Chapter 30
Together Again
Oni
“No, that’s fine. Those crates need to go out today.”
“Sì, I will handle.”
“Grazie, Carmine. Fammi sapere se dovesse sorgere qualcos'altro.”
“You are welcome. I will call if there is anything. I have everything under control.
“He wants to transition everything to your side. I will have it all done by month’s end,” he replies, switching to English.
He’s getting better. His English was much more broken when I first got to Italy. We helped each other over the years.
Emilio had been pleasantly surprised to learn I could hold a complete conversation in Italian. Fredrico was so proud he wouldn’t speak English to me for months.
“Great, talk soon. Ciao.”
“Listen to you. Watching you be a lady boss is sexy,” Rico croons in my ear as he wraps his arms around me from behind.
“My work is never done. Just making sure nothing falls apart while I’m here. Are you finished?”
We’ve come to his place so he can pack a bag to stay at mine. I’ll admit he’s taking this a lot better than I thought he would. I can tell he’s still angry with his uncle, but he seems to have forgiven me.
“I’m all set. Let’s get out of here. I want to take you on a date. We have so much time to make up for.”
“Andiamo. Voglio sapere tutto sulla banda. Mi siete mancati tutti,” I say in Italian with a smile.
He groans. “I love hearing you speak Italian. I didn’t think you could become more perfect. Now it’s like you were made for me.”
“I was. You will see.”
He grasps the back of my neck and tugs me into him to capture my lips. I cling to his shirt as he devours my mouth. Sex with him was amazing last night.
I want him again, but my sore pussy and ass say I need a break. I think he did try to make up for the last three years in one night. I wasn’t complaining at the time.
The passion and intensity of our lovemaking was mind-blowing. He nearly brought me to tears a few times. Not just because it was so good, but there were moments where I could feel his love and how hurt he had been without me.
I aim to fix that. I might be a bit bitter and angry that I won’t get the revenge I came for, but I have Rico and that’s all that truly matters to me.
“Marone. Let’s get out of here before I take you again and we never leave.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make time to hang with the guys. I think they missed you too. It will be good to have things back to normal. I know they’ll be glad I’m not biting their heads off for a while.”
I smile and tuck into his side. When his suitcases come into view, I burst into laughter. Then I see the garment bags.
“Um, how long are you planning on staying with me?”
“Since our next stop is to pick out your engagement ring, I say we live together. This place is the bare minimum because I didn’t give a shit, but your place is meant for a princess. It’s where you belong.”
“You do know that place is my birthday gift from your uncle, right?”
“I figured. Fuck him. It will probably piss him off that I’m there fucking you every night. Works for me either way,” he croons.
I laugh and shake my head. He places his hand on my ass and leans to kiss my temple. I go to help him with his things, but he shakes his head.
“The guys will take care of it. Come on.”
With a smile on my lips, I take his hand and follow him out of the apartment. I snort to myself. Bare minimum.
Back in the day, this place wouldn’t have been an option for me and my mom. Boy, have I come a long way. I wonder what my mother will say now. That’s another bridge I need to cross.
I’m grateful to Uncle Claude for taking her on a vacation. I need more time to think about how I plan to deal with things. My life might be better for me, but the truth of it is the exact opposite of what my mother wanted for me.
Rico
I haven’t been this happy in years. I once put an ice pick through a guy’s eye because he joked that I needed to get laid. In all fairness, he sent a stripper to my club for me.
I didn’t find it funny. It was the anniversary of when I met Oni, and the stripper favored her too much, as if he was taunting me. That behavior can be a thing of the past—to an extent.
The sun is still out shining as I walk with my arm around my girl. We have our shades on, strolling without a care in the world.
“You know you’re going to have to answer that soon,” Oni says as my phone rings again and I send it to voicemail.
I shrug. “I’ll get to it when I’m ready.”
“You’re only pissing him off. Is that wise?”
I sigh. “I don’t want to talk about him. Knowing what you know has only pissed me off more.
“He has swept so much under the rug. I guarantee you, when I start to dig, I’m not going to like what I find. I know he didn’t leave it all to go away on its own,” I say more harshly than I mean to.
“Maybe we should let it go,” she murmurs.
“Nah, not a chance. That beef has been between our families for generations. I need to know what happened so it doesn’t come back to blow up in my face.”
Releasing a heavy breath, she nods. “You’re right. I wouldn’t leave it either. I also know your uncle. He’s not going to give you the answers you want unless it’s something he wants you involved in.”
“Who says I’m going to him for answers?”
“Whatever you do, know I’m here when you need me.”
“That’s why we’re here,” I croon as I stop in front of my jeweler’s storefront.
Oni looks up at me. “You were serious?”
“When have I ever played about you?” I peck her lips. “Come on, I want you to pick it.”
“Rico. We … I … how long have we truly known each other?”
“My soul has known you from the moment we were created. I know what it’s like to lose you. Now I want to know the feeling of loving you for the rest of my life while you’re in my arms.”
“You don’t feel we need to date?”
“No, it will end the same way no matter what. Like you said, you will be my donna. No matter what I have to do to make that happen.”
She stands searching my gaze for a beat. Then a huge smile comes to her face. I love that smile.
“Okay, let’s do this.”
I kiss her forehead then lead her into the store. It finally feels like my life is moving in the right direction. Nothing can tear us apart.