by Ella Jade
“There you are.” Vincenzo put his arm around my waist, immediately calming me. “Sorry it took me so long.”
“Vincenzo, it’s nice to see you.” Antonio extended his hand. “You have a lovely date.”
“Thank you.” He shook Antonio’s hand. “She’s an amazing woman.”
“I was expressing my interest in getting to know her.” Antonio looked at me. “I’ll go at your pace but I wanted you to know I’m here when you’re ready.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Vincenzo placed his hand on the small of my back, helping me to stay focused and relaxed. I was ready for this reunion to be over for now.
“That’s the best I can do. I’m trying to get over what happened last month. It shook me to my core.”
“I’m sorry about all of that. You don’t have to worry about your brother. He won’t be a problem.” He glanced at Vincenzo. “For anyone.”
“As I mentioned before,” Vince said. “Nadia will reach out to you when she’s ready. She’s not there tonight.”
“I hope the two of you enjoy your evening.” Antonio smiled, shattering any preconceived notions I’d had of him. Maybe he was just a man who made some mistakes with my mother. He’d honored her request and stayed out of my life. I was the one who opened this can of worms when I went looking for him and now he was trying to make it right. Wasn’t that what a parent was supposed to do? “I look forward to hearing from you.”
“Okay.”
I didn’t know what else to say. Eventually, I’d be ready to explore a relationship with him. When he walked away, I let out the breath I’d been holding and leaned against Vincenzo.
“I’m sorry I left you.” He kissed my knuckles. “Where is my mother? I thought you’d be safe with her.”
“She had a kitchen emergency.”
“Sorry.”
“I needed those few minutes with him.” We didn’t resolve anything but maybe it was a beginning. “Now I can enjoy the rest of my evening with the only man I want to be with.”
“I like being the center of your attention.”
“Weren’t you getting me a drink?” I held out my hands. “I’m thirsty.”
He brought me close to him, his lips almost touching mine but not quite. The heat radiated between us causing my arousal to spike for him. I still hadn’t come down from the high of our love making session this afternoon. Who was I kidding? I never came down from the high that was Vincenzo. He was my entire world. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. Maybe his mother was right when she said we had found love? I pushed that notion from my thoughts. I didn’t want to rush Vincenzo.
“I’ve been keeping something from you.” He took my hands in his. “It’s time for me to tell you.”
“I thought we said no more secrets.”
“We did but I didn’t abide by that rule.”
What the hell?
VINCENZO
Judging from the look on her face, she seemed annoyed with me. I’d have to change that. I had this overwhelming urge to tell her what I felt. I thought I could wait until we got home but I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“What are you keeping from me?” She placed her hand on her hip. “We agreed that our families were too dangerous to keep secrets.”
“This has nothing to do with our families.” I extended my hand. “Come outside with me.”
“Why?”
“So I can reveal my secret.” I kissed her temple. “I’m hoping you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
“What are you up to?” Her facial features relaxed when she realized I didn’t have bad news.
“I’ll tell you.” I opened the terrace doors and led her outside. “I wanted to tell you earlier but, well, my timing was off.”
“Tell me now.”
It was a warm evening and the terrace was filled with guests. I wanted to be alone with her for a few minutes, so we headed down the path to the stone stairs of a small chapel. The doors were open and the light from the candles illuminated the entrance. The aroma of fresh roses escaped from the historical building and into the evening air.
“What is this?” She climbed the steps and peered inside. “It’s beautiful.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist as she admired the recent renovation of the chapel.
“This was the only building on the land when my father purchased it. It’s been here for over a hundred years. When he and my brothers decided to develop this property, my mother insisted that this be restored.”
“It so peaceful.”
“She’s going to use it for weddings but tonight she had it filled with the candles and flowers so her guests could appreciate the renovation.”
“You don’t even have to go in to appreciate it.” She gazed inside. “It’s fantastic.”
“This place has it all.” I kissed the back of her neck, trailing my fingers down her spine. “I brought you out here to tell you something.”
“Oh.” Her melodic laugh echoed down the aisle of the church. “There are many distractions here tonight. I’m all over the place.” She turned to face me. “What did you want to tell me?”
“While what I have to say is very simple, it’s also extremely important. I’ve been thinking about telling you for the last week. Tonight, this moment seems right.”
“Tell me.” The sparkle in her eyes and the smile that graced her lips indicated she knew what I was going to say. How couldn’t she?
“Finding you has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I took her hand in mine as I gently rubbed her collarbone with the back of my fingers. Her skin prickled in response. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“Vincenzo,” she whispered.
“I realized we haven’t been together that long but I’ve been falling in love with you a little every day, and then one day I woke up and thought, I’m in love with the most spectacular woman. I have to tell her.” I pressed my palm to her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She swept her lips across mine, igniting a fire inside my soul. “I’m so glad I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I’d like to revise that.” I kissed her softly, knowing I’d never forget the magical look in her eyes at this very second. “I was in the right place at the right time.”
