Chapter 18
Adriano
Last night, while Laurie was showering, I instructed Rosie to find out everything about Mitchell’s Construction and the fuckface my wife used to date.
I plan to toy with the fuckers and bankrupt them before erasing them from existence.
Sitting on the couch in the living room, I call Christiano.
“I expected your call much sooner,” he answers.
“I’ve been busy. I take it you heard?”
“About you killing Castellano or you getting married?”
“Both,” I mutter.
“What happened with Castellano?” he asks.
“Fucker came at me as we were leaving the church. He mentioned something about an uprising.”
“Rosie hasn’t been able to pick up on anything regarding an uprising. Maybe he was talking shit to get you riled up because he knew you were about to off him,” Christiano mentions.
“I don’t think so.” I roll my shoulders while adding, “My gut tells me he wasn’t bullshitting me.”
“In that case, I’ll have Rosie dig more. Whichever families are involved might be meeting in person and keeping their discussions away from technology because they know about Rosie.”
“Probably. That’s what we would do.”
“Okay. I’ll call a meeting so we can all sit down and decide how to handle this problem.”
“Can you give me a couple of days? I want to get my wife settled.”
He lets out a chuckle. “Uncle Angelo must be proud that you’re walking in his footsteps. I know my father is. I hope she makes you happy, brother. You deserve it.”
I smile as I reply, “Thanks, Christiano.”
We hang up, and while I’m waiting for Laurie to wake up, I quickly reply to a couple of emails and check in with my men, but it’s a struggle to focus.
I arranged for Mom’s personal shopper to come over with clothes, jewelry, and whatever else Pierre thinks Laurie might like. But he’ll only be here around two this afternoon.
My thoughts are filled with Laurie, and remembering how she slept on the far side of the bed, my eyes narrow.
I was content just staring and hearing her soft breaths, but I’m not known for my patience. She needs to deal faster with the fact that we’re married, and this is her life now.
I want her in my arms at night.
I want her smiling at me.
I want her touching me while she shares all her secrets.
I want to strip her naked and feast on her body.
I want to sink deep into her and devour every moan as I make her come.
I start to harden and adjust my cock while shaking my head, thinking about work to get rid of it.
Fuck. I forgot to tell Remo!
Letting out a sigh, I bring up my brother’s number and press dial, listening as it rings.
“Hey, what’s up?” he asks.
“I’m not coming in for the rest of the week. Little Ricky will go to the shipping yard, so I need you to take care of the club.”
“Okay. Are you finally taking some time off to rest?”
“No, I got married yesterday.”
“Say what now?”
“I got married.” I hear Laurie's footsteps as she comes down the stairs. “Ma will arrange a barbecue for this weekend. You’ll get to meet my wife then.”
Remo is quiet for a moment. “Why the fuck am I only hearing about it now?”
“It was a forced marriage. Happened kind of fast.”
Remo lets out a bark of laughter.
“Kind of fast,” Laurie snorts. “You can say that again.”
The corner of my mouth lifts, and getting up from the couch, I follow her into the kitchen while saying, “Anyway, take care of the club.”
“Okay. See you this weekend.”
I end the call and sit down at the island, staring at my butterfly while she makes herself coffee.
“Wow, I can feel your eyes burning into the back of my head.”
“Sue me,” I mutter, before reminding her, “You’re mine to look at as much as I want.”
She glances over her shoulder. “Would you like some coffee?”
I shake my head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Once Laurie is done and takes a sip of her coffee, she asks, “So what happens now?”
“You come sit your sexy ass down here by me.”
I wait for her to take a seat, then grab hold of the stool and turn it so she’ll face me. Only when I have her right in front of me, her knees between my thighs, do I say, “We’re going to ask questions so we can learn more about each other.
“Are you always this intense?” she fires the first shot.
“Yes. What’s something you’ve desperately wanted your whole life but never got?”
“Wow, go straight for the jugular, why don’t you.
” She sets her mug down on the island and stares at it for a moment.
“I guess I always wanted to belong somewhere.” Her mouth twists a little downward, but she quickly schools her expression, hiding her true feelings.
“I want the same as most people. Security. Happiness. Health.”
Yesterday, when she curled into herself because I was too harsh, I wanted to punch myself, so I focus on keeping my tone soft instead of snapping an order at her. “Don’t do that when you’re with me.”
