Chapter 12 Mauro
Chapter twelve
Mauro
Iraise my hand, ready to push the door open, but stop mid-air when I hear raised voices.
“Be serious, Alex. You can’t just kidnap her,” Vin tells him with his usual air of authority in his tone. “She’s not some random woman off the streets. Everyone knows who she is.”
“Watch me,” Alex responds.
“And then what? You expect her husband to sit back and be okay with this?”
“He’ll have no choice.” A moment passes before he says, “No one has seen or heard from her in weeks.”
“I understand. Really, I do.” Vin pauses. “But this is asking a lot of your family. You’d be putting us at risk.”
“I don’t take this matter lightly. I’ve looked at it from all angles, and I know the consequences that will follow, but I’m not left with a choice.”
“And what about Clara?” Silence descends upon them until I hear Vin sigh. “You have a child now. You can’t be risking your life for someone you don’t even know. That little girl needs you.”
“I know that. I do. But I can’t sit back when I promised her—”
“I’ll send one of my men to keep an eye on things as best as they can from a distance. Let’s just get past the next few weeks, and then we can discuss this matter further. Okay?”
I take the next moment to enter the room, acting as if I didn’t overhear their conversation as I plop down on the wing-backed chair beside the fire.
Vin’s sitting behind his desk, fidgeting with a pen between his fingers, appearing to have a difficult time maintaining his composure while Alex stands by the mantle, staring off into the flames of the fire.
“Where’s Leo and Eli?” Vin asks, leaning back in his seat.
I shrug.
“Sorry, we’re late,” Leo announces as he and Eli enter the room, taking the free seats. “This one overslept.” He points a thumb over his shoulder at Eli.
“Yeah, sure.” Eli grins. “Let’s call it that.”
Vin pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m not allowed to kill him, or my sister will kill me. I’m not allowed to kill him, or my sister will kill me,” he repeats aloud to himself.
Eli chuckles. “Was it not you who welcomed me into this family with open arms?”
“I’m starting to have second thoughts.” He lets out a breath, steepling his fingers before him.
“I’ve called you here because we got a little present this morning that I thought you should be aware of.
” He reaches inside his bottom desk drawer, pulling out a large box with a bow on top, and places it on the desk, grimacing.
Alex steps closer, peering skeptically at it. “What is it?”
“Take a guess.”
“A bowling ball,” Leo answers.
“Afraid not.” Vin loosens his collar. “It’s a head.”
Eli laughs. “You’re joking, right?”
Vin shakes his head, and Eli jumps up from his seat, stepping toward it. With a quick tug, he removes the lid, exposing the top of a dead man’s head.
“Well, fuck.” Leo drags his fingers through his hair. “I take it this is Dario?”
Vin nods, leaning back in his seat. “It was delivered to the front gate this morning. They had it checked before calling me, and it came with this note.” He holds a small piece of paper before him and reads, “‘This is your only warning.’”
“Those stronzos,” Alex murmurs.
Eli trails his hand down his face, exhaling. “Guess this is something I should be expecting when I officially become head of security.”
Vin slowly nods. “Occasionally.”
“So, now what?” Eli asks.
Vin places the lid back on the box and pushes it to the side. “I spoke with—” His phone vibrates on top of his desk. “Ah, perfect timing.” He answers the call, turning on speakerphone. “Marco, I have everyone here.”
Marco Marchetti is the head of our family in Italy, ruling with an iron fist alongside his four brothers: Caine, Romeo, Cassio, and Marcello.
“Cousins,” Marco says in his deep, imposing tone. “Everything is set.”
“What does that mean?” Leo arches a brow, crossing his arms over his chest.
“The Marchettis,” Vin begins, “are set to burn down the Vasilievs’ vodka distillery in Russia with Caine leading the mission.”
I fight a smile. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that that crazy motherfucker would sign up for a suicide mission.
“Impressive,” Alex notes.
“Not that it’s not nice to have assistance for taking down the Vasilievs,” Leo says. “But why now? You and your brothers don’t exactly offer up favors without getting something in return.”
A moment passes before Marco answers, “The Vasilievs have taken a few women from within our borders.” His voice grows colder. “And I will not allow it to continue.”
“Agreed.” Vin taps his finger on his desk. “Which is why we must work together on this. We are stronger when united. Weaker when divided.”
“Look at you guys, joining forces for the good of humanity.” Eli grins.
