by C. M. Steele
They all sit around the table, awed into silence. As my father’s second-in-command, I’m filling in for him today and am not the Don just yet, but I refuse to be looked on as weak by any of these men. “Well, gentleman, do we have an understanding?”
“Two years? You might change your mind by then.”
“You will learn that I don’t change my mind on anything. I’ve been given Don Grasso’s blessing under the guise that she remains unaware of the attachment. So, should anyone speak of it before it’s time, I will cut your tongue out personally. Do we understand each other, gentleman?”
A round of nods and agreements goes around the room, earning me a smile from Grasso himself. We continue the meeting without another interruption. Keeping the peace and keeping the cops out of our hair is the biggest priority for our families, so we do our best not to step on each other’s toes.
As I take my leave, I steel myself for walking away from my queen, but it’s a must. Tomorrow, I will take in her beauty even from a distance.
Chapter One
Domani
Present Day
Today’s the big day. A text on my phone tells me what I already know, Aria’s pissed. They’ve just broken the news to my queen that she’s marrying me. Distant stomping can be heard as she runs up to her room and slams the door. “Fucking asshole. I can’t believe it. Ugh,” she hisses to the sky. She flops down on her bed, screaming into her pillow. I watch her from my computer for the next thirty minutes, listening to the birthday girl’s rage all the while waiting for her to notice her birthday present on her dresser. The one I picked out myself. She rolls onto her side, spotting the box. Snatching it as she sits up in her bed, she opens the envelope and reads the card.
“To my queen,
I wish you a very happy birthday. The last one we will ever spend apart. -Domani”
“Pretty penmanship,” she remarks, setting it aside. Tugging on the red ribbon, she frees it and then opens the box. Inside is a bracelet with several charms, including a painter’s palette. A gasp and a squeal pass her lips briefly before she looks to the door and then back at the bracelet.
“Nice, but he can’t buy me,” she huffs, tossing it carelessly into the box and then onto her dresser. She can be upset, but I know in her heart she loves the gift. I’ve learned everything I could from my queen from a distance. Her love of painting being one of many interesting pieces that make up Aria Grasso, soon to be Aria Bianchi.
Anger from her slips away as she sits there and stews. Once again she picks up the piece and walks over to the trash. I think she’s gonna toss it which will get her ass reddened. It’s one thing if she didn’t like it, but she’s doing it to spite me. She drops the box in the bin, but quickly changes her mind and scoops it out. “He’s lucky I love it,” she mutters as she heads into her bathroom.
I hear the shower turn on, and I jump up to lock my office door. Damn she’s got me by the balls. I whip my cock out of my slacks, stroking the already semi-hard shaft. The sound of the water running stiffens my length even further, visualizing my future wife, my queen, naked. It’s only been two weeks since I had the cameras put in. Beating my meat, I bust my load quickly, swiping off the sticky mess with a pair of Aria’s panties that I confiscated from her room the day I set up the cameras.
I'm not a total sick fuck because I only did it the two weeks before she turned eighteen. Still, I never put one in her bathroom, although the listening device is activated next to the bathroom door for safety precautions. The thought of her falling and slipping has crossed my mind on more than one occasion. It’s fucking stupid how obsessed I am with her well-being. I’m about to tuck my dick back inside my trousers when the sounds change.
Moans come from her, catching me by surprise, getting me hard all over again. Immediately I call John, the guard who keeps watch outside her door. "Get the hell away from her door. I'll tell you when you can come back,” I snarl, teeth gnashing as I give my order.
"Yes, sir."
I end the call and return all my attention to Aria and the little performance she's giving me. Damn, it's music to my ears that goes on for a few minutes, but then suddenly stops with a frustrated sigh. She turns off the water and then exits the bathroom wrapped up in a fluffy white towel that covers her from her perfect tits down to the middle of her thighs.
