26. Salvatore
twenty-six
Salvatore
As my cousin promised, our transport to his house was arranged as expected for all the money I’m paying for our safety here. Not to mention the main cost is not the millions I paid; it’s what he will ask for in return when the time comes.
Self-interest moves people. It doesn’t matter how rich or powerful they are. Their needs come first. I knew what he needed and gave it to him because I need my alliance with Isabella’s father. I need him to see her and to make this official, and to do that, I need my cousin by my side.
You could cut the tension in the car with a knife. I don’t have to look at Isabella beside me to see her distress or the tension on her shoulders.
I can feel it.
Her head is probably filled with questions I didn’t answer when she asked.
The car pulls in front of the baroque-style villa. Villa Celestia is a palace buried in a small village a few kilometers from Palermo, where my cousin lives.
This villa was in ruins when he bought it. It belonged to a prince in the 16th Century, who married the woman he fell in love with. However, she didn’t love him, and after catching her cheating, he went mad. Leave it to my cousin, who is a madman himself, to find this place appealing. The garden’s walls and entrance are a spectacle of bizarre figurines, featuring dragons, serpents, gargoyles, and contorted humans.
My cousin, who couldn’t meet us because of some family business, is waiting by the main entrance of the house.
I exit first and wait for Isabella. With my hand on her back, we climb the ornate staircase that leads onto the veranda by the grand entrance, where I walk to the open arms of my cousin.
“Last time I saw you, you were a little boy.”
I laugh. “You weren’t a much older, cousin. You are only five years older than me.”
“Five years in the mafia world feels like double. You know that.”
“Well, my view on the subject is different from yours. But let’s agree to disagree on that.” I turn toward Isabella. “This is my wife, Isabella Ruggeri. Isabella, this is my cousin, Rocco.” Isabella stiffened as soon as I said her father’s name. However, she doesn’t let it show. With her head held high, she gives her hand for a shake.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. I didn’t know Ruggeri had a daughter who is alive.” He puts emphasis on alive .
Her lips spread in an ironic smile. “I’m very alive.”
He raises an eyebrow. “I can see that.” Smirking, he leads us inside the large hallway.
“Dinner will be ready at eight. Your wife can rest while we discuss business. Elena will escort her to your room.”
An older woman comes into view, and Isabella, with eyes filled with questions, leaves with her. We had a discussion. Yes, Rocco is my third cousin, but when looking into ammo against me, even cousins can be an enemy.
I follow him to his office, where two of his men are already waiting.
“Now we talk business, so later we can enjoy our meal,” Rocco says and sits in his chair, offering me a seat across from him. “Your money has arrived. However, that money is for my men and whatever you will need during your stay here.” His eyes gleam as he speaks. “Your payment for my hospitality will be something else. But I’m not sure you’re ready to know what I want. But don’t be afraid. I’m thinking of something of value that money cannot buy.”
I raise my eyebrows. “What do you have in mind?”
“If I knew, I would tell you. I may ask for it in a year or five, or even twenty years from now. Who knows?”
I look at him and contemplate whether this is a good idea. Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice in this. However, the choice I do have is to keep what I’m building for me and the family.
I give him my hand, sealing the deal. One of his men places glasses of brown drinks before us.
Rocco takes a sip and leans back in his seat. “Now, let’s talk strategy. I have weapons on standby and a ship that is ready to sail wherever you need. But my men tell me that Ruggeri is not expecting you.”
I run a hand through my hair. “No, he isn’t. I didn’t want him to have time to sabotage my plan. Not to mention that only a few people know what my plan is.”
“So, how are you going to do this?”
“I’ll take four of your best men that are at my disposal and that’s it. I want to go to him first thing tomorrow. We’ll sail out early. I don’t want him to see us coming. Let it be a surprise for him.”
The scent of fresh, salty ocean and the breeze on my skin makes me relax for the time being. But the sight in front of me is filling my chest with unknown feelings.
