The wily fox grinned at me. “What a pity. Yes, let’s do it some other time.”
He slid off the corner of my desk, straightened his pants, and strolled off. I desperately needed a shower. YUCK!
***
“Hey, babe. How was your day?” Joe was a sight for sore eyes. It had been a long day, and I was thrilled to find my hunk in the kitchen. Whatever he was cooking smelled fabulous. I’d forgotten to eat lunch—actually that wasn’t entirely accurate; the thought of Gino watching me took away my appetite.
“Oooh. He massages, he causes multiple orgasms, and he cooks!”
“Come over here and I’ll show you what else I can do.” He opened his arms.
“Stop it. I like it.” He wrapped his arms around me, and I sank into his strong chest.
“How was your day, gorgeous?” he asked.
“Long. Yours?”
He picked up a spoon and scooped something out of the pot he was nursing. “Here, taste this.”
“Wow, that’s divine. What is it?”
“I could tell you, but then, you won’t need me anymore.”
“That’s never gonna happen. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Why don’t you slip into something more comfortable and I’ll dish up.” He kissed me on the forehead.
I dragged my weary bones up the stairs to our bedroom, put on my favorite “let’s veg out” top and bottoms, and followed the smell of food back to the dining room.
“That’s better. Come sit, my darling, dinner is served.” Joe pulled out the chair for me and placed a white napkin on my lap. “Wine, madam?”
“Leave the bottle, thank you, waiter.”
“That bad, huh? Wanna tell me about it?”
“I was having a brilliant morning, torturing my zombies, when I noticed Gino sitting at the back of the hall.”
“What?”
“Yup, the old pain in the ass himself.” I popped another forkful of food into my mouth.
Joe stopped eating. “What did he want?”
“Said he wanted to get to know me better, seeing as I’m his sister-in-law and all. Asked if I’d like to have a coffee with him in the café on campus.”
“Did you?”
“Hell, no. Thankfully, I had a ton of lab work to do. He’s so weird.”
“I’m sorry, my love. Do you want me to talk to him?” Joe was miffed.
“No, don’t do that, darling. I can take care of myself. Please don’t worry.”
“He was sniffing around the office today, too. Just let himself into Papa’s office, the smug bastard.”
“What did he want?”
“Something about a new venture he wants us to invest in. I don’t trust him further than I can throw him, but I guess I’m biased.”
“Eat, my love. Things will settle as we get to know him better. It’s early days. I’m sure we’ll work it out.”
“I hope you’re right, gorgeous.”
“I am, you’ll see. Now eat up. I need a bubble bath, and you know I can’t reach my back with the loofah.”
“Oooh, dessert. Yum.” Joe smiled and took a big bite of his food.
Chapter Eight
JOE
“I think the time has come for me to put Gino in his place.” Fabio, the ladies, and I were at the nightclub where we’d first met the girls. So much had happened since then. Mostly for the good, mostly.
“And what brought on this epiphany?” Fabio took a sip of the eroni. The girls had gone to the bathroom, as girls do, giving me a chance to talk to Fabio alone.
“It isn’t any one instance. There are a lot of little things. He’s constantly trying to bleed money from the company on harebrained schemes, he talks to me like I’m some kind of idiot, and he pitches up at Ella’s work unannounced. The man is a menace.”
“What you gonna do?”
“I think I’ll talk to my father first before I do anything. I don’t want him to think that I’m an entitled brat. Once I explain my concerns about Gino to him, I’ll tackle the problem head-on. If push comes to shove, I’ll put him on his ass until he learns some manners.”
“A sound plan. Let me know if you need some help. I haven’t broken anyone’s jaw in a while.” Fabio rubbed his knuckles.
“Okay, Dirty Harry, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But thanks for the support.”
“I’m here, buddy. Just saying.”
“What’s happening with the wedding plans? Are you ever going to marry Bria or has she changed her mind?”
“And give up a beefcake like me? Never. Bria, Ella, and their mothers are working on it night and day. I’m in charge of the honeymoon, so topless beaches are on top of my list. Other than that, I’m paying the bills and buying a tuxedo.”
