“Bruno, I think this is a conversation Carter and Nathan should have alone,” Angelo interjected, seeming irritated at Bruno’s boldness.
Bruno raised an eyebrow. “I know that. I just think it’s important they know how things are going in their absence, Angelo. This will help them make the right decision, yes?”
“A decision they can come to later. They have time,” Angelo bit out through clenched teeth. He was trying to remain calm and polite while a guest in his son and daughter-in-law’s house.
Bruno sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Why not be honest with them? They’re both needed in New York, Italy, and Las Vegas.”
“Bruno, I understand what you’ve said,” Nathan said in a deep but calm voice. “As my father said, though, my wife and I will discuss it.”
“When?”
Nathan slammed his fist on the table. “When we do!” he snapped.
Bruno closed his mouth.
“Calm yourself, Nathan,” Angelo said quietly.
But what Angelo didn’t know was that Nathan wasn’t the one that needed calming. As if to absorb the rage radiating from Carter, Anastacia placed a calming hand on Carter’s shoulder. When Carter turned to her, Anastacia swallowed hard. The warmth and expression usually present in her daughter’s eyes had emptied, leaving them cold and completely void of emotion.
“Shit,” Anastacia muttered. She didn’t know if Carter’s temper was exactly like her own, but if it was, these men better back off. “Do you want to take a walk, baby girl?” Anastacia asked her, determined to keep her anger from escalating. “We can talk.”
“No.”
Anastacia muttered expletives in French and sat back, preparing herself for whatever was going to happen next.
Nathan waved his hand. “Change the subject. This is Carter’s birthday— we should be focusing on that.”
“It’s past midnight, Nathan. It’s no longer my birthday. Bruno, you don’t have to stop telling us what you need. Continue if you’d like,” Carter said sweetly. But her expression was anything but sweet.
“Carter—”
Carter raised her hand toward Nathan, silencing him. She knew the gesture would piss him off, but she didn’t give a flying fuck. “Bruno I would like to apologize for my husband’s rude behavior. It seems he’s forgotten how to treat family visiting our home. Perhaps we should address his attitude problem when we have this ‘discussion’ I know absolutely nothing about. Now as I said before, feel free to talk openly. If my husband knows what’s good for him, he will not yell at this table again.” Her warning was clear and cold, causing everyone at the table to shift uncomfortably in their seats. “Give me the associates’ names, and I will help as soon as my husband and I have our discussion.”
Between Carter’s deadly tone and expressionless stare, and Nathan’s deadly glare and sudden silence, everyone at the table knew that the evening was about to take a very dark turn. Uneasiness settled in the pit of their stomachs.
Bruno shook his head “It is fine, Carterina. I shouldn’t have said anything,” he apologized, looking back at Nathan.
“Bruno, its fine,” Carter said, more sharply than she wanted. She spoke again, this time in a calmer voice. “You don’t have to walk on eggshells,” she said firmly. “Just speak freely,” she said, feeling a large amount of frustration at the moment. She reached forward and retrieved her wine, downing the entire contents of the glass, hoping it would calm her.
“No, Carterina, all is well,” he said. “It was insensitive of me to push you so soon. You survived a traumatic event, and it’s only normal for you to be affected by it and a little afraid to return.”
Carter’s hand began to tighten around her wine glass. Rage more intense than any she’d ever felt engulfed her body. Suddenly, the sound of the glass shattering in her grip filled the room. Everyone at the table was silenced by the sight of Carter sitting motionless in her chair, eyes empty, shards of glass stuck in her hand, blood oozing through her fingers.
“Carter, enough of this,” Nathan said firmly. “You’re hurt. Come, I’ll wrap it upstairs. We need to talk— right now.”
“No,” Carter said quietly. She couldn’t feel the pain, and that was a problem.
“What do you mean, no?” Nathan asked in disbelief.
“Look it up, Nathan, and then you’ll know what I mean by no,” she spat. Carter had tried to be patient with Nathan, but now she was done. This was the last straw. The secrets, the lies, and the isolation had pushed her past her patience limit.
She stood from the table, looked down at her hand, and pulled the glass from it, tossing each piece on the empty plate in front of her. She examined her hand to ensure all the glass was removed and pushed her chair back behind her.
“For the record— to everyone at this table— I will not break down in tears at the mere mention of New York City—”
Angelo tried to speak, but Carter continued as if she didn’t hear him.
“— I’m not a damsel in distress. I need allies, but I don’t need to be saved. I don’t cower, and I’m not weak. I can only tolerate being hidden for a certain amount of time before I snap.” Her jaw ticked. “That one was for my husband, whom I will not be talking to privately tonight.”
Nathan angrily spoke Carter’s name, but Carter continued.
“And if my husband knows what’s good for him, he will not come to sleep in our bed tonight.” She locked eyes with him. “And yes, baby, that was a threat.” She turned away from him and looked at Bruno. “Bruno dear, your concern was sincere, and I love you for it, I truly do, but you are mistaken. I’m not afraid to return to work. Please give me the names of the associates. I’ll contact you, and we’ll talk about setting up some meetings.”
