The next day, I met with Giovanni, Rocco, and my father in the Scuderi mansion for our weekly meeting. Father regarded me with narrowed eyes as I stepped in. He had been keeping an even closer eye on me since my marriage. I wasn’t sure what he was waiting for.
I shook Rocco’s hand. “How’s married life treating you?”
I gave him a tight smile, not replying. My marriage was none of their business. Then I turned to Giovanni.
“How’s Val?” he asked quietly. Concern flickered in his eyes.
His question was difficult to answer. Valentina was unhappy with our current situation, last night hadn’t changed that. She wanted closeness on an emotional level. But she was a clever woman. Her asking me to work showed that. But even a job wouldn’t change Valentina’s unhappiness entirely. Yet, I had to admit my suggestion for her to take over as manager in the casino was fueled by the hope that she’d be too busy to ponder on our emotional estrangement. It seemed like the only way I could guarantee her happiness, and I wanted her to be happy. “She’s doing well. She wants to start working.”
Surprise filled Giovanni’s face. I crossed the room to Father who hadn’t risen from his armchair. “I assume you didn’t allow her that kind of nonsense,” he quipped.
Rocco motioned toward the armchair beside my father’s but I shook my head, preferring the higher vantage point when dealing with the old man. Rocco sank down, followed by Giovanni, waiting for my reply.
“I suggested that she could work in one of our Underground casinos.”
“The one near the Palermo?” Rocco guessed. I’d only recently killed the previous manager because he stole money from the Outfit.
“Yes.”
“Raffaele and Leonardo won’t like that. What is she supposed to do anyway? I don’t suppose you want her to be a complimentary girl,” Father muttered, smoothing back his white hair even though it was in place.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Giovanni’s face turned red with anger, his hand clenching around his knee.
“I expect everyone to show respect to my wife, you included, Father,” I said quietly. Many people in the Outfit would be offended by the mere idea of a Capo’s wife working, especially in a position of importance. It was a decision for Valentina.
Father’s eyes flashed with anger but I was the head of the Outfit now. While he was still greatly respected among our men, they saw me as the more capable leader, had done so for many years already. Father was old. It was time for him to die. Unfortunately, he clung to live like all narcists did.
Pushing my hands into my pockets, I said casually, “She’s going to manage the casino.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Father said, shaking his head. “Neither Leonardo nor Raffaele will listen to orders from a woman.”
Rocco’s expression was carefully blank but I suspected he shared my father’s views. He was too clever not to side with me though, and he’d try to convince my men of my standpoint even if he disagreed. He was an opportunist through and through, which was useful and appalling at once.
Father turned to Rocco as I’d expected. “You can’t agree with Dante’s choice.”
Rocco smiled tightly. “I trust my Capo to do what is best.”
Father’s mouth thinned. I preferred the term Capo, but he’d instilled the word Boss. This subtle use of Capo showed clearly which side Rocco was on: mine. His gratefulness extended into the present. Letting him live had proven useful in many ways over the years. He gave me a subtle nod, his eyes like that of a dog expecting a treat.
Father turned to Giovanni who, like Rocco, knew better than to show his sentiments openly. “You can’t possibly want your daughter to work. It’s not proper.”
“If it makes Val happy and if Dante agrees with it, I don’t see why I should disapprove. She’ll stop working once she’s a mother anyway.”
I stiffened. Having children was expected, especially now that I was in my thirties and my first marriage hadn’t produced any offspring. I fought against the flood of anger and sadness that bubbled up.
Father nodded grimly. “Whenever that is. But I’m sure Dante has everything planned out.” He didn’t say anything after that. Maybe he finally understood that his days of power were over. My word was law now. He’d still give me his opinion on the matter repeatedly no doubt.
After the meeting was over, I pulled Father aside. “I think it’s time for you to retire fully and stop attending my meetings with my men. Your presence undermines my authority and that’s something I can’t allow.”
“Allow?” Father repeated sharply. His old eyes met mine, trying to stare me down but as had been the result in the last few years, he eventually looked away. “Very well. If that’s what you want.”
“It is,” I said firmly.
I returned to the car but didn’t get the chance to start the engine before my phone rang. Mother. “What can I do for you?”
“I hear you’re allowing your wife to work?”
She heard it from Father of course. “Yes.”
“It’s going to cause a scandal, Dante. You’ve already offended many people by taking a widow, why do you insist on breaking my heart? Think of the Outfit!”
My mouth thinned at her theatrical performance. Her words brought my mind back to Valentina and our last night, tantalizing memories I didn’t want to replay while talking to my mother. “Mother, I’m leading the Outfit into the future. I have to hang up now. I’ve business to attend to.”
She let out a small sniff but I knew her fake cries. I ended the call. During my drive home, my phone binged again. Chancing a glance down, I caught the message from Ines.
I’m proud of you.
My mouth twitched.
