19. Luca

Ihaven"t secured my relationship with Aria yet, but I"m feeling more positive about the ability to do so. There is much work to be done in my business, but it has to wait as I lie next to Aria and she falls asleep in my arms.

From a business perspective, I can"t afford to spend so much time away. Not if I don"t want anyone to take advantage of my current vulnerability. I don"t only have my own business to run, but I need to take over Sabini"s, so my and my men's time is spread thin. But any losses I might incur in business, I can recapture. That may not be true with Aria. I"m already on my second, maybe third chance with her. I don"t imagine I"ll have any more. So, I settle in for the night next to the woman I love.

I wake up early, and with a soft kiss to Aria"s temple, I slide out of bed and prepare for the day.

Down at breakfast, I"m reviewing all the tasks on my list as I drink my espresso. Roberta enters the dining room with a young woman I know to be her daughter.

"Don Conte. You remember my daughter Lia?"

I nod. "How are you, Lia?" If I remember correctly, Lia should be finishing school this year and either heading off to university or to a job.

"She"s back to work this summer," Roberta informs me.

Yes, now I remember. For the last two years, she's come to work alongside Roberta. "Welcome back."

"Grazia, Don Conte," Lia replies.

A thought comes to me. "You speak English, don"t you, Lia?"

She glances at her mother with uncertainty in her expression. Roberta nods to her to respond. When she turns back to me, Lia says, "I learned English in school, but I don"t know how well I speak it."

"Would you like to improve it? I would love it if you could be available to Aria. You can help her learn Italian, and she can help you with English. I'd like somebody here who can speak English when I"m not available to translate." I pause for a moment and add, "I"m willing to compensate you for the extra time and the expertise."

This time, when Lia glances at her mother, her eyes are wide, and I can see that this is good news for her.

"Grazia, Don Conte. I would be happy to perform this work."

With that settled, I finish my coffee and notes for the day. I'm able to work from home today, which will keep me close to Aria if she needs me. Not wanting her to get bored, I send a text to Bianca inviting her over. Moments later, she responds that she and a few of the other wives will be over for lunch.

When I finish breakfast, I return upstairs to the guest room. Aria is sleeping peacefully. I want to climb back in bed and hold her for the rest of the day. Hell, for the rest of my life.

I sit on the edge of the bed, my hand gently caressing along her hip. She stirs and stretches, a smile appearing on her face.

"Are you dreaming about me, Mio Angelo?"

"Maybe. But the real thing is better." She wraps her fingers around my tie and tugs me down until our lips press together. In an instant, the rest of the world flies away, and all that exists is Aria. I"m about ready to give in to her when there"s a knock on the door. I sit up, telling whoever it is to enter. Roberta, along with Lia, enters the room carrying a breakfast tray.

"Set it on the table," I tell her. Then I turn to Aria. "I"m sorry that I need to be focused on work today. But I want to introduce you to Lia. She"s Roberta"s daughter. She speaks English, and she'll be able to help communicate when I can't. She's also agreed to help you improve your Italian."

Aria smiles warmly at Lia, and it reminds me why I think she'll be the perfect wife. She's kind even to those whom others with her status might look down on or take for granted.

"Bongiorno."

Lia smiles back. " Buongiorno, Signorina."

"You can call me Aria."

I'm not sure I approve of that. The name everyone should call her is Signora Conte. All in good time, I tell myself.

I take Aria's hand. "You can take all the time you want in bed. You"re still supposed to be resting. But Bianca and some of the wives will be up for lunch, unless you want me to cancel."

Aria appears to think about it for a moment but then says, "No, I"d like to see them. All this resting is boring."

I lean over and give her a quick kiss. "I"ll be in my office if there"s anything important you need." I want her to know that I"m available for her.

"I"ll be fine."

Deciding that Aria is well-settled, I head down to my office where Bruno is already waiting.

"Capos are on their way," he reports, sitting with a cup of espresso and checking his phone.

"Good. How"s the Sabini cleanup?"

"Pretty much done. The police reported that Sabini's business imploded from the inside out. An attempted takeover from within that caused an internal war."

"Good. What about his business?"

"We"ve moved in without much resistance. We handed the trafficking victims to the cops."

Along with a few extra bribes, one of the other perks I handed to the police was credit for bringing down Sabini"s sex trafficking scheme. It not only makes them look good, but it also protects me. No one will believe that honorable police who free kidnapped women are going to be corrupt. It"s a win-win.

Once all my capos arrive, we get to work. Some of the work is tedious, and some of it is annoying, especially when it"s clear that Gino is posturing for more control in the business. He's asked to oversee all of Sabini's clubs. That's not happening. Clubs are ideal for money laundering, but also an easy place to skim. I won't give him a chance to steal from me. It's for his own good. I'd have to kill him if he stole, and I don't want to have to do that since my father liked him.

"Everything all right with your new plaything?" Gino asks when we break for lunch.

All the chatter in the room stops, and they know what Gino either doesn't know or care that he's inching over the line. I'm thinking he's posturing to create strife within the organization. If he rattles me or makes me look inept, my men might cross over to him.