Nathan spoke again “Carter, just—”
“Carter, just what, Nathan?” She turned to look at him, one eyebrow arched. “Tell me, honey. Better yet— don’t tell me. You haven’t been telling me anything anyway. You’ve been keeping secrets from your weak, fragile wife—”
“You aren’t weak, Carter. You know I know that!”
“No, I don’t!” Carter said sharply “I don’t even think you know the woman you married anymore.”
Nathan shot up from his seat. “I know exactly who you are! Give me a minute to explain—”
“You’re not getting shit, Nathan. You’ve had countless chances to have a ‘discussion’ with me. I no longer want to talk to you.”
“I don’t care if you don’t want to talk!”
“Exactly!” Carter shouted. “You don’t care about my wants, Nathan! That’s the problem! You’ve been making decisions for me, not with me! I’m not your goddamn child— I’m your wife!”
“That’s exactly right— you’re my wife! You come before all work obligations and responsibilities. I don’t give a shit about any of it when it comes to you. When I think about New York, all that crosses my mind is holding your nearly lifeless body in my arms.”
“And every time I think about New York, I want to find the motherfuckers that helped Mitchell with that goddamn attack and rip their heads off!”
“Don’t you think I want that, too?”
“I don’t know what you want, Nathan!” she screamed and punched him in the arm. “I don’t know anything because you don’t talk to me! You shut me out, like any little piece of information might cause me to break. Do you even want to be with me?”
Nathan frowned. “What kind of question is that? Of course, I want to be with you. I love you!” he shouted.
“Then act like it! Act like you know who I am! I told who I was in Hope Beach— nothing has changed! I was Carterina Anastacia Stone when you met me, and I’m Carterina Anastacia Stone now. So unless you want me to snap and kick your ass up and down this entire goddamn house, I suggest you act like you know who the fuck you fell in love with!” She punched the wall next to her. “I’m fucking pissed, Nathan, and I need blood. I need some type of revenge for what was done to me. I can’t sit aro
und here on my ass waiting for you to fight my battles.” She placed her blood-streaked hand on his chest and pushed him back against the wall behind him. “You. Are. My. Husband— you have a responsibility to take care of me and make sure I’m happy. I know my desires may not be those of a conventional wife, but all the same, you made vows. You promised me I’d want for nothing. You promised to give me what I need.” Carter gripped the front of Nathan’s shirt. Her eyes narrowed in a menacing glare, and she kept her voice low. “Well, husband, I’ve told you what I need.” She jerked him forward. “Now give it to me.”
Nathan stared into her eyes, his own blazing fire. “We need privacy.”
His low voice was heard clearly by everyone.
“Let’s leave them to finish their discussion,” Angelo said.
Carter and Nathan heard the sounds of everyone packing up and leaving, but neither of them looked away. Their eyes remained locked. Once their home had emptied of all guests, Carter released Nathan and took a step back.
She arched an eyebrow. “Now shall we have this discussion, honey?” Her tone was pleasant, but her expression was anything but.
Nathan growled. “Indeed, Mrs. Salerno.” A sinister smile appeared on his face. “We will definitely be talking …”
***
Carter had no idea how it happened. One moment she was screaming at him, and the next—
“Yes!”
Nathan’s fingers sunk into her hips as he grinded into her from behind. Carter’s eyes rolled to the back of her head. She bit down hard on her knuckle and let out a moan as Nathan delivered a smack to her ass— she’d received a lot of those tonight.
“Nathan,” she moaned and pushed back against him.
“You like that, baby?”
His deep, husky voice made her shudder, and she nodded her head vigorously.
“Yes,” she hissed when he slammed into her again.
God, she was such a ho for this. One night. All she’d had to do was hold out for one night to teach the asshole a lesson.
Nathan delivered another hard thrust and smacked her ass again. Carter saw stars. Her fist clenched the bed sheet as a loud cry burst free from her lips.
Fuck lessons. Who needed a lesson? What lesson had she wanted to teach him again? God, she didn’t know. She didn’t care. Carter’s total focus was now on the man lying flush against her back, pounding into her. His deep voice in her ear, speaking to her roughly in Russian, gave her chills. He held a handful of her hair in his fist and turned her head to the side, claiming her mouth in a hard, passionate kiss.
Carter had expected him to stop again, make her beg for it. But after what seemed like an eternity of torturing her, he was finally going to let her come!
“Yes! Please don’t stop, don’t stop!” Her pleas were desperate at this point. She didn’t know how long he’d been withholding her orgasm, but if he stopped again she was sure she’d turn around and kill him.
He broke the kiss and rammed into her hard. Carter gasped, screamed, and cried out his name. She met each of his frantic thrusts, screaming, “Fuck me!” over and over again until— her entire world erupted.
“Oh God, yes!” she screamed as wave after wave after wave of sensation rippled through her entire body. “Oh, my God!” she cried.
