Becoming the Street Boss: A Zanetti Famiglia Novel

by Faiman, Hayley

  “Part of that is not asking me about other women or anything else. I’ll tell you everything you need to know, dolcezza. Decorate the house, throw out all the furniture, I don’t really give a fuck. You have unlimited resources. What you don’t have is the liberty to make demands and ask questions of me, yeah?”

  “Yeah,” I exhale.

  I hate agreeing with him. It goes against everything inside of me, but I don’t have much of a choice. “What do my days look like now?” I ask, keeping my voice low and soft.

  He grunts, keeping his palm against my jaw, his black eyes roaming over mine. “Your days are yours, Pippa. As long as you’re here by dinner and you don’t do anything to embarrass or shame me, I could give a fuck what you do.”

  His words hurt me more than I thought that they would. I can’t hang out with my old friends, they’re busy with school and they won’t understand anything about my new life.

  I can’t spend my days with the other wives, they have their own lives and Nicola, Chloe, and Lenora work full time. Plus, they have their own families.

  Shopping all day sounds fucking horrifying. After I strip this place of prostitutes, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll be bored. You can only clean and cook so much before you have nothing to do.

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  Massimo dips his chin, his mouth touching mine for a brief moment. “You’ll find your place, dolcezza. This is new, we are new. There is much to learn, not only about one another, but about our places in our new roles.”

  I don’t tell him that his role will probably not change much, considering he’s said as much. Instead, I nod my head and give him a smile. I hide all of my insecurities, all of my disbelief that this is going to be anything short of a miserable fucking disaster.

  MASSIMO

  Leaving Pippa alone in the bedroom to unpack her shit, I make my way toward the main floor and to my office, which is hidden in a small corner in the back of the building. It has a small half bath off of it, and it’s tucked away and hidden exactly the way I like.

  Closing the door, I flip the lock closed and make my way over to my desk. Turning on my computer, I wait for it to power on. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I find Arlo’s number and touch the call icon.

  “How was the honeymoon?” he asks after he picks up on the second ring.

  Chuckling, I lean back in my chair and let out a sigh. “Long,” I admit.

  “Mass,” he sighs. “This was what you wanted, right?”

  Clearing my throat, I nod as though he can see me. “Yeah, she’s what I want.”

  “But you didn’t want her to have a brain, and opinion, or a voice?” he asks, knowing exactly what I’m thinking without me having to say the words aloud.

  I grunt, not answering him, refusing to actually.

  “I get it,” he sighs.

  “You don’t, but okay,” I say with a laugh.

  “Why’d you call me?” Arlo asks, getting straight to the shit.

  Pressing my lips together, I wonder myself why I’ve called him. “I don’t know. I was thinking about work tomorrow. Thinking about all the things that I need to do. Then I started thinking about the casino and gambling. How are things in skin?”

  “Your favorite piece has asked about you. She hasn’t asked me, naturally, but she’s hinted with Mia. What is happening there? I saw you sneak off with her at your bachelor party.”

  With a hiss, I lean back in my chair and close my eyes before I sit up straight and start to check my email on my computer. I don’t have anything pressing. Though, I know that I’ll have to pay a couple more businesses a visit tomorrow, something that I don’t really want to do after the Gallo fiasco.

  “I don’t even know her name,” I admit.

  “Erin,” Arlo offers.

  I don’t say anything for a moment, thinking about the blonde that I gravitate toward. It’s not that I hold any feelings of affection toward her, I truly don’t. I do however like the way she fucks. She knows what I want and is always more than happy to oblige. She’s easy, much easier than the woman upstairs.

  “Nothing is happening there. I pay for a service she provides, nothing more,” I say with a shrug.

  Arlo hums. “Is that service terminated?”

  “For the moment.”

  “Massimo,” he hisses.

  Clearing my throat, I shake my head as though he can see me. “You know who my mother was to my father. I won’t put a woman in that position, even if I don’t care about her emotionally. I also won’t put my wife in the position my father’s wife was in and force her to raise a baby of my lover, so, for now, my wife is my sole focus.”

