Chapter 36
CHAPTER 36
T he Other Woman
Valentina
Five months later …
I kiss the top of Vita's head before I place her into her crib. Then, I turn with my hand on my growing bump. DJ is looking back at me with a smile, the corners of her lips turned up.
In the last few months, I’ve come to really like her. I was taken by surprise when Felix Black asked me to do him a favor and hire her without letting her know he was involved. When she showed up at the interview, I knew I would like her before Uri began to question her.
She’s been taking such good care of my little Vita. It doesn’t hurt that I know she can protect them both if needed. We have worked out and trained together almost every day since she’s been here.
Uri mentioned something about Brooklyn O’Brien claiming her, but I still don’t know why Felix asked me for the favor. The one thing I do know is she’s my family now. I have her back, and she has mine.
“Do you really think you will find something? Uri is crazy about you. I can’t see him cheating on you,” DJ says as she eyes me warily.
“I don’t know what I will find, but his behavior has been off. What are these trips to Boston and why have they become so frequent?”
She looks behind her, then drops her voice. “He is the don now. His responsibilities have changed. Could it have something to do with the family?”
I think her words over. DJ knows more about us than most of the other staff. I believe she understands us and who we are on a more personal level.
I shake my head. “No, this has nothing to do with his promotion. If he were going back and forth between Italy and Chicago, I might believe that was it, but Boston?”
“I don’t blame you for following your gut. You go on. Vita will be fine here with me. Don’t go busting any windows,” she says, her Irish accent slipping just a little.
I wink at her and laugh. “I promise not to take any pages out of your book. I only want to know what’s going on.”
“Safe travels, love. You make sure to give him a good shag in apology,” she snickers.
“Yeah, sure,” I grumble and leave.
I have a flight to catch. I will suck the life out of Uri’s dick if I’m wrong. However, I have this feeling there’s another woman behind these trips.
I’m going to empty my clip in both their asses if Uri is cheating on my big pregnant ass.
Symphony
I had one of those dreams again. Which is embarrassing since Uri is here on a visit. I blame Adriano for this.
I had a little fall and sprained my ankle. Yes, I was on a job when it happened, but I didn’t want him to call Uri. Since the incident, Uri has been coming in more often.
“Ah, you can’t sleep either?” Uri says as he turns from the refrigerator with a pint of ice cream in his hand.
I chuckle. That is my ice cream, but I don’t mind. I don’t get to indulge often, but I keep the freezer stocked with my favorites.
“No, I came down for some water.”
I amble over to the sink to fill a glass, ignoring Uri’s chiseled bare chest. He has on a pair of silk sleep pants and his gun holster. I guess that’s a family trait.
I have my holster on under my robe. I never roam the house unarmed, not after that attack in Chicago. Besides, the weight of the guns soothes me.
I can use all the soothing I can get tonight. I’m having those stupid sex dreams more often. They seem to become more vivid each time.
“You want to talk about it?” Uri asks as he takes a seat at the island.
“No, not at all,” I reply and gulp down my glass of water.
Refilling the glass, I then go to sit with him. It’s been a while since we’ve had one of our talks. I am happy to see Uri, so I’m eager to spend a little time with him.
“How have you been? How’s the ankle? You’re not limping as much,” he says.
“I am fine. It was only an ankle ligament sprain. A few weeks of rest and it was back to normal. I was fine when Adriano made a big fuss about it.”
“You speak as if you’re not a dancer.”
“I am, but you can’t believe that I dance and play year-round. I take breaks from the company to focus on the orchestra. This happens to be offseason for dance.”
“Have I told you how proud of you I am? I’m sorry I have been so busy in the last year. I want to have a meeting with you and Michael.
“You should be with family. I want you to come to New York. This distance serves no purpose any longer,” he says as he stabs at the ice cream.
“Does Micheal know about this? Has he asked for my return?”
Uri sighs. “I believe it is time I intervene. He has been angry since you left Italy. He’s not himself any longer.”
“I had to leave,” I whisper.
“No need to explain to me. Italy wasn’t a safe place for you. It was a good thing you left when you did.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course, love. Take your time. It might be selfish of me to want you all in New York with me.”
“You seem happier. How is Nico? I would like to see him if that’s all right.”
“He is recovering, but he has a long way to go. You are welcome whenever you are ready.”
“There are a few more shows booked for this season. I will have to look at my schedule and … I have some other things to sort out.”
I pause to think about my secret business. I will have to shut it down if I move to be with my family. However, that’s not what’s holding me back.