My queen can't get herself off. I wonder if this is a new thing or if she's been strumming her kitty often. I watch the way she moves as she finds the clothes she's going to wear, tension visible in her shoulders.
A knock at the door causes her to jump. “What is it?”
“Sweetie, we’re going dress shopping in an hour,” she says through the door.
Swinging the door open in nothing but a towel is going to get her in a world of trouble. “This isn’t how I want to spend my birthday, mama.”
“It will be fine,” Signora Grasso says, nudging Aria back into the room before closing the door.
She walks to the dresser and drops her fucking towel, giving me her back and that juicy ass I want to redden and bite into. “Whatever. It’s not like I get a choice in anything. Fucking medieval family.” I watch her slide on a pair of lace black and red panties with little cherries on them. I’m about to come from the view, but I control the animalistic need to focus on my bride-to-be.
“Watch your mouth young lady. Besides, I’m sure you’ll find Domani to be an excellent husband.” Thank you, Signora Grasso.
“I have to get dressed. How much time do I have?” she asks, turning slightly with her hands on her hips, tits bouncing nicely from this side view.
“Twenty minutes. I’m glad you already showered.” Her mother walks back out of the room and Aria slams the door, clearly pissed about the arrangement, so she slips on the tiniest dress she can find, knowing that she's going to attract attention when she goes out to try on wedding dresses. She’s lucky she put on a bra before I find myself interrupting their shopping trip. Still, I'm about to snap and break some faces today, it seems. When I look at the dress again, it looks like the one she wore the day I first noticed her. Could it be? Does she know it?
I follow, and my men take note of every fuck who gets out of line. Luckily, only two find their asses beaten with a warning to keep their eyes to themselves or lose their lives. Still, I keep my distance because it’s bad luck to see my queen in her wedding gown, and I get a charge for a two-thousand-dollar gown at the shop, so I know she bought one. That eases my mind.
****
It’s finally the day of our first meeting. My queen will be mine in just two days. The wait is nearly at an end, and every hour that lingers between us feels like an eternity. I’ve kept my cool and kept my distance with good reason these past two weeks when I could have introduced myself to my bride. The pent-up lust, the craving to make her mine, would be impossible to fight. Instead, I sit quietly and watch as my queen packs up her room. I see her favorite things, learn more and more about her through these stolen moments. It’s sick and cruel to invade her space like this, but I’ve been hanging on by a thread.
A knock on my office door distracts me from my queen for just a moment. “Yes?”
“I need a minute with you, Domani.”
“Come in, Mama.” She barrels in before I get the words completely out, her hair still in a towel but her dress on.
“What are you doing sitting around here? She’s coming soon, and you can’t be looking a mess. She’s wearing a red dress tonight, so find something to match.” Mothers. I have a feeling she was going to get a bit insane as the wedding gets closer. I’m the one who should be freaking the fuck out, but then again, I just busted a nut, so I’ve calmed my ass down.
“I will,” I tell her.
She doesn’t know that I’ve already seen the garment and have my suit ready and waiting for me. “I have a few more hours before they are scheduled to arrive. Although, I’ll have you know that I’m going to pick her up myself, so I’ll be getting ready soon. I promise that I won’t d
isappoint my queen. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”
“Good. I’d leave the scruff unless you’re planning to get her alone,” she says with a wink before walking out of my office and closing the door behind her.
“Then a shave is a must,” I growl to myself. I might not fuck her tonight, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to eat her pussy for dessert or as an appetizer. The thought of spreading her out and thrusting my tongue into her wet slit makes me hard again.
I take a deep breath and think of anything else to shake off filthy images of Aria. There is too much to do for me to be sitting here spanking it, so I finally stand and adjust myself. Walking over to my safe and entering the code, it opens. There are many treasures and tons of money, but I pull out the most valuable piece inside, sliding it into my pocket.
Looking at my watch, I have too much time on my hands so I could use a gym session before I shower.
