Chapter Thirty-Five

“You really want to throw yourself in front of the bus for me? You were always against a bond with the Clarks and now you want to marry the bad Clark twin?”

Leonas smirked. “I was against it, am still against it, but the situation is different now. You’d have to play the politician’s wife, leaving our life behind in parts, but if I marry a Clark twin, she will have to bow to our way of living.”

“Charlotte doesn’t look as if she likes to bow to someone.”

Leonas had a dark smile on his face. “Depends on the rumors you listen to.”

I rolled my eyes. “Nobody will be happy with this bond.”

“Maybe Bad Clark will be glad to be rid of her family.”

“Her name’s Charlotte.”

I’d only exchanged a few meaningless pleasantries with Clifford’s sisters in the past, so I didn’t know them—except for the occasional pieces of gossip.

“I can’t distinguish them. They look pretty much the same and their names are almost clones of each other.”

They used to look identical but since Charlotte changed her style it was easy to tell them apart. “You can be a dick.”

“Today I’m the hero who saves the day.”

I shook my head. “Are you really sure about this? I doubt the Clarks will be very happy if another wedding bursts into flames because a Cavallaro decides, he doesn’t want the bond.”

“Sis, I have one advantage over you.”

I made a doubtful face.

“I’m not in love with someone else, and I won’t ever be. This heart is as cold as ice.”

“You are full of shit.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “But thanks for throwing yourself in front of the bus for me.”

Leonas shrugged. “For you and for the Outfit. It’s better if I’m the one caught in a bond with Outsiders. That way I can control how it goes.”

I shook my head with a smile. Leonas was already planning ahead, for when he had more of a say in the Outfit, though Dad had already given him more and more responsibilities. The conservatives were gaining momentum, especially among the young Made Men and Leonas had good standing among them. Many never wanted a bond with Outsiders, nothing that extended over bribing them, which was why many didn’t condemn me for choosing not to marry Clifford. It was like Leonas had said. I would have had to leave the Outfit in parts to become part of Clifford’s world. The same wouldn’t happen now that Leonas would marry Charlotte. She would have to submit to our world and rules, or be swallowed whole by it.

The sound of an engine carried into the living room where I sat with Bea, waiting for Santino to arrive.

Bea’s face lit up. “Is that Santino?”

I nodded, feeling overjoyed. I had only caught glimpses of him in the last two weeks since his release from the hospital. Mom and Dad had demanded we keep our distance while they handle the Clarks and the first waves of the scandal die down. It had been hard not to talk to him or see him, especially now that we no longer had to hide, at least from our families. The public was still unaware of our relationship, though that would probably change tonight. Dad too knew that nobody would believe it if we told them that Santino and I had found our love after the failed wedding, and luckily he wanted to handle the matter offensively.

I pushed to my feet, grinning, and hurried into the lobby. The bell rang and I was about to open the door when Dad’s voice rang out, “Let me.”

I turned. He strode toward me with a stern look.

“Dad, is this really necessary? Why couldn’t Santino come in through the guardhouse entrance and pick me up like he did in the past?”

“Because this time he doesn’t pick you up as your bodyguard. He’s here to pick you up for a date, and that requires him waiting at the door and greeting your parents.”

“You won’t send a chaperone along, right?”

Dad didn’t say anything as he walked past me.

“We spent three years alone in Paris,” I reminded him.

Dad opened the door and greeted Santino with a stern expression. Mom headed for us as well.

“Not you, too, Mom, please.”

She touched my shoulder as she passed. “We have certain rules, and even if you and Santino did a detour around them for a while, this’ll change now.”

I rolled my eyes. I was twenty-two, and had practically dated Santino three and a half years. It was too late to protect my virtue. And nobody in the Outfit would believe Santino and I had only just started seeing each other. They would put two and two together as soon as we appeared in public and link my broken engagement to Santino.

Mom and Dad barred my view of the entryway and Santino. I approached them to make sure they didn’t give him a too hard time. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw Mom accepting a gorgeous flower bouquet from Santino who gave her a charming smile before he handed Dad a bottle of what looked like a very fine bottle of Barolo. I stifled a smile. Mom finally stepped back so I could take her place. She rubbed my back with a knowing smile.

My eyes met Santino’s and he quickly scanned my outfit. It was a dress I’d worn in Saint Tropez. I’d had to modify my outfit for the colder fall weather in Chicago though, and added a cropped blazer and over-knee boots.

“Saint Tropez,” Santino said without hesitation, then threw a glance at my dad, who raised one eyebrow.

“Remembering gives you bonus points, but where are my flowers?” I asked with a teasing smile.

Dad shook his head with a small smile before he bestowed another warning look on Santino.

“I knew you’d ask,” Santino said and bent down to pick up another beautiful bouquet of flowers, roses and another beautiful flower with many small petals that I didn’t know in reds and oranges. I took the flowers from him, resisting the urge to kiss him. I didn’t want Dad to see it.

He was still angry at Santino, and probably would have punished him harshly if it wasn’t for the fact that I loved him. Santino was on a sort of probation so to speak, with a possible punishment still hovering over his head, and he could no longer work as my bodyguard. His dad had taken the job for now until Dad had found a suitable replacement for Santino.

