Page 33

Renzo

I t was late when Havoc and I finally joined Milo and Isabetta in bed.

Havoc’s knuckles were bloody from whatever he had been doing, and my eyes hurt from looking over the reports and numbers.

I didn’t regret going away for my honeymoon.

We had needed the space and time to ourselves, and to let Isabetta relax and acclimatize to our dynamic.

Yet I couldn’t keep myself from wondering if it had really been a good idea to leave when we were going through a transition in leadership.

I had thought I had built enough of a reputation that things would be fine for a week, but I now doubted my plans.

Havoc was up before me the next morning, never one to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time.

I woke just before dawn, sliding out of bed as quietly as I could.

An hour in our home gym helped me process my thoughts, and I made some decisions while I lifted weights.

The exercise helped my subconscious sort through patterns I had been too tired to recognize the night before.

I was surprised when Milo strolled in as I was finishing up my workout.

He rarely came down to the gym, preferring to get his exercise by flying.

He also liked the solitude, the chance to soar high above, to look down and appreciate the world as it moved below him.

I had joined him a few times, but my body wasn’t made for long, sustained flights like his was, and I tired after a half-hour.

He had just opened his mouth when his phone rang.

I smirked as I headed for the shower. Our honeymoon was over, and real life was back with a vengeance. It had taken me two hours the night before to sort through the pile of emails and messages I had waiting and that was on top of the ones I had responded to while we had been away.

I was drying off when my phone rung. I looked at it and groaned, slinging the towel around my waist. “One second, Mama.” I’d rather be dressed when I talked to her, but she didn’t give me a chance, already launching into her lamentation that I had been gone for too long—never mind that it had only been a week.

I didn’t want to disturb Isabetta, so I pulled my sweatpants back on and then made my way to my office, while making the occasional noise, so my mother knew I was listening.

It was better not to interrupt her. If I tried to say anything, it would work her up more.

It was best to let her get it out of her system.

Once I sat at my desk and got my laptop booted up, I set down the phone and turned it on speaker.

This conversation was going to be an hour at least, and that was plenty of time to get some work done.

My mother wanted to feel like she was still involved in my life, that I cared about what she had to say.

I did care, but this call wasn’t about me, and I was happy to indulge her.

Once she had calmed down about how long I had been out of town, and the lack of respect the city was showing me now I had stepped up to lead the family, she started sharing the gossip she had heard.

She must have been feeling lonely, as she and Milo would usually catch up once a week for lunch.

Milo charmed all the women in the family.

I encouraged it, as they knew more than anyone.

Havoc could have as many spies as he wanted scattered around the city, but they could never learn things as quickly as my aunts and female cousins.

She didn’t mention anyone new in town, which was a shame.

I was confident in Havoc’s ability to flush out the Alps, but being able to give him a direction would have been nice.

She mentioned a few people sniffing around, trying to take advantage of the chaos and push the bounds of their territories, and I made note to stamp that out before the end of the day.

If I had to prove how strong the family would be under my leadership, I wouldn’t hesitate.

“Tell the twins I am making their favorite for dinner on Sunday. I can’t wait to see your Isabetta too.

It won’t be long now until the sound of little feet is filling your home.

I have so many boxes of clothes to share with her, and your old crib is still in the attic.

” I scrubbed a hand over my face as my mother gushed about grandchildren.

Not because I didn’t want to give them to her, I couldn’t wait to start a family.

At least three children, one for each of us, with Isabetta’s pretty blonde hair and the twins’ bright blue eyes.

But I wanted to enjoy having her to myself, or rather to us, for at least a few months.

“I am sure the twins are looking forward to it. They were trying to get me to cut my honeymoon short so they could come back for Sunday dinner.” The small lie soothed my mother’s hurt that her boys were all grown up.

Even when we had spent more nights away from home than not, we were always there for Sunday dinner, and my marriage would not put an end to that tradition.

As my mother discussed the menu, I saw Isabetta walk past the doorway, wearing one of my black T-shirts.

I wasn’t sure if I liked it better than the dress shirts she had worn during our time away.

I knew I was going to have to take her shopping for more clothes of her own, but seeing her in my shirts brought a grin to my face and stirred heat in my blood.

