Page 27 of Reign of Commotion

“Jesus, baby, you’re tight,” he murmurs.He gently begins to pump his finger in and out, and I move my hips with his rhythm.He adds another finger and continues at the same pace.

I feel a surge of heat, my body contracting.It’s like I’m climbing, reaching for an elusive end, but I need to get there.I clasp my hands over my head, gripping the pillow, my head thrashing as I beg and plead, but I don’t know for what.All of a sudden, I arch my back, and a tremor runs through me.My legs tense, my body shaking as I float into the euphoria of release.I’m breathless and sated, until I feel a sudden thrust, making me cry out.

“Sorry, baby,” he murmurs.“There’s no way to avoid it,” he whispers in my ear.“Stay still.Give your body time to adjust.”

He’s rooted deep inside me and doesn’t move.I open my eyes and see that he is holding himself perfectly still, his face strained, the muscles of his arms bulging, braced to the mattress, careful not to crush me.The pain subsides, and I whisper, “I’m okay.”

He remains still.I wrap my arms around his neck and writhe my lower half to show him I can take it.He slowly pulls out and eases back in.Yes, that’s okay, I think.Much better.Julian continues to move slow and steady, gradually increasing his pace.

I feel him throbbing inside me.I look at his face contorting with pleasure, his breathing rapid, then suddenly, a roar resounds throughout the room as he comes.He’s glorious, like a conquering warrior sounding his battle cry of victory.

Slowly, he pulls out of me, the cool air of the evening leaving me feeling empty, but that doesn’t last, as Julian covers me with a blanket.“Be right back.”He disappears into the bathroom, where I hear the tap running.

A few minutes later, he returns.He pulls back the blanket and lifts me into his arms, then sets me in the tub filled with scented salts.

“Give me a minute.”He disappears once more, and when he returns, he slides in behind me, encouraging me to rest my back to his front as the warm water lulls us into relaxation.

“Thank you for treating me gently,” I tell him.

He kisses my temple.“I’m sorry I hurt you at all,” he replies.“Relax, miele mia.”

I’m not sure how long we were in the tub, but I know that for the rest of the night, I slept soundly in his arms.

TWELVE

Who Do You Think It Is?

JULIAN

Iwait until Milana is fast asleep before slipping away from our bed and pulling the white sheet I took off the bed earlier, while she was in the bath, from the closet.Alessio’s orders were clear when he announced all traditions were to be adhered to when it came to accepting Milana intoIl Destino.The tradition of the bloody sheets is the most archaic and deplorable of them all.I think it’s barbaric to consider women to be less worthy if they aren’t virgins.I know Alessio feels the same way, especially since Josephine, his wife, was married before and was definitely not a virgin.

Although, her first husband was deplorable, and what he considered sex was rape.Alessio is ensuring Milana’s acceptance by the elder underbosses by imposing what they would have deemed acceptable way back in the day.At one time, it was expected that the bloody sheet would be hung over the balcony for all to see.It then became more private, and only a select few would be invited to witness the spectacle in a private room.

Personally, I don’t give a shit what they do, but I refuse to have Milana in attendance when it happens.Uncomfortable whispers or cackling old hens are not something she needs to be subjected to.

I grab the sheet out of the closet, take it into the spare room, and shove it into a box.Tomorrow, I’ll deliver it to Alessio, and he can do what he likes with it.For now, I slip back into bed beside my wife and gather her in my arms.She emits a satisfied sigh, slings an arm over my middle, and nuzzles like a kitten into my side.

* * *

Mom has already called twice to make sure we haven’t forgotten the family brunch she has planned.I hated to wake Milana, but she would have been more upset if I hadn’t given her time to get ready.She looks like a dream when she emerges from the bedroom in a soft pink wraparound, vee-neck dress with cap sleeves.She looks adorably sexy and totally kissable, but I know if I start, we’re going to be very late for Mom’s gathering, and that will be a lecture I can do without.

I grab the box under my arm and take Milana by the hand to the private elevator.I let Milana’s guard know that we’re on the way down, and he meets us in the underground garage.He’ll be following in his own car, but I appreciate the extra layer of protection since we haven’t been able to locate Anton yet.

We pull out onto the main road.I check the rearview mirror to see that our man is right behind us.I can’t quite pinpoint it, but something feels off.I’ve been taught to trust my instincts and begin to scan the streets.I change routes on the fly.Dad’s man sees me veer off to the left and follows.There’s a fair amount of traffic, but once I make the cutoff on the highway toward my parents’ place, there’s a stretch of road that, on a Sunday morning, should be fairly quiet.

I make a right and switch to make a full circle around the neighborhood, and that’s when I notice that a dark blue Mercedes that was four cars behind us is clearly in sight, making the same series of turns.The driver sees he’s been discovered and makes a sudden right, disappearing from sight.From experience, I’ve learned that the enemy always comes in pairs, which means we’re in their sight.

I hit the Bluetooth on the car and make a call.

“Where are you, son?Niccolo and Valentina have already arrived,” Dad’s voice booms through the speakers.

“We got a tail.”I don’t hesitate to give our location and a description of the Mercedes.

“I got you on speaker,” Dad says.

Then I hear Niccolo’s voice.“Bruno and Piero are at the bakery on Elm Street.Are you nearby?”

“Three blocks,” I say.

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