My face scrunched up. “Thanks for the image. I didn’t need that.”
“You do. Maybe it’ll keep you from making a mistake.”
Savio came back with plates and cutlery. He scanned my face then cocked an eyebrow at Diego. “What kind of horror story did you tell now?”
“Only the truth.”
“That’s always the worst,” Savio said with a grin, and Diego actually laughed.
“You’re both idiots.”
They both settled on the sofa, Diego between Savio and me. Savio sent me a wink over my brother’s head. I smiled. I had missed him. Everything. Even his annoying arrogance and teasing smirk.
Diego turned on the latest cage fight. Together we ate and chatted about fighting.
Savio enjoyed it as much as I did. Then why couldn’t he finally give up on other girls and really give us a chance? Turn this engagement into more than a sign of his ownership around my finger?
Gemma’s family invited me over the next day. They wanted to reconnect and probably get me to commit to a wedding date, which wasn’t going to happen. Fuck, I was turning twenty-two in two months. I had absolutely no intention of settling down.
Daniele opened the door for me. He seemed to have aged ten years since I last saw him. We shook hands. “The offer stands,” I told him as a sort of greeting. He knew what I was referring to.
“No,” he said immediately. “I’ll take care of my family. I may not have much, but I have my pride.”
I tilted my head, even if I thought his pride was endangering his family. I followed him into the house, three bouquets of flowers in my hands. Diego nodded at me as he carried a huge dish with lasagna over to the dining table. Nonna and Gemma were behind him, carrying a salad bowl and antipasti. Gemma sent me a small smile. She seemed to have gotten rid of her modest dresses once and for all. The skirt and blouse she was wearing weren’t exactly sexy, but she made them look that way. Her dark hair fell in dark curls down her bare arms.
Nonna clucked her tongue, drawing my attention to her, only to be met with a frosty glare. I smiled at her, but she didn’t return the gesture. I walked up to her and held out the flowers. She took them with narrowed eyes.
Then I handed the next bouquet to Gemma’s mom who’d entered the room with a pale Carlotta on her arms. I gently stroked the little girl’s head before I finally stepped up to Gemma and handed her the bouquet with red roses. Then I leaned down and kissed her cheek, which was a sign for Diego and Daniele to back off. Gemma was my responsibility as my fiancée. “You know how to wrap people around your fingers,” she said with a small laugh. “But you’re playing with fire.”
“I can handle your dad and Diego.”
“I’m not referring to them. If I was you, I wouldn’t turn my back on Nonna today.”
Gemma pulled back and pressed her nose into the roses, a teasing twinkle in her eyes.
Her nonna was giving me a death glare that might even impress Remo. We settled around the table. Of course, I wasn’t allowed to sit beside Gemma. Diego and Daniele took the seats beside me.
“So how are things in Reno?” Daniele asked halfway into the dinner when Nonna’s prodding about the wedding got a bit too forceful.
“Shaky. Cristiano is of age now, but soldiers don’t like to be ordered around by a teenager. Only Remo’s protection is keeping him in power, but you know my brother. He thinks a true leader can control his men, so I don’t know how long Cristiano can hope for our support.”
“Remo is the best Capo,” Daniele said.
“He is,” I agreed.
“I hear you’re looking for another Enforcer to support Fabiano,” Diego said suddenly.
“We are. He’s been taking over more administrative jobs recently. He’s probably going to become Captain of the Betting Department.” Remo would have made him Underboss by now if Fabiano didn’t want to stay close to us. I regarded Diego closely, knowing where this was going. Enforcers earned a percentage of the money they collected. If you were good, that meant an assload of cash.
“Do you think Remo would consider me for the job?”
Gemma’s eyes widened.
“Diego,” Claudia whispered, shocked.
Diego ignored all of them. Daniele’s restrained reaction showed that he had been involved in Diego’s decision. Diego had helped me deal with a few Bratva members. He didn’t enjoy torture like I or my brothers did. He did what was necessary. I wasn’t sure if he would be a good Enforcer, but his family needed the money. “If you throw your hat in the ring, I’m sure he’ll choose you.”
