Meet the Characters:
It’s a mystery to Leo how he became best friends with Reno Viale. Son of a drug induced whore and a father he can’t remember, he and Reno bonded over their abusive childhood. Leo has endured, suffered, and sacrificed for Nostra Casa. His reward, marriage. He fights the union, so why, when his wish is granted, does he decide to marry Lucia?
Lucia is aware of the perils she faces being a part of their world; even though her father protected her and her mother from the dirty deeds that encompass Nostra Casa. In fact, being a nurse, she’s patched up many men under her father’s guidance without blinking an eye. When Leo is presented as a possible suitor, she agrees without hesitation.
Leo knows he lives a dangerous life, and to hurt him his enemies will come after the one thing that means the world to him. Lucia. But he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, no matter how dark.
Feel the Passion:
We touch down in Las Vegas by late afternoon, with a rental car standing by to drive to our hotel. As we approach the Maserati Levante SUV, Leo’s back goes ramrod stiff. He takes in the parking area with eagle eyes, then hands me into the passenger side. Leo gets behind the wheel and takes off immediately, constantly looking in his rearview mirror once we merge onto the highway. His face is like stone, set in lines of deep concentration as he bobs in and out of lanes like Mario Andretti.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. Leo’s jaw tightens as he glances at the vehicles behind us.
“Nothing to worry about,” he responds, but I’m not convinced. Especially when he presses his foot on the gas pedal and puts as much road between us and the car following. Leo’s cell goes off. He slips it out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Put it on speaker,” he says.
“Slow the fuck down.” It’s Reno on the other end of the call, his voice strained.
“What the fuck!” Leo’s temper explodes. “That’s you behind us?” He relents and drops the car to a more normal speed.
“Actually, it’s Cassini’s men. Out of respect, I told him you were going to be in his territory, and he insisted on protection for you and Lucia,” Reno says. “So can you slow the fuck down before you cause a major accident and end up coming home in a body bag.”
“You didn’t think to tell me before we landed?”
“I didn’t hear back until ten minutes ago, and by that time, the chase was on. Cassini’s going to call you to invite you and Lucia to dinner. I know it’s your vacation, but I need you to go and play nice for Nostra Casa. It would be an insult to refuse.” There’s no way Leo can refuse, but how safe is it to have a meal with a potential rival family?
“I’ll go, but I won’t put Lucia in danger,” Leo says.
“She won’t be, and I’ll have our men stationed around the restaurant. They’re already en route. You gotta trust me, Alessio’s trying to make things right. He was a victim, and his reaction was based on very convincing evidence. It’s a mistake he won’t make again. He respects you. This is his olive branch.”
“We’ll go,” I reply for Leo, who turns his head to me.
“Lucia—”
“This is part of being an underboss, and as your wife, I will be there by your side.” I nod. “You know I’m right.”
“Right.” Leo sighs. “Dinner it is.”
“Have a great time, you two.” Reno rings off.
Leo glances over, but before he can speak, I cut in. “It’ll be fine. We can spare one dinner.”
“Il Destino is rougher, grittier, and more old-fashioned in their Mafia dynamics. Their women are trophies who are seen and not heard. You can’t be you, Lucia.” Leo chooses his words carefully.
“They’re assholes is what you’re trying to say. They’re male chauvinist pigs who see women as lesser human beings,” I state plainly. Leo nods, his lips tightening into a thin line. “I can play a part for one night. I’ll keep close to you and hang on to your arm. It’s part of what we need to do, so we’ll do it. So long as no one touches me, I’ll let them keep their fingers.”
Leo bursts out laughing. My God, he’s beautiful when he laughs. His husky voice filled with laughter is the best sound. “You’re going to let them keep their fingers, huh?”
“You do know I’m a nurse. I can mend a body part, but I can also tell you how to cause damage in a heartbeat,” I say with a smug grin.
“Good to know, stellina. You’ll have to give me lessons sometime.” He chuckles through the words.
