CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Keep it in your pants or go home
— CLEMENTE —
“Can’t we say I’m still recovering, and that’s the reason why we’re going home?” I grumble and loosen my tie.
Rina shakes her head, grabs the tie, and starts to slide it back into place.
“It’s been four weeks, you have a clean bill of health, no excuses. The underboss just got married and you’re the best man. We can’t simply skip the reception. There, all ready and looking smooth.” She gives me a wink and quickly dashes away.
She’d better dash away. Like she said, it’s been four weeks.
Four weeks since I got out of the hospital and even longer since I’ve buried myself deep inside her.
There’s always some excuse she gives me and the last one has been “As soon as the doctor gives you a clean bill of health.” And that right there is what happened today; the whole clean bill of health thing.
She didn’t say the exact words but she didn’t have to.
I know she was worried about my heart. But there’s no need, I’m healthy as a horse.
There’s nothing wrong with me, my wounds have healed, and the doctors repeatedly told both of us it was the whole situation causing my body to basically shut down and restart, so to say.
Rina worries too much. It’s the same with the dog, who in fact is a big drama queen, king, whatever.
If he so much as has a single hair on his body aiming the wrong way, he wails like a little baby.
Not to mention, it’s a hairless dog, hence the whole drama king statement.
She pampers the little dude and he loves it; drama king it is, but who fucking cares.
And I’m by no means a dog specialist, but when you have a lot of time on your hands and can’t do much due to injuries, one can spend time with animals.
Furry or not furry, so it seems. Meaning Rina and I volunteered more of our time at Winnie’s Place Animal Shelter.
Rina’s suggestion and this is where I learned other dogs are less. ..fussy.
“We won’t stay long. We can’t leave Rocco all by himself for hours on end.” Her eyes widen a bit when I tell her this—grabbing this moment to use his name—and I know we have a solid reason to leave and get home early.
I step closer and brush my knuckles against her nipples, making them harden against the silk fabric of her dress. I don’t care we’re standing in the parking lot, about to go into the building where the happily married couple—along with all the guests—disappeared into.
“And then, after we spend some time with our dog, we will finally have some playtime to ourselves,” I murmur against her lips before I capture them in a hot kiss.
Her hands are fisting my shirt, and even if we still need to attend the reception—preferably without wrinkles in my shirt—within this moment I couldn’t care less. This kiss has been the most action either one of us have seen.
I cage her body in between mine and the car at her back, shamelessly grinding my hard on against her belly. Our tongues swirl and slip into a sweet dance of pleasure thriving on desire. I need her so badly my body is physically aching for her, even if I’m holding her in my arms.
“Keep it in your pants or go home,” Leandro’s voice makes us break our kiss.
“One of these days I’m going to force you into a marriage and I’ll make sure the woman is a nympho who will jump your bones every damn second. That way your dick will be so raw you’re forced to walk around naked because the fabric hurts too much to cover up your damn flesh,” I growl.
“Holy shit, quite the mouthful with your thought through statement. Sexually frustrated anyone? Though, I have to say, I’m intrigued. Where do I sign? What does she look like? Can we go pick her up right now?” The idiot rubs his hands in glee.
“Shut the fuck up,” I grumble and wrap my arm around Rina to guide her toward the building. “Get inside before I bury my shoe up your ass.”
“Dude, I’m not into ass action. Unless you massage my prostate. It’s mind-blowing when you get a blow job and the chick shoves her finger—”
“Didn’t you hear him say you need to shut up?” Rina sighs. “Seriously, you guys are worse than my grandmother. And I know about shoving your finger knuckles deep inside to massage the prostate and then—”
My feet falter and I cover my wife’s mouth with my hand. “Please stop talking. My cock is achingly hard for you and when you say shit like that I can’t be held responsible for what happens.”
There’s a twinkle in her eye when she nods in agreement, allowing me to remove my hand.
“Then I suggest we hurry up, I’m kinda intrigued now and want to see what happens if I—”
“For fuck’s sake,” I grumble, cutting her off as I drag her with me, only to come to a stop when I notice Beck heading straight for us.
“I’ll meet you two inside,” Leandro tells us and lifts his chin in greeting toward Beck.
Beck gives him a nod before he addresses me. “I’d like to have a word, in private if possible.”
Rina gives me a kiss on my cheek and is about to step away but I tighten the hold I have on her waist, keeping her pinned against me.
“Rina is aware of everything that goes on in my life. She’s also my better half in all ways. I’m comfortable enough to share both business and personal conversations in front of her. Unless they involve sexual shit.” The vivid reminder of the discussion with Leandro makes me add that last part.
Beck chuckles and shakes his head. “Nothing sexual, I promise.”
He glances around and lets his eyes fall to the floor as if he’s trying to find the right words.
Rina steps forward and rubs his upper arm.
“No need to thank us. Besides the matter of thanking us would be kinda weird, we absolutely understand the relief both you, and your sister are feeling. Strangely, I feel the same way. You have become a friend of us too and even your sister, though we haven’t spent as much time together.
