Page 18

Chapter 18

Massimo

My princess is trying to fool me.

She wants me to believe that she could even consider starting to trust me, but I suspect her hard-learned lessons are too deeply ingrained for it to be that easy.

But I won't cave; I'll continue showing her she can trust me.

In the meantime, I'll let her think she's pulling the fast one on me because my gut tells me not to push too hard. Just like Gemma did to get her off the plane, Nova is like a frightened, beaten kitten, needing coaxing to come out. To earn Nova's trust, I need to show her—repeatedly and consistently—that she's safe with me.

I need to earn her trust and undo those goddamn hard-learned lessons.

What the fuck had Mancini done to her?

I leave Nova's door unlocked. None of the guards will enter her room without permission. To reinforce this, I told them they'd be shredded in the wood chipper—alive—if they did. There's a guard outside her door, though, in case she does try to run.

I'm torn because Nova isn't leaving here, but I also don't want to her to feel imprisoned. If she comes out of her room and sees the guard, she'll know their purpose, which would reinforce that I'm keeping her captive.

Which I am, but…

I've never been this indecisive before. Ever. However, I need to fix what I'd broken while I still protect her.

My fists clench as I stalk through the upper level, then down the stairs, and through the silent house to my office. The light is on with the door open, and I'm not surprised to find Gabe there. He's already got a drink in hand and moves to the beverage cart to fill a glass with ice, then pours me a shot of vodka.

"Jerome?" I ask Gabe as he hands me the tumbler.

"Just went to bed. He said to wake him if anything is needed."

Slumping in my chair, I look at my best friend sitting cross from me. "You waiting for the right time to say I told you so?"

"It would make for a nice opportunity…but no."

I inhale deeply, but then exhale sharply, as if the air is toxic within me and I desperately need to expel it.

Visions of me storming into the basement cell—with rage and hate mixed with a burning need to prove to myself that I was right—and ripping Nova's top down to bare her perfect breasts and ordering her to strip fill me with that potent mix of disgust and lust.

"She kept the light on in the bathroom when we had her in the basement." Gabe pulls me from my spirally thoughts. "Do you think that's because of Mancini, and that maybe he did more than just food control with her?"

I'm not sure if I believe her explanation about needing the light ever since her mother's death—not entirely.

"I want to know what went on in the Mancini household."

Gabe's brows pull together. "We don't have spies planted there."

"Then get some." I sip the vodka, contemplating. "Or find out if any staff have a weakness we can exploit to get information. Make them more afraid of us than they are of Mancini."

"You sure about this?"

My jaw shifts, and my eyes harden as I stare across the desk at him.

He waves me off. "I think this is the right course of action. I'm not doubting you, Mass."

"Then what?"

"Then…" He leans forward. "You find out the absolutely horrendous existence she lived under Mancini's rule, and…?" He hikes a brow at me. "What's the play then? "

"Just figure out how to get the information I want."

He grunts and sits back.

"I'll figure the rest out."

Gabe's phone rings, and I finish my drink as he answers it. I've been drinking more than normal lately, so I resist getting more. I need a clear head in case Nova needs me tonight.

Needs me tonight.

My chest clenches, and my dick responds to the thought. I may not have a humiliation or degradation kink, but I'm quite sure I just unlocked a caretaking one.

Gabe frowns as he listens on his phone and lifts his eyes to me. "Ivan Everhart and Sean Finley are outside the gates."

Instantly, I'm on edge. I'm keeping my family away from my house, so no one knows about Nova. The last thing I need are criminals I wouldn't trust to watch a chocolate bar here.

"It's after ten o'clock at night."

"The criminal underworld is a nocturnal beast," Gabe retorts as he hangs up from the phone call, but he looks as pensive as I feel. "You think they're here because of the Chamber's decision about expanding membership?"

"That would be my best guess," I say tightly.

"I don't want you talking to them outside at the gates. You'll be exposed for too long, and if they're a decoy so someone can take a shot at you, there's not much we can do to protect you."

I contemplate refusing to see them. However, that isn't a good option, given what has just happened with Vito and Eden and the leader's vote. I also don't want to appear too secretive because Mancini and others will suspect me of kidnapping Nova.

