CHAPTER SIX
No bathroom breaks
— CATERINA —
I take one last glance in the mirror and assess my appearance.
I’ve curled my long brown hair and it falls loosely on my back.
The red lipstick, same color as the dress I’m wearing, is the only extravagant makeup I’ve put on.
I couldn’t resist, it just pops. I’m about to head out to some club Gracy reserved a VIP booth in to celebrate, a bachelorette party, whatever.
I’m expecting it to be just some drinks with a few friends.
It’s been eleven days since I arrived and ten days since Donya came here to become Arturo’s wife.
And I have to say, those two seem to be adorably awkward together.
It’s almost comical to watch. The talks I had with Donya gave me enough information to know they have enough chemistry, but for some reason Arturo is holding back.
Maybe I should talk to Clemente about Arturo, he might know why Arturo is practically rushing out of the room as soon as those two are together.
And they’re not sharing a room either. Donya is still staying in one of the guest bedrooms. It’s as if Arturo doesn’t trust himself to stay close to Donya.
Like I said, it’s almost comical to watch those two.
Clemente and I are sharing a bedroom, but I’m fast asleep when he comes to bed and he’s gone when I wake up. Sometimes I think he falls asleep in his office and never comes to bed. The man either works too hard or is avoiding me like Arturo is avoiding Donya.
Okay, clearly Donya and Arturo aren’t the only ones with issues. But Clemente and I are getting married in three days. A wedding night might change the whole going to bed and waking up alone sequence.
I grab the tube of lipstick and slide it into my purse and stalk out of the bedroom. When I’m walking down the stairs, I hear two people murmuring and it sounds angry, almost frustrated. But I’m not catching all the words and have no idea what the discussion is about.
Another weird thing is that this discussion is taking place in the hallway instead of Clemente’s office.
Donya is standing to the side, dressed in an emerald green dress.
She’s clutching her purse and her head swings my way, making her red curls bounce around her head.
Clemente and Arturo are huddled close together, still talking in hushed, angry tones.
I come to a stand next to Donya and give her a hug.
She’s nothing like me. Where I’m straightforward, she’s shy and withdrawn.
I love to cook, while she can barely manage breakfast. She’s amazing with a pencil and paper, making sketches and creating art worthy enough to be placed in a museum.
I, on the other hand, can barely draw a stick figure.
You get the idea; we’re different but became best friends growing up.
“You look amazing,” I compliment. “I hope the guys will let us dance with their overbearing restrictions, it’s been awhile.”
Donya instantly relaxes. “It’s been three weeks since we last were able to dance together. But yes, dancing barefoot in the living room or in a club? There’s a huge difference, so I guess you’re right; dancing in a club has been awhile.”
My eyes stray to the guys. Clemente catches my eyes and I can read the frustration on his face.
“Everything okay?” I question.
Even if this is my bachelorette party, Clemente and Arturo were going to tag along and spend the night at the VIP booth next to ours. They said it was their chance to have a bachelor party alongside mine, but these days I’ve noticed Clemente is almost obsessive when it comes to protecting me.
Clemente doesn’t answer me but instead bellows, “Mattia, get in here.”
My head swings in the direction of the living room. Mattia stalks out, dressed in black slacks and a white buttoned up shirt. He’s changed a lot since the day we arrived here. He’s more focused and less playful.
Normally he would crack jokes and be my friend. But with the whole awkward information about him having feelings for me, and Clemente confronting him, it all changed. And I’m happy to say it’s for the better. He’s grown somehow, fitting in perfectly with the other guys around here.
“Mattia, I need for you to stay with Rina and Donya tonight. We have to take care of something. If there’s anything out of the ordinary, call.
And don’t make it an all-nighter, have them both home before midnight.
” Clemente must notice I’m about to ask him what’s going on again because he adds, “Rina, a word in my office, please.”
Well, he said please, my mind offers, but it does nothing to calm my spiking anger. Good thing we’re heading for his office to be alone so I can be myself and curse him out. Have them home by midnight. Asshole.
The door closes behind us and he starts before I can do much as utter one word.