Vin rolls his eyes.
“Let’s not make it a habit,” Marco notes. “But I will advise everyone to remain low after this mission is completed. They won’t be too pleased and will be quick to retaliate.”
“We will.” Vin leans forward. “Keep us informed, and we’ll do the same for you.”
“I look forward to hearing from you.” Marco pauses before saying, “Who would have thought there would be a day when I said those words?”
“Vaffanculo,” Vin murmurs before ending the call.
He pinches the bridge of his nose and leans back.
“As Marco said, we need to lay low after they follow through with their mission. Madeleine keeps mentioning that she wants us to all go to the family’s island, so I believe that this would be a good time for that. ”
“I believe she said for a bachelorette party,” Eli murmurs.
Vin waves a dismissive hand. “They’ll have more fun if we’re there anyway.”
Eli scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Oh, she’s going to love this.”
“Count Scarlett and me in,” Leo offers. “But what about Mom?”
“Alex, Clara, and Mom will be visiting our family in France, where they’ll be safe.” Vin’s eyes land on me. “What about you? Will you and Alina come?”
I rub my jaw, thinking it over. How hard could it be to play husband and wife while on vacation with my siblings?
“Come on, Mauro. You need a vacation.” Leo tilts forward and grips my shoulder. “Don’t you owe your wife a honeymoon?”
Shit. I never thought of that. Was Alina expecting a honeymoon? Even a pretend one?
Quickly, I nod.
“Good.” Vin directs his gaze at Alex, his eyes narrowing in on him. “Don’t do anything foolish while I’m away.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replies with an icy stare.
Walking through the front door, I remove my jacket and boots before heading into the living room, surprised not to find Alina in her usual spot, curled up on my favorite chair.
Hmm. My fingers grip the banister as I walk up the stairs, listening for any sound of her. It isn’t until I’m halfway down the hallway that I hear it.
A familiar, deep, steady vibration coming from the other side of my bedroom door.
Is she…?
“Mmm…” Alina’s moan sends an aching pulse straight to my hardening cock. I take a step forward; the slight gap between the door and the frame allows me to see her reflection in the floor-length windows on the side of the room.
Fuck me.
She’s stretched across the bed, her nightshirt ridden up her torso, and her legs bare. She bends her knees to the side and…
I bite down on my knuckle to stop myself from groaning.
Her pretty pink pussy is on full display as she repositions the vibrator against her clit, sliding it up and down. Teasing herself over and over again.
Oh, fuck this.
With a feral need, I unzip my pants and reach inside for my hard cock, fisting it with force.
Every time she whimpers, I picture myself sliding inside of her tight pussy, which flutters eagerly around me.
I watch with rapt fascination as she slides a finger down her slit, swirling it over her entrance before plunging inside. Her back arches off the bed, her lips parting as her eyes close.
I want to know how she tastes.
I want to coat my tongue in her arousal.
I want to shove my fingers knuckle deep inside her, finding that spot within her that makes her see stars.
I want to thrust my cock into her wet heat, stretching her around me as I make her come.
I want it all.
My movements grow quicker.
My muscles straining from so much need.
“So close,” she whimpers, the speed of the vibrator increasing.
Me too, baby, I think as my balls begin to tighten painfully.
“Oh… Oh… Mauro!” she screams out as the orgasm consumes her.
The sight of her causes my own to quickly follow suit as I keep my eyes on her the whole time, biting down so hard on my bottom lip that blood coats my tongue.
I press my palm to the frame to catch my breath, my shoulders drop, and my head hangs low, when it hits me…
She called out my name.
Did she see me?
I glance up to look over at her, noting the rosy flush that covers her skin and her closed eyes as she rests her head on her pillow with a content smile on her face, indicating one satisfactory orgasm.
It doesn’t appear that she saw me.
Which means…
She was thinking about me to get herself off.
Holy shit.
She turns on her side, facing away from me, and pulls the blanket up around her curves.
Quietly, I tuck myself back into my pants and zip before walking down the stairs, heading directly toward my chair so I can think.
I won’t stay down here all night.
But there’s no way I can go into my bedroom right now.
Not when the smell of her will invade my senses, bringing out a primal need inside me.
And especially not when I know the sound of her sweet voice as it calls out my name in the peak of her pleasure.
I drag a hand down my face and drop into my seat, the worn leather stretching beneath me.
I’m so fucked.