by Serena Light
"Just business matter on mind," He shrugged in nonchalance.
"Why don't you tell me, maybe I can help?"
"Of course," He chuckled.
"I'm serious."
"And I'm not tangling you in my business."
"You don't trust me." She stated more than asked.
"Don't take it personally, Gattino." He spoke over his shoulder. "I don't trust anyone."
In the morning, Nicole showered and had the room cleaned and ensured that the lounge was presentable as well. An hour before they arrived, she had the maids prepare refreshments and set them up in the lounge. Once she was certain that everything was in order, she got changed into a white off-shoulder woolen sweater dress that reached mid-thigh, paired with grey knee-length boots.
Despite everything, she was excited to have her friends over, finally some company. But she was a bit nervous too given that none of them knew that she had gotten married to Salvatore Regnante. She had met them a couple of times before, after her wedding, but she never brought it up, now that they were coming to the Estate, she couldn't keep it a secret much longer.
"Do you frisk everyone like that?" She heard Aldo's voice ask the guard who was patting them all down, ensuring they didn't have any guns on them, even confiscating their phones and camera's.
"What's up with the frisking?" Aldo asked her as she stepped in the doorway, chuckling at her friend.
"Security measures," Nicole grinned sheepishly as he came up to her, hugging her.
"When did you guys move?" Sofia asked, coming up to greet her with a tight hug.
"It's been...6 months now."
"Wow, and not once did you invite us?" Norah exclaimed in indignation as they all stepped in, gawking at the luxurious interior, some of them diving for the refreshments as she came and settled with them on the sofas, guards stationed around the area and keeping a keen eye on them all.
"This is beautiful," Sofia exclaimed, getting up. "I'm gonna go sight-seeing."
"Uh, Sofia," Nicole called out uncertainly, watching her make her way towards the east wing, her way intercepted by two guards. "The east wing is off-limits, sorry."
"Alright," She retraced her steps to the sofa. "I'll just let you show us around then,"
"I can't move around much,"
"What? Why?" Luca exclaimed in concern.
"Uh, well, about a week ago, I was kidnapped and ended with bruised ribs and a gunshot wound to the thigh."
"What!" They all exclaimed, everyone, flocking towards her and speaking together, asking for her well-being.
"I'm fine! I'm fine! Really," Nicole assured, appeasing their worry. "I just can't walk too much, and my doctor told me to be on bed rest, but here I am," She chuckled.
"What, if you're on bed rest, then you should be resting," Carlo exclaimed, walking towards her and lifting her into his arms.
However, the moment that he picked her up, all the guards, pulled out their guns, pointing them at him, as he froze in his place.
"You're not allowed to touch me," Nicole grinned sheepishly, watching him slowly put her down and back away as the guards lowered their guns.
"Damn, what's gotten into your dad?" Noah exclaimed in concern.
"About that..." She trailed, chuckling uneasily.
"Oh, don't tell us you got married," Sofia joked, everyone staring at her face as she gave a shrug. "You got married!"
"Who?" Aldo and Carlo exclaimed in sync, both of them having had a crush on her.
"When?" Norah shot in.
"Uh, well 6 months ago, and-"
"-To me," A voice spoke from behind her, everyone snapping their gaze up as Aldo and Carlo stood from their places, reaching in for the guns that had been confiscated, forcing both of them to curse under their breath.
"He's fucking joking, right?" Carlo shot back in a venomous tone, glaring as Salvatore took a seat beside Nicole, casually draping an arm over her shoulders.
"He's not," Nicole defended. "I've been married to him for 6 months now."
"Did you know?" Aldo asked his younger brother, who shrugged with indifference.
An awkward silence fell over everyone as two out of the six people refused to talk, Salvatore striking up a conversation with the two girls, having them laughing and giggling, sometimes even blushing as Nicole stared at him with a raised eyebrow, clearly unamused. She tugged at the back of his suit jacket when he was inspecting Sofia's hand, gently running his fingertips down her palm, having her blush. Having felt the tug, he pulled away, looking at her with a raised eyebrow as she leaned towards him, nuzzling into his neck.
