Bound By The Past (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles Book 7)

Part 5 – The Fifth Betrayal\

Almost six years later

The wild laughter and screams of Leonas, Rocco Jr., and Riccardo carried into my office. Giovanni chuckled.

“Those boys are a wild combination.”

“They are,” I said.

Valentina’s voice rang out, and the screams stopped.

“Rocco’s around my age, I really don’t know how he has the energy to raise two small boys.” A hint of wistfulness crossed his face but he hid it quickly. Orazio had been part of the Famiglia for five years now. Giovanni never talked about him, unless Rocco mentioned him.

“I think they are less boisterous at home than they are here,” I said, my mouth twisting. Rocco’s parenting techniques hadn’t improved much from what Val told me. Maria often confided in her during their weekly meetups about Rocco’s lack of patience. He never hit his children or wife in front of me, fully aware of my stance on the matter. I’d tried to bridge the subject as delicately as possible without risking that he realized Maria revealed what was going on behind closed doors. I doubted it had changed much.

He considered himself strict, not abusive. I was a strict father but I certainly handled punishment very differently to Rocco.

“How’s baby number three coming along?” he asked conspiratorially.

Anna had let it slip that Val and I wanted a third baby and now Giovanni and Livia didn’t stop asking.

The bell rang and immediately silence reigned in the house.

“I think Rocco just arrived.”

Giovanni sighed. “Let’s hope he brings good news. If I hear one more word about the Camorra’s victory march in the West, I’m going to lose it.”

The rise of the Camorra in the West was a worrying development. After Benedetto’s death a few years ago, I’d thought the remaining Falcone clan spread out in the different cities would tear into each other and weaken the Camorra. And initially that had been the case, but then Remo Falcone had grabbed power and went on a killing spree. Now he and his brothers ruled over the West. They hadn’t attacked my territory yet so I had ignored them for the most part. They were volatile, brutal madmen like their father and I hoped they’d eventually kill each other off and solve the problem themselves.

When Rocco stepped in, I knew we wouldn’t hear good news today.

His face was red and covered with sweat, and the top button of his shirt was open as if he’d had trouble breathing.

I pushed out of the chair. “Rocco?”

“You should sit down again,” he muttered.

Narrowing my eyes, I walked toward him. “What is it?”

“I got updates from our contacts in Vegas and New York.” He let out a bitter laugh. “We’re being screwed over on both fronts.”

“For God’s sake, what is going on?” Giovanni said.

“Orazio has been made Underboss of Boston.”

Giovanni’s expression became stone but for briefest moment pain flared up in his eyes.

I didn’t move, trying to keep my emotions in check, even as a wave of fury rolled through me. “You said on both fronts?”

Rocco laughed again and staggered over to the desk where he dropped a few photos. His fingers turned white from their tight grip on the edge of the desk. I moved closer to get a look at the photos. It took me a moment to understand what I was seeing. A fighting cage with a blond man in the center.

Fabiano Scuderi with raised arms, celebrating a victory over a bleeding opponent.

I glanced at Rocco who looked close to an outburst. “Where was this taken?”

A suspicion was trickling through slowly. One territory was famous for their death fights.

“Las Vegas.” Rocco jabbed his finger at another photo. I picked it up and took a closer look. Fabiano had the tattoo of an eye and the knife on his forearm. The tattoo of the Camorra.

“He defected to the fucking Camorra! And that bastard Falcone took him in. First Luca with Orazio, and now Falcone with Fabiano! This must stop.”

Giovanni didn’t say anything. If my own body hadn’t gone into a sort of fury-fueled state of shock, I would have asked if he was okay. He looked pale.

“What’s he doing in the Camorra?” I asked, satisfied to hear my voice cold and smooth. No sign of my inner turmoil.

“What does it matter?” Rocco roared. “My own flesh and blood has become a dirty traitor. I want him dead!”

Pure hatred shone in Rocco’s dark eyes. But it wasn’t the only emotion I detected. In their depth, I found animal fear. What was Rocco so afraid of? His reputation? That I would remove him from his position as Consigliere because of this development? Or something else? “We have to attack the Camorra, Dante. Right away. We can’t show weakness. Luca and Remo are making fools of us. We must react. We must kill Fabiano and Orazio.”

