Dangerous Beauty: Part Three: This is War

by Hardin, Michelle

  They both ignored him and continued.

  “I work for the Salerno Organization now, Daddy. I’m quite the asset. My work there is valued.”

  Robert’s hand slammed against the wheel … hard, causing Carter and Gabe to flinch.

  “Are you out of your mind?” he growled and shook his head. “No. You don’t need whatever he’s paying you. You will quit the moment we get back to the States, Carter. No more. You are done there. You will pack up and leave with me and your mother.”

  He stated the words firmly, leaving no room for argument, and Carter stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. Did he not know that she wasn’t an idiot? Did he not know that she was an adult, and she didn’t need nor want him making any decisions for her?

  “Absolutely not,” Carter said firmly. “I will not be quitting anything.”

  Robert looked at her in shock, but Carter didn’t back down. Her father was in her life again, and she needed to establish her independence right now to avoid future confusion. If she didn’t then she would be stuck in his world, where his rules went and no one else had a say.

  “I’m not a child. I can take care of myself. I have been for the past six years.”

  “You’re too young and naïve to take care of yourself, Carter. You’re too trusting! You were sheltered as a child, and six years by yourself will not teach you everything you need to know about this world!”

  “I know enough,” she yelled.

  “You know nothing,” he bellowed in reply.

  “I’m learning as I go. I have the ability to make my own decisions!”

  “Are we talking about the same decision making ability that left you strung out on drugs and fucking your brother, Carterina?”

  The words were like a sharp blade that pierced her right in the heart. Carter shot back as if her father had just punched her forcefully in the face. Shame, heartbreak, and embarrassment overwhelmed her entire being, and the world transformed into a cloudy pool as devastated tears blurred her vision. She didn’t hear or see anyone else, she just jumped over her brother and stumbled out of the car.

  “You fucking asshole,” Gabe shouted at Robert. “Go to hell! Carter, wait up.”

  Carter could barely hear him over the ringing in her ears. She walked quickly down the road ahead of her, hoping that they had gotten closer to Rashid, and the walk wouldn’t be too long. She wanted to go home. She wanted Nathan …

  “Carter!” she heard her father yell.

  She knew he was running after her, but she didn’t care. He could go back to his precious brother now if he wanted to because Carter was never speaking to him again. She felt more than saw Gabe beside her. He took her hand in his and they continued to walk down the street.

  It only took a second for Robert to catch up with them, and when he did Carter released her brother’s hand, turned to face her father, and slapped him across his face. She put every bit of strength in her body behind the slap and released a loud scream when she hit him with it. Carter wasn’t stupid, she knew her father had let her slap him like that. If he’d wanted to stop her, he could have—effortlessly—but the fact that he didn’t, showed that he had remorse for what he’d said. It was too bad Carter didn’t care about his remorse.

  She slapped him on his chest. “How dare you?” she screamed and cried over and over as she repeatedly pounded her father’s chest with her fist. “You’re a liar.” She didn’t even need to ask him how he knew about her life in St. Louis. She was sure Silas was all too happy to tell her father how bad she had been doing in the real world all those years ago. “I hate you!” She had never said the words to him before this moment, and it broke her heart even more. “How dare you talk to me like that?” she cried.

  “I’m … sorry” he said out of breath, his words laced with sadness and regret. “I can’t— I don’t know what made me say something so hurtful, so cruel. Forgive me, baby girl.”

  “What gives you the right to judge me after you left me alone? I knew nothing. Nothing. And that was all your fault.”

  He nodded his head vigorously in agreement. “I agree, honey, I do. I’m so sorry. You’re right. I never should have said that to you—”

  “You were the only parent I had and you didn’t prepare me. You left me ignorant. You taught me how to fight, but you never told me who the hell I was fighting. I was vulnerable. How dare you say anything to me other than sorry? I survived by myself. I was seventeen years old, you asshole. I was a child, and I made a mistake. I was alone for years before my husband found me.”

