by Theresa Papa
Chapter 18
Anthony Dragonetti
When I come downstairs after my shower, Liz isn’t down yet, so I go into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. As the single cup brewer warms, sputtering out my black morning joe, I let my mind wander to last night and the sunrise today with my Liz.
“Wow, where are you this fine morning? It definitely looks like a happy place!”
My brother Dominic smiles at me from the doorway. An instant grin takes over my surprised expression as I walk over and say hello with a brotherly hug and a pat on the back. My brother Dominic and I are very close. He has a gentle, quiet demeanor, always the peacemaker. His qualities remind me a lot of myself with the exception of the temper I have for anyone wanting to hurt my Liz. Dom is a law student and will specialize in negotiation. Both my brothers will graduate this year, and afterward, Dominic will take his place at Jaxson Pope’s family’s law firm.
“You just arrive, Dom? Is Mimi with you?”
“Yes, to both questions, big bro. She ran into Elizabeth on the stairs, and they have their heads together somewhere. I suppose the dreamy, happy look on your face is due to that beauty I just saw in the hallway?” he deduces.
“You would be correct, little bro. How about a cup of coffee?”
“Exactly what I came to the kitchen for before going anywhere else. We got on the road early, and I’ve only had one cup. I’m sorely in need of another.”
I hand Dominic the cup I already made and start another. He sits down at the table with a sigh after his first sip. I take the chair across from him with my cup.
“When’s Daniel coming up? Is he bringing anyone?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t know. We haven’t spoken in a few weeks since he’s been so busy at med school. But he’ll probably bring someone. if I know Daniel. He never seems to go any length of time without a new warm body in his bed.”
Someone clears her throat behind me. When I turn, my mother walks into the kitchen toward us.
“I told Daniel he isn’t to invite someone this weekend. We are having family time. And before either of you ask about Elizabeth, she is family, and I intend to treat her as another daughter.”
“Good morning, Mom! You will be pleasantly surprised at how much ground I have gained in that department. Liz and I talked last night, and we’re back together.”
“Oh sweetie, I’m so glad you finally convinced her.”
Hands slowly clap loudly to twist all of our attention to the door. There, stands my brother Daniel, he and Dominic are identical twins, but their demeanor couldn’t be more dissimilar.
“Well, well, well, what’s this I hear the chosen one has finally bagged the beloved adopted daughter?” he says with a jealous smirk.
My mother leaves Dominic after kissing him and shushes across the kitchen on her slippers to greet Daniel.
“Daniel, be nice! Come give your mother a kiss. You haven’t called in two weeks. Don’t think I’m going to let you get away with your snarky comments this weekend.”
His face changes to respect and love for my mother as he opens his arms wide for her. Daniel is still in medical school studying to be a brain surgeon. His studies keep him separated from the family most of the time. He likes it that way, though. I secretly think he seeks his individuality outside of our family dynamic. Since he was born an identical twin, he has been seeking that as far back as I can remember. Hence, the fact that he has to become a brain surgeon over just a regular doctor. Daniel needs to be the pinnacle in every aspect of his life.
“Hi Mom, I’m pleased someone missed me.” He winks over her shoulder at Dominic and me. I get up from my chair to cross the kitchen and greet my other brother. After I punch him in the shoulder, I give him a hug.
“That’s for the ‘chosen one’ comment,” I mutter.
“I didn’t know you were so sensitive, bro,” he retorts.
“Just make sure you’re a good boy around my girl. Bro!”
“Why, are you afraid she’ll like me more? Bro.”
“Not at all, not at all, little brother, I just want this weekend to be drama free.”
My mother flips pancakes, scrambles eggs, and browns sausage and bacon for everyone. She’s the existential Italian mother, always feeding everyone delicious food. I rise to help her by placing the syrup and powdered sugar on the table. My sister Amelia and Liz walk into the room, both all smiles with a display of the female camaraderie between them. They were close when we were younger, Mimi looking up to Elizabeth, who is three years older. My sister was a spunky thirteen-year-old to Liz’s sixteen years when they met.
