The Vendetti Empire

by Sapphire Knight

  “Now, Salvatore,” I command, my voice coming out strained, sounding like someone else entirely.

  Salvatore uses his free hand to unhook his belt and unclasp the pants enclosure. The two come undone and he shoves his briefs down enough to let his cock loose. Violet’s head falls backward, as she begins to moan, her chest rising and falling much quicker. She’s the sexiest woman I’ve seen in my life, letting us all watch her like this. She’s so vulnerable and open; it has me gripping my cock through my slacks. Salvatore leans in, trailing his dick up and down her slit, spreading her wetness as he continues fingering her.

  “Fuck,” I curse. “I said, NOW, Salvatore.” I don’t know if the rest of us can hold back much longer. The need to claim and breed has never been stronger before and watching him play with what’s mine has me wanting to rip him away and take her.

  Finally he sinks his length into her core. Violet cries out in a mixture of bliss and relief. The noise has my cock beading with precum and all of us breaking out in a sweat. The room’s cool, but she’s got us all deeply spun under her intoxicating spell. Salvatore pushes his cock into her fully and retreats, over and over. It takes seven thrusts and she’s screaming out her release. I think Cristiano came in his pants watching her, and Santino and Valentino darted from the room in the middle of her release. They’re either hunting down a willing female or taking care of it themselves—who knows which.

  Her undoing is the beginning of Salvatore’s as well. He slams into her again and again, slapping noises echoing in the room as he thrusts into her and makes contact with her soaking wet pussy. It’s beyond erotic and I can’t wait to have my turn with her again. Another wet slap and he cries out, his ass clenching as his cock empties every drop of cum into her.

  When he finally pulls free from her, we’re all panting as if we were the one’s who’d just spread her out over a table and fucked her until she came. This woman is going to be the death of me.

  Shocked would be an understatement. I keep underestimating these Vendetti men and I have to stop. Never would I have thought they’d expect me to just lay spread out on the table at breakfast for a quick fuck. And Matteo...he appeared as if he was ready to rip off all of his clothes and steal me out of Salvatore’s clutches. Witnessing him turned on that much while he was watching me had me feeling so powerful and in control of the moment.

  Should I be feeling guilty for letting them have me so easily? Or for enjoying it as much as I do? Because I don’t feel the slightest bit ashamed and I can’t seem to find it in myself to be remorseful about any of it. I still have Santino and Cristiano to get through and with each brother, I find myself enjoying the sex more and more. Above all, though, I still want Matteo the most. I wonder if that will change as I’m with his other brothers?

  Romano comes back into the room as I’m pulling my dress down over my thighs. I don’t dare ask for a towel to clean myself as that would start a world war with how badly these men want me pregnant. I made sure my underwear securely covered me until I can be alone later to change. He briefly glances over me and then at each of his sons, awareness overtaking his features as he turns to Matteo.

  “Severo and Vito are due to start working again tonight. Are you okay with them in the main house, or do you want them to continue to monitor the grounds? I assumed you’d have the family tradition taken care of by now and it wouldn’t be an issue with them returning to your personal security.”

  My husband huffs. “Violet was ill yesterday. You know that as well as I do. We all witnessed her passing out, collapsing, and then heard the doctor’s recommendation about taking it easy on her. We’re taking care of everything today. They can come back to work inside tomorrow night.”

  Romano tsks. “The longer you push business aside, the more people believe they have a chance at taking over, at gaining control.”

  Matteo’s expression morphs, becoming dark, and I nearly make the sign of the cross. The man is scary when he’s angry about something. With a curse, he glowers at his father. “They can try; I welcome them to it, in fact. As I will enjoy watching each and every one of them die before me as a reminder not to cross me. Now, do you have any business to discuss with me, or is this visit purely about the gossip?”

  “There is one thing...” He trails off, glancing at me briefly before meeting Matteo’s stare once more. Whatever he has to say, he must not want me to hear it. That’s fine, I’m used to my father keeping me far away from his business, and it’s not like Matteo can send me off to marry someone without telling me. My own flesh and blood were the ones to pull that underhanded move. I was blindly loyal to them and I was a damn fool in the end because of it too.

  “Tell me. Mia fiore has no one to speak to about our business, and if she did, we would hear about it.” He shoots a pointed look at me, warning me that I’m being recorded and that they know everything I do. I’d expect nothing less from the Capo dei capi though. He didn’t become top of the Mafia food chain by being careless.

  Romano exhales deeply, glancing at me and then his sons once again. It must be hard for him, being in control for all those years as the head of the most powerful family around to just hand over the reins to his son. He’s fortunate Matteo is willing to discuss business with him at all; most Capos are dead or permanently retired when the control shifts hands. “The polizia discovered the bodies and are calling for anyone with information to step forward. You may have to clean up a bit if someone were to decide to testify.”

  “Who do you believe would talk?” my husband asks as one of his large hands run over his face with the news. Anytime the police are asking for witnesses it’s not good because someone usually turns up. My father taught me that much when he was being splashed all over the news in a case.