  “You should have courted Pippa a little bit, even if for a couple of months.”

  “Not your fuckin’ business,” I snap. “When is our next collection meeting?”

  Arlo doesn’t say anything right away. I wait for him to answer me, knowing that he’s going to add a little something extra for my obvious annoyance with his suggestion.

  “You have two weeks to get all your new debts gathered up.”

  “My men will have it. I’ll make sure of that.”

  Without another word, I end the call, not wishing to hear more of his advice. I probably should have dated Pippa, but that’s not what I did and that ship has fucking sailed. She’s my wife now. I like that she’s mine. That I own her for the rest of her life. She’s mine and at my side is where she’ll stay.

  There’s an email from an unknown sender, clicking on it, I frown at the message that has several accompanying photographs attached.

  Ignoring the email message, I scroll down to the photo and I freeze. The breath in my lungs freezes. It’s me, pointing a gun at Gallo’s wife. The next photo is blood spraying around her head, me still pointing that gun at her.

  My fingers move faster than I thought possible, scrolling to the top to see the message. It’s simple. Too fucking simple.

  YOU’RE A BAD BOY. I’M WATCHING YOU. DO WHAT I WANT AND YOU’LL BREATHE FREE AND EASY. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.

  Frowning, I sit back in my chair and focus on the first picture, then scroll down to the second. Who the fuck could have known we were going there? Who the fuck could have followed us?

  Picking up my phone, I call Brando.

  “Yeah?” he asks, picking up the phone.

  “You got a minute to meet in person?” I ask.

  “Meet you at Prospect Park, usual spot in thirty?”

  Ending the call, I push my chair back, powering down my computer. I pull the email up on my phone, take a couple screenshots of the photos so that I can send them to Brando after I talk to him, then shove my phone in my pocket.

  Making my way out of my office, I head toward Pippa. It doesn’t take me long to find her, she’s in her new closet. Her clothes are put away, I’m surprised that she doesn’t have more. As soon as she senses me, she turns around.

  “Massimo?” she asks as soon as her eyes find mine.

  Closing the distance between us, I slide my hand around her waist, pulling her close to my chest as I dip my chin. Touching my mouth to hers, I taste her sweet lips.

  “I have to go out for a little while, I’ll bring home dinner.”

  Her entire body stiffens and I hold my breath for a moment, waiting for her anger. It doesn’t come. Instead, she nods her head stiffly, then gives me a forced smile.

  “Okay,” she says.

  My lips twitch, knowing that she’s trying to hold her tongue and it looks as though it’s physically painful for her to do. One of my hands slides down to grab ahold of her ass, the other I lift and wrap around the side of her neck.

  Tilting my head to the side, I touch my lips to hers, then slide my tongue inside of her hot mouth. She moans, her back automatically arching, her tits pressing against my chest as she moans into my mouth.

  Nibbling on her bottom lip, I break the kiss with a growl. “I won’t be long, what do you want for dinner?” I murmur against her lips.

&nbs
p; “Doesn’t matter, as long as you come with it,” she breathes.

  I moan, taking a step back from her. “Dress up for me again?” I ask.

  “In lingerie?”

  Licking my lips, my eyes drag over her body. “Yeah.”

  Without another word, before I fuck her against the wall, I turn and walk away. I need to get this meet over with, get her some food, and then I’m going to spend the rest of the night fucking her so that tomorrow while I’m at work, she’ll be too sore to leave our bed. Then I’m going to do it all over again.

  Chapter Fifteen

  MASSIMO

  Taking a joint out of my pocket, I light it while I wait for Brando. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the smoke as it starts to mellow me out. I’ve been wound fucking tight the past two weeks, specifically since the wedding, now there’s this goddamn email, I need to fucking relax.

  “I can’t believe you’re smoking that shit while meeting with a fuckin’ cop,” Brando snorts.

  Opening my eyes, I tip my chin down and silently invite him to sit on the bench next to me. Reaching into my pocket, I take out another joint and offer it to him. He curses as he reaches for it. I watch as he lights the smoke and moans as soon as it hits him.