“Anthony, I’m so glad you finally came to your senses and claimed this girl again as your own,” Mimi exclaims.
Walking over to Mimi, I kiss her on the cheek and put my arm around Liz’s shoulders as she smiles up at me.
“Lucky for me, I finally convinced her we belong together. I’m glad you approve, sis!” I respond.
“Mimi, call Daddy down to breakfast, please. Everyone sit and eat,” Mom says as we all take our seats. My father and Mimi join us to ratchet the table count to seven hungry family members. Liz sits next to me, and I can feel the happiness that generates from her in waves. She takes in everyone at the table with a huge smile on her face. I can tell she enjoys the feeling of a big family all around her at the table.
“Anthony, why are you missing the engagement party tonight?” Dominic asks. Dom is in law school with Nico’s fiancée, Samantha. Elizabeth’s cousin Nico.
I look at Liz with trepidation in hopes she won’t be angry that I forgot to tell her something very important.
“Oh wow, I forgot to tell you! Nico and Samantha are engaged, and they’re having a party tonight. He made it a huge surprise for Samantha at Navy Pier,” I blurt out.
“It’s all right; we both have been caught up in our own world the past couple of days. I can’t blame you for forgetting to tell me. I’m sure Nico would have called me if I still had my phone,” Liz concedes.
“What happened to your phone?” Mimi inquires.
Liz and I look at each other, silently asking one another whether we should tell the whole family the sordid story of the wretched game. Vincent eases our concerns by a rough explanation to his children about the perverse goings-on that make up my nightmares and Elizabeth’s reality.
“There are some things I need to explain to you all. For instance, you might wonder why there are two armed men on patrol outside.”
The family collectively nods, their food temporarily forgotten as my father continues.
“Elizabeth is being stalked, and we are keeping her safe here with us.”
Mimi gasps, and my mother puts her hand on her forearm to reassure her.
“Her phone was lost in her attempt at escape. Thank goodness she was lucky enough to get away unharmed. We all need to be vigilant to anything unusual going on here or when you travel into town. My private investigator will unravel all the details, work with the police, and we hopefully should catch the criminal soon. Everything should be fine here while Elizabeth is under guard, so go about your weekend as planned and have fun enjoying each other.”
Daniel stands to take his plate to the sink and breaks the melancholy.
“I can’t wait to get into the pool! How about a game of volleyball in the water?” he challenges the rest of us. “I’m going to win this time against your team, Ant,” Dan directs toward me.
“Sounds great! Let’s all go out and have fun, forget about my problems,” Liz encourages.
Everyone agrees and gets up to help Mom clean.
Chapter 19
Liz Pope
Tony and I head out to the pool house since both our swimsuits remained there after last night. I snuck back to my room early this morning in just my slightly damp cover-up. My suit still hangs in the bathroom and so does his; we are pressed together due to the small space. Tony’s mischievous smirk as he looks down at me is all I need
to arouse my inner goddess. I slide my palms against his perfectly chiseled chest and clasp my fingers at his nape stepping on tiptoe to touch my lips to his. He growls and takes the kiss deeper. Without his mouth leaving mine, his arm shoots out hastily to close the door and lock it. My body melts into him now that he has effectively blocked out any interruptions. Strong arms lift me, and I wrap my legs around his waist, letting my flip-flops fall to the floor behind him. His tongue moves into my mouth to lick, kiss, and then he bites my bottom lip. The passion rises off him like steam from the hot sidewalk during a cool rain. When he sets me down on the bathroom counter, it ignites the longing inside my belly. My fingertips massage through his hair to tug him closer as his hands snake under my sundress to fist my panties and rip them away. I spread my legs wide to welcome his long fingers inside me. My head falls back in abandon. The explosion consumes my entire being as his thumb strokes the bundle of nerves at my apex. His other hand makes short work to shed his shorts and boxers and release his hardness. I bring one hand down to clasp my fingers around his silky girth and stroke him in the same rhythm he’s pleasuring me.