Allowing Valentina to work was partly to my benefit of course. She was busy and had less time to seek my company. As I’d expected, the past wasn’t easily put to rest. I avoided Valentina’s closeness as much as possible during the day, but at night my desire always won out. I’d never been this unrestrained, this dominated by my needs. Valentina was unaware of her power over me, and not just by night. Even during the day, I caught myself thinking of her. Something about the way she insisted on pushing my limits intrigued me.
But while I kept Carla’s photo in my drawer, her memories lingered. They weren’t easily forgotten, nor did I want them to be.
In the next few weeks, Valentina proved to be a capable asset in the casino and a more and more daring lover in bed. We fell into a routine that suited me well but that obviously bothered Valentina. I pretended to be unaware of her dissatisfaction because it allowed me to ignore my own annoyance with myself. Part of me wanted to seek out Valentina for more than sex, but my stubborn nature kept me rooted to a promise I should have never given.
In an attempt to show Valentina in subtle ways that I appreciated her, I went to our family’s jeweler and asked him for a necklace with emeralds. He had several on display. Since almost every Made Man from the Outfit bought jewelry for their wives and sometimes mistresses there, he always had a wide selection to choose from.
I picked the one that had almost the same shade as Valentina’s eyes. Despite her breathtaking body, her eyes haunted me more than her curves.
On my way back home, my phone rang with a call from Tommaso. I picked up, my lips thinning. He was a remnant from my father’s reign, a disgusting waste of space and air. Unfortunately, he wasn’t involved in attacks because of his back, so he couldn’t find an unfortunate end through a Bratva bullet. “Yes?” I clipped.
“Sorry to disturb you, Dante. Is my wife at your house? Your wife picked her up without my permission.”
“My wife only needs my permission, not yours,” I said in a low voice.
Tommaso cleared his throat. “Of course. But Bibiana is my wife.”
“I’m sure Valentina is having coffee with her.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could give me a call if you know more.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” I hung up.
When I pulled up in the driveway, Enzo was already waiting for me.
“She took the car without you?” I guessed.
He nodded, looking unnerved. “She was gone before we could act.”
I walked into the house and as expected I found Bibiana and Valentina in the hallway. Valentina shifted, shielding her friend from my view as if she worried I’d hurt her. Bibiana was a poor woman. She certainly didn’t have to fear me.
“Good evening, Bibiana.”
She cowered, not meeting my eyes. “Evening.” Her face and arms were littered with bruises. It was a fate I’d protected Ines from. If she’d married Jacopo, she would have been a broken shadow of the woman she was now—like Bibiana. I had to consider options to dispose of Tommaso at some point.
After I’d informed Tommaso that his wife would spend some time here, I retreated to my office to give Valentina and Bibiana some time.
I sank down in my desk chair and twisted the small satin box in my hand. A Valentine’s day present always evoked emotions in women. It had been the case with Carla. She’d always gushed and cried when I’d given her something. Sighing, I set the box down on my desk. My eyes darted to the drawer where I kept the picture frame. I’d resisted looking at it today.
Instead of giving in to my need to drown in the past, I picked up my phone and called Pietro.
“Dante, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Hello Pietro.”
I opened the box and stared at the emerald pendant. Valentina’s eye color… God, those eyes.
“Is anything the matter?”
“How’s Ines?”
“Getting bigger every day,” he said with a small laugh so full of tenderness that my heart lurched in my chest. “Only two more months.” He fell silent. “How are things with Valentina?” His voice was careful. He knew how reluctantly I shared any private details.
“Things are going well,” I said evasively. “I assume word about her new job is already making the rounds.”
Pietro laughed. “Well, what did you expect? It’s the first time a Capo’s wife is working. So far even the wives of Underbosses always only stayed home.”
“Valentina is eager to work and she’s got leadership qualities.”
“You’ll have to do a lot of convincing in the Outfit, you realize that?”
“I do, but I also don’t have to explain my decisions. The Outfit is under my rule.” It wasn’t as easy as that. I needed the support from my Underbosses and Captains, so I’d have to tread carefully, especially about our traditions.
“How are things going in Minneapolis?”
Pietro easily followed my topic change. I’d never regretted my choice to support his quest to marry Ines, and he was one of the few men I trusted. I closed the box with the pendant, unsure if I should give it to Valentina.
Valentina was still asleep when I got up. As usual, her face was twisted toward me, gorgeous in sleep and without a touch of makeup. She deserved more than I gave her. It was a truth I knew without a flicker of doubt. I set the box with the necklace and a handwritten note down beside her then left.
I had a busy day ahead of me. My Underboss from Detroit was in town and we wanted to discuss his problems with the Bratva.
Later that day, I was on my way to check in on Valentina in the casino. Leo and Raffaele still needed clear instructions from me. Their reluctance to work under a woman was very apparent. My phone rang when I was only a block away. “Enzo, what’s the matter?”
“We have a problem, boss. Valentina’s just left the casino without telling anyone and is meeting with an unknown man.”
