by Lili Porter
“Can you identify your attackers?” someone called out.
Carlotta wanted to scream that it was the Montovanis, but was terrified of the consequences of doing so.
“No, I don’t know who…” she didn’t finish, as her voice trailed off. Two of her sisters came up behind her, each taking an arm and guided her away from the podium. One of the Montovani attorneys took over and fielded questions in the role of Bianchi family representative. But it was only for show. The Montovanis had assassinated the men of her family in the restaurant owned by a mayor who was also owned by the mighty family.
Once she was away from prying eyes, Carlotta collapsed in the back seat of the limo, unable to stand up under her own power. She could not even speak, but she could think. And she was angry, very angry with the Montovanis. They killed her family and turned her daughter’s brain to mush. Giving her that scripted lie to tell and sully her daughter’s good name. What was she to do now? They had taken possession of her family’s finances and were now banishing her to a remote town in the heart of Camorra territory. Though the Montovanis had formed an alliance with certain factions of the Camorra, her family never had. Now she would be under the watchful eyes of some of the most vicious clans of the Neapolitan Mafia. She sighed. Life as she knew it was over. Had it been so wrong for her to do what she needed for her daughter to get what was promised to her and the love she deserved? She didn’t think so, but now she was being punished and it had all been stripped away.
***
Maria Elena Bianchi lay in the bed of the mental institution with legs wide open panting and pushing. “It’s coming, bear down a little more Maria Elena, the baby’s coming!” She pushed and lay back, her wet brow mopped as she perspired profusely. Soon she heard the crying of her baby, a son. He was so beautiful. The doctor handed him to her. She kissed his cherubic cheek. Coming around to stand at her side, Paolo kissed her and their child. “You did it, Maria Elena. He’s beautiful,” he said, adoration showing all over his face.
“Look at his eyes. He’s the spitting image of you,” she gushed in awe of her tiny miracle.
“We will be happy forever, tesoro,” Paolo said.
“Si, forever, my love.” They kissed.
Outside of her room, a middle-aged nurse stood silently watching Maria Elena through the small window and shook her head. Another younger nurse walked up to her holding a baby wrapped in a blanket, and handed it to the older woman. The nurse walked into Maria Elena’s room.
“Here’s your baby, honey. He needs to be fed,” the nurse said, offering the tiny bundle to Maria Elena and smiling at her.
Maria Elena accepted the baby and pulled her breast out to feed her son. The nurse chuckled and walked away. “Okay, I’ll leave you to it,” she said on the way out the door.
The other nurse peered through the window shaking her head at her friend and co-worker when she exited the room. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” she chastised her.
“Please, that spoiled little Mafia princess is away with the fairies. First she lays there like she’s giving birth, and now the crazy woman is breastfeeding a doll. I should be ashamed? That’s hilarious,” she said as they walked away from the window, leaving Maria Elena alone to nurse her plastic child.
***
1 week later
Paolo waited for Karisma to emerge from the limousine, dressed to the nines, the flash of cameras coming from all angles blinding him as her car pulled up to the Monacan hotel and casino. As he helped her from the vehicle, Paolo winked at her as the smooth brown of her leg revealed itself when her high-heeled Christian Louboutins touched the curb. Looking every bit the pampered Hollywood star, Kari wore a black strapless gown that hugged her curves tightly, making Paolo and every other man in attendance salivate. Hair straight and side parted, it tumbled a few inches beyond her shoulders. A dazzling diamond encrusted necklace, a gift from Paolo, winked back at the cameras as it lay regally around her elegant neck. Paolo, in his black silk Armani tux with black bowtie and white shirt, looked as handsome as always, sporting a new haircut, a low cut with several lines cut close to the ear.
“I’ve missed you, Miss Montgomery,” Paolo said, “sexy as ever, I see.”
“Just a reminder of what you’re missing when we’re apart,” Kari replied, winking playfully at him. He kissed her sweetly, as the frenzied camera flashes popped off in rapid succession.
