13. I Give Myself to You
THIRTEEN
I Give Myself to You
ZANO
N ormally, I love a good party, but tonight, I’m itching to make my escape with my wife by my side. However, before that’s possible, we must sit through the dinner, have our first dance, then move around from table to table to thank our guests for coming.
Dinner was amazing as usual, although I wouldn’t have expected anything less since my mother is in charge of the kitchen. Our first dance is approaching as the DJ calls us onto the small dance floor. I place my arms around her waist, and hers come up around my neck. The song “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay begins to play.
We sway to the melody, the lights dimmed, and I am well aware of all eyes upon us. Not being much of a dancer, Ally hangs on to me.
“Relax,” I whisper. “This is supposed to be fun.”
Ally expels a breath. “I’m not very graceful on the dance floor,” she admits, then trips over her own feet, landing flush against my chest. I tighten my grip, keeping her pressed to my body, and spin us around.
Suddenly, the clinking of cutlery against glasses is heard around the room, then our guests chant, “Bacio, bacio!” urging Ally and me to kiss.
“Shall we give them what they want?” I ask, raising my brow, and giving her my devilish grin.
“I don’t think they’ll stop if we don’t.” Her gaze is fixed on my mouth, and I instantly grow hard, wanting to taste her mouth again.
“We must comply, then.” My mouth closes over hers. She opens for me, and I allow myself the indulgence for but a brief second, sweeping my tongue over the curve of her lower lip. I taste her, but it isn’t enough. My need for Ally has been growing with each passing day. Every night, I pass by her bedroom door, forcing myself to leave her be, when I really want to climb into bed with her and make her feel the urgent need that I’ve been suffering with since the minute I laid eyes on her.
I kiss her soft and slow; I feel her arms around my neck tighten. She presses even closer, and I know she desires me as much as I do her. The cheer around the room brings me to my senses, and I pull back. Ally still has her eyes closed; her lips are swollen from our kiss. When her eyes flicker open, I see that she didn’t want our kiss to end either.
The song ends, and the guests clap loudly, but instead of taking Ally back to our table, I lead her to a table where several of the senior underbosses are sitting with their wives to make introductions. We chat politely and thank them for attending, making small talk. Ally is shy, clinging to my arm, but she smiles and laughs at their old, tired jokes. Their wives are aloof, but then again, I’ve heard stories of how they treat one another. They’re catty old women who like to think they’re special, when everyone knows that Anna is the queen of Nostra Casa.
Our final table is where the capos from the allied families are seated. Marco Moretti, from La Famiglia , is with his wife, Gloria. Raffaele and Evangeline are next to them, and on the other side are Alessio and his wife, Josephine, from Il Destino. Four of the most powerful, and most dangerous, men in the country are all in attendance. They have their entourage circling the room and buildings. Reno takes no offense since he’s done exactly the same when he was invited to several of their functions.
“Good evening, Capo.” I acknowledge Reno first. After all, he is my boss. Then I quickly turn to the eldest at the table, Marco, to greet him. “Mr. Moretti, it’s an honor to have you attend our wedding.”
“Zano, I may be in town more often. This meal is the best I’ve ever had. I’d steal the chef if I could,” Marco teases with a twinkle in his eye.
“Dad would be pretty upset if you did that,” I counter, and he laughs. “Please meet my wife, Allegra.” Marco comes to his feet, extending his hand.
“A lovely bride,” Marco says, “A pleasure, my dear. This is my wife, Gloria.” He looks down at his wife with a grin. “I hope that you and Zano will have as many blissful years of marriage as Gloria and I have had.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ally responds, and Gloria chimes in to tell her how beautiful she looks.
“You know Raffaele and Evangeline.” I continue around the table, and Ally gives them both a nod and a small wave. Then we move on to Alessio Cassini. “This is the capo of Il Destino , Mr. Cassini, and his wife Josephine.” I shake his hand while Ally gives them a quick hello.
