Quiet Secrets

by J. L. Drake

  I allowed myself a brief moment to relish the fact I was in Elio’s bed, naked, and he was only a door away.

  The pain pill took no time kicking in, and I felt my eyes grow heavy.

  I had just given in to sleep when I felt the covers shift over my bare back, and his lips skimmed my shoulder blade. Slowly, I rolled to face him and stroked my hand down his short beard, seeing his face soften in the low light.

  “Do you remember the first time we had sex?” I moaned as he started to kiss his way down my neck and across my chest. “I was terrified of the idea of a man touching me that way, but with you, it was as easy as breathing.”

  He hovered over me, hooking my wrists and drawing them up and over my head. “I’ll never forget the moment I pushed inside of you. Your eyes widened and latched on to mine like an anchor. Then, when you let yourself go and trusted me, they softened just as the rest of you did.” He gently pushed my legs apart and nudged his erection at my opening. “I never got that out of my head.” Leaning down, he nipped at my erect nipple as he dragged his fingers through my arousal. My breath caught in my lungs as utopian warmth spread across my skin, awakening all the sensitive nerve endings. “As fucked up as our situation is right now,” he whispered, “at the end of the day, having you under me like this makes me sane.”

  “We need to be care—” My words trailed off when he pushed all the way inside me with a hungry moan.

  Both of his hands slid down my wrists, arms, to my chest where he palmed my breasts, pushing them together and ravenously licking between them. He began to move inside me to the rhythm of his tongue. I hooked my legs around his waist, wanting him deeper, and held on for the explosion that was brewing in the center of my stomach.

  “Yes,” fell from my lips, and he suddenly leaned back on his legs, pulling me with him, so I was balanced on his lap. My wild hair fell all around us like a curtain. Both of us were breathing hard when he lifted me and gently brought me back down, stroking all the good spots at a painfully slow pace. Repositioning myself, I used my knees to lift myself and tried to take charge of the thrusts. He buried himself in my breasts again as he squeezed my hips.

  “Yes, bella,” he groaned as my body built and built.

  I was so wound by our sounds I could barely think straight. Caught up in the wildness of it all, I reached back and cupped his balls, giving them a little roll through my fingers.

  “Jesus, Sienna!” He huffed through a flexed jaw, and when he shot his hips up to meet mine, he hit the perfect angle, and I leapt off the edge, falling to pieces in his arms. He continued to pump into me as he came with a groan.

  I vaguely remembered what happened next. All I knew was that I was wrapped up in Elio’s arms, and I fell blissfully into a deep sleep.

  Niccola whisked into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee. He slurped it as he said good morning. He came closer and leaned over the counter to dramatically study me with slitty eyes.

  “What?”

  He held up a finger then left the room, returning a second later to repeat his actions from just a moment ago. He looked me over with a knowing expression.

  “You had sex.”

  “And how did you come to this discovery?” I pulled at the pastry that was sitting in front of me.

  “You seem relaxed,” he mumbled from behind the lip of the mug.

  “As opposed to…”

  “Uptight, tense, murderous face, vein in your forehead ticking like a—”

  “Thanks.” I snickered and went back to reading an email from my phone. I could feel his prying eyes burning a hole in my forehead.

  “Morning.” Vinni came in and joined us.

  “Hey, Vin, do you notice anything this morning?” Niccola leaned over the island again with a shit-eating smirk.

  “That Elio had sex? Oh, yeah.” He laughed lightly. “I spotted that from across the room.”

  “You know he could kill you both with the flick of his wrist.” Aurora appeared out of nowhere, looking completely at ease in our home.

  “He loves it.”

  I glared at Niccola then turned my attention to our guest.

  “What brings you by, Aurora? I haven’t seen you since two parties ago.”

