Waiting for my Queen: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Cates, Georgia

  “Gemma! What? How are you here?”

  My sister comes to me, wrapping her arms around me.

  “I called the doctor’s office and pretended to be you. I told them I had forgotten when my next appointment was so I could find out when you were going to be here again. When I got here, I told the nurse you were waiting for me to arrive, and she brought me to your exam room.”

  “I’m so happy to see you.”

  I have missed Gemma so much. I’ve missed all of my family. Even my mother.

  “I’m happy to see you too.”

  Gemma puts her hand on top of my stomach. “I can’t believe how much the baby has grown since the last time I saw you.”

  “It’s still too long until he comes. I’m ready to hold him now.”

  “You believe it’s a boy?”

  “I say he because I’ve listened to Luca talk nonstop about a boy. I don’t care. I just want my baby to be safe and healthy.”

  “Are you afraid?”

  I nod and tears fill my lower lids. “I always thought I’d have Mamma and Nonna there to help me through it.”

  “Oh, Em. I’m so sorry all of this has happened.”

  “I can’t believe Mamma has turned her back on me and my baby. And even worse, she’s declared war against us.”

  “She’s so hellbent on revenge that she can’t see how deeply she’s hurting each of us.” Gemma’s eyes become glassy. “She’s betrothed me to Andrea Gaspari.”

  “The last time I spoke to her, she told me she was working on that.”

  “He’s awful, Emilia. A spineless pansy. I can’t be married to a man like that.”

  A spineless pansy won’t come to our compound with guns blazing.

  “Gemma, I have a baby to think of. Can you tell me anything at all about the plans the Gasparis are making against us?”

  “They don’t tell me anything, but I’ve overheard Mamma on the phone. They’re trying to plan something, and I get the impression that it isn’t coming together very well.”

  Luca said that they probably didn’t know how to prepare for an attack. I think he must be right.

  “We’ve been waiting six weeks and nothing.”

  “Something is coming. Be prepared.”

  I believe my sister. And it breaks my heart that my mother would be part of this.

  I understand that she is still grieving for my father and brother, but I’m her daughter, and I’m still here. Her grandchild will be here soon, and she doesn’t care. She only cares about the moves she’ll make in this Mafia game.

  “I’m careful. I rarely leave the compound because Luca makes me take an army with me wherever I go.”

  “Because he loves you.”

  “He does and I love him. I didn’t think I could, but I do. So much. I’m happy with Luca. I truly am.”

  “I’m happy your marriage has worked out for you.”

  Gemma smiles, and I know what she’s going to ask before she says the words.

  “Stephan is well.”

  She laughs. “I’m that obvious?”

  “You are. Definitely.”

  “Has Marco chosen a bride for him yet?”

  She looks nervous as she awaits my answer. “He’s looking, but he hasn’t found anyone yet.”

  “I had hoped he would be interested in me.”

  “Stephan is very interested in you. He asked me to speak to Mamma on his behalf, which I did, but she had other plans in mind for you.”

  “They’re not my plans. I don’t want to marry Andrea Gaspari. And I don’t want to be away from you or be part of a war raging between our houses.”

  I’ve thought about this over and over, and all possible conclusions of this war end badly. “What can we do to end this civilly?”

  “I don’t know because Mamma won’t be happy until the Rossini men are dead. Nothing less will do.”

  “Allies are the only thing keeping her afloat at this point. Without them, she has nothing. She’s powerless.”

  “The Gasparis are broke and desperate. The only reason they offered to help Mamma is so they can get half of the fortune.”

  I know what the holdup is. “They made the offer when I was still in the picture. Without me to do the killing, it’s turned into more than they can handle.”

  “I think that’s it.”

  Who knows when or if they’ll ever act against us? This could go on forever.

  “I need to go before I’m missed.”

  “Will you try to come back for my next appointment so I can see you again?”

  “I will if I can pull it off without anyone suspecting.”

  “Is there anything you’d like me to tell Stephan for you?”

  Gemma removes an envelope from her pocket. “You don’t have to tell him anything on my behalf. Everything I want to say to him is right here in this letter.”

  My sister loves Stephan. She must. That’s the only reason she would write a letter to him.

  “Hopefully, I’ll see you in two weeks.” She touches my stomach. “And you too, little Alessandro.”

  I hug my sister, tell her that I love her, and then she’s gone. And I don’t know for sure when I’ll see her again.

  And that’s when I begin to cry.

  34

  Luca Rossini

  Snaking my arms around my beloved from behind, I pull Emilia against my chest and kiss the side of her face. “How was my little one at your appointment today?”

  “Perfect, according to Dr. Morris.”

  Just as I wanted to hear. “Excellent. And his mamma?”

  “I’m good. No problems.”

  “Should we still expect to meet him in April?”

  “That’s what Dr. Morris says.”

  I’ve never been known for patience. “I want him to be big and strong when he’s born, so I guess he should stay in as long as possible so he can get fat.”