I agreed. Both Fabiano and Orazio needed to die, but not before I had talked to them. I needed to know what had happened, and I needed to know everything they knew about the Famiglia and the Camorra.

“We have to gather more information before we act, Rocco. This isn’t something we can risk without a foolproof plan. And right now, neither you nor Giovanni are in a state of mind to discuss plans.”

Rocco shook his head. “We can’t wait!”

“Careful with that tone,” I growled. “We will wait and you’ll gather more info before we discuss tactics. Understood?”

Rocco moved even closer. “You owe me this. Remember, Jacopo.”

I grabbed his throat and shoved him against the desk. “One more word, Rocco, and you’ll die before Fabiano. I won’t tolerate your disrespect. And remember that you owe me more than I do.”

Giovanni hovered a few steps from us, a hand on his gun. He needn’t have worried. I didn’t need his help against Rocco. I made sure I stayed fit, Rocco on the other hand only tried to stay in shape by taking a young girl in his bed.

“Understood?” I hissed.

“Yes,” Rocco got out. I released him and he massaged his throat. “Sorry, Capo. This has been a shock.”

“Find out more information and once you’ve calmed down, we’ll figure out what we can do.”

Rocco nodded and left. I followed after him, wary of his emotional state.

“Maria! Get the boys. We’re leaving!” he barked.

Maria hurried into the lobby, the two boys in front of her. Rocco Jr. and Riccardo were four and five, and looked like twins. Riccardo ducked his head but Rocco frowned. “But we were playing with Leonas.”

Rocco slapped his older son. “Do I look like I care?”

Val gave me a horrified look as she appeared in the doorway behind Maria.

“It’s not a sign of strength to hurt the people you need to protect,” Leonas muttered the words I’d told him several times.

Rocco glared at my son but then quickly smoothed his face and gave me a tight smile. “See you soon.”

Without another word, he walked out. Maria quickly pushed the boys out as well and hurried after him.

Val shook her head and stroked Leonas’ head. He came over to me. “Why can’t you order him to treat his family nicely?”

I sighed. “A Capo can’t get involved in family matters.”

“That’s stupid!” Leonas muttered, stomping his foot.

“Do not take that tone with me,” I said sharply.

Leonas snapped his mouth shut, eying me warily. I wasn’t in a state of mind for a discussion with him today.

“I have to work,” I clipped and returned to my office. Giovanni sat in his usual chair again, looking out of the window.

I closed the door and released a long breath.

Giovanni slanted me a look. “Maybe this is God’s way to punish us.”

I walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured us generous glasses of Scotch. “I don’t believe in a higher power. That won’t change now. My mother would probably say we’re cursed.” I laughed bitterly and downed a considerable amount of the burning liquid before I handed Giovanni a glass.

“I’m not a believer either, but sometimes I wonder…”

“What kind of message would it send to punish us for our sins by favoring other sinners?” Luca and Remo certainly deserved hell as much as I did.

“It’s good that your father doesn’t realize what’s going on anymore.”

“Dementia turns out to be his blessing,” I said sarcastically. It spared me his disapproval anyway.

I perched on the edge of the desk, downing the rest of my drink. “What do you think should I do?”

Giovanni looked surprised. “Don’t you think I’m too emotionally involved to give you advice?”

“Who of us isn’t emotionally involved at this point, Giovanni? I’m fucking furious over this development. I want to torture and kill until the fire in my veins abates. Do you think I’m in a state to make strategic decisions?”

“You are Capo, but you are human too.”

I chuckled without joy. “I’m not without failure, that much is clear. Two high-ranking sons in enemy famiglias.” I poured myself more scotch. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had more than a glass.

“I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t know if killing them will change anything. The damage is done.”

“Someone needs to bleed for this. I have to make sure my men know I’ll punish them harshly if they break their vow.”

Giovanni pushed to his feet. “Over the years, I made my peace with the situation. For Livia and for Val, and even for myself.”

“Then you’ve come farther than I have. Peace is the last thing on my mind.”

Giovanni smiled sadly. “I know. And I’m at your side no matter what you decide. Just remember that a war on two fronts might rip the Outfit apart. All I want is for our family to be safe.”

“Trust me, Giovanni, my family’s safety is my top priority.”

