Page 20 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

There was a throbbing in my head that was growing by the second.

Vincenzo retaliated by destroying multiple shipments coming in.

Roman’s men were still alive, but my guns were gone.

If he would have killed just one, the contract between them would have been severed, and he could help me get rid of Vincenzo once and for all, but thankfully, they were alive.

I was at the club, adding protection for my girls because I knew Vincenzo would use them to get to me.

I had extra men as security here and at the hotel.

As much as I didn’t want to do it, I might’ve had to close my hotel.

It was easier to watch my girls dancing with patrons here, but it was harder to watch my people sleeping with clients.

There was a metal detector and a lot of precautions to make sure my people were safe, but if Vincenzo was determined, he would find a way to hurt my people.

There was a knock on my office door, and I told whoever it was to come inside.

I immediately regretted it when Callie came strutting in wearing a scarlet red teddy.

She knew red was my favorite color and always tried to incorporate it into what she wore when we were together.

The last time I was with her was two days before I took Harlow.

Callie was a mistake, something I never should have done.

She was enough to take me off the edge. I knew when she became obsessive, I should’ve cut ties with her.

It sounded horrible, and if I was a different person, I would have never touched her to begin with so she could find someone to love.

She knew it was only sex, but she caught feelings for me even when I made my stance clear.

I didn’t fall in love, and Callie wouldn’t change that for me, even if she was hot.

“Cat,” she purred. “I heard you’re getting married.”

I arched my brow. “I am.”

“If you wanted to get married, why not marry me? I can make you so happy, baby.”

Callie slipped out of her red teddy, standing naked before me.

The silver barbells through her nipples caught my eye.

Those are new. And then I realized she pierced them because I mentioned it the last time we were together.

She had an obsession with pleasing me, and for no reason.

Callie pressed her tits together, wiggling and trying to get a reaction from me.

“Callie, why are you here?”

She frowned. “I want you.”

“Put your clothes on and get out of my office. I am getting married. Whatever happened between us is over. I told you not to get attached.”

“What does she have that I don’t?” she yelled, her eyes glazing over. Jesus Christ, is she about to cry because I’m rejecting her?

“Everything. Now go.”

That throbbing ache in my head intensified.

There was too much shit going on to deal with jealous girls.

I was already dealing with an immature man who threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way.

I finished up in my office and walked to the bar, where Lizzy flashed me a bright smile and Spencer walked to me with a shit eating grin.

“So, marriage, aye?”

“Give me my whiskey and leave me alone.”

Spencer poured me a glass full of top shelf whiskey, and I downed it, feeling the easing burn down my throat. “Damn. That bad?”

“Vincenzo attacked Roman's shipment and destroyed my guns. It wasn’t a direct attack on Roman, and his men didn’t get killed, so I am still on my own with less guns.”

“He sending more?”

I shrugged. “He said he would, but I told him to hold off since Vincenzo will be waiting. It doesn’t help that the girls planned that stupid bachelorette party Friday.”

“It’s all the buzz here. They are excited to meet Harlow.”

“That’s the only reason I’m not canceling.” I finished the second glass of whiskey before getting up. “I’m gone. Make sure everyone gets home safely. I’m going to check on my soon-to-be wife.”

When I got home, Harlow looked like she was sleeping peacefully, so I decided to leave her alone until it was time for me to crawl in next to her.

Before I could get downstairs and to the kitchen, Serena stopped me, asking me to talk for a moment.

It was time for us to catch up on her progress.

While she didn’t tell me what was discussed between the two of them, I liked knowing how she was doing.

“How is she?”

Serena sighed. “Know that this is allowed because she signed a release of information, but I am not going into details about anything we speak of during our sessions.” I nodded and waited for her to talk.

“She finally talked to me. It seems like she is starting to getting comfortable with me, but she wasn’t ready to fully open up. I don’t think she fully trusts me yet.”

“Does she know about your trauma? Can’t you connect with her like that?”

“Cat, I am her psychiatrist. Disclosing my own history during her session would be unethical. I need her to open up to me on her own. Just like Lizzy did. Lizzy called me every name under the sun before she trusted me enough. Harlow will open up when she is ready.”

I nodded. She had the patience of a saint. “Okay. Do you think she is healing?”

“She is trying. That’s all I can say. From the little she told me, she experienced a lot. Even with what Lizzy went through, I can piece things together.”

“And what do you think she will do at the bachelorette party the girls are throwing at the club?”

Serena shrugged. “I’m not sure. She’s still jumpy and scared. All I can say is watch her and read her responses to things. If she wants to leave, leave. Don't force her to stay.”

I nodded. “Okay. She is under my protection, and that means I’ll protect her from my own people, too.”

“Don’t take away her control, Cat. It’s the one thing she needs right now.”

“I know.”

When we were done talking, I walked to the kitchen and heated up a bowl of the pasta Antonio had made. Harlow had been a fan of various pastas Antonio had made, so that was the menu item for the last few weeks, but I wasn’t complaining. If she was eating, that was all that mattered.

My people weren’t walking on eggshells around her anymore.

It was something they shouldn’t have done in the first place, but they didn’t want to scare her, which was understandable.

She was still reclusive, but also trying to get out of her shell.

I could see her trying, but I could also see how tired she was.

I took a quick shower and brushed the whiskey from my teeth before slipping into a t-shirt and walking to the bed.

Harlow was stirring in her sleep, fighting her demons alone.

I slipped under the covers, watching her before slipping my arm around her.

She eased at my touch, scooting closer to me like she was drawn to me in her sleep.

Harlow trusted me to keep her safe, and I would do anything to make sure she smiled again.

I brushed her hair out of her face and caressed her cheek.

This was never meant to happen. I was supposed to help her, let her heal.

But now, her little body curled around mine, and I could feel something inside me loosen.

She’d been through hell and back, yet she was fighting to survive and finding comfort in me.

Instinctively, my arms wrapped around her and pulled her into me.

Her face nuzzled into my chest as I inhaled the scent of my berry and vanilla shampoo.

This felt more intimate than it should’ve been, almost like a secret no one should know.

It didn’t mean anything, and I was overanalyzing this situation.

This was starting to feel normal, like this was where she should be.