Chapter 9
Davide
India better watch how she tempts me. I just spent the last forty-five minutes in the shower beating my shit like a fucking virgin.
After nutting two times to the image of her beautiful face, I thought I was good to go, but opening that door and seeing her lying on the bed with her plump ass in those jeans made me want to jump her and bite both her cheeks.
And when she sensually walked over to me, the growl that unconsciously left my chest let me know I wanted this woman.
I didn’t give a shit about the short time frame we have known each other.
I wanted India, and by damn, I was going to do everything in my power to make her mine, and as for that Nelson prick, as soon as she gives me his information, I was sending it to Angelo to locate him.
No one was marrying India! Call me crazy, but some shit you just know, and I knew India was the type of woman I needed by my side.
She was educated, strong minded, and sexy as fuck. Yeah, she could be the next Mrs. Russo.
I made sure I stayed a few steps behind India, as she remembered which way to go to get to the dining room. Those jeans could not hide her ass from jiggling as she picked up her pace. Merciful God, please don’t let me ravish this woman before we have lunch.
When we entered the dining room, the table was set with different delicacies from my homeland.
This time my stomach did growl from hunger.
India looks over her shoulder at me, shaking her head.
Shit, I hadn’t had anything to eat in almost forty-eight hours, so I wasn’t going to pretend like I wasn’t starving as I glared back at her.
She could play it off, but I knew she was starving too by the way she damn near drooled over the food when we entered.
Being the gentleman that I am, I offer, “Please have a seat anywhere you’d like.”
India gives a small smile before passing four chairs, stopping at the seat immediately to the right of the chair at the head of the table.
I grin, not knowing if she knew it or not, but that seat was for the woman of the house.
I wasn’t going to tell her because, to me, she just chose her role in my life.
Showing no emotion, I come to the head of the table and sit in my chair. The servers begin pouring in serving us up portions of our meal. When India’s plate was full, she stopped the next server from adding to her plate. “No, thank you. This is more than enough.”
He bows to her before retreating to the kitchen.
I hoped she liked my homeland delicacies Ventura picked for the chef to make.
I observer her as she picks up her fork and pierces the Caprese salad before bringing the vegetables and cheese to her lips.
She hums with delight, closing her eyes as she chews.
I knew that one would win her over because it was one of my favorites.
Something about the balsamic reduction fusing with the cheese and vegetables was pure genius.
“I take it you like it,” I say, stabbing my salad.
“Oh my God, yes! Who would have thought tomatoes and cheese would blend so well and this dressing...?”
“It’s a balsamic reduction,” I add between bites.
“Well, whatever it is, it’s a delicious combination!
” She says before she takes another bite, then moves on to the spaghetti with mussels and cherry tomatoes in a white wine sauce, which was another one of my favorites.
I sat there in a trance as she sucked the noodle between her supple lips.
What I wouldn’t pay to be that fucking noodle.
“Wow, this is amazing.” She praises, picking up the napkin to wipe her mouth. “I’ve never had an authentic Italian meal besides the occasional pizza or regular spaghetti. This is delicious, Davide. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, angel.” I smile at her as I pick up my glass of wine. “So, tell me more about this Nelson character.”
She clears her throat, putting the napkin back on the table.
“Nelson, Nelson Osamoa, is a powerful drug dealer from Miami. Other than that, I really don’t know anything else about him.
What I do know is without my consent or input on the matter; my daddy pretty much sold me off to the highest bidder.
I guess I should be grateful he was adamant that I wouldn’t be turned over to Nelson until it was time for the wedding. ”
“And when was the wedding supposed to take place?”
“Next Saturday, but I’m sure once Nelson finds out I’m no longer with daddy, the shits really going to hit the fan.” She replies, letting out a deep breath.
“You don’t worry about that. Whatever Nelson brings to your father is your father’s fault.
It kills me how in this day and age, people still hold on to that stupid ass tradition of arranged marriages.
People are supposed to meet, get to know each other, fall in love in the process then decide if they want to spend the rest of their lives together.