Laurie’s eyes flit to mine, and an emotion I can’t place ripples over her face before she says, “I want someone who’s truly happy that I exist.”
Lifting my hand, I brush my fingers along the curve of her jaw and lean closer. “You have that now.” With our gazes locked, I make sure she hears me. “I’m fucking ecstatic you exist and didn’t just remain a figment of my fantasies.”
Her expression softens, and she tilts her head. “Or maybe you’re just a figment of mine, and when I wake up from this crazy dream, you’ll be gone.”
That tells me all I need to know. Laurie is not averse to me at all. She wants me and everything I have to offer her, but only needs to come to terms with it.
“Okay,” I lean a little closer. “If this is your fantasy, what do I do next?”
Her eyes lower to my mouth before darting to the mug. “It’s my turn for–”
She wants me to kiss her.
I shoot up, and lifting her onto the island, I shove her legs open and step between them before grabbing her behind the head and crushing my mouth to hers.
It’s the easiest thing on this fucking planet to live up to her fantasy as I devour her lips and get lost in the feel of her tongue.
My woman just wants to be cared for and made to feel like she’s seen.
Fuck, do I see every breathtaking inch of her.
My phone rings, breaking the moment, and letting out an annoyed growl, I free her mouth and rip the device out of my pocket.
Seeing Augusto’s name, I groan internally.
Here we go.
I swipe over the screen. “Hey.”
“You’re fucking married?!”
“I was about to call you.”
“Fuck, Adriano. I thought Remo was talking shit. I’m your best friend. Why did I hear about this from your brother?”
“Again. I was about to call you,” I mutter.
My phone begins to buzz as message after message comes in, and it beeps with waiting calls.
“I’m going to kill Remo. Did the fucker tell everyone?”
“Yes. He blasted it in a group chat to the family.”
“That little fucking shit.” I brush my thumb over Laurie’s bottom lip, my eyes drifting over her flushed face. “I’m busy giving my wife attention right now, but we’re having a barbecue this weekend. My mother will send you the details.”
“Okay. But I’m going to punch you when I see you.”
“Fair.”
Setting my phone to silent, I drop it on the island before framing Laurie’s face and nipping at her lips again. This time I keep the kiss slow, just enjoying the feel of her breaths mingling with mine while memorizing every inch of her mouth.
By the time I lift my head, she’s in a trance, the sight of her glazed-over eyes making me smirk.
That’s more like it.
I brace my hands on either side of her hips, and face-to-face, I ask, “If we had met under normal circumstances, would you have liked me?”
“Huh.” She blinks as she comes out of the daze.
When I repeat the question, she pushes against my chest for me to step back before she jumps off the island. “It’s my turn for a question. Do you always cheat?”
“Is that your question?”
“No. I already know the answer.” She crosses her arms over her chest while looking me up and down as if she’s inspecting me, then lifts her chin and asks, “What’s your biggest fear?”
“I only have two. Losing my family and being too late to protect them.” Wanting to share more with her, I say, “A few months ago, I almost lost one of my best friends. He was taken and tortured, and when we found him, he was hanging from a balcony on the second floor, about to fall to his death.”
I leave out the part that he was holding little Simi. Seeing a four-year-old in such danger even scared me.
Laurie pales as her lips part. “Jesus.”
“That day was the fastest I’ve ever run. We managed to pull him to safety in time, but for one terrifying moment, I thought I was going to lose him.”
“Is he okay?” she asks, genuine concern on her face.
“Georgi is more than okay, for which I’m fucking grateful.”
She exhales a relieved breath. “Oh, that’s good to hear.”
Seeing how big Laurie’s heart is, that she can show concern for one of my friends, I fall deeper in love with her.
“Now answer my question. If we had met under normal circumstances, would you have liked me?”
A stunning smile splits over her face, all self-conscious and shy with a little flirt thrown into the mix. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Hmm… look who’s cheating now.”
As her cheeks begin to turn pink, she grabs the mug and carries it to the sink. “Maybe, maybe not.”
Watching her walk back to me, I grin. “That is not an answer.”
She stops and takes hold of my shoulder before lifting onto her tiptoes, then whispers near my ear, “Yes.” Darting away, she hurries out of the kitchen, and I let her go.
For now.