“What an underprivileged life you lead, my horny friend.”
Fabio laughed as he downed his beer. “Your round.”
ELEANORA
“Any words of wisdom for a wife to be?” Bria was touching up her make up, fighting for space in front of the mirror.
“Yes. Make sure Fabio doesn’t have a bastard brother hidden in a closet somewhere.”
“Oh dear, what did the tool do now?”
“He breathed!” We cackled with laughter. “No, seriously, the guy is getting on everybody’s nerves. I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe rearranges his stupid face soon.”
“What does Antonio say about it? It must be hard to keep the peace. I’m surprised Bella hasn’t dusted him yet. She’s one tough mama.”
“That she is. But I suspect, when it comes to Gino, she tries her best not to make it more painful for her husband. So, she keeps her peace.”
“I don’t envy you, Ella. If there’s anything I can do, just ask. My ‘swimming with the fishes’ offer is still on the table.” Bria made her Marlon Brando face “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
“Poor Gino, I almost feel sorry for him.” I covered my eyes with my hands. Bria laughed.
“Well, color me happy. If it isn’t Boobzilla. Long time no see.” Bria was talking to someone behind me. I need this like I need a hole in my head!
“Well, well. It’s the whore and her little pet. It’s been a while. I see you snagged yourself a gangster, whore. Get yourself pregnant, did you?”
Boobzilla, aka Anna, was staring daggers at me.
“I see you’ve put on a few pounds, Boobzilla,” Bria said as she squared up for an ass whipping. “You’d think that all that humping would keep your ass skinny.”
I saw it coming long before the first hair was yanked out. Boobzilla launched herself at Bria like a ninja. Clearly, she had no idea what she was in for. Bria sidestepped the buxom brunette, whacked her on the back of her head, and watched as the poor thing hit the mirror, head first.
“You bitch! You broke my nose! What the fuck!” Boobzilla was holding her bloodsoaked face. I waited for the backlash, but after the abrupt silence, one of the women in the bathroom started clapping. Soon, others joined in as Bria and I stood, mouths agape.
“Suck it, Anna! You had that coming!” A skinny blonde in a very short skirt was winking at Bria. She looked pretty pleased.
Bria dusted off her hands. “I hope this is the end of our discussions, Anna.” We left the bathroom before there was any more trouble.
“You’re hired,” I said to Bria. “If I need help with Gino, you’ll be the first to know.”
“I better get you out of here before the bitch comes looking for revenge.” Bria took my arm and led me back to our table, zippy quick.
“Let me guess, long line?” Fabio was grinning.
“Funny story, actually, hon. I’ll bring you up to speed later.”
“What the hell do you two get up to in there?” Joe asked.
“Just kicking ass and taking names, my love.”
JOE
On our way home from the club, Ella told me what had happened in the bathroom. I laughed until my gut hurt. In my mind’s eye, I could see Bria whipping Anna’s
ass. It must have been spectacular.
“Beaten up by a ballerina, was she? She’s never gonna get over this one. I better hire a bodyguard to protect you, ASAP.”
“I think she’s going to be busy for a while. That nose is going to need some remodeling.”
“What do you say we have a get-together with the gang tomorrow for lunch?” Ella suggested.
“That’s a great idea. We haven’t seen Mario and Franco in a while. Would be nice to catch up and see what the confirmed bachelors have been up to since Fabio and I retired from the scene.”
“I’m sure there are countless Boobzillas out there pining away for you two.” Ella put the back of her hand to her forehead, feigning horror.
“Okay, that’s enough for one night, Bruce Lee’s sidekick. I better get you to bed and show you who’s boss around here.”
“Oooh, promise?”
When we got home, Ella walked ahead of me to the front door. When she’d unlocked the door and entered the house, I followed on her heels and closed the door with my foot. Before she could reach the end of the hallway and switch on the lights, I pulled her to me, her back pressed up against my raging erection.
