Page 109 of Captured Fantasy

“Want to go to the clubhouse for breakfast and a swim?” she asked when I returned to the living room.

“Perfect, let’s go,” I said, grabbing my keys.

She tied back her hair and mounted the Triumph behind me and we took off down the street. The world was cast in a golden haze, the air smelled sweet, and her arms were locked around my chest. The warm wind whipped my face as the Triumph propelled us through the city to the clubhouse grounds.

The parking lot was full. I’d completely forgotten it was a Saturday. I sensed her trepidation as I helped her off the motorcycle and she undid her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders.

“What if Rico is here?” she asked.

I worked my jaw. “Rico will honor our agreement. He chose to give you up and he knows that.”

She bit her lip, straightening her shoulders. “You’re right.”

I took her hand, my ring glittering on her finger, and ushered her through the front doors. In the dining room, I led her through the tables to the other end where the window overlooked the pool. To my surprise, Lucien and Olivia were already seated in the corner having breakfast. I locked eyes with Lucien and he shook his head.

“Fuck, no, I’ve seen enough of your face lately,” he said. “Get the fuck away from me, I’m trying to have some peace and quiet.”

“Lucien!” Olivia said, getting to her feet. “Be nice.”

“Not his forte,” I said, leaning in to kiss Olivia’s temple. “Good to see you, sis.”

Lorenza offered her hand to Olivia, but my sister pulled her into a hug. As much as Lucien could be difficult, he was doing something right with Olivia. Since their marriage she’d blossomed, gaining confidence. It was a miracle what not living with our parents had done for us both.

Enza and Olivia talked for a minute before Lucien called her back over, sending me a warning glare. I selected a table several yards away and pulled out Enza’s chair, kissing the top of her head as I pushed it back in.

We had breakfast in a warm glow, the weight of uncertainty gone from our shoulders. Down below, Andrea Venetti and Peregrine Calo were throwing a football back and forth in the pool. My chest ached as I remembered how I used to play with Paolo and Amadeo not so long ago. Things had changed in the last few years, some for the better, some for the worse.

I turned and caught her eye and I knew she understood. She reached across the table and took my hand.

“I think you should go play with them when we’re done,” she said gently. “I could use some time to tan. And I’ll have plenty to look at while I do.”

I nodded, my throat catching. She was right, I couldn’t let grief ruin the happiness we’d both fought tooth and nail for. It was time to let go, time to let myself be happy despite all the grief, violence, and loss we’d endured.

We went to the men’s locker room and fucked in the bathroom stall. Then she put on that tiny, black bikini that still drove me crazy and I followed her out to the pool, my eyes glued to her ass. My God, she was so fucking beautiful and she was all mine.

I could stare at her all day knowing that I was going to take her back home and fuck her all night.

Andrea saw me coming and threw the football hard enough I doubled over to catch it. I tossed it back at him, joining them in the pool. Peregrine launched himself into the deep end, kicking back as I tossed him the ball. It felt so good to be out here like this, no worries, no heavy weight pressing on my chest.

This time, my woman sat just yards away, looking so good with my ring on her finger.

To my shock, Lucien and Olivia joined us a few minutes later. Never in my life had I seen Lucien without his shirt and the sight was shockingly informal. They sank into the deep end of the pool, far away from our game, and started making out. I wasn’t sure why, perhaps because Olivia would always be just my little sister, but the sight was wildly embarrassing.

“Jesus, how do you tell the boss to get a room?” Peregrine said.

“Like this,” said Lucidius Di Meo, appearing out of nowhere and landing in the pool. He took the football, pulling back his arm. “Hey, Luce, get a room!”

He threw the football with all his strength. At the last minute, Lucien broke away from Olivia and caught the ball one-handed. His face was made of stone as he ducked under the water, swimming toward us, and burst from the surface.

“Never call me Luce again,” he snapped.

“No, sir, I will not, sir,” Lucidius said, realizing he’d crossed a line.

Lucien’s jaw worked and I thought he was going to give us a lecture about respect, but instead he backed up and threw the ball. We all froze, too shocked to react. Then my body took over and I arced from the water, catching the ball in midair. From behind us, I caught the sight of Olivia sitting down beside Enza. They were both gaping, their sunglasses lowered.

Never in my life had I imagined I would play a game of football with my ice cold brother-in-law. But as we got used to the sight of Lucien letting go a little, everyone loosened up. Even Lucien, who probably hadn’t relaxed in a decade. It felt good to be doing something normal.

For a glorious half hour, the grief and pain of the last few years was gone. We had all won, we’d gotten the women we wanted, we’d taken the power we craved. There was nothing but triumph in our chests and satisfaction deep in our bones.

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