by Cora Reilly
I’d never much cared about a huge engagement celebration, but now I felt the unreasonable urge to show the world that Savio was going to be mine, especially Noemi and all the other girls who’d taken a ride on his bull.
Savio smiled. “Wait and see. It’ll be a surprise like your ring.”
If that was supposed to reassure me, he failed.
“I won’t have a fucking party in my mansion,” Remo said.
“Our mansion,” corrected Nino as we entered the living area of the house where Serafina and Kiara were perched on the sofa watching over the kids playing on the floor. They turned to us.
Kiara got up, her face reflecting worry. “What’s the matter?”
“Savio wants to celebrate his engagement to Gemma in two months,” Nino said before he pressed a kiss to his wife’s mouth.
“You do?” Serafina asked, wide-eyed.
“I don’t really. But thanks to your husband, I have to.”
“Don’t blame this on me,” Remo said.
“You started the fucking ius primae nocti rumors,” I said, annoyed.
Remo smiled. “It’s always good to shroud yourself in mystery as a Capo.”
Serafina narrowed her eyes and slapped his shoulder hard. “I really can’t believe you’re allowing this kind of nonsense to make the rounds. Stop them.” My brother caught her hand and jerked her against him, trapping her against his body.
“I don’t take orders from anyone, angel,” he said in a low voice. He nipped her throat. “But maybe I’ll stop them as a gift to you. After all, I got your first night.”
Serafina huffed, but the way she hung in my brother’s hold didn’t suggest annoyance. I turned around, not in the mood to see them getting it on.
I stalked toward the kitchen, hoping for something sweet. Kiara hurried after me. “Do you need help with the party? Or the ring?”
Of course, she was excited about the prospect of the impending engagement. She’d practically organized Leona and Fabiano’s wedding and the twins’ second birthday by herself. Event planning was her obsession.
“I know exactly what kind of ring I want for Gemma,” I said.
Kiara eyed me in suspicion. “You’re not going to embarrass the girl, right?”
“Of course not. I only do what Diego asked for. Staking my claim for everyone to see.”
I was nervous. This was the first time I’d set foot into the Falcone mansion to officially meet everyone before the engagement in two days.
This was the place I’d spend my life in because Savio and his brothers would never live in separate homes, he’d made that clear. Not that I minded. I loved to live in a big family unit, loved the solidarity and that there was always someone around to talk to.
Today, I’d have dinner with the people who’d become part of my family in eighteen months. That, of course, required for the Falcone clan to accept me.
My stomach knotted itself tightly. What if they didn’t? For Savio, his brothers were everything. If they didn’t like me, what would that mean for our marriage?
I knew Remo, Nino and Adamo as well as you could know people you’d only exchanged a couple of sentences with. I liked Adamo, even if he was too volatile for my taste. Not to mention that I’d always stayed clear of the crowd he’d hung with at school. I’d never understood why people would put poison into their own bodies for a kick. Besides, Adamo was currently in New York and I wouldn’t even see him today.
I feared Nino and Remo. Some people, very few, very ignorant people thought they’d become more approachable, maybe even tamer since they had wives and children. These people had never paid close attention to their fights. I had because I wanted to improve and the only way to do that is to study the best in your profession. Remo and Nino had been the best for as long as I could remember, and Savio had joined them in their unchallenged prime spot a few years ago. When they fought, you saw what really lay beneath, and it wasn’t anything tame or less dangerous. These men, all of them, enjoyed inflicting pain, not just to win a fight. No, they loved the actual act of causing someone else agony, and even more than that: the kill.
No one had fought more death fights than Remo Falcone.
Little was known of what went on behind the walls of their mansion, how they treated their wives and children. They mostly stayed among themselves, so speculations always ran rampant.
Diego dropped me off in the driveway of the mansion. It was obvious that he didn’t like the idea of sending me off into the Falcone mansion alone, but he had to help Dad in the restaurant.