I would always believe that.
The End
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Mafia Heat: Gianni
Can a senator’s forbidden daughter tame a reckless heart?
ANGELIQUE
Dangerous. Intense. And more intriguing than I ever remembered.
He's my every fantasy,
My secret crush,
My forbidden love.
I saved myself for him,
Only him.
My father kept me sheltered from everything,
But Gianni wants to open up the world,
Let me experience it all.
I respect his family,
Respect his loyalty.
Until it threatens to destroy us...
GIANNI
Smart. Sophisticated. Innocent.
And completely off limits.
The senator's daughter has no business
With a mob enforcer like me.
Two worlds,
Different lives,
But when we're together,
Everything makes sense.
I refuse to let anyone or anything come between us,
Even my family's enemies,
No matter how dangerous they really are.
Chapter One (Gianni)
GIANNI
Daddy’s Girl
“There you are.” My mother met me in the foyer of the main house. “Your father is looking for you.”
“I was getting my hair cut.” I shoved my phone in my pocket after checking my texts. “He left me three messages and two texts. It must be urgent. He hates
texting.”
“Dominick is in the city,” my mother reminded me of my older brother’s whereabouts. “He needs one of you.”
“For?”
“Your hair looks very nice.” She rubbed the back of my head. “Such a good looking boy. When are you going to find a lovely girl like Vincenzo? Nadia makes him happy. Don’t you want to be happy?”
“Ma?” My mother let her four single sons know on a daily basis that her other son had found true love.
“Oh right.” She motioned down the hall toward the study. “Something to do with Senator Bruno. He’s in the study.”
Ah, yes. The Senator. He liked to pretend he had no association with the Marchelli family. He had no problem accepting our generous donations from our legitimate businesses. He also didn’t mind calling on us when he needed security or an unpleasant job taken care of. We did plenty to keep him in office but no one could ever know about that. We were responsible for his growing popularity among the constituents in his state. I often wondered why my father was so accommodating when it came to him.
“You’re funny.” My niece Gia giggled from the family room. “I like playing with you.”
“You’re fun to play with,” a soft, delicate voice replied.
“New babysitter?” I asked when I heard Dominick’s daughter playing with an unfamiliar woman.
“No, it’s Angelique.”
“Bruno’s daughter?” The last time I’d seen her was at a party my mother hosted a few years ago. She was seventeen and totally off-limits but that didn’t stop me from staring. I was twenty-five and knew better. My brother Santino had a crush on her for about a week. I told him to go for it but he was too shy back then. If I was twenty, I would have gone for it. “How old is she now?”
“Twenty-three.” My mother walked down the hall with me. “She’s all grown up. A gorgeous, young woman. She recently got her Masters in education from Columbia. She’s beautiful and smart.”
“She’s back in New Jersey?” I’d have to peek in the family room on my way out.
“Living with her dad.” She shook her head. “Poor girl.”
“Gianni,” my father called to me. “Come in.”
“Have fun.” My mother rolled her eyes as she stepped out onto the back patio.
She wasn’t a fan of the Senator. None of us were but we had a beneficial relationship. We helped him when he needed it and he looked the other way when we needed him to.
“Dad.” I walked into the study, closing the door behind me. “Senator Bruno.”
The Senator stood when I approached him, extending his hand. “Gianni, it’s good to see you.”
Jack Bruno had been in politics his entire life. His constituents loved him. He’d been talking about a run for governor for a few years. He would definitely need our silent help if he was going to accomplish that. Lots of money and connections. Both of which my family had and he knew it.
“What’s up?” I leaned against my father’s prized pool table.
“Jack has a personal situation he’d like our assistance with,” my dad said. “I’d like you to handle it.”
“Of course.” When my father asked, I obliged. No questions asked. “What can I help you with, Senator?”
“Gianni, you can call me Jack.” He sat down and sipped his coffee. “Discretion is key for this particular situation.”
“Always.” That was the only way my family did business. Discreet kept us alive and out of jail. “What seems to be the problem?”
“My daughter.”
“Angelique?”
“You remember her?” He smiled with pride. “She recently finished graduate school.”
“My mother told me.” I looked toward the door. “I thought I’d stop in and say hello to her on my way out.”
“She’d like that,” he said. “She’s going through a tough time which is why I’m here.”
“You need me to help Angelique?” This evening just got interesting. “Is she in trouble?”
“There’s this guy.” The muscles in his neck tensed. “She went on a few dates with him but it didn’t work out. She’s not interested.”
“Is he having a hard time accepting that?” I asked.
“That’s an understatement.” Jack crossed his legs at the ankles. “He won’t leave her alone. She’s blocked him from her phone and social media but he uses others to contact her.”
“He’s stalking her?” That pissed me off. What the hell was wrong with men like that?
