Antonello (Mob Men Book 1)

by Noelle Giselle

  He helps me to my feet and everything happens so quickly. He kisses me deeply as he tears my dress off me.

  I hear the fabric ripping and giggle at his inability to be gentle.

  “Oh, I’ll give you something to laugh about.”

  I shriek and giggle as he flips me over his shoulder.

  “Put me down, you bully!” I laugh and kick my legs in the air.

  He slaps my ass and carries me to the window.

  He doesn’t even give me a minute to get my bearings before he presses my naked front to the window. The cool glass shocks my sensitive nipples and I gasp his name.

  He takes me by surprise and enters me swiftly from behind.

  He grabs a fistful of my hair and tugs my head back.

  “Now what did I tell you about back talk?”

  He fucks me hard against the glass as I look out at the view across the whole city.

  Part of me wonders if anyone can see us and another part of me doesn’t give a flying fuck.

  My hands are flat against the glass and he covers them with his large ones. His thrusts are erratic and rough. It’s as if he was waiting all night to do this to me and now he can’t control himself.

  The stimulation of my nipples mixed with his hard thrusts are driving me wild. He grunts each time he forcefully enters me and I can’t help but lull my head back onto his shoulder. He makes me weak.

  His dick impales me again and he releases a groan into my ear. His deep, gravelly, growl echoes throughout me and send electric shocks to all my lady bits. I fall apart instantly, shouting out as I reach my peak. I squeeze him hard with my walls, my pussy aching. It’s only a moment before I feel him pulsating inside me and the familiar gush as he releases himself in me.

  My body turns to mush and I let him take my weight as he carries my limp body to the giant bed.

  He peppers me with kisses and I hear him mumble something in Italian. I close my eyes and savor this moment.

  The feelings I have for him are undeniable.

  I’m not sure how he feels, but for me, in my heart, I know this isn’t pretend. It just can’t be. Not for me, at least.

  We lay for a while and I feel my body throbbing in delight, enjoying the feeling of being completely sated.

  The next day is a treat. He spoils me with delicious food and walks through Central Park. We stroll hand in hand and he shows me famous landmarks and points out his favorite parts of the city.

  Through all the hustle and bustle he’s as calm as can be as he leads me through the throngs of people.

  I would’ve thought I’d see him high strung like always, especially in a busy place like this.

  But here he seems at peace.

  We’re standing in Times Square when he does something so out of character I’m caught off guard.

  “Dolcezza,” I turn to find him holding up his phone. “Selfie.”

  I smile with him as he snaps a few selfies on his phone.

  “I’ll send one to Caterina,” he says before kissing me on my hair.

  This day has been perfect.

  Chapter 8

  Antonello

  I need to get back to work. Gian’s been texting me all day asking where the hell I’ve been.

  I finish typing out a text to him.

  “I’ll be back tomorrow. I took Violet to the city this weekend.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t owe you a fucking explanation.”

  “I’m just asking why you’re spending all this time with her. It’s not like this relationship is real.”

  His response bothers me. I don’t exactly agree with him but I don’t argue with him either.

  “Long story.”

  “Okay, well, Stefano has a big job for you. We need your help.”

  I need to get my head back in the game. Violet walks into the living room and scoots herself against me on the couch. I angle my phone so she can’t see it.

  “Okay. I’ll meet you tonight.” I type into my phone.

  “Hey, dolcezza, I need to go to work for a little bit tonight.”

  “Okay, no problem.”

  “Wow, what’s this? No arguments?”

  “Nope. I can’t be upset with you after the great weekend you gave me.”

  I reach forward and hold her to me. I see a faint bruise on her neck from my hand. I hate myself for it. I put my hand over it and repeat in my head that I’m sorry. I can’t bring myself to say it out loud.

  She looks up at me. “What’s your favorite color?”

  “What?”

  “What’s your favorite color? I just realized I don’t know.”

  “Uh, I don’t know. Maybe red?”

  She smiles. “Red?”

  “Yeah. Like the color of blood.”

  “Sometimes I don’t know if you’re joking or not.” She gives me a little push on my arm.

  “What’s your favorite cookie?”

  “What is this, twenty questions?”

  She giggles. “Just tell me what your favorite cookie is!”

  “Dolcezza, I don’t fuckin’ know. Maybe those rainbow cake cookies.”

  “Rainbow cake?” She starts laughing at me.

  “Yeah, what the fuck is so funny?”

  “What’s your favorite movie?”

  Like I’d ever tell her.