Picking up my phone, I look at the screen, then let out a heavy sigh when I see all the messages and missed calls.
I open the chat I share with Remo.
Adriano: I’m going to get you back.
Remo: Do your best.
Remo: Enjoy all the attention.
Going into the app, I message Rosie.
Adriano: Put Remo’s name in an ad, saying he’s looking for a big boy to help around the house.
Rosie: LMAO! I’m dead. Almost choked on my chocolate. Consider it done.
Rosie: BTW. Congrats. You make a beautiful couple, and I wish only love and happiness for you. I’ll send over the photos I was able to enhance so you have some of your wedding day. They’re all black and white though.
Adriano: Thanks, Rosie. Little Ricky was also able to take a couple, as well.
Suddenly, Laurie comes back into the kitchen. “I have another question. What annoys you?”
“Seeing you up on stage about to strip.”
Giving me a be-serious look, she says, “And?”
“Anything loud and incessant. I’m noise sensitive.”
She moves closer to me. “And you thought owning a club would be a good idea, because why?”
“I inherited the club when I took over from my father as the head of our family. My office is soundproof, though.”
“Oh.” Laurie stops close to me and searches my face. “What else?”
“The usual. Being ignored and taken for granted. People not listening. Repeating myself. Having to wait for anything. People in general.”
She lets out a snort. “That’s a lot. I think you should write down a list for me.”
“What comforts you when you’re scared or anxious?” I ask while shoving my phone back into my pocket.
“My love language is touch.” The corner of her mouth lifts. “It’s as if your mom knew. She kept touching me, and it really helped.”
“It’s one of her love languages as well. That and acts of service.”
I reach for her hand and link our fingers, brushing my thumb over her soft skin.
I can see Laurie likes me touching her as she asks, “What’s your love language?”
“I’m a problem solver and overly protective.
” I pull her flush against me. “My job is brutal at times, so when I come home after a difficult day, don’t hide or be scared.
I want you close to help me decompress and feel better.
” I lift her hand and press her palm to my chest. “I want you around me all the time, giving me a lot of affection and attention.” I lean down. “So don’t ever hesitate to touch me.”
“Damn, you’re really smooth. You must’ve dated a lot to get this good at it.” I shake my head, which makes her frown. “You’re lying.”
“Why do you think I’m lying?”
“Because you’re so dang hot. Women must throw themselves at you, especially at the club.”
Grinning, I ask, “You think I’m hot?”
Laurie realizes what she said and quickly glances away. “You know you’re distractingly good-looking.”
“I want to know what you think.” When she turns further away, I take hold of her chin and force her to look at me again, chuckling when she blushes hard. I lower my voice. “Do you get shy a lot?”
“Oh hush.” She stares at my mouth so she doesn’t have to make eye contact.
“No, I haven’t dated a lot. Partly because most women annoy the fuck out of me and partly because I’ve been too busy.”
Her gaze finally lifts to mine, a smile tugging at her lips. She hesitates for a moment before she admits, “Had we met under normal circumstances, I would’ve fallen head over heels for you in the blink of an eye.”
Christ.
“All I’m hearing is, it’s only a matter of time. Maybe a hundred more blinks?”
Laughter bubbles over her lips. “Slow blinks.”
“I can work with that.”
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and pulling it out, I see it’s a call from Georgi. “Let me just take this.”
“Sure.”
When she tries to move back, I grip hold of her hip to keep her in place. “Stay.” I swipe over the screen. “Hey, brother.”
“The fucking fuck? I actually gave you an hour to call me. To the fucking second.”
“I’m spending time with my wife.”
“Who the hell did you marry?”
“Laurie.” I stare into her eyes. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Christ, that’s saying a lot.”
“I had to move fast to capture her. That’s why the wedding happened so quickly.”
“Your mom sent me the invite for this weekend. I’ll be there with my girls.”
“Good. I think Laurie and Nina will get along.”
“We’ll see,” he says. “Enjoy your wife.”
“Oh, I will definitely enjoy her.” While Georgi chuckles and hangs up, I lean down and nip at Laurie’s mouth.
Before I can pull back, her fingers fist in my shirt and she pushes her body harder into mine so I take the invitation and deepen the kiss.
This time I don’t worry about moving too fast for her, because I’m dead sure my butterfly wants me.