The wind playing with her hair, the sun kissing her skin. Her almost white dress flutters as we sail into the sea. She is leaning on the railing, her hand around the metal as she gazes deep into the distance. Barefoot, I take small steps until I reach her. I place my hand beside hers and stand with my front against her back. I could feel the tension in her body as soon as I touched her. I place a kiss on her neck, her body shivering.
“You’re anxious,” I murmur into her skin.
“I’m scared.” She lets out a shaky breath.
I place my chin on her shoulder, facing the sea before us. “I will not let anything happen to you. I promised you before and I’m saying it again. You are safe with me.”
“I know.”
I kiss her shoulder and neck, causing goosebumps. “We have a couple of hours before we arrive. How about we get something to eat and relax a little on the deck? I promise I will help you forget all things that worry you, even if it’s only for a while.”
She turns in my arms, raising her chin. “And how do you plan to do that?”
I smirk and lower my face until my lips graze hers, not kissing, just touching. “I can think of many ways. You can choose what you want. My fingers or my mouth,” I say and lick her lips with my tongue before devouring her lips.
I take her hand and pull her toward the table on the deck where I have organized coffee, pastries, jam, and cream that my cousin’s housekeeper prepared for us.
“I haven’t eaten this for years.” Isabella’s voice is low and sad as she motions to the cornetti and brioche. “My mother used to make them. I used to stand by her side and help her.” She takes a piece into her hand and nibbles. “After I ran away, I stayed away from everything that reminded me of home.”
“I’m sorry being here is making you feel bad. However, you know I need this alliance.”
She shot me an annoyed look and put her pastries on the plate before pushing them to the side. “I know why I’m here, Salvatore. You made your wants clear, and I made my choices, so there are no regrets here.” She leans on the chair and turns her head toward the ocean.
I scoot closer to her and grab her chin, turning her head toward me. “Listen to me carefully because this is the only time I will say this. All you said is the truth. My interests are... were what mattered, but don’t you ever think I will put my interests above your discomfort or your life. I promised to protect you, and I will.” I trace my finger across her cheek. “Tell me you understand.”
She shakes her head. “Why? Why would you do that? What if my father has an ulterior motive and he baited you to come here? You don’t know my father. He wouldn’t be where he is if he wasn’t who he is. Evil, cruel, and self-absorbed.”
I pull her onto my lap and firmly keep her there with my hold on her hips Her hands rest on my chest. “I don’t care who your father is, and I don’t like it when you doubt me. I’m a man who keeps his promises.”
Her voice shakes as she speaks. “I have doubts about what you will choose, Salvatore. It’s not like we’re each other’s ride or die. I’m not even your winning card in this game. I’m a joker you will use to get your win.”
“You’re wrong. You are not a joker. You are my queen. You want to know why?” She inhales and bites her lower lip. “Answer me?” I command her in a dangerously low voice.
“Why?”
“Because I can’t win without you. Without you, I will lose. You are the one holding power over me in this game.”
Her brown eyes search mine for answers to the questions she has. Questions about feelings I don’t know if I can answer. Not yet, and maybe I never will.
The tension and anticipation of what-if is making her anxious. Her usual wit and bark are nowhere to be seen, and I don’t like this version of my wife.
“How about you let me worry about your father? Our plan is to look very in love, and of course, show your loyalty to me. But first I need to make sure you carry a reminder of me for the time we spend there, so you know who you belong to.”
Her brows furrow, her mouth open to ask, but before she can, my hand curls into her hair, and I slam my lips to hers, feasting on her lips.
I kiss her neck below her ear and down to her collarbone. My other hand finds its way below her skirt to her ass, and I squeeze the flesh. My hard cock pushes against my slacks.
I grab her hips, and she gasps when I place her on the free space on the table before me. I open her legs and move my arms under her knees, pulling her toward me until she is at the edge, her skirt rising with the move. I trace my hand from her thighs to the edge of her panties. I hook my fingers in them and slide them down.
