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

by Sapphire Knight

  “Amore?” Annabella interrupts, coming into my office. I’m just down the hall from Matteo and Cristiano when I need a place to handle business. Her face is flushed, the sweet pink tinge on her cheeks instantly making me want to kiss them. I can’t believe I ever pushed her away in the beginning. This woman is everything to me.

  She pants, out of breath, wearing a wide smile. I rise from my desk, striding the few steps between us. Grabbing her hands in mine, I ask, “Yes, bella, what is it? Were you running?”

  She nods, a smile still planted firmly in place. I relax, since she’s happy. It must not be bad news. “It’s Rosa!” she exclaims. “She’s walking!”

  “No…Seriously?” I ask, overwhelmed with pride, needing her to repeat her words. I was worried. She’s fourteen months old—apparently, women use months rather than just saying a year and then some. I found out from my siblings that babies usually walk earlier, and I’ve been struggling with the possibility that Sofia’s drug use has impacted her negatively. Thankfully, my amazingly smart wife is in school to be a pediatrician and has made it her mission to look into any possible side effects. Once I opened up to her about it, she wanted to do whatever she could to help my precious Rosa.

  “I promise! Not only is she walking, Salvatore, but she took off in a baby jog across the room to Romeo. I was so stunned, I dropped her snacks all over the place. Hurry, you have to see her! Arianna is in there with them now.”

  I take off in a jog, popping my head in Matteo’s office. I call out, “Rosa’s walking!” I don’t wait, too excited to witness it myself. Soon enough, Matteo and Cristiano are behind Annabella and me. I race up the grand stairway and down the hall towards our wing, silently cursing the oversized estate. We all have plenty of space, but in instances like this, it’s a bit ridiculous.

  I storm down our hall and burst through the door to her nursery. Ari and both kids look up at me with surprise. “Rosa!” I say cheerfully.

  She grins. “Papa!” She takes off in a wobbly, fast-paced baby jog towards me. She screeches with excitement, giggling, and my heart feels ready to burst with love for my tiny princess.

  I squat down with my arms open to catch her. She flies into my embrace, leaning forward to press a kiss to my cheek. “I’m so proud of you, amore mio.” I tap the tip of her nose, making her giggle. She leans back and I take in her shirt.

  I’m going to be a big sister.

  My throat grows tight. My chest fills with warmth. My heart has never been so full.

  My famiglia is the antidote I always needed. Now I have them, and I finally have a sense of peace.

  Thank you for reading The Vendetti Coward. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story and you felt I did the characters justice. As a child of two addicts, Salvatore hit close to home for me. I always drop a small piece of me in each book, but I rarely share what piece it is. In this case, I feel it’s important that you know I have first-hand experience with drug and alcohol addiction. I can also say that it’s never too late for someone to change and for you to offer them a second chance. I hope this book made you feel some kind of way. It’s my goal to bring you an escape with a happy ending. We all deserve one. Please consider leaving a review if you enjoyed this book. It helps more than you know, and thank you. I couldn’t do what I love if it weren’t for you devouring my words. - Sapphire

  Acknowledgments

  My husband – I know it’s not always easy when I zone out on my laptop and don’t want to be disturbed. I appreciate you rolling with it and embracing my chosen career. I’m glad you’ve discovered a way to implement the Knight Creations business to fit so well with mine. I love you, and I’m thankful for you. I can’t say it enough.

  My boys – You’re my whole world. I love you both. This never changes, and you better not be reading these books until you’re thirty and tell yourself your mom did not write them! I can never express how grateful I am for your support and belief in me. You are quick to tell me that my career makes you proud, and that I make you proud. As far as mom wins go, that one takes the cake, even if I do send ‘mom memes’. I love you with every beat of my heart, and I will forever.

  Women that inspire – This wouldn’t be possible without you being there to cheer me on. I can’t express my gratitude enough for each of you. I’m blessed to have your continued support. A special thank you to Laura Shelnutt, you don’t know how much your kind words mean to me.

