Page 47 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Harlow

This felt wrong, but I knew it was closure that we both needed. Even if I didn’t get kidnapped and we dated, there was no promise that we’d be together now, but life didn’t happen like that. What future we did have together was stolen, but I was glad she was happy now.

Caterina grabbed my hand, and my heart swelled. I was in love with her. I couldn’t pretend anymore. It might have started out as a facade, but she had my heart and soul in the palm of her hand. Falling in love with her was accidental, but now I couldn’t see my life without her in it.

“Are you ready?” she asked. I nodded, taking in her beauty.

Tonight she opted out of wearing a dress since it was not a family event.

Instead, she wore fitted, black slacks that hugged her hips, paired with a white button up shirt and black suspenders.

Black ankle boots completed the look. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, revealing her undercut, with a few loose strands framing her face.

Her makeup leaned semi-natural, featuring a sharp cat eye and a soft, nude-pink lip.

Talk about panty melting.

“Baby, if you don’t stop looking at me with those eyes, I’ll have to sneak us off to the bathroom.”

She laughed softly when she saw the reaction on my face. I didn’t know if I’d like that, but sex with Caterina felt natural now. There were still certain things that scared me, like penetration, but honestly, Caterina’s mouth was more than enough. “Well, now I need new panties.”

“You have such a dirty mouth, bellissima.”

“Then make me be quiet,” I instigated, and Caterina groaned.

She wrapped her hand around my waist, and I gasped when she grabbed my ass, pushing me into a wall before using her other arm to close the gap. She was out of a romance novel, and I was ready to fall to my knees like a good girl.

“You’re cute when you're flustered.”

She kissed my lips softly before taking my hand and bringing us to the crowd.

I took a deep breath. I was better. There was still fear that I would get taken again, but here with Caterina, I felt safe.

I also had defense classes and training under my belt.

Defense classes were my greatest strength, but I also didn’t know how I would react when the time came to use them.

Caterina would protect me, but I didn’t want to lean on her protection all the time.

Caterina led me to two women talking to someone who looked like a government official. They turned to look at us, the other two greeting Caterina, but Mallory’s eyes were locked on me. I could see the confusion in her eyes as she tried to place my face.

“My love?” her wife asked as she looked between the two of us. “Are you okay?”

“Harlow?”

I gave her a soft smile, clutching Caterina like she was my lifeline. “Y-Yeah. Hi, Mal.”

“Oh my God,” she said a little too enthusiastically, which made people stare.

“Can I hug you?” I nodded and she pulled me in for a tight bear hug.

She felt the same as she did in high school—like home.

Now it was a platonic kind of way. She was safe.

“I’m sorry, let’s go somewhere and talk.

Come, my love. Let me introduce you to an old friend. ”

We settled in an office that reminded me of Caterina’s back home. Mallory’s wife, Izara, rested her hand on her hip as she sipped a whiskey neat.

“What happened, Harlow? They found your dad after the school called the cops. You didn’t show up for three days, and your mom’s job called to see if you were in school.”

“Me and my mom were taken. My dad made powerful men mad. He owed them money, and they took us.”

“When did you escape?”

“Caterina saved me, actually. It’s a long story.”

“We have all night.”

A bottle of wine and some tears later, Mallory was crying into her wife as Caterina held me. This time it was easier to tell my story. I was not ashamed anymore. What happened wasn’t my fault, and living in the past wouldn’t make my future.

“I’m so sorry, Harlow. I’m sorry about your mom and everything you suffered through.”

I grabbed her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “No one could have stopped it. My father ruined our lives, but I found Caterina and happiness in the little things.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you. I’ve had a little too much wine. I’m going to sneak to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” I kissed Caterina’s cheek before scurrying out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, I was walking down the hallway, excited for the rest of the night when the hair on my neck stood high. My senses had become more heightened after escaping Vincenzo’s grasp that I was constantly paranoid—and for good reason.

“Well hey there, gorgeous.” I heard a slurred rasp come from behind me as palms grabbed my ass.

My breath stalled in my lungs as I was pushed up against the wall. I grunted when he crushed my body with his. He reeked of liquor, and he was sloppy. For once, I was not paralyzed in fear. I was more pissed that I let my guard down at a party.

I stomped my heel onto his foot, and he screeched out a curse.

I elbowed him in the nose, and he called me a bitch, but before I could do anything else, he grabbed my wrists, pulling me to him before slamming us against the wall once more, this time his front crushing mine.

His erection was digging into my stomach, and my stomach rolled.

Images flashed in the back of my mind, and I squeezed my eyes closed.

I was not going back to that place, not now—not ever.

A gun cocked and my angel—or, rather, my devil—spoke. “Unhand my wife or your brains will paint the wall.”

The man stumbled back, and I lunged into Caterina’s arms. A few seconds later, two big, terrifying men grabbed the asshole and dragged him down the hall. All the liquor in his system was gone as he let them drag him.

Caterina holstered her gun and brushed the stray strands from my face. She called me her wife . I didn’t know why that made me happy, because we didn’t have to pretend there. She didn’t have to say anything to get him off of me, but she did. My wife. I was her wife.

“Thank you for the hospitality, but I should get her home before I have to kill someone at your party.”

“Of course,” Izara said. “I apologize about him. We’re normally good about drunks. You two are welcome to our home whenever. I would like you in Mallory’s life and our children’s, as well.”

“Thank you.” Mallory put her number in my phone before we left their gorgeous home.

Somewhere along the way I ended up passing out, but I swear I heard Caterina tell me she loved me, and felt the phantom touch of a kiss on my forehead.