"The next time I see you touching another girl, I will make your life a living hell," She murmured into his ear, a smirk spreading across his lips.
"Is that possessiveness I hear?"
"It's a threat you hear,"
"Now I just want to take you upstairs and have my way with you,"
"Touch her again and see if that happens," Nicole taunted, as Salvatore chuckled, leaning back and intertwining their fingers on his lap, resuming his conversation with the girls, but keeping his hands to himself.
Eventually, Nicole struck up a conversation with the boys, coaxing them to talk as soon the dense air dispersed, allowing an easy-going conversation.
"You know, my dad says that you have very high demands," Carlo piped at Salvatore, looking at the Mafia Boss with a raised eyebrow as he was looking at a file that was handed to him.
"It's called standards," Salvatore responded, not tearing his gaze from the pages. "Not everyone has them, kid."
"I'm not a kid," He gritted out, anger rising.
"You sure as hell aren't a man either,"
"I've heard you've killed women and children," Aldo spoke up, Nicole tensing in her seat beside him.
"I will do whatever is necessary to keep my family safe." Salvatore sighed in nonchalance, his eyebrows knitting as he read the list before him, beckoning Tazio forward as he whispered something into his ear, and pointing at a spot on the paper, his second-in-command nodding before taking the file from him.
"I heard you were very young when you took over your father's post," Norah exclaimed with a smile.
"23 to be exact,"
"Wow, that's like my age," Sofia gasped. "I can't imagine having looked after such a huge Mafia at my age."
Salvatore only responded with a chuckle, rubbing his thumb over the back of Nicole's hand.
"Sir," Her guard called out to Salvatore. "Lunch is served,"
"Show them to the dining room," He instructed, taking out his phone as Thomas led everyone to the dining room.
"Won't you join us?" Nicole asked, standing with her fingers tangled with his.
"You go on ahead, I'll join in a minute," Salvatore assured, watching her give him a small smile before making her way to the dining room.
They had all started eating when he joined, instantly engaging the people in conversation. Having gotten bored with the random chatter, Nicole inched her foot towards Salvatore, slowly rubbing it against his leg as he didn't falter with his words, the only indicator she got of him having felt it had been the sideways glance he spared her way. Leaning back in his seat, he placed a hand on her knee under the table, resuming his conversation with Fedele as he caressed the inside of her thigh, causing Nicole to sit up straight and tense.
"So, Nicole," Aldo spoke up as she snapped her gaze his way, her face heating up as Salvatore's hands trailed higher and higher. "What's married life like?"
"Well..." Nicole trailed, feeling his hands inches from where he was headed. "It's-"
"-I'm sorry to disturb, sir," Piero apologized from the doorway, Salvatore's hand retreating to his side as he looked at him. "But, uh...Mr. Donati demands to speak with you; he's under the misconception that you kidnapped his son."
A chuckle escaped Salvatore as he turning his gaze towards the person in question.
"Well, come on, kid, let's go talk to daddy dear," His words having Carlo flush in embarrassment as they l
eft the dining room, the sound of muffled chatter reaching their ears as they all remained seated in their places, waiting for the verdict.
It ends up that Carlo was taken home, and soon after everyone else went home as well, hoping to avoid the misfortune that befell their fellow friend. Nicole saw them all off, apologizing for any trouble and thanking them for having come. Sighing, she made her way upstairs, temporarily surprised to see Salvatore sitting on the sofa, drinking a glass of scotch.
Beckoning her forward, she took off her shoes before making her way to him, straddling his lap as he pulled her.
"You're such a bad little girl," Salvatore spoke in a husky voice as she took the glass in his hand, taking a sip of the contents. "So possessive and naughty,"
"You're worse than me," Nicole stated, putting the empty glass away and caging Salvatore between her and the sofa, smirking as he hummed, placing a hand against her hips.