As I step out of my office to head to my personal gym room in the basement, Nero approaches. “Are you ready, cousin?” He’s grinning from ear to ear, knowing that I’m more than anxious for my queen to finally be by my side.
“Born ready.”
“Good. I’ll be heading home to change. The security is full-on tonight.”
“That’s great. I refuse to let this evening be ruined. Aria needs to feel welcome and safe in her new home. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to work off some of this tension.”
“Damn—save some load for your wife,” he teases, slapping my arm.
“Fuck off. I’m going to the gym. Go get changed. I can’t have her see the shitty genetics in parts of my family.”
“Hey, I clean up well.” He puffs up his chest. We could actually pass for brothers; that’s why I’m picking her up, so she doesn’t mistake me for Nero or my brother Nico.
I’d hate to have to kill my family if she wanted one of them instead of me. I wouldn’t tell them that, though. Needing to cool off, I change and jump into my Olympic-sized swimming pool instead of the weight room. After doing twenty-five laps to feel that burn in every muscle without exhausting myself, I hit the shower.
My dick refuses to simmer down as I lather my body. Giving it some meaningless strokes, I get pissed and turn the temp to icy cold until it goes down. Stepping out with a towel around my waist, I shave my face until it’s smooth. Finally, I slip on my black suit and a red tie to match my queen.
I check myself in my reflection several times because the thought of seeing her is making me anxious. I’m the head of a mafia family, and Aria can bring me to my knees.
I pull out my cell and call Luigi. “We’re leaving now.”
Finally, I make my way down to my vehicle, sliding in the back while my driver closes the door behind me. With privacy, I turn the cameras on using my phone and hear my queen snapping at her sister. “I’m not getting married to him. I don’t care what anyone says.” She huffs about the room in a beautiful robe, looking extremely put out.
The entire drive there, I feel the ring in my pocket. Twirling it about in my hand, I know that I’m going to have to slide this fucker on her right now so she understands there’s nothing that’s going to separate us. It doesn’t matter to me how long it takes, but I’ll show her that she’s mine.
They let me through the gate without hesitation which is wise for the way I’m feeling. “Stay in the vehicle. I’ll be back soon,” I inform Luigi.
As I arrive and climb the few steps of their portico, Don Grasso comes out.
“Ah, couldn’t wait, could you?” Don Grasso chuckles, welcoming me into the house with a wave of his hand toward the entryway.
“I thought I’d give her a proper escort. Besides, I have something to give her.” My mind immediately goes to reddening her ass, but I cool my ardor and step inside.
“Well, it’s good you came. She’s being a little stubborn at the moment.” I know all about it, but he doesn’t need to be made aware of it.
We shake hands. “As expected, I suppose,” I add, knowing Aria wasn’t just going to give in so easily. My bride-to-be has an internal flame that I crave. It’s in her eyes and I noticed it the first moment our gazes connected. In the two years she’s only grown tougher, more determined, and ever more beautiful.
We quietly go up the stairs, and her father knocks on the door while I stand off to the side, so they don’t see my feet under the door. Aria’s refusal only makes me laugh because my queen has a backbone that I will cherish. However, I’m just going to have to show her mine is made of steel.
Chapter Two
Aria
“You’re such a brat, Aria,” my sister, Gloria, says, crossing her arms and stomping her foot like she’s a child instead of a married twenty-two-year-old woman with kids. I’m hardly a brat, but that’s hard for anyone to see these days, since they all believe that my fiancé is everything wonderful and powerful.
I flip her off and continue taking my time. “Says the woman who married for love. You got lucky. I get to marry some guy I don’t know who is one of the most dangerous men in the world, and probably a big whore to boot.” And I’m terrifyingly attracted to Domani Bianchi which only makes matters worse for me. What if I’m putty in his hands? What if I lose who I am?
I’m marrying a man who’s so gorgeous it needs to be listed with his other sins. The bastard has the look of a killer meets Superman. Technically we’ve never met in person, but we’ve had two close encounters—and one lives so vividly in my head.
