Page 58 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

I decided to tell my father how I truly felt about Harlow, and I knew it would be a disaster, but the only thing keeping me going right now was my date with my queen.

Did I really think I could hold myself back from her?

Harlow was beautiful and magnificent in every way imaginable.

Even with the trauma she endured, she found a way to smile and see the beauty in life.

I envied that about her. Once I lost my mother, I didn't care about anything or anyone.

I became a cold-hearted bitch like my father.

“Papa,” I called out to him as I walked into his home. After he went on a binge and shit hit the fan, he retreated to our lake house when he was not using our villa in Italy. “I need to talk to you.”

“Ciao, mia farfalla . This is a surprise.”

A surprise indeed. I’d never come out here. Since Mama passed, he brought random women here and disgraced the place she loved. I knew he was hurt, but shit, there had to be better ways of doing this without drawing in liquor and women.

“Yes, it is. I wanted to talk to you about Harlow.”

“Are you getting a divorce?”

“No. We are staying married even after Vincenzo is dead.”

“Caterina, ti ho detto a cosa porta l'amore. Sarà un disastro.” I told you what love will lead to. It will end in disaster.

I knew it would lead to this, but I refused to allow him to make me feel guilty about how I felt.

“No, Papa, love is beautiful. You know how it feels to be truly and madly in love. It is not a weakness. I miss Mama every damn day, too, but I don’t let it fuel my life.

I am going to kill Vincenzo, but I am going to love and live my fucking life. ”

“Caterina—”

“You called Mama your angel. Your shining light in the darkness. Well, that’s Harlow. I love her. I tried to distance myself, but her pull was strong. Her laugh is intoxicating. Her strength is admirable. I love her, Papa, and I refuse to let you or anyone else make me feel guilty because of it.”

“è davvero il tuo angelo?” Is she truly your angel? I nodded. “Then never let her go. I am sorry for how I’ve been. Losing your mama has been devastating.”

“I know, Papa.” He pulled me into a tight embrace. “Don’t ruin Mama’s memory by using alcohol and women to cope with a broken heart. I know you love Serena, and that maddening woman loves you, too. So don’t let the past stop you. Mama would want you to be happy.”

“Yes, yes, she would. I love you, Caterina. I am sorry it took me years to realize anything.”

“I love you, too, Papa. Now I need to go get ready for my date. Be at the mansion at eight. Take Serena out and ravish the woman.”

Twenty minutes later, I was back home. Before going to see my wife, I made a pit stop at Serena’s room.

I allowed her to stay in my home simply because I needed her on call with Harlow, Elizabeth, and any other girl that we had in the house.

I knew where she was when she was here. I found a blue dress that would flatter her and drive my father insane.

I still didn’t understand why I was playing matchmaker when this woman infuriated me to the point of insanity, but I wanted to see my father happy once more.

I knocked on her bedroom door, and she opened it with her fluffy pink robe wrapped around her body. “Perfect, you showered. Put this on and be ready at eight.”

“Why?”

“Because I knocked some sense into my father and he will be here at eight to take you on a date. Eat. Drink. Ride him like a damn pony. You both need it.” Her cheeks turned bright red. “Don’t question it. Just do it. You know you want to.”

“Thank you, Cat.”

“Thank Harlow. She made me realize love isn’t horrible.”

She smiled, shutting her door gently, and I turned to go to my own bedroom to get ready to see my wife.

To think months ago I wanted to kill her, and now, I would give my life to see her happy.

I would’ve burned the world if it meant keeping her safe.

And I would have Vincenzo’s head on a stake for killing her mother, my mother, and hurting the beautiful woman I loved.

Everyone would pay for hurting her.

After a quick shower, I slipped into a pair of tight black sailor pants and walked to my jewelry cabinet.

Tonight was the perfect chance to wear a certain piece of jewelry I hadn't worn in a while. It was a rhinestone bra chain that sat under my breasts with three chains dangling from the middle about two inches down. It made every outfit ten times hotter, and I knew it would make Harlow melt. Once I was comfortable with the position of the chain, I slipped on my favorite blood red button down, leaving it unbuttoned past the chain. Everyone’s eyes would be on me, but I would only have eyes for my wife.

There was a knock on the door, and Spencer came inside my room. She was dressed for comfort, which meant she'd be in Luca and Lizzy’s room with them tonight. “Damn, you look hot. Think your wife will be mad if I get a taste?”

“I don’t want to share,” came a soft voice behind Spencer. We both looked at Harlow and my heart skipped a beat.

She looked breathtaking.

Her dark hair was curled in soft waves cascading down her back with gold butterfly clips scattered throughout.

