For Adriano

by Soraya Naomi

  She mouths, “I love you,” when her lids fall closed, and I drive inside her.

  Her warmth grips my cock, and I groan when her small hands land on my ass, forcing me in while she meets my thrusts. And for a man who never enjoys a missionary fuck, I sure as hell missed it with her.

  I overpower Cam’s moans with a kiss while I push her into the mattress. “God, you feel so good wrapped around me.” The heels of her feet dig into my back, and I slide in deep, biting her nipple. Then I feel her pussy clamping down around me.

  “Oh, Adriano...”

  When I feel her coming, I pull out and wedge her thighs apart, sucking her pussy into my mouth, savoring her essence.

  “Ahh! Fuck!” she screams, and her entire body trembles while she clutches my hair in both hands.

  Flattening my tongue, I move up when her body goes slack, and she grins lazily.

  “What do you do to me?”

  No, what do you do to me?

  I let her taste herself on my lips, and Cam fists my dick that’s still rock-hard. “I’m addicted to licking you,” I whisper against her mouth.

  “I’m not complaining.” She gives a little squeeze.

  And I reach for my pants hanging off the edge of the bed, getting out a small bottle of KY.

  “I came prepared. No excuses.”

  Her brows rise, and an apparent need to please me flits across her face when she nods sweetly.

  Rolling her over onto her stomach, I get off the bed and drag her to the edge of the mattress, upper body resting on the sheets as her knees drop onto the floor. I knead her ass and spread her apart, licking up once. She lies with her cheek on the bed, beholding me.

  I uncap the bottle and let a drizzle of lubricant trail down her ass. And I lock eyes with Cam when I rub her taut hole with one finger. “Relax, sweetheart.”

  She listens, and I slowly push my finger past the tightness.

  Cam groans, and her face creases with a worried frown.

  I cover her body with mine and press my lips against her temple. “Open up. Relax,” I soothe and feel her unclenching. “Good girl.” My finger is replaced with the head of my cock. I have to push hard to get past her entrance, and she buries her nose into the comforter while I lose myself inside her. “You’re incredibly tight, Cam.”

  I move slowly while kissing her neck. And after a few thrusts, she lifts her head and a moan escapes. Since we’ve done this in the past, she starts to loosen quickly.

  “Better?” I want to know.

  “Hmmm.”

  And I take that as my cue to really fuck her ass like I’ve visualized for so long. I fist her hair and tug her head back to twist our tongues.

  An unusual awareness of belonging and possession defeats any other emotion. “You’re mine forever now.” I nip her ear while taking her ass without restraint.

  “Yes,” she groans, and my balls tighten.

  “Cam, fuck!” I pound into her and let go, pouring so much lust into this alluring woman that’s influenced my mind from the day we met. With a few hard plunges, I find my release of sharp, dizzying intensity.

  Our ragged breathing slows down in the silence of the room, and I slip out slowly. “Let’s go shower. I’ll kiss your ass better.”

  She laughs with eyes closed.

  “Was I too rough?”

  “No. I like it when you’re rough with me.”

  I like it when you voice it. “Keep that up, and I’ll be hard again within seconds.”

  Cam and I have an exquisitely long shower before ever reaching my bed again.

  CHAPTER 31

  Adriano

  I think about Cam and our uncertain future constantly, and with all the mayhem going on at headquarters, rushing home to my loft every night has become my favorite part of the day.

  She challenges me and provokes me, but eventually, she does follow my direction. I enjoy witnessing her growing mentally and physically. I enjoy how she lets me tease her. How I can’t always figure out what she’ll do next. With other women, that particular quality bothered me. With her, it absolutely captivates me. She wraps me around her finger without knowing it. That little piece of me that always belonged to her is growing every day.

