by J. L. Drake
“How’s the wine cellar coming along?” I stepped closer, flashing a killer grin. “From what I’ve heard, it’s filled with my wine,” I crossed my arms over my chest, “as are both of your restaurants.”
“Of course. We only want to serve the best,” he replied, trying to sound smooth and calm.
I chuckled and looked at Niccola. “You hear him? He wants to serve the best.” I shook my head. “The problem is you seem to have a hard time paying for the best. Both of your restaurants are ninety days past due, and no one from your office is answering my calls.”
“I’m sure there must be some misunderstanding.” Cavaliere rubbed his neck uneasily. “My men would never try to take from you.”
I nodded. “Do I need to remind you of what happens to those who don’t pay?”
Cavaliere dropped his hand and lowered his head. “No.”
I tucked one hand in my pocket and rubbed my chin with the other as I leaned down to make my point. I made a show of looking at my watch. “Your time starts now.”
Vinni opened the door as I started to walk away, but not before I stopped and gave one last warning. “Be good to her. It would be a shame to ruin such beauty.” With that, I slipped inside the car.
“Nic,” I pulled out my phone and secretly snapped a photo of the girl and sent it to him, “find out who she is and if she has any connection to Stefano.”
“Will do.” He started to make some calls, and I leaned back to soothe the ache between my eyes. I hated it here, and my next visit would be his last.
“Everything is set up for Wyatt’s return home.” Vinni revved the engine as we headed up the hill toward my house. “There will be two men outside his apartment, and another will tail him wherever his assignment takes him.”
“Good.”
“He seemed happy and confident about the arrangements.”
“That’s good.”
He pulled into the driveway, and I got out. I turned back as his door opened and he stepped out as well.
“Can I ask you something?” He had my attention.
I leaned my arm on the roof and let the other drape over the open door of the town car. “Yeah.”
“Does something feel off with Sienna’s mother?”
“A lot does.”
“Like the timing of it.” He tucked his hands in his pockets as he thought. “We just find out about Mariano, and practically the next day her mother shows up and knows Francesco? It just seems a little too coincidental.” I opened my mouth to speak, but he wasn’t finished. “I still can’t believe Piero agreed to let her come to the Hill House.” He rubbed his face as though to shake off the feeling. “I don’t know, I’m just thinking there’s something right in front of us we can’t see.”
“Paranoia is part of the job. It’s what keeps us on our toes and keeps us alive.” I stepped aside and closed the door. The truth would reveal itself in time. The real question would be how much blood would need to be shed before we saw it. Until then, we just needed to keep our eyes and ears open.
“I know you’re right. It’s just playing on my mind.” He rubbed his face.
“Go get ready, or Auntie will have my head.”
“Right, party time.” He rolled his eyes, hating attention just as much as I did.
“You only turn twenty-seven once.” I smirked.
“That’s true.” He chuckled and slid in behind the wheel. “See you soon.”
I waved and headed inside.
I was soon deep into Stefano’s notebook, trying to make sense of his random scribbles and marks. His writing looked like that of a serial killer, which was ironic, as he was one. With the book in hand, I moved about the kitchen to fix myself a drink and noticed Sienna hadn’t responded to my morning text. It wasn’t like her not to.
Elio: Bella, how was your day?
I enjoyed the sharp bite of the rum as I made my way to the window. I stared out at the stream of headlights that approached the house. I took a moment to appreciate the way our property was designed. The way the winding road provided us protection and allowed us to see cars as they approached from miles away. It gave us time to prepare. Or, in this case, to see just how many people my aunt had invited to the party. Vinni was a great guy, and he deserved a night off, especially with all that had been happening. We all did.
My vison blurred, and I focused on the book in my hand, back to scanning the messy cursive handwriting. As I’d seen on the front cover, I once again saw the name “Mikey,” only this time there were tally marks next to it. Seventeen marks in total. Maybe they were kills? I wasn’t sure, but before I let my mind go any further, my phone buzzed. Mama reminded me I should have already arrived. I snapped the book closed and locked it away in the safe, then hurried off to the party.
As always, when we held an event, I slipped through the back entrance to avoid the guests who were getting their names checked at the front door.
I greeted my mama to assure she knew I had arrived. Niccola was at the bar with two drinks in his hand.
“Hey,” he handed me one, “at the risk of having you bury me at the bottom of the hill, check out the goddess in white.”
“Who?” I scanned the faces in the crowd and nearly choked on my drink when I caught sight of Sienna and Wyatt surrounded by a sea of men. She had left her hair long and straight, brushed to one side to tumble over her bare shoulder. Her white dress barely covered her breasts and had two very high slits. Gold strings zigzagged under her cleavage and wound around to tie behind her back. The gold in the strings paired beautifully with her gold-bangled cuffs. Though it was revealing, it was incredibly classy. Niccola was right; she did look like a goddess.
“Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction, too.” He chuckled into his glass. “So, the suspense is killing me. What was in the notebook?”
“The name Mikey came up a few times, some addresses in their territory, and some dates that are coming up. I want to cross refence them with our shipments and see if that’s when their next move might be.”