"I don't want them in the house," I grit.

"I'll get Max to lock Nova's door so she doesn't come down if she wakes up." Gabe looks at me as I stand. "You might want to put on one of your power suits. I'll get the guards to scan Ivan and Sean first, then bring them to the house, but not inside."

I nod, already walking out the door. I hustle up to my room and go straight for my walk-in closet. Reaching behind my head, I pull my T-shirt off, then push down my sweatpants. I quickly dress in a suit with a white button-up, forgoing the vest and tie. Shoving my feet into a pair of Berluti Oxfords, I head back downstairs, smoothing my hair back and ensuring my unreadable Don's mask is in place.

Jerome is up and standing by the door. I notice the bulge of a gun under the back of his sweater.

"Easy, man," I murmur.

His aged face splits into a grin that fades quickly, and he shakes his head. "One can't be too careful. Not when…" He glances toward the stairs.

He's right. Ivan and Sean aren't allies of the Santoros—we have nothing to do with the slime they are. Sean Finley himself isn't that bad; he's a nephew of the powerful Irish mob boss back in the homeland, but he's too much of Ivan's puppy.

I nod at Jerome, who opens the door, and I step onto the front step. Ivan and Sean are arguing with Gabe while the guards stay close.

Putting my hands in my pant pockets, I regard them stoically. "What do you want?"

Ivan's head snaps to me, a sneer on his face. "A fucking drink and a chair inside would be nice."

"This isn't Gilly's or any other bar."

Sean warily looks between us and steps to Ivan's side, who's glaring at me while I remain on the top step. "Why are we being treated like the enemy?" His reddish-brown brows pull together.

"You're neither friend nor enemy, but it's late, and you've come to my home uninvited."

Ivan snorts. His sneer is still on his face, and his chest puffs. "The way I see it, Santoro, we're best fucking friends, yeah? Sean and I are the reason your brother and his bitch—"

Gabe fists Ivan's throat and growls, "Careful how you speak about any Santoro, including Eden." He shoves him away.

Ivan straightens his leather jacket, cutting Gabe a glare, but he's clearly wary now. He glances behind him at the guards standing ready for orders, likely second-guessing his plan.

"Ivan," Sean warns quietly with a frown.

He ignores Sean and turns back to me. His eyes are cunning and plotting. "I want a seat on the Chamber."

Sean looks between him and me. " We want a seat on the Chamber."

"Sean." I sigh, my only openly expressive emotion right now. "If two additional seats are created, the Irish aren't the next strongest faction in line."

His mouth presses shut, and I turn my attention to Ivan. "The Chamber is still discussing it. You'll know when a decision has been made."

Ivan steps forward, but Gabe blocks him from getting closer. Ivan isn't a small man, but compared to Gabe and me, he's a pissant.

"You see, Santoro," he glares at me, "you owe me."

"You made your vote already, Ivan. It's done," I warn, reminding him that his chance to control what happened to Vito and Eden has passed.

He shakes his head. "Make the Chamber rule in my favor, or you'll regret it, Massimo."

Sean curses, shaking his head. "What the fuck, Ivan?"

I remove my hands from my pants, snapping my wrists and making them crack in a similar move that Vito does. I stalk down the steps, my hard, cold eyes on Ivan. It has the effect I'm looking for.

I am exactly what they say I am.

Reminding this cocksucker that I am Massimo Santoro, a fucking monster in my own right.

"If you threaten me or my family again, I will slaughter you." I don't need to put the roaring anger I feel into the statement; it rolls off my massive frame in waves.

His throat bobs as he swallows, not daring to take his eyes off me as I stand toe-to-toe with him. I know Gabe is almost having a coronary because I'm standing so close to Ivan and Sean without him acting as my buffer. But he knows better than to interfere or do anything to make me look weak in front of this motherfucker that has moved from a nothing to a threat.

"Look." Ivan wets his lips. "Massimo, we're getting off on the wrong foot. "

"I don't give a shit. Get the fuck off my property. Once the Chamber has made our decision, you'll be informed."

