Page 19

CHAPTER 19

L ea

I trace Massimo’s fingers as the elevator descends.

He pulls away when the doors open, and I don’t try to stop him. I fall in place beside him, feeling a strange ache because I can no longer feel his skin against mine.

Massimo takes me to the same Jeep we used yesterday. He puts his Glock in the basket before getting behind the wheel. We leave the resort, taking a right, and drive toward the dock, but when we pass the one we arrived at, I glance at him with concern.

“Where are we going, exactly?” I question.

“The resort has a private marina down the beach,” he explains. “We’re going to take a yacht out to where the dolphins swim, and after you get to see how boring they are, we’ll meet the other boat so you can see the predators.”

I steady my concern over the sharks before replying,” “A yacht?” I raise my brow. “If you had access to a yacht, why were you on the ferry? Why not have someone pick you up?”

“That’s what I usually do, for safety reasons. This time was different. What’s the point of safety when you already know you’re going to die? I didn’t even let my bodyguard come with me.” He shrugs, almost dismissively.

“ You need a bodyguard?” I ask, my brow raising higher.

“Need one? No,” he says. “But my father insists, and as long as he sits at the head of the table, people do what he says. My bodyguard’s name is Rowan O’Malley. He’s the meanest motherfucker to ever put on a kilt.”

“Wait, is he Scottish? I thought all Mafia guys were Italian, or whatever.” I tilt my head inquisitively. My knowledge is limited to what Sarah has told me, but I remember full-blooded Italian being important.

“Used to be, yeah,” he replies. “Couldn’t be a made man unless you were. My family values the old ways, but we’ve had to make some exceptions over the years. Marriages—not everyone falls in love with an Italian girl. My father didn’t arrange marriages for his kids, like my grandfather did. Neither did my uncle. The Morandi family is very diverse these days.”

“Sounds like it,” I comment, taking it all in. “You even have a priest.”

“He doesn’t really associate with the family anymore,” Massimo chuckles. “He shows up for weddings, family holidays, and funerals. Sometimes he officiates them, depending on who it is. Other than that, he does his thing, and we do ours.”

“How did that happen anyway?” I ask. “Did he not want to… be in the Mafia?”

“He used to be just like me until he fell in love,” Massimo sighs. “He started questioning everything when his girlfriend got sick, and he turned to a power higher than our father. She didn’t make it, unfortunately. It was… awful. I think God was all he had left after she died. I guess it’s a better option than poison.”

“Oh, goodness, I’m so sorry.” I wince, looking away for a moment. “You guys don’t have the best luck when it comes to women.”

“No,” he relents. “Except for Emilio. His wife has been by his side since he was sixteen. They got married right out of high school because she was pregnant. She’s a bit bossy, but Emilio seems to need that. Well… he used to. I guess he’s ready to be his own boss now.”

“You talk about him so casually. I don’t even know him, and I hate him,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“I’m not excited about what he’s doing, but I get it,” Massimo sighs. “I’ve been in a dark place for a long time. I’m sure he doesn’t think I’m fit to lead the family. Part of him probably thinks he’s making the right decision, and deep down, I have a hard time disagreeing. I’ve been a fucking mess, Lea.”

“For good reason!” I fire back, my nostrils flaring. “Your wife was murdered! What did he expect? Were you supposed to shrug it off and pretend it didn’t happen because you killed the guys who did it?”

“In our world, you learn to shrug off a lot,” he grunts, then he motions ahead. “There’s the marina.”

I don’t want to let it go, but Massimo seems done with the conversation, so I don’t push back. I look in the direction he’s pointing and see a dock that is much nicer than the one we arrived at. There are several luxurious-looking boats parked along the side. I assume they’re yachts. I’ve never seen one before, except on television. Massimo pulls up to the smallest one and opens his door.

“I’d take you out on one of the bigger yachts, but then we’d need a crew. At least one other person who knows how to operate it.” He gestures to the smaller boat. “So, the mini-yacht will have to do.”

“I’ve never been on a yacht, period, so I’m still impressed.” I get a good look at the mini-yacht while Massimo walks around and opens my door. It looks more like a fancy speedboat, but the top is mostly enclosed in glass.

“Come on, bambina ,” Massimo says, helping me out of the Jeep.

