24

The Aftermath

The days following what was meant to be my fake wedding day were filled with silence. I holed myself up in my childhood estate and wouldn’t allow anyone in, except for Summer and Amber. They stayed here with me, ordering delivery and making sure I kept hydrated.

Our name was splashed across every fucking news channel, the headlines telling New York that their crime rates should lessen, now that the crime lord and his family were locked up.

I was wallowing in self-pity, and eating my weight in deep-fried chicken tenders, washing them down with whatever I could find in the wine cellar underneath the house.

Amber was reporting back to Leonardo daily. It was his condition of not coming to my estate and murdering everyone in his path to get to me. I told Amber she could text him once a day, and that was it.

Giovanni went radio silent. He ghosted the limelight too. Laying low to get his affairs together, now that he was the Mob Boss of New Jersey. I’m not sure where he disappeared to right after his father’s murder, but he didn’t follow Leonardo and me out of that fucking building. A building that suspiciously burnt to the ground the very day of my fake wedding.

Three Months Later

“Midnight, Storm,” I call out and hear their playful whines as they run across the grass and race back to me. “Where’s the ball?” I say in a baby voice.

I spend every afternoon outside basking in the sunset, watching the sun’s rays slowly set over the tall trees that border our estate. Each day is filled with appointments and meetings. I hired the best defense attorney money can buy to work on freeing Papa, Vito, and my two cousins. I hate that they’re stuck in fucking prison and I’m out here, free, living my life.

The past three months have been hard, to say the least. My uncles come to visit from Sicily, happy to help me out when I need it and to visit their boys in prison. Papa’s men have all stepped up and treat me with respect while acting like I’m their daughter.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket and I slide it out to see who texted me.

Summer: BABES! We need to organize a play date. I fucking miss you and my babies.

Me: I miss you too! Bring Raven over for a girly slumber party tonight. Get Amber and Vada on your way!!

Summer: On our way. LOVES YOU!

Me: LOVES YOU!

After babysitting my two girls, Summer decided she needed a puppy of her own and bought herself, and Amber, a Doberman each from the same breeder as Midnight and Storm were bought from. Now our movie nights have turned into dog slumber parties so our babies can play together. The guys are not impressed, but they know we’re safe with the dogs here with us.

After the whole kidnap, murder, and prison shit that went down, I deferred my classes for a while. My concentration is non-existent and I have bigger shit to deal with. There are so many revelations to sift through and my brain can barely keep up as it is.

I sweep my gaze across the front yard when I spot a car I don’t recognize pulling up at the gates. Our security guard still apologizes profusely for letting the psycho, Emma, in that fateful day. He thought she was my friend and could be trusted. No one could predict what was coming and that she would turn out to be a liar and a traitor.

After Summer and Amber were filled in on what went down, and after the initial shock to all of us, we pinkie swore to never let another person into our group. We don’t speak Emma’s name anymore, it’s as though she never existed. Null and void.

The car eases up the driveway and stops in line with where I’m standing. Out of the passenger side climbs Giovanni, in his signature black Armani suit and black shiny shoes. There’s still enough light to see the wicked glint in his eyes, even from this far away.

“Motherfucker.” I can’t believe my eyes.

The fucker disappeared and I’ve not heard a peep from him since that day. Not a fucking word. I have no idea why I’m jaded about it. My fingers instinctively press against his brand on my skin, eliciting long lost desires and temptations too enticing to ignore.

Storm and Midnight are at my sides at once, they still aren’t comfortable around anyone, and I completely understand in this instance. Giovanni is an enigma, all sharp edges and dangerous, with riddles no one can decipher.

“It’s okay, girls.” I head toward him, wondering what bullshit he has come to spin.

The car he was chauffeured in, turns around the circular drive and exits through the gates, leaving him on the driveway. I stare after it and suddenly put two-and-two together. He’s here for his fucking car, not me.