Val, Leonas and Anna were always at the back of my head when I made crucial decisions, decisions that might lead to brutal retaliation.

“If you excuse me now, I need to figure out a way to break this to Livia.” He sighed. “We need good news.”

I didn’t say anything, too torn between blinding rage and despair. If it were just me I had to worry about, I’d attack Boston and kill Orazio, then move on to Vegas to finish Fabiano. But I wasn’t alone.

I downed the rest of my drink.

Giovanni slipped out and closed the door. I slanted a glance over to the photos. Why had Fabiano chosen the Camorra and not the Famiglia? It made absolutely no sense. Back when he’d run away, the Camorra had been in shambles. He couldn’t hope to find anything in the West except for a painful death. Luca would have taken him in, for Aria, to spite me…

A new wave of rage boiled up. Luca risked a lot by making Orazio Underboss. Not only was he born into the Outfit but his wife wasn’t Italian. His Famiglia couldn’t be happy about that development.

Of course, I knew why he did it. To taunt me.

A knock sounded, tearing me from my thoughts.

Val stepped in without waiting for me to invite her in. It was a common occurrence but today my patience had run thin. “I didn’t ask you to come in.”

Val raised her eyebrows then crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’m not one of your soldiers, Dante, so don’t treat me like one of them.”

I gritted my teeth. She was right. I shouldn’t unleash my anger on her, but right now I felt close to detonating and didn’t want her close.

She took a step closer, but I shook my head.

“I need time to think.”

“What happened? My father and Rocco looked like they’d seen a ghost. Is it about Orazio?”

“Valentina,” I said sharply. “I don’t feel like talking now. I really need to think.”

“Very well,” Val said, her expression making it very clear that it wasn’t. “If you’ve calmed down, maybe then we can have a conversation between partners. I’m not in the mood to be treated like one of your subjects.” She turned before I could say more and left the room, throwing the door shut with more force than was necessary.

I grabbed the edge of the desk, closing my eyes. I hated fighting with Val.

Valentina

“What’s gotten into Dad?” Leonas asked curiously when I stepped into the library where I’d sent Anna and him so they could practice their instruments. Leonas’ pressed the piano keys with little enthusiasm and Anna, too, only randomly tugged at the strings of her harp. She had never warmed up to the piano, so we’d switched her to the harp two years ago, with success.

“He’s just a bit stressed. He’s got plenty of work to do.”

“It’s because Uncle Orazio is a traitor?”

I frowned, wondering where Anna had picked that up. It was impossible to keep everything from them. At only nine and six, my children knew more than I wanted them to.

“I don’t know. Don’t worry about it, all right? Everything is going to be fine. Your dad just needs some time to work in peace.”

“Okay,” Anna mumbled and began to play a beautiful song on her harp.

Leonas got up from the piano bench and walked toward me. I ran my hand through his hair, which had gotten long again, so he had to blow it out of his eyes constantly. “When I’m Capo, I’ll fire Rocco’s dad. I don’t want him as my Consigliere.”

I stifled a smile and hugged him to me. “That’s still a long time to go. I’m sure he’ll have retired by then.”

“If he doesn’t, I’ll just have him killed.”

I froze. “Leonas, don’t talk like that.”

He looked up curiously. “Why not? It’s the truth. Dad kills people all the time.”

Anna tugged harder at the strings of her harp and hummed along to the melody.

I lowered my voice and gave him a stern look. “Who said that?”

“Rocco and Riccardo. Their father talks to them about a lot of stuff. And I’ve overheard Enzo and Taft in the kitchen too.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear.”

He tilted his head. “But it’s true, right? The mob kills people and Dad tells his soldiers who. Like traitors and people he doesn’t like.”

I wasn’t sure what to tell him. He was six, a small boy, and yet he knew these things, talked about death as if it was something ordinary. I swallowed. “You know you shouldn’t talk about these things with other people, right?”

“I know,” Leonas said. “You and Dad always say that we need to keep it a secret. I never tell Outsiders anything.”

I glanced at my watch. “Go back to your piano practice now. Are you done with your homework?”

Leonas made a sullen face. “Yeah.” I pushed him gently toward the piano then headed toward Anna who stared at her fingers with forced concentration. I squatted beside her stool. Her long brown hair trailed down her back and I gently smoothed it out. Anna turned toward me, her blue eyes swimming with worry. Whenever she looked at me, my breath stilled for a moment. She was such a beautiful girl, inside and outside.

