Page 64 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Harlow

I never believed in a higher power or even God because of the life I had, even before me and my mom were uprooted and thrown into that life.

Parents were supposed to be loving and caring for the children they brought into the world, but I only got half.

My mother would always be my best friend even if she wasn’t with me anymore, but I would live a life that she would be proud of, which is why I was allowing Lizzy to drag me down the Gold Coast streets of Chicago with Caterina’s black card.

Raul and Vito were our two guard dogs for the day, and neither one of them liked to talk.

While we were getting coffee, I tried to sweet talk Raul into having a conversation with me, but he was as stiff as a board, glaring at me.

I made it my mission to have a conversation with him one day, even if it was about the weather.

Lizzy pulled me closer to her and whispered in my ear, “Let’s ditch Burt and Ernie and go to the sex shop.”

“Is it safe?”

“Yes. We’ll go get our toys and sexy lingerie before finding them again. We are in a populated area, and they don’t come this way. We will be fine. I mean, Luca might punish me for ditching detail, but I love it.”

“So you do things on purpose to get in trouble?”

She laughed. “Oh, baby. You are in for so much fun.”

Lizzy grabbed my hand, and we found a crowd of people before disappearing into it.

I heard Raul or maybe it was Vito, they were both short on words, shouting behind me.

Lizzy disappeared into another store, pulling us to the very back and out the door to the back alley.

I laughed as she pulled me back onto the street.

“Caterina is going to be mad.”

“Ehh, she’s in a pointless meeting with the magazine people. She will be okay.”

An hour later, I was the owner of three vibrators, handcuffs, and nipple clamps.

They weren't the same ones that were used on me before, and I thought I could enjoy these if Caterina was using them.

I glanced at a few lingerie pieces, wondering if I would look good dressed in something like this.

Lizzy nudged my shoulder and eyed the strappy, red lingerie that I was looking at.

“Get it. You’ll look hot.”

I glanced at the strappy lingerie, down at my body, and back at Lizzy.

It was mesh with leather straps—a lot of leather straps that wouldn’t hug me the way I needed them to.

It was a simple leather bra and crotchless thong, but it had a strappy body cage top and garters.

“My scars and I’ve been gaining weight since I’m eating well again. It’s not going to look good.”

“Harlow, your scars tell us a story. One that you survived. They are beautiful and you’re healthy.

Cat loves you, and besides, when she gets a look of that on you, she’s going to peel it off of your body anyways.

” She pulled out her phone and smirked. “Besides, crotchless panties are fun. You can look hot and still come? Sign me up.”

A few moments later, Caterina called me. “Hello?”

“Bellissima, I’m not going to address you sneaking off from Vito and Raul just yet, but Lizzy tells me there's this certain piece of lingerie.”

My cheeks heated. “Uh, yeah.”

“Go to a dressing room, princess, and FaceTime me.”

“Caterina.”

“Trust me. No one will disturb you. Now go.”

I glanced at Lizzy, who was smiling brightly and talking to the cashier, before walking to the back where the dressing rooms were. After locking the door, I FaceTimed Caterina, and her gorgeous face came into view as she smiled brightly. Even on the phone, she looked at me like I hung the stars.

“God, you’re gorgeous.” I giggled.

She smirked. “You say that now, but you are going to be punished when you get home. Now, what's wrong, bellissima?” I frowned and lifted the red set up. “You have my credit card, my love, and I already know you purchased a few things. Buy the lingerie.”

I sighed. “I’m not going to look good in it. My scars…”

She laughed. “Baby, you are beautiful. I will kiss every single one of your scars and tell you how beautiful you are like a fervent prayer. I love you, Harlow. You are my warrior queen, and that lingerie is going to look good on you for a total of five minutes before I peel it off of your body. You are perfect.” Tears welled in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, but Caterina noticed anyway.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I am always so emotional.”

“Never apologize. Now, put on the set for me.”

“I’m in a dressing room, Caterina. I can’t give you a strip tease.”

“Yes, you can. Now do it. Give me the best show.”

I positioned her to where she could see me before I started slowly stripping out of my clothes, keeping eye contact with her.

She watched me like I was the hottest thing to ever grace her screen, and it boosted my ego.

Caterina always made me feel gorgeous, even on days when my mind and body fought with each other.

After fighting with the straps, I finally got them on correctly and looked at myself in the mirror.

The panties were odd, but the set made me look amazing.

“Sei un'opera d'arte, bellissima.” You are a work of art, beautiful . My Italian was still rusty, but I was positive she just called me a work of art. “Yes. You’re buying it. I will march my ass to the store myself if you don’t buy it.”

“Okay, I’ll buy it for you. I might change the panties though, it’s odd.”

She smiled. “Hey, it’s easy for me. Now pay and come home to me.”

I quickly changed back into my clothes and gathered the lingerie set before leaving the dressing room.

Caterina stayed on FaceTime to make sure I actually bought it instead of chickening out and putting it back.

I glanced around the store to find it empty, and Lizzy not there.

Did she go outside to Vito and Raul? When I stepped to the counter, the cashier was also not there, which was odd.

“Caterina, something’s wrong.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t—” There was a loud pop, and pain blossomed in my hip as a looming figure emerged from the shadows. “N-No!”

“Vincenzo said he wants his favorite whore back. Your friend is in the truck, let's not keep her waiting.”

To be continued in Savage Queen…