by Piper Stone
“I know, but you need some time away from the business. I can handle everything right now. Relax. Get your bearings. Take a vacation.”
Chuckling, I lifted my glass out of respect. “I know you can handle the necessary day to day operations, and I appreciate more than you know. I need two days. No more.” However, trusting anyone wasn’t in my repertoire at this point, including my godfather.
“You know we’ll need to have a meeting at some point with the remaining capos. You’ll need to identify at least two captains, maybe more or word on the street will be that you’re weak.”
“Weak. The bastards have no idea what I’ve become. We’ll have that meeting and heads will roll.”
“Just like your father,” Michael said with glee.
Fuck.
We drank in silence and I thought about everything Michael had recently provided. My father had been aware of Marco’s betrayal almost a full month before his death. He’d obtained evidence of actual collusion with Mr. Giotano, the connection one that would have brought the Calduchi family to their knees. If Michael’s threat held for any length of time, we would be lucky. I needed Jagger’s support to bring the New York syndicate to their knees.
“When is Jagger arriving?” Michael asked.
“When he frees himself from the assholes trying to kill him.” I’d deal with my brother on my own terms. I only hoped Jagger was well aware of the remaining threats against him.
“Fair enough, my friend.” He polished off his drink, easing the glass onto the coffee table. “I have some things to take care of and I’m certain you do as well.”
“Thanks. You’re right. We will talk soon.”
“Try and rest.” Michael turned to leave then twisted until he was able to look into my eyes. “I know you might not want to hear this, but your father was very proud of you, Gio. Both you and your brother. I realize you think of him as a terrible man, but he loved you both very much. And for what it’s worth, you have more of your mother inside of you. She was always your salvation. Be your own man, no matter what that means. You’re a natural born leader.”
The words had more of a chill than he could understand. An instant flashback to the vision I’d had in the hospital was perhaps more enlightening than I’d realized. I waited by the window as he walked out of the house, finishing off my drink. Everything had changed in my world in a short period of time, but I would change the course of the family.
In time.
I managed to slide the empty glass on the bar, taking a deep breath before I walked out onto the patio. The air was warmer than it had been, not a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful day for living.
I sauntered down the stone stairs leading to the pool, my anger slipping into a vacuum. I glanced across the rippling water, my eyes moving back and forth. Then again. Panic rushed in, the same as it had the moment I’d raced into the house, seeing the barrel of a gun pointed at Veridi’s temple. I’d almost lost her then. No asshole would ever take her away again.
“Veridi!”
There was nothing no sound or sight of her anywhere. The towel she’d taken with her had been tossed onto a lounge chair, her water bottle turned over. I could see the water trickling out from the opening. She was still tender, needing to recuperate. I shouldn’t have allowed her out of my sight. “No. No fucking way.” Fury wrapped around every muscle, dragging me into my own private hell. There had to be others. I would fucking hunt them down.
“Veridi!” The husky and strained sound of my voice boomed across the pool, filtering into the trees. And all I could hear was the sound of wings flapping as bird skittered away. I moved closer to the edge of the pool, spots of rage appearing in front of my eyes.
Then I heard a splash.
Then I saw her as she appeared in the mist from the waterfall.
“Veridi...”
My lovely Veridi heard the sound of my voice, her frightened eyes turning into ones filled with relief, a sensuous smile crossing her face.
Without hesitation, I dove into the pool, remaining underwater as I swam in her direction, popping up only inches from her. I fisted her hair, dragging her toward me, my breath more ragged than it had been only hours before. “Don’t ever do that to me again.” Just seeing the bruise on her gorgeous cheek, the one caused by a traitorous bastard was almost enough to push me into a cataclysm of rage, but I pulled back. Seeing the way her eyes sparkled, even after the ordeal she’d gone through was enough to force the nasty side of me into a padlocked box.
She’d called me a good man, not the murderous beast portrayed on the television and in the news. If I’d been that decent human being, she wouldn’t be alive. I knew my place and it would never be forgotten.
“Gio. I...” She palmed my shoulder, a look of amusement crossing her face. “Yes, sir. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in a swimsuit?”
Growling, I crushed my mouth over hers, drinking in the sweet essence that I could never do without again. She was my everything, a woman I would return to hell in order to save. I thrust my tongue inside, fueling my aching hunger. My cock swelled, throbbing against the soaked material of my pants. I wanted her. All of her.
I would have her.
Nothing and no one would ever stop me.
I held her head, entwining my fingers in her long strands as the moment of passion continued. I couldn’t get enough of her sweet mouth. She seemed so frail in my arms, yet she was one of the strongest and most courageous people I’d ever met. I slid my hand down her back, electrified from the way her skin rippled under my fingers.
She wrapped her leg around mine and rolled her fingers through my hair, moaning into the kiss.
I wanted nothing more than to kiss her for hours, savoring every last drop of her, but I required more. I broke the heated intimacy, yanked her head back at an awkward angle as I nipped her bottom lip, almost desperate to be inside of her. The animalistic sounds erupting from my mouth were only the beginning of my desire.
