by Dana Delamar
His mouth dropped open. “You know as well as I do she had cancer. I would never harm her. Never.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart and churning stomach. The man was insane. Enrico was on the verge of becoming irrational himself. He stood and backed away from the table, pacing a few steps before turning back. “I was devastated when she died. You know that.”
Carlo leaned back, his eyes not leaving Enrico’s. “Your conduct afterward gives the lie to your grief.”
“Fiammetta was a mistake. I admit that.” He started to say more, then stopped. “I don’t have to justify myself to you.” He sat back down. “Stop this nonsense. Either ask for something reasonable or let’s call off this charade.”
“You want me to be reasonable, do you? So like your father.” Carlo flattened his hands on the table and leaned toward Enrico. “Fine. I want the meatpacking and jewelry businesses in Milan.” He paused. “And I want the whore. Tell me, Don Lucchesi, does the thatch between her legs match that glorious red mane of hers?”
Heat blasted through Enrico. He lunged across the table, grabbing Carlo by the lapels of his fine suit and pulling him half out of his chair. “Kate is no whore. And she is mine.”
“Take your filthy hands off me.” Carlo’s voice was hard, but there was a smile on his face.
Dom put a restraining hand on Enrico’s left arm. The wound throbbed in response to the pressure. “Rico, please.”
Enrico let Carlo go with a shove that pushed him back into his chair. “You disgust me.”
Carlo straightened his suit. “Likewise.”
“This discussion is over,” Enrico said. He turned to go.
“Wait,” Dom said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s be gentlemen, shall we?” He looked at all of them in turn.
Enrico crossed his arms. “What do you propose we do? Settle this with pistols at ten paces?”
“Carlo asked for something. The woman aside, do you think it fair compensation?”
Enrico breathed in deeply. He uncrossed his arms. “Both meatpacking and jewelry? Too much.”
“My nephew’s death is no small thing.”
“You were willing to cuckold him just minutes ago. Your mourning is touching.”
Carlo waved his cigar in the air as he chuckled. “You may have a point.”
“So,” Dom said, “what can we agree on?”
“I’m willing to part with half of each. No more.”
Carlo considered it. “What of my justice regarding the woman?”
“She stays with me. And you agree her debt is paid.”
“What about my Delfina?” Dario asked.
Enrico hated his answer, but they needed a marriage to cement things. “I’ll marry her, if you still want that. But I keep Kate. Discreetly.” If she’ll still have me.
Dario looked at Carlo. Carlo puffed on his cigar, squinting against the smoke. “You can keep your whore. But Delfina must not be aware of it.”
“Are we through here?” Enrico asked.
“Add the Fiat dealership, and we’re done.”
“Agreed.”
They did not shake on the deal, settling it with curt nods.
But Enrico had the feeling nothing had been settled at all. Why hadn’t Carlo asked for a discount on the wash? Carlo’s demands had centered on territory. And Kate. That wasn’t like the man he knew. Carlo was up to something.
He conferred briefly with Dom outside the house, telling him he was taking Kate to see Don Battista.
“I don’t think our padrino is going to like the idea of you keeping her.”
“I’ll listen to what he says, but Kate stays with me, if she and I wish it.”
“You would disobey him?”
“I’ll make him understand.”
His cousin shook his head. “What has gotten into you?”
Love. That was the only answer. “I won’t be happy without her.”
Dom sighed. “When will you be back?”
“Three or four days. It depends.”
“On what?”
“On how it goes. And if my father is still there.”
“You’re flying down then?”
Enrico nodded. “I’ll let you know when we’re returning.”
“Take your time. You look tired, Rico.” Dom’s eyes were heavy with concern.
Enrico sighed and rubbed his face. “I am. More than you know.”
Dom clapped him on the back and saw him to the Mercedes. “Ciao, Rico.” They embraced, Dom squeezing him much more tightly than Enrico expected.