They hadn’t been together in a week. Having to withdraw behind the gates of the Montovani estate after the Bianchi executions, he’d purposely stayed away from her for her protection. He’d blamed his absence on FutureShock business in the states. Karisma had been blissfully ignorant of the crisis, too engrossed in the tour to complain. But when he had sent her extra protection, she noticed that immediately and left him quite the animated voice message. The woman had been absolutely serious, but the way she ranted about “the goon squad” had actually been endearing to Paolo.
Lights continued to spark in the nighttime sky as the two hurried inside, guarded tightly by Wolfe, Jamil and his men. Paolo held Kari protectively under his arm, throwing warning glares in the direction of anyone getting too close. The commotion inside wasn’t much better, but once they made their way into the extravagantly decorated lobby, they were able to relax a bit. They were ushered to the private dining area reserved for the rich and famous, a spot where they could indulge without the prying eyes of the public.
Safely inside the lavishly trimmed room, they greeted their families, all of whom awaited their arrival. Their mothers greeted them first, followed by their siblings. Raffaelo and Vaughn seemed to have met, and had their heads together. Kari immediately eyed her father, as it looked like he was in some sort of debate and it made her suspicious. Neither father had been pleased to find out that Paolo had proposed. Still, when they caught their attention, both fathers smiled and got up, walking toward Kari while Paolo went off in a different direction.
Kari kissed her father’s cheek first and then Raffaelo’s. Then she got right to the point. “What deep discussion has you two back here in the corner?” she asked, smiling radiantly but using quite a serious tone.
Vaughn held her by the waist as he smiled at her again. “Just two fathers getting to know one another, sweetheart,” he said.
“You are looking as beautiful as ever, Karisma. Welcome to the family, my dear,” he said and she came to stand in his embrace. “You are the first daughter in a long line of sons. A kitten among lions,” he said.
Vaughn smirked. “And she’ll have them all eating out of the palm of her hands.”
“She’s already tamed the wildest one,” Raffaelo chuckled. Kari and Vaughn laughed.
Paolo walked up and extended one hand to Vaughn while wrapping the other around Kari’s slender waist. “I see you have met my father, Vaughn,” he said.
“I sure have. You’re just like him,” Vaughn said, pointing at Paolo.
“That’s good, right, Daddy?” Kari asked suspiciously.
“It’s all good, baby girl,” he said.
“Good, now if you’ll excuse us, I’m eager to introduce Paolo to Karl—finally!” Kari gushed.
“Yeah, the future Heisman winner,” he said excitedly.
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” she said.
“He’s a Trojan. He’s the best. He’ll win. End of conversation,” he said.
“Oh, he’s gonna love you,” Kari said, leading him away.
Just then the door swung open, and in walked Karla Montgomery, standing in the doorway, eyes darting around to see who might notice her. She’d made sure that she’d demand people’s attention. She shimmied into the room, taking small quick steps in her black halter form fitted gown. She immediately looked at Paolo and purred. Her mother came to greet her, bringing her to meet the Montovanis. Karla smiled at everyone, especially the men, as she continued to steal short glances at her sister’s gorgeous fiancé. He was every bit as beautiful as she’d remembered.
Kari and Pao
lo stood talking with Karla’s twin Karl, as well as Paolo’s four brothers. Kari glanced over at Karla, feeling irritated by her dramatic entrance, likely designed in an attempt to upstage her. Too bad that Karla never could; to outshine Karisma would have been a major feat.
Eventually the staff indicated that it was time to be seated and that’s when two large families united around one large table to celebrate the engagement of Paolo and Karisma. They dined on filet mignon with mushrooms, and thyme roasted asparagus and baked potatoes. They gorged themselves on a fine Guiseppe Quintarelli wine. For dessert, their palates were treated to a decadent rum rich Bananas Foster. The conversation was lighthearted and fun, everyone getting to know everyone else, and a few silly jokes about Karisma and Paolo as children were thrown in by the siblings, delighting in the audience and to show the other side of their very public siblings. Liane and Vaughn were excited to be in Monaco, never having travelled there before.