Steps rang out and Leonas appeared, dress in a black dress shirt, black pants and black Budapest shoes.

My face fell. “Oh no. Don’t tell me he’s going to be our chaperone.”

“Indeed, sis,” Leonas said. “And I’ll take my job seriously.”

I gave Dad a disbelieving look. “Dad.”

“Santino isn’t the only one who has to regain lost trust. I expect you back at home at eleven.”

“Eleven?” It was already seven. “Dad, I’m twenty-two.”

Dad tilted his head. “And Santino is a man you’re not married to, so you and him shouldn’t be going on a date at all.”

I pressed my lips together. Mom and Dad weren’t very conservative. He did this as a sort of punishment for me.

I took a deep breath and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his cheeks. “Thanks for allowing us to spend time together.”

He nodded then exchanged a look with Leonas before he disappeared from view. I turned to Santino with a smile, unable to hold it back. I had missed him so much in the last few weeks. But now that nothing stood in our way, not a coma, a wedding or Dad’s word, I wanted to spend every second with him. My mind and body yearned for him. I only needed to figure out a way to get rid of Leonas so Santino and I could really enjoy each other in every sense of the word.

I didn’t have to be a mind reader to know what Anna was thinking. It was probably the same thing I’d been thinking the moment I’d seen her in the tight dress and boots. Fuck, I’d missed her so much. My injuries still hurt like hell but I sure as hell wouldn’t let that stop me from taking Anna tonight.

What might, however, stop me was Leonas. His shit-eating smirk didn’t bode well.

“So where are you taking us for dinner?” he asked. “I hope I’m not underdressed for the occasion.”

As if he and his parents didn’t know exactly where I was going to take Anna. Dante wanted to know every detail of our date to anticipate how the press and the Outfit would find out and might react. I didn’t mind, or rather I wouldn’t disagree. I was already more than grateful that he hadn’t put a bullet in my head the moment he’d found out about Anna and me. I supposed me almost dying for Anna had made the difference. Or maybe the ring I’d give Anna later.

I gave Leonas a hard smile. “I should have given you a good thrashing years ago.”

Leonas opened his arms. “You can try to give me one now.”

I extended my hand for Anna to take and led her toward my Camaro. After I’d helped her into the passenger seat, I turned to Leonas once more. “I’d rather stay far away from your ass.”

“Works for me.”

I got in behind the steering wheel and took Anna’s hand before I started the engine.

“This is the first time I have ridden in your Camaro.”

“It’s taken way too long.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it.

Leonas made a buzzer noise. “I have to remind you that my duty as chaperone for the evening will be to limit your public displays of affection, so don’t use them all up now.”

“This isn’t public,” Anna hissed.

“You should also reconsider your tone toward the person who might decide to have a very long cigarette break later today.”

I shook my head with a chuckle. “What is it with you Cavallaros and blackmail?”

“It’s in our DNA,” Leonas said.

Anna laughed. “Oh shut up. Let me at least pretend you aren’t here.”

Anna and I ate at a fine dining restaurant that was owned by the Outfit and that served traditional cuisine from Roma. Leonas did indeed give us some space and settled at the bar to chat with the owner while Anna and I settled in a cozy nook. The staff had been briefed about our appearance so it didn’t come as a shock, but some of the guests threw us curious looks. Our dinner would make the rounds and be the main gossip in the next few weeks, but it wasn’t as if there hadn’t already been certain speculations. My reputation as a sort of Casanova was widely known among the women in the Outfit.

“I love it that we don’t have to hide anymore,” Anna said. She took a sip from her Pinot Grigio, looking relaxed and happy. It was one of my favorite expressions on her face. That and her lust-twisted face, which I’d try to see tonight.

“I’m glad that your parents are willing to consider a mere bodyguard for you. Many parents in their stead would want a better match.”

“What could be better than someone who makes me happy and who’s willing to risk his life for me?”

“So you wouldn’t mind being married to a soldier?”

Anna pursed her lips. “I don’t need an Underboss, Captain, or Capo to feel validated. I want a man who loves me, that’s all.”

“And this man in front of you loves you with every inch of his scarred body.”

“I love you too.”

I squeezed her hand. I couldn’t wait to be alone with her. Maybe now would have been a good moment to pop the question but I didn’t want to do it in public. I wanted it to be only Anna and me.

It was nine-forty when the three of us left the restaurant together. Leonas motioned at a bar across the street. “I’m going to have a drink. Pick me up in an hour, so we make it home in time.”

I clapped his hand. “Thanks.”

Anna hugged her brother. “You’re the best.”

“Yeah, yeah. Clean the back seat before I have to sit on it, all right?”

She hit his shoulder and he sauntered across the street with a wave. I took her hand and gently pushed her toward the car. “Get in. We don’t have much time.”

“We have an hour,” Anna said with a laugh as she sagged down on the passenger seat.

