Page 44 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

The early March weather was bitter, but Harlow beamed as she snuggled closer to me as we walked down the strip.

Malachi, Alexi, and Cornelius were trailing behind us as our protection, but I had my pistol tucked into my pants in case someone decided to act a fool.

My men were good, but I was better. And that wasn’t my ego talking.

I trained since I was a child since my father was paranoid about my safety in a male dominant world.

My men would die for me, but I wouldn’t lay down and take it.

I would stand strong by their side and annihilate the threat.

With Harlow with me, I knew she would be defenseless, and it was up to me to be the first line of defense for her safety.

Our winters were brutal, and I was ready to take my father’s jet to Tahiti to get some sunlight.

Harlow would enjoy Tahiti or Italy during the summers, seeing the beautiful scenery and culture.

The Sistine Chapel in Rome might’ve been her favorite thing in the entire city, but I’d have to find a way to have a private showing to avoid the tourists.

I told her I would give her anything her heart desired, and I intended to keep that promise to her.

I loathed being in the public eye, and sightseeing was not something I did.

This city was my home. I grew up in the streets of Chicago, but my happy place was Italy where the Moretti family was left alone.

Chicago was filled with nosey press, desperate people, and assholes trying to kill me or destroy my family name.

The Moretti family was one of the greatest Italian mafia families in the western hemisphere, and power was intimidating.

I wanted to be a recluse, but this lifestyle made it impossible unless I gave my throne to someone else, which was never going to happen.

“What’s your favorite coffee?” Harlow asked, pulling me back to reality as we stopped in front of Java Jive.

“Do you not have one?”

She shook her head, rubbing her hands together. “No. My mom didn’t like me having coffee. She thought caffeine was bad for us. We were tea drinkers. Mainly her.”

“You poor soul. I’m a cinnamon latte kinda girl.”

She giggled, her brow arched high. “I’d figure you’d be a black coffee girl. Intense and bitter.”

“Are you saying I’m intense and bitter?” I japed.

Her eyes grew wide, and her cheeks became redder from a mix of embarrassment and the bitter air. “N-No. It-It’s just?—”

“Harlow, breathe. I’m joking. You’re cute when you’re flustered. Black coffee might match my personality, but it’s disgusting. Coffee has to have an extra kick to it.”

Walking into Java Jive, the baristas recognized me and instantly stood at attention.

My favorite blonde barista, who acted normal around me without the fear of God plastered on her face, smiled at me.

I ordered two cinnamon lattes, one with extra foam and cinnamon for Harlow, tipping the barista twenty dollars because I knew how shitty people could be when it came to a five-dollar cup of coffee.

Harlow sipped it and her eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s really good.”

“Told you.” I laughed, taking her hand in mine as we left the shop. “It’s cold out, but how about the park?”

Harlow looked at peace with the crisp winter air blowing through her dark hair as she took in Grant Park.

Even in the bitter winter temps, she had a bright smile on her face.

I wondered how she would enjoy snow, and how she’d like spring when the flowers bloomed and the weather warmed up.

The public was never my favorite thing, but if I could see this smile on her face, I would suck it up and bring her anywhere in the city. Harlow’s smile was addicting.

The shadows in her eyes were slowly leaving day by day, being replaced with happiness and life, but there was still that glimmer of fear.

Fear that Vincenzo would capture her once more and rip this happiness from her grasp.

He was a leech, sucking the life out of everyone who surrounded him, but I refused to let him have Harlow.

I would protect her with every fiber of my being until his blood stained my basement and his fear mongering was eliminated from this world.

To say I would be able to protect her from all the dangers this life brought would be a lie, but I would do my best to protect her as long as there was breath in my lungs. I wanted her to be happy. She deserved to be happy.

“So,” I started as I took a sip of my latte, “what else did you enjoy before you were taken?”

“I was a history nerd.” She blushed. “I enjoyed learning about different cultures and religions. History and religion tie into some aspects of art, so it was feeding my art addiction, and it gave me an excuse to have my mom take me to museums.”

“So, you truly enjoy museums, just to walk through and see the history?”

My mom loved museums herself, forcing me along to art and history museums instead of letting me stay home.

She always said it was a learning experience, but I never understood the interest in old pieces of art or history.

Personally, I never cared for history in school, but I knew it was important for the way it shaped the world.

Seeing Harlow’s face light up talking about her hobbies and her mom was enough for me to be dragged through a museum for an hour if it made this woman happy.

“It was our favorite thing. Art and history museums, followed by smoothies, and ending with a bookstore. We enjoyed local bookstores, but sometimes we’d enjoy Barnes & Noble.

” She smiled at the memory. I hoped she could enjoy the happy ones without thinking about Vincenzo tainting them.

“My mom supported my art. Bought me my first sketch book and prism color pencils even though my dad threw a fit. She said I had a calling, and it shouldn’t be concealed. ”

“Your mom sounded amazing.”

She gave me a meek smile. “She was my best friend. I was blessed with a mom who loved me, but I wish I could have saved her. I just hope she’s happy wherever she is now. Y’know, I think she’d like you.”

I arched my brow. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. My mom loved badass women. Wonder Woman, Black Widow, Charlie’s Angels. You are the leader of a crime family, and you save women. She’d love you.”

“I just do what I can to help the ones in need. I wish I could have saved your mom.”

“She’s not there anymore. That’s all that matters. I hate that she had to die in that place, but she’s free now.”

I squeezed her hand. “What books do you enjoy?” I diverted, changing the topic before she got too sad thinking about her mom.

“Historical fiction and fantasy, but I’ve gotten into romance books because of Lizzy. It was nice escaping reality. I read the books you got before. It’s nice being able to do the things I love again.”

“Why don’t we go to a bookstore then? You can pick out whatever you want.”