  Romano shrugs. “You have dealt with this for many years, my son. Having you as my right hand was the best decision I could’ve made. You will figure this out; that I have faith in. I only mention it to you because I know you are preoccupied being a newlywed. Unfortunately, business of this type offers no one a vacation. Even you cannot afford distractions at this time.”

  His father wants me sleeping with his sons, pregnant with my own son, and yet, I’m the distraction.

  “Thank you, Romano. I’ll look into it.”

  “That being said, I was thinking of spending a little time out in the Hamptons...give you some space with your new wife and brothers. You don’t need me hovering over you; you’re well aware what being Capo entails.”

  “Go, father.” Matteo nods and his brothers follow suit. “You deserve some peace and quiet. It’s been too long for you and it is much deserved.”

  At his son’s blessing, he offers them each a handshake and mumbled Italian words. He includes me as well with a hug and takes his leave. I can’t believe he’s not going to stick around to make sure I end up pregnant with a grandchild as soon as possible. The man was so adamant about it when he examined me a few days ago. I guess seeing how his sons are acting around me is proof enough that they’ll each make sure to have their turn.

  We’re all standing around the breakfast room when Matteo breaks the silence. “Valentino, put feelers out and see if anyone knows anything.”

  “Yes, Capo,” he replies immediately, hurrying from the room. This isn’t his big brother speaking right now; it’s his boss.

  “Dante and Luciano, keep your phones on you at all times. If anything comes of this, be ready to clean up any witnesses planning to testify.”

  “Yes, Capo,” they echo.

  I know I should, but I can’t stop the words spilling from my mouth, since Matteo is allowing me to hear his business. “Um, sorry to interrupt, and I understand if I’m not allowed to know, but what is this all about?”

  The remaining brothers stare me down, continuing with their ominous silence.

  I continue to mumble, growing a bit nervous with their serious gazes focused on me. “I just…well, I just would like to know in case the feds show u
p or my husband gets taken away for some reason. I’d like to at least know what I could be expecting to happen. You all are my family now, and it worries me to think one of you could be hurt or taken away.”

  Cristiano drops his stare to the floor; Santino and Salvatore look to the Capo for his reply. Rather than order me to mind my own business, Matteo takes the few strides to me, closing the short distance between us to take me into his arms. He holds me as if he may break me, as if he cherishes me. His palm comes to my cheek tenderly, and I lean into the soft touch, that’s so unlike his strict demeanor.

  “Yes, we are your familia, mia bella.” His irises reflect that he’s being genuine as he says it. He truly believes me to be a Vendetti after all, as do I. “I will tell you as you are my wife, and in court you will not be forced to testify against me.”

  Biting my lip I eagerly stand in his embrace, wanting him to tell me the whole lot of what’s happening. My father’s kept me sheltered from nearly everything, and he never confided in me about his business, well past a few random tips like the one I already mentioned. Part of me wants to stop my husband from speaking—from admitting to whatever crime he’s committed. Do I really want to know what’s going on, so I can prepare for something that may happen?

  Will I be able to handle what it is he has to say? He’s the Capo dei Capi of the Vendetti Empire. I’m sure his rap sheet is a mile long, and I have a good idea that there’s a lot on that sheet I’d do well without knowing. I want him to confide in me, yet I don’t want it to be so damaging that I can no longer gaze upon him with rose colored glasses.

  I promised I’d be stronger for him and for myself, that I’d adapt...yet here I am expecting him to shelter me from everything as my own father had. Matteo’s nothing like my poppa. He’s ruthless and that’s exactly who I must keep reminding myself that I’m talking to. I’m a woman, a wife, and no longer that little girl who could hide in the walls many years back when bad men were storming inside to take out my family. They didn’t succeed, but it was a wake-up call as to what this life really is.

  My last name has evolved, and with that, I don’t have to hide or be sheltered. Men will fear me for my spouse’s name alone. Matteo is my husband, but so is Capo dei capi Ruthless, the man who helped forge the Vendetti Empire into what it is today. It’s been around through generations; however, never as powerful as it is now. So I ask myself one more time, can I handle what he has to say to me?

  Yes.

  “I will never speak a word against you in court or to the police. You have my loyalty, Matteo.”

  His gaze sparkles as if my words have made him proud, and in return, I’m filled with my own sense of power. He has to trust in me and share his thoughts if he truly wishes for me to be at his side. This is a big step and in the right direction. His brothers will fight for me and die to protect me, and Matteo will confide in me and allow me to stand beside him. I’ll be the most powerful woman in the Italian Mafia, and after coming from a family that never let me have anything to do with their business, I couldn’t be more excited with the prospect.

  “I know you won’t, mia moglie,” he mutters, and I don’t know if it’s him being overly confident in our newfound relationship or if it’s a thinly veiled threat that I should pay attention to. “It appears the polizia has recovered a set of bodies.”

  “Okay, what does it have to do with the Vendettis?” I ask, and his thumb lightly caresses my bottom lip. He licks his own before divulging further.

  “The bodies, they’re from the night that my brothers decided in which order they’d get to have your body, carina.”