I kissed her neck and ran my tongue around her ear—I smiled as the goosebumps careened down her back and her arms. Neither one of us spoke, unwilling to pierce the magical moment with words. She reached behind her back and felt for my hard-on. Her touch sent shivers through me as she unzipped my pants.
Ella stroked me slowly, sensually, as I held on to her perky breasts and tweaked her erect nipples. With my left hand, I reached beneath her dress and pushed her panties to one side. She was so wet it set my sex on fire with anticipation. I stroked her swollen, velvety lips, caressing them as she moaned, her breath quickening.
Slowly, I walked her toward the sofa in the living room. She let go of me for long enough so I could step out of my pants and skilfully remove her panties. We were breathing hard. I lifted her dress up to her hips as I leaned her over the back of the sofa. She spread her legs wide, inviting me in. She gasped as I slid my hard, warm shaft into her wet core. I pushed my hands under her dress to reach her naked breasts, her nipples hard to my touch. We rocked in perfect sync as we worshiped each other’s bodies. When my legs could barely hold me, I shot my come deep into her. Her sex clenched against my hard rod as she climaxed.
“I love you, Ella,” I said as I lay my head on her back.
“I love you too, my handsome.”
I carried my princess off to bed. I pretty much fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow—blissful sleep.
ELEANORA
Early Sunday morning, I summoned the gang for lunch. Everyone was in, especially Mario, who loved my cooking. Bria came around mid-morning to keep me company as I whipped up a proper Italian feast. Fabio and Joe were at the gym for a workout, so Bria and I were left alone to shoot the breeze in peace.
The phone rang, and Bria hopped off the counter and answered. “Prince and Princess Coli’s residence, how can I help you?”
Her expression turned from playful and sparkly to irritated, as she rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue. “Oh, hi, Gino. I’m fine thanks. The boys aren’t here. I’ll tell Joe you called. Yes, Ella’s here. Just a minute, I’ll call her.”
She put her hand over the receiver and said, “Guess who.”
I rolled my eyes and let out an expletive before I took the phone from Bria.
“Hi, Gino. What’s up?”
“Hi, Ella. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks. What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling to invite you and Joe to my place for dinner on Wednesday. Is that convenient for you?”
I did not see that coming. “Uhm, let me check with Joe, and one of us will get back to you tomorrow. Is that okay?”
“Great, I’ll talk to you soon. Ciao.”
“What was that all about?” Bria was chewing on a celery stick.
“He’s invited Joe and me to dinner. That’s a first.”
“Are you gonna go?”
“I guess we’ll have to. We don’t want to stir up more shit. Maybe this is his way of making up for his bad behavior.”
“Ella, you’re so sweet. I figured you for a smarter cookie than that. He’s got an angle, and after dinner, you’ll know what it is.” Bria grabbed a carrot.
“I’m gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. He better not piss on my battery, or I’ll call in the Bria squad to break his nose.”
Bria flexed her bicep. “That asshole’s going down!”
“Cool your jets, Fabulous Moolah. If I need a kickass wrestler, I let you know.”
The front door opened as our gaggling boys filled the house with noise, closely followed by Mario and Franco, laughing and jostling.
“What are you layabouts doing here so early?” I asked as Mario came over and gave me a big squeeze.
“We’re so excited to see you; we stalked your husband and his sidekick and followed them home. Is that Spaghetti Carbonara I smell?”
“Oi! Hands out of that pot, mister. Here, have a carrot.”
“What am I? A rabbit?” Mario sulked but took the carrot anyway, and when I turned my back, he dipped it into the Carbonara sauce.
“Hey, gorgeous. Did I miss anything while I was gone?” Joe put his arms around me and kissed me.
“You’ll never guess,” I said as I dusted the flour off my hands and poured myself a large glass of wine.
JOE
Dinner at Gino’s. Not my idea of a fun evening, but I was committed to making an effort to smooth over the animosity. Ella looked stunning in her white dress, platform shoes, and her hair up in a ponytail. Her olive skin glowed as the car passed by the streetlights.
“You look beautiful, darling.”