“Does Dad kill every traitor? Even family?”

Anna had loved Orazio and she had been sad when he’d disappeared. I wished she’d have never found out he’d become a traitor. “Dad tries to be a good leader for his men and a good father for you and Leonas, Anna. Don’t worry about these things. They don’t concern our life.”

It was a lie of course. The mob ruled over every aspect of our life.

Anna pursed her lips. “It’s why I’m not allowed to go to a normal school.”

She was right.

“It’s because you are a girl and can’t protect yourself,” Leonas butted in.

Anna glowered at him. “You can’t protect yourself either!”

“Can too. That’s why I can go and you can’t!”

“Enough, Leonas. Focus on your practice.” I touched Anna’s hand. “Your Dad is a bit more protective about us girls than about Leonas.”

It had led to an argument between us when Leonas had started private school almost two years ago while Anna kept being home-schooled but Dante hadn’t budged. He wanted Leonas to be surrounded by other kids, so he’d learn to assert himself. Anna, on the other hand, remained in her sheltered cocoon at home.

“Do you want to attend Leonas’ school?”

She bit her lip and nodded.

“We’ll see what we can do. Maybe next year.”

“Okay,” she said. I stood and left them to their practice.

I wouldn’t start a discussion about school options with Dante today. He wasn’t in a state of mind to do so. Instead, I headed into my office to make plans for my upcoming visit to our biggest brothel, one frequented by Chicago’s elite, mostly politicians.

The kids and I had dinner alone, which almost never happened anymore. I refrained from knocking at Dante’s door to ask him to join us. He knew we always ate at the same time.

Once the kids were in bed, I changed into my nightgown but sleep evaded me, so I headed back to my office to work some more but shortly before midnight I decided to look for Dante once more. He couldn’t hide in his office forever.

I knocked and again barged in without waiting for a reply. It annoyed Dante, but sometimes it was the best way to get a quick reaction from him and not give him time to compose himself. I hated it when he tried to put up a mask in front of me, even if he only did it to protect me.

Annoyance flashed across Dante’s face. He was bent over the desk which was covered in a wild array of papers. His jacket hung over his chair and his vest lay on the floor beside his feet. Usually he never let his clothes drop to the ground. That he didn’t care showed how occupied his mind was. “Val, I told you I need to work.”

A half empty whiskey tumbler sat precariously close to the edge of the desk where Dante seemed to have put it down without much care. His narrowed eyes took me in and something in them sent a little shiver down my back. Slowly, he dragged his gaze over my body. Barefoot and in my nightgown, he had a lot to take in. “It’s midnight. Come to bed.”

He straightened with a look somewhere between anger and a familiar hunger. The top two buttons of his shirt were open and he’d rolled his sleeves up, revealing muscular forearms. I walked closer and his eyes followed the shift of my hips then drifted higher to my breasts. My nipples hardened under his scrutiny. “When will you learn to do what I say?”

I stopped on the other side of the desk. “When you start taking better care of yourself. It’s late. You need to rest.”

“I don’t want to rest,” he said in a voice I felt right between my legs. Whatever had happened today, and I’d find out what it was—later—had shaken up Dante more than anything had in a while. He was tense and angry. He needed to let off steam and seeing him like that turned me on.

Dante surprised me by leaning across the desk, grabbing my neck and pulling me in for a harsh kiss. When he pulled back, both hunger and anger had intensified in his eyes. “Fuck it, Val. You are too damn stubborn.”

I could tell that Dante had every intention of punishing me today. It had become our own little role play, sometimes more serious than other times. It was a chance for both of us to relieve tension, and Dante needed that today.

Dante released me and took a sip from his scotch before he ordered. “Get changed. I expect you to be ready when I arrive.”

Biting my lip, I hurried upstairs and put on a flimsy Negligee that barely covered my butt, panties with a slit in the crotch for easy access and suspenders. We’d given up heels a while ago. They just made things too uncomfortable.

Just waiting for Dante in our bedroom, I got already wet. When he finally stepped inside with an expression of dark hunger and dominance, I had to stop myself from throwing myself at him. “Grab onto the bedpost. Your back to me.”

