Chapter Four Leo
As I scowled out the jet’s window at the sprawling cityscape of Philadelphia, I was so fucking pissed it wasn’t Sicily. I wanted to be on the ground in Palermo searching for Caterina. My fists clenched at the prospect of annihilating those who had dared to hurt one hair on her head.
But vengeance wouldn’t be mine today. Instead, I was buckled into a seat on Caruso’s private jet. Our family plane carrying Father and Gianni had landed only an hour earlier. There was still no word on Caterina’s safety or her captors.
After we exited the jet, the Carusos had an SUV waiting for us on the tarmac. While Milos and Guilio handled our luggage, Rafe and I got into the back. With eyes gritty from lack of sleep, my body felt I’d taken a good beating.
Despite quickly packing last night, I hadn’t been able to fall back asleep. Every time I closed my eyes, Caterina’s terrified face appeared before me. Once I’d actually fallen asleep, I’d been plagued by nightmares of her screaming my name to save her from physical torture or rape.
After the second time waking up in a sweat, I didn’t try going back to sleep for fear of what else I might dream.
Instead, I’d called an upperclass escort service, so I could work off my tension.
Despite fucking my favorite girl through the mattress, it did nothing to clear my head.
I hated feeling so fucking helpless. It wasn’t a feeling I experienced very often.
To get my mind off Caterina, I turned to Rafe. “Did you do any research on your bride last night?”
He gave me an odd look. “Nope.”
“So, you’re still going into this blind?”
Shrugging his shoulders, he countered, “Yeah. Why?”
“I hope you’re a better actor than me. I wouldn’t be able to contain my shit if some Quasimodo-looking chick came lumbering up to me as my future wife.”
A laugh burst from his lips. “Fucking Quasimodo?”
I shuddered. “A truly hideous female version.”
“As vain as he is, do you actually think Father would broker me an unattractive bride?” Rafe countered.
He had a point. “True.”
“Not to mention if he actually went rogue and negotiated a hideous bride for me, Mother would never allow it,” he mused.
Once again, he had a point. Whatever vanity our father possessed was trumped by our mother.
She’d been a looker when she married at twenty.
With the help of Botox and plastic surgery, she remained stunning.
She never left the house without a full face of makeup, hair done, and outfitted in designer wear.
With a smirk, I swept my hand to my chest dramatically. “The absolute horror of you breeding with someone who wasn’t a perfect ten in looks.”
Rafe snorted. “Exactly. If I was a betting man, I’d wager that Andrea Caruso is as beautiful as she is rich and connected.”
I waggled my brows. “Lucky you.”
With a roll of his eyes, he countered, “Yeah, lucky me.”
“Stop acting like this is a death sentence.”
“Isn’t it?”
In Rafe’s mind, marriage equaled a death sentence.
Truthfully, we both found the idea of being tied to one woman for the rest of our lives akin to torture.
Neither of us practiced monogamy. We both loved the chase as much as the spontaneity of not knowing who you might wake up next to in the morning.
We were absolute bastards when it came to women.
My lips quirked at the thought of one of the few times I’d ever heard Caterina remotely curse. It was shortly before she’d entered the convent. After she witnessed a hysterical woman who Rafe had broken things off with, she’d shaken her head with disgust and called him a puttaniere.
Although he hated to be tainted in her eyes, not even our baby sister calling him a manwhore would change his ways.
Or mine for that matter as evidenced by my call girl last night.
I knew without a doubt marriage sure as hell wouldn’t change Rafe.
Despite not wanting to be anything like our father, he would be in his disregard for his vows.
Our father had numerous mistresses over the years to which our mother merely turned a blind eye.
It was just the way it was done in our world.
The SUV came to a halt outside the gates of a sprawling mansion. It was evident that this wasn’t an advantageous marriage on the Caruso’s end--they appeared on equal financial ground with us. I could see why out of all the potential brides, Father had chosen Andrea for Rafe.
Once we were buzzed inside, the gates opened, and the SUV rolled through. After we came to a stop in front of the massive main house, Guilio quickly hopped out to open the door for us. As we started up the marble steps to the porch, Edoardo walked to the landing.
With a serpentine smile, he extended his hand. “Raphael, I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you making time for us on such short notice.”
“While I’m sure the news seemed rather unexpected to you, it is something both your father and myself have discussed in great detail.”