“So we are friends again,” Enrico said when they parted.
“We never weren’t.” Dom held his eyes. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done because you’re my brother.” His voice quavered and he coughed, then shook his head. “You have that thick Lucchesi head, you know. If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t try to shake sense into you.”
Enrico nodded, his throat so tight he could barely speak. “Mille grazie, brother.” He turned and got in the car before his eyes filled with tears.
He let his head loll back against the seat as Ruggero drove them home. Hope warmed his chest. At least one good thing had come from this relentless day. He had his best friend back by his side.
He should be glad too that the fight with Carlo was over. Though the cost, the loss of Kate as his wife… it was far too much to pay. But she was safe. That was the important part.
Of course, there was no guarantee Carlo wouldn’t find another excuse to go after them, sooner or later. Or no excuse at all.
CHAPTER 18
Soon after Enrico left, Antonio strolled into the solarium, a machine gun hanging from his shoulder. Kate looked up from the papers she was transcribing, her eyes zeroing in on the weapon. Jesus, this was serious. None of the guards had ever carried a large gun inside. When Antonio saw her alarm, he said, “Do not worry, signora. The house is safe. This is….” He patted the gun, apparently not knowing the word he wanted. “It is for caution,” he finally said.
“You mean the gun is a precaution?” He nodded. She eyed the weapon, then looked out the window. In the fading light, she saw that Claudio and Santino, heavy guns slung over their shoulders, had taken positions in the garden on either side of the solarium. So much firepower, all for her.
“Is Enrico in a lot of danger?”
“Some.” He paused. “He does not have to go, but he does.”
“What do you mean?”
“He cares for his people. More than most men in his position.” She heard pride in his voice.
“You feel great loyalty to him.”
Antonio nodded. “He feels it to me, to all of us. I will do anything he asks of me.”
“Including taking a bullet for me?”
“Sì.”
“Just because he asked?”
He nodded. Then his face changed and he looked uncomfortable. “Signora, I am deeply ashamed of my behavior earlier. I was not here when your husband—”
She cut him off. “You don’t need to apologize. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have been here, signora. I will not neglect my duty again.”
She was about to say something in response, but he turned away, taking a post outside the open door.
Kate set her laptop aside, mulling over what Antonio had said. It was clear he admired and loved Enrico. Her own feelings weren’t so simple.
Stroking her thumb across her lower lip, she relived that last kiss. She’d surprised herself by initiating it, by saying she’d stay. She hadn’t wanted Enrico to leave without knowing… what? That she wanted him? That she would be his? Well, maybe someday. If she thought Enrico could truly love her. If she thought he could put her first in his heart….
She let out a hiss. This was madness. He was keeping things from her. And he was a dangerous man to know. Or maybe she was the dangerous one and he ought to steer clear of her. She smiled. She’d certainly trailed her problems along with her when she’d come to his home. But he
hadn’t complained. And he hadn’t shied away from the danger.
Even so, some piece of all this was missing, and she needed to know it before she could commit herself in any way. She could not be nearly as trusting as Antonio.
She picked up the papers and her laptop again, trying in vain to concentrate, but she kept losing her place. Was Enrico all right? How would she feel if he wasn’t?
She didn’t know how long she’d been lost in her thoughts when Antonio’s cell phone rang. After exchanging a few clipped words with someone, he stepped back into the room. “Signor Lucchesi is returning. All is well.”
She smiled. “Thank God he’s all right.” Her hand flew to her mouth, and Antonio returned the smile.
“Sì, signora.”
The papers slipped from her lap onto the floor, and she reached down for them, her belly doing a slow roll. Enrico was okay, and she was more happy about that than she’d expected.
And on top of that, her first instinct wasn’t to run away. Far from it.
Every cell in her body was telling her to stay.
When Enrico returned, Kate was waiting for him in the study with two glasses of sambuca already poured. As he walked in the door, she looked up at him, her eyes full of warmth, and something more. “All hail the conquering hero,” she said, her voice teasing.
