by J Haney
Onóra does the talking as Finn, and I look around. The stalls overflow with ripe red tomatoes, yellow and green peppers of all shapes and sizes. They have these cucumbers I thought were melons for their roundness. There are chocolatiers and patisseries with stands outside their shops to just lure passersby inside.
We’re at a stall that sells all manner of fresh herbs and cheeses when I hear Onóra’s lyrical laughter. Poor Finn, his cheeks are gonna be so bruised. The older women keep squeezing them and tellin’ him how handsome he is.
I turn watching when I’m bumped by a young woman. She thinks she slick; I grab her arm. In her hand is my wallet.
“Not so fast.” I smirk. “Ya got something that belongs to me.”
“Irish?” She says with a thick accent. “Thought you were es stupido Americano.”
She drops my wallet into my hand. “Dinner? I cook.” Her hand touches my chest, probably looking for something else to steal.
“No.” I go to remove her hand when she looks up with a quick intake of air.
I feel a hand wrap my shoulder. The smell of gardenias alerts me; it’s my Onóra.
“Stai lontano da mio marito. Piccola cagna.” She hisses, and the woman shrinks back. It’s then that I see the knife Onóra has.
The woman spits and runs off.
“Do I even wanna know?” I ask as Onóra turns me to her and kisses me.
“Just told the bitch to keep her hands off my husband.” She smiles, running her hands down my arms. “Come, we can go to the butcher, and then back to the apartment?”
“Hmm, sounds good. What’s for dinner?”
“Antipasto with Involtini Di Pollo.”
“That’s chicken, right?”
She nods. “That Rosetta stone is working, huh?”
“Well with all the swearing ya do in Italian I need to learn. What’s dessert?”
“Dessert? Me, covered in cannoli creme.”
“Perfect.”
“Thought you’d like that.”
Dinner is wonderful. She’s really been practicing, and her skills have improved by leaps and bounds. The chicken was stuffed with ricotta and spinach, then wrapped in prosciutto ham, baked then seared to perfection on the little stovetop in our quaint little apartment. We took it all up to the terrace where chairs and a table were already set for us. It’s a beautiful August night, and the sunset over the Adriatic sea is breathtaking enough that even Finn makes a comment about it.
It’s just us now. Finn has gone off to his room. I moved the TV in there since it was on a wheeled cart. He brought his Switch and the TV attachment. I made sure to bring the converter plugs.
She’s taken to the toilet, and I’m just watching the city out the window as it lights up here and there. I hear a throat clear and the bedroom door lock. Turning I find Onóra, standing in a long almost sheer white kimono. It’s got green embroidery that I’m not really paying much attention to for the bulge in my jeans as it slips open. Underneath is a white and floral bustier the props up her full round breasts to perfect peaks. My mouth goes dry as my eyes roam down, and she walks toward me.
I can’t speak my legs are getting weak, my palms are sweaty. She grabs my shirt and pulling me to her; kisses me. A long, lingering kiss. I let out a low growl from deep in my chest. She tastes like cotton candy, and boy am I ever ready to be her amusement park ride. She backs me up until the bed stops me, and I go down. She pulls off my shirt and kisses my chest, as she begins to kneel, her little fingers pull at my belt, and I sit back to watch.
Onóra works me out of my pants, pulling them and my boxer briefs straight off. Coming up between my parted knees, she licks me from sac to tip, and my head drops back.
“Hmm, wee bird.” I manage my fingers, clenching the comforter. She licks me again only in the opposite direction cupping me in one hand; she strokes me with the other as her lips tease my head. I watch her as she watches me, her head bobbing up and down in a steady beat. My hands find their way into her hair, and I start to rake my fingers through it, urging her down further, to go faster. My wee bird doesn’t disappoint. She takes me to the hilt; I feel her throat open up as she sucks and swallows in succession. She backs off, catches her breath, and does it again. The kick to my nuts sets me on fire. I can’t hold back much longer.