“I’m sure you have.”
“I feel like I already know you from what all your father has told me.”
“I’m honored that you’ve decided to join your family with ours.”
At Rafe’s pretentious responses, I turned a snort of laughter into a cough before cutting my eyes over to Rafe.
He shot me a look before saying, “May I introduce my younger brother, Leandro.”
As he shook my hand, Edoardo said, “Welcome to my home.”
“Thank you.”
Edoardo turned his attention back to Rafe. “I’m very anxious for you to meet my daughter.”
Forcing a smile to his face, Rafe replied, “As am I.”
“I don’t know how much your father has told you about her.”
“Unfortunately, not much.”
“Andrea is my oldest child. Since her birth, she’s been raised to be a fine mafia wife. I can assure you will find her obedient and submissive.”
“I’m sure you’ve raised her well,” he gritted out.
Like me, the obedience and submissiveness of the majority of mafia women were qualities Rafe loathed in women. Maybe it was because we’d grown up with a strong-willed mother. Despite his affairs, our father seemed to appreciate her fiery spirit.
The last thing I wanted in marriage was a woman cowering in my presence or saying yes to my every whim. That was another reason why my brothers and I liked dating women outside our world. They said what was truly on their mind and challenged us if they didn’t like something.
“On her last visit, the doctor who examined her assured us she is medically sound to bear children. I’m sure she will give you many sons.”
Jesus, what a bastardo! I didn’t even know Andrea, but I hated Caruso’s describing his daughter like one would a broodmare.
I’m sure my father had said the same bullshit to Carmine Lucero about Caterina.
Although it was the way things were done in our world, I sure as fuck didn’t like it, and from Rafe’s posture, I knew he didn’t either.
At Edoardo’s expectant look, Rafe reluctantly replied, “Yes, that is very good news.”
“Let me call her.” After reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone. He dialed someone, but they didn’t answer. He immediately redialed, but once again, no one picked up. Rafe and I exchanged a look.
Edoardo’s jaw clenched as he once again used his phone. This time, however, someone picked up. “Come to my study. Now.”
When he turned back to us, he appeared flustered. “She’ll be here in just a moment.”
“No rush. I’m sure she had things to do today before our visit was announced,” Rafe replied diplomatically.
“Oh no. Whatever plans Andrea had now involve you and only you.”
Rafe paled slightly at Edoardo’s declaration. I could imagine he was feeling the symbolic noose tightening. Hell, I wasn’t even the one getting married, and I still felt it.
At the knock at the door, Edoardo called, “Come in.”
To ease the tension on Rafe’s face, I leaned over to teasingly whisper, “Here comes Quasimodo.”
Rafe elbowed me in the ribs as the door opened. Instead of his future bride, a middle-aged woman with salt and pepper hair rushed forward. “Yes, sir?” she asked as the breath I’d been holding wheezed out of me.
Furrowing his brows, Edoardo looked past the woman, “Where is Andrea?”
“She’s in the garden, sir.”
Edoardo’s jaw clenched. “And what the fuck is she doing there, Vittoria?”
“She’s playing with the twins.”
From his posture, Edoardo was fighting a losing battle not to absolutely lose his shit. In that respect, he was also like my father. Although we’d never been physically assaulted by our father, he could cut us to the quick with his verbal venom.
Vittoria shifted on her feet. “Should I get her for you, sir?”
“I’ll handle it,” he replied tersely.
She nodded before quickly disappearing from the doorway. With a tight smile, Edoardo turned to face us. “My wife is very busy with her charity work, so Andrea is like a mother to her siblings. She’s always indulging them.”
“I’m glad to hear she enjoys taking care of children,” Rafe remarked.
While he was trying to diffuse the potentially explosive situation, he wasn’t just blowing smoke up Edoardo’s ass.
After growing up with an emotionally distant mother, I knew he wanted a future wife who actually possessed a maternal side.
My siblings and I owed our upbringing to our nanny, Talia.
If there was anything good and decent within us, it was because of her.
Relief flashed on Edoardo’s face. “Yes, she has the patience of Job when it comes to children. She is studying art in college to become a teacher. Of course, she is aware that she’ll give it up if you prefer she leaves school to keep house.”
“I don’t foresee it being a problem for her to finish her education.”
Edoardo peered curiously at Rafe. “Your father didn’t tell me how progressive you are.”