I obeyed at once and clamped my hands around the wooden post as Dante’s shoes clicked on the floorboards. Dante’s heat pressed into me and he bound my hands to the post with a satin band. He tugged at my arms, then gave a satisfied sound when I couldn’t free myself. With my arms over my head, I waited for Dante’s next move. He wrapped a shawl around my eyes, taking my sight. I shivered at the loss of this sense.

I loved our little role plays. They kept things interesting even after years of marriage and two kids.

Then Dante stepped back, depriving me of his warmth.

“Bend your back and spread your legs wider.”

I did as he demanded and waited. I was already so eager for his touch, for his cock, it was driving me insane.

The rustling of clothes and soft click of his Budapesters told me he was close, but I couldn’t feel him yet. A finger dipped between my folds and I bit back a moan. “I love it when you give me easy access to your pussy.” He dragged his finger over my opening, drawing out my wetness. My teeth dug into my lower lip to keep me from making a sound.

“You’re always dripping for me, Val, aren’t you?” he rasped, pulled back and I heard him lick his finger clean. I shuddered, jutting my ass out even more, a silent beg.

“You tried my patience today, Val. I won’t make this easy for you.” His palm slid up my inner thigh then his mouth followed, hot and wet. I whimpered. “Please.”

“No sound,” he growled, and I became even more aroused. My body hummed with need, my toes curling as my insides tightened in anticipation for Dante’s touch. He released a hot breath and trailed his tongue along the edge of my suspender. I bit my lip, desperate and eager, and close to losing it. If my hands weren’t tied, I would have plunged my own fingers into me but as it was, I had to submit to Dante’s torture. He bit my skin lightly, making me moan against the post. And then finally, he touched two fingers to my opening and pushed in slowly, gently. But I needed more. I jerked my hips.

“No.”

I stilled, whimpering as Dante slowed his fingers even more. His breath was hot against my inner thigh. I knew he was watching closely as he slid his fingers into my pussy and the knowledge alone tripled my lust. “Spread your legs wider.”

I did and Dante’s deep exhale was the best reward. His fingers were sheathed all the way in me and my muscles contracted around him, begging for friction, for him to slam into me, to touch my clit. Instead, Dante slowly rotated his fingers, which felt amazing, but wasn’t enough, not nearly enough. “Patience,” he drawled as if he could read my mind, or more likely read my eager body. I wanted his tongue so badly, and then his cock. I could barely think straight anymore.

He extracted his fingers slowly and then he stood. “Open your mouth.” He slid his fingers past my lips, allowing me to taste myself. I used my chance and circled his fingers with my tongue, then sucked them like I would his cock if only he’d let me have it.

He unbound my hands and guided me toward the bed. I sank down then lay back, waiting for him. The mattress dipped under his weight and then my blindfold disappeared. I opened my eyes but it took my eyes a moment to get used to the brightness once more. Dante slid down my panties and pushed my knees up against my chest until I was completely exposed to him. My lips parted with desire, knowing what would come. He bent down and drew his tongue along my slit, once, twice.

“So fucking eager for my tongue.” He regarded me over my pussy as his hand kneaded my ass cheek.

“Yes,” I whispered, eager for him to continue, to feel his tongue inside of me. His blue eyes held mine as he slowly dragged his tongue back and forth over my folds, lightly playing around with them. I bit my lower lip to stifle any sound. Dante pulled back again, and his dominant eyes rested on my pussy. He squeezed my ass cheek and my center clenched, and a new wave of arousal trickled out. Dante’s breathing deepened, a dark smile curling his mouth because he saw.

“Remember, no sound and no coming until I allow it,” he rasped, and then he pressed his mouth to my pussy and sucked my folds between his lips, lightly then harder, and I whimpered, shook and got even wetter.

I knew it would be easier not to come if I didn’t watch but the sight of this powerful man between my thighs was the most erotic thing in the world and I couldn’t deprive myself of it.

Dante released my folds. “Delicious,” he murmured, and he spread my lips. Even I could see how swollen and red my clit was, desperate for release, for attention.

“No sound, no coming,” Dante demanded.

