“Give Tommaso and Allegra the night off,” Martina whispers in my ear once we’re lying in bed and catching our breath. “I’ll make dinner.”
I press a kiss to her temple. “All right.”
A moment later, she climbs over me and walks to the bathroom. A trail of my cum drips down her thigh, and I get the urge to drag her back into bed and shove it back inside of her.
The possessiveness I feel toward her is a recipe for fucking disaster, but I’ve decided that while she’s here, I’ll indulge it.
It crossed my mind more than a few times as I was telling her about my past that I should stop before I get too far. But then I thought, why hold any of it back? As the words left my mouth, I kept waiting for disgust to flash across her features. I was sure that when I saw it, it would put whatever we were doing here in a neat little box. A temporary fling between two people who couldn’t be more unsuitable for each other.
But that’s not what happened. She saw the real me and didn’t even blink.
My lips curl into a bitter smile. She might think she can mend me, but she’s so very young. I can tell she’s an optimist at heart.
And me? I’m an old cynic.
I might find some peace when Sal is dead, but it won’t absolve me of my original sin.
While Martina showers, I get dressed and seek out Allegra to relieve her and her husband of their duties. After I speak with her, I intend to search for Polo, but Allegra tells me he’s gone into town and hasn’t returned. Apparently, he twisted his ankle earlier, and it was bothering him enough that he wanted to get it looked at.
I spend the next hour reviewing recent phone calls I’ve recorded, but the exercise proves fruitless. My access to people in Sal’s orbit has weakened over the last few weeks. The phone chatter has decreased. During times like these, conversations are had in person and in locations the don can be sure aren’t bugged.
Fuck. I need to know why his attention is trained on me.
I pick up my phone and consider giving him a call, but I quickly decide against it. I never call him. Doing so now would only heighten his suspicion.
It’ll show him that I’m nervous. I’m rarely nervous, because I’m always in control. But now, I feel the puppet string slipping through my fingers. I frown. Something is off, but I can’t place my finger on what…
My thumb presses on a number, and three rings later, Damiano picks up.
“Did something happen?” he asks as soon as the line connects.
I lean back in my chair and prop my feet up on the desk. “No, everything is fine.”
“Good. I was about to call you. We’ve had a few meetings fall through, and I was wondering if you know why.”
“Who?”
“Carlo Moretti, Vittorio De Rosa, and the Esposito brothers.”
Which each name he lists, my gut grows tighter. “They were families I was sure we could rely on.”
“So was I. Carlo and Vittorio are the ones who’ve suffered the most from Sal’s strategic failure with the Mallardos, given that their territory is by the border. The Mallardos have already started doing raids in retaliation. Sal must have told them something to sway them, and I was hoping you could tell me what.”
“I’ll look into it. I don’t have any ins with those two, but I have access to the cameras in Esposito’s warehouse, since I’m the one who set up the system. The younger one, Allonso, spends a lot of time there. I can let you know if anyone from Sal’s inner circle has paid them a visit. If they talked, there’s a chance my cameras picked it up.”
“Yes, fine.” There’s a long pause. “I don’t like it, Napoletano. The meetings were easy to set up, but they cancelled abruptly. Only hours before we were supposed to meet.”
“If they were definitively backing Sal, they wouldn’t have cancelled. They would have just tipped Sal off on where to find you.”
“I know. I still think they want to see me as don, but they got spooked. Sal’s got something up his sleeve. Is there any chance he could have an idea about Mari’s whereabouts?”
I tap my fingertips against the armrest. “He’s been following me, but his tails aren’t very good. I’ve lost them every time. I don’t know if he’s singling me out, or if he’s doing the same to others.”
“It’s not just you,” Damiano says. “He’s more paranoid than he’s ever been. Be careful.”
“You know you don’t need to tell me that.”
“How is she?”
I drag my palm over my jaw. “She’s doing well. Much better than before.”
