Twisted Hearts(43)

Fuck, even the hints of saltiness didn’t change the fact that she tasted like perfection. Like a goddamn salted caramel toffee. I wanted to devour her whole. My tongue dove in, tasted every corner of that perfect mouth, teased her tongue until she played along. Her fingers dug into my hip and neck, pulling me closer.

I rolled on top of her, settling between her legs, giving her what she wanted. For a moment, she stilled, but then she kissed me even harder.

I slid my hand lower and hooked it under her thigh, lifting one leg over my back so I could bring us even closer, every inch of our bodies flush together. The moment I did, Gemma’s kiss became hesitant, her body tenser, and my senses started returning.

I remembered her words, the promise she gave to her nonna, her convictions. Gemma had told me countless times that she wanted to wait until marriage.

Gemma would hate herself and me, if I took this further. She panted, her chest rising, pressing her breasts against me.

Good Lord, what kind of test was this?

I closed my eyes and released a harsh breath, trying to remain still so my dick didn’t accidentally brush up against her thigh again and blast the last shreds of my resolve.

The moment I opened my eyes, any horny thought fled my mind. Gemma was biting her lower lip, crying. I kissed away the tears. “Is this because of the kissing?”

Gemma looked at me, confused.

“Because you wanted your first kiss in church.” Personally, I thought having your first kiss in front of hundreds of guests was a bad idea, but I didn’t understand the whole chastity thing anyway.

I touched her cheek. “Gem?”

“No,” she said hoarsely. “I just realized that Dad can’t walk me down to the altar.” She started shaking and harsh sobs burst out of her. I rolled off her and pulled her in my arms, rubbing her back.

She cried against my throat, big gasping wails that rocked through her body.

After a few minutes, she quieted and then became soft in my hold. I leaned back and peered down at her tear-stained face. She had fallen asleep. I gently moved away and after pressing a kiss to her forehead, I got out of bed. My shirt was soaked with tears and stained with Gemma’s makeup. I dragged the fabric over my head and dropped it on the ground.

I left my room without a shirt and headed downstairs. Maybe my brother had an update on the Bratva situation.

I ran across Kiara on her way to the kitchen. “Where’s Gemma?”

“In my bed.”

Kiara looked at my naked chest, worried. “Please tell me you didn’t sleep with her, Savio. She’s vulnerable after what happened today.”

“Of course not.” I was starting to grow annoyed. “Where are my brothers?”

“Gaming room.”

I left her standing there and headed toward the common area. Like Kiara had said, I found Nino and Remo in the living area, probably going over counterstrikes. They looked my way.

“How’s she?” Nino asked.

“Good.”

Remo raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me—”

“No, I didn’t fuck her for God’s sake!”

“You’ve unleashed your bull in unfortunate situations before,” Remo said.

Ignoring him, I walked over to them and sank down on the sofa. “Gemma is my fiancée.”

Remo shrugged.

My phone beeped with a message from Diego. “Diego’s on his way here.”

Nino nodded, then got up. “Fabiano went ahead to the Sugar Trap. He’s waiting for you and Diego to begin with the Russian. As soon as Diego’s here, you should head there. The sooner we get information out of the Bratva soldier, the better.”

Remo nodded grimly. “I’ll come along as well. Nino will stay here and keep an eye on the women and children.”

“Will you check on Gemma later? She’s asleep.”

Nino narrowed his eyes in thought. “Given her head injury, I don’t think she should sleep.”

“I can wake her,” I said.

Nino shook his head. “I’ll go up there in a few minutes and check on her reflexes and light sensitivity levels.”

The bell at the gate rang. I jogged toward the door and after checking the security camera, I pressed the button so Diego could drive on the premises.




Diego looked a mess when he stepped into the mansion. I could only imagine how his mother had reacted to the news of losing her husband and Nonna. Carlotta was probably still too young to understand the situation. He glanced around. “Where’s Gemma?”

“In my room.”

Without warning, Diego lunged at me, aiming a punch toward my face. I blocked him with my forearm and we both tumbled to the floor. Diego landed on top of me. I tried to shove him off and he punched my cheek. Growling, I bucked my hips, throwing him off and rammed my fists into his stomach, then another uppercut against his chin.