“I’m gonna-”
She swallows me again with a nod; it’s all I need to stop holding I come. She takes it, sucking and licking. Unable to restrain myself anymore, I grab her wrists and pull her off the floor. Her legs are on either side of me, and I can feel how hot and wet she is already.
“Sucking my cock gets ya wet?” I ask surprised, for most women, it’s just a thing they do, not because they like it.
“You come, I come.” She smiles, devilishly.
“Hmm, would ya like to come again?” I ask, flipping her over.
“Yes! Please!” She giggles as I lick her through her knickers. My tongue pushes the fabric into her clit, letting the rough fabric entice and tease her into a frenzy.
“Rónán...” My name falls from her lips in a gasp. “Condoms…”
With her going off the birth control, we discussed this. I prepared. Taking her hand, I work it into her knickers. She looks at me with a lingering question.
“Just do what feels good, till I come back.”
I get up, and she bites her lip, as I go for my bag. The condoms were the only thing I didn’t unpack. I didn’t want her to think I was presuming. Grabbing a line of them, so as not to have to go back for seconds and thirds, I come out of the closet and see the most beautiful thing.
Onóra has one hand between her thighs while the other is rubbing up against her now exposed breast. She has her back arched, her ass off the bed from the height as she wiggles and moans. I set my iPod to dock, Forever by Ar’mon and Trey starts. The smooth beat is perfect. I join her on the bed and kiss her neck, my hand joining hers. She rubs her clit as I begin to open her up. Louder moans as I suck her nipple into my mouth. Her body clenches my fingers as she comes from our combined touch.
“Take your knickers off.” I tell her as I open the condom and go to put it on. As she sits up, I unsnap the bustier, and it falls to the bed. “My beautiful bird.” I smile, pulling her on top of me. “I am your loyal servant; you have me captured in your thrall.”
With a prideful grin, she grasps me and takes me into her. My cock swells, filling her as she presses gently off my stomach, gaining her momentum. I watch as my cock is engulfed and released by her hard little body. It’s a miracle I’ll never get bored with. I grasp her by the breasts fondling them both with one massive hand, my other has found her clit, and as she moves my thumb is doing counter circles. Her eyes roll as she moans and bounces. This is how I love her, sweaty, and fulfilled.
***
Our first morning in Italy is much like my first morning in Chicago. Met with a note slipped under the door in the night. An envelope to Onóra, daughter of Michael Russo. Having found it, I bring it to my sleeping bird.
“Onóra?” I move her hair from her face.
She stretches, looking up at me. “Morning.”
I smile she looks happy, and I’m about to stress her out. “I found this; it was slipped under the door.” I hold out the envelope.
She sits straight up, almost hitting me. After a deep hard breath, she takes the envelope opening it. She reads it to herself, not like I could understand it anyhow. The note hits her lap, and she’s quiet a few moments before I finally see my wee bird's eyes.
“They want me for dinner. What time is it? I need to get dressed and make it to church.” She’s climbing from the bed.
“Eight-thirty. Should I get Finn dressed?”
“You all can go to the church with me if you want, but I don’t want you to go with me to see the family.”
I frown at her. “I don’t like that. Don’t you think that it will look off? Ya have been invited to a family sit down, and ya leave yer family behind? Look I’m not leaving ya alone there
. We will go with ya, but when the time comes to talk to him, I will take Finn aside. A strong offensive is to show ya have support when you need it, and when ya don’t.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “We will sit for Mass as a show of respect, before going there. We should swing by one of the bakeries get a pastry of some kind, I’ve been told you never appear empty-handed to a home.”
“Fuck! Wine, we need wine.” She smacks herself in the forehead with her palm. “How could I not think of that? Flowers for his wife as well.”
“I got this; we split the difference. You and Finn at the church. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“No, if we’re going as a united unit then that includes church. Now, are we conserving water or taking more time?”
“Lead the way.” I smile, grabbing my suit from the closet to breathe.
35 Onóra
Do you want to know how to make a bad impression? Barely make it to the church for Sunday mass because you decided to conserve water with your husband to be. The guys were ready before me so while I was doing my hair and makeup, Rónán took Finn, and they picked up what we needed.
