Page 10 of Paying the Mafia Don

I walk her backward until her back hits the wall. I lift her t-shirt over her head gently, lulling her into relaxing, before I rip the red bikini from her body. Ruining it.

“Leo,” she gasps.

“I’ll get you another. One that covers you from head to toe, the kind that Muslim women wear.”

“I can’t swim in that—”

“You’ll learn. Or you’ll learn to wait for me to take you swimming. Now get your sexy ass in the bathroom before I put you over my knee and spank you.”

Her eyes flare, and a flush crawls up her neck. I cock my head. She thinks I don’t know how much she likes it when I spank her. How she loves when I fuck her roughly from behind while she’s bent over the counter or my desk. I know she loves it. My little virgin—a wicked, naughty virgin.

“In the shower,” she pants, “We only have thirty minutes.” Not quite long enough to teach her a lesson, satisfy both of us and get ready to go. But I’ll make it work.

We arrive with flushed faces and minutes to spare. Knowing grins are apparently being served with the meal. Courtesy of my sisters, who I sent on ahead with Cassie.

I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her to my side and away from my father, who adores her. If he weren’t my father, I’d be jealous. He is my father, and I am jealous. He gives me a knowing smile when my eyes flare at his hand holding hers in greeting. He’s not offended. We Greeks are possessive.

“Valentina,” he smiles, “You look lovely as always.” He leans closer to kiss her cheek. “Come, let us eat. You weren’t here when we had our last family gathering. I hope the whole family at once doesn’t scare you away.”

“Wouldn’t matter if it did.” Theo answers. “Look at Leo’s face. He’s not letting her go anywhere, anytime soon.”

“Or at all.”Matthias adds. “I can see from her face that she doesn’t know how to take their ribbing. I forget that she’s an only child. She’s probably not used to a loud boisterous family that we make. I step closer to wrap an arm around her shoulder but my mother beats me too it. Taking Valentina’s free hand and drawing her toward the formal dining room.

“Tina, pay no attention to my sons. You never have to worry about my son coming after you.” I raise my brow at this until she adds. “If you left him, I’d come for you myself. I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time.”

Val’s confused eyes meet mine. No doubt thinking of the frowning, glowering man who just spanked her ass. My family didn’t see that. They only saw what I saw. That the heavy blanket of guilt and anger that had weighed on my shoulder like a boulder rather than a chip had lifted. I’d told myself that I wouldn’t care about her. That she was little more than a nanny and a means of release. And yet, during the oddest time of the day, I lose myself thinking of her. She is a vapor. Creeping stealthily in through any crook and cranny of the wall around my heart. Slipping past barriers I thought were invulnerable. There was no question about that. The only question was what to do about it.

After dinner, the women gather in the kitchen to share gossip and chores. Although we’ve had staff for decades, and my family is rich enough to hire a village to clean up our messes, my grandmother insists they they perform this family tradition—sharing gossip and chores. I look to Valentina, to see if she needs rescuing, but she nods my concern away. And before I can question her further, my sisters sweep her up in a tidal wave that lands them in the kitchen while my Ya-ya shoos me away.

“Go. Take care of your big, scary man things. Your bride will be okay with us.” I turn but not before nodding to Justin, fucking Justin, and Carlo, who take their posts, flanking the kitchen doors. I don’t even get one last look before the swinging doors close.

I don’t notice my father watching me until he slaps me on the back and says, “Come. We have work to do.”

My father retired five years ago, but he insists on these monthly meetings. He expects updates on all aspects of our business. I wonder if it will be as hard for me to turn over everything to my son. My son. The image of a pregnant Valentina sprouts like a weed in my mind. Impossible to pull out.

Quarterly, our meeting includes our cousins and uncles who are also part of our organization, but for this meeting, it is just the four of us. Myself, my brothers Theo and Matt and our father. The large doorway allows us to enter as one, and our purpose is equally united. The office is masculine and rich with dark paneling and leather furniture. My father walks around his massive desk to take his chair. We follow suit, each to our respective seats. We settle in and turn our attention to our father.

“Gentlemen, the DeLucas have requested a meeting with us. I’m putting through a call to Enzo’s nephew, Damiano DeLuca. We glance around at each other, surprised by this unusual event. We don’t have time to ponder this development before Damiano appears on the large

screen mounted to the far wall. “Kalispera,” he greets in Greek. “Kalispera,” we echo.

He nods respectfully to my father. “Thank you for taking this meeting, Mr. Gataki. As you know, the DeLucas and the Gatakis have always worked well together in the past. We have a long history of growth and trust that started between you and my uncle. I’m sorry to say that recent events have jeopardized this relationship.”

We all sit forward, trying to figure out what he is referring to. “Please specify.” My father’s accented English prompts him.

“Permission to speak freely, Don Gataki.” Greek organizations don’t have dons, but my father accepts his respect and nods. “Speak freely. There are no babies here.”

“Thank you. He turns and looks directly at me. “A shipment of pure, uncut product did not arrive at its destination. Its tracking device last blipped onscreen at 4 a.m. when it cleared customs. It has not been heard from since.”

Theo jumps up. He’s responsible for every shipment’s security and tracking. “That’s impossible. We would have heard from our men. There are always four guards accompanying every cargo. My men are the best, I can vouch for each one of them.”

Damiano presses his lips together. “And when was the last time you heard from the best?”

“They’re not due for check-in—”

“They will never check in,” Damiano says flatly. “All four were found shot to death inside the vessel. If it makes you feel any better, their bodies were discovered in the bulkhead with guns drawn. Apparently, there was quite a shoot-out.”

Theo looks at me, and I nod. He races into the hall to confirm these details. “Damiano, I will personally look into…”

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