That choice should not be taken away from them.
” I stare off into space as I began to get irritated at the thought of my mother and papà.
A soft hand covers mine then gives it a squeeze. India offers a small encouraging smile.
“You don’t seem like the type to be involved in an arranged marriage, so I know your frustration does not lie with you. Who do you know had to go through this?”
I look down at her hand holding mine, then back at her beautiful face. She must have thought I didn’t want her touching me because she tries to remove her hand, but I grasp it.
“My parents, their marriage was arranged,” I tell her.
“Oh, wow, I didn’t think they did that in the States.”
“No, they don’t. You see, my Papà and mother live here in Cefalù, but my papà and my momma live in New Orleans.
” India looks confused. “Papà and mother are married. Their marriage was arranged. There is love there but not as what a loving couple should have. My mother loves my Papà, but his heart belongs to another, and because of this bullshit tradition, he won’t leave her so he can truly be happy. ”
“And that is with your momma?”
I nod. “Yes, she holds his heart. Their kind of love is what I aspire to one day have with my wife.” I caress her skin with my thumb. “I have a little sister by them...”
“Brat,”
I snicker. “Yes, Brat. We’ve accepted that this is what they have grown accustomed to, so it doesn’t bother us to travel back and forth to be with either of our mothers.”
“But your mother, why doesn’t she walk away? I mean, if I knew my husband loved another more than he loved me, I would let him go. I could find happiness with someone else.”
I tilted my head, admiring her opinion. “I used to think the same thing, even expressed it to my papà, but they are old school and won’t break the tradition.
I guess because this set up has worked for them for so long,” I shrug my shoulders.
“Why rock the boat. Papà spends an equal amount of time with both of them. Brat and I are lucky enough to appreciate the love of two mothers.”
Amazement fills India. “That’s incredible that your two mothers get along, knowing that they have to share your father.”
“Well, I didn’t say all that. They’ve never met face to face, and really, I’m not sure if they’ve even spoken to each other on the phone. Like I said, it works for them.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, some people don’t get it, but this is my family, and I don’t have to explain the dynamics of it to anyone.”
“Then why tell me?” She quizzes.
“I’m not sure. I guess because talking about the whole arranged marriage shit, I wanted you to know I felt the same way about as you do.
I’ve lived with it for damn near my whole life.
Now, let’s finish our lunch. I need to take care of things in my office.
You’re welcome to move about the estate, but please don’t try to leave.
” She giggles before digging back into the salad.
We enjoyed the rest of our meal over getting to know each other more. India was quite a woman. Not only was she beautiful to look at, but her mind was just as impressive. The men her father jiggled her in front of like a fucking carrot would never know this. They only saw the outer package.
When we finished lunch, India decided she wanted to hang out by the pool while I handled my business. I didn’t have a problem with that, but I made sure security kept an eye on her. I didn’t want my angel to find her wings and decide to fly away.
Once secluded in my office, the first person I called was Angelo.
I gave him the information about that pussy Nelson.
I also gave him the address India told me of Okoye’s address in Nigeria.
I wanted eyes on him and his men. I wanted to know their every move.
He said he was on it and would be in touch as soon as possible.
Next, I called my mother to check in on her.
She was doing fine and offered to visit later, but I quickly told her I had other plans.
I didn’t need her popping up over here and running into India.
I didn’t want to have to explain this situation to her just yet.
I was able to get off the phone with her after I promised to stop by in a few days for dinner.
I know she was lonely in that big house by herself.
My last call was with Papà. I was kind of nervous because, since I’ve taken over as Don, nothing like this has ever happened. I was worried he would be disappointed, but he surprised me with words of wisdom.
“Figlio, this is your first time having to deal with something like this, and believe me, it won’t be your last. That is why I always put so much emphasis on you protecting your family.
This experience will only fortify that. Do what you must to rectify this situation and don’t worry about us, we are fine.
I spoke with your mother this morning, and she doesn’t know about what has happened.