  Robert stood silent, knowing that Carter had all of the power in this argument. He’d fucked up and let his emotions get the best of him, which was a weakness that only Carter could pull out of him. He shouldn’t have said what he’d said, and he hated himself for saying it. Now he would just shut up. Whatever his baby girl said after this, he’d just have to live with it. He’d rather live pissed off than live the rest of his life without his daughter.

  Carter continued to scream at him. “If it wasn’t for my husband and my new family, I’d still be alone,” she cried. “I will never leave the Salerno Organization. Angelo Salerno accepts me, loves me, and treats me like his own daughter! He believes in me and trusts me. He allows me to live up to my full potential at the Organization. I don’t do it for money. As a matter of fact, I don’t get a check at all. I have access to the Salerno family account because I am a Salerno. My children will run that empire one day and I will do everything I can to help it remain prosperous. It’s my duty as the underboss’s wife!”

  And that was how Robert found out that his daughter was married to Nathan Salerno. Or should he say Nathan “The Russian” Salerno, underboss of the Salerno crime family, and leader of what idiots called the five. This and more was included in all of the information that Robert learned in the coming days after he’d fucked up and hurt his daughters feelings. For the first time in his life, Robert was forced to be reduced to a nod and smile type answer even though he was boiling inside. It took him days to get back on his daughter’s and—sort of—son’s good side. Carter would have given in sooner, but every time she was about to her brother was right there to remind her how much of an asshole Robert was. So Robert just continued to do what he hated to do: apologize. However, he was adamant he’d do what he must to earn the love and trust of those twins. It was hard, though. Sometimes the two just sat and scowled at him. They were connected at the damn hip. Gabriel and Carter did everything together! He wondered how Carter’s precious bubby would like that. At the thought of the little prick, Robert wanted to murder someone. He wanted to murder the entire Salerno family, both blood and mafia related, but he couldn’t, because Angelo Salerno not only had Anastacia—something Carter slipped in as a heads up—the motherfucker had his daughter. Angelo Salerno was fucking Anastacia, which Robert was far from okay with, and Nathan Salerno was married to Carterina. Robert wanted nothing more than to castrate the boy.

  That was why he’d just said it even though he knew the boy was in the dining room of his mother’s childhood home listening in on the conversation Robert was having with Gabriel.

  Robert turned around to face the boy and his eyebrow arched at the sight of the giant. Damn, he was as big as his father.

  “Spook?” the boy croaked like an idiot. God, Robert hated that fucking name.

  Robert allowed a sinister smile to spread across his face. “Nathan Salerno,” he said in a menacing tone. “I’ve been waiting four days to do this.” Picking up the large knife next to him, Robert advanced forward quickly …

  Chapter 7: Make Love to Me

  Present day …

  Carter carefully stepped out of the shower and reached for her towel. After wrapping it around her body, she sighed as she went about getting dressed for the first time today. She realized how late in the day it was, but she hadn’t been able to get out of bed this morning. If morning sickness was any indication that all was well in her pregnancy, then the baby must’ve been damn heal
thy. It was safe to say that Carter had spent the majority of the day feeling like shit. She felt like a butterfly was fluttering its wings in her stomach, and she’d spent most of the morning and afternoon with her head in the toilet.

  It wasn’t until around three or four in the afternoon that she felt well enough to go downstairs and fake healthy in front of her father. Gabe took care of her while she was sick, making sure to be secretive about his concern. After the big fight—that she’d rather not think about—Carter was in no hurry to tell her father that she was carrying Nathan’s child, especially not without Nathan around. She needed his support, love, cuddles, and muscles just in case her father said something to piss her off again.