"I want to do so much to you," Salvatore groaned in frustration, kissing her neck and shoulders. "But I'm concerned I might trigger something."
"Me too," Nicole muttered gently, fidgeting with his tie.
"Can I put my hands under your dress?" He asked her, looking at her with gentle eyes, a wide grin spreading across his face as she nodded.
Salvatore gauged her reaction as he slowly slid his hands over her thighs, watching her bite her lip as he slid his hands under her dress, caressing the skin of her sides as she closed her eyes, relishing in the feel of his hands on her bare skin. A shiver passed through her when he traced her spine with his fingertips, clutching onto his shoulders.
Nicole threw back her head to give him more access to her neck, letting out a shaky breath as he placed kisses at the base of her neck and collarbone. The feel of his warm and moist mouth against her neck had her inhale deeply and her mind clouding.
"Can I take this off?" He asked her, referring to her dress.
"First this goes," She breathed heavily, forcing his blazer off, followed by his waistcoat and tie, Salvatore chuckling at her haste to get it off him, inhaling sharply as she leaned forward, gently nibbling on the skin of his neck, sucking as he groaned, leaving a red mark on his skin.
"Now the world knows you're mine," She heaved through her labored breathing, pulling back as Salvatore touched the mark, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh now you're asking for it," He smirked, turning them over so that she was lying on the sofa, Salvatore hovering over her as he placed kisses against her neck, gently nibbling on the skin as she gasped and twisted her fingers into his hair, arching into him and groaning against his ear.
Chapter XVII: Greenhouse
Upon her return from work, Nicole bought a bouquet of flowers, putting them in a vase and at the center of their bedroom. She had the bed sheets changed and the entire room cleaned, the curtains were drawn open and the lounge set up. Once that was done she sat down to finish the pending work before grabbing a note pad to doodle on it. Eventually, she got tired of sitting and went to shower before dinner.
Entering with the Bluetooth in his ear, Salvatore greeted the two dogs that came bounding to him as he removed the leather gloves, followed by his scarf and coat.
"How are the kids?" He asked his sister, sitting down on the sofa and throwing back his head as she spoke about her babies. "That's good to hear, and how are you doing? No postpartum depression or anything, right?"
He rubbed a hand over his forehead and glanced at the tabletop, his eyebrows furrowing at the sight of the notepad on top. Sitting up, he picked it up, looking down at the rough sketch of him, and by the looks of it; the picture was depicting him just this morning when he stood before the full-length mirror, fixing his cufflinks.
Flipping through the notebook, he saw various rough drafts of him, or him and Nicole, or the dogs, even some natural landscape, and a scene which looked eerily like a depiction of them all sitting in his parent's lounge.
"Oh! Hey!" Nicole's voice drew him out of his inspection, looking up he saw her standing in black leggings and an overly large sweatshirt, towel drying his hair.
"I gotta call you back," Salvatore cut off his twin sister and ended the call with the click of a button. "You drew this?" He asked, holding up the notepad of his sketches.
Instantly her face paled, dropping the towel, she grabbed the notebook from his hand, closing it and holding it to her chest, her back turned towards him.
"Please don't tell my mother," She spoke in a small voice. "I'll do anything, please don't tell her."
"Nicole, what does your mother have to do with this?" He chuckled lightly. "I had no idea you were so artistically talented."
"It’s...it's nothing, just a childish whim," Nicole spoke those words with a downcast face as if though those words had been repeated to her numerous times as she looked at the book clutched to her chest. "I'll throw this away,"
"Do you have an interest in art?" Salvatore asked, standing from his place and walking to her as she tensed, clutching the notebook tighter. "Because if you do, then I can say that I'm impressed,"
She looked at him uncertainly, her muscles tense and her eyes glazed with tears.
"You don't...you don't hate the thought of my hands covered in paint? My hair smelling like turpentine oil? My finger's covered in pencil smudges? Or color stuck beneath my nails? My clothes littered with blotches of paint? None of that seems unappealing to you? Unladylike?"
