Reign of Pride Read online

  Dario leads me back to the car while Livio completes the transaction.

  I am emotionally exhausted, and I haven’t even picked out a table and chairs. I wanted to be able to pick out a bed for us and I am seriously doubting my ability to choose something Nero will like. I barely know him, although I know how he makes me feel when we are alone together. I am tired and frustrated and this is not at all like the fun clothes shopping I would prefer to be doing. My head is beginning to throb. When we are rejoined by Livio, I ask that we grab a bottle of water before moving on, hoping hydration will help alleviate my oncoming headache.

  I ask Dario to take us to Delattaye Furniture next. I am hoping I can find some of the primary pieces to fill our home. It takes two more hours and my minor headache has turned into a massive throbbing ache, but I found an awesome expresso-colored table and chairs with black leather seat cushions and matching barstools for the counter. I had more trouble with the bedroom set until I found a wall-to-wall headboard in white leather embedded in a deep ebony wood frame. I loved the mix of white and dark. It’s matched by a dresser, night tables, and mirror. It was stunning, and though I don’t know if Nero will like it, I love it. After all of this, I’d had enough and had decided that was all the shopping I could take for one day.

  I decide to have one of the guys get takeout from La Cucina. It’s a wonderful family business with the best pasta—next to homemade, of course. I order pasta and veal, including enough for Livio and Dario, too. Tomorrow, I will have to shop for plates and cutlery.

  I’m in bed, trying to soothe my aching head, when I hear voices in the hallway.

  “Is she ill?” Nero asks

  “Not that I know of,” answers Dario.

  “Not that you know of?” repeats Nero snidely.

  “When we got back, Felicia wanted time alone and went upstairs,” Dario replies.

  This was the wrong thing to say, apparently, because a sudden thud hits the wall. “What did you call my wife?” Nero shouts.

  I jump off the bed and throw the door open to find Dario against the hallway wall with Nero’s hand wrapped around his throat. Nero is squeezing the life out of him and Dario isn’t even fighting back. He’s just letting Nero suffocate him. The deep red in Dario’s face scares me into action.

  “Stop! Stop it! You’re hurting him!” I yell loudly, hoping to penetrate his intensity so he’ll stop hurting Dario. I grab Nero’s arm, tugging with all my might, but he doesn’t stop. “Please, Nero, stop! It’s my fault. I asked him to call me by my name. Please, stop! I’m begging you.” Tears are streaming down my face as I continue tugging.

  Nero glances at me, then suddenly releases Dario, who drops to the floor with a thud, gasping for air with his hands at his throat. I dare not move for fear of stirring up the monster in Nero once again.

  “Dario knows better than to breech my authority.” Nero glares at me. “He knows to ask my permission first.”

  I gawk at him. My mouth drops open. I have never heard anything so absurd. It’s my name and it was at my request.

  “I asked him to call me Felicia because he is to be my guard and I didn’t want to be called Mrs. Moretti all day. It’s my name, so shouldn’t it be about me giving my permission?”

  “You belong to me, Felicia, therefore, they ask my permission.” His taunt jaw clenches his voice eerily.

  “But they’re my guards.”

  “Do not doubt this Felicia: they are my men. You are my wife, this is my home, and in the very near future, this city will be mine. My father may be the Don but he has entrusted me to run it and I will soon rule. They take orders from me.” He points to his men.

  I take a deep breath. He is so very angry. I am also getting very angry. I know I have been raised to live this life, but I am still finding it difficult to ease into being Nero Moretti’s wife. He is demanding and our every move is monitored. The perfect home, the perfect marriage, the perfect family. With anyone else, still in the famiglia, we would still be required to behave a certain way but not with the whole world watching.

  “And what the hell are you wearing?” His face scrunches in revulsion.

  I look down at my jeans and pullover. They’re clean and cute. I’m not showing any skin. I look up at Nero, confused. “Jeans and a top. What’s wrong with them?”

  “Did you go out like that?” Nero asks.

  He’s not going to like my answer based on the look on his face.

