Chapter 13 | Michael
Michael
At two p.m., I stood in front of Bianca, grasping her hands as the officiant spoke in front of us. We were in my office—not because it was ideal, but because it was the safest place on the premises. Until I’d formally announced my marriage to Bianca, I didn’t want to take any chances.
We’d made a quick and inconspicuous trip to city hall to get our marriage license, and then had returned home to meet the officiant. He’d performed other short-notice weddings, and was willing to fudge the timeline on the wedding license documentation to ensure we were compliant.
Nick and Alexis stood as our witnesses, and Carmen and Leticia both looked on with caring eyes as the ceremony progressed.
Bianca’s face was impassive as I squeezed her hands, urging the blood to flow so they would warm.
Her eyes met mine, full of indecision and doubt, and I gazed back, unwavering.
To her, this was happening at lightning pace.
It was impossible for her to know that I’d planned this very moment for years.
And yet, even with the long, sometimes painful history between us, she trusted me enough to marry me. It was a huge gift that I swore not to take for granted.
We exchanged vows before the officiant proclaimed that I could kiss my new wife. Leaning forward, I touched my lips to hers, feeling the spark on my skin from the brief contact. God, I couldn’t wait to hold her...to touch her...to cherish her in all the ways she deserved.
Alexis approached and hugged Bianca before turning to me and arching an eyebrow.
“You hurt her, and I’ll murder you myself.”
My lips twitched at her grit, and I found myself wishing that half my capos had her tough demeanor and fearlessness.
“Understood. I take my vows seriously, and will honor them to you both, Alexis.”
Lifting the phone from her back pocket, she looked at the screen. “Thanks for the new phone. I guess it’s time for us to go.”
“It won’t be forever, sweetheart,” Bianca said. “Just until we can guarantee your safety.”
Sympathy welled in my chest as Alexis’s eyes shone with tears. “I was going to look for a place and move into the city. I was going to apply at Google and Meta and finally start my life. I just wasn’t quite there yet...”
“I don’t want to be dramatic, but you can’t do that if you’re dead, Alexis,” I said softly. “Nick will protect you until I eliminate everyone who wishes to remain loyal to Victor. I’ll work quickly. It does me no good to let Rossi allies linger.”
“I’m a Rossi,” she said, swiping away an errant tear. “What does that mean for me?”
“You’re a Santoro too, dear,” Bianca said, approaching her and tenderly rubbing her upper arms. “And we can weather anything. Please don’t fight us on this. I need to show public support for Michael, and I can’t do this if you’re not safe.”
“Will I at least have internet access?”
“We’ll get you a secure VPN,” I said, glancing at Nick who gave an affirming nod. “And Nick will get you whatever you need. You can call your mom anytime on your new phone. It’s secure.”
“Okay,” she sighed. “I’m not trying to be difficult, but you must understand that if I decode the flash drive for you, we have no leverage left. I’m just not willing to do it. Yet.”
I looked at Nick again, silently reminding him of my directive to gain her trust.
“If I were you, I’d do the same thing,” I said, knowing with every fiber of my being that it was true.
It was extremely savvy for her to hang on to the last vestige of information that garnered her and Bianca any sort of power.
Bianca and I had a past, but all Alexis knew of me were fragments of truth and the fact that I killed her father. “One day, I hope you’ll trust me.”
“Take care of Mom, and I might.” She pulled Bianca into an embrace and whispered in her ear, “Congratulations, Mom. I love you so much. And he’s kind of a silver fox hottie, so maybe it’s not all bad.”
Bianca chuckled and pulled back, smoothing Alexis’s hair as tears formed in her stunning eyes. “Call me when you get to the safehouse and let me know if you need anything. I’ll make sure you get it.”
Alexis nodded before turning to Nick. “Let the prison sentence begin,” she droned.
Nick scowled before gesturing to the door. “After you, princess.”
Alexis flashed him a humorless smile before exiting.
“I’ll do my best not to strangle her,” Nick said before pivoting and following her.
Bianca sighed and rested her forehead in her hand. “This is a disaster. All of it.”
The officiant, who’d remained silent during the exchange, cleared his throat. “Mr. Caruso, I’m going to head out now.”