  Editor - Editing Done Write – Your hard work makes mine stand out, and I’m so grateful! Thank you for pouring hours into my passion and being wonderful to me. Thank you for your amazing support, especially on such short notice.

  CT Cover Creations – I can always count on you and that means so much. Thank you for all of your hard work and the kindness you don’t ever hesitate to share with me. Your designs are superb and your professionalism is on another level entirely. You set the bar high with designers and you’ve completely spoiled me. Thank you!

  Formatting by N. E. Henderson – Thank you so much for making my book look professional and beautiful. I genuinely appreciate it and the kindness you’ve shown me.

  My Blogger Friends – YOU ARE AMAZING! No, really, you are. You take a new chance on me with each book and in return, share my passion with the world. You never truly get enough credit, and I’m forever grateful! There are so many of you that have stuck with me from the beginning. That dedication is truly humbling.

  My Readers – I love you. You make my life possible, thank you. I can’t wait to meet many of you this year and in the future. To those of you leaving me the awesome spoiler free reviews, you motivate me to keep writing. For that, I will forever be grateful, as this is my passion in life.

  And as always, ADOPT DON’T SHOP! Save a life today and adopt from a rescue or your local animal shelter. #ProudDobermanMom #LastHopeDobermanRescue

  Also by Sapphire

  Oath Keepers MC Series

  Forsaken Control

  Friction

  Princess

  Sweet Surrender – free short story

  Love and Obey – free short story

  Daydream

  Baby

  Chevelle

  Cherry

  Heathen

  Russkaya Mafiya Series

  Secrets

  Exposed

  Relinquish

  Corrupted

  Corrupted Counterparts – free short story

  Unwanted Sacrifices

  Undercover Intentions

  Dirty Down South Series

  Freight Train

  3 Times the Heat

  2 Times the Bliss

  The Vendetti Famiglia

  The Vendetti Empire – part 1

  The Vendetti Queen – part 2

  The Vendetti Seven – part 3

  The Vendetto Coward – part 4

  Harvard Academy Elite

  Little White Lies

  Ugly Dark Truth

  Royal Bastards MC Texas

  Opposites Attract

  Kings of Carnage MC Series

  Bash – Vice President

  KOC next installment (coming 2021)

  Complete Standalones

  Gangster

  Unexpected Forfeit

  The Main Event – free short story

  Oath Keepers MC Collection

  Russian Roulette

  Tease – Short Story Collection

  Oath Keepers MC Hybrid Collection

  Vendetti Duet

  Harvard Academy Elite

  Viking - free newsletter short story

  Dirty Down South Collection

  A fish with his mouth closed, never gets caught.

  - Tony Accardo

  Grace

  I snort a little watching Kaleigh cough after she downs her shot of tequila. She doesn’t drink much, especially at lunchtime, but I dared her and she went for it. Exactly why she’s my best friend; she lets me corrupt her just a smidge to keep me entertained, and in return, she lives a life that’s slightly more exciting
than one without me in it.

  “That was gross.” Her nose scrunches, making my mouth turn up in an amused grin.

  We’re in our usual lunch spot—Moricio’s Italian Cuisine. It’s not too fancy and small, but they make food quick enough to eat for a lunch break and it tastes fantastic.

  “It’s not bad after you have three or so.”

  “No way. You said one.”

  “I know. You have to work and I’m not going to carry you back to your cubicle.”

  “Gee thanks, you’re so thoughtful.”

  “Hey, the burn from the tequila will keep you warm on the walk back. You’ll be thanking me later.”

  “If I’m not puking,” she mumbles, sipping her Coke to chase the tingle the tequila left behind.

  My lips part, about to reply something snarky about her being too tame, when the small ‘ding’ from the bell above the door announces the arrival of a new customer. We both glance over, my eyes growing wide at the eye candy that just entered.