“Liz, we’re both so ready. I need to be inside you.”
“Yes!”
Our voices are breathless; both of us burn with the fever of lust and want that is now undeniable.
He scoots me closer to the edge of the counter. Bending my knees, I place my heels on the edge of the counter to become totally wide open and welcome him inside. His expression becomes even more lustful as his golden-flecked eyes travel down to take in my offering.
“You’re so sensual to present yourself without hesitation or shyness. Now I can’t decide what I want to do to you first.”
“Please, Tony, fuck me now, don’t hold back. There will be more time for that later,” I murmur with a smirk and a wink.
He obeys my plea and enters me to the hilt, sending our souls to soar above us and hover there, entwined together in an all-consuming embrace.
~~~
Everyone is in the pool already when we both exit the path from the pool house. Daniel greets us with a cat whistle, then teases us to the point that I’m slightly embarrassed. Tony just shrugs it off at first, and then dives in to chase after Daniel. They play around to try to dunk each other, and Dominic joins in the bout. Mimi and I take the chaise lounges near the pool and shake our heads while we watch. Her tan bikini looks amazing against her golden skin. Her caramel-colored hair is slicked back into a high ponytail, accentuating her large brown eyes that are the same as Tony’s.
“How have you been? Did you start school yet?” I ask her, shifting our attention from the guys.
“I don’t start until September twentieth, and thank goodness ’cause I’m not ready to go back yet. I still want to enjoy the rest of the summer. I’ve even thought about taking a year off. I’ve been going out with this guy Glenn who I really like. When school starts, I’ll have less time to spend with him.” She makes a sad face.
“What does he look like?”
“He has big blue eyes and light hair. His body is to die for!”
“Sounds like lust to me!” I chortle while wiggling my eyebrows.
“Ha! Yeah, something tells me you and my big brother know a little about that. I’m so happy he finally managed to score the girl of his dreams. You are all he ever talked about all these years you’ve been apart.”
“I don’t think I’m anyone’s dream girl with how fucked up my life has been. Mimi, I want you to know that I never meant to hurt Anthony when I broke it off with him. At the time, I was not mentally healthy enough for a relationship, and I never wanted to ruin your brother’s life with my drama.”
“I get it, Liz. I’m just happy you got past all that and are together now. He seems so happy, and I want to see my brother have the best life because he deserves it.”
“The stalker makes me more nervous and anxious every day. The other day, I was in a full-on panic attack, but I feel the safest here.”
“Tony and my dad are sure there are two guards at all times on the property, so we’re pretty safe.”
“Hey, girls! Get in the pool so we can play!” Daniel yells.
Mimi and I get up and dive into the pool. Since there are five of us, one person rotates through the teams. At first, Tony and I are teamed up, but in the second game, I’m with Daniel. As we play next to each other, he seems to be going for the ball in my personal space, and every time, there’s some kind of contact with my bikini-clad body. Don’t get me wrong, Dan is hot! He is almost as attractive as Tony. Daniel and Dominic are identical in looks with kaleidoscope hazel eyes and the same dark brown wavy hair as Tony. They both have a sexy cleft chin, and Daniel has a slight scruff on his jaw. Daniel’s body is as amazing as Tony’s, his bathing suit hanging low to accentuate a taut, chiseled abdomen. Dominic looks to be a little more laid back as far as being obsessed with a six-pack, but he’s firm and tan.
The ball heads toward me but slightly out of my reach. Daniel picks me up out of the water to volley it back. I gasp at the feel of his fingers when they circle my waist tightly. He lets me down back into the water but keeps his hold a few seconds longer than necessary while he whispers in my ear.
