The Vendetti Coward: Salvatore Vendetti (The Vendetti Famiglia Book 4)

by Sapphire Knight

  Familia Ante Omnia

  Family Over all

  - lifeinlatin.tumblr.com

  “Annabella!” I call, searching for my wife. I don’t want to yell too loudly and draw attention to us, but I’m growing concerned. She said she was headed to the kitchen earlier, and I didn’t think twice on it, but then she didn’t return soon after. It’s been two hours since she’s been gone and she wasn’t in the kitchen. I’d called down using the intercom system and was told she hadn’t been in there.

  I came downstairs to check for myself. I looked in the breakfast room, the other dining rooms, as well as the indoor garden and den area. She’s nowhere she would ordinarily be, and it has me scrambling. I shouldn’t worry over being apart from her for a few hours, but I can’t help it. This is so unlike her. She’s typically good about being quick or responding to me immediately.

  It has my true feelings for her coming to the forefront of my mind. Maybe I should check the indoor pool. She didn’t have her swimsuit on and she’d have called me to swim with her, but maybe she went to talk to Arianna or something. She’s become fast friends with the other Vendetti women, a detail I didn’t think was important but have become grateful for.

  She’s fine. She has to be. We’re inside our home, for God’s sake. I shouldn’t be acting like this. I’m being ridiculous. Fuck.

  “Annabella? My moglie? Tesora? Annabella?” I call out every few steps like a lovesick idiot.

  She comes barreling around the corner, red-faced and out of breath. Her eyes widen as my presence takes her by surprise. “Oh! Salvatore!” Her hand flies to her chest. “Excuse me, I wasn’t expecting you there.”

  My brow wrinkles, my back tensing with her state. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

  “Who me? I mean, of course. I, uh, yes I’m fine. You startled me. Are you okay? I heard you calling for me so I was rushing. Is it Rosa? Does she need me?” I ramble on. Definitely not acting suspicious at all…yeah, right. Shit. I should’ve checked myself over for blood. Too late now.

  Salvatore’s lips turn up, offering me a charming smile. He’s been sharing that look with me more frequently, and it’s enough to bring me to my knees over his startling good looks. “Carina, Rosa is good.” He stalks towards me, stepping into my body until I’m pressed against the wall ensconced in his warmth. His arms cage me in, his face dipping closer. The tip of his nose runs along the side of my throat. “You’re pulse, Annabella, it’s beating so rapido. Did someone make you nervous, moglie?” He feathers light kisses along my flesh to the curve meeting my shoulder.

  I pant, the pull to him intense. Goose bumps overtake my flesh with his caress. “I want you,” I mutter breathily, my nipples hardening. My adrenaline is at an all-time high with everything that’s happened and then nearly getting discovered by Salvatore…it’s all wreaking havoc on my senses. My thighs clench as my pussy throbs, aching to feel him there. One hand drops from beside me, lazily trailing up the outside of my thigh. His electric touch sends tremors to my nerve endings. His lips move to my jaw, his mouth slightly parted as his lips run over my flesh.

  My eyes slam closed, head tilted back as everything but him and his touch fade away. He’s everywhere. I can’t escape him even if I tried. It’s futile. His fingertips trace my skin, leaving desire in their wake. “Please, Salvatore.”

  “Tell me, Annabella, would you do anything for me?” He asked me a similar question on our wedding day and my answer hasn’t changed.

  “Anything.”

  “Kill for me?” he growls, nipping at my lower lip.

  My body trembles in response. “Yes,” I whisper, his lips perking into a grin at my admission.

  He pauses, his hand flexing to grasp my hip. It sends a tender punch to my core. “Mm.” The deep grumble is a caress to my ears, my gut tightening, silently begging for him to continue touching me.

  My palms remain flat against the wall at my sides, though everything in me wants to reach out, but there’s something holding me back. I want him to take whatever he wants, however he wants it. After my betrayal today, I don’t know if I’ll ever have him again, and I want to remember this moment for as long as I breathe.

  His grip resolves, his fingers skating to the front of my pants. I draw in a swift breath as they dive beneath the waistband. He finds me soaked and swollen, as he gently parts my folds. A low moan tumbles over my lips as he trails his touch through my wetness. His middle finger pauses over my clit, tapping with enough pressure to make my knees weak.