“I must say, you do know how to make a honeymoon exciting, babe.” I giggle along with him.
Leaves you wanting more:
She’s too sweet, too gentle, and far too loving to be the wife of a hardened man like me. When her soft lips brush mine, I swear the sun shines brighter. Lucia is unassuming, with no expectations, and it’s clear a simple gesture like preserving her flowers means more to her than any gift I can buy. In front of Giuseppe, it’s fine, but in public, this show of emotion would be a disaster. The enemy waits to find a way to hurt you deeper than taking your life. They want to make you suffer, to force you to watch the ones you love die.
This is when I realize my little minx means more to me than she should. I survived my father’s inadequacies and the brutal climb out of the gutter to prove that I’m nothing like him. I accepted my mother’s selfishness in leaving me behind to snort and fuck her way through life. I’ve endured the gossip, the isolation of not being part of the “good” family. But losing Lucia would rock my very foundation.
The lot is virtually empty as we arrive at the cemetery. Apart from our vehicle and Giuseppe’s guards in the car following us, there’s only a handful of other cars around. I walk with Lucia and her father, then stand by as she places the flowers down on Natalina’s plot. Her father takes his daughter’s hand and speaks quietly to his wife as Lucia wipes a tear from her cheek.
I hang back. It’s a private moment that the two are sharing. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a leather-clad man in the distance. He’s bent on one knee, his hand on the tombstone in front of him, then he moves to the one beside it and does the same. I recognize the figure. He’s hard to forget. The man is as tall and broad as a heavyweight prizefighter. He also wears the pained expression that’s his signature look. They call him Ghost. He’s a brother to Risk and Guard, part of Satan’s Pride MC. An ally to Nostra Casa, and a force to be reckoned with if you cross him. He sees me too. Silently, he gives a two-finger salute, then turns his back and disappears on his motorcycle.
I fear nothing and no one, but I’m sure as fuck glad he and Satan’s Pride are on our side. Lucia returns to me, slipping her fingers through mine. When she does these sweet gestures, I never want to let her go.
“All done, stellina?” I ask.
“Yeah,” she sighs softly. “Who was that guy?”
“He’s a ghost. Luckily, he’s an ally and a friend.”
“Are we heading to the airport? It seems kind of early yet.”
“Not yet. I thought we’d take your dad for a quick brunch before we head out.”
We pick a place near the airport to eat. Reno insisted on us taking his plane for the trip. A hell of a lot easier for planning, and with one call, we can go home if need be. As we settle on the plane, Lucia looks around in awe.
“Reno has a plane?” She takes in the scene and asks, “What’s back there?” She points to the door at the back of the plane.
“A bed and bathroom. Reno’s been known to do a lot of overnight flights. Mind you, I think Sebastian used to use that bed more than Reno ever did.”
“He was quite a player.” She smiles at me. “He seems very settled now.”
“Olivia’s been a great influence. Sebastian can be a very stubborn mule, but Olivia seems to have tamed the beast.”
“I’m glad I got to know her better. She’s lovely. And Anna too. I just have to say that Reno lucked out.”
“Anna’s all that and more.” I was the first one assigned to watch over Anna. From the time Reno knew that an attempt was being made on her life, it was me he trusted with his future wife. I got to know Anna well, and Lucia’s right, she’s an incredible woman with more strength than anyone would have thought. She stunned Reno with her attitude and resilience. I laughed at the time, and yet now I’m finding myself in the very same situation.
Last night, Lucia gave me a most precious gift, and she did this matching my passion with her own. Her soft hands roaming my body, clinging to me, her breathless pleas, tormented me all night. I had to leave our bed at dawn to stop myself from climbing between her legs and taking her again. That’s when I saw her bouquet. Taking care of it was an insignificant gesture, yet Lucia responded with such open affection. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I’m afraid I’m enjoying this far too much.
Want even more?