  After she slipped on her lace white bra and panty set, Carter massaged her new favorite lotion into her skin. Walking to her dresser, she removed a pair of jet black tights before heading to her closet to remove a gorgeous, floral-print maxi dress. The dress was Carter’s favorite, and was about mid-thigh length. She knew her father would protest if she didn’t couple the short dress with a pair of black tights, so she didn’t dare keep her legs bare. Plus, it was cold in the mountains of Russia this time of year. The last thing she needed was a cold along with morning sickness. Well, could one really call it morning sickness if it lasted throughout half of the damn day?

  Carter sighed. Who the hell knows?

  After slipping on her matching soft pink flats she stood in front of the mirror, smoothed the wrinkles from her dress, and admired the way it looked on her. Russia really did have some gorgeous fashion, even in a little village like this. Once they’d arrived in Russia, Carter took her brother and father out for some much needed shopping. She wanted nothing more than for them to ditch the stuff they had taken from Silas’s castle. She took Gabe and her father—after an hour of begging him—to a few department stores in the town area, and opened a few accounts. Carter was sure she had gone overboard but she couldn’t help it. She needed something to take her mind off of worrying about Nathan. It had been four long days now, and no word from him. Every time she thought about him, her mind would slip into thinking bad thoughts. He was hurt. He was in a coma. Or worse, he was dead.

  Carter frowned and shook her head.

  She didn’t entertain those thoughts anymore, refusing to think the worst. She had to trust her heart, and in her heart she knew Nathan was searching for her. Soon he would get the message that she’d left with Rashid and come to their safe place, pick her up, and take her home. Carter could hardly wait to get home. She had already made the decision that once they returned to New York she would ask Nathan if they could move all of their stuff out of their apartment in Manhattan. They didn’t need it anymore. Now that their family was starting, it was time for them to make the permanent move to their home in the country. The drive to the city wasn’t that long. They’d just have to leave a little earlier than usual. To Carter, that was a small price to pay. She wanted their home in the country to be the only home their children knew.

  With a soft sigh, Carter walked over to the full-length mirror and stood in front of it. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she slowly ran her hand over her flat belly. She couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like when her belly got big and round. Would she have to kiss her curvy body good-bye forever? God, she hoped not. She really loved her shape. Not skinny, not fat, thick in all of the right places, with a little extra something for Nathan to grab on to. She smiled and ran her hands over her hips. Maybe she would lose her body, maybe she wouldn’t. Carter didn’t know. Yet she did know that no matter what, Nathan would love her and continue to make her feel like the sexiest woman on earth. That was just the kind of man he was. So good, so sweet, so kind, and so gentle with her.

  Cater took a deep breath as she fought off her emotions once more. She wouldn’t cry, not again. It seemed like all she’d been doing was crying lately, but she couldn’t help it. So many days, so many hours … .and still no Nathan.

  It was the worst torture revisiting the memories of being in his arms, laughing with him, crying with him. Carter had used two entire boxes of tissues after she had dreamt about their wedding last night.

  She remembered how nervous she’d been. She had kept wondering if it was too soon, if she’d always be enough for him, or if she would be able to be what he needed. She’d nearly broken down and fled until she had glanced out of her bedroom window and seen Nathan walking to the front of the aisle where the priest stood, waiting to perform the ceremony. She’d never forget the look on his face for as long as she lived. Peace. So calm, so unafraid, so sure that she was the one, so confident that he was making the right decision. After that any fear she had was forgotten. She practically ran down the stairs of their home, eagerly anticipating the moment she became his wife.

  Carter clutched her belly as a sudden sadness swept over her. She knew she was supposed to be strong, to trust that he was coming for her, but with every passing second it was becoming harder and harder to remain optimistic.

  “Please, Nathan,” she whispered, “find me …”

  Carter closed her eyes and said her millionth prayer. If she had a rose she’d wish on it, if there was just one star in the cloudy, Russian sky she’d close her eyes and dream it true. Dream she’d see his face, hear his voice—

  “Carterina, baby.”

  When his voice filled the silent the room, Carter’s body went completely still. She slowly lifted her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror, wondering if this was a dream.