  “More,” I plead.

  “More,” he rumbles right back. His finger slides lower, entering me to the hilt.

  “Yes,” I hiss, and his mouth claims mine. He kisses me like I’m everything he’s ever wanted. If he only knew of my deception, he wouldn’t be so eager to pour out an abundance of emotion towards me. He fingers me while his free hand moves to peel my pants from my body. My panties go with them, discarded on the floor without a second thought. Anyone could find us like this. The only thing working in our favor is this part of the house isn’t visited often, aside from the staff.

  With his kiss, my restraint breaks free. My hands move to his face, cupping his cheeks while our tongues make love to each other. Salvatore kisses like he fucks, I’ve come to discover. I shift to grip his neck, his pulse mimicking mine. I’m completely lost in him, his scent, his taste…all of it.

  He rips himself away from me, his moves erratic as he unbuttons his bottoms and shoves them down. His cock springs free and then he’s back on me. I’m against the wall, thighs clenching his hips as he holds me where he wants me. His mouth moves to my shoulder, kissing and biting. “Would you be mine?” he questions.

  “I am yours,” I breathe the reply, wondering where this is coming from, but not thinking straight enough to ask with him this close.

  “No,” he growls. My eyes fly to his. “Only mine.”

  “Y-yes,” I choke out. “I’m only yours, Salvatore.”

  With my promise, he thrusts his cock inside me deep. I moan much louder than I probably should, but everything in me is running high at the moment. His lips fall to mine once again, and I’m so damn eager to have his taste on my tongue. Feeling him like this, surrounding me completely, makes the world fall away and my heart open to him a bit more. He’s everything I never thought I’d desire. Here I am, not wanting to ever live without him.

  “Mm,” he groans, tearing his mouth away. “Fuck,” he pants. “You’ve sealed your fate, tesora. You better mean it when you vow you’re only mine.”

  “I only see you,” I respond truthfully. My core clenches as bliss descends over my mind. My limbs clench to him, holding him near as I ride the waves of a powerful orgasm. I cry his name, “Salvatore!”

  He tucks his face into my neck, whispering my name in response. “Annabella,” his breath tickles my ear lobe, making me squirm. My pussy jolts with the aftershocks of pleasure. “Amore.”

  Yes. It’s exactly what I’ve wanted to hear from him since our wedding night, when I’d offered myself up for his traditions. I opened my heart to him and I haven’t looked back.

  I meet Matteo’s dark glower over Salvatore’s shoulder. He’s livid, body strung tight in his impeccable three-piece suit. The man is positively imposing and terrifying when he’s angry. He stares at us, silently waiting, and in his eyes I see it. He knows she’s gone…but does he blame me? “Amore mio,” I utter in response, not breaking from Matteo’s stare until Salvatore shifts to place me back on solid ground.

  The head of the family clears his throat, causing Salvatore to snap his gaze over his shoulder. “Matty,” he greets breathless and light. He takes in his brother’s solemn mood and strained expression, then corrects, “Capo?”

  “We have business.”

  Salvatore nods and rushes to help me back into my clothes. His frame manages to block most of me from his brother, not that it matters. Matteo has a wife who puts me to shame. She was bred for this life and has the stunning looks to match his ow
n. He places a sweet kiss on top of my head before gesturing, “Go to our suite. I’ll come find you once I’m finished.”

  Matteo’s stern timbre cuts in. “No. Bring her.” I catch the Italian inflection, more prominent with his temperamental mood.

  “Is it the garden?” Salvatore asks. “She’s told us everything that happened. I would know if there were more.”

  Matteo tilts his head, flicking his gaze over the both of us. “Would you?”

  Sal doesn’t even hesitate, pinning his attention on me once more. “What else happened in the garden?”

  I shake my head, my heart pounding so quickly it feels as if it may pop free from my chest. Thank God he’s no longer touching my pulse points or he’d know something is up with me. His fingers twist with mine, tugging me with him towards his brother. He leaves his shirt askew, impatient to get wherever we’re going. It’s strange seeing him rushed and not perfectly put together downstairs, like all his other family seems to always be.