Nonna shook her head and began clearing up the plates. Gemma soon joined her, but both were listening in. My eyes lingered on Gemma’s enticing shoulder, remembering how I’d kissed the spot too long ago, then I focused on her mouth, a mouth I desperately wanted to claim.
“I don’t want the job only because you’re going to marry my sister,” Diego said sharply.
I dragged my eyes away from Gemma. “Remo would never favor you for any reason but your qualifications.” That wasn’t exactly true, but he didn’t need to know that. I’d talk Remo into giving Diego the job and had to hope he could deal with the duties of an Enforcer.
Daniele stood and helped Gemma’s mom bring Carlotta to bed while Gemma and her nonna cleaned the dishes in the kitchen.
“If you keep undressing my sister with your eyes, I’ll kick your ass,” Diego muttered when we were alone.
I grinned. “She’s doing the same. Don’t tell me you can’t see how she’s looking at me. Gemma wants to see my bull.”
“Keep your dick in your pants around my sister.”
“If she wants my dick, she can have it, no matter what you say.”
Suddenly Nonna stepped up to us and hit us both over the head.
Gemma was right behind her, her eyes shot open in shock, and Diego, too, gave me a stunned look. Did they think I’d strike down their grandma just because she’d slapped me? Even Remo, who was as twisted as they come, would at least hesitate before killing a granny. And I actually liked Nonna. Even if her beliefs belonged in the middle ages and she wanted to take a potato peeler to my balls.
“I don’t want to hear that word again.”
“Nonna,” Diego said fiercely. “You can’t hit Savio. You know who he is.”
“Of course, I do,” she said, regarding me like a schoolboy in need of reprimand. “He’s a young man lacking manners.”
“Ahh, Mrs. Bazzoli, I didn’t mean any disrespect.” I gave her my most charming smile as I cupped her hands in mine before kissing the back of one. “I apologize.”
She raised one hand in warning, but she was smiling. “Oh, you’re a dangerous one, aren’t you? My Gemma needs to be careful around that charm of yours.”
Nonna glanced at Gemma. “That boy can charm the frock right off a nun, Gemma. Be vigilant.”
Gemma bit her lip. “Don’t worry, Nonna.” Her cheeks were flushed in mortification. “Would you like a sweet treat? We made tiramisu.”
“I’m always up for a sweet treat,” I said.
Nonna narrowed her eyes, obviously unsure if I’d made an innuendo. I gave her an innocent look. She muttered something unintelligible in Italian and disappeared in the kitchen. Gemma glanced after her then turned to me. Diego’s phone rang that moment and he got up to get it.
I stood and pulled Gemma toward me. Her eyes widened as they darted to the kitchen door. I used our moment of privacy to wrap my arms around Gemma. “Savio,” she hissed. “Nonna could be back any moment.”
Nonna was still clanging in the kitchen. “Come on, Gem. Won’t you give me a little something for the pain I suffered through your grandma’s hand?”
“You can handle pain.”
“That’s true,” I said quietly, bringing us closer. She glanced at my lips then quickly looked away. “So can you, but you’re scared of pleasure.”
Her expression hardened and she pulled away. “I’m going to get you a piece of tiramisu.”
It seemed I had hit the nail on the head. Kitty was scared of pleasure, which meant she wanted me like I wanted her. She only needed a little nudge in the right direction.
Savio had amplified his charm since his return to Las Vegas two weeks ago. He’d come over several times to spend time with my family and me, and I knew it was because he thought he could impress me that way, and it was working.
Especially when Savio talked to Carlotta, I couldn’t stop my heart from swelling.
He knew it.
Today was the first time we’d be allowed to fight together in years. I could barely contain my excitement, but at the same time, I had to admit I was nervous. Of course, Diego would be there as a chaperone, but still.
When I faced Savio in the cage and saw the teasing twinkle in his eyes, I knew he had something planned. I kept my eyes firmly above his waist, trying to ignore the horns.
Diego pretended to be pummeling the boxing bag when, in truth, he kept an eye on me and Savio.
For good reason, it turned out, because Savio used the fight to bring us as close as possible, as often as possible.
None of the touches were inappropriate and yet they felt like they were. When I landed on my back after another futile high kick, Savio crouched over me, my arms pressed into the ground above my head. His other hand clamped down on my hip and for some reason I could feel the touch between my legs.