Chapter Twenty

To my utter surprise, Luca allowed Marcella to accompany me to my apartment so I could change clothes and treat my wounds before the meeting in the Yonkers Powerplant. Luca needed to set everything up in the meantime, but he sent Matteo to take us there and probably make sure that we didn’t get up to anything naughty.

Matteo pulled into the underground garage and got out of the car.

“Come on, Matteo, you don’t have to follow us upstairs. Maddox isn’t a danger for me.”

“Oh I know. Your dad probably worries more about his wandering hands.”

Marcella blushed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Not from the way he looks at you,” Matteo said simply.

“It’s our private matter,” Marcella said.

Matteo looked me in the eye. If he wanted me to swear that I didn’t touch Marcella he could go fuck himself. The second I was alone with Snow White, I’d touch and kiss and lick every inch of her body.

Matteo smiled wryly. “Your dad would disagree, but I have better things to do than to play babysitter. You are old enough.”

“Thank you,” Marcella said.

“But you only got thirty minutes, so hurry.”

Marcella and I stepped into the elevator, not needing to be told twice.

I half dragged her into the apartment, eager to be alone with me. Marcella glanced around curiously. “It’s nice.”

“It’ll be better once you move in,” I said but then I kissed her, my lips moving over hers.

Marcella pulled away. “We need to clean your wounds first.”

“We only have thirty minutes. I won’t waste them on treating my wounds.”

Marcella gave me a scolding look that had me hurry into the bathroom and take the fastest and one of the most painful showers of my life.

I didn’t bother getting dressed, instead I emerged from the bathroom completely naked and still damp.

Marcella’s eyes traveled along my body, drinking in the parts she loved, like my sixpack, my thighs, and my cock, before she assessed my wounds.

One or two of them would need a couple of stitches, but I could do that later tonight. I sank down on my sofa and spread my arms on the backrest. “I’m ready for my treatment, Nurse.”

Marcella shook her head with played disapproval and huffed when my cock slowly began to fill with blood. She stunned me when she sank down on her knees before me and licked a wayward drop of water off my sixpack. My cock stood to full attention at her proximity.

Her hot breath fanned over my tip and then she took me into her mouth. “Fuck, yes.” I tangled my hand in her hair as she took more and more of my cock into her mouth. The feeling of her heat and her tongue sliding along the underside of my cock almost made me explode.

My eyelids drooped but I didn’t close them completely, not wanting to deprive me of the sight of Marcella on her knees. When I’d first seen her, I’d entertained many fantasies like that, but in all of them, I’d felt triumphant, as if I’d brought a Vitiello to her knees, as if I’d gotten part of my revenge by doing so. But right this moment, I was the one on my knees because this woman before me, she ruled over my heart with an unshakable grip. Nothing mattered except her.

Marcella sunk her nails into my thighs, making me groan in pleasure. She took me even deeper but gagged when I hit the back of her throat. “Come on, Snow White, you can do this,” I teased in a raspy voice.

She nipped me playfully with her teeth but then she actually tried again and took me almost all the way into her mouth. My head fell back and I moaned, almost delirious on the feel. I could have stayed like this forever, but the clock was ticking and I still needed to devour pussy.

“As much as I enjoy the lazy life, watching you devour my cock like candy, I really want your pussy on my mouth. So swing your leg over my head, take a seat and buckle up for the lick of your life.”

Marcella sent me the same look she’d sent me shortly before I’d first devoured her. She let my cock slide out of her lips in a way that made her teeth graze the underside. I groaned, half tempted to push her head back down and come down her throat. I watched with the usual stunned awe as she presented her beauty to me.

“You need to lie down if you want me on your face.”

I swung my legs onto the sofa and stretched out. “Ready.”

Marcella licked her lips as she kneeled on the sofa. When she finally swung her leg over my head, placing her pink pussy right before my face, I was even hornier than before, which seemed impossible.

Before Marcella even got the chance to get comfortable and reacquaint herself with my cock, I raised my head and sucked her pussy lips into my mouth.

She threw her head back with a deep moan. I didn’t go slow, for lack of time and lack of patience. My tongue mercilessly teased her folds and sensitive entrance until she was writhing on top of me almost desperately. Then I reined myself in and established a slow rhythm. She basked in the sensation with sensually closed eyes I could see in the mirror on the wall. I released her dripping pussy with a cocky smile. “You ready to dive back down?” I asked in a teasing voice. “Or do you want to be served first?” I accentuated the question with a flick of my tongue.

With a smile, she lowered her head and the welcoming heat of her mouth surrounded my cock once again. I wanted this to last forever. The give and take of pleasure, enjoying both equally, was something I’d never experienced to this degree.

“I’m close,” Marcella gasped.

“I know,” I rasped then proceeded to suck her clit. Marcella’s blow job became sloppier, her teeth gracing my tip, as she breathed more heavily.