Massimo gathers everything. This time, he doesn’t leave the knives, rope, or shotgun in the Jeep. He wraps the shotgun in a quilt. I decline when he offers it to me.

“I’m not carrying that!” I say, shaking my head.

“Fine, but at least put a knife in your purse,” he urges, slipping one in that is sheathed and has a cherry-wood handle. “Just to be safe.”

I glance at it nervously, but nod. I’m not sure I’d know how to use it, and I really hope I never have to. I stack some towels on the cooler and pick it up, following behind Massimo.

“If you’re going to spend much time in the sun, you’ll need some sunscreen,” Massimo comments as we walk along the dock. “I’ve got some in the basket for you.”

“I was fine yesterday.” I shrug.

“It’s different when you’re on the water,” he says. “And there are no clouds today. That delicate skin will be burnt to a crisp if you’re not careful.”

“Okay, I’ll do you if you do me,” I tease, bumping him with my hip. “Can’t have you getting burnt to a crisp, either.”

“Deal,” he chuckles, leading me onto the boat.

The top part of the mini-yacht that is enclosed in glass is set up like a lounge. There are stairs that lead down, and I can see at least one bedroom down there. Too bad we won’t be spending any time there. I wouldn’t mind his lips on my skin again—I’d even open my fucking mouth, despite the discomfort I’m feeling today.

“Do I get to drive?” I joke as Massimo starts the engine.

“If you want, bambina ,” he says, shooting me a glance. “Let me get out in the open water so you won’t hit anything except fish.”

“Oh, I was just kidding,” I laugh. “I don’t want to drive. I’d rather watch you drive and have a glass of wine.”

“That’s fine, too,” he chuckles, gesturing to the basket. “Pick a bottle and pour two glasses.”

“Drinking and driving, hmm? Is it okay when it’s a boat?” I tease, opening the basket and looking at the options.

“I don’t plan to get drunk,” he explains. “Besides, like I said, there’s nothing to hit out here except fish.”

I laugh as I open the basket, but my laughter trails off when I see the new corkscrew. It reminds me of what happened to the last one, and I shudder, but shake it off.

After uncorking the wine, I pour two glasses and carry one over to Massimo. He takes it with a nod, and I clink his glass with mine, even though there’s no toast.

“Not much further, then we’ll drop anchor,” Massimo says, sipping his wine. “The water is clear enough to see everything, and there’s usually some dolphins in the area.”

“But no sharks, right?” I ask apprehensively.

“Not in the shallow water,” he confirms. “You have to go into the deep water for that. We’ll get there. But first, sunscreen.”

“You’re not going to spank me if I strip down to my swimsuit, are you?” I tease, bumping him with my hip again.

“I might,” he smiles, playfully swatting my bottom. “But it won’t be punishment.”

Massimo watches as I peel off my t-shirt and remove my jeans. My swimsuit is fairly modest, considering what I’ve seen other women walking around in at the resort. Mine even has a frilly skirt, although it doesn’t cover much.

“Damn, you’re beautiful.” Massimo exhales sharply, clicking his tongue like he’s pondering something.

“Are you sure you want to throw me in the ocean with the dolphins?” I glance toward the stairs. “There’s a bedroom down there.”

“Tempting, but I promised you an excursion,” he says firmly, walking over and removing the sunscreen from the basket. “Now be a good girl and hold still, so I can put my hands all over your gorgeous body.”

I bite my bottom lip and grin. Massimo squeezes sunscreen into his hands, rubs them together, and walks over. I whimper from the coolness and his callused touch when I feel his hands. They feel so good on my skin. I’d be fine with skipping the dolphins, but I’m not going to argue. I’m grateful for the time we have together, even if it is limited.

Massimo’s hands roam across my body, making me tingle until I struggle to hold still. Even this is enough to make me crave more. When his hands finally make it to my legs, I lift my skirt, giving him full access to everything below the waist. I manage okay until his hands move to my inner thighs and my breath gets caught in my throat. When they finally rub across the skin where my inner thigh meets my pelvis, I let out a gasp.

“I don’t think I have to worry about the sun there,” I tremble out.

“Never can be too careful,” he says, kissing right above my clit before moving his hands to my other leg.