“Great job, gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” I mutter as I remove myself from his grasp.
All in all, the day is full of fun and games with lots of food, courtesy of Lucia. Between all the food today, and the pasta with meatballs and braciole tomorrow, I’m going to need a workout soon. In the early evening, I ask Tony if I can use the treadmill in the gym on the lower level. He is called away to talk business with his dad for a while.
When I enter the gym, I hear water running, and I follow it to the en suite bath. As I peek around the corner, my eyes are assaulted with Daniel and some girl fucking in the shower. She faces the sidewall, her hands flat against the tile on either side of her head. He is behind her skating his soapy hands all over her body until he finally fills them with her breasts. He pinches her nipples, her head falls back, and she releases a loud moan. Then he moves south to massage her between her thighs. Her feet move farther apart, she welcomes his fingers inside and grinds herself against his hand. Watching them is turning me on. I should leave … but this is so hot. Daniel grasps her hips and bends her forward as she quickly supports herself with her palms on the shower bench. This is when I’m frozen, stupefied at his huge erection as he plunges himself inside her from behind. He pistons into her, making her ass cheeks jiggle, as she drives backward to take him in deeper. I’m lost in the moment, hypnotized by the erotic sight when Daniel abruptly pulls out and the girl spins to get on her knees and suck him off. He looks up, straight at me with a wicked smile, and I’m petrified to the spot as we hold each other in a stare while he boldly succumbs to his orgasm.
I can feel the blush rise from my chest into my cheeks at being caught. Quickly, I spin away from his gaze and flee to my room. As I fall on the bed, I berate myself. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I so infatuated with sex all the time?
I used to think I was obsessed with sex because I was so sexual at a young age. But I learned to control it in treatment with Dr. Baxter. I didn’t partake during those years. Then when I worked at Club Beta undercover, the things I witnessed and participated in made me once again consumed with sex. If Tony knew, would he still want me? He already knows I love to fuck. We’ve done it so many times in the last twenty-four hours. But will he find out I spied on his brother and be disgusted with me? I know now that a conversation with Daniel is necessary.
I turn to look at the time on the bedside table. 7:45. Nico and Samantha are already at the party to celebrate their engagement, so I pick up my phone and call the man who I think of as my brother. The first call is dismissed, probably because my new phone number is foreign to Nico. I dial again.
“Hello?”
“Nico, I’m so glad you answered.”
“Elizabeth? Is that you? It’s hard to hear. I’
m at a party.”
“I know you’re at a party, dummy. I’m calling because I want to congratulate my favorite person in the world on finding the love of his life. That’s what the party’s for. Right?”
“Yes, Lizard! That’s what the party is about. Thank you.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I’m sure she’s the total package. You deserve the best. Listen, I can’t talk very long …”
“Please, Liz, I have to know if you’re safe.”
“You know me, Nico, I’m always one step ahead of those bastards. I don’t trust anyone in this world except you.”
“Wait, Lizzie, listen to me please. You have to trust Tony. He’s there to help you, and we are staying away so as not to draw attention to your location. Liz, he cares so much about you and is working hard to make sure you come home to us safely.”
“Listen, I gotta go! Tell that fiancée of yours I can’t wait to meet her. She’s a lucky lady in my book.”
“That’s funny. She just told me that today, too.”
“She’s smart, too! I love you, cuz!”
“Love you too, Lizard! Be careful!”
I hate kind of lying to Nico about Tony and I being back together, but it’s so brand new I don’t want to get his hopes up. He has happiness now; I won’t burden him with my insecurities.
Chapter 20
Anthony Dragonetti
My father calls me into his office to meet secretly with the jeweler who brought the finished items I ordered. Mike is my dad’s friend as well as his jeweler. They sit on each end of the sofa, enjoying some scotch.
“Hey, Mike! Thanks for getting these done in time. I know I didn’t give you much notice.” I pick up the jewelry box on my dad’s desk.