When she pulled back and her hand tightened around my base, I knew she was about to explode. I slid my thumb into her pussy as my lips cupped her clit. She cried out, fingers squeezing the life out of my dick as her walls spasmed around my thumb. She trembled, her hips twitching as if touched by electricity.

I rotated my thumb, enjoying the sight of it inside of her as my tongue soothed her swollen button. She was still shaking and dripping arousal. I slid my glistening thumb out of her and allowed my tongue to dip inside and taste her. She moaned softly and finally the heat of her mouth surrounded my cock again.

She sucked me deep into her mouth and massaged my balls while I teased her walls with my tongue piercing. She pressed back to drive my tongue even deeper into her pussy, desperate for cock. Fuck. The need to let loose in her warm mouth was impossibly strong. I jerked my hips up, driving my cock even deeper into her heat. Her tongue and lips drove me near insane. I wanted to come but at the same time I wanted to prolong the sensation for as long as possible.

Fuck, and time was running out.

As if on cue, Marcella’s phone on the coffee table began ringing and Matteo’s name flashed on the screen. The fucker had given us exactly thirty minutes. I’d kill him for this more than anything else.

Marcella pulled away and I almost shoved her back down.

“Don’t do this to me,” I groaned.

She grinned. Whoever said women couldn’t be cruel? She reached for the phone and switched it off.

“This will buy us the time it takes Matteo to take the elevator up and find your apartment.”

“Then don’t waste any time.”

Marcella smiled seductively as she took my cock into her mouth. I cupped the back of her head as she bobbed up and down, taking me deeper every time.

My balls became tight. I didn’t take my eyes off Marcella’s lips around my fat cock. Her eyes were half closed and she breathed through her nose. I began to push upward, driving harder and deeper into her.

“Can I?” I pressed out, remembering in the last moment that Marcella might not want to swallow.

She blinked once and gave the tiniest nod, and that was all it took for me to let loose. I groaned as my body convulsed under a wave of pleasure. Marcella swallowed awkwardly around my cock and some of my cum dripped out of her mouth, and that sight would have made me come again if that were possible.

She pulled back, wiped her mouth then smiled triumphantly.

Of course, having a knack for the perfect timing, Matteo knocked then.

“Time’s up. You better make sure I don’t see anything I don’t want to see when I kick in this fucking door in exactly two minutes.”

Marcella scrambled to her feet and rushed into the bathroom, to clean her face I supposed. I stayed where I was, still too drunk on pleasure to move a muscle, not to mention that every inch of my body ached and I finally felt it.

When Marcella returned shortly after, her eyes widened in indignation. “Hurry up!”

I stood and with a dirty grin in her direction, I went in search of clean clothes.

A second before Matteo would have kicked in the door, I opened it for him. “Sorry for the delay,” I said without sincerity.

Matteo shook his head. “Don’t tell me anything I don’t want to know or Luca shouldn’t know.”

I’d heard all the stories of “The Gateway to Hell”, how the press called the Yonkers power plant because of the bloody statements of the past, but I’d never been allowed to set foot inside, much less attend a gathering. Women weren’t welcome at these meetings and up until recently—and maybe still—Dad wanted to keep me away from the business. Today I’d be the first woman to finally break the tradition.

Maddox and I got out of the back of the car. It was drizzling lightly and uncomfortably cold, so I had to pull my coat tighter around my body as we made our way over to where Dad and Romero waited for us. The building with its reddish-brown brick front loomed near the Hudson River, ripe with history and today I’d be the first woman to become part of it.

Pride and anxiety swelled in my chest. It was nothing big, attending a meeting, but everyone would see me and know that change was on its way.

“Now I know why they call it Gateway to Hell. This place screams last stop,” Maddox muttered.

I nodded but was distracted by Dad’s tight expression.

“Hey Romero,” I said. I hadn’t seen him in a while—last time actually a few days after I’d been saved from the clubhouse. Things had been too stressful for a family gathering or a long weekend getaway in the Hamptons.

“I need a word with you,” Dad said to me.

We walked a few steps to the side. “I want to use today to induct you,” Dad said, stunning me completely. I hadn’t expected it.

My eyes widened. “Won’t it be too much for your men to stomach? You punishing soldiers for trying to kill a biker and inducting a woman into the Famiglia.”

“It’s exactly why I’m doing it. Are you ready?”

I nodded. I wanted this. I wanted to be part of the Famiglia, wanted to grow our business and not just stand on the sideline all my life.

Dad gave me a tense smile.

“Does Mom know?”

“She does and she told me to tell you that she’s proud of you.”

Trying to control my emotions—I needed to be focused and strong once I set foot inside the building. Everyone would be watching.

Maddox gave me a questioning look.

“Dad will induct me today after he’s done with the bloody statement.”

Maddox grinned. “You’ll kick ass. These old-fashioned idiots won’t know what hit them.”

“You should reconsider your word choices,” Matteo said.

