Chapter 81
Caterina
Dress shopping was something I detested, but I was doing this for Harlow.
I would wear a dress to the gala since it would be something for the family.
I wasn’t afraid of dresses or looking more feminine, but I never had much opportunity.
While some women could kick ass in heels and dresses, I preferred pants and combat boots.
I caught the eye of a woman in a pair of thick-framed glasses watching Harlow and I as we stepped into the dressing room.
Harlow went to the other end of the dress shop looking at the extravagant dresses while I stuck with the simple ones.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of color, ballgowns, or heavy fabric.
If something happened, I wanted to be able to protect my wife and the people around her.
My eyes found a gorgeous black dress with sheer lace and a corset bodice.
The back crisscrossed over an open back, with fishnet styled rhinestones skimming down the skirt. This was the dress.
I stepped out trying to find Harlow, but I found her slipping out of a dressing room in a red dress that sparkled like the night sky.
There were sheer puff sleeves that I knew she loved because they covered her arms. The dress had a structured bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a sheer deep v-inset, with a thigh-high slit that gave me wicked ideas.
“I’ve seen art in many forms, mia vita, but you are by far my favorite piece.” Harlow looked at me, her mouth falling open slightly. “Remind me to take you dress shopping more.”
Harlow was looking at me still lost for words. “I—” I stepped closer to her. “Wow, that dress is gorgeous.” Harlow beamed, looking at my chest and then going lower. “Woah, I think I am falling in love all over again.” She fanned herself dramatically. “I think I need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”
I rolled my eyes, pulling her into me. “Is this your way of saying you want a kiss?”
She smiled ear-to-ear. “When wouldn’t I want your lips on mine?
” I pressed my lips to hers in a soft kiss, but that wasn’t what she wanted.
She pulled me into her, deepening the kiss.
My wife wanted to play these games? We could play.
I pressed her against the dressing room wall, my hand pressing against her thigh as I slowly trailed up her leg.
This dress and its slit was giving me ideas.
My fingers brushed against her panty line, but before I could do anything, someone cleared their throat and I pulled away, glaring daggers at the woman who interrupted us. “Can I help you?”
“I need the dressing room.”
I narrowed my eyes on her. “And the other ten dressing rooms are occupied?” I knew she would lie, because no one else was in the boutique.
The dressing room I used was on the other end of the room, and there were at least three empty ones next to this one.
“If you were trying to get a picture of me and my wife, I would refrain from even leaving the boutique with that camera in your glasses.”
Harlow stiffened next to me. “I don—”
“My father is the owner of one of the best fashion magazines, and I know what to look for with the press. Now give me those glasses and march your happy ass out of here before I do something and wake up the police commissioner.”
The woman took her glasses off and handed them to me before running out of the boutique. “How did you know?” Harlow asked.
“It wasn’t that hard. I saw her watching us outside and then she followed us inside. I am all for people getting their money, but if she wanted a picture, she could have asked. Consent, even with photography, is important. Now, I want you to find a dress to wear to dinner tonight.”
When I told myself love was a weakness that got people killed, I was wrong.
I witnessed many things happen because people were in love, but love ignited a different form of passion and desire.
Love was a risk in this life, but the risk was worth everything.
I’d become a better person because I fell in love.
Was I scared shitless that I would lose her?
Absolutely. But love was about risks, and for Harlow, I would risk everything.
A year ago, I took Harlow from Vincenzo with ill intentions that morphed into a love I never thought I would experience.
She went from a pawn in a vicious game of cat and mouse, to a warrior queen at my side.
Harlow danced with my demons and celebrated my victories.
I wasn’t a monster in her eyes. I’d done horrible things, but I never had to worry about seeing fear or regret in her eyes.
Harlow was my fierce queen, ruling at my side until we took our last breaths.
Harlow made my grey skies shine brighter than a thousand suns and showed me what it meant to love.
She was everything. Even with everything the mafia life did to her, Harlow saw me.
She didn’t see power, money, or care about the family name.
I told myself I wouldn’t fall for her, but God, was I glad I did.
I never wanted another person. She was my life, my heart, my angel.
The love I had with Harlow was the love my parents had, and I knew she would be the woman I had for the rest of my life.
I walked into the foyer of my house with two dozen blood-red roses.
We still hadn’t figured out her favorite flower, but roses seemed appropriate for tonight.
When I bought this place, it was just a house, a place to deal with mafia business and rest my head at night.
Now, my house had life. Harlow made it a home.
I saw warmth, a future I never imagined.
Hell, I saw children running through the house terrorizing my staff.
I never wanted to be a mother, but I guess I never found the right person to become a mother with.
Harlow made me want a life different than the one I had.
The life my parents had without Vincenzo.
Harlow was in our bedroom getting dressed.
We weren’t doing anything fancy since tonight technically wasn’t our anniversary, but it was the night I saved her, so we wanted to do something.
When I stepped into the room, Harlow was in the mirror looking picturesque.
Looking at her, I saw everything I said I didn’t need, and everything I couldn’t imagine living without.
“You look beautiful,” I praised as her gorgeous honey eyes caught mine in the mirror. “Breathtaking.”
“You look pretty gorgeous yourself.” She turned to face me as I walked to her.
I pressed her against the vanity as she looped her arms around my neck.
“I love how gorgeous you look in a suit. And I especially love this tie.” She wrapped her hand around it, pulling me down as she pressed her lips to mine.
No complaints here.
I let her kiss me. Tonight I had plans. It would be a special night for us, and we would do anything and everything she wanted, but first we needed to eat.
I took Harlow to the guest house where I set up a table inside.
I would’ve done it inside, but the winter air was brutal.
Chicago was my home, but I was starting to hate the winters.
Harlow took her seat at the table with a bright smile.
Her smile could paint a night sky with how beautiful it was.
Titus and Lucifer were both at her feet, and she laughed.
I needed to get a puppy for Serenity. I wanted our kids to have protective animals that would love them but also protect them like our boys do.
“What’s on your mind, mia vita?”
She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear as if she didn’t realize how beautiful she looked while doing it.
“Fifteen months ago, I was trapped in his bed. I didn’t care about my life, and then you took me.
I never thought I would enjoy being kidnapped, but you saved me in more ways than one,” Harlow whispered, tears streaming down her face.
“Before, I never knew what living meant, but you, Caterina Moretti, showed me that life is beautiful. Thank you for loving me, even the darkest, ugliest parts of me.”
“Always.” I stood up, extending my hand and telling Alexa to play soft instrumental music.
Antonio prepared dinner for us, but I was ready to hold my wife in my arms and get lost in her.
“You are the most gorgeous woman in the world, Harlow. I am the lucky one to have you. I never realized how much I needed you.”
“God, we’re just a bunch of saps, you know that?”
“I am only a sap when it comes to the woman who stole my heart. What did you expect when you turned my demon dogs into lap dogs?”
She smiled brightly, looking at the boys who were still close by. “They are sweet baby angels who tend to get a little murder happy for me, and I love them for it. Just like I love my wife who does the same.”
“Always. I love you, Harlow.”