  “Not too fat.” She twists inside my embrace and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “These hips of mine aren’t made for birthing according to Zee Zee.”

  “You do everything perfectly. Giving birth will be no different.”

  “I hope so because I do not want to be cut open.”

  “You’re going to do great. Don’t worry.”

  But she is worried. I see it all over her face. And as her husband, it is my job to reassure her. “You have the most talented doctor in New York City. I’ve made sure of it.”

  “I know, and I trust that I’m in very capable hands.”

  “Is there something else going on?”

  “You’ve come to know me so well.”

  That’s a yes.

  She releases me and I step back, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “I saw Gemma today.”

  I take in a breath, intending to give Emilia a piece of my mind about doing what I specifically told her not to do, but she puts her hands up to silence me.

  “She came to me.”

  “Where?”

  “She tracked me down at the doctor’s office because she wanted to see me.”

  “How the fuck did she get through the soldiers assigned to protect you?”

  “It wasn’t their fault. She came to the exam room.”

  Gemma is clearly a very clever girl to have worked that out. And I’m not at all pleased that she so easily gained access to my wife.

  “What did she have to say?”

  “A few things. And I know you think we can’t trust her because you don’t know where her loyalties lie, but I know where her heart is, and it isn’t with our mother.”

  I don’t understand this trust she has for a sister when her own mother didn’t hesitate to declare a war that includes Emilia. “Tell me why you have so much confidence in her.”

  “First of all, she warned me to be careful because the Gasparis are still making plans to attack us.”

  “What kind of attack?”

  “She doesn’t know.”

  “
Baby, that’s not new information.” And it’s not reason to trust her.

  Emilia goes to her purse on the counter and takes out an envelope. “She gave me this to give to Stephan.”

  “A letter?”

  “Yes. She told me that everything she wants to say to him is in it. I think it’s a declaration of love. But if not that, then possibly a plea for him to marry her.”

  “Which means she wants out.”

  “Yes, and if she wants out, then her loyalties aren’t with Mamma.”

  “What about her betrothal to Gaspari?”

  “She says he’s awful and she won’t marry him.”

  “Stephan is here. Do you want me to have him meet us in the conference room?”

  “I do.”

  After Stephan has read Gemma’s letter and had time to absorb it, our entire family comes into the conference room and each takes a seat around the table. When we gather here, it’s usually to discuss business that has nothing to do with my wife, mother, or younger siblings. But today’s discussion is entirely family business.

  I nod at Emilia. “You can start.”

  Emilia is sitting back in the chair, her hands propped on top of her abdomen. Eight Rossinis are surrounding her, ready to hear what she has to say.

  “I saw my sister Gemma this morning. She says the Gasparis are still planning an attack.”

  My father chuckles. “There’s no reason for any of you ladies to worry. We’ll be ready when they come.”

  “I’m not worried. I know I’m safe here. That’s not really what this meeting is about.” Emilia turns to Stephan.

  My brother places the letter on the table. “Gemma sent this to me through Emilia. Her mother has arranged a marriage between her and Andrea Gaspari, which she does not desire.”

  “I’m sure she doesn’t want that. Have you seen him?” Giada makes a gagging sound.

  “Gemma seems like a very sweet girl. I hate that for her,” my mother says.

  “She wants to marry me.”

  My father is quiet for a moment, and I’m certain he’s considering the pros and cons of having Gemma as his daughter-in-law.

  He taps his fingers against the table. “Sofia will never agree to a marriage between the two of you, so I can only assume that Gemma means to leave the Bellini household?”

  “She says she plans to do so whether we marry or not.”

  “Then her allegiance doesn’t belong to Sofia.”

  Stephan points at the letter. “Not according to what she says in this.”

  “Do you want to marry her?”

  “We didn’t get a lot of time together, but I feel like things would have moved in that direction eventually.”

  “So you like her then?”

  “I do. And I’m aware that I must choose a bride soon. She would be my choice.”

  A smile spreads across my mother’s face. “I think Gemma would make a fine wife for you.”

  “Another Bellini girl for another son. This is wonderful. I wasn’t counting on having a second one in the family.”

  “Gemma is supposed to come to the doctor’s office and meet me at my next prenatal appointment. That could be the safest way to get her out.”

  “How long until your next appointment?”

  “Two weeks.”

  Stephan shakes his head. “Two weeks is too long. She could be married off to Andrea Gaspari by then. I want her to be out of their hands as soon as possible.”

  “I’m sure all phone calls coming into the house are being monitored, so I can’t risk calling her. And I’d be too afraid to try and get a message to her through anyone.”

  “Then I don’t have a choice. I’ll have to go in and take her.”

  “I don’t think I like that. It sounds very dangerous,” my mother says.

  “Did you ever consider going in and stealing Emilia?”

  “Sure, I did.”

  Emilia’s head jerks around. “You did?”

  “Of course, and I wish now that I had.” I regret killing all of those men who meant so much to my wife.

