She releases a quiet giggle, the sound drawing me to her mouth. Christ, she’s practically flawless, in my opinion. She’s sweet torture all wrapped up in an entirely different type of substance. I know if I give in and go for one small taste, I’ll never have enough, craving hit after hit where she’s concerned. I knew I needed to keep my distance, and this only proves it to be true.
“I need a nap as well,” I grit before rudely storming into my room. I close the door and lock it in extra measure, not that I’d ever have to worry about Annabella coming in here without an invitation. She’s been nothing but professional since she’s arrived. Besides, I have twelve inches or so on her, and I’m sure I frighten her in some way. If her father has any sense, he’d have warned her of us before dropping her off.
It’s me I have to worry about. I have a weakness, a sickness for things that promise me a quick hit of rapture. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’d find it within her body, and with that revelation, I know I have to do one thing. I have to stay away from her.
Behind every successful
fortune, there is a crime.
- The Godfather
I catch a whiff of Salvatore’s cologne, and it does the same thing it’s done the past fifty times I’ve smelled it: drives me crazy inside. My thighs clench, my mouth salivates, and I can’t help but wonder if he feels as good as he smells. The enticing scent is maddening, I want to hold him down and sniff him all over the place. I doubt that’d go over well with him, especially since he hasn’t been around often. I’ve been wondering if he doesn’t like me much, but then he’ll randomly be nice to me, and it throws me for a loop.
I wonder if he’ll ignore my presence today, as he’s done several times in the past. Don’t get me wrong, he’s never completely rude. Just distant. “Mr. Vendetti, how are you today?” I ask, not wanting to weird him out as he comes in to check on Rosa. The man’s a great father. He’s always making sure she has everything she needs and is doing well.
“Annabella, please. I’ve already asked you to call me Salvatore on several occasions. It’s too formal when you’re caring for my daughter every day, and sleeping in the next room over from mine.”
“Yes, sir. I’m just trying to remain professional and all.” Lord knows I’m already daydreaming about him the majority of my days, along with every night I lay my head on my pillow wondering if he’s imagining me the way I do him. Getting to spend time with his little sweet pea and learning her quirks is just an added bonus. I’ve had baby fever for the past two years or so and have even cried at times, wondering if I’ll get the chance to be a mother someday soon.
I offer the baby to him and he quickly takes her from my arms. “You’re doing a decent job of it. You’ve been here for a full month now. How are you liking life on the estate? Caring for Rosa?” He relaxes in the tall, pale-pink chair set off in the corner of the room. It’s where I like to sit with Rosa to read, feed, and sing songs to her. Their indoor and outdoor gardens are also my favorite spots to take Rosa on our walks. I think she enjoys the change of scenery too. She always sleeps so well.
“The estate is wonderful. A bit overwhelming, if I’m being honest, but gorgeous, nonetheless. It’s refreshing that there’s so much to see here. Rosa and I have been going for our garden walks each day, and she seems to enjoy them as much as I do.”
“That’s good. I never paid much attention to them in the past. I’ll have to change that if you two appreciate them so much.” He rocks his daughter, grinning down at her as he replies. There’s nothing more attractive than a man whose captivated and devoted to his family. I don’t think he realizes it, but Rosa is the apple of his eye. Who can blame him; the precious cherub is such a joy.
“Caring for Rosa brings me more happiness than I can explain.”
“Oh? I’m glad to hear that. Tell me, if you love children so much, why don’t you have any of your own to tend to?”
My throat feels a bit dry, so I swallow down my pity party for myself. “Well, I’d need to have a husband for that to happen, and considering I’m single…the odds aren’t in my favor just yet.”
“Single? But you’re so…” he trails off as he rakes his dark, intense gaze over my face. Slowly, he continues his pursuit down my body. It’s a ghostly caress, I swear he stares so hard I feel him touch me everywhere.
My lips part, shallow pants escaping before I get the nerve to ask, “So, what?”
He clears his throat, glancing off to the side before stating, “I just meant you’re not young. Plus, you’re stunning. It caught me off guard.”