“That’s not nearly enough to make up for lost time,” I murmured. I hit the gas, determined to find a good parking spot for us as soon as possible. I turned into the parking lot of a restaurant that had closed for renovations recently. Except for dim lights close by the house to prevent break-ins, the lot was dark. I hit the brakes and turned off the engine so the lights went out.

Anna giggled. “You’re awfully eager. How will you manage to do anything in this narrow space with your injuries?”

She had a point. I was lithe for my tall frame but with my wounds, I wouldn’t be able to contort myself enough. “Damn.”

Anna looked around.

“We’ll make it work,” I gritted out and shoved my seat all the way back then moved the backrest into a half-lying position. Anna turned to me and immediately began to work on my zipper, freeing my cock, and then her lips already closed around my tip, making me hiss through my teeth. I wasn’t the only one eager for this. I weaved my fingers through Anna’s hair, wishing I could see her but the dark was our friend.

Anna took me deeper and deeper into her mouth until I really had to focus on not coming too soon. Fuck, I was still in bad shape.

“Stop,” I grunted, and tugged at her hair lightly then harder when she didn’t stop. She released me and her mouth found mine for a messy kiss. I shoved open the door but didn’t stop kissing her, simply couldn’t stop. Finally, I tore myself away and got out of the car. I walked around the hood and opened Anna’s door. I grabbed her legs and pulled them out of the car so her ass rested on the edge of the seat. I got down on my knees on the cold asphalt, not to pop the question but to worship Anna’s pussy. My body ached but I ignored it. Nothing would stop me from what I’d wanted to do for weeks. I reached under her dress and pulled down her panties then lowered my head. My lips found her inner thigh then slowly trailed inward until I brushed her slick folds. Anna answered with a moan, her fingers grabbing on to my hair. I didn’t tease, didn’t play. I dove right in, sucking her clit into my mouth. We didn’t have much time and I wanted to give Anna as much pleasure as possible.

She cried out and pressed her pussy harder against my face. I pushed two fingers into Anna’s pussy and she rewarded me with a quick orgasm. “Let’s switch places.”

Anna got up and I took her place then turned her around and pulled her down my lap. We both groaned when I filled her completely. For a moment, we allowed ourselves to relish in the sensation before I gripped Anna’s hips and began to guide her movements as she rode me with her back to me. I reached for her clit, pressing my fingers against it. Anna moaned loudly. If someone was in the parking lot, or even just walked by, they’d definitely hear it but I didn’t care. It was my favorite sound in the world. Nothing else mattered. Soon our movements became erratic, hungrier, desperate for each other’s release. I held back, waiting for Anna to topple over the cliff first and when she finally did, all tension slipped away and I lost myself in her.

She sagged backward, leaning against my chest. I pressed a breathless kiss to her cheek. We quickly cleaned up and righted our clothes before I pulled Anna down on my lap and wrapped my arms around her.

“I don’t want to stop this even when we’re married,” she whispered.

“Having sex? I can assure you that won’t stop even when we’re old and gray.”

Her body vibrated with laughter. “No, Sonny, the sneaky sex in parking lots, the stolen kisses and bathroom quickies.”

“They don’t have to stop.”

Anna nodded then motioned at her wristwatch. “We need to go.”

We picked up Leonas five minutes later and headed back to the Cavallaro mansion. I still hadn’t asked Anna to marry me. It hadn’t felt right, but as I pulled up in front of the mansion, I knew exactly the right time and place to pop the question.

I held Anna’s hand as we walked to the front door. Leonas trailed a couple of steps back as if he could sense that I had something planned. He’d been surprisingly tolerable on the ride back home anyway, not asking any annoying questions. Dante and Val both opened the door for us.

“Can I come in for a sec?” I asked, feeling nervous.

Dante locked gazes with mine and his brows drew together then he gave a small nod. Did he know what I had planned, and approved? Or was I reading more into it because I knew this was a risky move so soon after Anna’s failed wedding. But her parents had been left in the dark for too long, they deserved to be part of our journey from now on. But who said she wouldn’t say no to me too? That woman had dumped Clifford in front of a priest and hundreds of guests.

Anna tilted her head in curiosity. Dante, Val, and Leonas stood off to the side, but they too had an air of expectancy surrounding them.

I cleared my throat and took both of Anna’s hands in mine before I got down on my knee.

Anna’s lips formed an O, and her parents and brother exchanged looks. I took the engagement ring I’d bought only yesterday from my pocket and presented it to Anna. “My heart never wanted to keep you a secret because it knew all the time that you were the woman for me. You rein me in but never made me feel caught. Your sharp humor and even sharper tongue keep me on my toes. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you become my wife?”

My heart hammered in my chest as I waited for Anna to say something. Her gaze briefly darted to her parents and in that second it took for Dante to nod and Val to smile my pulse reached concerning levels. My wounds ached with every heartbeat, but I suffered gladly for Anna’s answer.

She smiled down at me and squeezed my hand. “Yes, definitely yes. And this time I’ll say yes in church too.”

I shoved to my feet and wrapped my arms around her for a kiss, overwhelmed by relief, then I put the ring on Anna’s finger. And for the first time, she felt officially mine.