  “Emilia, I’m going to need you to tell me how to navigate through the house.”

  “I can do that, but I want to know what kind of plan you have in mind.”

  “I can’t go in hot. I’ll do it quietly, so they won’t realize she’s gone until after we’ve made our getaway.”

  “I trust you to keep my sister safe, Stephan. Don’t let me down.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

  * * *

  Stephan is decked out in black from head to toe. “Your plan is good, bro.”

  Stephan chuckles. “It’s brilliant even if I do say so myself.”

  “There’s only one problem. It doesn’t include me.”

  “That’s because I’m doing this alone.”

  “No, you’re not. I’m going with you because you need someone to cover you. You need me.” No one will cover my brother’s ass like I will.

  “I appreciate your offer, but I’m doing this solo.”

  “Why, when you don’t have to?” There’s nothing to prove.

  “I want to look back on this years from now and know that Gemma is mine because I’m the one who took her. Not my older brother. If you’ll stop for a moment and give it a little thought, I think you can see where I’m coming from.”

  I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to help take Emilia. “Okay, I see it.”

  “This plan is going to go off without a hitch. I’m confident in it, and I wish you would be too.”

  I actually am. “The next time I see you, you’ll have your woman with you.”

  “Unless she turns me down and tells me to get the fuck out.”

  “Won’t happen. The girl wants you.”

  “Well, we’re about to find out.”

  35

  Emilia Rossini

  I try to concentrate on the book in my hands, but it’s useless. Every thought in my head right now is about Stephan and Gemma.

  Placing my book on my stomach, I turn to Luca. “Do you know what Stephan’s plan is?”

  “I do.”

  “Is it a good plan?”

  “It’s a very good plan.”

  “Do I want to know what it is?”

  Luca stops reading and looks back at me. “No, and even if you did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Hearing the plan won’t calm your nerves.”

  “Because it’s dangerous?”

  “Stop, Emilia.”

  “Sorry. I’m not trying to be a pest, but I’m worried.”

  “I am as well, but fretting isn’t good for you or the baby.”

  I return to reading, but I’m only a few paragraphs in when I give up. “I should choose a room for Gemma and change the sheets so they’ll be fresh.”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “It’s the proper thing to do.”

  “Stephan is going to sweep in, throw her over his shoulder, and carry her away from that madness. Do you think he won’t have her in his room tonight?”

  This is my nineteen-year-old virginal sister who has never been in love. Unless something has changed since we last discussed it, she hasn’t even kissed anyone. “Gemma’s not that kind of girl. She’s very innocent, even more so than I was. She’s not going to be staying in Stephan’s room with him.”

  I don’t know what Luca is thinking. Viv isn’t going to let hanky-panky go on under her roof between them if they’re not married.

  “Care to place a wager?”

  “What kind of wager?”

  “I don’t know. If you win, what would you want from me?”

  I can only think of one thing. “A full-body massage. With oil and everything for one hour. Not a minute less.”

  “My hands all over your body for an hour? That sounds like win-win for me.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  Luca chuckles. “I want you to suck my cock. And use lots of tongue and throat. And hands on m
y balls.”

  I should have known.

  “An hour-long massage versus a one-minute blowjob. You’re on.”

  “Whoa, heeey… I will last way longer than a minute.”

  “Okay. Two minutes then.”

  “Come on, Emilia. You’re bruising my ego.”

  “I’m not insulting you. I just know how excited you get when you’re sliding in and out of my warm… wet… slick… mouth.”

  “You keep talking like that and I’m going to have you on your knees, wager or not.”

  I shake my head. “I’m pregnant and my stomach is in knots. Your cock in my mouth wouldn’t be a wise decision right now.”

  “I was thinking about using sex to distract you… but message received.”

  “Based on Stephan’s plan, how long do you think it’ll be before they’re here?”

  “Baby, I have no idea.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you don’t have a crystal ball.”

  “Hey, how about I give you a massage now?”

  “Without winning the wager?”

  “Sure. If it’ll take your mind off this and help you to relax.”

  I’d be nuts to turn down a massage. “The baby oil is under the sink.”

  With the bottle in hand, he returns from the bathroom. “Take off your nightgown.”

  “Massage only, mister. I’m not in the mood to fool around.”

  “I understand.”

  I lift my nightgown over my head and toss it to the foot of the bed. Still wearing my panties, I crawl on all fours to the middle. “Is this where you want me?”

  “Perfect.”

  “For obvious reasons, I’ll have to lie on my side instead of my stomach.”

  “Your side is good.”

  He pours some oil into his palms and briskly rubs them together. Beginning at my shoulders, he squeezes and releases my tight muscles. “You’re so tense.”

  “You aren’t?”

  “I am but I’m not pregnant.”

  “I’ll try to relax.”

  “Breathe in and out, deep and slow. Maybe that’ll help.”

  Luca inches his way from my shoulders to my lower back and then around my hips to my protruding belly. “He’s grown so much this month. I think he’s tripled in size the last few weeks.”