I gave a sharp nod and with his eyes on me, he licked along my slit with the flat of his tongue then flicked the tip over my clit. And again. His warm, wet tongue. Firm, then soft. Over and over he repeated the same torturous motion, his eyes holding mine, watching my despair at wanting to come, at needing to come.

My fingers dug into my knees, my teeth into my lower lip. “Dante,” I got out.

“No,” he growled, and circled my opening with his tongue the way I loved it, and I began to shake, my orgasm wanting to burst forth.

Dante pulled back and sat up.

“Please!” I gasped.

He shook his head. “No, you were about to come. I didn’t allow you to.”

I glared but at the same time, I shuddered with a new wave of desire at his dominance. I began to lower my legs but Dante shook his head. “Stay like that, opened up for me and dripping.”

He stood and slowly got out of his clothes. It took considerable restraint not to rip them all away and pull him on top of me. He climbed on the bed and knelt beside my head, smiling darkly. Remembering the early days of our marriage when I’d worried that Dante would be a cold fish in bed almost made me laugh. He pushed a pillow below my head so I was on eye level with his erection. “You’re going to suck my cock now, and if you do good, I’ll lick you again and let you come.”

I nodded.

“Part your lips,” he ordered. I did without hesitation and he slid his cock in until he hit the back of my throat. Steadying my head, he began to thrust into me, fucking my mouth slowly. His control was slipping and as usual, it gave me a sense of triumph.

Dante

I watched my cock slam into Val’s perfect mouth. She swirled her tongue and hollowed her cheeks, increasing my pleasure. I held her in place, as I fucked her mouth slowly, taking my time, wanting to draw this out. It wasn’t a punishment. Val loved sucking my cock and she did it just the way I wanted it. I’d taught her every move and she was a quick learner.

My eyes slid down to her pussy. The sight of her parted pink lips, her swollen clit, glistening and ready, made my cock jerk. Val licked my pre-cum eagerly. “Good,” I groaned as I slid slowly out of her. She knew her cue and began working only my tip, sucking it and licking it. This was the part she loved most and wetness pooled between her folds, waiting to be lapped up but that would have to wait.

Val held my gaze as she sucked my tip. She dipped her tongue in my slit then twirled it around.

“Enough,” I ordered. She closed her mouth around my cock again and I began thrusting once more, but faster and harder than before and then I exploded in her mouth. “Swallow every last drop.”

She did. Always, but again the command made her shudder with arousal.

Slowly, I pulled out. Val licked her lips. “And did I do good?” she asked in a challenging tone.

“Careful, or I might decide not to let you come at all,” I warned. She pressed her lips together, her eyes full of need and lust. The sight was enough to let my dick stay half erect.

I climbed down the bed and knelt before her waiting pussy. My eyes took her in, her need for me. “Do you want me to eat you until you come in my mouth?” I asked in a rough voice.

Val’s lips parted. “Yes, please.”

“Good,” I murmured. “But first we need to practice a bit more discipline. You won’t come for the next thirty seconds. You will count and when you reach thirty, I want you to give me your sweet release. Understood?”

That was something new. Something we hadn’t done yet. Her eyes flashed with desire. “Yes.”

I cupped her firm ass and bent over her. Her pussy clenched in anticipation and my own cock filled with more blood at the sight. “Start counting.”

“One,” she said. I hooked my thumbs in her petals and spread her for me. “Two.”

I took my first lick, over her opening, and “three” and “four” came out shaky and then I dove really in. This wouldn’t be easy for her. I suckled and nibbled at her sensitive folds, rubbed them with my thumbs, traced her throbbing opening. Val had trouble counting, every word a gasp, an exhale, a whimper as I lapped at her, enjoying her arousal more than anything else.

Val was so responsive, so playful and loved to try new things. At the count of twenty-nine, I closed my mouth over her folds and sucked hard. She cried out the thirty and opened wider for me, shaking and moaning as she was granted her release. I groaned against her as I slid my tongue into her. Her muscles clenched around me. I lapped at her, delirious from her taste. Val shuddered.

I pulled away then climbed up Val’s body, kissing her deeply, already growing hard again. Her fingers curled around my cock, stroking me, impatient to have me fuck her. It didn’t take long. I pushed Val’s hand away, lined myself up and plunged into her.