  “I can head on up, it’s fine. I don’t want to intrude on your Empire stuff.”

  “It’s no intrusion,” the Capo shoots down immediately, and I gulp, struggling to push down the fear curling up my esophagus. He must know what I’ve done, and now I’m going to die because of it. I’m an idiot, believing I could get away with freeing one of their captives. There’re probably cameras all over the place. I thought I skirted by any out in the open, but there must be more I’m not aware of.

  Salvatore squeezes my hand, drawing my stare. He sends me a look—confusion—but keeping it light, attempting to offer me some reassurance. He won’t be comforting me soon enough when he discovers what I’ve done. If I had any self-preservation, I’d attempt to run right now. It’s futile. I’d never make it out the door, let alone far enough away to seek help. I dug my grave, now I’m going to have to face the consequences. My chest flames as indigestion strikes, but I swallow it down, grateful it’s helping distract me.

  We bypass the kitchen, and the doorway leading to the basement looms ahead. My skin crawls all over my body. I feel as if I may seize up with a panic attack at any moment. That’ll only solidify my guilt in their eyes, I’m certain. “W-where are we going?” I stammer, knowing damn well where we’re headed.

  Salvatore swiftly tugs me to his chest. His finger goes to my chin, tipping it up. His eyes are kind as he says, “Annabella? What is it?”

  I swallow, flicking between him and Matteo. Of course, the oldest is taking everything in with his shrewd, judgmental frown. “I don’t like this…” I trail off, and his concern morphs into disgust.

  “This is my fault,” Salvatore declares. “We’re frightening you, reminding you of our wedding night.” His hands fist in frustration. “Fuck,” he curses to himself. “I promise you, you never have to go through that again. Only mine, remember?” he asks.

  I nod automatically. It’s not the problem I’m facing at the moment, but I go with it anyway. I enjoyed our wedding night far too much, but he doesn’t seem to believe me, no matter the multiple orgasms I had all night long. So many, I lost count.

  I’m a freaking coward. I’m not strong and stubborn, like he and the other Vendettis are. If they were in my position, they’d own up to what they’ve done and take the repercussions with open arms, always doing their duty. I wasn’t born into this life. My family is detached to the Empire. I always believed us close, being sort-of-distant cousins, but I see it now. We’re so utterly different. I’m an Italian woman raised on old, sacred Italian traditions, but it’s nothing compared to the Vendetti legacy. They’re brutal…and Matteo, he truly is Capo dei capi Ruthless.

  The Capo foretold my future with absolute compliance. He said my dreams would be at my fingertips. Money, power, position in society…I could have it all. If I wanted to continue with med school and become a pediatrician, have ten children, or shop my life away, it would be granted. The only requirements were to become Rosa’s mother and be loyal to my husband.

  To be devoted to the Empire and the Vendetti family, yet I’ve broken my promise.

  Some people will only like you if

  you fit inside their box. Don’t be

  afraid to shove that box up their ass.

  - Tom Hardy

  We get to the basement, Matteo taking me off guard by having Annabella come along with us. I don’t want her to witness what goes on down here, but I know my brother. He has a reason for this; it’s a test or something. I hope Annabella can handle whatever is headed in her direction, as I can only shield and protect her so much. Matteo is Capo, his reach absolute in our famiglia.

  “What’s going on?” I question, clutching Annabella’s hand in my firm grip. I don’t want her running when one of these doors opens and she catches a glimpse of real-life nightmares taking place. Don’t get me wrong, they’re enemies, and in some circumstances they’ve tried killing one of us or threatened to. They all deserve to die, but my wife is too soft-hearted for such sights. In the same breath, I wish we’d have stayed upstairs, her innocence from this chamber of poison still firmly intact. I learned many years ago that wishes are for fools, so I dash the thoughts away.

  “We have a problem, a situation,” Matteo explains angrily and throws the door open to the puttana O’Toole’s room.

  I keep Annabella behind me as I poke my head inside, taking everything in. The Irish female is nowhere to be found. The room is full of my brothers, along with Vi and Ari. Thankfully, none of the children are present. “Come, Annabella. Violet and Arianna are here as well.” I yank her inside.