“The gang who we think is involved with the illegal gambling parties sent a guy to the whorehouse a few days ago. The guy offered them mountains of gold in an effort to steal them to come work for them. Arturo received a message from a whore. The guy showed up again today. Leandro went to the whorehouse and it turned out to be a sixteen-year-old. Probably a kid they have dealing on the streets and give some cash to do their dirty work. Point is, Arturo and I are heading over to talk to the kid. We need to know who’s behind this new and uprising shit that keeps landing on our plate.
They make it seem like it’s a woman, but I think they’re spreading the rumor to give them a smoke screen to work behind, throwing us off. ”
“What you mean is you have to map out the players to assure Fredo is tied to it and can wipe them all out in one go,” I easily supply.
He rubs two fingers over his mouth and I’m guessing he’s doing it to hide his smile.
“Right. I’ll see you when you get back.” He’s about to give me a peck on the freaking cheek like he’s been doing every time he leaves the house, but I step away and point a finger in his face.
“Right. You will see me when I get back. I’m a grown woman who doesn’t need a curfew.
Mattia is there, I’m pretty sure Beck and Henley will be there too since we were going to bring our men too.
Or did you cancel them? Anyway, it’s a party.
We’re celebrating. Each and every one is an adult.
Or do you think Henley or Beck order their women to get home by midnight? ”
He wraps his fingers around my wrist and gives a tiny pull to close the distance between us.
“What has your panties in a twist, Rina? Surly not the time limit I set because I should cancel the whole night due to the shit that just happened. I want you safe. I want all of you safe. And these guys will know within an hour or so that their guy is missing. Then they’ll go hunting, or even try to retaliate, who knows since this is a new gang we’re dealing with.
Arturo and I won’t be at the party so maybe you guys will stay unnoticed, if not, I want you home as soon as possible. So, yes, home by midnight.”
This man is infuriating. “Why didn’t you just say that instead of throwing demands? I’m not a mind reader, Clemente, a little more information goes a long way.”
“You might not be a mind reader, but I’m not used to explaining orders.” His eyes are pinning me in place.
These last few days have been busy with people coming over to see Clemente and talk in his office, preventing us from being alone together.
The only time we are alone is usually during our workout sessions in the morning.
There’s not much talking, more fighting.
But I’ve learned a lot from these sessions since he doesn’t hold back like Mattia used to do.
Chitchat takes place during meals and we do get along quite nicely...when we’re not going head-to-head. And our standoff right here also proves the fact that we’re both screwing things up by not communicating properly.
While in this mafia world the women never question their men and mindlessly follow orders, I’ve come to understand that although I was trained to stand by my future husband, I’m absolutely experiencing difficulties to mindlessly follow said orders.
I swallow hard, shoving some of my pride down along with it. “I don’t seem to work well with little to no information and orders thrown at my head.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “So I’ve noticed. And I have to admit, it’s sexy as fuck when there’s fire flaming in those gorgeous blue eyes.”
“Good to know you think it’s sexy since I’m pretty sure you see a lot of it,” I grumble, making him actually laugh out loud this time.
His thumb is sliding over my wrist, making my heart speed up underneath his touch, letting him know how much he affects me.
He leans in, angling his head so his lips skim my earlobe. “Just a few more days until I can fully make you mine. I can’t wait to sink deep inside your virgin pussy while watching your eyes flare.”
My next breath comes out choppy and I’m not sure how to respond. His mouth skims over the side of my face—tracing my jaw with hushed kisses—and finally takes my mouth in an all-consuming kiss. All I can do is surrender to the pleasure this man is able to trigger inside my body.
My fingers curl into his shirt, pulling him even closer. His hands sneak to my butt as he grinds his hips against me. A whimper escapes me which he hungrily consumes. We’re completely lost in each other until we’re forced to come out of our lust filled cloud by repeated knocking.
A rumble of annoyance leaves my throat. Clemente chuckles, feathers his lips one more time over mine and says, “Soon no one will stop us from consuming one another. There will be no stopping until we’re fully sated.”
He heads for the door to reveal Arturo who states, “We need to head out.”
Clemente nods and glances over his shoulder at me. “Home by midnight.”
I cross my arms over my chest and think of a way to make him smile and eventually go with the words, “Maybe I’ll be home sooner.”