by Blue Saffire
Reassuring Victoria of this fact was another thing. She knew nothing of these things to truly understand that we’ve been raised, learning how to do this type of thing. What she was learning in a matter of months was pushed on us from the time we could walk and talk.
“Can I ask a question?” Victoria asked shyly.
“Sure,” I said, wanting to know what she was thinking.
“What do you need me to do?” she asked.
“I need you to trust me. When you’re finished with the favor party with the ladies, see if you can come upstairs and pick enough for a few days,” I told her, as I looked her in the eyes. “You don’t need to go to the range. Tonight’s training will give you plenty of practice.”
“Okay,” she said and rose to her knees on the couch, beckoning me to her.
She wrapped her arms around my neck when I was close enough, only to pull me closer. I wrapped my arms around her waist, giving a little squeeze. I love this girl with every fiber of my being.
“Sorry, I threw the bear at you,” she whispered and placed her nose to mine. “I trust you, Lo, so I know you’ll tell me the truth. Does Matt need to be there? And will he be safe?”
I tried to turn to look over at Matt, but Victoria reached for my face to hold it to hers. I released a sigh, knowing I didn’t want to answer this. Matt didn’t really need to be there, but I knew he wanted to be, which was stronger than a need.
“Yes, he needs to be there and yes, he will be safe. He was right about what he said. Matt will be our family guardian when the time comes it is what he was raised for. He will be one of the safest people there he knows how to take care of himself,” I said giving a sheepish grin because I had proven I was listening to them from the bathroom.
“There’s a lot I still don’t know? About what you boys are taught and us girls should not know?” she asked innocently.
“Yes Baby, I told you. Just because I don’t want to, doesn’t mean I don’t know how. I had to be taught. If you want to know the truth, I think somehow you were taught too much from the beginning.”
“Fine, Matt can stay and I’ll stay focused because I promised,” she said firmly and looked at Matt. “You make me the same promise, Lo did. We all make it out safe and alive.”
“Vic, you don’t have to worry about that. I have at least ten years more experience than you,” Matt teased.
“That’s not a promise, Matt,” Victoria hissed coldly.
“Wow, Vic, okay, I promise,” he replied, throwing up his hands.
Victoria turned back to me with unnecessary worry in her eyes. She would see once we got to the house, everything is going to be okay. I was sure of it.
Victoria would understand when she could see. I had done everything I know how to protect her. She would be fine, we all would, before I could tell her that our time was up.
“Victoria, Lorenzo you two are wasting time,” Maria sang through the door. “Victoria, the ladies are downstairs waiting. Lorenzo, Carlos is here with your Tux. Matt, honey, I’m so glad you’re here you can be fitted for your Tux as well. I let Carlos know you were here and had him bring it over.”
“Coming Maria,” Victoria called, while pulling my face to hers. I devoured her sweet mouth, knowing this would be a long day.
I wrapped my arms around her, not wanting to let her go. Victoria looked gorgeous, making the thought of what was to come so much more painful. I didn’t want her to have to learn any of what she would be taught.
However, I’d be lying if I said that some part of me wasn’t excited to see how she would do. I was proud of her yesterday. She handled most of what Frankie gave her without a problem. What she didn’t know how to use, Frankie gave her adjustments and she adapted to them quickly.
Maria cleared her throat as she peeked her head into the room. I guess we embraced for longer then Maria was willing to wait. I released Victoria to watch her walk out of the room.
The pink dress with it puffy shirt did amazing thing for those caramel legs. The white sweater on her shoulders and the high ponytail in her hair, only gave her a sweet innocence that camouflaged the truth. The pink spike heels on her feet reveal the real Victoria, bringing a smirk to my lips.
“Come on, Matt. We can find Chris. I know Carlos is equipped to torture him too,” I chuckled.
“Hey, Lo, thanks. I know you have it under control and you don’t need me. You just said that so I could be there, where I want to be,” Matt said.
“No problem. I understand how you feel and thanks for talking to Vic. I didn’t know how, but you asked just what I wanted to. I don’t like telling her too much stuff about things like that, so I stay away from the topic,” I told him.