  But my thirst for Cam also clouds my ability to think straight since I can’t figure out how to protect my parents and siblings once she and I leave. And until I’ve come up with a plan for how to protect them, I can’t get out with Cam. The Syndicate will badger and torture them to locate her. And not even Luca will have the power to stop James. I’m ready to risk my life for her, but not my parents’ lives. Not Carmine and Mary’s lives. Carmine is already asking too many questions about my work life lately as it is.

  Apart from that, I need to tap into a lot of resources to get us out of the country. Then I’ll need to continue to protect her; and I don’t know how to do that except to keep running. But there’s a part of me that’s reluctant to let this life go. This life that has become an intricate part of me over the last ten years. Yet, within the two years I’ve known Cam, she’s apparently taken over that part of me too.

  Since I’m at a breaking point – unsure of how to proceed – I decide to confess to Luca. I was supposed to meet him yesterday, Tuesday, at his penthouse, but because we’re both swamped with keeping our women safe and drawing up our plan of attack, I didn’t get to speak to him privately, so I’m on way to Luca’s now.

  I arrive at his penthouse while he’s eating breakfast with Fallon, before he’s off to headquarters.

  “Good morning.” I pour a glass of orange juice from the decanter on the kitchen island and stand across from where they’re seated on two of the barstools.

  “Good morning.” Fallon stirs a spoon in her mug.

  Luca, who similar to me, has also had a busy week, prompts, “We have several situations to go over, and I should’ve left ten minutes ago.” He addresses Fallon, “I need to talk to Adriano alone.”

  And she gives us privacy, gladly fleeing to her library.

  “First,” Luca begins, “What is the status of the shooting near Security Simplicity’s building? Did any witnesses – specifically, the child – come forward? Is there any link to us?”

  “No. Chicago P.D. is keeping me posted. The kid hasn’t been brought in or questioned. It’s a relatively unimportant case because there was surprisingly minimal media coverage. Our building wasn’t even mentioned in the investigation, only the opposite tower the shot originated from, so we’re in the clear.”

  He releases a relieved sigh. “Second, the audit. Jeffrey contacted our associate, and he arranged for our previous auditor to handle it now, not the newly appointed female accountant. So while that’s taken care of, we’re still keeping a company afloat that’s not making any profit. We either need to expand or find a new viable company.”

  “Can we talk about that later? I have a more pressing matter.”

  Reaching for his coffee cup, he states, “Cam?”

  I nod and take a sip of the freshly squeezed juice. “Of course.”

  “So, how long did it take for you to cave?” A grin pulls at his lips, even though I can tell he’s slightly bothered.

  “Hours. It happened the first night.”

  “And now? What do you want to talk about?”

  Luca and I have been friends since we were seventeen. We’ve shared ups and downs in the Syndicate. We’ve fought side by side and always together. But my next confession will put us at opposite ends of the spectrum for once. “I want to be with her.”

  His eyes narrow, and he balls his fist that’s resting on the counter.

  “I’m ready to take the risk.”

  “What does that mean exactly?” he asks.

  “I’m going to leave with Cam.”

  “Leave?” he sneers the word and bolts up. “How? When?”

  I set the glass down. “I don’t have everything figured out. I came to you to confide in my friend.”

  “My friend, you come in here telling me yo
u’re leaving what we built for years for a woman?!”

  “You know she’s not just any woman!”

  “Then what’s your plan?” he challenges.

  “I’m going to leave the country, with her. We’re going to run.”

  Luca braces the counter and leans forward. “This is a suicide mission. For both of you. Are you going to desert your family? Your mom? When will you see them? You’re thinking with your dick!”

  “No, I can’t stay away from her, Luca. She’s... She’s more than just a fuck!”

  He grits his teeth. “I know that, but... Fuck! Adriano, you’re not thinking straight. Has she agreed to go with you? To leave her newly found life behind?”

  “Yes. I’ve explained our limited options.”

  He regards me with suspicion. “She’ll eventually resent you for providing her with another lonely life. You said yourself that she wants a family – above all. Now she has one and is willing to give it up this easily? She’s in love, probably infatuated with the excitement right now and isn’t really considering the long term consequences.”

