I clapped my hands. “Chocolate mousse!”
“Another tick for being right,” Salvatore said.
Ignoring him, I tucked into the mousse, groaning as the chocolaty goodness hit my taste buds. He said my name. I shushed him, because no one, not even Salvatore, could come between me and chocolate mousse.
“Rosa,” he said again.
I finished off the mousse in record time and looked up, going still at what he was holding. He had a pink rose in one hand and a small jewelry box in the other. He extended the rose for me to take. “In honor of your name, I will give you a different type of rose every year.”
I took it. “You must be the most romantic boy ever.”
He smiled. “Just don’t tell my brothers.”
“I won’t.” My eyes went to the box. “What’s that?”
“My anniversary present to you.”
I laid the rose on the table and tipped my chair forward, eager to see what was inside. He passed it over to me. I flicked it open, finding a silver chain with a pink heart-shaped ruby.
“I love it!” I bounced on my chair, forgetting I’d tipped it forward. The legs came down wrong, sending me crashing to the floor.
Salvatore jumped up, his concern disappearing a second later. He burst out laughing, no doubt amused over me landing on my butt. He sat back down as his bodyguards helped me up, looking like he was trying to say something, but couldn’t stop laughing long enough to get it out.
Furious, I lurched forward without thinking, giving him a shove. His chair toppled sideways, the legs giving out from under him. He fell onto the floor, but didn’t stop laughing, the fall obviously not hurting him.
I bent down to help him up, snapping, “Stop laughing,” annoyed he’d ruined his romantic gesture in one fell swoop.
He grabbed me and pulled me on top of him, making me squeal.
The bodyguards quickly detached us. “You’re making a scene,” the gruffer of the two said.
I looked around the restaurant, realizing everyone was staring at us. The middle-aged woman on my right murmured softly to her husband, “The Santini think they can do anything.”
I turned away from her, wishing I could tell her off. Although Salvatore had been an ass, he wasn’t doing anything wrong, just having fun.
Pushing to his feet, Salvatore’s attention moved to the middle-aged woman, his expression now serious. “I heard what you said.”
She blanched.
His gaze shifted to the husband, who also looked scared. The man was well over twice Salvatore’s age, yet he was trembling before a teenager.
“You’re lucky I’m not my oldest brother,” Salvatore said. “He would’ve taken offense to your wife’s words, making you pay for them. Me…” he pulled out his wallet and removed some money, “I’ll pay for you to buy her something special,” he threw the money on their table, “because a forthright woman is a treasure.”
He took hold of my arm and placed it over his, then directed me out of the restaurant, looking like he’d won a battle. But it wasn’t even close to one, because a real battle was coming, one where he would go head to head with his father … over our relationship.
***
We continued seeing each other, unaware that Selena’s father going to jail would affect us. Since Capo Orsini was no longer able to head his family, his brother took over. He instantly split away from the Donatelli, aligning his family with the Santini instead. I didn’t realize the consequences of what that meant, since I had no idea how mafia families worked. I also didn’t know that they arranged marriages to strengthen these alliances, using their sons and daughters as bargaining chips.
Two months after Selena’s father went to jail
Things changed for me and Salvatore
Salvatore and I were goofing off on the bench outside the math room during break, calling each other funny names. Without thinking, I called him “Stretch,” something he didn’t like. A second later, he snatched my cannoli out of my hand and jumped to his feet, holding it over his head.
“Stretch for it, Shortie,” he sniggered.
I leaped onto the bench and tried to get it back, but he was too tall, so I started tickling him. Laughing, he shot away from me and licked my pastry, making me yell at him. He then shoved it into his mouth, swallowing it down quickly, the powdered sugar dusting his lips. Annoyed he’d eaten my snack, I smacked him; then shrieked as he grabbed me. He swung me around, laughing as I yelled at him to stop.
“Salvatore!” someone called out.
He put me down and turned to see who it was. Selena was walking across the quad towards him, her pleated skirt shorter than ever.
With a sexy smile, she stopped in front of him. “I’m looking forward to Saturday,” she said, placing a hand on his chest.
Salvatore took a step back and slipped an arm around my shoulders. “It’s just a famiglia function, nothing special.”
“It is when I get invited to your house for the first time.”
“Your whole famiglia was invited.”
“Still, I’m looking forward to coming,” she said, winking at him.
“You won’t be coming anywhere near me.”
“Maybe you’ll change your mind after you see my bikini. I heard you have a big pool, so I bought a new one just for you. I can use your room to change into it,” her eyes ran down him, “and afterwards, you can help me out of it.”
“You can use Brando’s room instead.” He smiled. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you out of it.”
She shot him a glare. “I’m not going anywhere near that stronzo!” She spun around and stormed off.
I looked up at Salvatore. “What was that about?”
“Brando trapped her against the lockers yesterday and felt her up.”
“You’re kidding? No, scratch that, that’s exactly something the creep would do. Anyway, why’s her famiglia going to your house?”
“For business. Her uncle’s working on something with my father.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “Wish you were visiting instead.”