She gingerly pushed back, kneading my skin and, it seemed, unable to look into my eyes. “I’m sorry about not saying anything about my parents. I just didn’t remember. I guess I thought of myself as a Mason because they’d changed our name the second we fled in the middle of the night.”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
“I feel like I do. You must think I did that on purpose. No coincidences. I certainly don’t believe in them.” Veridi laughed, but her eyes held sorrow as well as shame.
I lifted her chin, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Stop. You were a child and my father made everyone’s life horrible.” I’d learned that he’d threatened the Rossis more than once, even refusing to pay them what was owed in wages. The fact her mother had stolen money from one of my father’s hiding places reminded me exactly of something Veridi would do.
“I can’t believe they didn’t tell me. All these years. I know they thought they were doing the right thing, but to work for your family and steal from them? I don’t know what to say.”
Rubbing my thumb back and forth across her mouth, I tried to find the right words. “They had their reasons. If they’d admitted anything, they would have placed your life in even more danger. I think they knew their daughter was very hardheaded.”
She laughed. “You’re probably right.”
“Now, no more talk about the past. We have the future to think about.”
“The future. Gio. Oh... I missed you,” she whispered, both hands gripping my shoulders.
I didn’t bother answering, instead licking and sucking on her sweet skin, moving down from her jawline to her neck. I bit down on her tender skin, struggling to keep our heads above water. I wanted her marked. I wanted the world to see that she belonged to me.
Moaning, she let go, now floating freely in my arms.
In my care.
In my protection.
The mist from the waterfall cascaded over us, the shower creating a roar of steam from deep within. I continued licking, dra
gging my tongue across her heated skin.
Suddenly, she shoved hard against my chest, laughing as she kicked under the water, able to move several feet away. “You want me? Then you have to work for it, and um... undress.”
“Don’t you dare tease me. Not now. Not ever.” I gave her a savage snarl.
She cocked her head and reached behind her, removing her bikini top, all the while her eyes lit with a wildfire. Jesus, the woman would be my undoing.
I paddled toward her, struggling out of my coat then wrestling with my shoes and socks.
She laughed, and the lilt nearly ravaged my very soul. I finished undressing, tossing my clothes, not giving a shit about their condition. What I did care about was the woman who now swam naked in front of me, her long golden strands of hair fanning out across the water. She could have no real understanding of the weight still bearing down on my shoulders.
I dove into the water again, this time coming up with her in my arms. I took deep breaths, one hand placed around her neck, the other on her bottom. As her breasts crushed against my chest, dazzling flickers of vibrant lights danced in front of my eyes.
Lowering her head until our lips were almost touching, she blew a swath of air. So scattered. Still filled with fear. “Gio. Thank you.”
“For?”
“Saving my life.”
“I will kill—”
She placed two fingers over my mouth, shaking her head and wrapping her arms across the back of my head. “Don’t. This is our time and I love you.”
“You mean everything to me.” Words hung on the tip of my tongue, the very words I knew she needed to hear, but I was a realist.
Maybe too much so.
I held her aloft, relishing in her intoxicating scent, the feel of her warm body snuggled next to mine. I eased us both under the waterfall, both of us laughing from the splash covering our electrified bodies. The small alcove held steam floating up from the surface, the location sequestered away from the rest of the world. If only we could stay this way.
“Make love to me,” she whispered, her lower lip pouting.
Very slowly I lowered her down, my cock sliding easily inside. A series of tingles swept down the length of my spine, my legs quaking. I could feel her pussy lips spreading around the thick invasion, accepting, even pulling me in deeper.
“Oh... Yes!” Veridi tilted her head, closing her eyes as she dug her knees into my sides. Her beautiful nipples were fully erect, the hard points creating a more intense throbbing in my shaft.
I wanted to remain inside of her for hours. Days.
I jutted my hips as I rolled onto the balls of my feet, using the water flow as I thrust in languishing motions. I adored the fact her eyes were closed, accepting every inch of me and every flaw. She didn’t care I was a proven monster, even though she’d called me a hero the minute I’d gathered her shaking body into my arms. I would never forget the way she clung to me, sobbing quietly as I removed her from the horror.
I would also never forget her haunted eyes, the spark of the woman I’d grown to love squashed from the damning incident.
And I would never stop hunting those who had a hand in harming her.
And they would suffer.
Her mouth opened, her breathing coming in short pants. “Yes, I...”
“You like this?” I asked.
“Mmmm... Yes.” She lifted her head, her eyes locking onto mine. “Do you crave my warm pussy?”
I chuckled, the sound echoing. “You know I do. I will eat you for days, fuck you morning and night.”
“And I’ll let you,” she purred. “Don’t stop, Gio. Please just don’t stop.”
I plunged into her, keeping my rhythm even. Together we were as one, moving in a sweet orchestra of sight and sound. Everything about this moment was perfect, surreal in my mind. Taking giants steps toward the cavern wall, I pushed her hard against the cool surface, pumping in a brutal manner.
She moaned, her fingernails scratching my back as she undulated her hips. “So good. Harder. Fuck me harder.”