“I understand, bro, but remember. Vic is different, she always has been. She’s seen more than she remembers. When she says, it doesn’t bother her, I get concerned because that’s what she does. She just blocks things out like they never happened,” he said sounding as if he were playing her words over. “Lo, I think she’ll be okay, but just remember she loves you. What you think and what happens to you counts to her.”
“I love her too, Matt,” I shrugged. “I’ll remember that though, thanks.”
We found Chris still stuffing his face in the kitchen. We grabbed something quick and headed for the guest room, Maria had Carlos waiting for us in. Carlos was a little too happy to see me once again.
It was hilarious when the three of us each removed our jackets, revealing the holsters and weapons we were carrying. All of Carlos’s joy turned into muted fear. I for one was happy to shut him up.
Carlos is funny and great at what he does, but he can talk way too much when he wants to. I wasn’t in the mood for that. I needed my focus.
When we were done, Maria wanted me to stop into the little party they were having for Victoria. It was just Maria, Sharon, — the mother I’ve known all my life, Joann, my aunts, and Lucie,—who should be at school. Angie should’ve been there too.
From what Chris said she was a little pissed about it. Angie had been texting Chris about everything she had to do and what she would miss, from the time she got the cell phone we sent her.
The party was so they could wrap the favors for the wedding. I wasn’t going to wrap a thing unless Maria wanted it to look a mess. She promised all I had to do was come to thank the ladies for their help.
I’d maybe have to lift the heavy boxes when needed. I was definitely dragging Chris and Matt along for that. Maria had some other things she wanted me to do, but I would need have my eye on some other things as well.
I decided the sooner I show my face, the sooner I could escape. As we walked to the tearoom the ladies were in, we could hear the laughing and giggling coming from the room. I rolled my eyes at Louie, who stood outside the room. He just shrugged.
Chris and Matt went inside, while I stopped to check myself in the mirror. I wanted to fix my tie and make sure my hair didn’t suffer from my rushed job. No matter what, these moments would be my wife’s memories. I wanted these moments to be special for her.
I walked into the room to see Victoria doubled over in laughter. That instantly lightened my mood. I looked around the room and didn’t see Lucie, so I knew it had to be my trash mouth aunts at it again.
The seat next to Victoria was empty, so I went to sit beside her to see what was so funny. Chris and Matt must have heard because Chris was bright red, trying to hold in his laughter and Matt stood shaking his head.
“Ah, here’s my handsome nephew. Go head, Vicky try it. I’m telling you I know what I’m talking about,” Aunt Silvia chanted.
Victoria looked at me, bursting into more laughter as a tear leaked down her cheeks. I love her laugh, it always makes me laugh. I couldn’t help it.
Suddenly, I was so grateful to Maria. She’d been doing a great job with the wedding and making sure Victoria is happy. I know I need to go shopping to get Maria something special.
I reached for Victoria’s chin, pulling her face to mine to kiss her
lightly on the lips. She had a glow about her face. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share a part of her happiness.
“Che cosa? What’s so funny, Beautiful?” I asked her.
“See, look, Victoria. He wants to know. Go ahead,” My aunt encouraged again.
“Come here,” Victoria giggled and reached to whisper in my ear, at least I thought she was going to whisper.
I leaned in toward her, ignoring Matt and Chris chuckling. Victoria licked the shell of my ear, then blow on it. I jumped away from her, my eyes flickered between her and my aunt.
Victoria looked up at me through her lashes. The dreamy look on her face, causing my cock to swell painfully in my pants. This girl will drive me insane before we say I do. She bit her lip as a giggle reached her sexy lips.
My eyes roll over her. She has no idea the things I plan to do to her. She can act innocent all she likes. I see through it all.
I shook my head. What were they in here teaching her? Hysterics filled the room as everyone laughed at my expense. I sat there with my mouth hanging open.
“See, I don’t think he likes it or I did it wrong,” Victoria giggled to my aunt.