My cheeks warm, as fire eats at my flesh after his comment. My chest unconsciously puffs out. My breasts ache for his touch as I take him in, staring unabashedly. I don’t know whether to be thrilled or irritated with his observation. “I’m not young?” I ask, thinking he sounds like my father. “By 1900’s Italian standards, no, I’m not. I’m twenty-three, with no previous boyfriend or any in my near future, I suppose. I figured you’d already know this about me.”
“None. Ever?” His stare turns from appreciative to heated, and I can’t help but feel a bit of a thrill that he’s seeing me in a different perspective.
Biting down on my bottom lip, I shake my head. My chest is flushed, I can feel it with every brush of my chest against my shirt. My breaths are coming out shallower, my body wanting so badly to be touched by this sinfully corrupt Vendetti. Something must be wrong with me to crave someone who’s so bad for me. He’s from a mob family with a tainted past, according to the gossip spread throughout the family.
He presses a soft kiss to Rosa’s forehead and states, “I should get back downstairs.” He says it like he doesn’t actually want to leave, but he’s running from me once again. He’s done this several times this week alone. It’s why I’ve been so confused. We seem to have this quiet chemistry that builds more with each day that passes.
“I’ll take her,” I offer and amble over in his direction.
“Grazie,” he rasps as I move to stand directly in front of him. I can’t stop imagining all the things he could do to my body. This is what I get for going so long without a man in my life. Not that I could help it. My father wasn’t exactly agreeable when it came to me dating just anyone. The few I did manage were fairly PG and boring, if I’m being honest about it.
I lean in to take Rosa from his arms and my knees falter. Losing my balance, I pitch forward just as he begins to stand up and hand the baby over. I fall right into his chest. Mortified, I scramble to push away, but it only makes the situation worse. We basically get tangled up in each other. I don’t know how it happens, but it does, and having him this close has my brain turning to mush.
Salvatore gets thrown off balance as well, and then he’s falling backwards into the chair. I land sprawled out over his lap, my knees positioned on each side of his thighs and my boobs at his eye level. I grip the back of the chair with one hand, trying with all my might to not fall into him completely. Thankfully, he has enough sense to move Rosa out of the way so she doesn’t get hurt.
I’m adjusting my hands and pushing off him when I meet his gaze. It’s all so awkward that I can’t help but burst out laughing with my nerves. His mouth kicks up in an amused grin, then he’s belting out a gruff laugh that has my thighs moving to clench. Jesus, this man is sexy no matter what he’s doing. His sable eyes sparkle as delight reflects back at me. Happiness is uniquely beautiful on him.
My fingers reach for his face, my hand cupping his cheek. “You’re magnificent.” The breathy words leave me before I can stop them. His stare widens and the change is a splash of reality jolting me back into the present. “I, uh, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. You’re smile is just so, ah, never mind. Forget that happened, please.”
I rush to push off him and hold my hands out for Rosa. I put some distance between us so I can stop listening to one side of my brain and do what I’m supposed to. This isn’t Fantasy Island where I get to fall for my boss. I want to keep m
y job. This could be a start for my future as a spinster.
Salvatore grunts out, “Right.” I move away, taking Rosa to the changing table to check her diaper. “Let Margo know if you need anything,” he grumbles, then takes off before I have a chance to respond with anything.
Staring down at Rosa, I tell her, “You’re daddy is one confusing guy. He’s definitely nice to look at though,” I admit, completely forgetting that there’re cameras in here and I’m being recorded twenty-four hours a day in this room. “And don’t get me started on his smell. Lord, that man is on another level.”
“He’s killed one of the five famiglias.” I hear talking as I’m walking down the hallways. It’s one of the brothers—Valentino, I believe. I’m too scared to peek my head around the corner to see who he could be speaking to. So far they’ve been good about keeping all business matters away from me. Heck I rarely see any of them except in passing. “If he doesn’t make progress soon on the others, Matteo will send you in to assist and make sure our fratello isn’t off course.”