“Yes, thank you,” I said, shaking his hand. “I trust that I have your discretion and anything you heard here will remain private.”
“Of course. Best of luck to you both,” he said before striding out. Carmen and Leticia followed him, closing the door behind them and leaving us in private.
“Stella,” I said, placing one hand on Bianca’s shoulder and the other under her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “It’s going to be okay.”
Her throat bobbed as she stared into my eyes. “What am I doing? This is insane. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and this all will be some strange nightmare.”
Breathing a laugh, I tried to lighten the mood. “You still have a severe effect on my ego, Bianca. I never imagined marrying a woman who believed it would be a nightmare.”
Her lips formed a breathtaking smile, causing my heart to slam in my chest. Unable to resist, I ran my thumb over her lower lip. Reveling in her gasp, I slid my arm down her side and drew her body flush with mine.
I cupped her ass, filling my palm as her body instinctively fit itself to mine. Blood surged to my cock, and I grew hard as her breath washed over me in sexy little huffs.
Lowering my lips to hers, I spoke against them, every vibration rumbling through my body as she relaxed in my arms.
“Now, wife,” I murmured, “kiss me like you want me half as much as I want you...”
“Michael...”
My name was heaven upon her lips as I crushed them beneath mine. She moaned in my mouth, the sound raw and urgent as I thrust my tongue into her wet depths. Her hips undulated into mine, pressing against my rock-hard cock, and I deepened the kiss, longing to taste every inch of her.
Her tongue swirled around mine, both innocent and lustful at once, as I reveled in the fact that in a few short hours, I would finally make love to her in all the ways I’d dreamed.
“Are you wet for me, sweet Bianca?” I breathed, loving her low-pitched moan. “God, I can’t wait to fuck you...”
Her fingers plunged into my hair, tugging it as she kissed me back with all the fervor of a woman who desperately needed to be touched; who needed to be loved.
Drawing back, I nibbled her lip before pressing my forehead to hers. “Soon, mia. Soon, I’ll bury myself so far inside you, you won’t know where you begin and I end.”
Her cheeks flushed red, making her look like the young woman I’d held so long ago.
“Don’t be embarrassed, sweetheart. I told you when we first met that this happens sometimes. Don’t fight it. Chemistry like ours is extremely rare and precious.”
“That was ages ago,” she whispered. “So much has happened.”
I tenderly cupped her jaw. “It’s time to write a new story.
” Kissing her forehead, I sighed. “There’s much to do before I can take you to bed, and I aim to do it quickly.
I need to call the families and put out the word that we’re married and you’ve pledged allegiance to me.
I’ll send out the directive that I expect all of Victor’s loyalists to follow.
Sal DeLorenzo’s daughter is getting married this weekend, and that will be our first formal appearance together. ”
“Okay. Should I do something? Maybe cook dinner?” She wrung her hands as she looked around the office. “I feel...lost.”
“Leticia does most of the cooking, and now with Carmen here I’m sure she’ll help. But if you enjoy cooking, I can have anything delivered here for you. Leticia is also going to give you a full tour of the house.”
“I’d love to cook you some pasta,” she said, lifting a shoulder. “Ravioli in red sauce, maybe? It will give me something to do so I don’t worry about Alexis.”
“Tell Burns what you need and he’ll have it here within the hour.” Hating to separate from her, I walked behind my desk. “Give me a few hours and then I’m all yours.”
The blush returned to her cheeks, causing me to grin. Would she blush like that all over her luscious body when I loved her? God, I couldn’t wait to find out.
“Thanks for getting us the phones so quickly. Cooking will take my mind off everything until I hear from Alexis and know she’s safe.”
“Of course,” I said, sitting at my desk. “You’re my wife, Bianca. You can have whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Your wife...” she said, her eyebrows drawing together. “It feels foreign and familiar at the same time.”
I remained silent, not yet ready to tell her that she’d always been my wife deep in my soul. It had just taken me too damn long to claim her.
“I’ll be in the kitchen. Thank you...husband.”
Her parting words caused something to well deep within my chest as I reached for my phone. I wasn’t sure what to call the emotion, but for the first time in twenty-three years, it felt somewhat like happiness...