by Cala Riley
I gasp.
Uncle Tony. I haven’t talked to him since yesterday. He is probably worried sick.
After the meeting, I went and saw Matt then went to the room I would be sharing with Mia and Izzy. I look up at them now.
“Uncle Tony is probably worried to death. I haven’t talked to him since yesterday and his three servers disappeared.”
“Someone probably talked to him. Isn’t that the way this type of thing works?” Izzy says sarcastically.
She hasn’t talked much since the meeting. She says she is fine, but something is bugging her. She obviously doesn’t want to talk about it though. I just hope she doesn’t hate me.
“I don’t know how this works. Do either of you have a phone?”
They each shake their head and I curse.
“I need to call and check in. I can’t worry him like that after everything he has done for me.”
“Maybe ask our guard dog?” Izzy says flippantly as she flicks through channels on the tv.
I roll my eyes and go to the door. As soon as I open it the guard turns to look at me.
“Hey Luca. I didn’t know you were here.”
“It seems I ended up with the job of protecting you after all, Sofia. What can I do for you?”
His slightly flirty tone throws me off, but I decide to ignore it.
“I need a phone.”
He shakes his head.
“No can do. Boss man said no outside contact until he is sure everything is contained.”
I sigh. Of course he did.
“Can I talk to him then?”
“I will send a message and let you know.”
I growl in frustration. I close the door and go sit back on the bed.
“That went about as well as I thought it would.” Izzy quips.
“What is your problem, Iz? Are you mad at me? Do you hate me after all? I can’t take all this shade you are throwing my way.”
I huff out. It wasn’t fair to her. I am just angry, not necessarily at her. Her eyes soften a bit as she reaches out and grabs my hand.
“I’m not mad at you and I don’t hate you. I meant what I said downstairs. I am here for you until the end. You can’t get rid of me. “
“Then what is it?” Mia sets her book down.
Izzy sighs. “You guys know I grew up here. Let’s just say this isn’t the first time I have been mixed up with the mafia. I once really cared about a guy that was just a lower level goon back then, but damn it did the excitement of it all thrill me. I get the appeal for you guys because I was there. Turns out, these men aren’t all they are cracked up to be. This one broke my heart and left me cold. I have successfully avoided him since, until you brought him back into my life.”
She gives me a pointed look.
“Giovanni.” I whisper and she nods. “I am so sorry, Iz. I had no clue. You don’t have to worry about me though. I am not going to fall for Bash. I know the score.”
“I know you do, Sof. I thought the same thing. I just want you to be careful. This world is a dark and rough one. Only the strongest survive. If anyone can walk away relatively unscathed it’s you.” She turns to Mia. “It’s you that I really worry about. Lorenzo is a dangerous man. I remember him even back then. Some of the stories? They would chill you to the bone.”
Mia turns bright red.
“I am not a child, Isabella! I am a grown woman and I know what I am doing. It seems we all kept secrets from each other. Obviously, this isn’t my first stroll down the dark road either. Lorenzo is just a friend I like to flirt with, nothing more. I would appreciate it if you would respect my privacy and be a good friend and just trust me for once. I know you think you have to protect me because I am younger than you and seem innocent, but there is a side to me you haven’t seen and I hope you never have to.”
The hardness behind her eyes is eerie. There is a lot of pain behind that façade she has done so well of keeping up, even for us.
“We need to all cool down. This is getting a little heated.”
I try to redirect. I am shocked. When I came into the picture Mia and Izzy had already been friends for a couple of years and lived together for one of them.
Mia picks up her book and sits in the window seat. Izzy turns back to the tv in a huff and starts flipping through channels for the umpteenth time.
I sigh. I don’t know how to fix this fracture in their friendship. I can see where Izzy is coming from now knowing a little of her past, but Mia is right too. There is more to her than we know and we don’t have a right to dictate how she lives her life.
It’s a catch 22.
A knock on the door shakes me from my thoughts. I go to the door and open it to find Bash standing on the other side.
“You asked to see me.”
“Yeah. I need a phone.”
He shakes his head. Before he can voice his objection, I cut him off.
“I need to talk to my Uncle. Please Bash. It will make it quick. I just want him to know I am okay.”
“He already knows you are okay. I called him yesterday.”
“I want to assure him myself. He is the only family I have left, Bash. Please.”
My voice is pleading, but at this point it is worth it. Uncle Tony deserves answers.
His eyes soften as I can see he has caved.
“Fine, but you talk on my cell phone in my room so I know it is safe, on our end at least.”
I readily agree. I turn back and tell the girls I will be back as Bash leads me down the hall to his room. Once inside, he pulls a phone from his pocket and presses it into my palm.
“Remember, his phone might not be secure. Assure him you are okay, but don’t give definitive answers on what happened or where you are.”
I nod as I begin to dial his number. He answers on the second ring.
“Hello.”
“Uncle Tony. It’s me, Sof.”
“My goodness, Bella. Are you okay?”
“I’m perfectly fine. I just wanted to call and tell you myself.”