“Oh, no Vicky, he liked it. Trust me, Sugar,” Aunt Silvia chuckled.
“Don’t let them get you in trouble,” I growled low in Victoria’s ear. “And Baby.”
“Yes,” she breathed up at me.
“You did it right,” I whispered in her ear, before kissing her neck.
“See, I told you, Victoria. You listen to me and Lorenzo will come home to you every night,” Aunt Silvia coached.
Victoria continued to giggle, but she wouldn’t take her eyes off me. I wonder what else they had taught her. I could hear Chris and Matt still chuckling in the corner. Maria and Aunt Silvia were talking trash in Italian.
Chris now had to rely on Matt to calm down enough to translate. When Matt finally spit out the craziness they were talking Chris just tried beet red and laughed himself.
“Okay, you know what? You all can stop filling her head with that stuff?” I managed to get out through my own laughs. “She’ll be fine on her own.”
“Fine, Lo, but she asked,” Aunt Silvia teased.
Victoria dropped head down and went to start wrapping her next favor. I couldn’t help chuckling at her. I know this was about our talk last night. Victoria was still determined to find out what she felt she was missing. I reached over, playfully pitching her side.
“I thought we already solved that,” I said, low enough for just her to hear.
“No, we didn’t.” She shook her head at me. “You’re confident that you please me. I don’t know how to please you. I was being a baby when they tried to tell me at the party. I’m ready to listen now.”
“Oh, really,” I chuckled, raising an eyebrow at her. “What makes you so ready now?”
“Lo, so much will change in less than two weeks. I won’t be your girlfriend anymore. I’ll be your wife. I won’t be a girl, I’ll be a woman.
“You’re already more than enough man for me. I want to be more than enough woman for you. That’s not the only thing I asked, it’s was just the first they answered.”
I looked her over. I was pleased with her response. It wasn’t one of her silly worries. She was actually considering being a wife. It made me realize how much we were truly changing, but for the first time it didn’t bother me.
It felt like something we could handle. It felt like Victoria was finding balance somehow. Her head was still down as she worked on the favor in her lap.
I wanted her to look at me. If this was what she wanted, I wanted her to be able to say so. My wife would not be shy about pleasing me.
“Okay,” I told her. “If you want to be a woman for me, pick your head up. Don’t be ashamed you asked how to please your husband. I won’t be ashamed when I ask you what you like.”
“Lorenzo,” my mother, Sharon, gasped across the room.
“Oh, please, Sharon, I have no idea how you’re my sister,” my Aunt Silvia teased and rolled her eyes.
“Ma, you know I have a bone to pick with you ladies anyway. I let yous all throw her a bridal shower and you hire strippers. What I just said is nothing compared to what I heard,” I hissed playfully.
“Oh, Lorenzo, that wasn’t me, that poor girl looked like she was running for her life,” my mother said, with a huge blush on her face.
“I’ll take that one, Lo,” Aunt Joann raised her hand. She had been so quiet, I almost didn’t realize she was there. “Vic is nothing like her mother. I thought she’d enjoy it.” She tried to laugh.
“I didn’t enjoy hearing about it,” I grumbled and turned back to Victoria. “So, what else did you ask?”
“Oh, she wanted to know if decorating a nursery in the new house was bad luck,” my Aunt Rita offered.
Victoria’s head was lifted as I asked, but I could see the nervousness in her eyes. She seriously wanted to go through with this baby. I could see it in her eyes.
I took a deep breath, as I reached to rub her back. How did I think I wasn’t going to give into her on anything? Especially, something she wanted so much.
“This is what you want?” I asked, as I ran my hand down her ponytail. “You’ve taken time to think about this?”
“Yes,” she said searching my eyes. “I’ll do what you asked I’ll finish school, but I do want this.”
“Why’d you buy such a big house, Lo, if you don’t want children?” Aunt Rita asked.
“Wow, Victoria, what didn’t you tell them?” I teased. “I do want children, Aunt Rita. I just don’t want to rush Victoria, but if a baby is what she wants, then that’s what I’ll give her.”