“He’s had months. what’s taking him so long?” another of the brothers responds. I’m not sure if it’s Luciano or Santino, they both sound similar to me. I’ve met them all in the past, but it was in passing at various weddings in the family, and then again since coming here. They’ve been kind, if not a bit standoffish still towards me, but it sounds like they aren’t so friendly towards others. I was already aware of their deep mafia roots. My father made it clear who they were when I was young and has never hidden the fact our family has mob ties.
“He’s hunting down their entire line, eradicating them all from existence. They’ve gone into hiding, terrified. What the fuck do you think is taking him so long? He has God knows how many people hiding from him. That’s not all either.”
“Hm?”
“Another hooker was discovered strangled. Same as before.”
“Violet’s features?”
“Si.”
“Cazzo,” he grumbles with a sigh. “What’s Matteo think?”
“He believes Dante’s still obsessed with his wife, and is allowing him to remain in Chicago for as long as it takes him to forget about her,” Salvatore interrupts the two.
“He told you?” Valentino asks, sounding taken aback with the news.
Salvatore responds, “Of course. He doesn’t have me taking care of any business, but I’m sober. He trusts me enough to confide in me, to let me know what’s going on with our famiglia. Can I say the same for you two?”
A throat clears and the two guys mumble quiet affirmations.
“I’m hitting the shower,” Sal continues, heading the opposite direction from me thankfully. I came out of my room—between us is Rosa’s room and on the other side is Salvatore’s.
“You think he’s good, for real?” the unknown brother asks Valentino.
“Matteo wouldn’t tell him anything if he felt differently. Back to our discussion. Be ready, in case the Capo sends you. You’ll be hunting and it’ll get bloody, so prepare your mind for it.”
“I’m always ready, mio fratello.”
“I know you are, Luciano. I can always count on you. How’s Santino? He won’t talk to me.”
“He’s still mourning Sofia. He doesn’t want to look weak.”
“I’ll leave him alone about it then. If he doesn’t pop out of it soon, I need to know. She hurt our fratello. She doesn’t deserve Santino’s sympathy.”
“We all process differently. The Capo sent me to fix Rosa’s paperwork.”
“How did it go?”
“They didn’t want to work with me, so I had to kill them and find another willing to take the bribe.”
“Fuck. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we can’t go around killing everyone that doesn’t do what we say.”
“Hm, Capo would disagree. The order came straight from him to do what was necessary. I had a few of the men with me, so cleanup was quick.”
“Christ. Be careful. The Irish have been looking for anything they can implicate us in.”
“Fuck the Irish.”
“No kidding, but it still means we have to watch our asses, si?”
“Si. I thought you offed the fica.”
“So did I. Apparently, the bitch doesn’t die easily.”
“So, break her into pieces.”
“Trust me, Luciano, I plan to do just that as soon as I have my hands on her again.”
There’s chuckling from them both, then they go their separate ways. I wait a beat before rounding the corner. It’s my mistake, as the blond God himself is there, waiting in the hallway. The Vendetti underboss is one hell of an intimidating man, there’s no question about it. He’s carved from stone, his features striking. Unlike his brothers, he’s light to their dark. By dark, I only mean their eyes and hair. There’s no doubt in my mind that this man is one of the evilest of the brothers there is. I’ve heard the stories, seen his name splashed in news articles. Valentino ‘Casanova’ Vendetti reminds me of a spider, just waiting to trap his prey in his web and suck them dry.
“V-Valentino,” I stammer his name on a shocked exhale.
His lips twist into a sinister smile as he lunges for me. I emit a squeak as his hand comes to my throat. His grip lifts me, squeezing my throat, choking the hell out of me. I sputter, but it’s no use; he’s ensnared me in his web. Leaning in, his nose presses to mine, and holy wow does he smell fantastic in that psychopathic serial killer sort of way. “I knew you were being a sneaky little mouse.” His lips graze mine as he speaks.
I shiver, sex appeal and terror quivering over my flesh from having him this close. “N-no,” I attempt to get out, but every time I speak, he squeezes and I can’t breathe. I want to panic, kick and flail, but something causes me to refrain.
