Page 63 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

“Married life is killing your stamina,” Spencer teased as she dodged a slow jab.

I bounced on my toes, flexing my fingers as I watched her feet. Spencer was sneaky when it came to blitz attacks. “My stamina was pretty great with Harlow in the shower this morning and when she was riding my face last night.”

Spencer stumbled slightly, and I went in.

I hit her with back-to-back jabs that she failed to block.

When I went in with a rear uppercut, she blocked it with her right arm, using her left to cover my fist and twist my arm.

I managed to get out of her grasp and shake off the pain.

Spencer was one of my favorite people to spar with because we could be playful while focusing on our training.

Harlow was my favorite for other reasons.

Natalya was overall the best since she never let anything distract her.

Sparring with her was like fighting for your life on the battlefield.

“You cheated.” Spencer laughed, adjusting her stance. “How is that wife of yours?”

“She’s healing. Michael Hass won’t be an issue ever again.”

Spencer darted toward me quickly with her jabs. “You know, you could’ve let me torture him a little before your demon dogs killed him.” Spencer pouted as I dodged her fist.

I pivoted on my toes, missing her double jabs to my face. “You were busy. Besides, he was mine to kill.” I lunged for her, swiping my foot under her, but she quickly deflected with a back flip. “Show off.”

Spencer decided to do the same move, knowing I wouldn’t be able to deflect it like she did.

Her foot kicked mine from under me, and I went tumbling back.

I had enough control to stop myself from falling on my ass, but she quickly grabbed me and pushed me to the ground, pulling my arms behind my back.

“All I wanted to do was play with him. He could've been dead for all I care.”

I rolled my eyes, twisting my hips. When I thought I had the upper hand, Spencer flipped me onto my back and pinned my arms above my head. She leaned down, hovering dangerously close to my face, and smirked. “I’m married, Spencer.”

She laughed, pulling herself off of me and extending her hand. “Next time you have someone downstairs, I want my turn with them.”

I fixed my ponytail. “I’ll make sure they are left for you. I’m going to shower. I’ll be at Voyage for the afternoon. Harlow and Elizabeth are out shopping.”

She saluted me. “Glad it’s you and not me.”

“I’m glad my father is finally getting focused again. I don’t want to deal with Voyage anymore.”

I left Spencer in the gym as I walked back to my bedroom.

Harlow and Elizabeth were already gone. I was proud of her for finally enjoying life.

She was scared, but her fear was slowly being covered.

After my meeting with the magazine, I had another meeting with Gemma Creel, museum curator for Chicago’s art museum.

I wanted to plan an auction with Harlow’s art that would benefit women’s shelters and victims of human trafficking.

The meeting at Voyage could have been done without me.

It consisted of my father and the executives talking for an hour, catching up like they were old friends playing golf.

And another two hours of them planning out the next six months’ worth of magazine spreads.

My father had to tell them that they would be including small businesses and a four-page spread with women empowering other women through their craft.

The executives wanted Voyage to be like Sports Illustrated, and while we did a few risqué spreads, the magazine was about more than just beautiful women. Thankfully, my father loved the magazine how it was, and it wouldn’t fall into the executives’ pockets.

“Papa,” I called as I walked toward my father. “If I am not needed, I am going to leave. I have another meeting to get to.”

“Arrivederci, mia farfalla.” He gave me a tight hug, and I quickly left. We would have to have a talk about how pointless it was for me to be in attendance, but I’d deal with that later.

Gemma was a chipper woman. Her bubbly attitude reminded me of Elizabeth’s.

I met her during a charity auction a few years ago.

My father was in Italy with some woman he met at a club, and he requested I attend for him.

The artwork was beautiful, and it was for the local animal shelter.

Gemma was grateful for our big donation and our bid on two pieces by local artists.

I knew she would come in handy one day, I just never thought it would be for my wife.

“Cat, how are you, darling?” She hugged me and kissed my cheeks.

“Ciao, Gemma. I am well. Thank you. I am married now.”

Her brows skyrocketed. “A lucky woman, then.”

“She is actually why I wanted to meet with you.” She gestured to the sitting area in the museum.

“Harlow has been through a lot in her life.” I told Gemma Harlow’s story without going into detail.

I might’ve saved her from Vincenzo, but Harlow fought to survive and blossomed into the gorgeous and strong woman she was.

“Harlow is an artist. Her work tells her story, and I believe people will fall in love with it like I have.”

I gave her my phone to view the album I made specifically for Harlow’s art.

Gemma’s face went through every expression in the book.

Some of Harlow’s art was dark, while other pieces were sensual and beautiful.

From her very first creation to her most recent work, each one told a story.

We could see her healing in every brushstroke.

“Cat, these are beautiful. This is what art is supposed to do. I can see her pain, but I can also see her journey. Let me make some calls and we can set up an auction soon. I know these will do well. Your wife has true talent.”

After we set a date and everything else, I told Gemma goodbye.

I couldn’t wait to inform Harlow. Her art would be seen, and even if she didn’t want to make art her career, people would know how talented she was.

I needed to find a GED program for her so we could work on getting her high school diploma so she could work on becoming a teacher.

Harlow’s dreams would come true, and I would be with her every step of the way.

When I got back to my car and finally checked my phone, my blood turned to ice.

VITO:

Boss, your wife and Lizzy ditched us.

This came in twenty minutes ago. I called Vito. “Did you find my wife?” I checked her location, and she was still in the same area. I zoomed in on the store, and it was a sex shop.

“We’re outside a sex store. Pretty sure that’s where they went. I heard something about toys.”

“You are in the right area. Watch it. I’ll be calling my wife. Make sure they both get home safely.”

“Yes, boss.”

My wife was going to get punished once I got her back home.