After dinner, the group was ushered to a private gambling room where just a few specially invited guests were allowed to join them. At the roulette table, Kari and Karla spun the wheel with the wives of the casino owner and CEO. “You definitely hit the jackpot, girl. He is fine!” Karla exclaimed. “Dayum, Kari, even the priest is stupid hot. Don’t see any women with the other three babes, are they single?” she asked.
“Would it matter?” Kari asked her, raising an eyebrow and smirking.
“Haa! Listen who’s talkin’, Miss Thang,” Karla said, lowering her voice.
“Karla, don’t mess with Paolo’s brothers, okay? It’s not a request, I mean it.”
The two sisters stared at one another for a minute, then Karla said, “Why do you feel the need to say things like that to me? I’m not trying to mess with them. I’m not into white boys, anyway. I’m not you.”
“You’re definitely right about that. You are not me. But I know you, Karla, and you know I know you. So don’t play me like I’m stupid. How about that shit in the tabloids right now? The ‘source’ that says I stole Ray from you? Should I guess where that came from?”
“I wouldn’t know. You have so many scandals going on at one time,” Karla said, sipping on a Daiquiri.
“Um hmm.” Kari nodded and narrowed her eyes on her.
“Twenty three black!” The dealer exclaimed. A few disappointed groans escaped some women’s lips, but Kari broke out into a wide smile. She’d won!
“See, even lady luck smiles on you Kari,” Karla said snidely.
“Beginners luck, Karla Ann,” Kari said.
Paolo looked over to the roulette table and locked eyes with Kari. She gave him a sexy smile. He winked and began walking over to her as she watched him with lustful eyes and a full heart. When he reached her, she threw her arms around his neck and offered him a sweet restrained kiss. “Let’s blow this pop stand,” she said.
“Your wish is my command,” he said, breathing her in, holding her close.
They were saying their goodbyes when Rafie came over with Davit, kissing both her cheeks. “Buona notte, Kari,” he said to her.
She was caught by surprise and kissed him back. “Buona notte, Rafie,” she said. He stiffened at the return of affection. Paolo smiled. “Rafie, mantenere le vostre labbra la mia fidanzata.” Keep your lips off my fiancé, he kidded. Rafie’s eyes widened. Paolo and Davit laughed. Kari said, “I’m not even gonna ask.”
***
Adalberto needed to speak with Paolo for one minute, which ended up being ten minutes. In a complementary suite, Kari waited on the bed for her man in the sexy Louboutins, the diamond necklace and a full-length mink coat. She tingled with excitement when she heard him enter the suite. She had soft music playing, love songs to heighten the mood, not that either of them needed the added stimulus.
Kari smiled as she watched Paolo enter the room cautiously, checking out first the shadows dancing off the walls, then the flickering candles, as the sensuous fragrance of jasmine reached his nostrils. When his eyes landed on her, she could feel the fire of his desire for her. She sighed, and spread her thighs.
Paolo’s blue eyes were fixated on what she so seductively put on display for him, lingering there before connecting with Kari’s sultry brown gaze. He strode toward her, undoing his bowtie and throwing it on a chair. His gaze burned into her, as her body heated. He stepped to where she lay splayed on the bed for him and licked his lips, ready to feast.
Through a slow, teasing dance of seduction, they undressed him, never losing contact with each other, and every time their hands would touch the others’ flesh, both would whisper their anticipation.
Paolo rubbed the softness of the fur, stroking it in a suggestive way, making her long for the way he’d be touching her soon. His erection strained against the silk boxer briefs he wore, the large imprint convincing her of his desire. He shrugged out of the starched shirt, tossing it over his shoulder, leaving just an undershirt between her eyes and his sexy chest. Encouraging him to take it off, she tugged it over his head and began to kiss his chest softly, tickling it with her lips and delivering little jolts to him through her small bites.
