Chapter 27
NICO
"Are you done?" I pulled her down to my lap and ran my hands over her stomach. I had expected her to push me away, but she relaxed into me. Her body melted against mine, the tension I'd felt radiating off her all evening finally easing.
"I could be. Camilla will be here soon, and she can put the bread away." Emilia let her head fall back on my shoulder and sighed. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon clung to her hair, mixing with the flour that still dusted her clothes. "Are you going to tell me what happened tonight?"
"Can I take you to bed first?" I turned my head, kissed her neck gently, and slipped my hands under her shirt. Her skin felt warm and soft.
"You can take me to bed, but before you get any fancy ideas, you'll tell me what happened." She swatted my arm away and stood.
I watched her move around the kitchen, putting things away and covering the bread with a towel. The loaves were perfect, golden brown and still steaming. She turned and smiled at me, "Okay, I'm done." Emilia reached out her hand, and I took it.
Walking out of the kitchen, I noticed the Christmas decorations for the first time.
"Baking and decorating. You were busy tonight.
" I stopped at the stairs, looking at all the stockings, and a lump lodged in my throat.
The names stared back at me, each one a memory, a loss, a piece of my history.
Reaching out, I touched the soft white fabric that held my father's name.
Constantine. The letters were embroidered in gold thread, my mother's careful handiwork.
"I thought they should be hanging instead of in a box." Emilia let go of my hand and put her arm around my waist. "Your mother told me stories about each of them. I wish I could have known your father."
"He would have loved you." The words came out more abruptly than I intended. "He always said the strongest women were the ones who'd survived fire. You've been through hell, Emilia, and you're still standing. That's the kind of strength he respected."
She squeezed me tighter. "Cecilia said you look just like him."
"I have his eyes, his build. But I got my mother's temper," I managed a small smile. "My father was calculated, patient. He could wait years to make a move if it meant the outcome would be perfect. I'm not always that patient."
"I've noticed." There was humour in her voice now.
"Thank you," I whispered, emotion filling those two words. With one last glance at the railing lined with the names of loved ones I missed, we went to our room.
The house was quiet around us, everyone else asleep. The thick carpet muffled our footsteps as we climbed the stairs. The scent of pine from the massive tree downstairs followed us, mingling with the cinnamon and vanilla clinging to Emilia.
Closing the door, Emilia's head snapped toward me, and she grinned.
Reaching for the buttons on her shirt, she undid them one by one until it was open.
Slowly, she pulled it off and let it fall to the floor.
"Here's how we're going to play this. You tell me what you know, and I will keep removing my clothes.
" She arched her brow and waited for my answer.
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped. "Are you seriously trying to seduce information out of me?"
"Is it working?" She tilted her head, that playful smile still on her lips.
"Maybe." I couldn't keep secrets from her when she was willing to strip for me. "Your father's been calling in favors to try and get enough people to mount a fight. Now take off your bra." I crossed my arms and waited.
"Oh, sir, you're so funny thinking you hold the power here." She laughed maniacally and crossed her arms, mimicking my posture.
"Power is a funny thing, isn't it?" I smirked, enjoying the banter.
This was new, this lightness between us.
A month ago, she would have demanded answers with cold fury.
Now, she was playing with me, trusting enough to be playful even when discussing her father's attempt to kill her.
"But let's not get distracted. Your father's allies are gathering, ready to make their move.
And if you want to keep this little game going, you'd better start removing more than just your shirt. "
With a smirk, she reached behind her back to unhook her bra and slowly slid the straps down her arms, letting it drop to the floor with a soft thud. "Your turn to tell me more."
I hesitated briefly, taking in the sight of Emilia standing before me, confident and mysterious.
"Your father's alliances are shaky at best, but everyone feels a little embarrassed they were blind to you and what you were doing.
" Letting my eyes drift to her chest, I took a step closer.
The pendant I had given her gleamed between her breasts, the rose shimmering as it caught the lamplight.