She gasped. I started pounding into her angrily. My hand clamped down on her wrists and pressed them into the cushions above her head. Her eyes flashed up to mine, her beautiful lips parted. I dug my fingers into her thigh and hooked it over my ass for deeper access.

I lost myself in Val, in my lust for her until everything else faded into the background, until all that mattered was Val’s slick pussy around my cock, our sweaty bodies pressing into each other, our mouths seeking contact.

With a violent shudder, my release overcame me. Val threw her head back with a hoarse cry, her muscles contracting around me as her orgasm followed mine. I kept pumping into her, my lips pressed to Val’s pulse point.

With a groan, I lowered myself on Val and stayed like that, smelling her familiar scent. My own muskier scent mingled with hers and gave me a sense of possessiveness.

Val stroked my back and kissed my temple. “Will you tell me what happened?”

I released a small breath and rolled off Val. She turned toward me and I pulled her against my body then stroked her sweaty hair away from her forehead. Val regarded me patiently, those stunning green eyes full of understanding. It astounded me how she could trust in me, believe in me. “It’s Orazio, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “And Fabiano.”

Val lifted her head. “Fabiano?”

My anger rekindled, even if I wanted to remain in my after-sex bliss. “Orazio is now Underboss in Boston, and Fabiano is part of the Camorra.”

Val stared. Her disbelief reflected my own initial reaction until it had been replaced by a thirst for vengeance and harsh anger.

Val shook her head. “Why would Luca make Orazio Underboss? It’ll only cause him problems.” Then her lips twisted, realization settling in her eyes.

“Yeah, he taunts me.”

“And now you are going to retaliate.”

“I have to. The question is how. Especially now that Fabiano is part of the Camorra. I can’t attack both the Camorra and the Famiglia.”

Val lowered her chin to my chest. “Then attack the Camorra.”

“I can’t spare Orazio.”

She nodded slowly. “I know. Not after this. But Luca will expect something, don’t you think?”

“For sure. He knows I’ll be furious once I find out about Orazio. He’ll triple his safety measures, at least in New York, and Orazio will have high security as well.”

Val’s gaze became distant. “I wonder if he has a second child by now…” She trailed off.

I touched her cheek. “Don’t think about it. It’ll make things worse.”

“I can’t help it. Sometimes I can’t stop thinking about all we’ve lost, and I don’t just mean the dead. I never get to meet Aria’s children or Orazio’s, and Anna can’t see her godmother. It’s heartbreaking. And now Fabiano. God, what else can go wrong?” She paused but I could tell that she wasn’t done yet. “I bet Rocco wants to walk into Las Vegas with blazing guns to kill Fabiano.”

“Of course. He’s furious, but I can tell that there’s more.”

Val tilted her head the way she always did when she thought hard about something. “It’s strange that Fabiano joined the Camorra instead of the Famiglia.”

“Indeed. It suggests he didn’t have another choice. But why would he find himself in Camorra territory in the first place?”

Val gave me a look. She despised Rocco deeply. I wasn’t fond of him on a personal level either, but so far he’d been a valuable asset when it came to strategical decisions.

“You think Rocco is the reason why Fabiano went to Las Vegas. Why would Rocco do that? It makes him look bad. Considering that his daughters are already in the Famiglia, this will only worsen his reputation.”

“I know, but maybe he didn’t think Fabiano would survive.”

“You think he sent him away to die.”

Val shrugged. “Don’t tell me he isn’t capable of that kind of thing.”

“I’m not.” Rocco was certainly capable of the most depraved acts when he thought they were to his advantage. I ran my hands through Val’s hair. “What would you do in my stead?”

“Don’t you trust Rocco to advise you on this?”

“I trust you absolutely. You are the only person who can say that.”

Val’s eyes became tender. She kissed me but then her brows pulled together in thought. “Like I said, I wouldn’t attack the Famiglia right away. Except for a few smaller raids on labs or clubs near our borders perhaps, just to keep them on their toes. I’d focus on the Fabiano situation for now. Maybe send a team who captures him and brings him to Chicago so you can question him. That way you’ll find out what really went on.”

I smiled.

“What?” Val asked with a hint of embarrassment.

“You should be my Consigliere, not Rocco.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I mean it. You’d be the better choice. You are clever and your heart is in the right place.”