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
He exhales. “I’m glad to hear it. When I spoke to her on her birthday, she did sound better. I need to talk to her about something, but Vale tells me I shouldn’t breach the topic until I’m confident she’ll take it well.”
“What topic?”
“The Grassis promised their support under the condition that she weds their eldest son.”
My jaw clenches so hard I think I might shatter my teeth. “And you agreed?”
“I agreed to consider it,” he says uneasily. “They are one of the oldest Casalesi families, and a closely knit tie with them would mean unfettered access to their militia. That manpower is valuable.” He sighs. “I should have prepared her for this possibility, but we spent so long isolated on Ibiza that it was easier to pretend it would never come to this. In truth, I wasn’t sure it ever would. I spent far too much time trying to decide if I should challenge Sal.”
Liar. Deep inside, he knew De Rossi may have bided his time, but from the moment I met him, I knew one day he’d fight for what Sal took from him and his family.
It must be easier for him to pretend that the decision could have gone either way. How else could he justify allowing Martina to live in fantasy land?
That girl has no idea she’s going to be traded away for an alliance. The question is, how will she react when she finds out?
She loves her brother, and she wants him to succeed. She might talk herself into making the sacrifice for his sake. That’s exactly the kind of person she is.
My free hand tightens into a fist. “When will you tell her?”
“Not right away. I want to wait until I can see her in person.”
“And if she says no?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”
I run my tongue over the inside of my bottom lip. “I’ll let you know if I find any useful recordings.”
“Good. Let’s stay in close contact on this.”
I hang up and throw my phone across the desk.
Fuck him.
The whole practice is barbaric. Trading away young girls to men usually much older than them in what amounts to a business transaction.
And I’m no damn better, because the truth is, if De Rossi offered her to me, I’d already be driving her to the fucking chapel.
I spend another hour scrolling through tapes. When a knock sounds, I’ve managed to nearly forget about the marriage proposal, but as soon as Martina peeks inside the room, my anger spikes right back.
The eldest Grassi kid is a nobody. The only thing he has going for him is his fucking last name. What is he going to do with her? He won’t be able to handle her. Martina might obey her brother, but that doesn’t mean she’ll fold to anyone else’s whims.
I should fucking know.
She steps into the room, giving me a full view of her silky black dress. It molds to her body and reaches to her mid-thigh. “Dinner is ready,” she says, giving me a bright smile.
I cross the office in two steps, push my fingers into her hair, and claim her mouth with a brutal kiss.
She makes a sound of surprise before melting right into me.
When I pull back, her eyes are wide. “What was that for?”
“Nothing,” I say, knowing I can’t tell her the truth. “Let’s go.”
The dining room is lit with soft candlelight, and the table is set. Martina urges me to sit down and then disappears into the kitchen to get our first course.
While I wait for her, I gaze at the fireplace. It’s unlit, but she placed a few thick candles in the hearth, and their flames flicker inside.
I don’t know why my mind takes me in that particular direction, but I begin to imagine what it could be like to truly be with her. To live here together and have dinner like this every night.
The vision comes far too easily. I see it in vivid detail, like a movie playing on a screen. The way she’d smile at me. The soft brush of her fingertips against my skin. The smell of her cooking and the soft murmur of our conversation. We’d eat dessert, and then I’d drag her out of her seat and onto my lap. She’d giggle at me putting my hands up her skirt and then moan when I made her come. I’d taste her on my fingers and tell her that no matter how much I love her cooking, she’s still the best thing I’d ever taste.
Her voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “First course is rib eye with black peppercorn sauce.”
I look at her and pretend like I didn’t just imagine my ring flashing on her finger instead of some Grassi’s.
There’s a contented smile on her face, and as pleased as it makes me to see her happy, I can’t stop thinking about the conversation with Damiano.
Soon, she’ll be promised to another.
I knew it was coming, didn’t I? I just didn’t think it would happen this quickly.
