Page 47 of Mine to Love
He wasn’t exactly thrilled. He’s an arrogant, ambitious bull and doesn’t take kindly to being told what to do. But he’sjustsmart enough to know this is his best opportunity to rule the cartels in Mexico. I expect confirmation of Serena’s death within the next two hours. And, if something falls through, Milo still has eyes on Serafina. The threat of her death will be enough to get me, Darcy, and the guys out of Mexico alive before Serena tries to retaliate.
As the villa comes into view, I take a deep breath. Honestly, I don’t know how I feel at this moment. When Alister abolished the Mafia and handed things over to Josephine Cullen and Aidan Cross, all of this was supposed to end. Well, eventually. I was tasked with several things upon his departure. Perhaps I’m still cleaning up the mess after all, seeing as Santiago wouldn’t have dared cross into our territory if Alister was still in charge. And it’s not necessarily because of a lack of confidence in Aidan. The world just doesn’t know him yet. They don’t know if he is to be feared or challenged. But they’ll learn and so will he.
Before Ana’s abduction, her brother, Aidan, was much like Santiago, blinded by pride and power and unwilling to see the bigger picture. Ana’s abduction and rape was a direct retaliation for his actions. It was a terrible way to learn a lesson, but it had a lasting impression. He’s doing better. Well enough to manage Santiago Garcia? I’m not sure yet. But I know I don’t want to do it.I want out.I may not know exactly what that looks like right now, but Icansee my bigger picture. And, if I don’t make a change, it isn’t good. Though what I told Damon earlier this year is still true.
It’s important to maintain our connections, to keep our ear to the ground, and to honor our alliances. But do I have to be the one to do it? Honestly, I don’t think so. Damon is ready to step up. That is, if he wants to. With Ana in his life, he may choose to withdraw his services as well. I know Darcy and Delilah are big reasons for me to walk away. Though, surprisingly, not the biggest reasons.
I don’t like who this world,this business,forces me to be. I don’t like threatening innocent girls, however necessary. I don’t like negotiating with heartless men who prey on women. I don’t enjoy having people killed or killing. And I don’t enjoy having the ones I love threatened. All these things force me to tap into a dark side of myself that I don’t want to.
I want to be the Gio who wakes up to Darcy every morning, who enjoys the simple things like a glass of bourbon, a workout that doesn’t feel like I’m training for battle, and reading romance novels in bed with the woman I love. I want to be the Gio who helps Delilah with her math and makes Lemon Blueberry muffins on the weekends. Some would call itsoft,but I call itsimple. Perhaps that’s what love does to you. It makes you crave the simple life and the happiest version of yourself.
As Zane parks the car, the two of us sit in silence. It’s as if he can sense my restless thoughts. He’s young and far too like Damon to take over my duties. But he and his brother as a team—one with a calm enough manner to negotiate, the other with enough skill, mischievousness, and muscle to make their enemies crumble—now, that could work. And, with Killian and Milo at their flank, there would be enough brains and manpower to assist Aidan’s rule over the former Amato territoriesandallow both Damon and I our freedom, the same freedom Alister has already sought for himself. Still, it seems like such a foreign concept.
Our origins come not from a desire to conduct illegal activity, to be feared, or even powerful. The origins of the Mafia and, specifically, the Amato family organization, come from a need to protect ourselves, our blood. The Blood Oath we take is a lifetime commitment. But just because I would remove myself from the front-lines doesn’t mean I neglect or abandon my oath, my blood, my family. I think there’s a way forward for all of us, a new path to freedom for those who want it and a path to powerfor those willing to take on the burden. Perhaps I’ve been the chess master long enough. One last game and I’m out.
“You okay, boss?” Zane asks then. I nod and reach for my phone.
“Making moves, as always.” I text the unlisted, untraceable number at the top of my contact’s list. It’s been nearly a year, and I’ve only used it twice. Once to make sure he got settled. The other to inform him of his sister Sophia’s wedding. Now it’s time to tell Alister to come home. We need to figure this out together.