Her questioning expression has changed to a lustful one. Mission accomplished. I smirk at her and raise the hand with her panties to my nose, inhaling her smell before I pocket them in my slacks.
She looks around the deck. “Someone will see us.”
“Don’t worry about that. Everyone is on the other side. They know not to come here unless I call.”
With one move I clear the table, sending the contents to the floor.
I pull her dress over her head, throwing it on the floor next to breakfast. I pull down her bra and her breasts fall into my face.
“Lay down on the table, Bella,” I order.
She does as I say, and I love how she obeys with no complaint. Her hair falls over the edge of the table, and her pussy is in my face, ready for me to feast on. With a growl from deep inside me, I throw her legs over my shoulders and dive in, inhaling her sweet scent before I lick her from the bottom to her pulsating bud. I swirl my tongue around it before I pull it between my teeth and suck on it.
“Fuck,” Isabella curses, and I grin around her pussy. My good Catholic girl never swears unless I’m the cause, and it’s always while I’m bringing her pleasure.
I plunge my tongue inside her pussy and tongue fuck her slowly until she wriggles under my touch, her back arching, pleading for more.
I pull my tongue out, not letting her come until she is completely at my mercy. I need her relaxed, focused on something else and not on what is about to happen.
She groans in frustration, and I chuckle. “You want to come, Bella? You will, but not just yet.” I kiss her inner thigh and push my middle finger inside her, playing with her pussy. I swirl my finger inside her, in and out.
She moans. “More.” But I wait. I play a little more before I put another finger inside her, curling inside to the sensitive spot that makes her moan louder. Her muscles spasm, working around my fingers, ready for the sensation to come.
I lean in and lick her clit while my fingers work in and out. I feel the clench of her muscles as her climax builds. Because deep down in my soul I’m a sadist, I pull my finger and tongue out with a grin.
An angry groan escapes her, and she tries to sit up, but I place my hand on her upper body, keeping her in place.
“Don’t be mad, Bella. I promise I will make you come.” Then I stand and lean over her, lowering my head and sucking her rosy nipples, one, then the other, massaging them while doing so. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me to her until her pussy is grinding on my stomach. I lift my head and look her in the eyes before I lean into her neck and suck, leaving a dark blue love bite. When I’m finished, I move back to my seat, spread her legs as wide as I can, and suck on her pussy. This time, I let her come, catching all her juices with my tongue.
When I have drunk every drop, I turn her over onto her stomach before I unbuckle and enter her, groaning when my cock sinks into the warm space. Isabella meets my thrusts as I slam into her.
I grab her hair and wrap it around my hand, pulling her up from the table, her back arching and her soft voice moaning. I balance us with my other hand before my lips find her ear. “I will make you forget all the worries you have until all you’re worried about is how to sit and walk without thinking about my cock, my fingers, and tongue inside you. Until all you worry about is how to hide the fact that you have been thoroughly fucked by me.” Then I push her back on the table and fuck her, slapping her ass cheeks with my hand.
In. Slap. Out. Slap.
In. Slap. Out. Slap.
In. Slap. Out. Slap.
Her hands curl around the edge of the table, some incoherent words falling from her mouth before I reach between her legs and pinch her clit, making her scream my name as she comes all over my cock. Her warmth and the clench of her muscles on my cock is heavenly, and I come deep inside her, collapsing on top of her.
It's only when I pull out that I realize I didn’t put a condom on. I went without a condom only once before, with her as well. This woman is robbing me of my senses.
With my finger, I push the cum deep inside her, possessiveness filling my chest. I want to mark her and let everyone know whom she belongs to. She winces.
“Now you carry my cum inside you. Let them smell my scent on you so everyone knows you’re mine.”
I tuck myself in before I sit down and pull Isabella onto my lap, where I dress her properly, leaving her there where she leans her head on my shoulder and closes her eyes, all worries erased and replaced as planned.
I look over the railing and see we’re close, and from a look at my watch, I can see we will reach the shore in less than half an hour.