  “Yum,” slips free and I swear Kaleigh makes a choking sound.

  “Ho-ly fuck.” The swear word comes out as barely a whisper. If I weren’t sitting directly across from her, I’d had never heard it. “Shhh!”

  “Oh please, look at him,” I reply, gesturing my hand towards the man. He commands attention, mine included.

  Everyone in the restaurant grows quiet, staring at him standing in the doorway. Four men with his stature and larger enter next, coming to stand behind him. Their presence radiates power, bringing naughty thoughts to mind. I’m not sure of how much work I’d get done at the office if I had to work around men looking like that.

  I bet they’re lawyers with enough money to purchase the decent suits they’re sporting with lonely, unmarried lives so they hit up the gym every morning to sculpt those impressive bodies. They’ve most likely won a few cases, forming that cocky, dominant attitude they wear on their faces. I’d do them. Well not all of them, but the first one I saw. His demeanor portrays him as the alpha of the group and that’s just plain sexy.

  Whispering again, Kaleigh leans in closer, “Do you have any idea who that is? And stay quiet, be respectful.”

  “No clue, and I’m always respectful; it’s not like he’s the Godfather.” My eyes roll at her dramatics, waving her off. I’m a little put off that she feels the need to scold me in the first place. Like my comments are so bad; men are ten times worse when they see an attractive woman.

  A strangled noise comes from her throat, making me wonder if maybe she shouldn’t have had that tequila after all. I think I’ll order one for myself before heading back to work. I’d ask hot stuff up at the front to throw one back with me, but I doubt he’d take the stick out of his ass long enough to have some fun. He shouts all work and no play, hence the money to pay for that suit, no doubt.

  “That,” she whispers intensely, cocking her head toward the man in question, “is Thaddaeus Morelli.”

  “Okay.” I nod. I still have no idea why she’s acting like a fruit loop. So, the last name’s Italian; half of the damn city’s Italian.

  “That’s the Joker Grace—in the flesh! He’s a freaking gangster; a very, very bad gangster.”

  I snort again, laughing. I can’t help it. She’s crazy. There’s no way that man is a gangster. There’s nothing ‘thuggish’ about him. If anything, I’d be more likely to believe that he’s a prominent, rich businessman in that custom-tailored suit. I wouldn’t think twice about him stealing my purse if I was walking down the street.

  He has medium brown hair, slicked back—trimmed short, but not too short—with enough to wind your fingers in. I don’t see any tattoos on him, but if he has any they’re most likely covered by the suit he’s wearing. I doubt they’d be covered though, if he was a gangster. I’ve watched The History Channel and their specials on organized crime before; he looks nothing like any of them. It’s safe to say that if I saw him getting into an expensive car, I’d believe it was his—not that he was stealing it. That is, after all, what the gangsters on The History Channel do. They steal, cheat, bribe, and sell drugs. This man clearly is not a drug addict and has enough money in his pocket to pay for his lunch.

  My disbelieving snort must be louder than normal with everyone being quiet, because suddenly I’m in an intense eye lock with the man himself; only he’s not as amused as I am. His gaze is dark and stormy with unmeasured anger. He could probably blow someone up with that lethal look. I don’t know if he wants to skin me alive or yank my skirt off and go to pound town.

  Swallowing, my throat grows dry at the glower. And so help me, my dumb ass wants to roll my eyes to push his buttons, curious to discover what he’ll do and see if I can make that scowl become even darker. I’m not normally so self-destructive, but Kaleigh’s proclamations have my stubborn side rearing its head.

  I can make out my best friend in the background, still murmuring details as I have a stare down with one of the finest men I’ve ever seen. “Everyone calls him the Joker, but it’s not because of his love of laughs; it’s the opposite. He never jokes with anyone. He’s not even nice and he doesn’t speak to regular people.”

