“Nice to see you again, Sarita.” I stare down at her. “Let me know if you have any sons I might have missed.”
She pales, her hands fisting, mouth trembling.
I keep walking, Lucretia now gripping my arm tightly.
“Why would you say such a thing?” she whispers tightly.
“I never miss a chance to twist the knife in my enemies, but I think you already know that.” I put my hand over hers and walk her deeper into the house.
Benny and Red are chatting up two blondes, and Sonny is in deep conversation with the Galliano consigliere. He’s been making the rounds to the families to ensure we’ll have enough people on our side when Sarita sues for my head.
Vincenzo strides up, a drink in his hand. “My god, you look …” He eyes Lucretia.
I have the distinct urge to break his fucking neck. And not just his, every man in this room has shot a look at her, some far too long for my liking. But she’s a jewel, one that shines and can’t be denied. Of course they want her, but they’ll never get anywhere near her. Not if they want to live.
“You’re a breath of fresh air in this funeral hell. I’ll say that.” Vincenzo smiles at her.
“Thank you.” She gives him a slight nod.
“When’s the meeting?” I ask, a bit more sharply than I intended.
“We’ve got ten minutes. Let’s talk, if you don’t mind.” He juts his chin toward a side room. “Business.”
I follow him, Lucretia at my side.
“I, um, I don’t think I’m up to talking business just yet. I need to breathe.” She shakes her head.
“I’m not leaving you to these vipers.” I pull her to my side.
“I’ll be fine. I’m just going to sit right here.” She points to a loveseat in an alcove.
“No.”
“Oh my god, you’re being a wet blanket. I need some space to breathe, to think, to try and work through all the terrible things you just told me.” She pulls her hand away and glares at me. “Shove off, asshole.”
Her sass sends heat to my cock.
I grip her waist. “Stop acting as if you’re wearing panties under there, Mrs. Milani. I’m fully aware you aren’t, and I’m also fully aware that if I bent you over that loveseat, yanked up your dress, and fucked you until you screamed, there’d be nothing in the world you could do to stop me.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” She smacks my chest, making my need for her burn even brighter.
“Kid,” Vincenzo interrupts. “We don’t have much time.”
I lean to her ear. “I’d dare quite a lot when it comes to you.” Then I turn and point at Benny.
He hurries over.
“Watch her. I’m going to speak with Vincenzo for a moment. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Got it.” He stations himself against the wall.
“Back soon.” I kiss her hair that flows in wavy tendrils down her back, then follow Vincenzo into the side room.
He closes the door behind us.
“What is it?” I ask.
“We have the votes. The families are going to look the other way. But they’re going to make you agree to take no further actions against the Fontanas or the Manchellos. You’ll have to agree and stick to your word. Can you do that?”
Can I simply let years of anger and regret go? No. My original course of action, if left unchanged, would end with Carmen and Leonard Fontana dead. I know Lucretia has no great love for her parents, but if I follow through with my plan and kill them, will that end any chance I have of her loving me?
“I need your word, Mateo.” Vincenzo holds his hand out. “This is your best shot. I’m telling you this as your friend, and …” He sighs. “And as something of a father to you over the past few years.”
I eye his hand and realize this decision is going to change everything. I can either hold onto my revenge and potentially lose Lucretia, or hold onto Lucretia and finally let go of my parents’ death.
26
LUCRETIA
I sit on the love seat, Benny hovering nearby, and try to get my bearings.
Mateo finally came clean with me about his motives, and it knocked me off my feet. I knew he didn’t marry me with good intentions—just look at the way he went about it—but I had no idea his vengeance went so deep. I can’t say I’m an innocent party, not when my parents are who they are, but I had nothing to do with his parents’ deaths.
He wanted to destroy me. I let out a deep breath and shake my head. But how much can I blame him? From the way he and Lito talk, their parents were their whole world in a way I can’t even understand. They had love, and in the families, that’s rare. Most are like mine, a powerful father and a mother who either goads him on or acts as a doormat.