  “That’s actually why I’m here.” She tossed a copy of Fab magazine down on the counter, and Sienna’s deep blue eyes stared up at me. Images of last night and my head buried in her plump breasts as I thrust deep inside her made me shift. I glanced at Niccola, who just grinned and winked at me. “I heard the girl was still here, and I want her autograph.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Who do you think?” She rolled her eyes. “Mariano has been bragging about his new girlfriend since the party. I mean, I get it. I wouldn’t kick her out of bed, but please, we have the same parts.”

  “Good morning.” Sienna came into the kitchen with a bounce in her step but stopped short when she caught of Aurora standing next to me. “Oh, hi there, I’m—”

  “Sienna Giovanna. I’m very aware of who you are, sweetheart.”

  “Okay.” She looked at me, confused, and then at the others.

  “You may not remember me, but I was Elio’s date at the party a month or so ago.” Aurora shot me a flirty smile. “We never did finish our night.” She batted her lashes at Elio.

  “I’m sorry.” Sienna cleared her throat, drawing Aurora’s attention back to her. “I met so many people that night—”

  “It doesn’t matter. What does matter is this.” She held up the magazine and thrust a marker in Sienna’s hand. “It would be really nice if you would autograph it to me.”

  “Oh, ah, sure.” Sienna quickly signed the magazine as Aurora pulled out a phone. She then snapped a selfie of the two of them.

  “I’ve never known you to be so wrapped up with a magazine article.” Niccola said, clearly wondering what in the world her obsession was with Sienna.

  “There’s nothing wrong with appreciating the female body and all that comes with it.” Aurora gave Sienna a grin. “Besides, if she does this next story, she’s going to drive any man anywhere mad.”

  “What?” I shook my head. I knew I was missing an important part of the story.

  “What are you talking about?” Vinni came to stand next to me.

  “Wait,” Sienna held up her hand, “how did you know about that?”

  “After Mariano told me, I called your boss to confirm. If only I’d known these guys had you up here at the Hill House.” She glared at us. “I can’t believe you never told me, Elio. I had to learn about it from Mariano?”

  “You called my boss?” Sienna’s cheeks grew pink with anger and confusion.

  “Everyone stop talking.” I grew annoyed. “What story?”

  “Just that the hottest lingerie company in the United States has requested Sienna to do a full- page spread. We’re talking cover, billboards, the lot. The list goes on and on. She’s about to be the biggest male fantasy going, and I just got her autograph and a photo.” Aurora practically swooned.

  Sienna glared at her with a look to kill. My temperature was about to hit max, and I tugged my tie loose.

  Aurora looked around the room at all our faces. “Wait. Was that a secret? Because your boss said you didn’t say no when he asked you the other day.” She looked at Sienna sweetly. “So, I just assumed you were following through with it.”

  “Oh, look, everyone is here.” Mariano rubbed his messy hair as he walked into the kitchen. He instantly perked up when he saw Aurora. Then he leaned over and kissed Sienna. That quickly made her snap out of her daze, and her face flushed even more. “What are we all up to this morning?”

  “Got my autograph.” Aurora held up the magazine. “This will make me wildly popular later on.”

  “Yes, darling,” he addressed Sienna, “let’s talk about your outfits for this next shoot.” He grinned at me, and I imagined his neck under my hands.

  “When did I lose control of my own life?” Sienna muttered then turned on her
heel and hurried out, leaving us to digest everything.

  Where does she think she’s going?

  I waited for Mariano to hone in on Aurora, then I slipped out of the room. I raced off in the direction I’d seen her go, with Niccola on my heels, begging me to slow down and think about what I was doing.

  I found her sitting in the library, flipping through the pages of a book.

  “What the hell was that?” I barked. She jumped, and the book went flying. “What the hell are they talking about?”

  “It’s nothing—”

  “I very much beg to differ, Sienna.” I wanted to kill someone I was so angry. “I forbid you to do any kind of photoshoot.”

  Her demeanor instantly changed. Her eyebrow rose, and her head tilted to the side as she looked at me. An annoying smirk broke out across her lips.

  “Oh, boy.” Niccola dropped down next to her and stared up at me like he was enjoying the show. I dismissed him and went back to Sienna.