  That gets me. I blink, breaking the stare off and meet her gaze, “Um … regular people? You mean like you and me?” She nods her head just a touch, not wanting to move and call attention to herself. “What a dick,” I grumble and she gasps at my blunt but truthful reply. Shortly after, my arm warms.

  You know how you get the prickly feeling when you can tell someone is watching you and sometimes your cheeks heat? I have that, but also the uncanny suspicion that he’s not simply staring at me anymore, but like his body’s physically near me. I can feel his presence as if he’s sucked all the air and energy out of the room.

  Inhaling a deep breath, I turn to my left and damned if I wasn’t right. I knew I felt someone approaching us when I questioned her about being ‘a regular person.’ Sure as fuck, I glance up, and it’s him—right beside me.

  He glowers down at me with golden irises blazing, full of intimidation. He’s a broody one, I can already tell, and for some odd reason I find it incredibly sexy in a man.

  When I get nervous or irritated, I tend to get a bit sarcastic, so before I think about my words, I let a little snark come out. “I’ll take a refill. To go, please. Oh, and the check. Thanks.” Turning my head away quickly, I push my glass closer to the edge of the table and bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t babble, concentrating on pushing my food around my plate.

  I can’t believe I just let that come out of my mouth. So much for the shot idea. I have a feeling he may lose it and get us kicked out before I can reunite with my old friend, Jose Cuervo. Or else Kaleigh may pass out from hyperventilating and make me tote her ass back to my office.

  The restaurant’s so silent, you can hear the refrigerator kick on behind the waitress area.

  I swallow again, trying not to exhale to loudly.

  A throat clears, but I keep my head still and count to myself.

  Three.

  Four.

  Five.

  Six.

  Seven.

  Holy shit.

  Seven.

  Holy shit.

  What number was I on?

  Five of the longest seconds I’ve ever experienced. My self-coping method of counting out random numbers comes to a smashing halt when warm fingertips brush my chin. They’re soft and careful as they gently turn my face toward him again—the movements commanding, but not forceful.

  His voice is low, almost gravelly, like he’s not used to speaking or perhaps he’s used to yelling a lot. He is Italian, after all. “Your bill is taken care of, Bella.” He licks his bottom lip. “I will send someone with your drink.”

  Pure sex. That’s what comes to mind when he speaks. I would climb him like a goddamn jungle gym right now if the circumstances were different. I could fucking die. Legit, just keel over after hearing the sexy rasp that no doubt matches his beautiful face. I bet his body’s insane under t
hat suit, no flaw about him. And that accent, definitely Italian.

  My hands clench into fists as I stop myself from doing the sign of the cross, thanking God for creating a man so divine to look at and listen to.

  I’m too embarrassed at my rude behavior—at the entire scene and knowing that everyone is staring—to meet his gaze. Barely nodding, mimicking Kaleigh from earlier, I keep my eyes trained on the rich texture of his deep blue tie. It’s nearly black, but there’s a hint of color that I can make out with the hanging light over our table. It’s one of my favorite colors, but that’s irrelevant right now.

  “Th-thank you.” My reply comes out quietly, damn near sounding like a choke, all too aware of everyone’s attention. I’ll probably never be able to have lunch here again after this. That means a farther walk and less time to eat, thanks to me not listening to my friend and not keeping my thoughts and noises to myself.

  His fingers slip away, his demeanor radiating disappointment from me not looking at him. He wanted me to challenge him. I know it. I also know when to tuck my tail and shut up. He didn’t deserve my bitchiness.

  Kaleigh said to be respectful. That should mean me not meeting his stare, right? It’s hard to think at all—about anything—with him so near, the only thing on my mind is his smell and how fast my heart is beating. I’m surprised you can’t hear the rapid thrum as the organ thunders away under my breast.

  Men don’t just randomly come up and touch me, and in that spot? It was a more of a caress. That alone says so much about him. My friend’s right; he’s different.