  “Carterina …”

  He said her name again, and this time her body warmed. Hot tears stung her eyes as she inhaled a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she brought her hand to her chest and whispered, “Oh, God, please don’t let this be a dream.” So many times over the last few days she’d dreamt about this moment. The moment he’d come for her, the moment she’d hear his voice again … see his face again. Right now it just seemed too good to be true. She didn’t trust it.

  “Nathan,” she whispered, her eyes still squeezed tightly shut while tears began to fall down her face.

  A familiar pair of big, strong hands covered her shoulders before sliding slowly down her arms. Carter bit her bottom lip as emotions overwhelmed her. When she fell back into his body, his arms immediately wrapped around her tightly.

  “Shh … Don’t cry, baby,” he whispered. “I’m here now. I’m here. . .”

  Carter shook her head, still not believing it was true.

  “Carterina, turn around, honey. Look at me.”

  Carter immediately obeyed the command. When she laid eyes on him she jumped into his arms.

  “Nathan!”

  He lifted her into a crushing embrace, holding her while she wept in his arms.

  “I’m so sorry Моя красивая роза.”

  The beautiful Russian words were like music to her ears. How she’d longed to hear those words again, to hear his voice again, and now here it was. The moment. The moment when Carter could completely let go and become lost in the arms of her husband.

  “Don’t ever leave me again.” She buried her face in his neck and cried harder than she’d ever cried before.

  He’d better never even think of leaving her again. Yes, she knew that it’d been her bright idea to stay behind without him, but she didn’t care; she never wanted Nathan to go anywhere without her again. Anytime her husband left the country for long periods of time, her and their children would be right on the plane with him.

  “I won’t leave you again, baby,” Nathan whispered in her hair. “I promise …”

  Nathan walked over to their bed, with her still in his arms, and sat down. Carter clung to him, refusing to let go, fearing that if she did he’d vanish. Even when her weeping turned to soft sniffles, she held on to him. He held her just as tight while a peaceful silence surrounded them.

  After a moment, Carter rested her head on his shoulder and looked at his handsome face. Bringing her hand up, she traced the line of his jaw with her fingers.
“I was so scared, bubby,” she whispered.

  She hadn’t even been able to admit that until now. The entire time in Silas’s castle she was terrified. She didn’t know what Silas was capable of—she still didn’t—but she had put on a brave face for her brother because she didn’t want him to worry. On the outside she looked fearless, but on the inside she felt powerless, naked, and unprotected. It was something she never wanted to experience again.

  “Look at me, honey,” Nathan murmured.

  Carter nodded and sat up in his lap until they were face-to-face. She gazed deeply into his tired, loving, stormy gray eyes.

  Nathan gently touched her face. “I promise. This will never happen to you again.”

  “Promise me again,” she whispered.

  She needed to hear it. Being taken had been the worst experience of her life. Silas was still out there. She needed to know that Nathan was going to do everything in his power to protect her and their unborn child. She didn’t like not feeling safe. She needed her husband to make her feel safe again.

  Nathan closed the small distance between them and pressed his lips against hers. “I promise you, Carterina. Trust me.”

  Carter rested her forehead against his and nodded her head even as the tears continued to fall from her eyes. “I trust you,” she said truthfully. She trusted Nathan more than she had ever trusted anyone else in her entire life. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed you, too.” He entwined his fingers in her hair and pressed his forehead against hers. “I was so worried about you and …”

  His words died off, but she knew what he was going to say. He didn’t know she’d already confirmed it.

  Carter caressed his cheek as a soft smile spread across her lips. “And the baby,” she finished for him. “Rashid took me to a safe hospital before we left Germany. We’re fine, bubby. I couldn’t hear our baby’s heartbeat, but I saw it. We have a little fighter growing in here.” She took his hand in hers and pressed it against her belly. “Already just like his father.”