I need to find a way to get in touch with Mrs. Mairettie. I need her to tell me it’s time to return to Michael. If he’s not safe, I won’t return. I can’t.
“Look at me, Symphony,” Uri says.
I turn my gaze to his and hold it. He gives a nod of his head and smiles. I reach for my band and pop it a few times. The sweet sting filters out all the anxiety that’s building.
“I know about your assassin operation. I have allowed it because Adriano believed it suited your needs and you’re good at it. While it’s not something we’ve allowed the women to do in the family, I’ve decided our family will make an exception.
“Michael may not feel the same, but I have someone in my life who’s proving the old ways wrong. Your work is professional and clean. Your decision-making shows wisdom.
“When I say I’m proud of you, Sim. I mean everything about you. I already know the truth.”
“Is that why he has never spent a dime? Because he ratted me out. Stinking buttface.” I seethe.
Uri roars with laughter. “Adriano cares for you. Maybe more than he should.”
“You’re not angry?”
“Why should I be? You have become who your grandfather has wanted. Michael has also exceeded the don’s wishes.
“I think I understand the plan he has had all along. I have fallen into a plan myself. I now understand the plotting and planning of old men. Sometimes it works out better than you can imagine.”
“I hope you are right.”
“I know I am. I just need you to decide if coming to New York and living with Michael is what you want.”
“Will he forgive me? Is that what he wants? I know about the woman he is seeing,” I murmur down at the countertop.
Uri leans over to kiss my forehead. I fight back the tears that burn the backs of my eyes. I was devastated to learn about this Julissa woman.
I hate her, but I can’t be mad at Michael. I ran away. Annabella has told me how upset Michael was.
“She doesn’t mean as much to him as you think. He has been losing himself without you. She has been a friend, but she can never remain in his life.
“Sleep on it, love. If coming home with me is what you want, I will make it happen. It is time.”
I finish my water and nod. I have a lot to think about. I will get in contact with Mrs. Mairettie. I’m tired of living here alone.
I am ready to face my destiny. I will not hide forever. Michael needs to know I’ve become like him. I can stay with him now.
“Try to go get some sleep, love. We will talk again before I leave.”
“Thank you, Uri.”
I get up and head back to my room. My ankle is a little tender, but I refuse to limp and cause Uri to worry about me. Especially now that I know he knows.
I’m going to kick Adriano’s butt. I thought I could trust him. Now I wonder how long Uri has known.
“Put it down, or I will blow your head off,” I growl as I pull my gun and spin to face the woman in my home.
She glares back at me through blue eyes set in a brown face. She has a gun pointed in my face as well. I cock my gun, letting her know I mean business.
“So Uri has a thing for women who carry guns,” she says calmly and tilts her head to the side. “At least you’re pretty. I would have been pissed if he were cheating with someone ugly.”
“What are you talking about? Why are you in my home?”
She cocks her gun. As she does, I notice her heavily swollen belly. Who is this woman to Uri?
“What the bloody fucking hell?” Uri barks as he enters the space.
I see him out of the corner of my eye, looking utterly shocked. The woman now looks pissed as he stands there in nothing but his holster and sleep pants. I’m confused, but I haven’t taken my gun off her.
“Symphony, this is my pregnant wife. Put the gun down, love. Tina, this is Michael’s wife, Symphony. I need you to put your gun down too.
“On the count of ten.” He begins to walk toward us slowly as he counts. “One … Two … Three … Four … Five … Six … Seven … Eight … Nine … Ten.”
By the time he gets to ten, neither of us has put our gun down. Instead, we both stare at each other, confused. She is pretty, I will give her that.
Uri grabs both of our guns and begins to lower them. However, she pulls another and aims it at me. Just as swiftly, I pull my other one.
“Michael’s wife, my ass. Since when has he been married? Uri, you have me so fucked up right now.”
“I am Symphony Isabella Mansilla-Trovati-Donati. I am Michael’s wife. Uri is my brother-in-law.
“I have been married to Michael for sixteen years. We were married in Italy when I was fourteen. You can put your gun down.”
I release the clip and the one in the chamber from mine and hand them over to her. She looks at me then back at Uri. Then to me again.
“Oh hell no. You keep those. Uri, you hand her back that other gun. Michael and that home-wrecker are going to answer some questions for us.”
“Michael and I have spoken at length about what’s going on with him. I’ve been coming to Boston for wellness checks, but I also would like to bring Sim home to Michael.”
“You know what? You and your hidden family and family secrets are about to make me lose my shit, Uri. A whole-ass wife. I’m going to need a list of all your properties by the morning.”
“Why is that, love?” Uri says through an amused smile.