“Mama, I have a meeting, but I will call you tomorrow.” Isabetta had paused at my office door when she heard my voice, and I waved her in. My mother was trying to change the subject, but after telling her I loved her three times, I finally ended the call.

I leaned back in my chair, gazing at my sleepy wife, her hair mussed and halo glowing softly as she fiddled with the lower hem of my shirt.

She was so fucking perfect. I hadn’t meant for her to wake up alone, but between my workout and the call from my mother, time had gotten away from me.

While I wasn’t sure where Milo was, if he wasn’t with Isabetta, he was likely still dealing with his own business.

I tapped the desk in front of me, and my eyebrow rose as she hesitated.

“Don’t think because we aren’t on the island anymore, I won’t bend you over this desk and spank your ass until it’s glowing as bright as that halo, tesoro.

” My words snapped her into action, and she quickly crossed the office before pausing beside me, unsure.

I gripped her hips and lifted her onto the desk, so her legs dangled between my thighs, and my face was level with her delightful chest.

“I trust you slept well?” I waited for her nod before I continued.

“Good, I was hoping to spend our first day back with all of us in bed, but unfortunately, there is a lot going on.” I pressed my finger to her lips to keep her from interrupting.

I needed her to listen, not complain or interject, before I was done.

“I have some meetings today, and Havoc will probably be out of the house. As you saw, we are having some trouble, that was why the man was brought to the island. Someone was trying to take advantage of the twins and I being out of town. But we are back now, and we are going to deal with it swiftly. You have nothing to worry about, we will keep you safe. Do you understand?” I kept my finger pressed against her lip, but let her nod before I continued.

“There are some rules that I need you to follow and they aren’t only for while this attack is happening.

The first one is very important—you are never to leave the property without one of the twins or myself.

” I had been tempted to tell her she couldn’t leave the house, but she wasn’t a prisoner.

“It’s for your own safety. When Havoc is less busy, he is going to go over gun safety with you.

Do you know how to use a gun?” Another nod, and this one made me smile.

My wife would not be a weak, defenseless woman who cowered.

The blood of angels ran through her veins.

She may not have been the descendant of an archangel like me, but she was still a fighter.

“Good, we will get you a piece you feel comfortable carrying.”

I ran my fingers up her bare thighs, no longer shushing her as I continued.

Hopefully she would be a good girl and I wouldn’t have to punish her, although I was looking forward to the first time I bent her over my desk.

“My other rule about leaving the property is that you’re not allowed to leave without our cum in at least one of your holes.

” Her sound of indignation had me smirking, but my treasure learned quickly, and she didn’t argue.

“I don’t want you to forget who you belong to just because you are out with your friends. ”

Sliding my hands further up her thighs, the tips of my fingers brushed under the hem of the T-shirt she was wearing.

“Now I am going to be generous and say you no longer have to ask Milo to put your plug in each morning unless you want to.” The pretty shade of pink dusting her cheeks and the tips of her ears told me she would still be asking.

I was sure it would take her a couple of days, but I had seen her with Havoc, and how much she enjoyed when he played with that little plug.

“Today, I want you to spend some time exploring the house. Make a list of all the things you want to buy to decorate our home, and I will take you shopping. The house is yours to do with as you please. A lot of the rooms are empty. I have called some of the boutiques downtown and you will try on clothes for me later in the week. Your mother had your clothes shipped over, and they are in the closet off the main bedroom. I enjoy seeing you in one of my shirts in the house, so there is no need to dress up unless I tell you we are having company. Now, do you have any questions for me?”

“Are we going to have any time together today?” There was a pout on her lips and in her voice, and I reached up, pressing against her lower lip with my thumb to make her stop.

“I will always be here to have dinner with you, and I will do my best to be here for breakfast most days. It will be just you and I tonight. The twins have a lot to catch up on from our time away.” I had a lot to catch up on as well, but I now had other priorities, and keeping my little treasure happy was at the top of my list. There was no point in any of this, the territory, the fighting, none of it, if it wasn’t for her.

Her mood instantly brightened. It was so easy to make her happy, and worth every effort.

“Run along now. I have a lot of phone calls to make. If you see Milo walking around, tell him I need him?” She slid off the desk once I gave her permission, leaning into me as she did. I captured her by the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss before I let her go.

Today was going to be a long fucking day. I couldn’t wait for dinner, and the chance to spend more time with her.