  “Fuck,” he groans.

  “Right?”

  “You always have the good shit,” he murmurs.

  “I only buy premium shit for myself,” I admit.

  He nods. “What’d you want to talk to me about?”

  Digging my phone out of my pocket, I pull up the photographs and hand him the device. I hear his intake of breath, then watch as he lifts his wide eyes to meet mine. Something flashes in his eyes, but I can’t tell what it means and I really don’t care.

  “What the fuck?” he hisses.

  Shaking my head, I let out a small laugh. “Got an email with those pictures attached. Who the fuck could have known we were there? Who the fuck got close enough to take those?” I demand.

  Brando stares at me for a moment, then curses. “I didn’t tell a fucking soul. Just you and Luca knew what the fuck was going on. Nobody else. What about you? Got anyone pissed off at you?” he says, rambling.

  “Yeah.” I chuckle. “Every fucking business owner that I had to raise their protection collection on per Gavino’s orders.” Neither of us speaks for a moment until I turn to him. “Can you figure out who sent it, if I forward you the email?”

  Brando snorts. “I can’t use police resources for that, shit like that they monitor. Besides I’d have to have someone else hack, I’m terrible at that shit.” Brando shrugs a shoulder. “Watch your back. Call me if you need me.”

  “If they found me there, they probably saw you too,” I point out.

  Brando nods his head. “Yeah,” he sighs. “Gotta watch my own back, which means we can’t meet up in public like this again.”

  “If we have to talk again, we’ll do it at the restaurant,” I suggest.

  Brando nods as we both stand. “Fuck, I’ll let you know if I hear anything,” he murmurs.

  “Me too.”

  Without another word, we both turn away from one another and head off in opposite directions. My car is waiting for me, my order should be ready at the restaurant for pick-up, and my wife should be dressed in something sexy, also waiting for me.

  Pulling up in front of the restaurant, I don’t even have to get out. The hostess makes her way toward my driver’s side, a bag in her hand. Rolling down my window, I reach for the bag. With my other hand, I slip her some cash, including a big tip.

  “Thank you, sir,” she purrs.

  Smirking up at her, I shake my head. “Thanks, babe.”

  She takes a step away, and without a glance back at her, I shift my car into reverse and head home to my wife. Wife. The thought still feels extremely foreign. She is my wife and even though I was just gone for a few hours, I do find that I miss her already.

  It doesn’t take long for me to make it home. Pulling into the garage, I close the door behind me before I get out of the car. Grabbing the bag of food, I can smell the fresh bread coming from the bag. The joint from earlier doing its job of relaxing me, but also making me fucking hungry.

  Opening the door, I walk directly into the kitchen. Taking some plates out of the cabinet, I start arranging the food. The house is quiet and I assume that Pippa is upstairs getting ready for me, or maybe even waiting for me.

  Once I’m finished, I take the plates into the dining room and set them down, then grab silverware and a napkin before I find a nice bottle of wine.

  This won’t be an every night thing, but for the first night in our home together, I do want to make it nice. I’m an asshole, but I’m not that big of an asshole, this is only our third day of being married.

  Grabbing a couple of glasses, I pour us each some wine and set the glasses on the table, then the bottle of wine between the plates before I head upstairs to find my wife. The second floor is quiet, but there is soft light pouring from the bedroom.

  Pippa is there, standing at the window, looking out at the lights of the other buildings around us. My breath catches at the sight of her. She’s wearing a knee-length nude see-through skintight dress thing.

  Her black hair is down her back, skimming just above her ass, and when my gaze catches her feet, I smirk. She’s wearing sky-high nude high heels to finish off the sexy as fuck look.

  “Turn around, let me see all of you,” I demand gently, leaning my shoulder against the doorjamb.

  Without a single word, she slowly turns around. I keep my eyes focused up so that I can see her face before I take in the rest of her body. She has a full face of makeup and I frown. It’s too much fucking makeup.

  “Why’d you put all that shit on your face?” I ask.