  “We were running around all day. I wanted to be comfortable. It’s not like anyone saw me. I went to pick our appliances, for Pete’s sake,” I bite back. Now I am getting peeved and unfortunately when I begin to lose my temper, I have a tendency to become snarky.

  “Felicia, my men saw you dressed this way, the salespeople saw you, and anyone in the stores got a look at you. A Moretti does not go out in public dressed like that,” he says, as he waves his hand over my outfit.

  “I went shopping for appliances. Did you want me to wear an evening gown? I’m sure no one noticed me,” I say snidely.

  “Bullshit! You are going to get noticed and not because you are my wife, but because when a beautiful woman walks into the room, people notice!” he snarls.

  I’m stunned. First, because he called me beautiful. Second, because he’s really upset by my clothing choice. I don’t know how to answer, so I walk past him and head into the bedroom to gain a little distance.

  Unfortunately, Nero follows right behind and slams the bedroom door shut.

  “If you want to dress in jeans, you do so when you are at home or if I am with you. Out there”—he points out the window—“you are Mrs. Nero Moretti. You will behave like the wife of the next don.”

  He’s so angry that I break down into tears.

  “I just wanted to get the house ready for us.” I blurt out about the horrible day I’d had. “I don’t know what you like, and I’m so stupid that I didn’t take measurements, and Dario and Livio had to save the day. Then the store wouldn’t deliver until you came to the rescue. I don’t even have any of my own money and have to have someone pay for my underwear. They told me not to call you because you’re too busy and then I almost get Dario killed because I told him—no, forced him—to call me by my first name…”

  He lifts my chin, raising to meet his gaze. Then Nero takes a tissue from the bedside table and wipes the tears.

  “I do not like to see you cry, Felicia. I should have given you a credit card. I didn’t think about that, but I’ll take care of it immediately. I will also have a joint account started and a monthly amount deposited so you can purchase whatever you want, Felicia.” He pauses for a moment then says, “As for making choices for this place, I trust you to make this our place. I only ask that you leave pink out of the color scheme.” Then he does the most amazing thing. He smiles at me. Nero’s smile brings about a small smile to my lips.

  “I can agree to no pink,” I murmur.

  “That salesperson did nothing more than he would with anyone else. We have the ability to use our power to get want we need, Felicia. Your only error is that you are young and are not used to having to insist, probably because your father did that on behalf of your family,” he informs me.

  I nod in agreement. He’s right; Dad took care of everything. If Mom ever ran into a problem, he would only have to make one phone call and the issue would be resolved.

  “Dario and Livio know better. That is not on you. Whether you insist or not,” Nero insists.

  “You’re not listening. I gave them my glare. They had no choice,” I tell him smartly.

  “A glare?” A corner of his lips turns upward to reveal a mocking smirk.

  “I’ll have you know that even Dad proceeds carefully when I use it.” Well not really, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  “Really?” he draws out the word. “I’d like to see that evil eye glare you have, Felicia.”

  At this point, I am getting aggravated, so I conjure up my best evil look and furrow my brow and peer angrily a
t him through squinted eyes.

  “Impressive,” Nero says with his arms crossed. “Still, those two should have known better.”

  I see him smirk and know that he is trying very hard not to laugh at me. “You are just stringing me along. That’s not very nice Nero.”

  “Dolce, that look was adorable. I can’t help but smile. However, it could pose a problem in the future because if you plan on using that to win an argument, I may end up kissing you until I make that glare turn into the passion I felt last night.” Nero steps closer and cups my cheek, brushing his lips against mine. “Why don’t we go and grab some dinner, and put the day behind us? We have both made some assumptions today and learned a little more about one another. Let’s enjoy our night.”

  “I asked Livio to pick up my order from La Cucina when he knew you would be on your way home.”

  “Perfect. One of my favorite places to eat.” He touches a loose tendril of my hair and pulls it back around my ear.

  “Me, too.” I am pleased that I we are finding common ground and talking it out. “I bought enough for the men. Is that okay?”