His tongue flicks out, licking across my lips, and they part farther as I pant, attempting to breathe. “You know, little one, we have a tradition when it comes to women. Just ask Violet.” He flashes his sinister grin and nips at my bottom lip. My legs begin to kick, hitting the wall behind me. I’m about a foot and a half off the ground, so I flail like a small, helpless child. “I can’t wait to rip you apart,” he professes arrogantly.
“Put her down, Tino,” is ordered from a deep timbre to my left. I know that voice, but my head is beginning to feel fuzzy. I flick my eyes in his direction, but it’s no use as Valentino is all I can see with his broad shoulders and solid chest.
“Is that an order, Salvatore?” His tone is mocking, but he listens, releasing his hand. He doesn’t grab me to help or anything, but lets me fall, tumbling to the floor. He turns around, his stance straightening as he snarls, “I don’t take orders. I give them.”
“You’ve forgotten a few things. Matteo is Capo, and I’ll always be the second, no matter how hard you attempt to prove otherwise.”
“You get sober and suddenly you want to be underboss?” Valentino shouts crazily and takes a step toward Sal.
Sal stands to his full height, meeting his brother head on. “Underboss is the last thing I want, but I told you to leave her alone.”
Valentino flicks his gaze back to me, his brow raised. I’m still crumpled on the floor, finally beginning to breathe somewhat normally again, never mind that my heart is racing with all of this aggression. “I hope she’s worth it, challenging me right now. You know, if this escalates, I’ll make certain that I’m her second. She’ll never be able to forget that fucking freight train that rips her apart.”
“That’ll never happen.”
“Oh? You doubt my abilities? Make no mistake, fratello, I speak the truth. Matteo won’t touch her, but you’re delusional if you believe I won’t take my turn. Piss me off further and I’ll make sure all of us ruin her for you.”
“I’m telling you now, it’ll never happen. I’m not interested.”
Valentino snorts, rolling his eyes and disbelievingly states, “Sure. If you say so. Don’t forget what I said.” He sends me a parting wink and strides down the hallway
.
Sal bends over, reaching for me. I take his offered hand and he pulls me up. I fall into his chest, wobbly from my limbs feeling like Jell-O. He wraps his strong hold around me, clutching me in his warmth, and it’s then I finally realize he’s shirtless.
“Oh, um,” I begin, flicking my gaze downward. He doesn’t have pants either. A fluffy white towel is wrapped around his waist. The rest of him is naked, and boy is he glorious—a little thinner and not quite as bulky as his brothers. I’m assuming it’s from whatever substance he was on before getting clean. Christ on a cracker, he’s beautiful. “Thank you,” I rasp, my throat a bit sore.
“Tino can be intense when he feels threatened. Whatever he said to you, let it go. He must obey Matteo.”
“I’m okay,” I promise, scanning over the olive-toned expanse of skin. He’s an Italian canvas, a work of art. He has ‘Vendetti Empire’ tattooed under his collar bones, there’s a vine wrapping through the words with lily blooms throughout. My finger automatically reaches up, tracing the beautiful tribute. “This is for your mother?”
He grunts out a “yeah” and my gaze collides with his. I thought his irises were expresso, but having him this close, there’s flakes of gold and green swimming around in the coffee color. His nose is almost pointy, a bit proud, the same as his brothers’, and his lips…they’re lush and full. I bet they’re soft and taste divine. His face is covered in a dusting of scruff. I’ve never witnessed him so unkept. Salvatore is the epitome of put together every time I see him, and having him like this just makes me want to rub my hands all over him. I want to feel his body, taste him, and then do it all over again.
I reach for his face, palming his cheek. He’s so goddamn sexy it hurts to look away. “Salvatore,” his name falls from my mouth on a verbal caress.
He leans his forehead against mine, clenching his eyes closed. “What are you doing to me?”
The Vendetti Coward: Salvatore Vendetti (The Vendetti Famiglia Book 4) Page 4