“I’m here to collect what’s mine.” He slices his gaze over me, chewing me up and spitting me out with that one statement.

“The keys are on the driver’s seat.” I jut my chin out as I stop a few feet away from him.

He studies me, his dark eyes lapping up my small booty shorts, making me almost squirm under his scrutiny. “I’m not here for the fucking car, Valentina.” He spits his words like fireworks.

My mind backflips. “What the fuck do you want?” I say, exasperated.

He strides toward me, halting when my two girls stand between us, blocking his path and baring their teeth.

“What’s rightfully mine.” He places his hands in his pockets and stares me down.

Oh.

“We don’t have to obey their rules anymore, you know, and I sure as hell am not anyone’s tool or possession to trade for convenience or power anymore.” I look at him frustrated and confused.

He looks taller and gruffer than what I remember. His five o’clock shadow adding to the rough around the edges aura he’s giving off right now.

“I make my own fucking rules and you’re wearing one of them on your skin.” His sardonic smirk possesses his features making my heart stutter.

“I still have a bone to pick with you about that.” I close the distance between us slowly and my two puppies follow me, flanking me.

Our eyes lock in a heated power struggle. Neither of us wanting to back down.

Giovanni finally lets out a muted sight, “Pick all you want, Principessa. But, we have a meeting with the Russo family and seeing as you’re the head of Mancini, your presence is required.” He tilts his head waiting for me to argue, not realizing I’ve been waiting for this moment.

Time to show these boys who the Queen is around here now.

“I’ll go get changed.” I throw him a snarky look before I head toward the house. “You can come inside. I thought I’d better invite you in, just in case you’re a vampire or some shit.”

The gravel crunches under his footsteps as he follows me inside. Papa would have a freak out if he knew Giovanni was entering his house. But things need to change. We can’t all be enemies when there’s a bigger and scarier wolf out there.

_ _ _

One hour later, thanks to Giovanni driving like he’s Michael Schumacher in the Bugatti, we arrive at a neutral meeting place, somewhere on the outskirts of Newhaven. The Bugatti sticking out like a sore thumb in the small back street valet parking lot.

The click-clack of my black Louboutin’s pumps on the concrete ensures everyone knows we’re coming. The noise echoes around the old buildings and I grin, unable to hold it in any longer. This is so absurd but at least I sort of dressed for the part. I pulled on my favorite dark denim skinny jeans and a black bodysuit with the whole back cut out. I pulled my hair tightly into a high ponytail and threw on some lippy. It would have to do for these boys and their important meeting.

“Where have you been hiding these last few months?” I turn my head and glare at Giovanni’s profile as we walk side by side. My curiosity couldn’t hold herself in any longer and I regret asking him as soon as the question slips from my mouth.

He keeps his cutthroat gaze straight ahead. “I was giving you space. I thought it was for the best.”

“So, why come back now?” I quiz him, probing him for answers.

His arm shoots out and he grabs my elbow, his swift movements making me fall into his chest. “Because torturing you was such a pleasure.” His lips graze my ear as he says the words on a low growl before letting go of my arm and continuing walking.

I scurry after him, wondering what in the fucking world is tormenting him, and follow him into an Italian restaurant. Enzo is already seated at a table, drinking coffee, looking like the typical mobster in his suit.

“If I had known this was a formal affair, I would have dressed the part.” I take a seat next to Enzo and place my legs up on the table, crossing them at the ankles in the most unladylike manner possible. I pull out a Marlboro and light up, just to give them something else to roll their eyes about.

Giovanni takes a seat next to me, his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair, and he waves to the waitress to get her attention.

“We’re here to discuss this crossover of our families. Seeing as we’re the Boss’s now, I figure we need to keep things civil.” Enzo leans back in his chair. “Leonardo, come here.”

My eyes light up as he makes his way to the table, dressed in a designer suit and Italian leather shoes. Fuck me, he looks edible. He stops behind me and kisses me on the head before taking the seat next to Enzo.