  “Porca miseria.”

  “What movie is that?”

  “It’s not a movie. I’m telling you that you’re about to make me pull my fuckin’ hair out.”

  Now she’s really laughing. I decide to play along. She’s being cute right now.

  “What’s your favorite movie, dolcezza?”

  She tucks her legs under her and I can tell she goes into deep thought.

  “Probably Titanic.”

  “Titanic? That’s your favorite movie? Everyone dies. I thought you would’ve said a Disney movie or some shit.”

  “Yes, almost everyone dies but it’s such a beautiful love story. It’s just heart wrenching. There’s something about it. Besides, you still haven’t told me yours. I’m sure it’s all gory and gruesome.”

  “Home Alone.” I can’t believe I actually said it out loud. Her blurting shit out is rubbing off on me.

  “Huh? Who’s home alone?”

  Dear fucking Lord.

  “The movie, God damn it. It’s my favorite.”

  “That’s your favorite movie? Big mafia man likes Home Alone?”

  “Shut it, Dolcezza.”

  “I’m sorry,” she’s suppressing giggles now. “I just can’t believe you’ve even seen it, let alone picked it as your favorite.”

  “I used to watch it with my dad when I was a kid.” I don’t know why I’m telling her this.

  “You did? That’s sweet. I can’t imagine you as a child.”

  “Well, you grow up pretty fast when you live a life like mine. But I had a childhood.” I’m uncomfortable talking about my past, but for some reason I keep going. “There was a time when I was innocent and had no idea what my future would be like.”

  “That must have been hard. Is that why you like Home Alone? Because it reminds you of your life when you were still an innocent child?”

  I guess I never thought of it like that.

  “Maybe.”

  “What was your dad like?”

  I don’t like to talk about him. With anyone. Not even my sister.

  I don’t answer her.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. I just wish I knew more about you.”

  It’s hard to speak but once I start, the words tumble out of my mouth.

  “He was the best dad. Unlike me and Gian, he was really great at separating work from his home life. At work he was a different person than he was at home. I don’t know how he did it. My mother never saw him lose control.”

  She nods her head slowly. “How did he die?”

  I don’t answer her. I can’t.

  I get up from the couch and I start walking to the kitchen.

  “
I’m sorry, Nello. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She’s standing in the doorway.

  I turn to her and I say the words so quickly I’m not even sure if it really happened.

  “He was shot. The same night I was shot for the first time. He jumped in front of me.”

  Violet’s eyes are like saucers.

  “He saved my life.”

  I turn and walk away. I feel a weird burning behind my eyes. I need a drink.

  It’s hours later and I’m late to meet Gian and Stefano. Violet called Caterina to come over and watch a movie but Dominick sent me a text that they were running late. Piero pulls in at the same time as them.

  Caterina storms in with bags from the grocery store.

  “What the hell is all this? I have a maid that does the grocery shopping. You don’t need to bring your own food.”

  “We’re making something! Now get out of here!” She tries to shoo me out my own front door.

  “Wait!” Violet comes pattering down the hall. I can’t think what I might’ve forgotten. I feel my pocket for my phone and keys.

  “I need a kiss good bye!” Violet pecks me on the lips. I figure this is for show. But then she speaks quietly in my ear and I realize maybe it’s not. “I’ll miss you.”

  Caterina is shouting “aww” in the background.

  I close the door behind me and I can hear her loud voice ordering Dominick and Piero to the living room.

  I swear, if Violet sets the kitchen on fire again. I laugh on the inside. She has no idea Piero told me about that. Well, not willingly. I can get anyone to tell me anything. Usually.

  I pull up to Gian’s apartment. He’s in a penthouse suite not too far from me. He can see the New York skyline from his living room. Violet would love it.

  “I need you to kill Lorenzo’s nephew.”

  “What?”

  Stefano has his feet up on the coffee table and he’s lighting a cigar. “Lorenzo’s nephew. Put him on your list.”

  “Alex? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

  “No. His other nephew. Vinny.”

  “Isn’t he like, fourteen? Fuck no.”

  “Actually, he’s sixteen. And yes. You will.”

  “Is this order coming from you or your father?”

  “My father may be Don, but he’s passing it on to me. I need to start taking over slowly so he knows I’m better than my brother for the job.”

  Gian looks between the two of us. “And what do you think?” I ask my brother.

  He shrugs. I know he thinks this is a good idea. I can see it in his eyes.

  “What the fuck is this going to accomplish? I don’t kill women and I don’t kill kids. You know this.”