He smiled, his heavy heart suddenly feeling as light as her voice. He hadn’t expected this. He’d been prepared for her to be worried, angry even. Something had changed, but he didn’t know what. Lingering in the doorway, he stared as she rose from the sofa. What a sight, this woman he loved. Her auburn hair gleamed in the lamplight, her skin, white like cream. And those eyes….
Not to mention the rest of her. She’d changed into a dark green dress that clung to her in all the right places. The fullness of her hips and breasts made her look like ripe fruit.
Fruit he couldn’t wait to taste.
If she’d let him. The kiss she’d given him before he’d left, the look in her eyes now, hinted that there was hope.
He watched as she carried the sambuca to him, mesmerized by the sway of her hips, the bounce of her breasts, the movements of her delicate wrists and ankles. She handed him the glass, lightly beaded with condensation. He heard the chink of ice, the ring of the crystal as their glasses came together. “Salute,” she said, then raised her glass to her lips.
He did the same, tasting the liquor, inhaling its heady scent. So sweet, just like her. “Close the door,” she said. He pushed it shut, a thrill coursing through him, then followed her to the sofa. He sat down, wondering where this was going, not really caring as long as it was going somewhere.
Kate was still standing. “Give me your jacket.” He shrugged it off and handed it to her. She started to fold it to set it aside, when she noticed the blood on the sleeve. “You’re hurt,” she said, her voice rising as she looked at him, seeking the source of the injury.
He pointed to the bandaged wound on his left arm. “It’s nothing.”
“What happened?”
“I was visiting one of my men in the hospital. Carlo’s men ambushed us when we left.”
She raised a hand to her mouth, covering her gasp. “Was anyone hurt?”
He frowned, looking down at the carpet. “Pino’s dead.”
“Oh my God!”
He stood up and took her in his arms. “I have settled things with Carlo. We are safe.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think so.” He motioned toward the sofa and they sat down. “Do you mind if we do not talk about it right now? I would like to think about something else for a while.” His heart ached anew. What would she say when he told her he’d accepted Delfina?
He took her hand, seeing that she was still shaken. For a moment, he almost gave in to the sorrow threatening to overwhelm him, but he fought against it. He’d had too much heartache for one day. Hoping to return to the lighter mood of just moments ago, he motioned to her dress, their drinks. “So what is all this, Kate? You were happy when I walked in.”
She looked away from him. “I was thinking… oh, never mind.”
“You were thinking about what?”
“You and me. Us.” She shyly met his gaze.
He made his tone playful. “And what were you thinking about us?”
She blushed, color staining her cheeks. “It’s not the right time, I know, but I was thinking….” She took a breath before stumbling on. “We haven’t, you know, since the attack.”
“Ah.” He smiled, his heart beating at a fast clip. He leaned toward her. “Were you thinking we should?”
She nodded, the red of her cheeks deepening, spreading to her throat. “I was.”
“After you kissed me, you were all I could think about in the car.”
She looked up at him then. He didn’t hesitate. He took her face in both hands and brushed his lips against hers, feeling their plump softness. She gave a little whimper and threaded her fingers through his hair, her mouth opening under his. He licked the bottom edge of her top lip, pleased when her tongue finally reached out to his. Her touch was unsure, shy, but increasingly bold as they continued to kiss. This Kate, this demure creature, was new to him, and he wondered at the change in her. Once again, he wished he’d killed Vincenzo Andretti the first time they’d met.
They parted after some minutes, both breathing hard. Her hair had fallen into her face, and he pushed it back, so he could look at her. “What brought this on?” he murmured, amused and deeply happy.
She smiled and looked straight into his eyes. “I realized I don’t want to go home.” She said it lightly, softly, but he could see the depth of emotion behind it. It wasn’t “I love you,” but in a way, it was much, much more.
