Page 49 of Broken Hearts of Sin

“Good. Hey, you wanna stay the night here instead of going back to that sad motel you were staying at?”

I give him a sidelong smile. “I thought you'd never ask.”

* * *

Tommy takes me on a ride along the next day as he goes about his business, explaining to me what he's been up to since he left New York. I know he isn't just doing it to be polite. He wants me to know what he’s risking if he decides to help me.

“Tommy, I just want to say that whether or not you end up helping me, I totally get it. You have to look after number one - and that's not me.”

He sighs with defeat. “Look man, I know I owe you and I am willing to help. I just can’t give you men. What I can do is recommend some mercenaries I’ve worked with. If you need weapons though? Transportation? I got you.”

I nod. “That’s more than I expected, frankly. Thank you. Did you get the message to Benedetto?”

“I’m gonna call him later today. You sure no one knows you came this way?”

“As sure as I can be. I came by way of Connecticut, so…”

“Okay. So, I’ll talk to him, and if you want, you can be on the next contraband shipment to New York.” Tommy laughs like he’s made the funniest joke. I smile, with affection. I have always liked Tommy. For a gangster, he has a good heart.

“Thanks man. Appreciate it.”

“You need guns or whatever?”

“Maybe a weapon or two, just in case. I’m not looking to start a war.”

“Yeah of course. But you never know in this business.”

“Yeah.” I feel a frisson of pain run through me as Mark comes to mind, “You just never know.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

Talking with Father Lorenzo was extremely therapeutic. I went there filled with despair and left with a fission of hope. It feels good, for one thing, to know exactly what happened, and to understand that Romano hadn't sought any of this out.

I get home in the late afternoon, Aunt Ludovica having decided that we needed to go out for lunch. She took me to this fancy hotel filled with old women who clearly had nothing better to do than sit around, have tea, and gossip. It's very soothing, especially since they all treat me like a beloved niece or a favorite pet, to constantly be fed treats and patted on the head.

I'm actually sorry to leave them and go back to a house where my every single action is watched with disapproval. As soon as Aunt Ludovica leaves, I rush upstairs to my room and shut the door. The sooner the day passes, the sooner it will be tomorrow. Father Lorenzo has offered me sanctuary and I am ready to take it. Even if he has no news for me, I can just hang out in the church and be at peace.

Also, I don't have to see Patrizio.

My parents cannot complain about me wanting to go to church, so this is quite perfect. I can always tell them that I'm praying for the success of my marriage. A good devout wife - that's what Patrizio wants after all.

I lie back on the bed, pulling up my dress and closing my eyes, my hand resting lightly atop my private parts. I think back to our wedding night - how perfect it had been.After we’d had some pasta for dinner, Romano handed me a bag and asked me to go and change. I looked at the bag, emblazoned with the Savage X Fenty logo and raised an eyebrow, smirking at him. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

“You gonna stand there questioning me or you going to do as I say and go change?”

That put me in my place, literally, and I hastened to do as I was told. I read the label, wondering how he knew my size. We’d never discussed it. The label said ‘Stranded in Lace Crochet Teddy’ in size medium. My heart was thrumming with nerves and anticipation as I reached in and took the piece of lingerie out.

It was a two-tone, salmon, and yellow teddy made of crochet-like lace. The neckline was plunging, and it was held up by a braided elastic halter tie at the neck with tassels at the ends. The hips had elastic strapping detailing that reminded me of being tied up.

It was an intimidating outfit in that I had no idea what Romano’s expectations might be of me in them. I’d either look like sex on legs or utterly ridiculous. There was still something else in the bag and I peered inside to see strappy salmon-colored stilettos. I gave a huge sigh, hoping I could live up to Romano’s expectations.

First, I jumped in the shower and washed myself thoroughly, paying special attention to my crotch. Then I rubbed myself down with a rose perfumed lotion until my skin was silky, shiny and smooth. I put my hair up in a tight pony tail. I kept in the diamond earrings I’d been wearing since I had been kidnapped. Then, walking slowly towards the bed, I picked the teddy up. With a deep breath, I put it on and then strapped myself into the sandals.

My gait was a bit wobbly with fear as I stepped up to the full-length mirror to look at myself. My eyebrows rose in surprise. I was actually impressed by how I looked. The teddy’s colors blended in nicely with my tanned complexion and the sandals and shape of the teddy made my legs look extra-long.

“Oooh, sexy it is.” I murmured to myself before raising my voice to summon Romano to the room. As I heard his footsteps approach, I positioned myself, so I’d be the first thing he saw when he opened the door. Crossing my legs at the ankle, I struck a pose.

He opened the door and froze, blinking at me in stupefaction. I almost laughed, so happy was I with his reaction. Then he took another step into the room and closed the door, going from surprised dork to stalking tiger in the space of a breath. I held my breath in anticipation as he came to me, giving my body up at once when he grabbed me and pulled me in, kissing me like the room was out of oxygen and I held every single bit that was left. He stepped back, breaking the kiss way too fast, staggering as if he was drunk as he looked me up and down.

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