Val pressed a kiss to my chin. “My heart could be a problem when it comes to the bloody side of the business.”

I trailed my fingers down her spine. “But mine won’t. I’m capable of doing whatever’s necessary. But you are right. Maybe it’s a good thing that you aren’t part of the business.”

“I already help with the business. And the majority of your soldiers would go on a warpath if you made a woman, your wife, Consigliere. That’s not going to work.”

“They’d have to accept my judgment.”

Val shook her head. “We don’t need another battlefield within the Outfit, no less. Not to mention that there’s still Rocco. Or have you made plans to get rid of him?”

“You’d like that.”

“I do.”

I chuckled. “Not as innocent.”

“He deserves death for everything he’s done.”

“But so do I, Val.”

She huffed.

“Right now, I don’t intend to remove Rocco. I’ll wait until Fabiano tells us exactly why he’s joined the Camorra before I decide what to do with Rocco.”

Val nodded, then yawned. It was past two and we both had to get up early.

I extinguished the lights and kissed Val goodnight.

For several moments, Val didn’t say anything before her softly whispered words penetrated the silence, “You really think I’d be a good Consigliere?”

I smiled against her hair. “Yes, I have no doubt.”

Sleep evaded me that night and so I got up at five A.M. and crept out of the bedroom with gym clothes. Val was still fast asleep. I changed into my running shorts and a T-shirt and went into the small gym room beside my office. I tried to run at least six miles every morning. This morning I decided on eight miles in the hopes of quieting my restless mind and banishing the lingering tension in my body.

After a quick shower in the guest bathroom and a change into a business suit, I headed into my office. It wasn’t even seven yet, but I had a busy day ahead of me. I needed to visit one of our weapons dealers and then head to the Trentino, one of our newest Underground casinos.

The photos of Fabiano still mocked me on my desk. I picked them up and shoved them into one of the drawers before I bent over the papers with our weapon orders.

A soft click made my head shoot up with narrowed eyes.

Anna hovered in the doorway, half hidden behind the door. Her hair was tousled and she was still in her white pajamas with a pink floral pattern. “Can I come in, Daddy?”

I put down the papers and pushed my chair back. “Of course, Anna. What is it?”

Something about her demeanor was off. She usually wasn’t this demure around us, even if she was reserved when strangers were around. She closed the door and tiptoed closer, avoiding my eyes. I pulled her on my lap and she nestled her head against my throat, her fingers fumbling with my jacket.

“You can tell me anything, you know that, right?” I said quietly.

She gave a sharp nod. “If I do something bad, Daddy, something you don’t like, will you kill me like Orazio?”

For a moment, my heart stopped beating. Grabbing her shoulders, I moved her so I could see her face. Her eyes held honest trepidation and it was the worst sight I could imagine. The shit with Orazio and Fabiano meant nothing in comparison to the fucking anguish I felt because my own daughter thought I might kill her if she displeased me. The mere idea…

I nudged up her chin. “Anna, no matter what you do, I’ll never hurt you. I’ll protect you with my life from any harm. You hear me?”

“Even if I become a traitor?”

“I won’t ever hurt you. Ever.”

She bit her lip. “Okay.”

“Who said something like that?” I asked, trying to keep my voice gentle.

“Leonas said you’d have to kill Orazio because he’s a traitor, and that you’d do the same with anyone else who betrayed you.”

I gritted my teeth. I kissed Anna’s forehead. “I love you more than anything, Anna.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” Anna said and snuggled against me once more. Despite my workload, I decided to spend some time with her. “How about we play a song together?”

“Really?” She sat up with wide eyes.

I rarely played the piano anymore. For one, I didn’t have time, and it had never been my passion, but playing with Anna held a special place in my heart.

She hopped off my lap and took my hand, practically dragging me toward the library. This was my daughter, not the scared girl from a few minutes ago.

Anna settled on the piano bench.

“Won’t you play the harp?”

She shook her head sharply. “I wanna play the piano with you.”

“All right.” I sat down beside her. “Let’s see. What song do you want to play?”

“Let it be!”

I chuckled. I searched her booklet for the song then opened it. Anna loved to listen to the Beatles and play their songs. She was an old soul in a young body. “Ready?”

She grinned up at me, her worry and fear forgotten. I’d do anything to keep it that way.