Anyway, it’s completely over and done with and it’s all in the past.”
The emotions running through his body are mirrored in his eyes.
Thankful. Relief. “It means a lot to be able to do that. The few years I spent in prison because I attacked Ivy’s ex-boyfriend.
..I did my time...there has been so much inflicted upon all of our lives because of Daniel and Dustin.
Nothing that came after it has been able to really put an end to everything.
Ivy...even when both of those drug dealers went to prison, she never regained the kind of peace settling deep within her bones like she’s able to do now. ”
Beck grabs the fabric of my shirt and pulls me into a rough hug, slapping my back a few times before he lets go and steps back.
“Thank you. The mere words will never be enough. And I hate to think what would have happened if Henley wasn’t my cellmate or if he didn’t meet your sister, and with it brought you into our lives.
Man, how crazy these last few years have been, it’s also brought good people into our lives.
And for that I’m also thankful. If there’s ever anything I can do for you.
” His eyes slide to Rina. “For any of you. Please, let me know.”
“If it wasn’t for Henley and Gracy, I wouldn’t have had to make a deal for an arranged marriage. I wouldn’t have had the woman standing beside me right now. And for that I’m grateful. So, I guess that makes us even, don’t you think? Or at least both of us need to buy Henley a drink or two.”
Beck chuckles at my words. “Your sister is Henley’s old lady. I’d say he managed to nail a better deal for himself too.”
“I guess so,” I agree with a big smile. “Though my sister would say she is the one with the best deal. Those two belong together. And I’m man enough to admit to this since I wasn’t at all happy when I first found out the president of a motorcycle club had the hots for my sister.”
“It all worked out in the end,” Rina says, a smile and tender emotions lacing her voice.
“Sure did,” Beck agrees. “Okay, you two, I have to go. I’ll be back later but I have to take Oink for a walk, can’t leave the little one alone for too long.”
We nod goodbye and he jogs out of the building.
I would say the man is crazy for having a pet pig, but who am I to judge when I have a naked dog.
One I have to rub sunblock on or he’ll get sunburn and order pajamas for online in case he gets cold at night.
For sure as shit I won’t share those details with anyone.
And for fuck’s sake, “Why does he get to hightail out of here while we are still stuck here? Not fair. Not fair at all,” I grumble as Rina drags me into a large ballroom.
“Behave and we might sneak out after we’ve made our rounds, greeted everyone and disappear after they made their toast,” Rina whispers and shifts to greet Flora who walks straight toward us.
“Clemente, Caterina. I haven’t had a chance to really thank you,” Flora says as she pulls Rina into a hug.
I don’t have the time to brace myself before her arms are around me to give me a hug too.
Her eyes start to water and her voice is filled with emotion when she says, “I know Beck must have talked to you by now, but I can’t help but let you guys know how thankful we all are.
Oh, and the unprompted trip to Italy was divine.
Your uncle’s hospitality was endless and the food and surroundings. ..we’re going back someday soon.”
“Just say the word and we will join you. It’s been awhile since I’ve been there and with the recent events, I’d say we are due for a few days of relaxation.
We could label it as our honeymoon.” I pull Rina close after I spilled those words and place a kiss on the top of her head. She instantly leans against me.
Flora shoots us a warm look. “Sounds like a plan, you two deserve it. Though Beck and I won’t be able to go within the next few weeks. I missed Oink too much. But, yes, soon enough.”
“I wouldn’t want to leave Rocco alone right away either,” Rina agrees.
The two fall into easy chitchat and I take my time to glance around the room filled with people.
Members of the Famiglia, friends, family.
There’s laughter and friendliness and within this moment they are all celebrating the joys of life and the gratitude of finding the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
The last two weddings were arranged ones and yet they instantly grew into ones where love evolved them into so much more. All the more reason to celebrate. Though, this celebration is solely focused on Donya and Arturo. I feel in some way this should be a moment for both me and Rina.
The quick ending to our marriage where everyone needed to be rushed out of the church, along with the cancellation of the reception; she missed out of this part of our wedding day.
Even if she never mentioned a single thing, I know deep down I owe her a first dance in the middle of a filled ballroom.
And that’s exactly what I plan to give her.
We make our round through the room and talk to most of the guests, including Sofia.
Even if she’s nineteen years old, we placed her with a family of one of our soldiers.
Losing both parents and what she went through is a lot for a young girl, and we needed to make sure she received the necessary support to guide her through everything.
We enjoy good food and drinks until the moment comes for the first dance. Rina’s eyes water and she doesn’t expect to be pulled to her feet by me. Confusion hits but both Arturo and Donya are in on this and the four of us move toward the large dance floor in the middle of the ballroom.
The boss and the underboss, both recently married, and both fell in love with the one person who was able to sink underneath our skin and grabbed hold of both our hearts. I can’t imagine a life without her.
She enriches my life in a way where everything is brighter, more colorful, tasty, thrilling.
She puts the life in living and fills my lungs with the air I need to keep functioning.
And I hope we get to enjoy days like this—holding her close and swaying to the music surrounded by friends and happiness—for many years to come.