Chapter 16 Old Friends
Sixteen
Old Friends
Eros
Unexpected business makes me later than I like, and I end up having to shower and change at the warehouse.
When I took over, I had a private office with a bathroom and a shower installed.
I keep several suits and clothes in the closet because I refuse to go home to my wife carrying blood from the day.
It may not happen often, but Serafina doesn’t need to see the ugliness that occurs.
She’s been through enough already. Her text was the first bright spot of my day and kept me sane through the worst of it.
Alessandro is waiting for me inside the house with Danilo.
They’re coming along with Serafina and me on our evening out, as are Vincenzo and Cassio.
Young Cassio has been working with Alessandro and is progressing nicely.
It still irks me to think that Giusto brought in such a young soldier without providing him with adequate training.
I’m convinced that Cassio would have been an errand boy, and expendable in situations where he wouldn’t be equipped to defend himself.
“Hey, boss,” Alessandro greets me, and Danilo nods.
“Serafina?”
“Upstairs,” Danilo answers. I glance at my watch.
It’s not quite seven. I consider making a few calls while I’m waiting, but at the top of the stairs, a vision of loveliness appears, and my eyes lock on her as she makes her way down the staircase.
The dress fits her like a glove. The deep red is perfect for her complexion.
Her hair looks fuller, with large curls swaying as she comes toward us.
Her strappy heels bring attention to her toned, slender legs, and the slit in the skirt opens slightly when she walks, giving a glimpse of her creamy thigh.
Both soldiers are smart enough to turn their heads and take a few steps away. Serafina comes right to me so I get to see her up close. I note that even her face is made up for an evening out. Ruby lipstick, smoky eye makeup; she’s an alluring siren and my greatest temptation.
My gaze sweeps over her from head to toe twice. In a soft, sultry voice, she says, “Do I look all right?” She unconsciously smooths a hand over her dress.
I wrap my arm around her waist to bring her flush against my chest, and whisper in her ear, “More than all right, baby. I’d show you how much, but that will make us late for our reservation.
” I brush my lips over hers in a chaste kiss.
I’d like to ravage that sweet mouth, but I’m aware of my men standing close, and Serafina looks so beautiful that when I unwrap her from that dress, I want to take my time doing it.
I glance over my shoulder. “I’m driving.
You two are in the car behind us, and tell Vincenzo and Cassio I want them up front. ”
My men quickly go to find Cassio and Vincenzo.
This team of four is becoming my most trusted crew.
I’m doing background checks on every single one of the others.
Many of the soldiers who once reported to Giusto seem to be happier with the change.
The laziness of others has come to a halt.
I have given warnings that my tolerance is nonexistent for any man who doesn’t do his part in the family, and I’ve also made sure to reward the men who are making strides to improve themselves.
Yet, there’s a pang in my gut that warns me of danger, and this is not something I can ignore.
It’s served me well in the past and keeps me aware of my surroundings and who’s around me.
So why am I investigating all the men? It’s simple.
Those closest to Giusto had it too easy.
They rode his coattails and collected money for doing next to nothing.
They had a taste of the easy life and want to keep things as they were.
I’m a threat, and now that their king is gone, one of them might put it in his mind that he wants the title for himself.
It’s not far-fetched. In fact, it’s done far too often. Company takeovers are just another way of becoming king. A guerrilla leader killing villagers and taking their property or a world leader fighting for political power—it’s all the same.
So far, the soldiers under my command have come up clean. But there are three in particular who give off a vibe that I don’t like. They give the right answers and profess their allegiance to me and La Famiglia, yet the words feel as if they are wrapped in venom.
Serafina takes my hand, and I walk her to my car, helping her inside. Another glimpse of skin appears as she takes her seat. She modestly smooths her dress and sets her clutch in her lap. She simply doesn’t see her own beauty, which only makes her more alluring.
I command my cock to behave because, as much as I want to forgo the evening and carry her upstairs, Serafina deserves a night out of fun. I climb into the driver’s seat and give the signal for the men that we’re good to go.
The city is alive with bright lights. I called ahead to the owner of the restaurant to let him know we’d be dining at his place this evening and requested a quiet table.
Reese is the owner of La Luna, a role he took over a couple of years ago from his retired father.
Reese is a good man who stays out of people’s business, but is smart enough to know how to maintain relationships.
Reese’s father once saved a man associated with La Famiglia, and when asked what he wanted in return, his answer was “peace.” Sam Turner didn’t want to be part of any foul play or have to pay off the mob for protection.
All he wanted was to run his restaurant and live a quiet life with his wife and kids.
This was his request, and to this day, everyone knows that La Luna is untouchable, and so is Sam’s family.
We protect his place, not because he asked, but because a good man saved the life of one of our own.
The underboss he saved, Arturo, has since passed away.
Sam and his family attended the funeral.
At that time, Sam and Arturo had become good friends.
Arturo’s death hit Sam hard, and this is part of the reason that Sam decided to let his son take over the restaurant.
Now, he spends quality time with his wife traveling the world.
Reese himself leads us to our table and ensures that his best waiter is attending to us. Serafina looks around the room, suddenly growing shy, and whispers, “Why is everyone staring at us?”
“I surmise that the men are captivated by a beautiful woman. Fortunately for me, she belongs to me,” I tease. “And the women are jealous of you because you’re making their men turn their heads.”
“I don’t think that’s it at all. I think all the women are wondering how to get your attention, and all the men are wondering what your workout routine is so they can be more like you,” she returns with a giggle.
I love that Serafina is comfortable and we’re able to talk so easily.
In reality, people are staring because they know who I am, and they’re intrigued to see my wife for the first time.
A private table is quiet, but not completely out of sight.
Danilo and Vincenzo are at the front of the restaurant, keeping watch, while Alessandro and Cassio are at the back. They are positioned between the kitchen and the side emergency door. As a precaution, Danilo had scoped out La Luna earlier to ensure we would be adequately covered.
“Do you see what you’d like?” I ask while she studies the menu.
“Everything sounds so good,” she murmurs.
I catch Reese’s eye, and he comes to us. “What’s the special today, my friend?”
“I have to say that the Risotto Milanese is exquisite. It’s not the special, but most definitely the best I’ve ever tasted.
My wife is the chef, and Teresa is a master of this dish,” Reese replies with pride.
“I would start with the stuffed zucchini florets, then the risotto, and for dessert, I suggest the homemade zeppole with cherry sauce.”
“That sounds divine,” Serafina responds.
“We’ll take your advice, Reese,” I tell him. He then waves to his waiter and orders a bottle of red wine, insisting that this meal is his gift to the newlyweds.
I won’t argue with the owner, simply because this is a matter of pride. However, I pay my own way. Too many underbosses abuse their power and expect freebies. That’s not the way I want to be thought of. Instead, I will leave a handsome tip for his staff, tallying the cost of the meal and then some.
When our food arrives, I find great pleasure in watching Serafina eat.
The way she closes her eyes and enjoys the richness of her meal is exotic enough, but then she makes these sounds of sheer pleasure that nearly unhinge the last of my control.
I’m not sure how we get through the entire meal without me dragging her into the bathroom stall and fucking her stupid, but I manage.
Anticipation will only make the evening that much sweeter in the end, I remind myself.
When we are back in the car, Serafina notes that we’re not heading home. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a night of fun, gioia mia. The night is young, and I want this to be a surprise,” I tell her.
She radiates a smile, and that, in itself, is enough to make the evening worthwhile.
She glances out the window at the bright lights of the city, her eyes growing wider when she sees that we’ve arrived at The Vault, the most prestigious nightclub in the city.