“Thank the saints you are okay. I was worried about you. Eddie told me a little of what happened at the restaurant and then Mr. Calatini called to tell me you were with him, but that’s all I got. I am thankful you are okay, Bella.”
I can hear the relief in his voice.
“I’m sorry it took so long for me to call. How are things at the restaurant?”
He chuckles. “You are your mother’s daughter. Always worried about silly things when more important things are going on. It is fine. We were closed today, but I have two new girls starting tomorrow until you girls can come back.”
“I’m sorry you had to close today. I know that can’t be good for your finances. I will work extra hard to make up for it.”
“No need, Bella. I am just glad you are okay. Here Gina wants to talk to you for a moment. She was worried as well.”
I am shocked as he puts her on the phone. Gina has been nothing but nasty towards me. She has never showed an ounce of care about me. The only thing she usually has to say is when am I moving out to which I always reply as soon as I can. Lord knows I didn’t want to live with her longer than necessary.
“Sofia. Is that you darling? Where are you?”
Her voice is sugary sweet. I have never heard the tone she is using. It sounds as fake as the tits on her chest. She must be playing it up for Uncle Tony’s sake.
“I am not real sure where I am. All I know is that I am safe. Thank you for being concerned.”
“Of course, honey. Come home soon won’t you. We miss you here.”
I roll my eyes at that one. Definitely a show for his benefit.
“I will, Gina. Can you put Uncle Tony back on for a moment? I have to get off here soon.”
“Of course. Kisses doll. See you soon.”
She hands the phone back to Uncle Tony and I want to vomit. I prefer her normal sour attitude to whatever the hell that was.
“Bella?”
“I’m here. I have to go
, but I love you. I will come home as soon as I can.”
“Of course, Bella. I love you too. Be safe.”
I hang up the phone and hand it back to Bash.
“Thank you. That meant a lot to me. I know it wasn’t the safest move, but it was something I just had to do.”
“Of course, Tesoro. Do you want me to take you back to your room?”
I think about Izzy and Mia. I didn’t want to go back to that tense environment.
“Can we take a walk or something. I would kill for some fresh air.”
“Maybe not a walk, but… Well come here.”
He grabs my hand and pulls me to the curtains I saw on my first day. He opens them to reveal a pair of French doors that lead out to a balcony. He opens one of the doors and leads me outside. I walk to the railing and look down.
Even in the dark of night I can see some ways out. The moon is a full one tonight providing the perfect amount of light. The balcony oversees the most beautiful garden I have even seen. Further out, there is a hedge maze. I chuckle at the sight.
“What’s so funny, Tesoro?”
“Does every rich person have a damn maze garden? Seems pretty cliché.”
It’s his turn to chuckle now.
“I suppose you are right. That was here before I was born. My mom really built the garden up though. She loves all things flowers and plants. This below is the flower garden, but on the other side of the building there is a greenhouse that grows vegetables. I had to hire someone to keep them up after she moved out.”
“Why did she move out?” I had been curious about that since the first time I was here.
He sighs and runs his hand over his face.
“The easy answer is that when I took control this house turned over to me and she moved out. The truth is I think the memories haunted her. They lived here together a long time. I think every time she turned and caught the ghost of a memory it made her sad. She took my siblings and moved out once I was officially put in control.”
“That must be hard on you. I am sure you have memories too.”
A sad look passes his face.
“Not all of my memories are good, Tesoro. The life of a gangster’s son isn’t always as easy as you would think. If anything, he was rougher on me than he would have been one of his men.”
“That is incredibly sad. All the memories I have of my parents are happy ones. All except when I found out they had died.”
Now it was my turn to be sad. Anytime I thought of my parent’s deaths I felt this way.
“It’s better to remember the good and leave the bad. I try not to think too much of the past unless it benefits me. I suggest you do the same, Tesoro.”
“I suppose you are right.” I turn to him. “Thank you for this. I think I am going to go bed now.”
I walk into the room and hear him shut the door and curtains behind me.
“You could stay in here tonight? I saw your hesitation earlier.”
I shiver at the thought of sharing a bed with him again. Could I? Lord knows my body was begging too, but my mind was still at war.
“Mia and Izzy are not seeing eye to eye right now. Let’s just say things are tense.”
I feel him come up behind me. He puts his hands on my shoulders and starts to massage. My eyes roll closed at the feelings swirling in me. His hands continue to massage as I let a low moan release from my mouth. He steps closer and I let my head fall back against his shoulder.
“Feel good?”
“Mmmhmm.” I murmur back.
He leans down and kisses the side of my neck. I jump and attempt to pull away.
“Why do you keep fighting this? Your body is so reactive for me, yet you keep pulling away.”
His whisper in my ear sends a chill down my spine. He’s right. My body is panting for him. I just don’t know if it is a great idea.
“We shouldn’t mix business and pleasure, Bash.”
I reply to him, but I stop pulling away. He is still massaging my shoulders and ghosting kisses along my neck and shoulder.
“We don’t have any business together so it would just be pleasure, Tesoro. Mind blowing pleasure”
“We do have business together. You are protecting me. No need to muddle any lines.”
My breath catches as he bites under just under my ear before pressing his lips to it.