  “Yes, dolce. It’s good that you like Dario and Livio. But they have a job to do and that is to keep you safe. This means that they are not allowed to be distracted. You mean a lot to me and it is essential you get that they have a difficult job. Do you understand?” His low voice is soothing, and I sense his need to have me safe.

  I get it. “I understand. I’m sorry I caused you trouble today.” I really mean this. Nero has a ton of obligations and he doesn’t need to be worrying about me as well.

  “We are getting to know one another, dolce. We’ll get there together.” He leads me down the stairs. I run ahead to set the table while Nero goes to talk to his men. Dinner is still on paper plates and plastic cutlery, but they are on our nice new table in our kitchen and I have to admit I love the choice and think it looks great in this room.

  “Thank you for inviting us to have dinner with you Felicia,” Livio says.

  I look up in shock, waiting for Nero to go off on another tangent.

  “Yes, thanks, Felicia,” says Dario, who seems none the worse for wear after his encounter with Nero earlier.

  I blink in surprise. They’re calling me by my first name. What does it mean? Why has Nero allowed this?

  Nero pipes up to say, “Grazie for organizing dinner for us, dolce mio.” Then they all proceed to take their places at the table and wait for me to be seated by Nero, then he takes his place beside me. Nero squeezes my knee under the table and gives me a wink. Livio and Dario just grin from ear to ear. It seems that all is well with the world, at least for now. Day Two… Well, I can’t say it was boring.

  Chapter Eleven

  The Rat Exists

  Nero

  * * *

  It’s two in the morning, the ringing of my cellphone resounds through the room, waking me. Felicia is nestled beside me, wiping the sleep from her eyes as I reach for the phone. My father’s voice booms through the line. “Get up, Nero. One of our warehouses has been hit. There’s a body count and you need to get over there and take care of it. I’m making inquiries here and we’ll get together later to make a plan for retaliation.” He doesn’t wait for a reply and clicks off.

  I move to a sitting position. I am about to whip the covers aside and alert the men that I’m going to leave so they’re on full alert when I am not here, but Felicia wraps her arms around my waist to hold me back. I light the beside-lamp. “I have to go. I won’t be back until dinner.” Women are not told of our business, mainly to maintain the normalcy of a home life. What I do is difficult, bloody, and gruesome. When I come home, I want to leave that behind, even for a short time before it begins again.

  “Are you going to be safe?” She rubs her eyes trying to shake the sleepiness from them.

  “I intend to be.” I kiss her softly. It seems the more time I spend with my wife the more tempted I am to stay in this bed.

  “Be careful, honey.” She moves to kiss my cheek, but I turn my head to take her lips in a kiss I’m finding I’m thinking of more and more these days.

  She kisses me lightly and before she can move, I grasp her head and take her lips in a deep sweet sleepy kiss. My lips slant over hers, my tongue probing the seam of her sweet lips. Her lips are pliable, her sweet scent breathes life into my soul. I deepen the kiss and her arms glide around my neck, pressing her naked breasts against my bare chest. I pull away before I know I won’t be able to. I have responsibilities to attend to.

  “Go back to sleep, dolce mio. I have to make some calls and get going.” I unwrap those silky soft hands from my hair and get out of bed.

  I jump into the shower remembering how shy my wife was when I led her up to bed last night. After we’d polished up the dinner, I’d left Felicia to clean up while I’d gone over the day with Livio and Dario. Then, I’d made sure that I saw to getting a credit card and account set up for Felicia’s use. She will be going shopping again tomorrow with Grazia along for the day. Which means I’ll need another guy to go with them. While Grazia has her own guard, I need to make sure that, if they are riding together, Livio and Dario will be at the helm. I’d informed Grazia’s guard that he will be in the car behind them throughout the day tomorrow.

  Felicia had walked onto the patio off the den as I’d finished my calls. I’d raise my hand, motioning for her to join me. She’d taken my hand and I’d pulled her in front of me then wrapped my arms around her waist. She’d traced the back of my hand as we’d enjoyed the quiet of the evening.