“You haven’t tried it,” she says, gesturing at my plate as her smile dims.
Cazzo, I need to forget about that call.
I taste the meat, and fuck, it’s good. She waits for my reaction and beams when I tell her as much.
Something bumps against my shin, and I look under the tablecloth to find Sophia looking at me with expectant eyes. “Tommaso already fed you,” I tell her. She snorts and quickly abandons me for Martina, who doesn’t even try to put up any resistance.
She cuts off a small piece of her meat and hands it to the dog, who swipes it immediately with her tongue. Martina smiles at Sophia. “I’m getting attached to you, you little cutie.” She glances up at me. “She’s tired. Probably from all the exercise she got today when she ran away from me.”
Something occurs to me then. “Have you taken her on walks before?”
“No, this was the first time. I bumped into Polo after he hurt his ankle. Since he couldn’t walk, I offered to take her in his stead.”
I frown. “Did he tell you to go to the woods?”
“Yeah, I think he forgot you didn’t want me going there, but I told him I couldn’t. I was just going to take her behind the garden, but then she ran way.” She drags her hand over Sophia’s fur, and I follow the movement with my eyes.
Did Polo really forget, or was he trying to get her to go there on purpose?
I saw the way he looked at Martina the first day she arrived. Being stuck here, he must have been eager for a plaything, but I shut that down right away. I made it clear she was my guest.
Until she became so much more.
When he saw the mark on her neck, he couldn’t hide his jealousy. Even though he’d just apologized to me and was clearly trying to keep a straight face, a flash of it had come through.
He knows about the cottage and the grave there. Did he think that by letting her discover that place, he’d push her away from me? Martina said the lock was rusted and easy to open. I haven’t gone back to check it after I boarded the place up, but what if Polo tampered with it?
My suspicions seep like rot through my bones. I’ll need to investigate, but for now, I won’t let that boy’s meddling distract me.
Whatever he may have attempted clearly failed.
I reach across the table and grasp Martina’s hand. She meets my eyes. “Is everything all right?”
Instead of answering, I pull her out of her seat and into my lap. She’ll be gone soon, but for now, she’s here with me, and I’m selfish enough to take everything she’s willing to give me and more.
She wraps her arms around my shoulder and burrows her face into my neck. “I love the smell of your cologne,” she whispers into my ear. “It makes me crazy.”
Widening my legs, I shift her over to the right one. She coils one arm around my neck and looks at me expectantly, waiting to see what I’ll do. When I part her thighs and cup her pussy under her skirt, she lets out a gasp. “You’re not done eating,” she breathes.
“No, I’m not.” I brush my lips over her cheek. “But I have a craving for something very particular.”
I nudge her underwear aside and dip a finger inside of her. Her abundant wetness coats my skin, and her breathing grows ragged. “What are—”
I take the finger out and bring it to my mouth and suck it clean. Her taste makes my cock jerk. Fuck, she’s so damn sweet. She watches me with hooded eyes, her expression growing hazy with lust.
We’re interrupted by the sound of footsteps.
Martina hears it and tries to get off me, but I hold her in place. “Stay,” I command. Allegra and Tommaso would know better than to come here after I gave them the night off. It can only be Polo.
Maybe he needs a reminder of who Martina belongs to.
He appears in the entryway moments later. His eyes take inventory of the scene before him, and then his gaze clashes with mine. He can’t see my hand up Martina’s skirt—the table’s blocking it—but just the sight of her in my lap is enough to make his eyes narrow.
I tip my chin up, an arrogant smirk on my lips that’s meant to remind him of his place. “I heard you sustained an injury today.”
His lips twitch in a failed attempt at a smile. “An injury is too generous of a term. It’s nearly back to normal now.”
I trail my fingers up Martina’s inner thigh. “I gave Allegra and Tommaso the night off.”
“I heard.”
And yet you’re here.