She grabbed for anything within reach. She screamed and begged. She told him it was too much, but he didn’t stop. Nathan fucked her mercilessly. Carter gasped and released a loud cry as another orgasm seized her body. She reached behind him and grabbed his ass, digging her nails into his skin as she continued meeting his thrusts. Her orgasms were strong, one following right after the other. Carter didn’t think she would survive. The human body couldn’t possibly be built to withstand this much pleasure. She didn’t give a shit if it could or not. If she had to die, this would be a fucking good way to go.
She felt Nathan tense above her and bite down on her shoulder, grunting and thrusting through his own release. The pain of his bite made Carter moan. Aftershocks from her orgasms shot off through her body, making it impossible for her to move.
After a moment, Nathan rolled over on his back and collapsed beside her. Carter couldn’t move. She just lay there on her stomach while their combined heavy breathing filled the room.
“Holy shit.”
She heard the breathless words from Nathan next to her, and she nodded her agreement. Holy shit, indeed. Carter was pretty sure she couldn’t walk.
Nathan fondled her behind possessively then slid his hand down to cup her between her legs.
“Damn, baby.”
Carter could only whimper. Nathan could be such a caveman sometimes. But she didn’t care. He could be whatever the hell he wanted. That man owned every part of her body, and Carter wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
She heard him chuckle as he rolled over behind her. “Are you awake?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“You think we frightened our family?”
Carter chuckled. “I’m pretty sure they’re expecting to see some broken dishes in the dining room when they come back tomorrow.” She shrugged. “Either that, or they’ll expect for you to have a few bruises.”
Nathan laughed and pulled her over to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her back against his chest. “God, I love you.”
“Even when I threaten you?” she asked with a smile.
He let out a deep moan and pressed his lips to her ear. “Some of the most dangerous men in the world are afraid to threaten me. But you, my beautiful wife, have never once been afraid to tell me that you’ll kick my ass.”
Carter let out a satisfied sigh and closed her eyes. “I will kick your ass,” she muttered.
Nathan growled and slapped her behind lightly. “And that little fact never ceases to turn me on.”
Carter rolled her eyes then moaned when Nathan kissed her neck.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
Carter frowned and laughed at the question. Why would she be— ? Well, they’d just burned a lot of calories. She knew there were some leftovers from dinner, too.
“You know what?” she said. “I am kind of hungry.” Only problem was, she couldn’t walk.
“Good.” He released her, got up from the bed, and walked over to her side.
Carter rolled over on her back, looking up at him through messy hair. “I can’t walk.” She stretched out her arms. “Carry me?” she pouted.
Nathan chuckled and scooped her up in his arms.
Carter squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “So what are we snacking on?” she asked happily.
“Well, I was thinking some leftovers from your dinner.”
Carter nodded.
“Then I’m going to have an ice cream sundae.”
Carter frowned, but then saw the sly smile on her husband’s face and remembered his role play idea from earlier at the store. The one where she was the ice cream sundae. She threw back her head and laughed loudly.
18
Parents Part 2
Anastacia had just changed into her comfortable clothes when Angelo knocked on her front door. She lived in a small cottage she had built on property she bought not too far from Nathan and Carter’s home. It was amazing how fast one could have a home built when money wasn’t an object.
When she opened the door, Angelo entered and immediately took her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, desperately needing his love after a long day of thinking. She had pushed her inner turmoil aside for the duration of Carterina’s birthday, but now she could no longer keep it in. She needed to talk to Angelo about what Carterina had told her earlier today.
When they broke their kiss, Anastacia rested her head on his chest.
“They fight better than we do,” Angelo said.
“Yes, they do. Less physical combat, and more arguing.” Anastacia laughed softly. “We could learn something from them.”
Angelo chuckled. “Will we ever be that good at being
a couple?”
Anastacia sighed and shook her head. “No,” she replied as she left his embrace. She walked over to her plush couch and sat down, tucking her legs under her. “We will never have what they have, Angelo. They have an effortless love that people like us envy. Your son knew he wanted her the moment he saw her.”
“I knew I wanted you the moment I saw you …”
“But you let me fall in love with another man, too. You were stubborn and prideful. Every time you walked away, Cesare swooped in to pick up the pieces. Then you left for good, and I still went back to you.”
“Because we love each other, Ana. We’ll never be able to stay away from each other.”
Anastacia frowned and shook her head firmly. “Our love has never been enough, Angelo. We hurt each other every time we were together. We failed miserably at our epic love story, so God made a better you and a better me, and he put them together to fix his mistake. Our children were made for each other. They knew it when they were toddlers. Carterina acted as if her heart had been taken from her when she was torn away from your son all those years ago. They found each other again after nineteen years. Your son knew it was Carterina just by looking into her eyes. ” Anastacia let out a humorless laugh. “That shit just doesn’t happen.”
“God’s laughing at us,” Angelo said.
“Yes!” Anastacia exclaimed as she fell back on the couch in exhaustion. “And it’s so fucking wrong to think like this, I know. But Carterina and Nathan will do everything that we had planned to do— and so much more. Not only that, but they will do it better than we could have ever dreamed of doing it.”
Dangerous Beauty: Part Two: A Mafia Princess Page 25