Page 38 of Rosetti Family New York
I almost believe him.
Leonardo rises, pulling me into him. The shower is steaming hot, but his skin is hotter. He holds me close, his heart drumming against mine, and I want to say something, anything, to break the spell. But words tangle on my tongue. He kisses me, and I finally remember how to breathe.
His touch lingers on my waist as he reaches to rinse the suds from his hair. He thinks it’s over, that I’ve had enough, but he’s wrong.
I press him against the wall, reversing our positions, wanting to make him feel what I can’t say. He looks at me with a flash of surprise and heat. His cock is hard against my belly, and I lower myself to my knees, taking him in my hands. His breath catches, and I slide him into my mouth.
His response is electric, a sharp exhale that fuels my desire. I move with purpose, feeling every pulse of him, the hot weight of him on my tongue. He braces himself on the wall, trying to keep control, but I don’t let him. Not today. His body tenses, and he groans, low and desperate, as he comes hard, his release spilling inside me. I take it all, eager and reckless.
When I look up, his eyes are dark, his grin even darker.
“My turn to get the first shower next time,” he says, pulling me to my feet.
The promise of a next time hangs between us, heavy and bright. I don’t know what to make of it, or of the way my heart jumps at the thought. He draws me in for another kiss, and it’s too much. The closeness. The heat. I can’t let him know how much I need this. How much I need him.
So instead of leaning into the kiss, I pull away. Press my hands to his chest and, with the slightest pressure, push him away. Helets me. I leave him in the shower, wrap a towel around my body as quickly as I can, then pad into the bedroom to dry off. Alone.
The restaurant swarms with sleek bodies. I walk in, the threat of disaster snapping at my heels. My mind is loud with questions, but I drown them out with the search for my sister. I’d wanted Leonardo to drive me but I couldn’t find him, and it was Emiliowho’d finally relented, expressionless in the driver’s seat. Now I’m alone, scanning faces. I find her by the window, eyes wide and fearful, and all the worry I’ve kept at bay crashes through me.
My shoes clack too loudly on the floor, drawing attention I don’t want. I duck past the clusters of people, heart racing as I close the distance between us. She stands as I approach, tucking strands of soft, golden-blonde hair behind her ear. A pale blue dress hangs loose on her small frame. She looks fragile, younger than ever, and my pulse kicks with guilt. Her hug is tight but trembling.
“Juliet,” I say, holding on too long, “I’ve missed you.” It feels thin, a threadbare cover for everything else I need to say.
“I thought you’d be with him,” she replies, her voice almost lost under the chatter. “How did you get away?”
“Emilio dropped me off.”
“The quiet twin?”
“That’s the one. Leonardo was...” I search for the right word. Busy? Avoiding me? “Occupied.”
Juliet frowns, worry lines knitting her brow. She glances around like she expects him to materialize from the shadows. It strikes me how different she is, more skittish and uncertain, a shell of her usual dreamy self.
We sit, and a waiter appears before I’m ready, menus at the ready. I wave him off, unable to think about food. My mind is too full, buzzing like a downed power line.
Juliet looks broken. “What’s wrong?” I ask, keeping my voice firm. “Tell me.”
Her hazel eyes glisten. She takes a breath, but it’s more like a shiver. “It’s awful, Eleanor. He...he’s worse than ever. Now that you’re gone, he’s watching everything I do.”
“What happened?”
Juliet drops her gaze to her hands, twisting the napkin.
“He found the money I was saving for college,” she says, voice cracking. “He took it. Canceled all my summer applications. I think he called every school to block my entry. He won’t ever let me leave. He won’t let me do anything.”
Each word sinks into me like a stone. I see father, his cold smile as he tells me I’m leaving to be a bride, a pawn in his game. He didn’t care then, and he doesn’t care now. He’ll cage Juliet as long as it suits him.
“He can’t do this,” I say, but my conviction is weak. “I won’t let him. I’m going to find a way to get you out.”
Her eyes search mine, desperate and unbelieving. “How?”
I grab her hands, stop the twisting, hold them steady. “The Rosettis have connections. More than connections. Power. If I can convince them to help...”
My words trail off, but the thought remains. The last thing I wanted for my life was a mafia family, full of violence and crime. Even when I married in, I didn’t want to become part of it. Swore I’d never ask for anything, never owe them anything. Since then, I’ve slowly formed friendships with Carmela, Matteo, even quiet Emilio and scary Dom. I haven’t cracked Rafe yet, but we have a quiet respect for one another.
Then there’s Leonardo. The memory of last night burns away my hesitation. Who am I kidding? I’m already neck deep in this family.
I set my jaw. “I’ll figure something out. I promise.”