  “Well, Felicia, you haven’t gotten around to buying a television,” I’d said as I’d begun kissing that sensitive spot behind her ear. A huge sigh escapes those pouty lips. “Or board games, and I don’t have any new books to read.” I’d continued to kiss her neck then had slipped my hands under her sweater, feeling that soft skin. “I think we should play our own game, dolce.”

  “What… umm… what kind of game?” Felicia had wriggled against my groin.

  “I think that we go inside, then I’ll give you to the count of ten. At the end of it, I want you naked on the bed. If you are not ready for me, dolce, you’ll have to face the consequences.” I’d stroked the heated skin on her abdomen. “Want to play?” I’d already known she was excited because her breath had hitched with each stroke and her body had molded to mine, as she’d dropped her head to one side, allowing me greater access to the sensitive chord on her neck.

  She’d nodded in agreement.

  “Words, dolce. I want to hear you say it”

  “Yes,” she’d said in that whisper that makes my lower half throb with need.

  “Ready.” I’d kissed her shoulder. “Set.” I’d kissed her neck. “Go.” I’d kissed her lobe. Then I’d begun to count, and Felicia had snapped out of her stupor and begun to run.

  “One! Two!” I yelled loudly so that she was aware that I was on my way as she’d scrambled up the stairs. By the count of four, I’d found her sweater tossed onto the steps. I picked it up as I made my way up, still counting loudly. “Seven!” I gave her a moment before I restarted by count. “Eight!” Her sneakers had been under the hall table and her jeans crumpled at the bedroom door. “Nine!” I’d turned the doorknob and heard a small “Oomph” from inside the room. “Ten!” I’d opened the door.

  She’d been on her knees in our bed, with her arms crossed over her breasts, panting in a way that I’d been sure she hadn’t intended to drive me crazy, but did. Her eyes had been a sultry gray, wide and waiting for my next move. The floor had been scattered with pink socks, a pink-and-white lace bra and matching panties. My own personal sweetness before me, her hair had still been piled high on her head, but that wouldn’t last for long.

  I’d approached the bed slowly, her eyes following my every movement. My cock had hardened at the sight of her. So much that I’d had to unzip my pants to ease the pressure.

  Her tongue had glided over her lower lip. It’d been almost enough to make any man
lose his mind.

  But I’m not just any man; I’m her husband. And all the temptation that is Felicia is mine alone.

  “Now, I know I didn’t specify how I wanted you waiting for me, so that’s my mistake,” I told her. Her brows quirked and her head tilted to the side. “Lay flat on your back for me.” I’d waited for her to follow my direction. “Hands above your head.”

  Felicia faltered for a brief moment before slowly raising her arms.

  I began undressing. “Close your eyes, bella.” I bent over and kissed the lids of those precious eyes as she’d swallowed, her lips parting slightly. I’d finished undressing then had caressed the thigh closest to me. “Part your legs, baby.”

  She eased them open, just.

  I’d whispered in ear. “I have never hurt you and my vow is to protect you, dolce mio. I only want to give you pleasure. And I know that you’ve liked all that we have done together so far. So, I will repeat myself once more, spread your legs for me.” The pure trust she’d had in me as she’d opened her legs had made me want to roar with pride. Felicia is everything I’d imagined her to be from the first moment in that alcove.

  I’d kissing down her body, taking my time to lick and suckle those sweet nubs on her tits. I’d nipped her belly and dipped my tongue into her navel. As I progressed further, she’d moved her hands from above her head. “Put them back, bella, or I will have to start over.”

  Ahhh. That had been her undoing as I’d noticed the moisture at the juncture of her thighs.

  She’d quickly set her arms back into position.

  I’d eased a pillow under her hips, lifting her higher as I’d instructed her to pull her legs as far apart as she could. I’d knelt between those thighs, then, and for what seemed like hours, I’d run my fingers through her folds, dipping them deep inside her, building her climax, then taking them out and kissing her slowly, making her squirm until she’d almost come, only to stop then repeat it over and over.