“Insisting on going with you would be like a slap in Remo’s face. I might as well shove a knife into my throat.”
“You really think he’d kill you for insulting him, and it wouldn’t even be a real insult, just overprotectiveness, and let’s be honest, you are terribly overprotective.”
Diego frowned. “I’m as protective as necessary given your looks.”
I rolled my eyes but then became insecure again. “Do I look okay for my first meeting with them?”
“Yeah.”
Mom and Dad had insisted that I wear one of my modest dresses to give the right impression. I had a feeling neither Falcone would judge me by my clothing. They were too cunning and attentive to take someone’s exterior as the reflection of their nature.
Diego gave me a tired smile. “You’ll be fine.”
I nodded, then got out of the car. Savio came out of the house and toward me.
“You look as if you’re going to puke any moment,” Savio said with a laugh, then he stopped, grabbed my wrist and tugged me closer. His fingers dug into my skin. “Are you scared of meeting my brothers? You’ve talked to them before, and I really would have thought you of all people would be braver.” Again that deep laugh before he kissed my temple, throwing me off completely. “There’s no reason for you to worry.”
My skin warmed and my pulse sped up even more. The spot where his lips had touched my skin tingled. How would it feel to have his lips on mine?
Savio regarded me closely and shook his head. He turned his face away as if he couldn’t bear looking at me a second longer. “Girls that know of their effect on men are dangerous, but you, Kitty, are killing me without even realizing it.” He chuckled, but it was a very dark, very sarcastic sound. His eyes slanted to me and he leaned down again, cupping my head. I froze. In the few days since Savio had become my fiancé, he’d touched me more often than in the years I’d known him before. None of these touches had been inappropriate, but they felt intimate and possessive, and my body’s reaction to them was far from innocent. “Sweet sixteen is mighty sexy and hella tempting when it comes in a package like yours. I’m glad you’re such a fucking good girl. Maybe I can keep my promise to your father after all.”
“Promise?” I said in a raw voice. His closeness was wreaking havoc with my body and mind.
“To keep my hands off you until you’re officially mine, before God and whoever else needs to give his approval.”
“You are touching me.” Why was my voice so low, so… sultry?
Savio took a deep breath, then he gave me that teasing smile. “Believe me, Kitty, the kind of touching I’m talking about will leave you hot and bothered, and even more breathless than you are now.”
I felt hot and bothered by his simple kiss to my temple and his closeness already.
“Fuck,” Savio muttered and stepped away. “That look’s going to get us both in trouble.”
I had to stifle a smile, even though I really didn’t need the kind of trouble he was referring to.
“Come on, let’s go meet the crazies.”
“What if I say something rude or embarrassing?”
“Rudeness is Remo’s mother tongue and if you manage to embarrass either of my brothers, I’m going to buy you that Porsche you’re so crazy about.” He linked our fingers and dragged me into the house.
“The amount of time it took you to bring the girl from our front door to the dining table makes me wonder if Da
niele will ask me to put you down like a horny dog tomorrow.”
“Our encounter was perfectly innocent,” Savio said.
“Not thanks to you, I’m sure,” Serafina muttered.
A very unladylike snort-laugh erupted from my mouth, which made me blush furiously.
Kiara gave me a kind smile and walked over to me. She hugged me. “Welcome to our home.”
I gave her a shy smile then my eyes landed on the people gathered behind her. My heart sped up.
Savio stayed close to me and I was eternally grateful for that. His presence gave me the necessary confidence to face his brothers and Fabiano Scuderi.
The blond man was the Camorra’s Enforcer and his reputation and the fights I’d witnessed made me as wary of him as of the rest of the men. Each of them shook my hand. They were reserved, distantly friendly. Serafina and Leona, on the other hand, were as welcoming as Kiara and hugged me before they introduced me to the kids.
There were Remo’s twins, two achingly beautiful toddlers with almost black eyes and pitch-black hair. The girl wore a pink tutu and had thick curls. The moment Kiara led me toward them, she stumbled toward Remo and lifted her arms. He picked her up and pressed her against his chest. Her twin regarded me boldly, while Kiara’s boys were too small to show a big interest in me.
