Page 14 of Luciano (Belles & Mobsters 1)

I didn’t understand what he was saying. He didn’t make any sense. My eyes lowered to his hand that was still on my mother, his filthy fingers curled around my mother’s pale neck. A fear that he could hurt her swelled with each thump in my chest.

Suddenly, his hand lowered, and he took a step back. Without a glance at my mother, his eyes on me, he strode past me.

“Remember my words, Aria.”

And they were gone. Like boogeymen in the dark of night. With her back against the wall, my mom’s body slid down till her butt connected with the floor. She was so shaken up that her whole arms shook as she spread them open. Without thinking, I ran to her and lowered myself onto the floor, burying my body against hers.

“Mom, are you okay?” My voice shook, just like her hands that kept brushing against my face.

“My little Grace,”my mother’s voice was soft as she brushed hair out of my face. “My precious baby.”

“Who was that?” I asked in a whisper. I was scared he’d come back.

“Nobody important, love.” My mother never lied to me, but I knew she lied to me that day. I felt it in my gut. “Promise me that no matter what happens, you will keep strong. For me. For Dad.”

I raised my head, searching out her eyes.

“I promise, Mom.” I wasn’t sure if I could keep that promise, but it seemed so important to her. I wanted to ease her worry and fears that were edged so deep onto her face now. If it would help her, I would have promised anything that day.

“You’ll always be my little Grace.” A soft, warm fluttering feeling blossomed inside me at hearing those words. I loved my mom and dad. Even more, I loved their affections for each other. I loved their hugs and kisses, but my stubbornness insisted I pretended they were annoying. Though right now, I needed all her comfort, and I sensed she needed mine too. “Never let anyone clip your wings, my baby.”

“I won’t, Mom,” I promised.

God, if only I knew how hard it would be to keep that promise. How hard it was to be strong. Mom and Dad died three months later. It was then I found myself face-to-face with the very same man that had threatened my mother. He turned out to be my uncle. A man my parents had kept me hidden from. Imagine being a child and not knowing you had other family. Never having met your uncle or grandmother. It was a nightmare after that… until the day I met Luciano. I thought I found a savior. So wrong!

Tilting my head up at the moon, my thoughts traveled across the ocean, searching the memories. The past was left buried and behind us when we ran, but it was harder to forget. It was a constant exercise of discipline to make myself not think about him.

The image of my husband’s face flashed in front of my eyes. Even after all this time, the memories hurt. I fell in love with a true villain and learned my lesson. In the hardest way possible. I would never let another man in. Maybe one of these days I’d get brave and take another man into my bed. Although I knew with unquestionable certainty that nobody would ever compare to my husband. The way my body hummed for him, needing his touch.

All the fucked-up shit that happened and I still craved his hands on me; the way he brought me pleasure. And I hated myself for it. I wanted him out of my heart and out of my system. I didn’t want to remember him; the way his mouth felt on my skin or the way his touch lifted me to unimaginable heights. All the while, he crushed my heart like it was worthless, like I was worthless.

A shuddering breath left my lips as I brought my glass of wine to them. This was the reason I always avoided thinking about him. It made me feel like shit.

Reaching over to the side table for my laptop. I checked my emails. It was better than thinking about the bitter past.

Only one email sat in the secured mailbox.

* * *

To:The Ghost

From: Ruthless King

Good answer. I’d like to book the next six months of your exclusive services. Max three times per month, as initially agreed. Monthly retention two hundred thousand. The percentage fee per transaction remains the same. You accommodate nobody else.

K

* * *

So he was testing me!I didn’t like it; it felt manipulative. I was done being manipulated. But could we afford to refuse his business? No, we couldn’t. Instead of replying, I closed the email and stared at the blank Google Search page. I was so tempted to use it. All I had to do was type in my family’s name or my husband’s name, and I knew there would be information flowing through the web browser. I had so many questions, but I knew they wouldn’t bring me any good answers. Nor any peace.

Curiosity killed the cat, Grace.I needed to remember that.

“What are you doing sitting in the dark, staring at your laptop?” Ella’s voice startled me, and I almost dropped my laptop.

“Damn it. You scared the crap out of me.” I looked behind me to find Ella standing, leaning against the door. “You are home early.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I just wasn’t in the mood to listen to the Italian accent tonight.”

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