Page 38 of The Mafia's Seamstress

A weight slowly began lifting off my shoulders. There was still so much to learn. I had to learn all about the mafia clans and how they ran. I needed to learn which contacts I could still use. My thoughts drifted to Danny. I hoped he was someone I could still rely on. Most importantly I needed to learn the truth about my family history.

I glanced at Michael and my avô. They clinked their glasses together. Apparently those two had been best friends since they were in their 20s navigating America together. They each brought up their respective clans from the ground up. They were each other’s best man. When my parents were killed in a car accident it was the Costa family that made sure my family was okay.

“I’m so sorry Lucia,” my avô said once the other men had left the room. I nodded quietly.

“Honestly everything makes sense now. The secretive clients and times where I needed to be out of the room, out of the shop,” I said. He nodded along. “So avó was in charge?” I asked tentatively. He gave a whisper of a smile.

“She was. She led with a powerful fist and a soft heart. It was amazing to watch her. She knew when to draw the line and when to draw blood. She kept a balance that was well respected,” he said, lost in the past. I nodded. From my faint memories of her that seemed about right.

“So they were murdered?” I asked. Because I had been so young when everything happened I almost felt detached. I knew my parents loved me. I remember warm hugs and gentle forehead kisses. But that’s where it ended.

“With your parents we believe that it may have been just a simple car accident. But a few weeks later your avó was shot. Sniper. She was meeting the Korean clan about a partnership,” he said. My brows furrowed. A partnership? That was interesting.

“The Koreans weren’t behind it?” I asked. My avô shook his head.

“Senhora Kim almost lost her life when it happened. She-she tried to keep Anna alive,” my avô said, staring into his whiskey glass. “Instead of looking more into who the sniper was I had us going into hiding. Nothing happened once the Costa’s started patrolling our area and no one questioned it,” he said. I nodded. Given his relationship with Michael that made sense. He was a man grieving the loss of his family.

“They might when they see we’re back,” I said. The Portuguese mafia has remained quiet for the past 23 years. I’m breaking that silence,” I said. He nodded, taking a deep breath.

“It won’t be easy querida. First we have to gather the people. Show that we’re back and that you are in charge. You have to be strong. While this is in your blood you’ve had your eyes closed to it all,” he said. I let out a breath.

I was going to be witnessing things I had only seen in movies and read in books. Those things were going to be a daily reality. It wouldn’t matter how much I mentally prepared, it was going to be a lot.

“That’s why I have you and the Costa’s with me, to support me," I said. My avô smiled.

“It seems like my little coelhinha is becoming a loba,” he said. I smiled, reaching for a hug.

“She always was, avô.”

CHAPTER 15

A New Era is Beginning

A CROWN WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST ACCESSORY

My avô and I agreed to stay the night at the Costa’s. It was late and he was still jet lagged. I walked my avô back to the room he was staying in before heading to the living room. The stars twinkled behind the window. I heard shuffling behind me and turned to see Dante shirtless. He waved for me to follow and I did. We ended up at his room.

He had a massive room with an ensuite bathroom and a king size bed covered in black sheets. I snorted. Of course the dark brooding mafia man had black sheets. I felt his hands on my shoulders.

He began massaging and a low moan slipped out of me. He pressed his lips to my neck, tugging down my turtleneck. I had worn it to hide the hickeys that he and Luca left.

I leaned away offering more of myself. His lips made my body buzz alive as he left wet kisses. His hands dragged down my back, before slipping under my sweater. His thumbs pressed into my lower back, releasing tension I hadn’t known were there.

“How are you, Bella?” he asked. I stared at the bed. I wasn’t sure. I didn’t feel scared or anything, surprisingly. Instead everything felt right. I felt powerful.

“I think I’m okay. This feels right for some reason,” I whispered. His hands came around to squeeze my breasts. My head fell back against his shoulder as his hands slipped underneath my bra. His fingers found my nipples and he began tugging on them. I pressed my hips back into his growing erection.

“It’s because you were meant to be a donna, a queen,” he said, against my ear. I pulled away from his grasp to tug off my sweater and unhook my bra. Dante stared at me, his eyes lighting up. I could see the outline of his cock against his sweatpants.

Next I removed my pants, leaving myself in a pair of burgundy lace panties. I sat on his bed, opening my legs to him. In understanding Dante knelt down, his hands on my thighs. He placed kisses against the tender skin of the inside of my thighs. I shuddered at the feeling. My hands ran through his dark hair.

“I’m a queen?” I asked, breathless. He nodded, kissing up my stomach. I arched my back, needing more. He pushed me back, crawling on top. He lowered his hips and I gasped at the feel of his cock, rubbing against the panties. The lace created a delicious friction. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer. He began sucking on my nipple, his teeth occasionally grazing it, teasing me, eliciting hushed whimpers from me. I pulled his face for a kiss.

I was hungry. I was desperate as I dug my heels into his lower back, my hands scratching his skin, pulling him closer. I needed to lose myself. His hand gripped my ass and he flipped us so I was on top. I yelped as he smacked my ass. His gray eyes darkened.

“You might be a queen, but tonight you’re my whore,” he whispered. I pulled up, grinding against him. His hands gripped my hips.

“Only if that means I win again,” I said. My hands moved to play with my nipples. Dante groaned at the sight.

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