We’re walking out of the church me on the right, Rónán on the left with Finn between us. We’re walking toward the rental car that I ordered as I’m approached by an older man but not so old he could be my father or grandfather. He’s tall, dark-headed with eyes to match.
The man speaks with flawless Italian. “Miss Russo, am I correct?” I nod, and he continues. “I'm Tiberio Piacentino. Your father was my great-nephew. You and Finnigan have many family members that would love to meet you.”
Okay so maybe I was wrong on how old he was. He came to me with Italian, so that’s how our conversation will go. “Thank you for your invitation. However, I must decline as we’ll be having dinner with Giovani.”
“Yes, yes, we’ll be there. Would you like to follow me now? You can meet everyone before dinner and then we’ll discuss what you came to talk to us about.”
“Can I have a moment to talk to my family? They’re still learning Italian.”
With a nod, he walks away and begins to talk with a woman who looks maybe a year or so older than me. Wait a minute; it’s the girl from the square that had her hands on Rónán.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. So, that was our great-great-uncle, and if that’s his daughter or granddaughter, he’s talking to this may have gotten a bit messier.” I’m talking to Rónán but not moving my mouth. Another task I’ve picked up over the years.
“Is that the girl that tried to rob me?” Rónán asks peering toward the car they are standing at.
“Yes, it is. With their closeness and the way they associate, they know one another very well.”
“Well if she's his protege she needs work.” Rónán waves at them with a plastered on smile. “She’s heavy on the lift.”
“You mean like this?” I hold his wallet up to him.
“That’s not fair; ya have me at a tactical disadvantage.” He steps away from his place, leaning against the rental. He leans into me. “I know what ya look like naked, and it distracts me profoundly.”
“You didn’t the first time we talked, and you’ve been addicted since then. Wanna try something else? I could have lifted your wallet the first day and -” I stop talking as Rónán swings my cameo from his fingers.
“Welcome to the dog and pony show everyone. This is what I have to live with.” Finn says, and we hear laughter beside us. Rónán and I always get lost in one another. It has become our downfall or weakness; however, you may want to look at it.
I turn seeing Tiberio Piacentino with the girl and Giovani.
“You are most welcome in my home. Even if you did, bring an Irishman with you.” Giovani smiles, extending his hand to Rónán. His English is broken, but you get the gist. “I am Giovani Carlucci. But you may call me Gio. Come, we break bread!” He turns, heading for his car.
“Guess we’re following. You okay to drive, or do you want me to take it?”
“Have ya much experience driving on the left?” Rónán asks as we exchange our stuff back.
“Yes, Dear, I’ve driven on the left before.”
“How about this, since ya know the area better, ya drive here, and I’ll handle the wheel in Limerick.”
“If you must, mister control freak.” I roll my eyes and turn from him.
The drive is an easy one as it’s just a little way out of the city limits. The whole property is gated. It’s beautiful. Finn and Rónán have been talking while I’ve been going over everything in my head. I knew I had family here; I just never expected to meet them. Honestly, I’d much rather not because we’ll be disappearing once we’re home to a little place in Arizona. I shut the car off as I park in the lot before the house. I still haven’t spoken when I feel a hand on my arm.
“I’m okay; this is my equivalent of pacing.” I say before looking at Rónán.
“We go in, have dinner, ya say what needs sayin’, and we hope that they choose blood over the family.”
“I’ve got this, Rónán. Please don’t, you’re going to stress me, and right now I’m-” I pop my neck trying not to strangle him as now I’m starting to stress. I’m going as far as white-knuckling the steering wheel, so I don’t strangle him.
Reaching across the car, he grabs me and before I can hit him, kisses me. His scent and touch overtake all my other senses, and I melt into him the best I can until we hear….
“Jesus get a room or let me out of the car.” Finn all but shouts.
I smile against Rónán’s lips. “I love you, but could you not stress me out before I have to walk into the lion’s den?”