“Wow,” he shook his head, “nice job, Val.”
“Indeed.”
“Elio,” Aunt Noemi wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed my cheeks, “looking handsome as always.”
“Thanks, Auntie,” I found my gaze shifting back to Sienna.
“Did Mariano find you?” That pulled my attention away.
“No, why?”
“I just know he was looking for you.” A deep burn burst through me with the idea of him being here and not at the dockyard.
“I’ll keep an eye out for him.” I kept my voice even.
“Niccola,” she addressed her son, “I spotted a lovely brunette over by the door, who, I just so happen to know, is single.”
“Thanks, Mama, but I can handle finding my own dates.”
“Can you?” I teased him. “Because you seem dateless tonight and, despite the last party, you’re not coming home with me.”
“First, screw you, and second, don’t act like you don’t love my company.”
“What’s not to love about your bare ass on my new couch or your shit tossed everywhere throughout my place?” I shook my head at Auntie. “He’s a mess.”
“I’m sorry I brought it up!” She tossed her hands in the air, exasperated, and Niccola and I smirked at one another as she muttered, walking off. In our family, you had to wear the mothers out or they were relentless with finding us a woman. They all pictured the grandkids on their knee. Luckily for me…my woman was right here across the room.
“I know that look.” Niccola chuckled at me, and I rolled my eyes.
Making my way through the crowd, only stopping to greet a few friends along the way, I joined the sea of gawking men and smiled when Sienna spotted me.
“Good evening, Mr. Capri.”
“Ms. Giovanna.” I nodded and drank in her heavenly scent. “You look lovely this evening.”
“Thank you.” She gave me a flirty smile then remembered our situation and droppe
d her gaze to the floor.
“There you are.” Mariano suddenly appeared and draped an arm over Sienna’s shoulders. She waited a beat then stepped aside, moving a little closer to me. Alcohol wafted off his breath, and I saw her cringe at the stench.
Why the hell is he here and not at the dockyard where I told him to go?
“Everyone,” he took a sip of his drink as he addressed our small crowd, “I want you to meet my girl, Sienna.”
“Actually,” she cut in, “we’re not dating. I’m,” she paused, “single.” The word hit my chest hard, but I knew it was what she needed to do. “Mariano has been a lovely host and friend the last while, and I’m thankful I was introduced to the Capri family.”
“You might be the only one.” Mariano snickered, trying to make the other men laugh, but it really just came off as backward and disrespectful. “Ah, man, I’m only playing.”
I rubbed my short beard, trying to navigate my temper.
“Mariano,” my tone was clipped, “I believe I gave you a direct order yesterday as to where you were to be tonight. Yet here you stand.”
“I couldn’t miss Wyatt’s last day, or Vinni’s birthday.” He laughed like he was strung out on something, and Wyatt shifted uncomfortably. “Besides, she has been spending all her time here lately, even though I’ve asked her repeatably to come to my house.”
I licked the inside of my dry mouth, barely hanging on to any self-control I had left. He kept making it seem that they were together.
“Wyatt,” Sienna said softly, “isn’t that Joseph, the one you were looking for earlier?”
“It is, thanks.” He took her exit and raced across the room, disappearing into the crowd.
“If you all would please excuse me.” Her dark blue eyes looked up to mine for a moment then she turned and left the room.
“Niccola,” I said over the buzz of the party as he approached me on cue, “where did you say you spotted my father last?”
“By the pool.”
I left, but not before giving him a warning to watch Mariano. Once in the hallway, I spotted Francesco, who pointed out the French doors to where Sienna was walking into the garden. I wanted to ask when Elenora would arrive, but he answered the phone, quickly walking away.
I headed around the side of the hedge and dipped under into a small hollowed-out spot that Niccola and Vinni had made to hide in when they were boys. Twinkle lights were woven through the branches and provided a soft glow, but you were completely hidden from view. As soon as she was close enough, I reached out and pulled her through the soft branches.
“Oh, my goodness!” She yelped but sagged into my arms and let me nuzzle her neck. “My heart nearly leapt out of my chest, Elio.”
“You’re not playing fair, Sienna,” I growled, running a hand down her side. “I can’t tell the world you’re mine, yet you wear something like this,” I fisted the fabric near her hip, “and I’m expected to behave?”
“Never behave with me, Elio.” She tilted her head and kissed my jaw line.
“Sienna,” I warned and moved the fabric out of the way to stroke across her silky skin, “your company will be arriving—”
“You never did finish what you started in the closet at the last party.” She ground her backside into the painful erection that had suddenly developed, and my eyes rolled to the back of my head.
I stroked the back of my hand down her shoulder and pressed my lips to the nape of her neck, sucking ever so softly. Lapping, I drank in the fresh scent of her shampoo and resisted the urge to sink my teeth into her delicate skin.
“Mm,” I moaned from the bottom of my chest, “ten years I dreamed of this.”
“We have a lot of time to make up for.”
“We do,” I whispered, sending my hot breath over her sensitive shoulder, and watched with fascination as goosebumps burst down her arm.
