Page 51 of The Mastermind (Mafia Rivals #1)

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

‘Where are we going?’

‘Are you going to be patient or do I have to pull over and pound that gorgeous pussy until you pass out so I can get us there in peace?’

I produced a fake pout that made my husband’s grin widen. ‘Are you calling me a brat?’

‘Oh, most definitely. And brats get spanked on top of what I just promised. So what’s it going to be?’

I squirmed in my seat and his grin widened. He knew exactly what his sexy threats did to me. And he knew exactly when to sprinkle them.

Lately, they’d been arriving more frequently.

At six months pregnant, my horny hormones showed no signs of slowing down. Cesare loved it. He was stoked to be on call for my every little need, just as he was obsessed with every tiny change in my body.

He reached over and spread his large hand over my swollen belly. ‘Do you need me, baby?’

Biting my lip, I whimpered and nodded.

‘Five minutes. I promise it’ll be worth it.’

I dragged my gaze from his face which, now that he smiled more, had gone from stupidly hot to cardiac-threateningly magnificent.

I looked out the window just to get some reprieve from said hotness, then as I concentrated on my surroundings, my eyes widened. ‘Oh my God, is this…’

‘The warehouse where we first officially met? Yeah. I bought the surrounding land and buildings around it ten years ago. But I didn’t settle on the true purpose of what to do with it until last year.’

A lot had happened since our fateful wedding night.

My grandfather had disappeared, the combination of being hunted down by Cesare, the FBI and the Russians sending him deep underground. The last we’d heard he was back in the Old Country, but our sources hadn’t been verified. Yet.

His soldiers confirming that they’d been offered a bonus to kill both Cesare and me on my wedding day had killed any dregs of loyalty for my grandfather.

It hurt, a lot. But I’d learned to live with it.

His disappearance also meant I was free to spend time with my mother and sisters, although I wasn’t allowed in the Mancinelli home by my father’s decree. Not that I much cared.

In three short months, I was going to be a mother. I couldn’t wait. The joy in my heart outweighed the rejection from some factions of my family.

‘Wait for me to open the door, baby,’ Cesare instructed when he stopped the car in front of a building with soaring glass windows. My eyes widened when I saw the massive signage at the top.

Furia Motor Sport.

‘This is what you’ve been not-so-secretly excited about the past few months, isn’t it?’ I asked as he helped me out.

He grinned. ‘Guilty.’

‘So your car design is finally done?’

Much to my surprise, and secret relief, Cesare gave up his racing seat to Dante the day we found out I was pregnant.

The dangers of being an underboss was one we would live with until he passed on that mantle to the son I was carrying, but having achieved his dream of being a racing driver, he’d wanted a different, exciting challenge.

And my clever husband had found that challenge.

‘ Sì .’ He dropped a quick kiss on my mouth. ‘The manufacturing plant itself will be in Sicily but this is where the ideas will be born. Because this is where the most profound feeling I didn’t recognise as the true purpose of my life started.’

I was lost for words. It was only when his fingers brushed my cheek and he murmured in husky Sicilian did I realise I was weeping tears of joy. I stumbled into his arms, knowing he would catch me. Always.

After a full three minutes where we simply basked in the deep, embracing warmth of our love, he pulled back. ‘Would you like to see it?’

‘Yes, please.’

He took my hand, held it all through the tour, until we reached a giant door. Then he released me to throw it wide open.

The space was cavernous. And empty. Except for the large spotlit object in the middle of the warehouse.

A few steps in and I recognised the shape.

I gasped. ‘Is this what I think it is?’

Without answering he walked me to it, then reached for the heavy dark gold cloth covering it.

Cesare unveiled it with a flourish and tossed the cloth away. ‘Meet the final prototype of Furia “Elena”.’

My hand darted to my mouth, whether to cover my quivering lips or my shocked delight, I wasn’t sure. ‘Elena?’

‘Maddelena felt too long and naming it after myself felt entirely too pompous…’ he said with a grin.