“Me too. Are your parents ever going to let me come over?”
Looking sad, he shook his head.
“I’ve known you for seven years, and for one of those I’ve been your girlfriend, don’t you think it’s about time I was allowed to visit my own boyfriend’s home?”
“You know they don’t like us dating. It’s just lucky they haven’t stopped it.”
I exhaled, beyond frustrated with his parents. Though, I couldn’t talk, since I’d kept our relationship a secret from my mother due to her dislike of the mafia.
He placed a hand on my cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I feel like it is. I want to show you off to them, because I’m sure they’ll love you as much as I do.”
I went still, surprised by his admission of love.
He frowned, making it look like he’d let it slip out unintentionally.
“I love you too,” I quickly said, not wanting him to take it back.
His face lit up. “You do?”
I nodded vigorously. “Ever since you kissed me the first time. No! I think I started loving you when I was eleven.”
“It was twelve for me.”
“I bet you!”
He laughed. “It’s not a competition.”
“Only because you lost.”
“You’re a goofball, but a loveable one.”
“And you’re the Statue of Liberty.”
“That’s a female!”
“Okay, a beanstalk.”
He flexed his arms. “With muscles.”
I smiled wide. “You’re so perfect.”
“I agree.”
I smacked his arm. “Don’t be vain.”
He laughed. “I was just agreeing with you.” He took hold of my hands and backed up, pulling me onto his lap as he sat down. “Anyway, are we still good for Sunday? I want to take you to the beach.”
“What t
ime?”
“One.”
“Sure.”
“Then meet me at the ice cream shop. I want to buy a gelato and drop it on your bikini top, so you have to take it off.”
“Salvatore!”
“Or I can lick it clean.”
I laughed. “You’re naughty.”
“And you’re so cute, I could eat you up, my sweet cannoli.” He moved his mouth to my neck, giving it a sharp nip.
“Salva—”
He cut my shriek off with a kiss. Within seconds, I was kissing him back fervently, forgetting about the bite, even where we were. Wolf whistles broke out. I pulled away from the kiss and looked across the quad at three of his brothers. They were whistling and waving at us. Salvatore laughed, giving them a big smile. It was the last time I saw him smile for a while.
Sunday
The ice cream was sweet
While his news was bitter
Salvatore turned up at the beach thirty minutes late. I was sitting on the pier, eating a strawberry gelato, annoyed he’d left me waiting. My annoyance instantly disappeared at the sight of his split lip and bruised cheek.
I pushed to my feet and ran across the wooden pier to him, asking, “What happened?”
He touched his lip, appearing self-conscious. “Nothing.”
“That’s not nothing. Who hit you?”
“My father.” He sat down on the edge of the pier, his long legs dangling over the water.
I sat down next to him, horrified his father had hurt him. “Why?”
Not answering, he dropped his head, his gaze going to the water. He skimmed his shoes over it, sending ripples across the surface. He looked so sad, his mournful expression making me want to hug him better.
I placed an arm around him. “Are you all right?”
He shrugged.
“Why did your father hurt you?”
“I refused to agree to something,” he mumbled. “It’s not like my opinion would’ve made a difference, he still would’ve done it anyway.”
“What did he do?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay,” I said, not wanting to upset him further. I held out my ice cream in front of him. “Want some?”
He shook his head.
“It’s your favorite: strawberry.”
His eyes moved to my mouth, watching as I took a lick.
I held it out for him again. “You sure you don’t want some?”
He nodded.
I licked it again, his eyes not moving away from my mouth. It made my heartbeat quicken, his stare intense. “You want to go for a walk?” I asked, feeling my cheeks flush.
“Sure.” He helped me up. Not letting go of my hand, he led me across the pier and onto the sand. It was slightly overcast, with only a few people on the beach.
I glanced behind me, for the first time realizing his bodyguards weren’t following us. “Where are your guards?”
“I lost them so I could be with you.”
“Will you get in trouble?” I asked, now worried for him.
“Not more than I already am, and right now, I don’t care.” He steered me to the right, tugging me up a sandy slope. He stopped in his tracks at the top, then quickly turned around, tugging me back down it, almost making me fall over.
“Salvatore!” a female voice yelled.
I looked over my shoulder. Selena was standing at the top of the slope in a red bikini, glaring across at us. All her friends were standing next to her, watching as Salvatore tugged me down the beach.
“Salvatore, stop,” I said.
Ignoring me, he kept on walking, pulling me along with him.
“Stop!”
He let go of my hand and spun around, yelling, “Why?!”
I jolted, surprised by his tone.
Guilt quickly colored his face, his eyes once again looking soulful. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to shout at you. This isn’t your fault.”
“Did Selena do something last night?”
He grimaced, his eyes moving in the direction of Selena. “Sì, but I’d rather not talk about it. I hate her.” He took hold of my hand again. “Let’s just get out of here.”