  Oh, that night. So, in other words, the bodies the police have discovered were all killed by Matteo’s brothers. This is their crime, yet he’s covering all his bases and protecting his family as if it were his own crime rather than theirs. No wonder they’re quick to jump and do as he asks of them. If he’s protecting them now, then there’s no telling how many times he’s done something similar in the past. I would do the same if it were my own brother asking for help, so I get it.

  “Can this come back to you personally?” I ask the main question that’s beating down on me at the moment.

  “Of course. The polizia will try to pin whatever they can on me or anyone in mia familia. It’s no use; they’ll find nothing.”

  I must appear worried as he pulls me into his chest, holding me to his towering, strong frame. He never seems so big until I’m standing right in front of him, and then I’m reminded that Matteo may be on the slimmer side, but compared to other men, he’s still massive in size and strength.

  “And if they have a witness to say otherwise?”

  “Then that problem will be taken care of.”

  It’s just that easy for him to end someone’s life. This is my husband, the man I’m supposed to sleep next to each night, the same man who’s going to share in the lives of our children. I should be frightened to be so close to him all the time, but I’m not. They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Well, there’s no closer than being married to the man and sleeping with him.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” At my question, he embraces me just a bit tighter before pulling away.

  “No. I won’t involve you in this. We’ll take care of it; you have nothing to worry about. It is our job to keep you safe and unaffected.”

  I nod, but don’t respond. He’s got enough on his plate at the moment than to stand around answering my questions. At my silence, he presses a chaste kiss to my forehead and the touch has me spinning. He runs hot one minute and then cold the next, but now he’s mixing in a few tender touches here and there. It’s the exact opposite of what I expect of him. Could he be doing it for my benefit? Whatever the reason, I certainly enjoy it.

  “Did you have enough to eat?” Cristiano asks, breaking up some of the tension from the newest turn of events.

  “I did, thank you. Everything was delicious.”

  Santino steps forward. “How about I take you for a tour of the estate and we let my brother get some work done?”

  I glance to my husband and he gives me a dip of his head in approval. Turning to Santino, I smile. “I’d appreciate that, I keep finding myself all mixed up whenever I leave my room.”

  “I think my grandfather had this place built like that on purpose. It’s harder to find us if you’re always lost.” He winks and Matteo takes his leave, Cristiano right on his heels as they head for my husband’s office. “Come on little queen, let’s take a walk.” Santino tucks my hand in the crook of his elbow and then we’re off.

  “I’m surprised you told bella the truth...well, part of it anyhow,” Cristiano comments as soon as we arrive in my office. It used to be my fathers, but I’ve taken it over as I’m the Capo and head of the familia now. Not that he needs it anyhow, with him jetting off to the Hamptons.

  “Did you expect me to lie to her?”

  “She’s a woman.” He shrugs and I catch myself scoffing. Sometimes I forget just how young Cristiano really is compared to my thirty-three years. His life is merely beginning compared to what I’ve already lived through.

  “Trust me little brother that means absolutely nothing. And never put it past a woman to get retribution if she’s got her mind made up, a woman scorned is not one to be taken lightly. Whatever you do, don’t let them hear you undermining them.”

  “If you say so,” he mumbles, pinching a spec of lint off his shirt.

  “I do and I won’t be treating mia Violetta with kid gloves based on her gender. She has to have a backbone to help run this familia, especially the empire. I have to know that if something were to compromise me that she can function and keep going until I’m back in control. That’s why you and our brothers are so vital in all of this; I need you to always protect her before myself. She has to be our priority.”

  “That’s what all your brothers are for; we can run the empire if necessary.” He crosses his arms, not fond of where this c
onversation has headed. I’ve told him all of this before but I don’t think he believed me at the time. He should now, because I’m absolutely serious.

  “I run the Vendetti Empire and I’m the Capo di Capi. Mia Violetta is the Vendetti Queen; she is to be by my side. You and our brothers are to protect her at all times and then worry about everything else. In that order, Cristiano, you were told this before. She is the most important person in this familia until my children, the heirs are born, and then she most remain protected as she will move up further on everyone’s hit list. It’s the way things have always been and they’ve stayed that way for a reason. We’re on top because what our familia has implemented in the past has worked to our benefit.”

  “I understand, Capo.”

  Nodding, I riffle around in the desk until I find the nondescript beige business card and dial Severo. He’s on the estate grounds in one of the small houses we keep for staff members, but it’s still too far for me to walk over and speak to him in person. I need him on this body build up immediately. I won’t have my brothers compromised for my sake nor the traditions. I don’t know how in the hell the polizia found the bodies already anyhow. We’re always good about cleaning up our messes.

  “Capo,” he answers immediately.

  “Severo, I have a name and address of our inside person. Let me know when you’re ready for it.”

  “I am, sir.”

  As soon as he gives me the okay, I rattle off the address and the owner’s name of the private recycling facility where we’d dumped the bodies. He’s the only person I can think of now who’d be cornered enough to be willing to testify against us. Even so, he’d better be getting promised some fucking miracles from those lying cops down at the local station to be giving mia familia up. My brothers will carve out his intestines and string him up in a sausage factory if they figure out it’s him ratting us out. No matter what the polizia says, I know they’re full of shit. Most of them are in someone’s pocket.