We struggled, but eventually, I knelt over Diego and held him by the collar. He was panting. “What the fuck is wrong with you, man?”

“You are such a bastard. I trusted you with my sister and you don’t hesitate to take her into your bed. She’s broken up over Nonna and Dad, and you use her.”

“Fuck, why does everyone think I’m that much of an asshole?” I released him and staggered to my feet. “I didn’t touch Gemma, you idiot. I respect her and you too much.” I chose not to mention that unfortunate kiss. It would do nothing good.

Diego wiped his bloody mouth. “You didn’t sleep with her?”

I gave him the finger, then held out my hand. “I didn’t, and I won’t until we have the blessing of the holy church.”

Diego allowed me to pull him to his feet then winced and held his ribs. Nino came over and felt them. “Nothing broken.”

Diego looked around before his gaze halted on Remo. “I’m sorry Capo for disrespecting your home.”

Remo waved him off. “You have suffered losses today.” He paused. “But next time you consider starting a fight in my home, remember I have children and nephews that don’t need to see something like that.”

Diego nodded and his shoulders slumped. He looked twice his age. I touched his shoulder. “How are your mother and Carlotta?”

“Carlotta is too young to understand anything. She won’t even remember our father but my mother…” He swallowed and straightened. “We’ll get through this together.”

I gave Remo a look. He tilted his head. “Your father died for our cause, Diego.”

Diego pressed his lips together. I knew him well enough to see he was fighting with himself.

“The Camorra takes care of the families of their soldiers. We will provide for you and your family until your sisters are out of the house.”

Diego shook his head. “That’s a generous offer, but I’m going to provide for my family.”

Diego earned good money as a soldier, especially now that he had started as an Enforcer, but if he intended to take over the restaurants, his share of the Camorra pie would be smaller, not to mention that he had four mouths to feed including himself. And Carlotta’s bills were on another level.

“Pride is an honorable thing, but don’t be stupid,” I growled.

“No,” Diego said firmly. “We can’t accept that much money. We’ll take what every other family would have gotten, not a dollar more.”

“What about Carlotta?” Gemma asked, surprising us all.

She was stealthy, I had to give it to her. Her face was tear-stained, her nose red—which distracted from her kiss-swollen lips.

“I will take care of her,” Diego insisted.

“How?” Gemma stepped up to him. “How are you going to pay for her surgery? Even with Dad, we were hardly getting by, paying all those bills, and now that he’s gone and the money he hid in the restaurant, how are you going to get that much money?”

Diego flushed. “I won’t live on charity.”

“Then don’t. But Carlotta needs that money.” Gemma turned to Remo, but Diego stepped in her way. “No, that’s an order, Gemma. I’m the master of the family.”

Gemma shook her head.

“Gemma could pay for Carlotta’s surgery. As my wife, she has free access to my bank accounts.”

“By the time you want to marry, it’ll be too late for Carlotta,” Diego said.

“We’ll marry in two months. That gives us time to prepare.”

“I thought you needed time to give your bull a few more rides,” Gemma said, her lips twisting. I could already tell that her grudge had returned. The immediate sadness had made her forget my actions, but she hadn’t forgiven me that much was clear.

“My bull’s got enough rides.”

Anger flashed on her face then suspicion. “Two months then, and you pay for Carlotta’s surgery as a wedding gift to me.”

“Deal,” I said.

Diego shook his head.

Remo raised his hand. “Accept it. Your sister needs that heart surgery.”

“Let’s go deal with the Russian,” Diego said simply.

“I should head home to Mom and Carlotta,” Gemma said.

“Nino needs to keep an eye on you for now. Once he’s sure your head’s all right, someone will take you home.”

Gemma glanced at Diego. He gave a small nod.

I moved closer to her. “Will you be all right?” I murmured.

She searched my eyes then nodded. “I have to be. Thanks for consoling me.” A delicate blush stained her cheeks, which Diego didn’t seem to notice, or I would have had his fist in my face again.