“This is a beautiful wedding. I love this room. It’s elegant and tasteful. And Marco isn’t kidding when he says this food is superb. The best fettuccine I’ve had in a very long time. I’m not sure what she does with her sauce, but it’s wonderful,” Josephine comments.
“I’m hoping she’ll share with me one day,” Ally replies.
I glance down at my watch and see that it’s not even close to a respectable time to make our exit. Reno catches my movement, and his lips quirk into the slightest grin. “I’d say it’s high time I have a dance with the bride,” Reno says, getting up and holding out his hand to Ally.
Reno and Ally are dancing, and I don’t like it. I hate another man’s hands on my wife. Jesus! I’m jealous. I’m also crazy because Reno would never look at another woman besides Anna. He’s tried to keep his feelings tempered in public, but we all know his wife is the love of his life.
“Come on, Zano,” I hear by my shoulder, finding Anna there. “You can dance with me,” she says. I allow her to lead me over and begin to dance. “I’ve gotten to know Allegra over the last little while. She’s a good woman. I like her very much.”
“I’m glad. She’s never had much in the way of friends and family. Her transition has been difficult, but I believe she’s doing better,” I state honestly.
“I know what it’s like to start over in a new place. When I came to Nostra Casa , I think I was the most hated woman on the planet. Many were expecting their capo to marry within the family, and here I come along and snag the main man,” she laughs, and I laugh right along with her. “I would like to make the transition easier for Allegra. Both Olivia and I have had our fair share of upheaval and would like for Allegra to know that she has friends to lean on if she needs us.”
“Reno’s a very lucky man to have you. We all are,” I tell her.
“That’s very sweet,” she returns, then jerks her head toward Reno and Ally. “Now get me close to those two so I can reclaim my hubby.” Anna’s funny, and she’s all about family. She’s also incredibly talented. She has the voice of an angel and plays the piano and guitar like a master. She could have been a professional singer, if it were allowed, but Anna’s happy to be a mother and wife. Samuele and Simona adore their mother, and even at a young age, I can see that Samuele is going to be as dedicated to Nostra Casa as his father. Simona is a beautiful child, and when she grows up, she’s going to be as beautiful as her mother. Knowing Reno, he’s going to need more guards and guns to keep the boys away.
I sidestep over, and Anna slides into her husband’s arms, as I claim Ally. “Are you enjoying yourself?” I ask. She tilts her head like she’s deciding whether to tell me what I want to hear or the truth. “The truth,” I say.
“I love this dress, and your mother did a wonderful job with everything. I appreciate her so much. And Elena has been the best through it all. I couldn’t ask for a better sister-in-law.”
“But—”
“I’d rather be in my pj’s watching a movie on the sofa with you, like we did the first night.” She blushes and says quietly, “Am I being ungrateful?”
“Hell, no,” I respond. “You don’t like being the center of attention. So what? Nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, we have obligations. Reno wanted a formal wedding, and since he’s the capo, we’re doing what he asked. I’m not sure why, because normally, he doesn’t give a shit, but I do know that Reno always has a reason behind his thinking.”
“Do you think he was expecting something to happen this morning?”
“Not a chance! He’d never put his men or you and Elena at risk. Get that out of your head. Reno isn’t that kind of man,” I state firmly.
“Then why?”
“Probably because he wants his underbosses to understand that he’s in control and accepts you and Victorio as one of the family. He’s showing his faith in us.”
“Reno has a lot on his plate,” she replies, glancing at Reno and Anna dancing.
“More than you’ll ever know. Reno is a true leader, and Dante and Sebastian are right there with him. I love those men almost as much as I love my own brother,” I confess.
“Then I’ll love them too,” Ally responds.
The music ends, and as the next song begins, the barrage of traditions begins with cutting the cake and taking more pictures. It’s well into the night before I can finally slip away with my wife.
* * *
Allegra
Z ano and I are finally alone in a very posh hotel room in the city. Zano bought a condo for us but decided that a couple of days at the hotel would be our honeymoon time for now until he can get more time to travel. After the incident this morning, that may be a longer wait than he originally thought.