“Thank you, Joe. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Are you ready to play nice, my gorgeous?” I smiled at her as she gave me a wicked smile.
“I’ve got the cement mix ready . . . just in case.”
“Remind me never to never piss you off.” She laughed as I mockingly cowered against the driver’s door window.
“And don’t you forget it.” She hit her palm with her fist.
Gino lived in a swanky penthouse apartment. The Ferrari coffers afforded him a decent lifestyle. He greeted us warmly as he opened the door.
The inside of the penthouse was magnificent. The smell of family money hung in the air like noxious gas. Gino was happy to show off his digs, smirky satisfaction dripping from his face as we were given the grand tour.
“It’s a lovely place, Gino. You must enjoy the freedom of all this space.” I was being gracious, considering my brother’s snippy behavior towards me during the months prior.
“It’s home. What can I get you to drink, Ella?” Joe was always extra nice to her. It made me uncomfortable, but I put it down to my dislike for the man.
“White wine, please. Have you lived here long?” Ella asked as she took a seat on a plush leather sofa.
“A year or two, now. I like this part of town—there’s a lot of action.” He handed her a glass of wine then turned to me. “What can I get you, brother?”
The word still stuck in the craw, but that was just tough shit for me. “A beer, thanks.”
“Do you have anyone special in your life, Gino?” Ella took a sip of her wine.
“I’m more of a free spirit. I don’t like to be tied down.”
The doorbell rang. “Ah, my other guests are here.” Gino headed for the door as Ella and I exchanged surprised glances.
“Hey, Gino! I hear there’s a party. I brought some friends.”
“Ah, Alex, come in. I see the usual hangers-on are here too. Come in, you lot.” Gino was smiling from ear to ear. He was surrounded by his friends and in his comfort zone. My jaw clenched just a tad at the thought of Ella and I trapped in a room full of “rough diamonds.” I’d better be on my toes.
Gino was happy to be “mine host,” and welcomed the gate
crashers in for a drink.
There were three men. Gino introduced them to Ella and me.
“This is Alex. He’s my buddy from school. This is Stephano, he and I go way back, and this is Lelo, Stephano’s brother. Boys, meet my brother Joe and his beautiful wife, Ella.”
“Good to meet you. I didn’t know they were joining us for dinner, Gino.” Ella shifted uncomfortably. I didn’t blame her.
“The boys pop in often, usually unannounced, mostly when they’ve run out of whiskey.” Dick Dastardly and the Wacky Racers got stuck in an expensive bottle of whiskey as Ella and I did our best to feign interest in their crass tales of whores and bar fights. It was not the way I’d envisaged the evening going.
“Okay, you louts. Get out of here,” Gino announced after two hours of grandstanding. “I have dinner guests.”
By then, Ella and I were starved. Ella was the perfect lady, not complaining once. Poor thing. She was a trooper.
ELEANORA
I couldn’t be more uncomfortable had I been running naked through the streets. I was one of the guys with the best of them, but Gino’s friends were gross. They were dressed to the nines, but class isn’t something money could buy.
Alex was tall, skinny, with a hard face and slicked back dirty blonde hair. He was friendly enough but reminded me of someone who was trying to climb a ladder in pumps—dead keen but clumsy. Stephano, I didn’t like one bit. He was creepy. When he looked at me, I felt as if he were not only undressing me, but violating me in the most personal way. He had dark skin and black hair, pulled back into a man bun. Lelo was enormous. He had the biggest stomach I’d ever seen. As my aunt used to say, he was four meals ahead and eight shits behind. He seemed harmless enough, but he had to have a screw loose to keep this sort of company. I tried not to judge.
After they’d left, Joe and I tried our best to get through the dinner as fast as humanly possible without offending Gino. Not that he would notice after all the whiskey he drank. He was annoying enough when he was sober—drunk, he was a total ass.
“Let’s do that again, soon.” My sarcasm was as thick as the cloud cover on Mount Everest during a storm.
Hidden Deceit: A Mafia Romance (Corrupt Minds Book 2) Page 8