  “You don’t know what’s between us,” I defend, not revealing that I share his concerns. “I’ve talked about it with Cam, and we’re both certain that we’ll do what it takes to have a chance.”

  “You’ll never have a chance if you run with her. I know you, and there isn’t a scenario where you’ll be able to protect both Cam and your parents. You also know my hands are tied in this situation. And James will be on the warpath.”

  “I had your back the entire time you were getting together with Fallon. I would’ve thought you’d be more supportive of us.”

  Luca gives me a skeptical glance. “You’re my brother, and I’ll always support you, but I refuse to indulge in a suicide mission. With Fallon, you knew from the start she was important to me.”

  Coming here, I knew I’d stumble upon resistance but didn’t imagine he would be this defensive. “Then what do you suggest?”

  He looks away in thought. “Do you love her? Or is this just lust gone wild? If you love her, then put her welfare above your own. You and Cam have always had a peculiar relationship.”

  “I love her,” I confess with conviction for the first time.

  And it shocks him into silence for several minutes before he says in an agonized tone, “It’s not easy having a woman in this life. Fallon is the best thing and the worst thing that ever happened to me. The best thing is having her; the worst thing is worrying about how to protect the one you can’t live without, Adriano. Is this really love?”

  I nod without a doubt streaming through my veins.

  “It had to be the one you can’t have?”

  Instead of cracking a joke, I say, “She’s my ‘Fallon’, Luca. I’m not letting her go. I’ll lose her forever if I back out again.”

  “Christ!” he whisper-shouts. “I’m not asking you to give her up. I’m just saying you can’t go through with your initial plan. I’ll keep it a secret from James – I have for some time. But you two must promise me to not take any action without involving me.”

  “I can’t unless you tell me you’ll help us.”

  “I will. However, we need to brainstorm about this, Adriano. Damn it, so much is going on right now, especially with the raid Saturday. But I can’t lose my best Capo, and more importantly, I don’t want to lose my friend. We got into this together, and now you’re considering leaving?”

  “Then I’ll ask you again, what do you suggest?”

  “Promise me that you won’t just pack up and leave,” he persists.

  “I promise.”

  “Sit then. You have to explain it in detail to Cam. Adriano, are you sure she understands the repercussions?”

  I keep standing. “I think she does, but no, I’m not positive.”

  “Maybe that should be your first step,” he advises, and I recognize that he’s correct. “Are you honestly willing to give up everything we built? Your Syndicate life that’s part of you now?”

  Luca knows me better than anyone, and his words spiral me into a world of hesitations.

  CHAPTER 32

  Camilla

  The days after I receive the disturbing package containing Santino’s ear are just plain hectic.

  I’m partly living on cloud nine, allowing Adriano to do anything sexual to me at night while my love for him deepens with every second we spend together. On the other hand, our reunion is overshadowed by an impending goodbye. I’ve been withdrawing larger amounts of cash, and James asked me once what for. I lied and said clothes, but I’m building a buffer for when Adriano’s ready to leave. Although I am fearing running again, I’ll follow him anywhere. He’s opening up to me like he never did in the past. And the man behind the Capo that I’ve caught glimpses of here and there, appears more often around me. He’s caring for me without restricting me, yet he always seems to convince me to do whatever he wishes – something that doesn’t dawn on me until later on.

  Then there are also moments when he’s a thousand miles away, plotting our escape from the Syndicate and planning our future together. He’s becoming tormented, and I also have my doubts sometimes. When I’m with Fallon, Alessa, Rosalia, or James, I realize that I will miss this family. But I’m still searching for who I am. Still processing everything that’s happened. However, I do know what I don’t want. I don’t want a life without Adriano. My desire to be with him always wins out. And he centers me.