Once the text is sent, I feel an unusual sense of relief that comes with clarity. “Keep in touch with Milo and Xander and relay the details of the evening to Damon. He’ll want to know. Other than that, please remain scarce for the rest of the trip. I don’t know when I’ll be back here, and I have much to show Darcy.”
“Yes, sir. Besides, your chef will keep me occupied. She made quite the impression earlier.”
I shake my head. “There’s a strictly enforced no edible surfaces rule. I don’t want to taste your sweat or anything else in my breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Zane laughs. “Who knew you were funny? I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“I’m not joking.”
42
I waketo Gio’s gentle caress and a kiss on my forehead. I know it’s him before I even open my eyes based on his scent. “You’re back,” I say softly with a smile. It’s then that I open my eyes to find him sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I am,” Gio whispers. “And I’m sorry my meeting took so long. One turned into two. It was a bit of an ordeal.” The room is so dark it’s hard to make out Gio’s features. But there’s something about him that seems tired, although, I’m not sure if it’s a physical exhaustion or emotional. Before dosing off for a nap, I noted he’d been gone for at least two hours. And he hasn’t slept since before we left New Orleans. Perhaps it is physical fatigue.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, moving my hand to his thigh.
“Yes, my love. Everything is just fine and even better now that I get to hold you.” Gio kicks off his shoes and shrugs out of his suit jacket. Pulling back the covers, he snuggles in beside me. I giggle and wrap my arms around him. He returns my embrace. “And kiss you.” He brings his lips to mine. “And tell you how much I love you.”
With each sentence, he deepens our kiss. The intensity of it pulls me from the grogginess of sleep and makes me realize he may not be so tired after all. He promised me a special evening. But what could he possibly have planned at this hour? Breaking our kiss, he asks, “Have you eaten?”
“Yes. The chef prepared a full dinner for me at seven. I thought I should wait for you, but then I figured you were the one who asked her to cook it.”
“Good. I wanted you well fed, so you’d have plenty of energy for our evening.”
“Energy?Energy for what? And have you eaten?”
“I had a bite. But now, I’m hungry for something else.” Gio’s grip on me tightens as he caresses my ass. Once more, he kisses me. This time, the kiss is slow and steamy as he slips his tongue into my mouth. The invasion makes me crave a different kind of insertion. I let my hands wander his body until they find their favorite spot in his hair. Gio does the same, kneading the flesh of my ass with one palm and massaging my breast with the other. It isn’t long before we’re both grinding against each other with heavy breaths. “Come with me,” he says.
As Gioand I reach the end of the stone steps leading down from his villa to the oceanfront, a cabana draped with flowing white linens comes into view. Gio gives my hand a gentle squeeze and leads me toward it with a mischievous smile. It’s chilly given it’s December and after dark. The salty breeze flowing off the crashing waves nips at my bare arms. The nightgown I’m wearing is pearly white and made of satin. Needless to say, it doesn’t offer much coverageorprotection from the elements.Though, as Gio pulls back the linens offering the cabana a subtle amount of privacy, I find he, as always, is prepared.
The cabana is adorned with plenty of pillows and cozy, faux-fur blankets. Candles flicker on small tables on either side of the bed while a bottle of chilled wine and a charcuterie platter are the perfect finishing touch. “Gio, this is amazing!” I say, giving him a soft peck on the cheek.
“Not as amazing as the things I’m about to do to you.” Gio scoops me up and tosses me on the bed, tying the linens closed behind him. I smile and arch my back as Gio’s dark gaze traipses over the curves of my body.
“So, this is a sexy surprise instead of a sweet one.” As Gio undoes the buttons of his white dress shirt, I spread my legs, digging my toes into the sand to brace myself. Just the thought of having him inside me makes me wet.
“Aren’t they all? I mean, you’re sweetandsexyandlooking way too good in that dress.” Gio tosses his shirt to the side and quickly removes his pants as well. His dick already erect, he brings his hands to my ankles. Keeping his eyes locked on mine, he tips me back until my back rests against the blankets and my ankles rest on his shoulders. Ooo, we’ve never tried this position before. The newness of it has me unable to answer his question, which he doesn’t seem to mind.