  Stefano takes a puff from his cigar. I lean forward and I grab one from the table and light it.

  “He’s not a kid. Yeah, he’s sixteen but he’s a made man.”

  “Since fuckin’ when?”

  I use my cigar to light Gian’s.

  “Last week,” Gian pipes in.

  “Aren’t you trying to marry Lorenzo’s daughter? This isn’t exactly the way to get on his good side.” I look to my brother.

  “Yeah, but Uncle Sal won’t choose me. Actually, he won’t choose any of us it seems and Lorenzo won’t marry her off to anyone less than a Capo.”

  Fuck.

  Stefano sits up in his seat and I lean forward. This better make sense real fuckin’ soon.

  “Niccolo called me. Lorenzo’s nephew, Vinny, has a brand new idea. Juuls.”

  “Juuls? Those fucking e-cigarettes?”

  “They’ve got shipments coming into their ports twice a week with illegal Juuls. Vinny is running the whole operation. It’s still growing, but he’s already taking in thousands.”

  “No fuckin’ way. Are you serious?”

  Gian jumps in. “He didn’t even tell you the best part.”

  I look back to Stefano.

  “The Vassallos know. In fact, they’re getting twenty percent.”

  The Vassallo family are the Brooklyn outfit. They are our allies. Or so we thought. Not only are the Crisantis now doing new business without consulting with us first, they’re teaming up with the Vassallos. I’m fucking fuming.

  “Listen, I’m ready to slaughter but I will not go as far as to kill Vinny.”

  “They tried to kill Matteo!” Stefano shouts and slams his fist on the coffee table.

  “I know. Will you let me fuckin’ finish, here? The banquet is next week. Let’s talk to the Vassallos first. We can meet during or after and we can see what their beef is with us. Once that’s settled then fine, I’ll kill whoever. I don’t give a fuck. But right now if we go ahead and we whack Vinny, not only will we have the Crisanti family after us but the entire Vassallo family as well. And those fuckers are even worse than the Crisantis. I still remember my dad talking about them taking down half of the Amatos down in Philly in the 90s.”

  “You don’t call the shots. I do.”

  “No. Your father does. Call him and get his thoughts on this before we turn this feud into a full on war.”

  We go back and forth for a while. Finally, I get Stefano to agree with me. We will put it all on hold until the end of the week. We’ll talk to the Vassallos at the banquet before we go further. In the meantime, we need to keep it down so Niccolo stays under the radar.

  I keep watching the time. I know Dominick won’t keep Caterina out past midnight. He might be just her bodyguard, but he does a good job taking care of my sister. I think about pushing for a promotion for him.

  “What do you think, Nel?”

  I come back into the conversation.

  “What was that?”

  “Tom. The guy from two weeks ago that we tortured in the warehouse. He never paid up. Think you can do it tonight?”

  So much for getting out of here before midnight.

  I crack my neck to the side and feel for my gun. Gian hands me one of his knives.

  “Consider it done. See you both tomorrow.”

  Chapter 9

  Violet

  These definitely didn’t come out like I thought they would. Even with Caterina’s help.

  “I have no clue where we went wrong here. The recipe from my mom seemed easy enough.”

  We both shrug and laugh at the rainbow cookies we attempted. We call Piero and Dominick in to try them.

  “Free samples!”

  “Good Lord,” Dominick looks at Caterina, “These taste awful!”

  “No, don’t say that!” I feel like I could cry.

  “I’m only kidding. You ladies did good.”

  “Yeah,” Piero slides onto a stool on the island. “And you didn’t need me to get the fire extinguisher.”

  “Hey, shut up!” I throw a dish towel in his direction.

  Dominick takes a look at his watch. “Okay Kitty Cat, it’s eleven forty-five. Pack it up.”

  “Stop calling me that. And I don’t understand why you need to play Daddy. I can take care of myself.”

  “Not according to your brother. He wants you home by midnight.”

  I try to catch Piero’s eye but he’s too busy watching the exchange play out.

  “I’ve already told Nello that I don’t need a body guard! You annoy me!”

  She gets her tote bag and starts stuffing it with her belongings that are littered throughout the kitchen.

  “I’m sure Nello will be home soon, anyway.” I try to break the tension.

  Caterina is glaring at Dominick.

  “Can I at least get five minutes to go upstairs and see her dress for the banquet?”

  He nods.

  She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the kitchen. We head up the stairs and when we get into the bedroom she closes the door quickly.

  “He’s driving me insane!”