Martina sucks in a harsh breath when my fingers slide into her underwear again. She drops her hand to my forearm and squeezes, signaling for me to stop, but instead, I inch inside of her wet heat.
“Can I help you with anything?” I ask.
Polo’s nostrils flare. “I wanted to thank Martina for taking care of Sophia today.”
“She was happy to do it.” I insert another finger inside of her, and she digs her nails into me. “Isn’t that right, piccolina?”
Her wide eyes stare at me, and her face is flushed with an embarrassed kind of arousal. “Yes,” she chokes out.
I flick my gaze back to Polo just in time to see his jaw clench.
“Was there anything else, Polo?”
“No.”
“Then we’ll see you tomorrow. Be careful with that ankle.”
His eyes darken for a brief moment before he turns around and leaves without another word.
“What was that?” Martina pants once he’s gone. “Gio, do you think he saw?”
I curl my fingers and work a moan out of her. “No. All he saw is you sitting on my lap and looking very happy to be there.”
Her head tips back as I roll my thumb over her clit, but she brings it back up. “You’re crazy. He’s never going to look at me the same after that little incident.”
“I don’t want him looking at you at all. I don’t want anyone looking at you.”
She groans and repeats, “Crazy.”
I lick the shell of her ear as I fuck her with my hand. “You keep calling me that, and I’ll show you real crazy. I’ll bring you upstairs and tie you to my bed. Then, I’ll paint your skin with my cum until you’re covered in it. Until there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind who you belong to.”
Her pussy clenches, and she comes apart all over my fingers. Body shuddering, she rocks over my thigh as her orgasm overtakes her, in the process brushing her leg against my aching cock. That small, unintentional movement makes me lose the last shred of control.
I send my plate flying and heave her onto the surface of the table, pressing her front against it. Her legs barely reach the floor. She’s still shaking, and when I fling up her skirt, I’m met with the sight of her soaking pussy.
With a growl, I undo my belt, pull it off, and fold it into two.
Her nails claw at the table and she hisses when the warm leather brushes against the backs of her thighs. Grabbing her hair, I press my lips to her ear. “We never got to that punishment, did we?”
She trembles in my grip, her breaths coming out in little pants. “I thought that’s what you were doing when you fingered me in front of Polo.”
I tighten my hold on her hair. “I don’t want to hear another man’s name when I’m staring at your wet cunt.” The belt caresses her supple skin, and after a few seconds, she relaxes into the sensation.
I lift the belt and whip her right where her ass meets her thigh.
She makes a sound that’s a mix of a moan and a yelp, and it sends a pulse of blood rushing through my cock. “Careful, you’re going to make me think you’re enjoying it.”
The next time I do it, she muffles the sounds coming out of her mouth by biting her forearm, but she can’t make her cunt stop leaking.
I drag the belt over her pussy, leaving it glistening with her wetness. I show it to her. “This is what I do to your body, piccolina. Don’t you ever fucking forget that.”
Her skin flushes red.
The belt buckle clanks against the ground. I unzip my dress pants, take out my cock, and plunge into her tight hole.
She sobs from pleasure as I fuck her. “Gio, oh God, oh God, oh God.”
If a fucking bomb went off, I wouldn’t be able to stop being inside of her. All coherent thought is gone, leaving only chaos to brew inside my mind.
Fuck Sal. Fuck Damiano. Take her and run. You know none of them would ever be able to find you.
What do you want more? Her or revenge? The satisfaction of revenge is fleeting, but Martina…
Martina is forever.
My orgasm breaks through the surface, and I clench my eyes shut. I wrap my arms around her, cupping her small breasts, and she bucks against me, meeting my slowing thrusts.
She glances at me over her shoulder, her forehead glistening with sweat. For a moment, fear grips me. Did I hurt her? Did I go too hard with the belt?
But then she throws me a blissful smile, and it’s an arrow through the heart.
Martina is forever, but there is no forever for a man like me.