The room is beautiful, with a view of the park and the bright stars filtering in through the open drapes. There’s champagne chilling, and roses on the table when we arrive, a gift from Elena and Dante, wishing us a wonderful start to our lives together.
“That’s very sweet of them,” I say when Zano hands me the card. “I’ll have to remember to thank them.” There’s no denying that I’m nervous about tonight. Not scared, just anxious. I know it’s to be expected, and as much as I’ve been living outside the family, I’ve not had the time or energy to date. This is all new to me. I don’t know what to do.
A few feet away from me stands Zano, removing his jacket and tie, unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt to loosen his collar. He rolls up the sleeves of his shirt as he moves to the champagne and pops the cork, pouring us each a glass.
I’m still standing in the center of the room, taking it all in as he holds the glass out for me to take. I begin to walk over to him where he stands by the window. “Come see this view,” he says. I look out at the view from the wall-to-wall window. I feel Zano come to stand behind me, the warmth of his breath on my hair. I force myself to keep my eyes on the moon and stars shining bright. His hand rests on my hip, then slowly spans to cover my stomach as he presses his front to my back. I try to keep my heart from beating wildly but fail miserably.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmur, but all I can think about is the heat that runs through me from his touch.
His lips dip to my ear. “Do I make you nervous, cuoricina?” His soft rumble turns my insides to jelly.
“No.” It takes supreme effort to speak at all.
Zano nips my earlobe, then runs a path to the curve of my neck, causing an electricity that I know we both feel. “Drink your champagne, Ally,” he says calmly.
Is he kidding? I’m afraid I’ll choke on it when all I can think of is the way his lips are moving over my shoulder. Still, I lift the glass and sip slowly, all the while very aware of the sensations he’s stirring in me. I manage another sip, then the glass is removed from my hand and set aside.
Zano turns me to face him. His eyes pore over my face, like he’s seeing it for the first time. One hand palms my cheek, while the other is at the back of my head.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” he says. I look imploringly into his face, willing his mouth to come closer. He bends down, his lips against my cheek, brushing it lightly—and still, that light touch sends shivers through my nerves, making my entire body tremble. “If you want me to stop, tell me now,” he whispers. I say nothing, awaiting more. Zano brushes his mouth against my temple. “Or now,” he teases, gliding his lips along my cheekbone. His lips hover over mine.
I can’t wait any long. I reach up and pull him down to me. He kisses me gently, carefully, but gentleness isn’t what I want, not this time. My fists grip his crisp white shirt. He groans softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circle around me as he deepens his kiss into an explosive melding of our mouths in a passionate embrace that I never want to end.
Suddenly, I’m swept into his arms, and Zano carries me toward the bed. He deposits me on my feet, then turns me, his hands at the back of my dress, his fingers at the zipper, slowly moving it downward, grazing my skin with his touch. The dress comes loose; my hands at my breasts hold it up.
The dress doesn’t allow for a bra, and once I let go, I’ll be in nothing but my tiny white lace panties. I let the material slide to the floor. The cool air of the room causes my nipples to pebble. But not for long, because Zano turns me to face him, and I watch as his shirt comes off. He unbuckles his belt, kicks off his shoes, then gives me the slightest shove so I fall back onto the bed. He strips down to his boxers. He’s magnificent. So beautiful, and I can’t believe he wants me.
He places a knee on the mattress, causing it to dip, then lies beside me, propped on one elbow so he can look down at me. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you at the restaurant. I can’t explain. No woman has ever had that effect on me. All I could think of was finding a way to keep you with me. We are together for eternity, cuoricina. Tell me you want this too.”
Without hesitation, I open my heart to him. “I want this. I want you.”
He shows his white teeth as his bright smile comes across his face. “Then we mark this as the first day of our new lives together. I’ve made you my wife in name, but tonight, I make you my wife in life.” His words penetrate. He is making a solemn vow to me.
“Tonight, I give all of myself to you, Zano,” I whisper, barely getting the words out before his mouth consumes mine.