Enzo’s eyes flick between us and land on me as he speaks. “I will start with giving my blessing to the relationship between you and Leonardo, should you wish to pursue it. As the Head of my family, I declare Leonardo is no longer expected to refrain from pursuing a relationship with you as were my father’s orders, not that he seemed to follow them.” Enzo then turns to Giovanni eyeing him for a moment, clasps his hands in front of him, and slides his eyes back to me. “Are you all willing to share without bloodshed?

“I’m always happy to share.” Leonardo waggles his eyes.

I sigh, exasperated. “Are we really discussing this like some sort of business transaction?” I drag in a lungful of cigarette and blow the smoke out above my head. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the gesture but this is what’s going down.” I take my feet off and place my elbows on the table, gaining their attention. “We’ll continue as we were. On my terms. There will be no more trading family members for security or ranking. No more sick sacrifices for some fucked up cult. We will each stick to our areas and business will return as normal, with us as the Family Heads. End of discussion.”

I feel Giovanni shift beside me. He’s silent for someone who usually has so much to say.

“Do you need to add in your two cents, Giovanni?” I watch him carefully.

“I agree.” He nearly chokes on his words.

“Right. That’s done then. Any other actual important business we need to discuss?” I stand and watch them look amongst themselves. “Good, because this motherfucking Mafia Queen is over and out. Boys, I believe we need a private meeting of our own, if you will” I look challengingly at Leonardo and Giovanni before I turn to strut out of the restaurant, with the keys to the Bugatti held firm in my hands.

I hear two lots of heavy footfalls behind me, keeping pace but back a few steps. We exit the building, and I pause, waiting for the valet to bring the Bugatti.

I rake my eyes over the two of them, standing there like two school children about to get in trouble by the headmistress. Giovanni is trying to cover the anxious void in his eyes with a tight smirk. Leonardo has his easy-going smile in place but with tightness to the edges of his eyes that belies his true feelings.

“My place,” is all I say.

It’s a demand. Turning away from them, I climb into the Bugatti, and without waiting for Giovanni to get in, I gun the accelerator. Leaving them both on the curb. They can share Leonardo’s car and learn to get along.

I’m standing in my home office, when Giovanni and Leonardo arrive, smoking a cigarette. I’m still in my heels as I watch the lights out by the pool through the wall to ceiling window. Leonardo comes up behind me, circling my waist and kissing the sensitive spot below my ear.

“You summoned us, my Queen?” His lazy drawl vibrates against my skin.

I turn to see Giovanni barely holding it together. Standing with his fists clenched and his lips in a tight white line. “Is this how it is now? Just going to parade your fuckboy in front of me when you know you’re mine?”

“You’re the one who disappeared for three months, then came back suddenly, unannounced. Were you expecting me to be a good little girl and come crawling at your feet?” I’m so frustrated with him and hurt. His radio silence was more painful than I care to admit to either of us.

Anger is safe, so anger is what I focus on.

Giovanni growls, storming forward, suddenly in my face with his hand around my throat. I can feel Leonardo’s smile on the back of my neck, his arms still lazily slung around my waist.

“I left for you. I spent days, weeks, months, drowning in fucking emotion that I never had to feel until you. I left so you could heal without the darkness I will possess you with. I never intended to stay away. You are mine and you will always be mine. My obsession. My possession. My Queen.” His dark glare roots me to the spot.

A part of me, I didn’t realize was shattered, suddenly pieces together, at his words. A warmth spreading inside me, making it so I can finally breathe for the first time in months.

“I won’t give either of you up. Ever. You’re mine as much as I’m yours,” I state, even knowing they won’t make me, I feel the need to voice it.

“Sounds like we have ourselves a little party, baby girl.” Leonardo’s dark whisper at my ear sends shivers over my body.

Giovanni’s hand remains on my throat, gently caressing my pulse with his thumb, only adding to the sensation as he nods his agreement. His dark eyes devouring me with wicked promise.