While I clenched my jaw, Rafe merely cocked his brows at Caruso. “Is that a problem?”
“No, no. Not at all.” He continued staring at him. “It’s just surprising. I suppose it’s inevitable that the next generation is a little more lax with traditions. Of course, my sons remain pretty in step with me.”
Great. Not only was his father-in-law an ass, but from the sound of it, so were his future brothers-in-law.
“To each their own,” Rafe replied diplomatically.
Disapproval emanated in Edoardo’s eyes. “Yes. I suppose.”
“We may have different ideals, Mr. Caruso, but we still come from the same world. Coretto?”
A hesitant smile quirked at the corners of his lips. “Si, corretto.” Motioning to Rafe and me, he said, “Shall we have a stroll in the gardens, so you and Andrea can become acquainted?”
“I would like that.”
“Then come.”
While Rafe fell in step beside Edoardo, I walked ahead to give them some privacy. Out on the lush green lawn, two teenage boys, whom I assumed were Edoardo’s sons, were playing football while a girl chased them.
Just as I stepped onto the grass to join them, someone slammed into me, knocking us both to the ground. Even in my shock, my defensive instincts went on alert, and I instantly went for the gun in my jacket pocket.
I was about to retaliate when I realized soft curves pressed against me, not the chiseled muscles of an assailant. Instead, it was a young woman.
My assailant was a woman.
A very voluptuous young woman outfitted in skin-tight black yoga pants and a red sports bra that her very ample tits were spilling out of.
Her long, black hair was swept back into a ponytail while her eyes were so dark they were more onyx than brown. Sweat glistened along her neck and collarbone, and I fought the urge to dip forward and lick it off of her.
It’d been a long fucking time since I’d seen such a naturally beautiful woman. The women I usually fucked wore heavy makeup and were fake from their eyelashes to their lip injections and all the way down to their tits.
But this fresh-faced girl was exquisite.
Over the years, I’d heard countless bullshit about being hit by the lightning bolt. Both Italians and Sicilians were ridiculously in tune with destiny and fate. Regardless of my heritage, I’d never bought into it.
Until that moment.
“Way to fuck up my touchdown,” she stated with amusement.
I slanted my brows. “Excuse me?”
She grinned down at me. “I was just about to score.”
A smirk curved on my lips at her audacity. “My sincere apologies.”
“Andrea! What are you doing?” Edoardo shouted from behind me.
Andrea? As I surveyed the woman again, I realized my brother’s future wife was currently straddling me. “Oh shit.”
Andrea paled before she quickly scrambled off me and shot to her feet. “I’m sorry, Father. We were just playing football, and I accidentally ran into him.”
Edoardo’s face turned into an unattractive eggplant. “You were supposed to be making yourself presentable for your future husband, not screwing around with your brothers and sister! You’ve already kept Raphael waiting!”
Although she submissively dropped her gaze to the ground, her fists curled at her sides. “I thought he was arriving this afternoon.”
Something about the way she said it made me think she was well aware of what time Rafe was supposed to arrive, and she didn’t give a shit. Her insolence turned me on.
Edoardo blew past me to grab Drea forcefully by the shoulders. She whimpered at his harsh shake. “You’ve always got your head in the clouds. You never listen!” he hissed.
Although I never liked seeing a man put his hands on a woman, the sight of Edoardo’s fingers clawing into Drea’s shoulders made me fucking insane.
“Leave her alone,” I snarled.
As Edoardo’s neck snapped around to glare at me, Drea gave me a look of astonished respect.
“Leandro, this isn’t our business,” Rafe warned.
Fury continued raging through me. Glaring at Rafe, I demanded, “Not our business? That’s your future wife he’s manhandling.”
“He’s still her father,” he argued.
Edoardo sneered at me. “Are the Nerettis so soft that they do not believe in teaching a woman her place?”
“Only cowards hit women,” I replied.
At the venomous look in Edoardo’s eyes, Rafe grabbed my arm. “Take a walk and cool off,” he growled.
After slinging out of his grasp, my gaze bounced to Drea’s again. To my surprise, she remained staring at me with an expression my future sister-in-law really shouldn’t have on her face.
I gave her a tight smile before stalking away. I might’ve been following Rafe’s instructions, but the truth was I was leaving for my own benefit.
I needed to put as much space as I possibly could between Drea and me.