned. “He’s not Francisco Benetti caliber, but he’s close. He’s one of the few who makes sure you’re completely satisfied with your choice as him for a partner.”

  “That’s good to know,” I remarked. We gave ourselves one final glance in the mirror before I said, “Ready to go get your man?”

  Jessica lifted her chin. “Absolutely.”

  My mind drifted towards Franklin Hennessy, and I realized I didn’t care what he looked like or what he was about. I wasn’t about to go home alone while Francisco entertained Jessica. Besides, I came here on a mission and jealousy had just turned my destructive urges up a notch.

  I knew I had no right to be jealous. I knew my feelings were my own problem. I also knew a piece of paper might legally bind me to Francisco, but he wasn’t mine. We’d never be a married couple in love. We were going to be a married couple in power. We were going to do our duty by our families, and love had no place in an arrangement like that.

  As we stepped out of
the restroom, Mica fell into step with me. “He’s sitting at your table,” he warned low enough for me to hear only.

  Perfect.

  The part of me that was still angry and the new part of me that felt jealous couldn’t wait to deliver Jessica to Francisco. Plus, if he was busy with her, he might stay out of my fucking business with Franklin, if Franklin was game.

  We emerged from the dark hallway, and when I looked over at my reserved table, Francisco Benetti was sitting in the seat I had vacated, sweet as you please, like he owned the fucking place.

  I heard Jessica squeak, and I pushed down the unpleasant emotions that were threatening to claim Francisco as mine in an epically humiliating fashion. Just yesterday, I told the man I didn’t want him, and it could have been any man who made me cum the way he did; I was not about to act like a jealous harpy now.

  I’d slit my wrists first before I’d show him, or anyone, that kind of weakness.

  The second Francisco saw us walking towards us, I noticed his back straightened, and I never realized how thrilling it was for a cat to play with the mouse before devouring it.

  Oh, this was going to be fun.

  Chapter 12

  Francisco~

  When Mica had texted me to tell me he was driving Saveria to The Sapphire, I had been ready to make dinner, and my kitchen hadn’t survived the news.

  I tore the fucking place apart.

  And when the calls came in from the Benetti guards who worked at The Sapphire, telling me that Luca Fiore had just walked in, it was a miracle I made it here without killing anyone.

  But it wasn’t until I saw her walking towards me, dressed for fucking, with Jessica Silvio that I got a glimpse into how angry she was with our parents.

  Because I was feeling that anger now.

  At them, and at myself.

  If they hadn’t pushed, and if I hadn’t bowed down, Ria wouldn’t be walking towards me with a woman who I’ve slept with before. Like Uncle Phoenix and Aunt Frankie, I would never have known anyone but Saveria, and she wouldn’t know what it’s like to be touched by anyone but me.

  My chest felt like it was caving in.

  When they reached the table, Ria said, “Excuse me, Benetti, but this is my table.” She pointed to the placard in the middle of the table. “See? It’s reserved.” Jessica’s blue eyes widened at Ria’s disrespect.

  “I know, Fiore,” I replied, trying to steel my voice against the violence I wanted to do to this woman.

  “Oh, God,” Jessica exclaimed, as she looked over at Ria. “You’re a Fiore?” She let out a sigh and smiled. “No wonder you can talk to him like that.”

  Saveria smiled at Jessica, but then looked back over at me. “I was in the restroom, fixing my lipstick, when your…uh, friend, Jessica came in.” Saveria’s smile was wicked. “We met, clicked, and now it feels like we could really be the best of friends.”

  I could feel the enamel grinding away from my teeth.

  Ria turned her smile back onto Jessica. “And then, she was kind enough to recommend Franklin Hennessy.” Her eyes back on mine, she continued, “Of course, he’s not the beast in bed that you are, but he leaves a girl smiling in the morning.” She turned back towards Jessica. “Right?”

  And because Jessica was just plain fucking clueless, she said, “Oh, definitely. Franklin is just what you need to see you through the night.” Then Jessica looked back at me with hope in her eyes. “Long time no see, Francisco,” she said, her voice suddenly shy.

  I wanted to torch the whole goddamn place down.

  I spared Jessica a quick glance. “Hello, Jessica,” I said, my voice strained as fuck. Jessica wasn’t a bad person. She was just a casualty of our parents’ manipulations.

  “Well, now that you’ve got your man, why don’t you point out Franklin?” Saveria asked Jessica.

  “He’s over t-”

  “Fiore.” There was no mistaking my tone. It came out like a thunderous growl, and there was enough heat in it to stop Jessica mid-sentence.

  Ria lifted her chin and arched a brow. “Don’t be a hypocrite, Benetti,” she replied coolly. “If this place is good enough to get your dick wet, it’s good enough to satisfy my needs.” Her lip curled, and she looked vicious. “Plus, I have it on good authority that Jessica, here, knows what she’s talking about.”

  My eyes on Ria, I said, “Jessica, will you excuse us. We-”

  Ria grinned and faced Jessica. “Oh, no. You don’t have to excuse us,” she said. “I’m the third wheel here.” She leaned in like she was telling Jessica a dire secret. “He’s just playing big brother. You know how family can get sometimes.”