I nodded, this time letting him pull me along, wondering what Selena had done. The memory of her wanting to see Salvatore’s bedroom returned. Had she gone in there? Had she done something to him? I glanced over my shoulder at her diminishing figure, hoping she wasn’t responsible for Salvatore’s father hitting him. Regardless, the next time I saw her, I was going to tell the troia to keep her hands off my man…
Because he was mine
But I was wrong
He was hers
Monday
On Monday, Salvatore started acting strangely. When I tried to hold his hand in the hallway, he whipped it away. He then took off into the boys’ restroom, muttering he’d see me later. He skipped the first two classes, only meeting up with me at break. He sat down next to me on the bench, looking miserable. When I asked him what was wrong, he mumbled it was family stuff, refusing to elaborate. Then Selena stalked up to him, barking, “You shouldn’t be with her anymore.”
I pushed to my feet. “Get lost, Selena!” I snapped, furious she wouldn’t leave him alone. “And keep your grubby hands off my boyfriend. He’s not interested in you.”
Her glare shot to me. “No! You go away!”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“No, I’m just taking what’s rightfully mine.”
“Salvatore’s not yours.”
“He is. He’s my fiancé.”
“You’re nuts.”
Her glare shifted back to Salvatore. “You haven’t told her, have you?”
“Because I didn’t agree to the engagement, so leave us alone.”
“If you don’t stop seeing Rosa, I’ll tell my uncle.”
Salvatore rose to his feet, making Selena back up quickly. I looked up at his face, surprised by his vicious expression. It was the first time I’d seen him that mad. If anything, his expression was the spitting image of what his older brother looked like—right before a fight.
He pointed a finger at Selena’s face. “If you say a word about Rosa to your uncle I’ll—”
“—hit me? Don’t make me laugh, Salvatore, you wouldn’t do that.”
He sneered. “But Brando would.”
She flinched. “You keep that psycho away from me,” she said, taking another step back.
“He won’t come near you as long as you keep your big mouth shut and leave me the hell alone.”
“But we’re engaged to be married. Your father agreed to it.”
“I didn’t agree! I want to be with Rosa, not you.”
Her green eyes flashed hurt. “But she’s a civilian and you can’t break the arrangement. Our families are sealed now. You must marry me.”
“I don’t have to do merda!”
“We’re still getting married.”
“Not if I can help it.”
“You don’t have a choice, like I don’t.”
“Don’t give me that. You’ve been after my dick for ages, just this time you thought you could use our famiglie’s alliance to get it.”
“I didn’t set this up.”
“Bullshit. I know you asked your uncle to arrange it. And if you ever do what you did on Saturday again, I’ll—”
I cut him off. “What did she do?”
He turned to me, his face dropping. “Nothing.”
“It doesn’t sound like nothing, so tell me.”
“I didn’t ask for it.”
“I’m not blaming you; I just want to know what happened.”
He dropped his gaze, looking ashamed. “She walked into my room when I was changing out of my trunks and…” He grimaced.
“And, what?!”
“She…” He breathed out. “She pushed me onto my bed and—”
Selena cut in, “You fell willingly.”
His head whipped around. “There was nothing willing about it.�
�
“You didn’t make any attempt to get up.”
“Because you jumped on me, kneeing me in the fucking balls.”
“That was an accident.”
“Then why didn’t you get off me?”
“I didn’t realize you were hurt. I thought you were moaning because you liked my kisses.”
“Well, I didn’t! I don’t want you near me, let alone kissing me.”
The thought of Selena kissing Salvatore sent me into a blind rage. I pushed in front of him and punched her in the face. She cried out, then went for me.
Salvatore shot in front of me, shoving Selena back. “Don’t you dare touch her!”
“She hit me!” Selena yelled, her green eyes blazing.
“You deserved it.”
“I did not. You’re my fiancé; I’m allowed to kiss you.”
“No, you’re not!” I hollered, going for her again.
Salvatore grabbed me, lifting me off my feet.
“Put me down!”
“Not until you calm down.”
“She assaulted you.”
“It’s been dealt with.”
“I didn’t deserve what Brando did to me,” Selena snapped.
“Just go away, Selena,” Salvatore said, sounding frustrated.
She swore at him, then took off. Salvatore put me down as she disappeared around the math block. For the first time, I noticed we had an audience. All the kids in the quad were watching us as though we were their favorite soap opera. There was even a teacher amongst them. She looked away, confirming what I thought: that the teachers were too scared to interfere with anything involving the mafia kids.
I moved my attention back to Salvatore. “What did Brando do to Selena?”
“He yanked her off me and shoved her against my cabinet, saying he was going to fuck the karma out of her. I was in too much pain to stop him. It was just lucky Ricardo walked in and pulled him off her, because I swear, I couldn’t tell whether Brando was bluffing or not.”
“She assaulted you while Brando was in the room?” I said, surprised.
“No, he came in when she had me on the bed.” He grimaced. “It’s shameful I let her get the better of me, but she snuck up on me. One second I was pulling off my trunks, the next I was getting pushed onto my bed. She totally took me by surprise.”
I went to leave, wanting to find the troia so I could punch her perfect face in until she was uglier than her personality.
I Love You, Salvatore Page 4