33. Cristian
I stare at my family, hoping I’m not making a grave mistake.
This meeting is happening one way or the other, and while having it in person makes sense on many levels, the logistics of it all gives me a headache—and I’m not even talking about the security and maneuvering we have to do in order to get from our house to the Martelli mansion.
No, it’s the people that are making the logistics difficult. It would have been better if they killed each other.
Wincing at my own thoughts, I address my family.
“We’re guests in their house,” I tell them calmly.
“I do not care about what may or may not have happened when Il Padrone and I were taken. You carry, or represent, the Amato name, and that is what you will show. Much as they will be presenting as members of the Martelli Family. Understood? I will not step in should Il Padrone decide to knock you down a peg.”
I level a stare at Roman, who has the decency to look sheepish, knowing he still owes the other Boss a proper apology.
“This meeting is too important for any hurt feelings or misunderstandings.” I watch Tennant carefully, knowing he’s none too pleased about what happened this morning.
While I understand where he’s coming from, I do not blame my friend for stepping in as he did.
Respect is important, and without the history of how we came to be, Tennant’s words and actions toward me could be considered disrespectful.
Hopefully, time spent together, and reassurances that he’ll never turn his…
less than stellar personality on anyone else—without good cause—will help my new friend understand my oldest one.
Tennant is protective, obsessive, and not at all patient when he claims something—or someone. That he’s let a month pass without seeing Benjamin is a statement at how much he respects Allesandro as a Boss all on its own.
“You’re allowed to make a request for…personal time at the end of the meeting, but until then, I need you to do your jobs.”
Roman rolls his eyes. “We know what we’re doing, Dad. You don’t need to lecture us like we’re five.”
“You were better behaved as a five-year-old,” I tell him.
He huffs, but straightens out his skirt instead of replying.
I eye him carefully, noting that the suit he’s wearing is similar to his treasured burgundy one, only this one has a white skirt and shirt, making the dark green of his eyes seem to glow.
It’s not a color he usually wears, for obvious reasons, but I do recognize how good he looks with the light-gray suit jacket and sparkly black nails to finish off the look.
I also know he’s dressed up to impress not only Il Padrone, but Ignacio.
For a moment, I get a flash of what he will look like on his wedding day, and I shake those thoughts away. I'm struggling enough with the thought that he's old enough to choose not one lover, but four. I don't want to think about what comes next.
“We're aware connections were made, and that it's been a struggle to return to normal. We are not ignorant to how you all coped while we were gone. But we are Martelli and Amato. Do not forget that.”
I get a chorus of “Yes, Boss,” and I nod, heading for the front door.
My family falls in line, and we split into two different SUVs. Carter, Tennant, and I in one, Roman, Hollis, and Jude in the other.
It's far more people than I would normally be comfortable taking into another territory.
With the exception of the Christmas party we had that established this alliance, it is simply not done, but I couldn't deny any of them the journey.
Not only that, they are all instrumental to the meeting.
Everyone has a job, and getting information from the source, rather than second hand, is always better.
As we head to the Martelli mansion, I hold Carter's hand in mine, a little tighter than usual, but it's the only thing keeping me grounded. That and the remembrance of Allesandro’s lips on mine.
“I expect you to act like a Second, not a lover, Ten,” I say quietly, not looking at him. “I know you're good at compartmentalization, but this is unprecedented. After what happened this morning…”
“He interfered where he had no right to,” Tennant replies cooly. “I do not care if he thought I was in the wrong. I am not allowed to say anything about Benjamin's punishment, so he has no right to comment on how we go about our internal issues.”
“They don't know us,” I say carefully, meeting ice blue eyes. “They don't know what you and I have. Now is not the time to show them.”
He huffs and waves me off, relaxing against the seat. “Don't worry about me. I won't make things more difficult for you. As long as that bastard stays out of my way—and away from Benjamin—it’ll all be fine.”
“Tennant…”
“No. I respect Il Padrone and his control over his Family, but I will not tolerate that fucker encroaching on what is not his. Not unless Benjamin tells me otherwise, and unless something changed with Benjamin’s feelings today from the last time we spoke about it, he has no claim to my Topolino.”
I sigh and Carter squeezes my hand, offering me silent comfort. I trust Tennant to keep his word that he won't make waves with Allesandro, but fucking hell . I'd appreciate it if he wasn't so damn protective.
The closer we get to the Martelli mansion, the more…feelings rise up in me. Confusing ones.
My lips tingle with the ghost of his kiss, and something stirs deep inside. Desire, yes, but it's… more than that.
Would I let him fuck me? The answer is yes. It's…exciting and terrifying to think about, as I haven't slept with anyone except my husband in ten years, but the thought of him taking me…
Dolce Cuore…
The endearment makes me smile, since there’s no exact Italian translation for sweetheart . That he made his own for me…
My breath catches in my throat at the memory of the softness in his bright blue eyes right after he kissed me. It happened hours ago, the feel of him shouldn’t still be so vivid, yet it is imprinted into my skin.
When the car pulls up to the Martelli house, my heart skips a few beats.
Carter gives my hand another squeeze and I look at him. “You okay?” he asks.
Swallowing, I lick my bottom lip, swearing I can still taste Allesandro on my tongue. “I’m fine. Let’s get this over with.”
My husband studies me carefully, but nods and follows Ten out of the car, before reaching back for my hand. I allow him to help me from the vehicle, glad to lean on his strength as I work on getting my feelings under control.
As a family, we enter the Martelli mansion, where Il Padrone and his Boys are waiting for us. When intense blue eyes meet my own, my heart skips a beat and my breath catches.
Fuck, maybe I should have lectured myself instead of my family…