“He cornered her at a restaurant the other night when she was out with friends. She told him to leave her alone and I think he got physical with her.”
“What do you mean?” My jaw tensed. “He put his hands on her?”
“She wouldn’t say but she was shaken.”
“Gianni,” my father said. “Perhaps a chance meeting is in order. You can put this scumbag in his place. Make sure he leaves Jack’s daughter alone.”
“I can do that.” If this bastard hurt her, he’d be getting more than a warning from me.
“She’s fragile.” Jack set his cup down on the end table. “Naive. That’s probably my fault. I’ve kept her sheltered most of her life. She’s a good girl.”
Oh... I wonder how much Daddy doesn’t know about his good girl. She was probably one of those wild ones who were kept under lock and key their entire life and when they got out, they did it all. I knew a few of them. They could be so much fun.
“When her mother died,” Jack continued. “I was protective of Angelique. I’m afraid she hasn’t been exposed to much. Even when she went away to college, she kept to herself. She doesn’t have experience with men. I don’t want her to think she has to be with this idiot. I don’t want her in a situation she can’t get out of.”
“What do you need?” This was easy compared to what he usually asked us to do for him.
“I want him to leave her alone. Send a message that she isn’t interested in him.” He stared at my father. “Do whatever you have to do.”
Seriously? Did he think I would kill the guy?
“Gianni will handle it. All his information is in here.” My dad handed me a folder. “You’ll make it very clear that he should forget the Senator’s daughter exists.”
All I’d have to do was show up and when the asshole figured out who I was, he’d back off. They always did. I’d bring Dominick with me. Two Marchellis were better than one.
“I’ll take care of it tonight.” I took the information from my dad. “Your daughter has nothing to worry about.”
“Since coming back from school she’s a bit lost. That’s how she ended up with Leo. That’s his name.” He shook his head. “It’s all in the file. My P.I. says he hangs out at a bar in the city every Thursday night. He’ll be easy to find.”
“Leo won’t be a problem after tonight.” I opened the study door eager to get a glimpse at the damsel in distress. “Don’t worry.” I set the folder on the decorative table outside the study and headed down the hall. I wanted to see this innocent woman for myself.
Her melodic giggle filled the hall as I made my way to the family room. Standing in the archway of the massive room with the large flat screen and cathedral ceilings, I couldn’t help but notice how the light from the skylights cascaded around her. Gia placed a tiara on her head, creating a sparkling effect behind her. It was all so very... angelic.
I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms over my chest. Angelique had changed since the last time I’d seen her. She’d always been a pretty girl but now the woman in front of me was gorgeous. Her long lashes and perfectly manicured eyebrows highlighted her shimmery blue eyes. Her makeup was soft but her plump, pink lips drew me in. She took care of herself and it showed. Her clothes were casual. A light blue v-neck t-shirt that teased a hint of cleavage and the expensive jeans with well-placed rips in them accentuated her subtle curves. Her light brown hair was twisted into a low knot at the base of her slender neck.
“Uncle Gianni!” Gia barreled t
oward me, jumping into my arms and interrupting my analysis of Daddy’s little girl. “You’re home.”
“I am, ladybug.” I kissed my goddaughter’s head. “It sounds like you’re having fun in here.”
“Doesn’t she look like a princess?” Gia pointed to Angelique. “Like the one in the movie?”
Angelique smiled as she averted her gaze toward the floor. Was she embarrassed by Gia’s honest assessment? I thought it was spot on.
“She does but prettier.” I set my niece down and stepped forward. “Hi.”
“Hello, Gianni.”
I like the way she says my name...
ANGELIQUE
Gianni Marchelli... I’m in the same room with him. I’d waited years to see him. To say his name. To make him notice me. I’d thought about him while I was away at school. Those big brown eyes and dark hair. His huge biceps, muscular shoulders, and broad chest. His full sexy lips. When I closed my eyes before falling asleep, I fantasized about that mouth on my hot flesh. I never forgot the tattoos that graced his toned body like a fine piece of artwork. He was still total perfection. And this time, I was legal.
The last time I’d seen him, I was too young. I was still in high school and he was a man. A mob enforcer with a bad reputation. He worked for his father doing things people didn’t speak of. He was my first crush. A vision I’d taken with me as I matured. I’d kept him inside my heart all this time. I never expected a chance with him but now we stood face to face. And I’m wearing a stupid tiara. Seriously...
“We’re having a tea party,” Gia informed him as I slipped the diamond-studded band off my head and placed it on the chair behind me, trying to act sophisticated. “Do you want to play?”
“Maybe later, sweetie.” Gianni winked at his niece and my ovaries may have exploded... a little. “How are you?” When he smiled... more explosions. “It’s been a long time.”
“Almost six years.” Did that sound weird? “I’ve been at school so that’s how I know it’s been that long.”