“I’m going to check them all to see if you have any more hidden siblings and in-laws.”
“Don Alessio Trovati is my grandfather. My husband is to be his successor. I am being kept a secret from my great-uncle, who wishes to take that from me and Michael.”
Her eyes widen. “Does Sam know about this?”
Uri purses his lips. He looks annoyed. I begin to pop the band on my wrist as I feel like I might have said too much.
“Yes and no. He knows about Leonardo Trovati and that I want him dead. I will accept my seat at the Alliance table because of Michael and Sim. Leonardo Trovati isn’t as smart as you are, bella .
“He hasn’t figured out that Hush isn’t one man. Now that we have married, it doesn’t make sense for her to continue to hide. Leonardo will figure it out soon enough that I was never married to Don Trovati’s granddaughter. It has always been my baby brother,” Uri replies.
“Then we make him hush. What’s the problem?” This woman shrugs.
“We were forbidden from touching Leonardo because of some of the other families. Now that the Alliance is picking a fight with everyone, it is open season. We just need to wait for Sam’s promotion.
“Don Trovati also plans to hand the family over officially. Things are lining up. Sam’s promotion and Micheal’s will have to align for us to move forward. No one will touch Sim before then.”
My mind is filling with information I’m trying to filter through. I freeze as one detail stands out. I look to Uri’s wife.
“You are a hitter too?”
“Yes, I am Valentina Caprisi-Donati, by the way. Sorry about all of that. Pregnancy hormones will make a girl crazy,” she says and gives me a smile.
“I am not offended. Welcome to my home. I would like to get to know you. You are the first female assassin I have met,” I say and chew on my lip as I bounce my gaze over Valentina’s head.
Uri
“I like her. Okay, she’s a little odd, but I like her better than that home-wrecker,” Valentina says as I lead her to my bedroom here at the estate.
“Symphony is on the spectrum. She may stumble to communicate sometimes or come off as awkward, but she’s brilliant and talented,” I say proudly.
“Oh, now that makes sense. Talented at what?”
“Everything she puts her mind to. She is a professional ballerina and pianist.” I chuckle. “I guess I should add hitter to that list.”
“Oh, wow. I can see the ballerina. I was actually jealous when I first saw her. I can’t be surprised about the piano. That seems to be a Donati thing.”
“Oh, love. Not like Sim. We are tinkering when we play. Symphony embodies her name. I will get another ticket to her show tomorrow evening and you can accompany me.”
“I would like that. It only makes sense for me to stay and return with you now that I’m here.”
“Yes, but what doesn’t make sense is how my wife, my bella , got it into her head that I come here to Boston to cheat on her. When in this lifetime have I given you a single thought that made you think I could fathom cheating or wanting anyone other than you?” I growl into her neck as I pull her into my arms.
“Oops.”
“Oops is right, you little cheeky monster. You followed me here to do what exactly?”
“Let’s not talk about that. I want to apologize. I might have allowed my hormones to carry me away,” she says as she pushes me back.
I flop down onto the side of the bed. A smile comes to my lips as I watch her begin to peel her layers of clothes off. Her trench coat is the first to hit the floor. She then pulls her black sweater over her head.
When her swollen belly comes into view, my smile grows wider. How could she ever believe I would want someone else. I love this woman with my entire soul.
She kicks her heels from her feet, causing me to shake my head. I don’t know how she wears those things while carrying our two little ones. Another sign that she’s magical.
My cock begins to tent my sleep pants. While she wiggles out of her black leggings, I remove my holster and place it on the table beside the bed.
Before I can turn my attention back to her striptease, she drops to her knees and pulls me from my pants. I cup her face and look into her eyes as she lowers her head to cover me with her mouth.
The hum of pleasure and the tight suction of her mouth have my eyes rolling in the back of my head. I drop my head back and grab ahold of the sheets on either side of me.
“Fuck, show me how sorry you really are,” I bite out. “I’m certainly going to spank you for each transgression.”
She smiles around me as she keeps sucking. This isn’t enough; I want to make good on my promise. Pulling from her mouth, I then move to stand. Holding my hand out for hers, I wait for her to place it in mine. Then I help her up from her knees and place her on the bed.
Once she’s on the bed, I climb on and lie on my back. Placing my hands behind my head, I grin and look at her pointedly. She licks her lips as my shaft jumps, awaiting her attention.
“Come, love. Arse to me. I’m going to spank your arse while you suck my cock.”
As I finger her pussy and spank her arse while she sucks me to completion, I make sure we both remember why there is no one else for either of us. She never has to worry about another.
I am hers and only hers.