Gabriele arches a thick brow, appearing to mull things over. “Very well,” he says finally. “Until we can come to an agreement as to what to do with these territories, Dominic Costello will be in charge for the interim. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, signore,” the room says in unison.
I breathe a sigh of relief. That could have gone wrong in a million different ways, yet here I am. I’m thankful for my squeaky-clean reputation; otherwise, this plan wouldn’t have worked. They think me an honorable man, devoted entirely to our cause. None of them would ever suspect I’d have an ulterior motive. That’s their undoing.
I have to admit—Capo Costellohas a nice ring to it.
Chapter 28
Arin
From the moment he steps out the door, I don’t sleep a wink. It’s been seven hours and I haven’t heard a word from him. No calls, no texts. At this point, I’d even accept a freaking carrier pigeon. I pace back and forth in the living room, nibbling on my nails and pulling on my hair until the ends start to fray.
Is Dominic okay? Is he safe? What’s taking so long?
My heart stutters, my breath catching in my throat. My nerves can’t take it anymore. The stakes are too high. Every time I hear a distant siren, he’s the first thing I think about. What if something went wrong? Or, God forbid, what if he’s dead in an alley somewhere?
The sound of the front door swinging open nearly gives me a heart attack.
Dominic steps in. There isn’t a scratch on him.
And he’ssmiling.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful. It’s every ounce charming and handsome and brilliant, filling the entire room with the warmth of a thousand suns. My heart skips a beat, joy and relief washing over me in one fell swoop. My body reacts before my brain does, my feet carrying me over to him quickly. When I leap into his arms, he catches me with a sweet, adoring laugh.
“We did it,” he whispers against my ear. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
I greet him with a flurry of kisses, circling his neck with my arms and wrapping my legs around his hips. He picks me up with ease, holding me as close as possible. The air around us shifts, electricity crackling against our skin. A sudden, overwhelming hunger claims us both, spurred on by the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I have to have him, here and now. I’m sure Dominic is tired, but he feels it too, this undeniable pull between us.
We don’t get very far, practically stumbling over each other as we make our way to the couch. There’s no time to get to the bedroom. Our movements are frantic, desperate. He takes off my shirt while I pry off his suit jacket. I make a fine mess of his hair when I rake my fingers through it. I nibble on his bottom lip, sucking hard enough that his mouth comes away with a soft pop.
I’m not wearing any of my fancy lingerie, but the look in Dominic’s eyes tells me he doesn’t mind one bit. He slips off my bra and panties, mouthing at my bare skin like it’s the only thing that will bring him solace. I let my hands roam over his body, stripping him out of his shirt and pants, my fingers tracing over the hard edges of his defined muscles. I make my way down to tease the length of his growing erection, my pussy already wet and throbbing to feel him inside me.
Dominic turns me so my back is flush against his front. He grasps my chin and turns my head to the side, devouring my mouth because he knows it belongs to him and him alone.
One of his big hands slides around front to tease my breasts, pinching my hard nipples as he breathes in the scent of my hair. “Mine,” he growls, so low and deep his voice vibrates straight through my bones. His fingers make their way down even further, rolling over my clit and sliding between my wet folds. “Mine,” he mutters again. He bends me over the back of the couch, kicking my legs apart with his feet. “All mine.”
He plunges his cock deep inside me, my walls stretching to accommodate his size. He knows my body well at this point, aiming the head of his cock at my sweet spot with every thrust. Dominic has his hands in my hair, his chest pressed against my back. I am coming undone in a matter of minutes, the orgasm so intense it takes all of my concentration not to scream my pleasure. He drives me to the edge over and over again, each time unleashing stars across my vision.
Dominic finishes with a grunt, spilling his seed inside me. It isn’t long before I can feel the wetness seeping down my legs, my whole body sore like I’ve just run a marathon. He kisses me sweetly on the cheek, almost like an apology for letting loose.
“Let me take care of you, dolcezza,” he says, scooping me up like I weigh nothing at all.
He carries me bridal style to his bedroom, placing me on the sheets with the utmost care. The moment my head hits the pillow, my eyes start to droop. Exhaustion blankets me, tugging at the back of my brain to try and pull me under. I’m vaguely aware of Dominic moving about. He disappears for a moment, retreating to his ensuite bathroom only to return a few minutes later with a warm cloth. He lovingly cleans me, tucks me in, and even kisses me tenderly on the lips.
“Felicia will be up soon,” I mumble. It’s a half-hearted protest, but I’m just too tired to get up.
“I’ll take care of her today,” he says softly. “You stay in bed and rest.”
I’m fast asleep by the time he finishes his sentence.
* * *
I awake around one in the afternoon to the sound of several men talking. Dominic’s voice is distinct, but the other’s… They’re all new and foreign to me. I quietly slip out of Dominic’s bed and pull on one of his shirts. It’s so big on me that it comes down to my knees, and I have to roll up the sleeves to have use of my hands. As quiet as a mouse, I sneak out into the hall.
“Any resistance from Renato’s men?” Dominic asks.
“No, signore. So far, they’re taking news of the transition very well. They’re awaiting your orders.”