I think back to Aria asking me about Electra. She said she saw a picture of Electra with me. It doesn"t take much for me to put two and two together. Gino was at the club that night, and he must"ve sent a picture to Bianca. Bianca is too smart to share it with Aria, but I don"t doubt that she shared it with the other wives. That must be how she saw it.

I am calm as I lean back in my chair, lacing my fingers over my belly as I look at him. Outside, I might seem cool as a cucumber, but inside, lethal rage is building. The way my men watch, they know it.

"I made a vow to my father to keep you in the Family, Gino, but you're precariously close to forcing me to break that vow. If I hear you speak Aria's name, or talk about her one more time, I will kill you."

Gino"s eyes narrow, but he wisely shuts his mouth.

Deciding I need a moment, I rise from my desk. "Please excuse me. I"ll be back in a moment."

I leave my office thinking I"ll get some fresh air. It gets pretty stuffy in my office with a bunch of old men, some of whom stick to the old-fashioned ways of bathing, showering only twice a week. Luckily, my generation and younger like a daily shower.

I hear laughter from my mother"s sitting room, and I make my way over to it. Aria sits with the wives, enjoying food and drinks, friendship and laughter. At seeing her, the tension inside me lessens. She looks relaxed and happy, sitting with a young child in her lap. It strikes me that she belongs here. This is her place. This is now Aria"s sitting room.

I watch her, mesmerized as she bounces the toddler and makes cooing sounds to him. In response, he giggles with delight. Emotion wells in my chest as I imagine the child being ours. One of many we'll make to fill this home with life and love.

Aria glances toward me, smiling. It's one of the brightest smiles I"ve seen from her. Certainly, in a long time.

I smile back and hope that in my expression she can see everything that I want for us and our future.

Reluctantly, I return to my office. I push my men through all the things that need to be done to keep my business thriving and fold Sabini"s business into mine.

By the time I dismiss my men, it"s late in the afternoon. I sit back in my chair, tilting my head back and closing my eyes.

A soft knock comes to the door. I call out for whoever it is to enter. The door pops open and Aria"s head peeks in. I smile because seeing her immediately lights me up.

She walks in, and as she gets closer, her smile wavers. "Is everything all right?"

I nod as I stand and walk to her, pulling her in for a hug. I inhale her scent, gathering strength from her.

She tilts her head back to look at me. "You look tired."

There"s no denying it. "I am."

Her fingers trace along my face, and the look she gives me does more to wash away the fatigue than any nap could. "Maybe you should go lie down."

I turn her, maneuvering her back until she"s against my desk. "I have a better idea."

She bites her lower lip and her eyes shine with excitement. Mio Dio, I love this woman.

"Ho fame." I know she's learned enough Italian to know that I've told her I'm hungry. I slide my hands up her legs, lifting her dress until it bunches at her waist. I tug her panties down, inhaling the sexy, sweet scent of her pussy, already wet and waiting for me.

I lower to my knees, pushing her thighs apart. My mouth waters as I take in her glistening pussy lips. I lean in and drag my tongue through her folds, swirling it around her clit.

"Luca," she says on a gasp, her hand holding my head to her. I drink her in. Lap her up. I drown in her essence until she cries out my name and her juices flow over my tongue. I'm hard as steel. My cock is throbbing, ready to blow.

I undo my belt and pants, shoving them down, needing to get inside her sweet pussy. I step between her legs, ready to sink into her.

"I want my mouth on you again," she says.

Fucking hell. "I'm ready to come." I press forward again, but she puts her hand on my chest and slides off the desk.

"I want to taste you again."

I'm about to explode.

"Did I not do it right last time?"

Her words help me rein in my need. I cup her chin with my hand. "You do it right every time."

"Is there something else you like?"

I have all sorts of fantasies. Deciding my blue balls take a back seat to her need to feel like she can please me, I say, "Take off the top of your dress and your bra."

She looks at me with questioning eyes but does as I ask.

"Tuo seni sono belli. Your breasts are beautiful." I fondle one and gently squeeze the rosy hard tip. I want to suck it, but I hold off.

She reaches for my dick. I take her wrist in my hand.

"You can suck, but I want to come on you then lick it off. Are you okay with that?"

She nods. I rub my cock over her lips. My plan is to ease in, but she has other ideas. She sucks my tip hard and then slides her mouth over my shaft. My eyes nearly roll back into my head.

"Si, Mio Angelo." Fuck, her mouth is hot. Watching my cock slide in and out of it is better than any wet dream or fantasy I've ever had. My balls tighten. The end is rushing fast. Too fast. I let out a stream of Italian expletives that I'm not sure Aria knows but will likely guess.

I pull out of her mouth, gripping my dick tight to choke the orgasm about to explode. "I'm going to come now… on you…" I can't stand it. I stroke once, twice, and my cum shoots out, landing on her tits, her chest, her chin. She watches in what looks like fascination. I continue to jerk my cock until my knees buckle.

I drop down in front of her. "You make me come so hard." I want her to know for sure that being with her is not like anything else. Anyone else.

She smiles as she rubs her fingers over my cum. I take her hand, sucking her fingers into my mouth.

"I could do this all night," I say.

"Can we?"

I laugh. "Whatever you want, Aria. I will give it if I can." And I mean it. I'll give her the moon and the stars even if I have to steal them from the heavens.