I walked around the supercar, my eyes growing wider until I was scared it would pop out of my head. Every line and feature was exquisite.

‘Congratulations. It’s utterly gorgeous, Cesare.’

His head dipped in a momentary motion of modesty. ‘ Grazii, bedda .’

I joined him at the front, laying my hands on his chest. ‘And thank you for naming her after me. I’m hopelessly honoured.’ Rising on my tiptoes, I touched my mouth to his.

And just like that, the arousal that had taken a temporary backseat beneath the awe of his words and deeds came roaring back.

‘I would very much like to celebrate your introduction to your namesake.’

My eyebrows shot up and I glanced from the car to his face and back, thrilling to the idea with shameless haste. ‘Wait, we’re not going to damage it, are we?’ It would be a shame to wreck his beautiful creation.

‘It’s much sturdier than it looks. Besides, it’s a prototype. That’s what it’s here for, to test its resilience.’

I giggled. ‘So I’m really a crash test dummy of sorts?’

He winked. ‘The most beautiful one I’ve ever seen.’ He kissed the corner of my mouth as he tugged on the tie to my wraparound dress. It shimmied off my shoulders with barely a wriggle, pooling at my feet.

Stepping back, he stared down at me and groaned. ‘ Cristu . You get impossibly more beautiful every day.’

The squirming returned too.

I wanted him, desperately, everywhere . His eyes turned inferno hot as he accurately read my urgent need. With the deft flick of his hand, my bra was unhooked and on the floor. ‘Hard and fast, caru meu ?’

‘ Pi favuri ,’ I answered.

Predictably, his eyes darkened at my answer. Cesare loved me speaking the language of our heritage, especially in moments like this.

He caught my hands and gently nudged me back until my calves touched the low bumper of the sports car. Another nudge and I perched on the hood.

The carbon fibre was cool against my ass but the goosebumps it spread over my skin felt delicious, plus it cooled me down long enough for me not to climb my husband like a tree.

‘Lie back, baby. Let me drink in this incredible sight.’

I propped one hand behind me and he groaned when my breasts thrust up. Every inch of my body was Cesare’s playground, but my breasts remained his personal obsession. Once I was settled on the black hood, I waited for the next instruction.

‘Arms above your head,’ he croaked.

‘Like this?’ I rested my wrists on the glass, one above the other. I was on full display to my husband, and he looked as if he was seconds from losing his mind.

‘Oh fuck! I love you, Maddelena.’

‘I love you too. Now get over here and put your cock in me. I need you.’

He tore his clothes off then, grabbing my ankles, he gave me exactly what I needed. Did we make dents in his hideously expensive prototype sports car? Most likely. Did I care? Absolutely not.

When we were done and I was wearing Cesare’s shirt because I was too lust-drunk to leave the comfort of his arms to put my own clothes back on, I tucked my face into his neck and breathed him in. ‘Did the car survive?’

‘Looks like it,’ he said, amusement trailing his voice. ‘But just to be sure, we’ll test out all twelve.’

‘Hmm? Twelve prototypes?’

‘Nah, the Elena collection will comprise twelve original super-exclusive editions. I invited bids and have already selected their owners.’ He dropped his head to my ear as he carried me to the door. ‘What they don’t know is that I intend to christen each car with my wife before I send it off.’

‘Oh my God.’

His laughter was rich and free, and it wrapped me up like the warmest blanket. ‘You like the sound of that, don’t you?’

‘I shouldn’t but… damn it, I do.’ I wrapped my arms around his neck. ‘I can’t wait to get started. T’amu Cesare.’

His face transformed as it did every time I confessed the simple truth in my heart. ‘One last stop before we go.’

He crossed the room and stopped next to a pillar.

I focused long enough to read the simple inscription on the wall he’d pinned me to the night of my seventeenth birthday. The first time he kissed me.

Attruvau pi sempri ccà. I found forever here.

I placed my hand on his chest, felt his heart beat fierce and true. ‘Cesare.’

He brushed his lips over mine. ‘I love you, caru meu .’