Giving the ultimate insult to a criminal leader who has just declared he's a potential threat, I give him my back and walk away, unconcerned.

Gabe and the guards will ensure they're removed from the property. I climb up the stairs, and once I'm inside, Jerome closes the door.

"Go back to bed, Jerome." I grip his shoulder. "Thank you, though, for being ready to have my back."

He nods curtly, then his look softens. "Shall I check on Miss Nova before I retire for the evening, sir?"

"I'm headed there now." For some inexplicable reason, I need to see her and ensure she's safe.

I dial Vito as I climb the stairs. My brother answers on the third ring.

"Mass? Everything okay?"

His voice sounds husky, but I don't imagine he was in bed already—well, for sleep. I push away the thought of having just interrupted my brother and Eden fucking.

"Ivan Everhart and Sean Finley were just here." I quickly relay what happened. "Watch your back."

He hisses a breath. "You, too. You still going to Catanzaro in two days?"

"I have to," I force out through clenched teeth. "They won't push the meeting back again."

You don't just skip these meetings, and I need to go to make my case for the reversal of the vote that's staying my hand from putting Mancini into the ground in small pieces.

"I'm leaving Gabe behind, though."

"No fucking way, Mass."

I crest the top of the stairs and walk toward Nova's bedroom.

Other than Vito, Gabe is the one I trust most to protect my back, but he's also the one I trust the most to protect my family…and Nova.

He needs to stay behind.

"Don't worry, Vito, I'll still take enough of a guard detail. But Gabe will protect the family if Ivan and Sean decide to do something stupid in my absence. Plus, no one outside of us and the Chamber leaders know I'll be gone for a few days, so Gabe being seen around the city will cover my absence."

"I'll come with you, then."

"Aren't you going under the knife tomorrow?" I remind him.

The unhinged crazy bastard is getting a vasectomy to remove any chance that Eden could get pregnant. I don't know all the details, but I know that something happened to her, and even if there was a minuscule chance of her getting pregnant, she'd inevitably miscarry and lose the child.

I can't imagine choosing not to be a father, and Creed is the same way. But Vito is cut from a different cloth—he's never had any desire to have children.

I stop outside Nova's bedroom door and nod at Max, letting him know he can leave.

He inclines his chin, then turns on his heel and walks away.

Vito huffs at my reminder, and I let my emotions sound through in my tone. "I appreciate it, brother, but you take care of Eden and what you need to do."

"Mass…"

"Honestly," I reassure him. "I won't be gone for more than a few days, and Zio Marco is a pro at planning the travel to fly under the radar." I clear my throat, staring at Nova's bedroom door. The pull of her is unlike anything I've experienced before. "Go back to whatever you were doing. I'll talk to you tomorrow after you've had your nuts snipped."

He laughs. "Look at you, you grumpy motherfucker, making a joke."

"Wonders never cease, right?"

Vito laughs again but quickly sobers. "Stay safe, brother."

"You, too. Goodnight."

I pocket my phone and use my master key to unlock the bedroom door.

The bedroom is faintly lit by the ensuite light seeping through the partially closed door. I make a note to find a better nightlight for Nova.

Closing the door quietly, I unbutton my suit jacket and shrug out of it. Folding it neatly, I lay it over the chair by the window. Nova's small form is huddled under the thick blankets, and her soft breathing is rhythmic and peaceful.

I intended only to sit in the chair to watch her while she slept, protecting her from the shadows. But seeing her and being so close to her has me making other plans. I remove my shoes, pull back the comforter, and slip into bed.

Even though I'm clothed, I know I'm crossing a boundary. But I can't ignore my need to hold her close while she sleeps.

Laying on my side, I wrap my arm over her waist and pull her back to my front. Her small body stiffens, even though I know she still sleeps.

"Shh, princess," I whisper into her hair. "It's just me, Nova." I gently move her hair from the side of her neck and press a chaste kiss to her skin.

She makes a soft noise, then eases against me.

"Good girl," I murmur, ignoring my throbbing cock.

She melts against me, and a soft, adorable little snore sounds.

I'm grinning as sleep pulls me under with her.