  I’m on edge, finding us all down in the basement. The ground and various tools on the metal table are still bloody from torture. I instantly go into protection mode. “What’s happened?” Where are the children and why the fuck aren’t we in the safe rooms if it’s this dire? Rather than listen to me, Annabella stays off to my side, away from everyone else. I don’t want her next to the door, but I leave it for now.

  Matteo raises his hands, claiming the rooms attention. With a snarl, he points to the hook and rumbles, “Where the fuck is Fiadh O’Toole? I’m missing a motherfucking Irish woman in my own home!”

  We’re all left speechless and wide-eyed. This is the last thing any one of us were expecting to be brought down for. My gaze scans over my famiglia, but they’re all as lost as I am.

  “Someone better speak,” Matteo demands.

  “Where are the children?” I ask the first thing that comes to my mind. Always Rosa.

  Cristiano answers, “Safe. Rosa is good.”

  I nod, grateful for him seeing to my daughter’s wellbeing. He says they’re safe, and with this turn of events, the children must be in one of the safe rooms. The room’s cloaked in silence once again. Eventually, we all end up training our attention on Valentino.

  Matteo stands over the bloody concrete, silently waiting. When no one offers him anything, he leaps forward. His hands fist in Valentino’s shirt, his grip popping a few buttons free. The Capo and underboss face off, Matteo ready to do what’s required of him, and Valentino too proud to back down and lick his wounds later. “This entire situation with the Irish bitch has been puzzling to me,” he hisses, leaning in so close their foreheads nearly touch. Matteo is about to lose his shit and give Valentino an ass beating of a lifetime. Hell, he’ll probably kill the idiot if he doesn’t at least attempt to provide some sort of explanations.

  Valentino’s jaw flexes, glaring back at our older brother. “I admitted to my crime. I helped her get out of the cabin. I owed her famiglia.”

  Santino springs forward, barking, “Pezzo di merda!”

  Valentino rips free from Matteo’s grasp and lunges for our younger brother. “You know nothing! I will teach you a lesson, soldato.”

  Luciano jumps between them, as does Cris. I pull the women behind me to shield them. They’re capable, but there are too many of us, and if a fight should break out, tensions will be high, lines will be drawn. We’ve never been at each other’s throats, but somethin
g has been going on with Valentino to make him bitter in the last year or two. I came home from rehab to find Santino strung tightly as well. We’re the closest of brothers, and yet we’re the most hazardous to each other, as we kill people for the Empire—for each other.

  They’re thrust apart before any hits can be exchanged. Matteo’s furious. I rarely see him this angry, but he’s ready to blow a gasket. Valentino’s panting, on the other side of the room with Luciano. His proud nose is bleeding, so he must’ve gotten hit by someone in the scuffle. It’s embarrassing, if I’m thinking clearly about it. I can’t believe we’re acting like fools in front of the most important people. Our wives don’t deserve to see us behaving as porca miseria. Annabella shouldn’t be witnessing this.

  Valentino flings his arms out as he says, “This is how you treat me after I tell you the truth? I’m the villain? I’m your number two!”

  “No,” Matteo rebukes, suddenly back to his calm façade. He points to me. “He is Two.” He shifts, gesturing to Valentino. “You are Three, and you always will be. It’s time you’ve fallen from your precious pedestal. I never should’ve given you so much power at such a young age. You believe you’re untouchable, unaccountable for your actions. You’ve had no consequences, and I’m here to put them in place. You’ll pay for this, Valentino.”

  “I told you everything!” he shouts, growing emotional. He’s an angel, falling from his throne while his famiglia stand around him as witnesses.

  “You betrayed this famiglia, you let that woman escape you multiple times, you let her stab you. Our brother took care of your fuck-up, then you go and help that woman escape. Now here we are, standing in another room where she’s miraculously disappeared. You are not fit to be underboss! You’re fortunate you’re my brother, or you’d already be dead.”

  Valentino’s head bows, chin to his chest. He falls to his knees, appearing more broken than I’ve ever seen him before. He spreads his arms wide, palms up, and mutters, “Kill me. I will not live disgraced in the eyes of my family. My blood is yours.”