Page 42 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

I could kill my family right now. A bunch of drunk Italians in the same fucking vicinity was a recipe for disaster, yet I decided to make it believable and have a reception.

Uncle Gio was lucky I didn’t castrate him after he touched Harlow.

I could see the visible fear radiate off of her at his touch.

She excused herself to the restroom and got as far away as she could.

It was almost nine, and I was ready for these people to be out of my house. I looked around for Moira, and saw her at the bar. She would do a wonderful job at getting these people to leave.

“Moira, I need you to start getting everyone ready to leave. If we party any longer, I am going to kill someone.”

“I’m glad you finally realized that after I dealt with your cousins fighting. I will get everyone out the door in thirty minutes.”

“Remind me to give you a raise.”

Five minutes later, Harlow still wasn’t back yet, and I started getting concerned. A few of the guests had left, and it was starting to get rowdy again. After this, I would elope before putting on a fucking show like this again.

There was a scream, a very familiar scream that came from inside.

I grabbed my gun in my thigh halter and rushed inside along with my men.

This felt like déjà vu all over again. In this moment, I hated that I wore a fucking dress.

I should’ve worn a suit like I wanted to.

Whoever touched her would die where they stood, until I saw Malachi holding her wrists.

I eyed him, feeling anger soar through me. “I’m sorry, boss. She was hyperventilating and clawing at her wrists. I needed to stop her, but I didn’t want to hurt her.”

Harlow looked like she saw a ghost. Her skin was ghastly white, and her eyes were dilated. Malachi was right. There were dark red claw marks down her arms, some deep enough to draw blood. Her body was convulsing like she was having a mini seizure, but I knew it was from her panic attack.

“I need everyone out of my house. If they ask, I’m taking care of my wife.”

Malachi let go of her wrists and I scooped her in my arms, holding her against my chest as I took us into the bathroom.

After last night, we formed a connection.

There was something between us. I never felt like this for someone before I met Harlow.

Attachments caused problems in this life, but when I was near her, I felt complete.

It was hard to explain how she made me feel because even I didn’t understand it.

Right now, I didn’t need my mind to ruin anything or make this situation worse. My priority right now had to be Harlow.

When Harlow’s feet hit the ground, she was clawing at her dress, sobbing, and making a beeline to the bathroom. The shower turned on and instantly filled with steam. She was sobbing and muttering to herself, completely zoned out from reality. And then she screamed and clawed at her body.

“Fuck.” I ripped off my dress and climbed into the shower with her, ignoring the burning hellfire raining down on my skin. I pulled her into my lap, holding her wrists as I attempted to soothe her. This was not my specialty. I tried my best, but I was shitty at comfort.

“Malachi!” I yelled for him. He instantly stepped inside the bathroom with his back turned away from us. “Call Lena. She may need a sedative. Harlow, baby, I need you to talk to me.”

She was hyperventilating and her fingers were flexing, but she couldn’t claw at her skin anymore.

I did the one thing I could think of in this situation—I sang.

It was When You Wish Upon a Star , but I sang it in Italian.

My mother used to sing this to me when I was young, and it was soothing and helped me sleep. Now I needed it to help her right now.

She sank into my touch and her breathing evened out. “I can feel him on my skin. Make it stop, please.” I reached for the pink loofah and poured my lavender vanilla body wash on the puff, gently scrubbing her skin. “I want to stop hurting.”

“He can’t hurt you, princess.”

She scoffed. “He already hurt me. Ten years’ worth of trauma wrapped up in a pretty bow. Please don’t let me go. I know you don’t really like me, but I feel safe with you.” My heart tugged in my chest as I kissed her temple.

“I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. I promise.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I’m Vincenzo’s whore. In his sick twisted mind, he loves me. He’s obsessed.”

“He won’t ever touch you again. I am going to kill him for you, princess.”

She laughed bitterly. “Vincenzo is a cockroach. He can’t be killed.”

“Come on. Let’s get you out of this shower and into the bed.”

After we dried off and slipped into baggy t-shirts, I brought her to my bed. She was holding onto me with a death grip. When Lena came into my room, I couldn’t move out of the way for her to check on Harlow’s injuries, so I pulled her into my lap so Lena could examine her.

“What happened?”

She wiped her face against my chest and sighed.

“I smelled cigar smoke. I-It smelled like the ones he smokes. It triggered a flashback. H-He had a cigar between his lips, and he blew the smoke in my face. It was suffocating, but while I choked from the smoke, he shoved his cock down my throat. I felt trapped. I couldn’t move or breathe.

I wanted to find you, but I couldn’t move. ”

“Do you want a sedative to help you sleep?”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t like how it makes me feel. Caterina makes me feel safe and grounded. Being with her will help.”

Lena looked at me and nodded. “Okay. Cat, can I talk to you before you settle in for the night?”

“Lay down, princess. I'll be back in a second.”

When we stepped into the hallway, I closed the door, and Lena crossed her arms across her chest. I was about to be lectured.

“What are your intentions with her? Because obviously she really likes you.”

I grumbled. “Lena, I don't think that is any of your concern. What is it with you and Serena questioning what I do?”

“That girl has been through too much for you to play with her emotions. She is trusting you, and I’m sure she’s going to fall in love with you. I know your viewpoints on love. Ever since your father lost your mother, he’s been an asshole.”

“You know if he heard you saying that, he would shoot you.”

Lena rolled her eyes. “Please. I’ve been here since you were a baby. Dug out multiple bullets from your father and his men. He’s an asshole now. Careless and heartbroken. Love isn’t a weakness. It is beautiful.”

“Why is everyone so worried about what I do with this girl? It’s not like I am going to tie her up in my basement and have my way with her. I’m protecting her. I am saving her from a worse monster than me.”

“All I am saying is don’t be afraid to love the girl.” I glared at her. “Please. I changed your diapers when you were a baby. I know you, Cat. I know you have a heart buried under all that macho mafia crap your dad taught you.”

“Goodnight, Lena. I’m going to go take care of my wife now.”