“Agreed. How about we just redraw the lines a bit. You are going to be stuck with me until we figure this out. We might as well get some pleasure out of this arrangement. I find you extremely sexy. I want you bad.”
I gasp as right-hand falls from my shoulder and instead rests on my upper rib cage, right below my breast.
“What is it that you are proposing, Bash?”
His left hand reaches to turn my face to his.
“I am suggesting that we have a solely physical relationship. No strings attached. No commitments. Just hot and dirty sex. The sexual tension between us is tangible. Tell me you feel it.”
I shut my eyes as I think about what he is offering. Can I have a purely physical relationship with this man? My brain is throwing out red flags, but I decide to follow my body for once.
“No strings attached. If either of us feel like we are catching feelings, we end it. Immediately. Even if everything else isn’t settled.”
“Deal, Tesoro.”
My mind replays the deal we made earlier. I thought I made a deal with the devil then. Now, standing here with the full heat of Bash released upon me, I know that that deal had nothing on the one I just agreed to.
I have a feeling that by the end of this, I won’t come out unscathed as Izzy predicted. I have a feeling I will have a lot of beautiful scars to remember my precious time with the mafia king.
Chapter Ten
Bastiano
“Kiss me.” She whispers.
I don’t hesitate. I pull her face to mine and crush my lips into hers. She immediately opens up for me. I continue to kiss her, giving her the full brunt of my pent of sexual frustration before I turn her in my arms. Then I pick her up and press her into the closest wall. The last time I had her against a wall I took it easy on her. This time, she won’t be so lucky.
I pull my lips from hers as I kiss down her neck. I alternate between kissing and biting relishing in the moans of pleasure coming from her. At some point, one of my men brought the girls their clothes. Sofia kept my button-down shirt on, but swapped the pants for some yoga pants. They have been driving me crazy since I saw her at dinner.
Now, I pull back and prop her against the wall as I take both of my hands and pull the shirt a part. Buttons go flying as I hear her sharp intake of breath. I look at her to find her eyes hooded and her lips swollen from all our kisses.
I lean in and bite her bottom lip before putting one arm under her ass while the other slides up her side to her breast.
“You are so goddamn beautiful, Tesoro.”
I press my cock into her center as she gasps.
“You feel what you do to me? You drive me absolutely nuts. I think it is time I repay the favor.”
I pull her from the wall and spin her before walking her to the bed. I lie her down before I step back and take off my own shirt. I watch as her eyes greedily take me in. My cock twitches as she notices the tent it created in my pants.
I hold out my hand and pull her up before sliding the shirt then the bra off of her. Then I push her back on the bed as I go to work kissing her collarbone. She widens her legs and wraps them around my hips. I bring my hands down to her hips as I give a hard thrust at the same time I take her left nipple into my mouth and bite.
“Oh God!” She moans out.
I bring my left hand up to massage her breast as I bite the other nipple then kiss it.
“Please, Bash.”
The sound of my name out of her lips is always a joy, but laced with such lust? It is damn near perfection.
“What do you want, Tesoro? Tell me.”
“I want you to fuck me, Bash. Fuck me h
ard.”
I chuckle. My little minx is dirty. I slide my hand down under her pants and panties and cup her sex.
“Am I driving you crazy?”
“Yes. Damn it Bash. DO something. ANYTHING.”
She cries out. I was really hoping to tease her some more like she has been teasing me, but her admission pushes me over the edge. I sit up and pull her pants and panties off in one go. I spread her legs as I kneel in front of her. I kiss up her thighs as she wiggles attempting to get closer to me. Once I reach the sweet spot, I smile at the glistening I see. Her aroma washes over me and it is a sweet yet salty smell that is unique to her.
“You are so wet, Tesoro. Is that all for me?”
“Yes.” She squeaks out as I lean in and kiss her clit.
“Gorgeous. You are just gorgeous. I am going to enjoy every minute of this.”
She goes to say something but it is cut off when I lean forward and swipe my tongue up her center. Her body arches up into me, but I press a hand to her stomach to hold her down. I continue to lick her nice and slow, torturing her as she begs me for me.
“Please.”
I never thought I would hear suck a strong and defiant woman beg. It fills me with pride that I am the one to break her. When her fingers dive into my hair and start to pull I know have her right where I want her.
I slip a finger inside her and arch it up as I slowly begin to move it in and out. After a couple more moans, I add a second.
“Jesus you are so tight, Tesoro.” I mumble as I flick my tongue against her again.
“I’m close, Bash. Please. I need to come.”
I don’t hesitate. I pump my fingers out at a new, faster pace. At the same time, I flick my tongue tirelessly against her swollen clit. It takes only a few moments before her knees are caging me in while her hands are pulling on my hair attempting to pull me away.
“Too much. Too much.” She pants as I don’t slow my pace.
She screams out again and her voice hits a higher octave. I know this is a good one for her. Once she goes slack I pull my face back and watch her. I slow the pace of my fingers as she rides out the last wave. Her body goes limp as she looks up at me. I slowly pull my fingers from her and stick them into my mouth. I suck her juices off of them as I stand and remove my pants and boxers.