Page 50 of His to Hold

I curve my left hand around her breast as I wrap my right around her throat and squeeze. She’s so fragile. If I was to tighten my grip, I could force the last breath out of her. As she realizes the power I wield, the pulse at the base of her throat flickers beneath my hand. The whine she emits is not one of fear, but arousal. My sweet little Bella likes a hint of danger.

“Come for me,” I demand as I pinch her taut nipple.

The high-pitched groan that comes from her tells me she’s getting close, but she’s not there yet. I tighten my grip on her throat, just a fraction. Isabella shudders as I bend to suckle on her neck, using enough pressure to leave a mark.

“Come for me,” I repeat, drawing my hand back and slapping her ass.

Isabella’s body tenses and so does mine. She shudders, her limbs trembling as her orgasm grips her. My balls draw up tight as her pussy clamps down on my cock. Throwing my head back, I coat her insides with my cum.

Pulling away from me, Isabella rolls over onto her back. Usually after sex she seeks affection, but not today. Rather than reaching for me, she rises from the bed and snatches her robe up from the floor. She looks like a queen as she drapes the garment over her shoulders and walks to the bathroom door.

“Hear your mom out.” She keeps her back to me.

“Bella.” My voice holds a note of caution. I’ve already told her to drop this subject.

She turns and sighs heavily. “I just want everyone to be happy, Antonio.”

It’s a nice thing to wish for, but whatever happens, someone is always left dissatisfied. “Then I fear you’re in for a disappointment, Bella.”

Her sad smile stabs at my heart. “You’re probably right.”

She disappears into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. As the lock clicks, I get the message. She’s shutting me out. I scrub a hand over my face. My relationship with Isabella is in a precarious situation. I need to get my family’s shit in order before it’s damaged beyond repair.

CHAPTER 18

Isabella

As I pour cups of coffee for Emilia, Vinnie, and me, I realize this is only the second time I’ve had guests at the house I share with Antonio. The first was when my friend Giulia visited, shortly after I got married. She dropped by with Matteo and we drank wine until Antonio came home and scolded us as if we were naughty teenagers. It was fun to spend an afternoon with my two closest friends. Today is different. It feels more like I’m at an interview, being assessed for my suitability for my role within the family.

Though I’ve met both of my brothers-in-law’s wives already, our husbands were there to smooth over any lapses in conversation. With Ava unable to make it and Livvy missing in action, I’m alone with two women I barely know. I have to admit the prospect of spending time with them makes me nervous. It doesn’t help that they arrived together, Emilia looking fabulous in pink cropped trousers and a white shirt and Vinnie wearing a gorgeous floral dress. From their relaxed manner with one another, it’s clear they’ve already bonded. I can’t help but worry whether they’ll make room for me.

If I’m being honest, I’m envious of them both. Emilia is head over heels in love with Alessandro, despite their marriage coming as the result of an arrangement between his father and her grandfather. I caught glimpses of her adoration for Alessandro when we were at the hospital. In unguarded moments, she looks at him as if he hung the moon.

Vinnie also appears to be blissfully happy. That’s nothing short of a miracle since she’s shackled herself to Leo, a man whose thirst for violence makes me shudder.

“So, how did you and Leo come to be married?” I ask Vinnie because I’ve only heard snippets of the story so far.

Vinnie picks up her coffee cup and takes a sip. “Well, I needed a husband to get out of a marriage my father arranged for me. You’ve heard of Umberto Gallo, right?” She looks at me and takes my grimace as confirmation that I do indeed know of the ageing mobster she’s referring to. “Well, I was not going to marry him without a fight, so I met with Antonio and said I wanted one of his brothers.”

Now I get why Antonio thinks Vinnie is too forward. He’s not used to women taking control of their own destinies.

“And Leo stepped up?”

“He did.”

“Just like that?”

It’s hard to imagine Leo Volante doing anything noble, so I wonder what’s in the arrangement for him. I mean, Vinnie is a beautiful woman, but surely that’s not enough to convince a rampant playboy to settle down?

“Well, I did put fifty million dollars on the table, but he didn’t want it.”

I almost spit out my coffee. “You offered him fifty million dollars to marry you?”

“I did, but he turned it down. He put it in our marriage contract that the money remains mine, no matter what. I can do whatever I want with it.”

“Anything?” Emilia asks.

“Well, he told me I can’t hire a hitman to bump him off.” Vinnie smiles fondly. “He’s so funny at times.”

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