"They think they can outsmart him, and by using him, they think can get to me.
" I watched as Emilia's expression changed, a mix of confusion and curiosity flashing in her eyes.
She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "So, what's the next move then?" Her voice was laced with anticipation, her hands resting on her hips as if she were ready for anything.
"You'll see soon enough," I replied cryptically.
"But for now, let's focus on the matter at hand.
" Stepping closer to her, I reached out to trace a finger along her jawline, feeling the tension crackling in the air between us.
The bruise from her father had finally faded, leaving her skin smooth and unmarked.
Emilia's breath hitched as my finger trailed along her jawline, the intensity of the moment palpable.
She maintained her composure, but I could see a flicker of something deeper in her eyes, a vulnerability that she was desperately trying to conceal.
Fear. Not of me, but of what was coming. Of what her father might do.
In a swift movement, she pushed my hand away and took a step back, her facade of confidence returning. "Enough games," she declared, her voice tinged with defiance. "Just tell me everything you know."
I couldn't help but admire her spirit, the fire that burned within her matching my own. She'd been terrorized by her family her entire life, and here she was demanding answers rather than cowering. Leaning in closer, I whispered, "That's not what we agreed to. Pants off."
Without breaking eye contact, she reached for the zipper of her pants. "Are you sure you want to know everything?" I let the words hang in the air, a smirk playing on my lips.
Emilia's eyes widened as I slowly unzipped my pants, revealing the power I had over this situation. "Yes, I do," she answered defiantly, her gaze eagerly meeting mine. Her pants falling to the floor, leaving her standing there in only the scrap of black lace covering her pussy.
"I'll tell you all you want to know." With a swift movement, I tossed my shirt aside and let my grey sweatpants fall to the floor.
I watched her eyes graze my body, and the slight smile on her face grew.
The appreciation in her gaze made something warm bloom in my chest. She looked at me with desire, and her eyes were locked on me.
I pulled her towards me, our bodies coming together with a passionate intensity.
"But only if you promise to play by my rules," I whispered into her ear, my breath warm against her skin.
"Don't I always?" Her arched brow and overly sweet tone made me hungry for her. Backing her up, I turned and fell onto the bed. With little effort, Emilia shifted and knelt over me.
"As of right now, I know of two families helping, but I don't know any more than that.
" I ran my hands up her thighs, feeling the muscle underneath.
"The Cardones for sure. They're angry about what happened to their alliance with the Ajellos.
Your father promised them he could deliver you to them, use you as leverage against me. "
Her jaw tightened. "And the other family?"
"The Russos. Smaller operation, but they've been wanting to expand into our territory for years. Your father promised them a piece of Chicago if they help take me down." I watched her process this information. "I will be keeping a close eye on things, I promise you're safe here."
She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. "My father’s going to use my sisters."
"What?"
"That's how he'll try to get to me. He knows I won't let anything happen to Alessia and Gianna. He'll threaten them, hurt them maybe, to draw me out." Her voice was steady, but I could hear the fear underneath.
"Then we bring them here."
"He won't let them go."
"I'm not asking for his permission, Emilia. We'll extract them. Make it look like a kidnapping if we have to, but I won't let him use them against you." I sat up, forcing her to meet my eyes. "You're not alone in this anymore. You have me, my family, my resources. Your sisters will be safe."
Tears gathered in her eyes. "Why? Why would you do that for them?"
"Because they're important to you. Because every person you love is now under my protection.
That's what this means, Emilia. When I married you, I didn't just take you as my wife.
I took responsibility for everyone and everything you care about.
" I cupped her face in my hands. "I meant what I said. I'll keep you safe. All of you."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and I wiped it away with my thumb. "I've never had anyone protect me before."
"You do now."
She kissed me then, and there was desperation in it, gratitude and fear and something deeper. Something that felt like the beginnings of love. When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
"Make love to me," she whispered against my lips. Not fuck, not take. Make love. The distinction wasn't lost on me.