“Oh, really, Lorenzo,” Victoria squealed, pushing the favors aside and jumping in my lap. “You mean it?”
“Yes,” I smiled up at her. “If that’s what you want, but I want you to have help. I’ll hire someone to make sure you’re not overwhelmed.”
“Hire someone,” Maria and Sharon said in unison.
“We’ll help her, of course,” Maria demanded with a big grin on her face. “Oh, yous two will make such beautiful babies.”
“I know,” Victoria purred in my face, as she rubbed her nose against mine. “Thank you. Now, I have everything I want.”
“Really?” I breathed, as I kissed her. Everything and everyone else disappearing from my mind. “Everything?”
“Yes, everything,” she breathed back.
“Okay, okay. Babies come after the wedding. You get back to wrapping, young lady,” Aunt Rita teased.
We both chuckled, as Victoria stood to return to her seat next to me. This was exactly what the two of us needed. We were so relaxed, as if a wedding was the only thing we were planning.
Chris and Matt helped place the favors in the boxes Maria had set up to store them in until the wedding. Victoria had me helping her in no time. I held my finger in place, while she tied the bows. The glow on her face had only increased.
I needed squash to the chaos. I want to live the life we just talked about. Her, me, and the baby she wanted so badly, all in our new home. Nothing would keep me from having that.
Once Lucie popped back into the room, my aunts went back to being on their best behavior. Lucie insisted on taking my spot with Victoria. I realized she must have had duck out of the room to find Toni. Toni was to stay in his room and out of the way.
Honestly, I was happy Toni was sitting this one out. Victoria had no idea what he was being groomed for. She would be upset to find out. Venny agreed to sit Toni out so Victoria wouldn’t catch on. I believe the threat from Lakeisha’s family made it obvious that this wasn’t the time to see if Toni was taking to his training.
I gave the ladies two hours of my time. Then, I had to pull myself from the happy silhouette to deal with the real picture. I needed to know what kind of progress was being made.
Each family needed to put together a team of men they trusted. My father was confident in his men and their loyalty. Ve
nny on the other hand, wasn’t as trusting.
He had taken care of the two that were guarding Lakeisha the night she disappeared to stay with her family. I had a feeling Venny and Lakeisha were having bigger problems than just her family wanting to kill him, but that was none of my business. I was staying out of that one.
Victoria hadn’t seen her mother, since her birthday party. They talked on the phone a little, but I don’t think it was the same as the relationship they used to have. I think Venny was taking the hits for that.
I have a hard time feeling sympathy for him, when it comes to that. Maria is my mother and even if she loved my father, she was trying to be a good wife to Venny. However, he wasn’t trying to make the same effort at all.
It was my job to make sure Venny was thinking straight and making choices that wouldn’t hurt him or me in the end. I had Uncle Mike on post, with Uncle Sal. It was my way of always having ears in the room with Venny.
My father would pop in and out of Venny’s house to make sure things were running smoothly. Okay, truth was he was checking to make sure I wasn’t saying anything that would make Venny want to try to kill me. I honestly didn’t give a fuck. I was going to say what needed to be said.
When we found Venny, he was with Uncle Mike, Uncle Sal, Uncle Frankie, and my father. They were looking over some of the maps the Twins gave us to make our decision. Uncle Frankie had a huge grin, as he watched the three of us walk into the room together. He placed his hands on Venny and my father’s shoulders.
“They look like us when we started. Look at. Lo is as focused as Venny was. Even the kid, Chris looks like he could belong to the family,” Uncle Frankie marveled.
“Hey, he just may, someday. Ang has got that kid wrapped around her finger just like Vicky has Lo,” Venny replied.
“Sad, but true,” Chris shrugged, with a smirk. “But Angie isn’t talking me into making any babies anytime soon.”
I shot Chris a look and he stepped back, going back to being seen and not heard. I wasn’t in the same cheerful mood that made me promise Victoria a baby. I could careless for the men in this room to know that I agreed to do so.