That was Elizabeth’s handiwork. Her makeup was light and glowy, making her brown eyes shine.

And that dress? Fuck me. We might not have been leaving this house tonight.

The short, ruched dress hugged her body like a second skin.

The red color was identical to my shirt.

The neckline dipped, showing more cleavage than she normally did, but fuck, it made my mouth water.

This woman was trying to kill me. Before the night was over, I’d kick everyone out of the restaurant so I could remove her panties and feast.

I lied earlier. All eyes would be on Harlow and her beauty, which meant I would have to kill someone tonight.

“Damn, I lied. Can I have a taste of your hot ass wife? You can watch.”

I glared at Spencer. I knew she was just joking, but I didn’t share. “Get out.”

“Cooome onnnn,” she whined.

“Goodbye, Spencer.”

She grumbled, walking past Harlow, eyeing her chest too hard. “If you want to, you can watch Caterina fuck me,” Harlow offered.

“Okay, I'm done. Cat knows I’m a voyeur. Don’t tempt me with a party that will get me stabbed.”

She walked away and I stepped closer to my wife, pulling her into my arms. “I think I am canceling dinner and having an all I can eat buffet in my bed.”

“I want food, so no.” She kissed me. “But you could always have an appetizer in the back of the limo.”

My knees almost gave out as I grabbed Harlow's hand and dragged her out of the house.

I pushed her into the back of the limo, telling Vito to keep the divider up and his music loud.

It was not the first time I had someone in the back of my limo with one of my men in close proximity, but Harlow was the only one who mattered.

Harlow was slipping out of her lace panties as I slid into the back of the limo.

She wiggled, but I stopped her, slowly undoing the zipper and pulling the fabric off of her body until she was naked.

I knew I paid extra for a wider limo for a reason, and this was it.

Harlow was exquisite, a work of art, and I was glad she was mine.

I placed her dress on the side and admired the woman in front of me once more.

“Bellissima,” I whispered.

“Caterina,” she whimpered, her chest rising and falling. “Please.”

Forgetting all logical thought, I dove in, kissing the valley between her breasts before taking her left nipple into my mouth, leaving concentric circles before moving to the right one and doing the exact same.

My mouth trailed down her stomach, running over her scars.

She tensed slightly, but relaxed as I continued to paint her skin.

I bit the junction between her thighs and hip, sinking my teeth into her hard enough to leave my mark.

She moaned, and it was like music to my ears.

Using my fingers, I spread her slick pussy lips, admiring how wet she was for me.

I was a cocky sonofabitch and loved being the only one who made her like this. She was mine.

I licked her center and lapped at her wetness before blowing gently onto her clit. Her hips jerked and I smirked. “Delicious, bellissima.” And then I ate.

I was a master with my mouth, something Harlow enjoyed a lot as she squirmed in the seat and tangled her fingers into my hair.

Alternating between quick flicks over her clit, lazy circles and thrusts of my tongue inside her, I brought her to the edge.

Watching her wither and beg was intoxicating, but I was greedy.

She was the best thing I had the pleasure of eating, and I would edge her until I was satisfied.

“Caterina,” she whimpered, jerking her hips forward. “Oh, God. Please.” I latched onto her clit once more, sucking hard until her back arched in the seat and she exploded. My name fell from her lips louder than expected.

I pulled back and she slumped into the seat, smiling at me and reaching out to me. She grabbed me, pulling me into her and capturing my lips in a greedy kiss, taking her taste from my lips. “Now I can get real food in you.”

I helped Harlow back into her gown, but I kept her panties tucked into my pocket. “Souvenir?”

“A reward.”

Primavera was a restaurant in downtown Chicago that I loved because it reminded me of Italy.

Giovanni Gallo named this restaurant after his mother who taught him how to cook, and the moment I stepped foot in here, it felt like home.

I took Harlow’s hand, helping her out of the car.

It took everything in me not to lay her on the back seat and have another appetizer.

I deserved a reward for my self-control.

“Ciao! Giavanni informed me you would be dining with us tonight, Mrs. Moretti. You and your beautiful wife,” the host greeted us. “Follow me. We have bread and wine already waiting for you. Would you like your regular, or would you like menus?”

“Menus, please. My wife has never been blessed with Gio’s food. She’s in for a treat.”

“Of course.”

After two glasses of wine, our food finally arrived.

The thing I loved about Gio’s food was he took classics and mixed them together.

Harlow ordered chicken parm pasta, which was by far one of his best dishes.

I settled with my favorite roasted red pepper shrimp linguine.

I was personally ready to see Harlow’s face once she tasted how great his cooking was.