A tingle of arousal makes my core clench. I fight against the urge to throw a leg across his shoulder and beg him to see if I still taste the same as I did the last time he was between my legs. A pleasant thought, but I’m not that brave. It took everything in me to make my request last night. I’m surprised I managed to say it, but I’m saying a lot of things I don’t normally say. Massimo is rubbing off on me, and I don’t mean the sunscreen.

“Alright, that should take care of you,” he says, applying some to my face and smearing it until he’s satisfied.

“Your turn,” I say happily, taking the sunscreen from him. “Strip!”

“Don’t order me around, little girl,” he growls, his eyes narrowing for a moment before he finally smiles. “You’re lucky you’re so damn cute.”

“Am I?” I ask, squeezing the sunscreen into my palm. “Doesn’t seem to save me from the spankings.”

“Even cute girls need their ass turned red every now and then,” he chuckles, pulling off his shirt.

I take a step back and nibble my bottom lip while he strips down to his swimsuit. Massimo looks like an Italian god, carved from a fantasy. Everything about him makes me quiver. I’d drop to my knees, pull his swimsuit down, and open my mouth without being asked—without being told to do it. But I keep my urges to myself and sigh.

“You’re going to have to sit down.” I glance up at his broad shoulders. “Or get me a ladder.”

“Over here,” he says, walking to a chair and lowering himself into it.

“Perfect,” I say, stepping behind him and admiring his ink before I start applying the sunscreen. “Do all of your tattoos mean something, or do you just love getting them?”

“A little of both,” he answers, holding up his left arm. “Layla loved roses, so I got a lot of this for her. Our wedding bands had the same pattern as the tattoo on my hand and wrist.”

“Yeah, I can tell it was part of the design,” I comment, glancing at the outline where his wedding band used to be.

“I had my other arm done first,” he explains, showing me some of the designs. “If I wasn’t in Italy, I was in Vegas, so it influenced me a lot. The tattoos on my back are similar to the ones my grandfather had on his arm.”

“Grapes, wine, and…” I trace my finger around a design I don’t recognize. “What’s this? It looks like an old washtub.”

“Sorta,” he laughs. “We stomp the grapes in those.”

“Oh, right. I’ve heard of that.” I nod, moving my hands across his skin as I apply the sunscreen.

This could be the only time I get to touch him like this. He wouldn’t even let me put my hands on him last night. I guess he’s okay with being touched, except when he’s in control. Either way, I’m not going to waste my opportunity. My hands linger much longer than necessary on his muscular back and broad shoulders, then I walk around him and start applying the sunscreen to his chest.

“Yeah, this is more your style,” I remark, moving my slick fingers across some skulls and other macabre designs that adorn his upper torso.

“A few days with me, and you think you’re an expert, hmm?” he chuckles, his abdominal muscles tightening when I rub the sunscreen on them. “Rowan and I got a lot of similar ink when we were younger. Skulls were more his thing, but I found a few designs I liked.”

“All done up here,” I say, squeezing more sunscreen in my hand and lowering myself to my knees.

I intentionally meet his gaze and grin before leaning forward and rubbing the sunscreen on his legs. He tolerates it until I move my hands underneath his swimsuit and keep sliding them higher.

“Careful, bambina ,” he warns. “You’re here to see the dolphins and sharks, not that. But if you’re a good girl today, I’ll tell you to open your mouth again tonight, right after I have another taste of you.”

“That’s all you want?” I ask, biting my lip. “A taste?”

I’m a little terrified, because I’ve never done it before. Because of how big he is. But I want him. I’ve never wanted anyone before. Never felt the constant arousal, just being near them. Never felt common sense melt into a puddle, circle the drain, and disappear.

“That wouldn’t be fair,” he mutters, shaking his head. “Save your first time for someone who will give you more than a few days, Lea. I’m serious.”

“What does anyone ever get promised?” I look down, feeling conflicted. “The rest of your life, right? That’s what you give someone.”

“Stop.” He shakes his head and gets up. “It’s not the same thing and you know it. Let’s go swim with the dolphins.”

Massimo walks to the wheel, turns it, and the boat moves forward. I rise from my knees, adjust my swimsuit, and swallow the lump trying to form in my throat.

I don’t like what I’m feeling right now, but I’m not going to let it ruin our day, even if the rejection stings more than the palm of his hand.

I just don’t know how much of a good girl I’m going to be.