  Jessica believed her.

  She threw out a titter of a laugh. “Oh…yeah, I get it.”

  Saveria looked back towards me. “So, don’t disappoint my new friend, Jessica, and I’ll just go grab Franklin and a good time will be had by all, yeah?”

  I was going to fucking kill her.

  I’ve done a lot of shit in my short life, but I was in serious danger of killing this woman. Something I’d never be able to come back from. Something my life would end for. Saveria was pushing in a way that was dangerous for both of us. She was the only person in our family that was equal to me in power, and if I didn’t conquer her, if I didn’t come out on top in this battle of the wills, she’d own me and burn down the entire Benetti Organization on an angry whim. On the platform of her torn and battered emotions. She believed she’s been betrayed, and she knew exactly what we did to people who betrayed us.

  I couldn’t let her win.

  No matter the cost to our future.

  “Take one fucking step towards any man in this room, and I will fucking kill you, Fiore,” I bit out.

  Jessica finally got a clue. “Uh…I’ll just let-”

  Saveria smirked. “He’s joking, Jessica.” Holding my gaze, Ria added, “I’m sure you can take his mind off me. I’m sure you’re great at distracting him from anything that has to do with me.”

  I wanted to roar the truth. No woman has ever had what it took to distract me from Saveria. It’s always been her, but this thing between us was so fucked-up, I wasn’t sure there was any fixing it.

  This time, I looked over at Jessica. “Jessica, you need to leave,” I told her unfairly. “Luca and I need to talk.”

  Ria’s breath hitched, while Jessica looked confused. I’ve always called her Fiore. “Who’s Luca?”

  I jerked my head towards the woman in question. “Your new friend, Ria, is actually Luca Saveria Fiore. Ria for short.”

  Jessica’s eyes rounded to comical proportions. “Holy shit,” she breathed. “Uh, yeah…” She turned and damn near ran from the table.

  Once she was out of earshot, Saveria let loose. “What gives you the right?”

  I stepped to her, grabbed her by the arm, and tossed her in the seat I had been occupying. I placed my hands on either side of the chair, caging her in. “Are you forgetting you’re going to be my wife?” I seethed. “I’d say that gives me every right.”

  She smirked. “I’m not married tonight, though, am I?” Before I could beat her to death, she said, “And don’t be a hypocrite, Benetti. You’ve always known you were going to be my husband, but that didn’t stop you from fucking random pussy. Don’t tell me I can’t spread my legs for random cock, because, by my count, that marital knowledge doesn’t mean shit when it comes to fucking other people.”

  I looked into her wild eyes and the fury I was feeling was deep and debilitating. “I will kill you if you go to another man knowing what you know now, Luca.” I purposely used her real name, so she’d know I wasn’t fucking around. In all our twenty-four years together, this was probably only the fourth time I’ve ever called her anything other than Fiore.

  Then she fucking dug the poker deeper into my chest. “Let me go, Benetti,” she hissed, and I knew she wasn’t talking about the seat she was in. She was telling me to let her go completely.

  “No,” I snapped.

&n
bsp; “It’s not going to end well for either of us, Benetti,” she hissed back.

  “I don’t give a fuck,” I told her truthfully. “I’m not letting you go.” Her eyes flicked down towards my lips and I wanted to push her dress up and fuck her in front of the entire club. I wanted to lay a permanent claim on her for the entire fucking world to see. And I was afraid if I touched her, I’d do it.

  Either that or kill her.

  “We’re going to make each other miserable,” she said, truth at what she was saying in every word.

  “So be it,” I snarled, hating that she hated me. “It doesn’t change anything. You’re going to be my wife, and that’s that, Fiore. Deal with it.” I leaned in closer. “Now, you have two choices. You can walk out of here, calmly and respectfully, or I can drag you out by whatever my hand latches onto first.”

  “Oh, really?” she taunted.

  “Yes, really. And, I swear to God, if I ever catch you in here again, I will burn this place to the ground and write Uncle Ciro a check.”

  She straightened her back, and we were almost nose-to-nose. “Then I’ll just go to The Emerald for my dick,” she flung back, and, God bless Mica, he’d just saved her life.

  “It’s time to leave, kids,” he said. “Artensio and Ellyia have both had to confiscate some phones already.”

  I stared at this woman full of hate, and asked, “What’s it going to be?”

  “Move,” she snarled, “so I can stand up.”

  I moved out of her way, and she grabbed her clutch and stood up. When I placed my hand on the small of her back, that’s when I got a clear look at the back of her dress, and I wanted to fucking beat her for days. The dress had been cut out from her neck to the slop of the top of her ass, only a thin strip across the middle. When my hand touched her skin, it felt like my entire body was on fire.

  I leaned down in her ear as I escorted her through the club towards the back. “Remind me to go through your wardrobe and throw out anything that makes you look like a whore trolling for cock.”

  Saveria didn’t even flinch. “That’s the look I was going for, so I guess it worked, huh?” I grabbed her by her arm and dragged her into the club manager’s office.