  I’ve had dinner with his family, and I’m not sure how he’ll ever leave them. But seeing that he’s willing to give them up for me solidifies that he loves me. He hasn’t spoken the words; nevertheless, his actions and protectiveness toward me speak louder than words. Even though he’s never said it, I feel most loved when I’m in his arms. A hole in my heart has been filled with a fixation to be with him forever.

  I did call James to get myself on that team, and I’m training for hours every morning and afternoon. It’s amazing how fast I’m seeing results, and the feeling of empowerment has only increased. Just when I’ve started to enjoy this lifestyle, it will be taken away. No, I’ll choose to leave this time. It will be my choice.

  The need to go with them to help Santino and rid myself of this never-ending guilt that’s haunting me is upsetting Adriano.

  Adriano comes home in the afternoon right when I’m blocking a blow from my instructor on the mat by the window. His presence distracts me, and they both rebuke me harshly when I’m taken down on my back on the mat.

  “Again, Camilla,” my instructor shouts. “Concentrate! Anticipate my next move.”

  Jumping up, I move around, countering and mirroring his steps. When he comes at me, I turn my back too late, and he catches my arm, twisting it around.

  “Shit!” I yell, discouraged.

  “You can go,” Adriano says to my instructor and empties his pockets on the bar before joining me on the mat. Standing in front of me in a casual stance, he raises both brows. “Again, Cam!”

  “I’m tired!”

  “You want to fight with us? Join us? Well, today’s Wednesday, so you only have a couple of days left to train. Then you better train until the end. Again!” he barks and pushes me too far, charging at me.

  I bend forward a little and lift my knee, but he knows exactly what I’m going for and hooks his heel behind my foot, causing me to fall back and get the wind knocked out of me.

  He pins my wrists next to my head. “Listen to me. I don’t want you to die down there Saturday because of some guy you barely know and some sense of misplaced guilt you don’t need to feel. You have no idea how dangerous it will be. I’m pushing you for you. But also for me… I’m scared you’ll get hurt.”

  I suck oxygen into my lungs, and the distraught look I’m witnessing dissolves my annoyance. “I understand but—”

  “No buts. What’s going to happen afterward? You and I are leaving. What’s going to happen to Santino?”

  “I don’t know, but at least he’ll be out of there so
that he’ll have a chance to rebuild a life too. And I won’t have to live with the fact that he died in there because of me,” I try to explain it one more time.

  “You want to be part of the Mafia? You’re still too emotionally attached to people. And don’t you understand that with you there, I can’t concentrate?”

  “I get that, but I’m stronger physically, and I want to be there to help you. James says it’s okay. I’m going.”

  He’s off me swiftly, and I get up.

  “Really?” he trails off in a derisive tone. “James said nothing of the sort. Don’t lie to me; I’ve warned you about that once before.”

  “Okay, so he hasn’t confirmed it yet, but he wants to speak to me tomorrow. And honestly, I don’t know if you’ll help Santino or just kill him down there.”

  He presses me against the window, a powerful hand on my throat. If he wanted to, he could snap my neck like a twig. “You would choose him over me?!” His eyes are huge, storming with anger.

  “No! Never.” I place my hand on his jaw. “Calm down. What happened today? Why are you so on edge?”

  He isn’t seeing my face; he’s looking straight through me. “Don’t forget where your loyalty lies – with me.”

  “You know where my loyalty lies. That’s why you let me get away with so much. Because in the end, you damn well know I’d follow you into Hell while you can’t even tell me that you love me.”

  Breathing hard, he lets me go.

  “What happened today?” I prompt again.

  Adriano clutches his hair; a clear sign that he’s stressed. “I spoke to Luca.”

  “You mean you told him about us? What did he say?”

  Uneasiness sets in. What if Luca has convinced Adriano to choose his Capo life instead of me? Whatever Luca said is obviously getting to him. He isn’t even trying to hide his absolute torment anymore. Luca’s made him doubt his decision.