  “First, you will not forbid me to do anything. Second,” she lifted a hand and held it up when I tried to cut her off, “you do not come in here demanding to get an answer out of me. Cool it down, or we’re finished with this conversation.”

  “Oh, my God, she’s a female version of you.” Niccola chuckled, just asking for a fat lip.

  I tried to digest her words, but my temper was getting the best of me.

  “You see that right there,” Niccola turned to her and ran a finger across his forehead, “that’s Elio’s beast vein. It pops out when he’s about to utterly lose his shit.”

  “Oh, yeah? Beast Vein?” She played along.

  “Yeah. We named it.” He laughed like I was a comedy act for their personal enjoyment. “You’re pushing the boss to new limits.”

  “Well, if the boss spoke to people rather than yell and demand things, maybe the beast wouldn’t show itself so often.”

  Niccola shrugged. “He is the underboss and should expect to have respect at all times. However, with you, it’s different. Hence why I’m here.”

  “Really?” I snapped. “Whenever you’re both done.”

  “Are we done?” She looked at Niccola, who nodded at her, then at me. “Okay, now we’re done.”

  “Amusing.” I dripped with sarcasm.

  “I thought so,” Sienna shot back as she stood, replacing the book on the shelf. “Yes. I was offered that job. Georgio wanted me to do it, and honestly, I was flattered and wanted to savor the feeling for a while. I’m not saying I will do it.” She turned to look at me as she lifted her chin and straightened her spine. “But I’m not saying I won’t. Bottom line is, Elio, it’s my decision.”

  “The hell it is. You’re going to be my wife. You’re mine, and I will not share your body with anyone.”

  “Again,” she sighed, like I wasn’t getting it, “not your decision to make, but I will certainly take into account your feelings on the topic.” Excuse me… “Now, if you boys don’t mind, I have to be somewhere.”

  She walked past me and out the door. Niccola spread out on the couch with a deep, noisy intake of breath.

  “Did she just walk away from me?” My mouth hung open while Niccola chuckled.

  “She might be my most favorite person yet.” He pulled out his phone, no doubt to fill in his little brother.

  I spun on my heel and headed for the house. I really needed to work out some anger.

  A few hours in the ring, and I was still pent-up, but when Nonna called, I left, knowing we had a lunch date. Plus, I still had to hold some interviews.

  I glanced at my watch as I climbed the stone stairs to the house and saw I was ten minutes late.

  “I’m sorry, Nonna.” I raced out onto the terrace and kissed her cheeks. “Time seems to be slipping away on me a lot lately.”

  “You sound like me.” She smiled as I helped her back down into her chair. “No need for apologies. I just appreciate you taking time for me.”

  “Always.” I leaned back as a plate of food was placed in front of me. I lowered my head and said a quick prayer with her, which I didn’t often do myself anymore. The Lord and I had different ideas about forgiveness, but I did try to be respectful for those around me who did rely on him.

  Just as I took a bite of the creamy salmon, I noticed Nonna was working over her rosary beads at an extra-fast pace. “Something on your mind?”

  “Yes, actually.” She took a moment to wet her mouth with lemon water. I glanced at Abramo, her consigliere. He’d been in our family for as far back as I could remember. I wondered if he would give me any indication of what was going on. Of course, he didn’t. He just held my gaze as he stood there in his classic gray suit with its gleaming crown lapel pin. The pin that was a symbol of working for the elders. “The pretty young lady you had over here the other day.”

  “Sienna.”

  “Yes, that was her name. How did you two meet?”

  “She is from Sicily. We met years ago, but when we moved, we lost touch and—”

  “Now she’s here.” She finished my sentence.

  “Nonna, you’ve never been one to dance around a topic. If you have something you wish to say, I’m listening.”

  “Forgive me, but you must understand my questioning. A stunning new female has caught your eye, and you bring her here. In all these years, you’ve never brought a woman here. I must say, I’m curious.”

  I gently set my knife and fork down and tried to see it from her point of view.

  “This is true, I haven’t, but she’s different.”

