10. Massimo
Chapter 10
Massimo
I mages of Margot beneath me as I fuck her flash through my mind like a cruel taunt, distracting me with every move. I’ve barely made it through my meetings today. She’s occupied my mind, her scent still lingering on my skin, even after a shower. I’ve been in a constant state of arousal, my cock twitching, begging for more of her.
If I’d known how distracting she would be, I might’ve held back. But who am I kidding? The second her defiant eyes met mine, it was a done deal. She’s in my blood now .
What I can’t seem to wrap my head around is the fact that my spitfire of a wife was a fucking virgin. She’s fucking addictive, and I barely know her.
There was never any question about us consummating our marriage, and I think after last night, she understands that ours will not be a sexless one.
“How does it feel?” Romeo asks, curiosity coating his words and reminding me of where I am. He flew in two days ago with Aurora, his fiancée. As soon as we wrap up this meeting, he'll be joining her in New York City before they catch a flight back to Palermo.
I scrub a hand over my jaw as an image of Margot’s bare ass bent over the bed with my cock covered in her juices resting between her cheeks flits through my mind.
A long exhale slips past my lips, and I move around my desk toward the drink trolley at the back of the room. It’s only when I have my back to the others that I adjust myself. This can’t go on. Being in a constant state of arousal while trying to talk business is only going to get me into trouble.
Clearing my throat, I focus my mind on the conversation and reply, “Being married? No different to the day before when I wasn’t. My wife despises me, but she’s not the first person to.” Pouring out a glass of whiskey, I tip it back. It burns as it travels through my body before settling like a comforting warmth in the pit of my stomach.
Refilling the glass, I drop back onto the couch beside the trolley and cross my ankle over my knee. Staring at the four imposing men around me, I continue, “I’m sure you want to get back to Aurora, Rome. Let’s get down to business. Daniele, what do you have for us?”
Daniele shrugs, cracking his neck. “We’re no closer to finding Anastasia. Our contacts are either unwilling to talk or unable to talk. I hate to say it, but I think they might be more afraid of her than they are of us.”
“So we’re nowhere?” Romeo grinds out.
Daniele opens the manila folder and spreads out the grainy images across the table. “We got these from a building near the raid site.” He points to a blonde woman in a baseball cap. “Aurora’s description matches. It’s her.”
“Is there any more footage from the surrounding area?”
“Yes, but then it’s like she disappears into thin air. Our contacts in the police department are keeping us updated on their side of things, but unless we can get more eyes on this, she could avoid us for months.”
I dart a look at Leonardo. I can’t force him to return home. He needs to find Haven; it’s imperative that we bring her back, if not for her own sake, then for Maria, my head housekeeper and also her mother. “Bring Aldo into the fold. We need to find her, if only to close this down.”
“You think you can trust him?” Romeo asks.
I consider his question. Trust is a fragile currency in our world and not something that should be taken for granted. Especially where one wrong move could be the end of us. But it’s been weeks since the last attack, and right now, it feels like we need to throw caution to the wind before we run out of time.
I take a sip of my drink, leaning back into the cushions and leveling Romeo with my stare. “It’s not without risks, but he’s worked for our family for longer than either of us has been alive. Hell, he has more connections than all of us put together and we should have brought him in from day one. Besides, I’m sure Daniele is eager to get home.”
Romeo stares at me before nodding and replying, “If you think that’s for the best, then brief him and bring him into the fold.”
I don’t need his approval—he knows that—but given what happened to Aurora and the fact that somebody in my house is either behind it or helped with it, well, this is the least I can do.
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and turn my attention to Leonardo. “How’s the search for Haven coming?”
His tired eyes hold mine for a beat before he looks down, shaking his head. “Pretty much the same as Daniele’s for Anastasia,” Leonardo explains, his voice thick with exhaustion. “She’s better at hiding than I gave her credit for, but with an unborn baby to protect…” He trails off, dragging his hand down his face. “Christ, I don’t blame her for running.”
His words linger in the air, drowning us in regret as guilt settles like a stone in the pit of my stomach. For the first time in all the time I’ve known him, I see the cracks in Leonardo’s armor.
We fucked up.
I fucked up.
I’ll be the first to admit that, but I gave the order based on the evidence we had. Everything pointed toward Haven, but now we know that was because of the rat. CCTV showed Haven answering a call that appeared to come from the Russians.
It wasn’t until Aurora returned and confirmed what Haven had said that I realized my mistake. By then, it was too late. Now, she’s pregnant, on the run and no doubt afraid, but wallowing in our regret won’t solve our problems, and right now, we need to focus on surviving rather than redemption.
We can beg for forgiveness once we make it out of this mess alive.