Page 86 of Mafia Star

“You haven’t proposed, and my mom’s family connection is causing even more problems for your family.”

“Your family connections are irrelevant to our relationship. If you can accept mine, then why wouldn’t I accept yours? I haven’t proposed because we can’t seem to get a minute alone that isn’t immediately followed by some shitastrophe. I’m not getting down on bended knee between gunshots, Beth. I’m going to do it properly. But I thought we already agreed our future is together.”

“I know what I want, and I know what you’ve said. But until it happens, I won’t assume anything.”

He stares into my eyes, and I’m ready to drown in the whiskey pools. I’m certain he sees straight inside me.

“I know you’re not pushing me away. I think you’re scared and rightfully so. I think you’re feeling adrift and need me to ground you. I think you want a spanking, so your helplessness has a purpose, and I can reassure you I have control over at least us.”

I step closer to him, and he wraps me in his arms, both hands going to my ass. He squeezes, pressing my pussy against his dick. I burrow against his chest and inhale his cologne. I know it, and it soothes me. I want to quit if I know I can have a place with Mancinelli Developers. I want to work from home, so I can feel safe during the day. I want to be in a home office right now, so I can have that spanking. But we’re in my actual office, and we’re about to be in an SUV that doesn’t have privacy glass.

“Can I have that spanking tonight, Daddy?”

“Of course, little one. And I’m still going to do it properly.”

“I know. But properly doesn’t have to be on one knee. Properly can just be you asking me because it’s what we both want.”

“If you say so.”

He laughs as though he’s indulging me. He is. I know he’ll do his best, and that’ll make it perfect. Even if it’s not perfect. The contradiction seems so fitting for us. Or maybe it will be spot on. I don’t know. My mind is babbling to itself because it’s keeping me from facing the next step into the real world.

“We need to get going, or we’ll be late.”

I nod, but I don’t let go yet. I tilt my head back, and he offers me a kiss. It’s a breath of life. I step back, stiffen my spine, and follow him out. Carmine falls into place, walking ahead of me until we get outside. The SUV is where the town car was, and we’re soon on our way. I spot Steve before we stop at the curb. Carmine gets out and greets him. Marco rolls down the window far enough for him to see me wave for him to come to the car. I slide into the middle seat, so my brother and my boyfriend can squash me. Marco offered to get into the third row, but I want him next to me. The moment the door closes, I launch into things. I know my brother. It’s better to get ahead of his questions.

“Steve, Grandpa was a distant relation to the O’Rourke family. He was in the mob until he met Granny. He was pretty high up there, but he got out. I don’t know all the ins and outs of it. But I know they still had some influence over him until he died. The feds must know this. We think they’re targeting Mom and Dad to draw the O’Rourkes in. They hope Mom, Dad, and I— and maybe even Chelle —will turn over the Mancinellis to keep the O’Rourkes away.”

I vomit the information because there doesn’t seem to be much point in trying to tiptoe through the daisies. I recognize Pauly as the driver. His face is bruised, and he has stitches near his chin. But otherwise, he looks fine. Since I know Marco trusts him more than most, I feel comfortable speaking freely. Neither Marco nor Carmine stop me.

Steve peers around me at Marco and then at the back of Carmine’s head since he’s in the front passenger seat.

“Grandpa was in the mob, and so are my in-laws.”

“No to the second part. The Mancinellis are the Mafia. I know we always thought mob and mafia meant the same. But they’re not. Our family is now connected to the Cosa Nostra to be exact. The Irish are the mob.”

“When are you going to marry my sister?”

“I’ll do it tonight if she wants.”

My head whips around to Marco after my eyes almost fall out of my head staring at Steve. So much for a proper proposal.

“Cuore, that isn’t how I’m asking, so you can stop thinking it is.”

His hand rests heavily on my thigh. Its weight and heat make me think this isn’t just a show of affection. This is Marco taking control, and it makes me want to squirm. I definitely shouldn’t be getting wet with my brother sitting next to me and my boyfriend’s cousin in the front seat. But I can’t help it.

I turn to look at him and mouth “Yes, Daddy” as I nod. His hand gets heavier, and his fingers press into my inner thigh without being inappropriate.

“You two haven’t been together any longer than Chelle and Enzo were together before they announced they wanted to get married. What’s the deal with your family? Nothing about you seems impulsive, but you and your brother seem to fall in love easily.”

“Hardly. Enzo has never been in love with anyone other than Chelle, and I’ve never been in love with anyone but Beth. I’ve never met another woman I’d want to be in love with. You and I are not so different. You make immediate and sometimes irreversible decisions at work all day. So do I. But that doesn’t mean either of us is impulsive. I’ve spent every moment my mind can spare thinking about Beth and our future since Enzo and Chelle’s reception. Your sister is fun loving and can be spontaneous. But you grew up with her. I’m sure you knew what her bedroom was like and what her apartment is like. I was just in her office. They’re way too meticulous for someone impulsive. She isn’t thinking about a future with me on a whim.”

I don’t know about meticulous. I like things just-so. That’s all.

Steve shifts his gaze to me, and I smile at him. I don’t know what else to say. I just outed a huge family secret. Two family secrets. Neither Marco nor Carmine stopped me from saying the Mancinellis are the Mafia— are Cosa Nostra. I know that isn’t something they just drop with anyone. Now my brother knows for sure. Fuck. I hope I didn’t just fuck up.

“Liz may be the competitive shooter in the family, and our brother might have been in the military when he died, but Chelle and I learned to shoot too. I hunt every year. I have the patience to sit in a tree stand for hours. Hurt my sister, and you will find out just how long I can focus on one thing.”

Marco reaches across me and offers Steve his hand.

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