Every word catapulted me into another stratosphere, losing myself in the woman I loved. I thrust, refusing to stop even after she seemed unable to breathe. I didn’t care. I wanted her filled with my cock, and with my seed. I wanted her to never forget what we shared, the joy and the unbridled passion. I wanted her stained with my scent until it lingered long after.
She held on, peppering my mouth with kisses and darting her tongue around my lips.
I could tell she was close to coming, her pussy muscles constricting around me. Capturing her mouth, I slapped both hands on the creviced stone, driving in a crazed fashion.
Moans filtered throughout the dense space. My balls were so swollen, my cock aching. I couldn’t hold back much longer.
She dragged her fingernails down the back of my neck as her entire body stiffened.
A flash, a vision reared its ugly head, the same one the day I’d been clinically dead. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This couldn’t happen. She was still in danger.
But from the man she loved.
I would never be the man she needed.
In those joyous seconds as I released into her and she came in a violent wave, a true freedom sifted through my mind, filtering into my brain. She was my true salvation, the very love of my life.
And yes, I could now set her free.
* * *
Four weeks later
Veridi
“You’re doing just fine, Mrs. Applewhite. You’ll be out of here in no time.” I peered down at the older lady after winking at her husband.
“The surgery really went well?” she asked for the fifth time.
“I promise you. The stents were exactly what you needed. We’re going to need a discussion on changing your diet, but otherwise, you’re going to be playing with your grandkids in no time.”
“Thank you, Doctor. You don’t know what this means to us.” Mr. Applewhite had tears in his eyes and his hand was shaking as he reached out to me. His tremors weren’t about some wretched condition but fear of the unknown.
Of death.
I shook his hand, allowing the handshake to linger then walked out of the room and for some reason, I slid against the wall. Thank God this shift was over. The last four weeks had been grueling, twelve-plus-hour days followed by one crisis after another. The promotion was arduous, but good ole Walter had convinced me I was the only one for the job. Granted, I’d intentionally buried myself in work, refusing to think.
Or feel.
Or cry.
How many times had I failed on that one?
Sighing, I rubbed my tired eyes and slipped the chart back into the slot, heading for the nurses’ station.
Anna grimaced the second I walked up. “You look beat. You need to go home. Get laid. Something.”
I gave her the finger for no other reason than I was too exhausted to speak.
“Honey, if you work any more hours, you’re going to need to pay rent on a room,” she barked.
“Hey, the doctor relaxation rooms are nice.” The name implied they were anything but cots and scratchy blankets.
They weren’t.
Budget cuts.
“How about coming out for a drink with me tonight? Just one,” Anna suggested.
“Maybe another night. I think I do need some actual sleep in my own bed.” For about a dozen reasons, I’d avoided my bedroom like the plague. After leaving Chicago, trying to focus and regroup had taken a significant amount of energy. I spent the majority of nights that I wasn’t at the hospital collapsed on my sofa, keeping the television on for company.
Why was I lying to myself? I couldn’t stand the thought of spending a night in my own bed.
Without Gio.
Why was I bothering to think about him? He’d shoved me aside, sending me on my way. He’d protected me, saving my life then said enough was enough. He’d grown cold, insisting that I go back to my life.
Bastard.
“Y
ou have that look in your eyes again,” Anna huffed.
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s some brooding Italian.”
Scowling, I allowed a throaty growl to escape my lips only making her laugh.
“Go. Home.”
“Fine. I’m going home. Are you satisfied?” I moved toward the locker room.
“I’m going to drive by later and make certain your car is in the driveway.”
“You do and you die,” I allowed my voice to be singsong, laughing even before I made it to the locker room. At least I had a single good friend. My fingers fumbled as I attempted to open my locker. Jesus, I was exhausted.
I heard a knock on the door as well as the whoosh of air as it was opened at the same time.
“Dr. Mason. I hate to do this to you, but it’s an emergency.”
“What?” Why in the hell was the medical director bothering me now? He’d avoided me the majority of the time since offering me the job.
Which was his good fortune.
“There is a special patient who needs your expertise.”
“Who?”
“A celebrity who doesn’t want to give out their name. I hate to ask you to stay, but with her heart conditions, there is no one else who can handle this.” Walter’s voice held an edge of exhaustion as well.
“Fine. Which room?”
“She’s coming in the emergency entrance but not by ambulance. Can you meet her there?”
I finally looked him directly in the eyes, wanting to hate the man, but he was just doing his job. “Now?”
He glanced at his watch. “Five minutes. I made certain she knew she’d be handled with kid gloves.”
“You owe me big time. Don’t forget that because I am going to collect.”
He held up his hands. “Anything you’d like. Oh, and she’ll be arriving in a black SUV. I didn’t ask the make or model. Honestly, I didn’t care.”
His comment made me laugh. There was the man I knew and... Well, tolerated. After he left, I slammed my hand against the locker door. “And that’s Dr. Rossi.” I burst into laughter. I wasn’t afraid of using my real name, even though it certainly wasn’t official yet. Hell, after what I’d been through, I wasn’t terrified of anything.