He soon took over, cupping her soft face in his masculine hands in a possessive way that was all man. “You make me crazy,” he growled into her mouth. As he toed out of his shoes and socks, he stood back to get a good look at her. She was a goddess. A vision in the fur coat and necklace, and he wanted her more than he had wanted anything or anyone in his entire life.
He slid his briefs off, ready to consume her, his eagerness showing. Kari stood, too, allowing the mink coat to slide off her shoulders and reveal her naked body, decorated with those sexy shoes and diamond necklace. He wanted to lick the two-carat diamond in her navel.
They faced one another and he drew her in by her small waist. Paolo interlaced their fingers. The song playing in the background became the perfect backdrop. Lenny Williams crooned ‘Cause I Love You, and Paolo’s sensual movements took her to a place of absolute and complete desire, so alive with intense emotions that she’d never experienced before. His pheromones were working overtime on her senses. She could barely breathe, he was so beautiful. As she stared into his eyes she knew that he felt the same way, their love was intense, his desire for her deep.
Paolo gyrated against her in perfect time to the music, his adagio flow so incredibly provocative, she had to remember to move with him. The way he held her so close to his naked body, made her legs weak.
Soon he had closed what little gap there was between them and his hard cock faced north against his tight abs. He could feel the diamond in her belly button scraping his skin. His hands slowly moved to cup her sweet round ass and she gasped when his mouth latched onto her neck, tugging at the tender skin. Her head fell back and her mouth opened in sexual euphoria. Paolo’s kisses trailed up and down Kari’s neck in open mouth caresses that made her hum. He continued to guide her around the room, as the music came to a crescendo, they were both caught up in the sexy vibe, and that was when he surprised her with an impromptu dip.
“Ahh!” she exclaimed, her soft brown eyes wide with shock. He chuckled and bit into her neck. “I swear you’ve become a damn vampire,” she moaned, both from pleasure as well as the sting.
As the song ended, he walked her backward to the bed. And they fell on it together in passion
Later
“Mando’s down the hall, let’s get married,” Paolo said, as he regained his composure.
She opened her eyes to see his were still closed. “If I thought you meant it, I’d do it,” she said, her eyebrow raised.
“Would you really?” he asked, looking at her with mischievous blue eyes.
“I would,” she said, definitively.
“Well, the whole family’s here, I’ve got my tux, let’s do it,” he said.
She stared at him and burst out laughing. “Okay, Mr. Montovani. You got me. Guess you already know I’m not giving up a big wedding with all the trimmings.”
“I didn’t think you would,” he said
smiling, kissing her neck.
“Think you know me, huh?” she asked.
“Getting there, beautiful,” he said.
Then she smiled. “Then, let’s set a date,” she told him as he shifted his weight off of her.
“I’ll marry you whenever you want, baby. You tell me,” he said, stroking her hair.
“As soon as the tour is over,” she said. “We’ll get married then. How does that sound?”
“Tour’s over in a few weeks. I can wait that long, I guess.”
“Oh yeah, I spend a week in South Africa right after the tour with my charity, but as soon as I come back to the states, I’ll become your Mrs.,” she said kissing his chin.
“Sounds good,” he said.
Kari watched Paolo and a thought played across his face, causing a slight wrinkle to form in his forehead.
“What is it, baby?” she asked.
He paused briefly before asking. “You haven’t taken any more of those pills, have you?”
She looked away and he put his hand under her chin to force her to look at him. “Kari?”
“No, Paolo. Not since you found them,” she said truthfully. What she didn’t tell him was how hard it was, and that she’d almost succumbed to her desire for the high.
“Good,” he said, relieved, kissing her head.
***
Early June
“Are you ready, Giampaolo?”
“I am, Papa,” he said, standing to his full 6’3”.
“Venite,” Raffaelo said.
With his father by his side and Raffaelo’s arm around his shoulder, Paolo walked into Raffaelo’s den, which was filled with Ndranghetisti, all positioned in the traditional horseshoe. This day he would officially step into his role as a privileged member of the ‘Quintino,’ a place that would usher him into his future position as the head of the family, the Capobastone.