  “How?”

  I thought for a moment before I answered her. “We have a very deep history, Nonna. She isn’t after our money or our land. I know she’s with me for me.”

  Nonna dabbed at the corners of her mouth then tossed her napkin next to her half-eaten plate.

  “So, you know everything about this girl?”

  “Yes.” I studied her face and wished she’d relax. Sienna was the last person to be a threat to our world. “I love her,” I stated so that she knew where I stood on the topic.

  Her face dropped, but she quickly recovered. “I see.”

  “I know she isn’t the woman you wanted me to be with, but I don’t have any love for Anna. We are too different, and I’m not going to be pushed into an arranged marriage. I’m sorry. I know that was how it was for you, and I only hope that you, at some point, loved Papa. But, Nonna, I love Sienna, and I will marry her.”

  Her fingertips worked over her rosary beads as she gazed over my shoulder. I knew she was only looking out for me, but nothing would change my feelings.

  “What is her last name?”

  “No.” I let out a long, controlled breath. “You will not dig, Nonna. You’re invading my personal life, and that’s not okay.”

  “I have the right to know.”

  I tossed my napkin on the table and stood. “I love you, but I am not my uncle. You can control him, but you can’t me.”

  “Elio, sit.” She calmly pointed to the chair, and I waited a beat before I lowered into it. “I lost control once before, and it brought a level of darkness to the family that still needs to be watched very carefully.”

  “When?” This was the first I’d heard of this.

  “It’s not important.”

  “I think it is.”

  “You must always think of the family first, Elio, even before your heart. Think of your parents, your cousins. As difficult as it might be, it is your responsibility. Listen, all I ask is that if you wish to marry this girl, before you ask her, simply dig a little. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s protection for the family.” I started to speak, but she stopped my words as she reached over and covered my hand with hers. “You know you mean the world to me and I’m only trying to protect you.”

  I pushed away my frustration and tried to remember that Nonna had been in this life longer than any of us. She was simply making sure I did my duty to the family.

  “All right. I will.”

 
“Good.” She smiled, and sweet Nonna was back. “Now, finish up that delicious salmon. Your men should be arriving any moment.”

  Once our lunch was finished, I took her by the arm and walked her down to the driveway. I was happy she wanted to join me in my interviews. Nonna and I had always been close, and I trusted her with any decision I had to make. She had always had my back when others hadn’t. That was why our conversation bothered me. Maybe I should understand what happened to Sienna in the last ten years. Maybe there was something there that could come back and hurt the family. What kind of an example would I be as a leader if I didn’t apply the same rules to my own life?

  One of the house maids approached us. She handed Nonna a cotton umbrella, providing her with some much-needed shade. I stood on a step next to the driveway and looked down at the drivers in front of us. If I was going to keep Sienna safe, she needed a driver I could trust.

  One by one, I tested the skills of the drivers, and I quizzed them on the many situations that could occur. I even tested their reaction when they understood who they’d be driving. One man’s pupils dilated with interest when he saw her photo, and he was immediately eliminated.

  Three hours later, I still hadn’t found anyone I would hire. I glanced over at Nonna, who was now sitting in a chair Abramo had brought for her. She shrugged as if all were hopeless in her eyes, too.

  When the last man was told to go home, Nonna spoke quietly to Abramo, and he quickly disappeared.

  “No man will ever be safe enough for the woman you love.” She patted my arm. “So, my gift to you is…” She paused as Abramo pulled up in her old classic Paul Brown Jaguar MK2.

  “She might be old and a little dusty,” she pointed to the car, “but I can assure you those windows have been reinforced, and the doors could take a semi-automatic head-to-head. Abramo’s skills are being wasted here at the house, and I think he could be just what you’re looking for. Trustworthy, older,” she smirked, “and will take a bullet for her, as he would for any of us. There’s a reason he’s been around for as long as he has.”

  I’d never thought of Abramo for Sienna. He was, after all, Nonna’s right-hand man. He certainly hadn’t been on my radar.