"What?" Salvatore laughed incredulously. "No! Why would you think that?"
He watched as Nicole gave him a watery smile, tears brimming in her eyes as a choked chuckle escaped her. Concerned, he pulled her in for a hug as she let out a shaky breath.
"Did your mom say all those things to you?" Salvatore asked her gently, pulling away to run a hand through her damp hair, irritation rising when she nodded.
"She's the one who would stop me from painting and drawing because I always made a mess. She was so strict about it that I did it in secret. She always told me that my husband would not like it."
"Fuck what your husband thinks," He cupped her face as she chuckled wiping away the stray tears. "It matters what makes you happy. Does drawing and painting make you happy?"
"Immensely,"
"Then do it. In the room; in the lounge; in the sunroom; on the roof; or on the terrace. Where ever the mood takes you, just draw whatever, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded with a breathtaking smile, exposing her white teeth as it caused her eyes to crinkle at the edges.
"And since you shared this passion of yours with me, I'd like to return the favor," Salvatore told her after a moment of thought. "Come," He grabbed her hand and led her out the room, walking across the hall and opening the door across from theirs.
Pulling her inside, he closed the door behind them, momentarily bathing them in darkness before he turned on the lights, Nicole gasping at the sight.
The floor beneath her was dark wood, partly covered by a fluffy white carpet. To her left, there was a table pushed in the corner with piles of paper and stationery and to her right there was a cream-colored three-seater and a coffee table, a marble fireplace in the wall with family pictures on the mantle place, a circular mirror above that and various photos lining the wall. But the sight that had her gasp was the dark wood grand piano and a violin stand by the balcony doors, an acoustic guitar placed in the corner in its stand.
"Do you-?"
"-Yeah," Salvatore nodded with his hands slipped into his slacks, already knowing what she was going to ask. "Go sit down, I'll play something for you."
Nicole squealed in delight as she sat down, crossing her legs beneath her and swinging back and forth as she watched him remove his blazer and roll back his sleeves. A wide grin spread across her face as he took out a beautiful Stradivarius from the glass case along with its bow.
Inhaling deeply, he placed it on his shoulder, resting his chin before putting the bow to the strings.
A gasp escaped Nicole as he began to play, absolutely unprepared when the
first note struck. Waves of sound rolled against the walls, flowing into every crevice and surging towards her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and grasped for the music in the air. She clutched her hands together, trying to stay grounded as she felt as if though she were getting lost in a restless sea, feeling weightless and lost. Closing her eyes tight, she tried to fight back the emotions that surged through her, realizing it was a hopeless battle. She shivered in her seat as the tones reached to her core and swept away all her senses. All the sorrows and tears she had repressed throughout her life seemed to pour out of her body and latch onto the beautiful lament produced by the violin.
She felt as if though she were fighting against a tidal wave of sounds and emotions. It was powerful and haunting, like ghosts whispering past the veil between life and death, no wonder her skin flared alive with anticipation.
"Nicole?" Salvatore's voice called out to her in concern, her eyes shooting up, not even having realized that the music had ended or that tears were streaming down her cheeks with a hand clutching the sweatshirt right above her heart. "Are you alright?" He asked, kneeling before her and wiping her tears with eyebrows knitted in concern.
"That was beautiful," Nicole spoke with a sniffle, staring at Salvatore as if though she were seeing him in an entirely different light.
"Then why are you crying?" He laughed in bewilderment.
"Because it was so beautiful,"
He chuckled at her logic, shaking his head before placing a kiss on her forehead. Pulling away, he pulled her head to his chest, holding her for a moment before deciding that they should have dinner.
After dinner, he sent her up first and went to Tazio, giving him some orders before dismissing him for the day with a pat on the shoulder.
"I loved you playing the violin," She informed him as he went and took off his clothes. "Do you play often?"
"When the kids are over or when the mood takes me," He responded from the walk-in-closet. Stepping out a minute later in a black t-shirt and trousers, his feet bare.