“I am glad to hear you say that, cara.” Perhaps, at last, he’d whittled a hole in her armor.
Kate’s smile widened at the endearment. Cara. She liked the sound of it, his voice husky and sweet when he spoke.
His eyes moved down to her lips. She lay back against the cushions and he moved over her, pressing the length of his body against hers. He kissed her harder this time, his touch more urgent, and she could feel the bulge of his erection pushing into her hip. He was too close, too heavy, too large. Her breath caught, and an unfamiliar wave of anxiety crashed through her, making her heart thrash against her ribs like a bird trying to escape a cage. Panting, she pushed on his chest, needing space.
“Kate, what is wrong?” He shifted so he was sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch.
She sat up and shook her head. “I don’t know. I just felt… crushed.”
“We don’t have to do this now. It’s enough to know you want to. When you’re ready.”
Her eyes grew hot with tears. Vince wasn’t going to win, he wasn’t going to haunt her. “I am ready.” She forced the words out, forced her voice to be steady.
“You don’t look it.” He leaned forward and took her hands in his.
“Just… go slow.”
“Cara.” He turned one of her hands up, kissing the palm, sending a tingle across her skin. He took her face in his hands again, his thumbs stroking her cheeks, his eyes locked onto hers. His lips hovered over her mouth for a moment, then he feathered delicate kisses along its length, like a butterfly fluttering over a bloom. When she let out a sigh of pleasure, he put a few millimeters between them, his warm breath washing over her skin when he spoke. “You are certain?”
She nodded, not able to say it. It wasn’t just the roiling in her gut that stole her voice. Her desire for him meant so much more to her now, and she was afraid he’d hear it if she spoke, that he’d know the power he had over her. That he would know how badly he could hurt her.
And yet, what had she been doing but trying to seduce him since he’d walked into the room? And then pushing him away. What a mess she was. But he was looking at her like she was the greatest thing in the world. More precious than gold. Warmth bubbled up in her chest and she took a deep breath. It was going to be
okay. She was with Enrico, and he would never hurt her. That she knew with certainty, a certainty she rarely felt about anything. But she felt certain about this man.
Enrico waited until he saw the change in her, the tightness around her eyes and mouth receding, her shoulders coming down, her breathing slowing to normal. He wasn’t surprised she was struggling, but he could go as slow as she needed to. He could spend hours just kissing her and doing nothing else. Now that he knew she wanted him, that she wanted to stay, they had all the time in the world.
Slowly, carefully, he kissed his way down her neck, licking the notch at the base of her throat, mouthing the end of her collarbone. She tasted like vanilla and honey. His fingers traced where his tongue had tasted her, and he remembered the last time he’d touched her, by the pool, the way he had ached then to kiss her, to hold her, to have her. He could hardly believe his good fortune now. She wanted him again. The way he wanted her.
He pulled down the neckline of her dress, kissing the top of one breast, then the other. He smiled at the light dusting of freckles; other than a few on her nose and cheeks, it was the only visible reminder of their afternoon at the pool. His hands looked so dark against her pale skin. He liked the contrast, so different from any other woman he’d ever known.
He returned to her lips for a moment, checking in. This time she kissed him back and moaned a little. Encouraged, he pushed the straps of her bra off her shoulders, freeing her breasts from the cups. They fit nicely in his hands, the areolas a delicate pink around the nipples. He massaged her breasts lightly, watching her face. The bite on her left breast was healing, but it wasn’t gone entirely. Very carefully, he kissed the mark. When she smiled at him, he returned it, relieved.
He circled his fingers over her breasts, but avoided her nipples, watching as they stiffened, expectant. Finally he took one in his mouth, then the other, swirling his tongue around each one, sucking on it until she moaned and clutched his shoulders. The sound made his cock jump and his heart soar. He moved farther down her body, pushing the light fabric of her dress up her thighs to her waist, exposing pale pink panties that clung to her cleft like a second skin.