I was overwhelmed by so many new people, but I kept up the smile.
“Let’s eat,” Kiara said with a knowing expression. “I’m sure you’re starving.”
Everyone headed for the table and Savio tugged me along. I sat down beside him, watching in astonishment how Nino and Kiara carried in the food together. I tore my eyes away and gave Nevio a smile. He poked his tongue out with a cheeky grin. I returned the gesture, causing him to grin.
“Great, another bad influence for the kids. As if there weren’t enough of those around already,” Remo said.
I winced, my eyes widening.
Savio scoffed. “You being one of them.”
I relaxed, realizing the Capo wasn’t really angry at me. It was difficult to tell with his harsh expression.
“Dinner’s served,” Kiara said with a bright smile.
Out of habit, I held out my hands for them to take so we could give our prayers before we ate.
Everyone stared at my outstretched palms as if I was suggesting a satanic ritual, which come to think of it, would probably have been received better. Especially Remo watched my hands with utmost disdain.
“What’s she doing?” Nevio asked.
I lowered my hands, embarrassed. Savio took my hand and squeezed, sending me a grin. He, of course, found this entertaining.
“She wanted to pray before dinner, right, Gemma?” Kiara said gently.
“Why?” Nevio blurted.
“It’s tradition in my family to give thanks to God for the food on the table.”
Nevio pointed a finger at Remo. “Dad’s paying for the food, not God.”
“No pointing with fingers at people,” Serafina admonished.
Nevio looked at his father as if he hoped the man would disagree.
“Nevio,” he said in warning. The boy dropped his hand.
“Who’s God?”
Savio rolled his eyes. I couldn’t help but smile. That kid was a handful. “How about we just eat and save the existential topics for cozy snowy winter evenings.”
“There’s no snow in Vegas,” Nevio said.
Savio gave him a grin. “Exactly. Now shut up.”
Nevio opened his mouth, an enraged look on his face. When Greta put her tiny hand on his, he snapped his lips shut.
Kiara stood and started to fill the plates with food. I untangled my hand from Savio’s and interlinked my fingers, then I closed my eyes and hurried through my usual prayer.
When I opened my eyes, several eyes were on me. Kiara loaded lasagna on my plate. “It’s okay,” she said quietly. “Don’t mind them.”
I gave her a grateful smile, ignoring the look Savio exchanged with the other men. I knew they weren’t religious, but I had no intention of hiding my beliefs only because they found them ridiculous.
Kiara and Serafina asked me about choir and kickboxing. I could tell that the conversation between the men at the table was… restrained. They didn’t see me as family yet, of course not. I was an intruder in their tightly knit unit, and it would take time to find my way into their family, but I hoped I’d be given the chance in the time until the wedding, so I already felt at home when I moved in.
When Diego picked me up later, I felt like Savio and I were on the right path.
Of course, I’d been completely ridiculous to think that.
Nino, Remo, and I were watching Kiara, Leona and Serafina go over last minute preparations with the staff of the most expensive hotel on the Strip—one that belonged to Will Reynold’s parents. They’d agreed to host the engagement party for free in their biggest banquet room, after some light coercion.
“I think Mr. Reynold’s eye is still twitching because of all the money he’s losing today,” I said with a grin.
Remo’s mouth twitched, but a smile didn’t find its way onto his face. This party wasn’t his style. Too many guests, too much attention. It fit me perfectly, however.
Diego strolled into the ballroom, already dressed in a black suit. His eyes took in the many tables and flower decorations. He shook his head. “When I asked for a celebration, I didn’t mean you should host a fucking ball.”
“It’s more fun this way, especially because it’ll piss off the right people.”
I fell silent when my younger brother Adamo sauntered into the ballroom. “What the fuck? Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?” I asked Remo.
“Because I didn’t know,” he said with a strange note to his voice.