  She licks her berry red lips, taking a step toward me, then pauses. “I wanted to look nice for you,” she breathes.

  Shaking my head, I push off the door and move toward her. Reaching for her waist, I wrap my fingers around her and tug her against my chest, welcoming the way her soft tits feel pressed against me.

  Dropping my chin, I touch my mouth to hers. “I like you just as you are, Pippa. I don’t need all this shit on your face, dolcezza. You’re fucking beautiful completely bare.”

  Her hands press against my chest, and she sighs against my lips. “Okay, Massimo.”

  “Hungry?” I ask, my hand sliding down to her ass and squeezing her.

  She nods, then takes a step back, I allow it because I haven’t taken a good look at her in the outfit. I’m unable to hold back my moan when I see her sweet nipples through the cups of her slip, then drag my gaze down to her pussy and almost whimper at the sight of her bare cunt.

  “No panties tonight?”

  She laughs softly. “You just rip them,” she whispers.

  Grinning, I hold out my hand. She slips her palm in mine and I wrap my fingers around hers before I tug her closer to me. “I do, don’t I?”

  “You do, they’re expensive. I’m trying to save you money.” She laughs softly again.

  “I’ll buy you a pair for every day of the year just so that I can rip them all,” I say as we walk down the stairs.

  “You’re crazy.” She giggles.

  My chest fills with pride at the fact that I’ve pulled a giggle from her. It’s the sweetest victory and I know that soon, I will win her completely.

  We have some hurdles to get through, some things to learn about one another. She has some things to learn about her new life, but in the end, I know that without a doubt, I will win her over and she will be glad that she’s mine.

  PIPPA

  I should feel uncomfortable about eating in high heels and a see-through negligee, but I don’t. I’m not sure if it’s because this has become a requirement of my marriage or if I’m just not as shy as I was a few days ago. Whatever the case, I can’t deny that I enjoy the way my husband watches me from across the table.

  Picking up my wine glass, I bring it to my lips. Massimo reaches across the t
able and holds his palm up. I stop, my glass touching my lips.

  “A toast?”

  Setting my glass down, I lick my lips as I shift my gaze to meet his. Those obsidian eyes watch me. My breath hitches as I wait for what he’s going to say. With him, I’m starting to discover that I can’t guess what he’s going to say in his next breath.

  “To a long happy marriage, dolcezza. We’ll have la dolce vita, Pippa. I can feel it in my bones,” he murmurs.

  Reaching across the table, I touch my glass to his. The only sound in the room other than our breathing is the soft clink of our wine glasses.

  “We will, Massimo. I’ll try everything I can to make you happy,” I whisper.

  He shakes his head, his lips turning up into a smile, one that still doesn’t reach his eyes. I feel a bit defeated that I still can’t get a true smile from him. I know that it’s only been a few days, but I want it, I want it more than even I realize.

  “You already do, Pippa,” he rasps.

  My lips tip into a small smile as I bring the glass to them. Massimo lifts his glass to his lips as well and we both take a sip. Setting the glass down, I can’t wait to dig into the food that he’s brought home.

  Reaching for a piece of bread, I pull my hand back and sit on it instead.

  “Pippa?” Massimo asks.

  Lifting my eyes to his, I shake my head once. “I shouldn’t. The pasta is enough carbs,” I say with a small smile.

  Massimo reaches for the bread before he stands to his feet. I stab my fork into my roasted squash, lifting it to my lips as he walks around the table, bread in hand. Frowning, I chew my food before he sinks down to his haunches in front of me.

  Swallowing my squash, I look down at him. “Open,” he softly demands.

  Without hesitation, without even thinking, I do exactly as he asks. My lips part and I open my mouth. He tears off a chunk of the bread and holds it up to my lips.

  “Bread is not an enemy, Pippa. Food should be eaten to fuel your body. You need it to survive. It’s obvious your aunt has fucked you up in more than one way. She’s played with your mind, made you think that you need to be sickly thin. You don’t, dolcezza. You need to be healthy for the baby I intend to fill you with.”