***
Dinner was for lack of a better word, eventful. We were shown off, questioned, and fawned over. We have a lot of family in the main family. I was approached by a cousin; she happened to be the one that touched Rónán at the market. Apparently, she was made to apologize. I just laughed because honestly she was too damned scrawny and looked like she’d snap like a twig.
I’ve just left Rónán and Finn with all the women children and nonessential men. I’m being led to the office, I’m sure. I stop at the old oak door, and Tiberio smiles at me kindly. He opens the door, and I’m transported home. The smell of fine leather and finer cigars fills my senses. The walls are covered in a wallpaper that reminds me of red velvet cake; there are plants around the room and club chairs beside the fireplace. Standing at a pair of glass doors is Giovani, he waves me in and Tiberio motions for me to sit. Holding fast to the documents in my bag, I do as suggested.
“Family,” Giovani says wistfully, in Italian. “Family is a complicated thing, a heavy burden to carry, especially alone,” He looks at me from the heavy curtains. “But you know this, yes?” He finishes in English.
“Yes, better than most.” I say steady and calm. I cannot show weakness.
“I was sorry to hear about your father, glad you and Finnigan are safe, but I’m confused about something. Why did you not go to Venanzio or Guerrino? Why run to a middle man? To a-a ghoster?”
“All very good questions, also easy ones to explain but you may want to sit as the story isn’t a pretty one.”
He sighs deeply. “You do not have children, yet. Nor have you experienced the joys of love in all its forms. I’m an old man now. I’ve far more days behind me than in front.” He walks over to me and sits beside me, rather than at his place behind the mahogany desk. “Speak plainly, as I can honestly say I left much of that territory to run itself.”
“I’m sorry to say, but you are wrong on a few things. I’ve helped raise Finn. I was the one home with him because dad had to clean up a mess of one kind or another. I’ve also recently lost my own child.” I clear my throat because I’ve not really dealt with the issue yet. Gio touches my hand softly, trying to comfort me. “As for the territory, they’ve got issues. I started training at a young age with Tizio Siconolfi. The soldiers are dumber than a box of rocks. They don’t understand the term light-foot
ed. At the age of nine, I was put on birth control. Venanzio said he wouldn’t take a chance on me getting pregnant to get out of what he had in store. Because of that, I’ve recently had issues and had to undergo surgery to take care of a tubal pregnancy. I didn’t know I was pregnant till then, but I lost a child none the less. Venanzio wants me to marry his son. We’ll just say fate had already mated me with another. I can’t trust any of them. I haven’t in a long time. The plan had always been for me to leave at eighteen and take Finn with me. Dad wanted us out. I want us out.”
“I do not know Venanzio’s boy, but I understand he is a bit older than you, you are a beautiful woman, you seem strong, if not a tad free in the spirit.” He smiles. “You remind me of your mother in that way. Máire was strong in heart, if not body. Stubborn as many Irish tend to be and supremely kind. Even to a pigheaded old man like me. They had to come here to get permission to marry, you see. Irish and Italian, it just didn’t happen, not in the families. When she became pregnant with you, she pleaded for you then. You were not to be touched.” He looks to Tiberio who nods before taking his leave. “While you may be one of a small group of female children born in recent years, it was your mother’s heart that convinced me you deserved to be reared as she saw fit. Sadly we lost track of you when she died. I am most sorry for your treatment. What can I do to make good on an old promise?”
“I want out for good, for Finn and I both. No more running or looking over our shoulders. We shouldn’t have to. I know I have no right to ask, but in the process of trying to get us to come out of hiding, they auctioned off everything in the Russo name. I know we can’t get everything, but we could get what Venanzio took from us.”
“This, I do not believe I can do. You? Yes, but Finnigan, he is a boy, he is primed for becoming a fixture in the family. You see, I have four children, all daughters. They have, in turn, had daughters. I will not allow those who are now with me to go back to America; most cannot without causing unrest and too much attention, by name alone. Your brother is- was born in a place of strategic advantage for this family.”