Page 49 of Mafia Star

Uncle Domenico grins at me, and I can hear the silent “attaboy.”

Beth looks up at me, confused.

“They know you’re going to fit in. You respectfully made your wishes clear.”

Her cheeks flush, and she’s not sure if I’m serious. Now she’s wondering if she overstepped. I can read it all on her face.

“Cuore, remember what I said about the women in my family? They know you’ll fit in. You’re no pushover, but you’re also tactful.”

Her eyes widen a fraction when I use the endearment in front of the others. I did it without thinking, just knowing not to say piccolina. But I want them to understand this is already serious. Uncle Salvatore elbows Papa.

“I’ll tell Sylvia to set an extra place at Sunday dinner.”

Chapter Ten

Beth

We’re at Marco’s, and I’m soaking in the tub. I don’t remember the last time I gave myself time to have a bath. I’m a wash and go kinda gal. I don’t use product beyond shampoo and conditioner. I don’t buy fancy body washes or poufs. I’m happy with economy size, so I rarely have to remember to buy stuff. But this is pretty fucking awesome. I didn’t realize it, but Marco did a rush delivery order while he walked to and from the office to get my bags. He ordered bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, a terry-cloth robe, and a few other things that arrived five minutes after we got here.

He’s in his office on the phone with I don’t know who. I hear Italian drift to me from time to time, but I don’t understand any of it. The little bits I can hear sound serious, but he isn’t angry or frustrated or anything other than his normal tone. But that means nothing. He can regulate his voice and expressions like none other.

Then again, Chelle said the same about Enzo the night we spent at my place before the wedding. Neither she nor Enzo loved the idea of being apart, but it was practical since they both had things to do before the ceremony. And it was fun having the sister time. Neither of us have ever been particularly girlie, but we used to have a lot of fun together when we were younger.

I’ve let out some water and refilled the tub with hot water four times already. Marco must have poured half the bottle of bubbles in here because they cover me all the way up to my chin. He has an enormous soaking tub, so I’m able to stretch out. I didn’t take him for the bath type, but maybe. I’m enjoying the time alone. It’s been a lot to take in since this morning. I insisted I look at the space and do some sketches after Salvatore, Massimo, and Domenico left. I spent an hour examining, measuring, and drawing before we left.

I didn’t love having four men surrounding me since it felt excessive, but I did love feeling safe. I kept looking at Marco as we walked from the car to the restaurant he took me to for lunch. I could tell he was scanning the area, ever vigilant. I could also tell me being practically invisible gave him some level of comfort. Him relaxing meant I could relax. Lunch was really nice. It was our first date, and he made me laugh the entire time.

We swung by my office since I needed to gather some things for me to work from home for the next two days. Well, work from Marco’s place for the next two days. The men waited outside my office suite, so I didn’t have to explain. They’re my usual days out of the office, so it didn’t raise any eyebrows.

We’re going to make dinner together, and it feels so perfectly domestic. Like we’ve been a couple since forever. That it’s just a natural routine for us to grill meat and have some side dishes after a normal day at work. Except, nothing was normal about today. I wound up scared shitless, with a boyfriend who I’m now living with for an indefinite amount of time, and a Mafia family that’s probably wondering what the next wave of trouble my family is going to bring to theirs will be.

Marco filled me in on the shit that happened with Chelle. I texted with her, and she apologized profusely for not telling me everything. But I get it way better and way easier than I would have before falling for Marco. Now it seems par for the course. All of that in the space of twelve hours. I thought Chelle and Enzo’s relationship moved too fast, but I never shared my opinion with my sister. I didn’t want to hurt her. I didn’t want to push her away. But now I get it. These men are— intense.

I have a thing for cars. My older brother, Sam, and I used to watch Top Gear together. I thought the British guys were funny, and Sam liked the technical stuff. It was our thing. I remember the Koenigsegg Gemera was the fastest production car at one time. It could do zero to sixty in one-point-nine seconds. The Mancinelli relationships go from zero to sixty in one-point-eight seconds. Blink and you’ll miss it. You’ll miss how easily these men get into your blood. How easy it is to fall for them. How fast you develop feelings that are deeper than any you ever imagined. Flat out. Period. The depth is more shocking than the speed. I won’t say I’m in love with Marco. I’m not. But I can see myself being there. That’s why I can think about a long-term relationship with him. Why I didn’t get cold feet when he said his future is with me. I feel the same.

I’ve had other relationships that took time to develop. I’ve felt lust at first sight like I did with Marco. I’ve been fond of guys I’ve dated, but it never went much further than physical attraction. I’ve even been in love. I’m certain I loved a boyfriend in college, even though we realized we weren’t compatible. He can’t help it, but he’s patronizing as fuck. We’re still friends.

I had another boyfriend after college who I was really serious about. I thought he was the one. He was going to be the one, but he just wasn’t in the same place as me. He thought he was ready to settle down, but he didn’t get what that entailed. That it meant our relationship needed to come before going out with his buddies. When I realized he meant more to me than I did to him, I knew our future wasn’t together.

With Marco, I know I come first in everything that isn’t Mafia. I can accept that because it’s honor, duty, loyalty, and family that drive his decision. Those are admirable traits I respect. When he swore his fidelity, I believed him without reservation. Nothing about the men in his family makes me think they fit the Casanova stereotype. Just the opposite. I think once they commit to the woman they want, nothing could ever make them stray. They’d die before betraying the woman they love. Marco might not love me, but he would never betray that family value.

That’s why I can do this. That’s why I can put my faith in him. It’s why Chelle loves Enzo and is making a life with him. Marco’s said I can walk away if this doesn’t work for me. I want it to. I plan to make it work. But there’s a sliver of me that’s relieved just in case.

I’m just leaning forward to reach for the pouf and body wash when Marco walks in.

“My Venus on a half-shell.”

I’m pretty sure he’s referencing the Renaissance painting about the goddess’s birth and not the sci-fi book. I don’t know about resembling the goddess of love, desire, and fertility, but I’ll take the compliment.

“At least my Adonis returns my feelings.”

I wink at him as he strips. I scoot forward, and he slides in behind me. Venus’s feelings were unrequited since the mythical Adonis preferred hunting. There’s something to that. Marco puts me ahead of most things in his life, but he will always choose his family and hunting for whatever it is they go after. It’s rather bittersweet to realize that.

“Piccolina, I will never prefer the things I have to do over being with you. I accept my obligations, but it doesn’t mean they’re what I want.”

His mind reading skills are uncanny and unnerving. But it’s what makes me wonder if we might be soulmates. How else would he know my inner thoughts so well?

I lean back against him, my eyes closing. He wraps his arms around me, and I feel my shoulders lower, and my body presses heavier against the bottom of the tub as I stop holding myself so stiffly. I thought I was relaxed while I was alone, but now my body feels boneless. He just holds me, but I feel myself twitch. I blink my eyes open as he laughs.

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