I’ve alerted security there to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious-looking.
She is not to leave the estate without an escort. ”
“I will see to it, Papà,” I confirm.
“Good, now whatever you took from this man, make sure he doesn’t get it back until he gives you what you’re owed. Even then, I wouldn’t give it back to him. He must be made an example for others not to fuck with you.”
“Believe me, Papà, he will never get it back,” I vow, gripping the phone. I meant that shit! India was mine, and I wasn’t giving her back to no fucking one!
Before I finished up my call with him, I told Papà to tell Momma Calista and Brat that I loved them. He insisted I kept him up to date with everything that was going on, and I promised to do so before hanging up.
I checked my account to see if Okoye had transferred my money, and it still wasn’t there. He must think I’m playing with his ass. His time was slowly running out, and only I controlled the reset button.
Leaving my office, I wanted to check on India and see what she was up too. I stepped out on the patio wanting to put a bullet in every guard that had their eyes lustfully locked on India as she did laps in the pool. When they noticed me, heads quickly turn the other way.
I stalk over to the bath towel balled up on the lounge chair. Snatching it up, I head towards her.
“India!” She keeps swimming. “India!” I yell louder, this time catching her attention. She bobs in the water, staring back at me. “Get out the pool!” I command, walking to the stairs.
“Is something wrong? Have you heard from my father?” She asks as she glides through the water.
When she gets to the stairs, she stands.
Holy fuck! She had on one of Brat’s string bikinis.
Now I see why my men were hawking her hard.
I swivel my head, making sure their asses weren’t trying to get a peek at her.
I catch one looking over his shoulder. The death stare I give him lets him know he has fucked up big time.
Not taking any chances of the others stealing looks at her too, I step in the pool shoes and all.
India stares at me as if I’ve lost my damn mind when I wrap the towel around her then guide her out.
“Davide!” She shrieks, trying to keep up with me. “Davide, damn it, will you stop!”
I needed to get her inside, so I bend down and throw her over my shoulder. She starts to kick and scream, as she pounds on my back.
“Put me down, you fucking brute!” She snaps.
The kitchen staff scurries out of my way like mice when I come through.
Ventura pretends he doesn’t notice what’s going on.
India continues her rant as I take to the stairs two at a time.
When I make it to the top, I march to her room and throw the door open.
Bringing India to the bed, I sit her down on it.
“What the hell was that about?!” She hisses, eyeing me like she wanted to claw my eyes out.
“You will not show your body to other men!” I seethe, pointing to the bikini.
She looks down at it then back at me. “Are you kidding me?! There is nothing wrong with what I have on.”
“Look at it, angel. You’re practically naked!” I bark.
“Really, Davide? This is your sister’s bikini! Did you have a problem when she wore it?” She asks, jumping up in my face.
“First of all, we are not talking about my sister, we’re talking about you! Second, my sister knows not to wear anything like that around my men!”
“Well, I’m not your sister, and I can wear whatever the hell I want!” She fumes. Her breaths becoming rapid, making her barely cover breasts rise and fall quickly. Fuck.
“No, you are not my sister,” I say in a low voice before I capture her lips with mine.
Momentarily stunned by my action, India doesn’t move until I run my tongue across the crease of her lips, then she parts them.
She starts to kiss me back as she wraps her arms around my neck.
I hum when she runs the tips of her fingernails through my scalp.
I deepen the kiss as I grab hold of her plump ass cheeks and give them a squeeze.
She lets out a whimper. Fuck, I could easily take her right now if I wanted to, but India was like no other woman I had been with before.
I wanted to savor the moment when I did take her, and when I did, it would be in my fucking bed where she belonged.
Slowly, I pull back from her. She stares at me with lust-filled eyes.
“I have some business to attend too, so I’ll need to run out for a bit. I should be back before dinner.” I tell her before giving her a quick peck. “Don’t wear this shit again.” I swat her ass cheek, then release her. She raises her hand to her lips. Soon, angel, soon.