Page 60 of Ruthless King
A laugh tumbles out because never in a million years could I picture the mob boss as an innocent twelve-year-old boy, let alone a boy scout.
The murmur of approaching voices sends Luca’s gaze darting over my shoulder. His jaw tenses, and he mumbles a curse. I whirl around to find Dante and an older woman walking toward us.
CHAPTER28
A SUCKER FOR PUNISHMENT
Luca
Cazzo, what the fuck is Dante doing here with Mamma?
I glance over at Stella, her wet tank top sticking to her skin and revealing perfectly erect nipples. Dante’s gaze locks on her chest, and I roll my fingers into tight fists to keep from clawing his eyes out. A growl of frustration rumbles out, and I step in front of her, blocking her translucent shirt from his roving gaze.
“I thought that was your bike parked out front.” Dante’s smile is predatory. Like he’s caught me with my hand in the cookie jar. A few minutes earlier and he would’ve caught my fingers in a much more dangerous place.
Mamma on the other hand is smiling so wide I’m afraid she’ll split her cheeks. “Luca,che bella sorpresa.” Nice surprise, my ass. My conniving brother probably brought our mother here on purpose. “Who is this beautiful woman?”
Stella’s cheeks flame an enticing pink, and I’m thankful for the icy water dousing my hard-ass erection.
“Mamma, this is Stella Esposito,” I finally reply.
I can see Ma itching to hug her, and again, I’m grateful we’re still waist-deep in water. Introducing Stella as my girlfriend at a public event is one thing, but to my mother? The last thing I want to do is get her hopes up.
“Esposito?” I can almost see her ears perk up. Stella’s grandfather was a legend in our circles. Papà and I even worked for him for a time. Luckily, Ma had no idea about any of it. She also knew nothing about Vinny McKenzie, my old best friend, being an Esposito. Their mom had always wanted to keep them safe from our world. Until he wasn’t … because of me.
“Yes, Michele was mynonno,” Stella answers, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. “Piacere di conoscerla, Signora Valentino.” She steps out of the water, and my brother’s gaze immediately latches onto her see-through top.
“Dante,” I growl. “Se la guardi così un’altra volta, ti ammazzo.” And I would. I would fucking kill him if he kept looking at her like she’s a slab of meat.
“Luca!” Mamma scolds. Though her tone is reprimanding, a faint smile flashes across her face. She knows me well; well enough to notice my insane reaction over Stella. She probably hasn’t seen it since I was a sappy teenager in love.
Damned Dante for bringing Mamma into this fucked-up situation.
I climb onto the dock and trail Stella toward the remains of our picnic. Digging through the basket, I pull out a towel and wrap it around her.
Mamma’s curious gaze watches every move. “Why don’t you come to my house to change?”
“No,grazie, Mamma, we’ll be just fine.”
“But where will Stella get dressed? She can’t take off her clothes in the middle of the woods? What kind of gentleman would allow that?”
A faint smile curls Stella’s lips as she regards me from the corner of her eye. She’s not the only woman in my life I can’t refuse.
“Yeah,fratellino, why don’t you bring Stella to Ma’s house?” Dante sneers as I tug my wet shirt over my head. “You know how much she loves showing your baby pictures.”
Stella laughs and tosses me a look over her shoulder. “Baby pictures?”
“There will be no baby pictures,” I growl.
“But you were such a cute littlebambino.” Fucking Dante.
“Vieni, Stella.” Mamma takes her hand, towing her free of my hold. “You come in the car with me. We can’t let you catch a cold in those wet clothes. Besides, we have a lot to catch up on,bella.”
I glare at my brother as Mamma ushers Stella toward the Mercedes SUV I bought for her birthday last year. As soon as they’re far enough away, I wrap my hand around my brother’s arm and whirl him around. “Che cazzo fai?”
“I’m not doing anything, Luca. I told you, Ma and I were out for a drive, and we just happened to see your motorcycle. I never thought I’d find you with her again.” He jabs his thick finger into my chest. “I guess you didn’t fuck her, did you?”
I shake my head, and I don’t even know why I’m dignifying him with a response.
