Page 17 of Savage Beauty

My mother passed away shortly after the twins were born, just weeks after Rocco’s death. It felt like I had lost all the security in my life at once. If it weren’t for Vlad, I don’t know what would have become of me. But I spiraled out of control, and it took me over a decade to clean up my act.

Signora G often forgets that my mama is long gone. I don’t want to remind her of the painful truth, so I let it slide.

“She’s okay,” I reply. “Have you eaten today?”

“I had coffee and a pastry this morning,” she says with a grin. I roll my eyes as I put the lasagne in the microwave, and she laughs at my concern. “Oh, stop looking at me like that,mio prezioso. Old people don’t eat much. I only have a good meal daily because you cook it for me.”

I pour her a glass of San Pellegrino and arrange her tray, setting it on her lap. “Now be careful,” I caution her. “The lasagna is hot. While you wait for it to cool, tell me your news.”

“It’s my birthday tomorrow,” she says brightly. “Isn’t that exciting?”

“I know,” I respond with a smile. She drops her fork, and I retrieve it, gently placing it back in her hand. “I’ll bring you a present.”

It’s not her birthday. Instead, it would have been her son’s thirty-fifth. But her mind holds onto the date, even if the significance has faded.

Signora G takes a bite of lasagna and smiles at me. “You’re a good son, Rocco.”

Her other hand settles on the armrest, and I cover it with mine. Her skin is cold.

She’s called me Rocco before, but lately, it happens every time I visit. She’s deteriorating, her moments of confusion becoming more frequent.

“I get scared sometimes,” she says. “Men come in here and talk to me.”

She says this stuff now and again. Men visit her, the cat she hasn’t got is missing, the mailman is a spy. I usually just move past it so she doesn’t get upset.

“I’ll make sure your bed is comfortable,” I tell her. “You finish your food now.”

Signora G laughs. She’s already forgotten all about her fear. She winks and waves her fork at me.

“Whatever you say,capo.”

* * *

At home, I head straight to my bedroom. I’m not in the mood to discuss the day's events; it’s almost unbelievable that I haven’t been married for twenty-four hours yet.

Part of me knows I should give Josie some space. But she ran away from me tonight and straight into trouble. I’ll keep her safe, but I’m not gonna love her; I don’t have it in me to let her into my heart. I just need to slake my thirst for her and ease my obsession, so I can fucking think straight.

Josie is still out for the count. I get undressed in the dark and lie beside her on the duvet.

One way or another, my wife will learn that her place is at my side.

12

Josie

Iwake from a dream about my mom. It always happens when I fall asleep on my back—I get scared that I’m choking to death, just like she did. I sit up quickly, gulping the air, before I realize I’m okay.

Sasha sleeps on his back beside me, his powerful arms folded behind his head. His breathing is even and deep. He wears nothing but white jersey trunks and a slight smile.

The fucker. He’s sleeping next to me for the second night in a row without my consent or knowledge. I’m tempted to slap him in the nuts and give him the mother of all wake-up calls, but I decide against it.

For the first time, I have a chance to feast my eyes without him knowing it, and he’s really something. His body is chiseled, every muscle carved by exercise and his Italian-Russian lineage. His sheer size is intimidating up close, and it’s like being beside some great animal. His dark hair spreads over the pillow, his lip ring catching the light.

I let my eyes travel along his flank, my gaze drifting lower. A gasp of shock escapes me, and I clap my hand over my mouth.

Sasha’s erection stretches the fabric of his underwear. The material holds it down somewhat, but there’s no hiding it. That’s some extensive real estate he has there.

I glance at his face, making sure he’s definitely asleep.Yep.His eyelids aren’t even twitching. I sit up on my elbow and get closer, my mouth falling open.

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