Given our family connections and the business they’re in, I should have met him more often than that, but I’ve been locked away since I grew tits and one of my classmates noticed. It happened shortly after my favorite almost meeting with Domani Bianchi. Trying to make a move on me, a classmate, Franco found out the hard way that you don’t fuck with a mafia princess. He only got his broken arm as a warning to stay far away. He’s lucky it was only that, because my family can be crazy, deadly crazy. He’s even luckier that I don’t have an older brother. Those motherfuckers in our world are bananas when it comes to their little sisters.
Still, the Bianchis are much worse than that. They run this city and don’t hesitate to kill anyone who crosses them. There are other families in the Chicago area, but there’s no mistaking who’s the true boss. Even my father defers to him. I’ve heard tail ends of calls that prove how dangerous my future husband can be.
Domani Bianchi’s the head of the family now that his father has retired, and now that the dark prince has become king, he’s looking for his queen.
From what my mother told me, my dad presented photos to Domani with the mention of my innocence, and the family decided on our marriage. I’m to be his queen in two days here in our family home in front of two hundred strangers from other mafia families. There are four families, but there has been a truce so they will all attend. I’ve asked to be let out of the marriage, but to no avail. I don’t want to be stuck in a loveless marriage. I’ve already barely seen much of the outside world, and I’m going to miss out, marrying the most ruthless son of a bitch around. Although I wasn’t exactly locked away, I became homeschooled and hardly ever spent time with friends over the past two years, so much so that most don’t even bother to text me anymore. I’ve become an outcast when I was the most popular girl. It wasn’t the popularity, but rather the loss of having something to look forward to.
Tonight, I’m to meet my husband-to-be at a dinner hosted at his home, where I’ll be given a tour of my future residence and all the glorious elegance inside. I rolled my eyes at the way my mother described their home. Shouldn’t I have seen it first?
I stare around my insanely massive bedroom, knowing we have an amazing mansion as well. If that’s their selling point, it’s not a good one. Been there done that kind of thing. Although my room has seen better days. Most of my room has been packed up with boxes lining the walls, signaling my fate is nearly here. I do my best to stay headstrong and resist, but I know my efforts are futile.
My
hands are shaking as I brush my hair, avoiding my sister’s glare through my large vanity mirror. “Don’t you have a family that needs tending to?”
“Don’t be a jerk. You’re my sister and my family as well. Besides, my husband is getting them ready for bed.” I look at my watch. It’s a little early for bed, but they have a whole routine that they do no matter where they travel and because her husband is from Ireland, they travel a great deal.
Still, my nerves are on edge, and I wish she’d leave me alone. There’s so much that this man could do to me; not only can he physically hurt me if he wants to, but emotionally too. I’m afraid of the butterflies I get in my stomach when I see pictures of him. He’s a thousand times more potent when he’s near, and in the two years since our last encounter, I can still feel his eyes on me. It’s painful the way my body wants to gravitate toward him that elevates my shitty mood. I’m going to be the lovesick puppy while he has whores at his beck and call whenever he deems me not enough.
“Just give him a chance. He’s handsome, wealthy, and powerful. Isn’t that enough for now? You two haven’t even met. What if you both fall in love?”
Scoffing, I stand up and walk over to my bed where she’s sitting and plop down beside her, giving her a downward stare. “I highly doubt that. The man will probably make me sick with his affairs.”
There’s a knock at my bedroom door. “Girls, it’s time to go,” my papa says.
“We need a few more minutes, Papa,” Gloria shouts.
“So unladylike,” I whisper with a smirk. She nudges me and sticks out her tongue, proving my point again.
We both hold back a laugh as my father adds, “Domani won’t like to be kept waiting.” I roll my eyes because I don’t give a shit if he doesn’t like something. My father’s so anxious to hand over the reins of the Grasso family to Domani that he’s trying to appease the handsome thug.