With both hands moving quickly to her hips, I whirled her around, holding her chin as I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to control my animal instincts. The desire to feed on this woman positively consumed me.
My gaze plummeted to her chest that heaved and strained against the fabric of her dress.
“Seeing all those men around you—”
“But yet, here I am, with you.” She freed the button on my pants and stoked my erection while I groaned with a curse. “Offering my body to you.”
She barely had time to think before I had her panties moved aside. Careful of her dress, I pushed inside her. I hooked her leg over my hip and covered her mouth to muffle her gasps. I stared into her gorgeous eyes as they clouded over with need.
“This is mine, Sienna.” I dragged my gaze down her gorgeous body. “I don’t like them looking at what’s mine.” I watched as her pupils dilated. She always loved it when I became possessive of her. It made her feel wanted and loved.
“Elio,” she huffed as my hand brushed her lips.
“Shh,” I warned, knowing that if we outed ourselves now, we would have lost our only leverage with Mariano. “You’re here with me, like a gift from God, and I hate that no one knows it,” I whispered, leaning back to better balance us and to make sure our shoes wouldn’t scuff the gravel.
I lost all thoughts while I pushed myself in and out of the woman I loved, each stroke bringing us closer and closer to the edge. Though nothing mattered while I was inside that woman, I did keep one ear open for visitors. Our eyes locked again, and I saw her desperate need for release. I lowered my guard and gave her everything. She was the only one who could ever love and destroy me at the same time.
“Is that a new blush?” Wyatt teased with a pointed look at my pink cheeks. “I don’t blame you, though.” He sipped his drink and checked out Elio as he walked past me toward his father. “I realize I wouldn’t say no to that either.”
“Nice to know we have the same taste.”
“That we do.”
“Any sign of—”
“Your mother? Yes,” he pointed toward the bar, “she and her entourage arrived ten minutes ago.”
“Am I all right?” I stepped back for him to give me the once-over in case I was missing something.
“Sex looks good on you.” He winked at my startled expression. “You look stunning as always. Go on.”
“Oh, no.” I took his hand. “You’re coming.”
Elenora turned when Oscar let her know I was coming up from behind. I wasn’t sure how to greet her, so I kept a small distance between us.
“You look lovely, Sienna.” She beamed at my dress. “How very fashionable.”
“Apparently, I get that from you. I love this fabric,” I reached over and fingered the stretchy silk that flowed from her peacock blue dress. “How chic.”
Were we really having a normal moment? I wanted to freeze time and savor it.
“How’s the party been so far?” She shifted her gaze around the room in discomfort.
“Good. It’s fun seeing Vinni the center of attention. Normally, he just pops up out of nowhere.”
She studied me for a moment. “You seem to get along well with the Capris.”
“I do.”
“What are your feelings on Piero?”
I knew she was digging. I just wasn’t sure why.
“He’s pretty amazing. He’s welcomed me into his home with open arms. They all have, actually.”
“When did you first met them?”
Before I could answer, my shoulders tensed at a sound behind me.
“There you are.” Mariano draped his heavy arm around me and leaned into me. My heels fought to distribute his weight. “Every time I turn around, you’re gone.” He finally acknowledged those around me and offered his free hand. “Mariano.”
“Violetta.” Elenora offered a polite nod as her men drew in closer. “Tell me, Mariano, are the two of you dating?”
“No—” I sputtered.
“Not officially, but I’m wearing her down.” He gave me a blurry-eyed grin.
“And how did you two meet?�
�� She dug for information.
“She was on the cover of a magazine, and I fell in love.”
I noticed she gave Oscar a side glance, and something passed between them.
“Actually,” I glared at him, “Mariano hired me to write his story. Sadly, that came to an end, but another article landed at my feet and has kept me here.” I wasn’t about to go into the details, but my version sounded better than Mariano’s.
“And now she’s staying here as a guest of the Capris and not down at my house.”
Elenora’s expression fell, and she blinked at me like this was all news to her.
“Mariano,” Wyatt peeled him off of me, “why don’t we go get you a rye and Coke?”
“Can we make it a double?”
“Double Coke, sure, coming right up.” He rolled his eyes at me, and I mouthed a thank you as he drew Mariano toward the bar.
“Sienna, please tell me you’re not living under the same roof as these monsters.”
Where in the world had she thought I was staying?
“This might be hard for you to hear, but they’re my friends, my family.” She started to speak, but I shook my head, stepping closer. “You weren’t here. I had to do life on my own, and that brought me to the Capri family. Whether you can swallow it or not, they saved me when you didn’t come back.”
“You don’t understand—”
“You’re right, I don’t, and I’m right here standing in front of you waiting for anything you can offer me. Why are they monsters to you? Maybe if you give me something, I could understand your feelings better.”
“They…”
“Elenora, maybe not here,” Oscar warned.
“Are you my family, Oscar?” I was angry that he was stepping in the way of something.
“No, I’m not.”
“Then you don’t need to be here right now, do you?”
His jaw flexed when I didn’t show any sign of backing down. He stepped back a few steps at a glance from Elenora.