Adamo was supposed to spend another month in the Famiglia. I hadn’t seen him in ten months, since Fabiano’s wedding. Despite his promise, he hadn’t visited when Kiara had given birth to Massimo five months ago. He seemed to enjoy his time with the Famiglia. Luca must have really done a good job whipping him into shape.
Kiara spotted him, too, and rushed over to him, hugging him tightly like a long lost son.
“Let’s welcome him,” Nino said, heading toward him. Remo and I followed a few steps behind our brother.
The moment Adamo spotted us, his smile wavered, and guilt flickered across his face. He looked down at my wrists, which were covered by sleeves. I was still pissed at him for helping our crazy-ass mother escape, not so much because of those ridiculous scars from slashing my wrists. That day could have ended far worse.
Nino touched Adamo’s shoulder. My little brother had grown. He was now Nino’s and my height and had even grown something that resembled a beard. Surprisingly, it made him look older than seventeen, and not ridiculous like so many teens that suddenly sported facial hair. I almost didn’t recognize him.
“Why didn’t you tell us that you were coming home? One of us could have picked you up,” Nino said.
Remo and I just stood there. I was pissed, but Remo’s feelings regarding Adamo were an entirely different matter. When he’d allowed our little brother to go to the Famiglia to toughen up, he’d probably expected that he’d be back soon. Yet, after almost one year with the Famiglia, Adamo still seemed content. Few people could see past Remo’s cruel mask, but for me, it was obvious that Adamo’s distance felt like a stab to his heart.
“I took an Uber, don’t worry,” Adamo said with a shrug, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Serafina and Leona came over as well, hugging him.
“Hey stranger,” Serafina said, then her eyes darted to Remo, and something shifted on her face. She, too, could see it.
“An Uber? Why didn’t you steal a car like you used to do?” I asked, softening my words with a teasing grin. I didn’t want this to blow up today, not when the Bazzolis expected a splendid feast. Gemma would be devastated if I had to cancel this last minute because Remo went berserk on Adamo and whoever else looked his way.
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“Nah, not my style anymore. Luca broke two of my ribs when I tried it in New York.”
A muscle in Remo’s chin twitched and Serafina casually walked over to him and leaned against him. With her so close, he’d hesitate to lose his shit.
Fabiano sauntered in, finally done beating the shit out of our debtors, and shoved Adamo lightly. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about getting a new tattoo, Adamo.”
We all knew what kind of tattoo he was referring to. His voice had been joking, but his eyes were harsh. He knew Remo as well as I did. If it wasn’t for the twins and Serafina, Adamo’s absence would have hit Remo much harder.
Remo stepped out of Serafina’s grip and clapped Adamo’s chest, right over his heart. “Maybe he already has. Does the Famiglia credo mark your skin yet, little brother?”
I clamped my hand down on Remo’s shoulder without a word. Diego was heading toward the doors where his family had just appeared, everyone except for Gemma, who would enter with me later.
Adamo held his gaze. “I have the markings of the Camorra on my wrist. I can’t be both Camorrista and a soldier of the Famiglia. Our brother Growl had his Camorra tattoo removed before he swore loyalty to Luca.”
What the mighty fuck?
Remo’s face was like the sky before a hurricane. I grabbed Adamo’s arm and dragged him away. From the corner of my eye, I saw Serafina usher Greta toward Remo. She was dressed in her favorite tutu, which she rarely took off, and hurried to her dad. Remo was about to chase after Adamo and me when he noticed his girl and froze. Fabiano still stayed close to him, just in case, while Nino followed us.
Thank fuck for Serafina’s quick thinking. Greta was the valium to Remo’s burning rage.
I shoved Adamo into a restroom. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Did you come all the way from New York only to twist the knife in Remo’s chest?”
I was so pissed I wanted to smash his stupid face in.
Adamo shook his head with a hint of guilt. “I got mad when Remo suggested I had the Famiglia tattoo.”