Fury followed by startling jealousy washed through me. Valentina was alone with an unknown man?
“I’ll be there in a minute. Wait for me.”
Enzo was already in the parking lot when I pulled up. I didn’t waste any time and followed him to a warehouse next to our casino. Glancing around the corner, I found Valentina talking to an outsider. He definitely wasn’t one of my men. He was barely taller than my wife and had reddish hair. My eyes narrowed as I tried to stifle my jealous rage. This overwhelming sense of possessiveness was new to me. Enzo and I crept closer, keeping close to the building.
The man grabbed Valentina’s arm. “Valentina—”
Suppressing the urge to shoot the man on the spot, I said, “Hands off.”
Valentina whirled around with a startled cry, her eyes wide. The man did the same but then tried to run away. Enzo grabbed him and pulled him into a headlock.
I stalked toward Valentina and gripped her arm. It took a lot of effort not to let my anger out on her. I’d given her lots of freedom, more than most Made Men gave their wives, and she seemed to abuse my trust in her.
I motioned for Enzo to take the man to the warehouse, away from prying eyes, and followed with Valentina. “So this is what you do when I’m not around? Meeting with other men?” I asked in a deadly voice.
Valentina gave me a shocked look. “No! It’s not like you think.”
“He’s been lurking around the house twice now, boss,” Enzo said, then grunted when the man’s knee hit him in the groin.
“Explain,” I snarled, my grip on Valentina’s arm tightening even further, even as she winced.
“It’s Frank.”
I relaxed my hold on Valentina. A flicker of hurt shone in her eyes.
“Antonio’s lover.”
Enzo glanced my way. He’d occasionally met Antonio.
A gunshot rang in the silence and Enzo flinched with a cry. Another bullet collided with the wall above us.
I dragged Valentina to the ground with me, shielding her with my body, my gun pointed in the direction of our attackers. Frank freed himself and ran away. I aimed at him and pulled the trigger at the same time as Valentina shoved my arm. The bullet missed its target. “Valentina!” I growled. Frank disappeared from view before I could shoot again. “What the fuck was that?”
Valentina shook her head, her skin pale. “I don’t know! I thought he was alone. Frank doesn’t even know anyone who can shoot a gun.”
“You should have let me shoot him. Never interfere like that again.”
“He’s innocent. He doesn’t deserve death.”
“Bullshit. That guy laid a trap and you fucking walked into it,” Enzo muttered.
I nodded. This hadn’t been a coincidence. My wife had walked straight into a fucking trap.
Valentina looked at me. “What do you mean?”
She managed to appear sophisticated and well-acquainted with our ways, but ultimately, Valentina knew little of the true danger of mob life. “Haven’t you wondered why he wanted to meet you? Maybe he’s been approached by the Russians and agreed to help them. They’d love to kill you.”
“Frank wouldn’t do that.”
So trusting and naïve! I wouldn’t lose Valentina. I couldn’t.
After the reinforcement arrived and took Enzo to our doctor, I took Valentina home.
“I’m really sorry,” she whispered during the ride to our mansion.
I didn’t say anything, consumed with so many conflicting emotions I had trouble keeping in check. Anger at Valentina for disobeying my command, worry over losing her, and the need to prove to myself that this woman was mine. What I’d felt when I’d seen Valentina with Frank had been more than simple possessiveness, and then the acute terror I’d felt when the bullet missed Valentina’s head by a few inches…
I didn’t want to ponder my emotions, not these emotions, and focused on my anger for my wife.
After our arrival home, I headed straight for our bedroom, needing to get my fury out of my system. “I’m really sorry,” Valentina said as we entered the room, but I had no intention of letting her off easily.
I pushed Valentina against the bedroom door, my chest pressed against her back, for once using my physical strength against my wife, rendering her motionless. My cock was already becoming hard, feeling Valentina’s sexy body against mine.
“Why do you keep disobeying me, Valentina?” I growled. I pushed her skirt up and dug my erection against her ass, showing her what she did to me. She released a shuddering breath, goosebumps rising on her skin.
“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice shaking.
My anger was overwhelming, only trumped by the fierce hunger consuming my very being.
“That’s the wrong answer.” I found Valentina wet when I touched her pussy and entered her with two fingers, making sure she was ready for the angry fucking that I craved. And fuck, she was. She was turned on by our fight, which angered and turned me on at the same time. Evoking conflicting emotions in me was Valentina’s specialty.
I started fucking her right against the door, not holding back. My anger ran free as I took her roughly, dominating her, not giving her a choice but to yield to my demands, and she did. Her moans spiraled out of control, her pussy slick around my cock and when she came with a cry and threw her head back, I couldn’t resist to kiss her harshly, claiming that beautiful mouth like I claimed her pussy. I kept pumping into her, overcome with hot-burning pleasure I’d never encountered before, and when I came inside of her and pressed a kiss to her neck, I wasn’t sure what I felt anymore.