Romero gave Maddox a curt nod, eyeing him warily.

“That’s my aunt Lily’s husband, Romero. He’s Captain,” I introduced him to Maddox, hoping to break the ice.

Romero extended a hand and shook hands with Maddox.

“It’s time,” Dad said.

The gates creaked loudly when we entered the building. I’d only seen a couple of photos in old newspapers but the place looked more decrepit than in any of them. The main hall, where everyone had gathered, dozens of men, was several stories high. Plaster had broken off in many places and most of the pipes were half rotten away by rust. The stench of old water and something metallic lay in the air.

Maddox, Matteo, Romero, and I followed Dad inside, who had to go ahead as the Capo, and the crowd parted for him reverently. I could feel dozens of eyes on me, demanding why I was here. I didn’t miss the distrustful or even hateful looks a few of them sent Maddox.

Dad headed straight toward a low concrete platform and climbed on top of it while we gathered in the first row where Amo and Growl were already waiting.

“I feel a tad uncomfortable, like a lamb surrounded by a pack of wolves. Fuck, how many mobsters are here?” Maddox muttered under his breath.

I had to stifle a smile. Keeping up an emotionless front today was crucial. “Those are only men from New York and the area. If Dad calls all his men in, it’s a much bigger gathering.”

Amo had described it to me once and I got goose bumps thinking about it.

“This is enough if you ask me,” Maddox said but then a hush fell over the crowd and he too fell silent.

Dad had raised his arms to silence the crowd. Many of them had been eyeing us warily but were now focused on Dad.

“My word is law. It’s always been law and will be law until my son takes over and his word becomes law.”

Amo grew even taller, his expression filled with pride.

“When you swear loyalty to me, you’re bound to follow my orders, even if you don’t agree with them. As Capo, I have to keep the big picture in mind.”

Growl and Amo disappeared and returned with the two men who’d tried to kill Maddox.

When he explained what they had done, I could see that several men couldn’t see fault in what had happened.

“Bottom-line is that you went against my direct orders. You considered yourself above the law. You decided you knew what was the best choice for the Famiglia and not I. But I’m Capo.” The word echoed in the hall and Dad paused to really emphasize the effect.

“I declared Maddox White our alley. He might not be one of us but he’s working with us and we respect allies.”

Dad continued talking but I was distracted by people glancing between Maddox and me. Of course, everyone knew of our bond by now. I held my head high and returned their gazes.

“The Famiglia has built its power by making allies and trying new co-operations over the years. While we have to honor our past and traditions, we also have to prepare for the future if we want to be successful.”

Dad made both men kneel in front of him and they admitted to their crimes again.

“You disobeyed a direct order. You tried to kill an ally and endangered not only the mission but by doing so my daughter’s life. Maddox White is helping us find supporters of Earl White who might be after her. There’s only one punishment for this crime: death.”

A hush fell over the crowd. I held my breath, worried people might revolt, but except for a few disapproving faces most people accepted the verdict.

I braced myself when Dad raised his gun and shot first one then the other man. I barely flinched. The kidnapping and watching Earl’s death had hardened me to a certain amount of brutality. I guessed I had him to thank for finally having the guts to join the Famiglia.

Maddox’s face reflected surprise. “I didn’t think your old man would really go through with it.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t call him that here,” I said, amused.

Maddox gave me a quick grin but Dad caught his gaze and they nodded at each other, which was probably a sort of peace treaty in secret male code.

Then it was my turn. Dad motioned for me to join him on the platform. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I climbed up to stand by his side.

The crowd looked even bigger from this vantage point, and I couldn’t deny it, I was nervous.

“Change is inevitable,” Dad said in a booming voice. “The future doesn’t wait for us to catch up. It’ll run us over if we let it, and I have no intention to let anyone steer this boat except for me.” He pointed at me. “Like I told several of you during meetings, my daughter Marcella will join the business.”

Everyone stared at me and their doubt made me only more determined to prove myself to each of them. Dad handed me one of his daggers. It glittered under the flickering floodlights blasting light down on us from the corners.

I looked Dad in the eye and slid the blade along the tender flesh of my palm. My insides briefly turned but I bit the inside of my cheek to stay focused.

“Born in Blood,

Sworn in Blood,

I enter alive and

“I leave dead,” I said firmly, and any doubt I’d felt evaporated in that moment. This was my destiny. The Famiglia ran in my blood like it ran in Amo’s.

I pulled the blade away and faced the crowd, presenting my cut and letting blood drip down on the platform.

The entire hall intoned the words I’d just spoken. Goose bumps erupted all over my body. My gaze caught Maddox and the pride in his gave me a sense of belonging.

I was finally an official part of the Famiglia. Of course, this was only the beginning. I’d spent the rest of my life proving myself to all the men who thought a woman’s only job was to warm her husband’s bed.

I didn’t want to be that woman and thanks to the freedoms Dad allowed me I’d never have to be.