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The energy in her tone shifts away from the sexual tension between us. It's a stark reminder that she's here for a reason. My reasons and her reasons are most certainly different, and the way she takes my control away is terrifying. I don't want my darker side to take over or else I'll never let her leave.
"Oz has soldiers telling him that the Montegnas are moving on both of our territories. They're pressuring storefronts to pay them protection. If they don't, they're being torched out of business."
She thinks about the statement for a moment. "Has anyone been out to any of the shops?"
I shrug. "Street level soldiers take care of that side of our business. I'm the veil that keeps our organization in the dark, and the money we use to keep our legitimate businesses in the light."
"Yeah, you're so great and all powerful, but do you have any soldiers you trust to verify what's going on out there? Wouldn't there be news coverage of stuff like that? How many businesses have been burned down?"
"I'll have to check with Oz on that. I also have a few people in the media I can press for information. The number of cameras in everyone's hand these days, if threats are being made and shops are being torched, someone has the story on something."
She tips her head to the side. "How do you have so many connections? I know you said something about my sister, and now the media. What do you do for the De Luca family?"
"If you're ever asked that question and want to answer, a crisis manager is the best title to give. Other than that, I'm a ghost. I've had to pull a dozen favors over the past few weeks to stay ahead of our Families' respective issues. Your brother running away set off ripples around the city, and my father landing in the hospital weakens the face of the De Luca organization. Eventually, La Familia's going to feel the pressure from other organizations and Families around the country."
"That piece of shit is not my brother. Peter Martin is the scum build up around the drain who should be doused in bleach and set on fire. The nerve of that macchia di merda."
"Shit stain, huh? Regardless of Peter, there's a lot of moving pieces we need to sort through. The first was getting this treaty set in stone. A truce of sorts between our families to show the Montegnas that we won't go to the mattresses alone. We're going to use our marriage to show the capos and soldiers that they have resources from both of our organizations. Peter’s getting fired broke a link in the chain of your legal protections."
"I can't believe he really let my sister take the rap for this shit. He's letting her sit in prison for shit that he did. What kind of husband does that? You know Shay actually believes he's going to come around and be a good husband?"
"She needs to believe whatever is necessary to survive in that place. Let her believe it. You and I need to hash out a plan of our own. Once things settle down, we can make sure the power of this truce stays in place, even if our marriage doesn't."
"So, you're willing to get this thing annulled?"
"Despite what you think of me, mio dolce, or this room, I'm not as hostile as you think. Unless, of course, you want me to be." I tease her, "Our marriage is not the most important thing we need to dissolve. We need to demolish any ideas that we're vulnerable, and we need to do it fast before we lose any more businesses."
"I can help by stopping by the businesses we've already lost. Maybe go through the personnel files and reach out to the owners and employees to get an idea of what happened. There might be some link between them that made the Montegnas target them specifically. I doubt they're just picking shit at random."
"That's a great idea. I'll have Lorenzo take you around so you're not in danger."
She huffs. "I wouldn't need Lorenzo if you hadn't fired Jenkins."
"Your family has too many liabilities, Evelyn. It's bad enough that your father doesn't have an underboss, and his consigliere, your shit-stain-in-law, has gone into hiding. Once I run my background check on Jenkins, I'll reconsider having him on your detail. Your father's decision-making skills look weak. This marriage is the only one of strength that the streets respect. Don Rossi is reinforcing his territory, and we're doing the same."
"I get that," she says with her eyes drifting from one spot on the bed to another. She huffs out a breath. "Back to the rules, then. No goomah."
"I don't have time for one wife," I sigh as exhaustion washes over me. "I definitely don't have the time or energy for a wife and a mistress. I need you to be okay with how I touch you in public, too. Rule number three, no shrinking away from me. I may be a bit rough when I'm affectionate, but a slap on the ass or a kiss should be allowed."
"Speaking of slaps on the ass." She reaches toward the whip she dropped after I cuffed her to the bed. "What does this feel like?"
"Mio dolce, rule number four will be to not ask questions or come in this room unless you're able to finish what we start."
6
EVELYN
There's subtlety in the intimacy of Alessandro standing against the wall, desperate to stop his erection from growing. It's a reminder that as powerful as he is, he's losing it every minute we stay in this room together. I have to agree with him, however. I'm not ready to finish anything intimate.
The way he kisses me makes me feel like we're the only people left in the world, like I'll always only belong to him. But something still pulls at me for his rule about allowing him to be affectionate. I thought I was allowing him to be close. I guess love is like everything else in my life. I'll never be quite good enough.
Not good enough to be as good of a daughter as Shana and not good enough to be the wife of Alessandro De Luca. It doesn't seem to matter that we're already married. I push myself off the bed, my eyes still taking in everything around me.
The exposed brick walls, the large platform bed, the storage bench full of naughty toys, and one of the most powerful men in the country is staring at me like he's waiting to tear me out of my clothes. Thankfully, my stomach growls loud enough for both of us to hear.
There's a glimmer of a smirk on his face as Alessandro holds his hand out to me. I take it, and he nods with approval.
"Good girl. Come, let's get you fed."
