Cesare’s gaze flitted from her eyes to her lips, then to her long, slender legs. She looked absolutely gorgeous. “I like that.”
Cesare looked away pensively in the distance for a moment before looking back at Sabrina’s waiting expression. “I’m the oldest of five boys. My parents were very involved in our community, but they had a complicated relationship with polite society. Even so, they said what they meant, and meant what they did, so there’s that.” He gave a rueful shrug. “My dad went to prison under the RICO Act when I was in high school. Got out for good behavior a few years ago.”
“Rico?” Sabrina asked.
“I’m not my father. Don't get me wrong; I love my pops, but we are two very different men.” Cesare said in a slightly pained tone despite the blank expression. “And I’m telling you because I don’t want you to hear it from someone else.”
Sabrina reached a hand up and threaded her fingers through his hair, lightly scratching at the base of his scalp. He didn’t know if she was trying to seduce him on purpose or by accident, but either way it was working.
“Fuck.” Cesare breathed out.
“This seems to calm you.” She observed.
Cesare grunted, too blissed out to feel embarrassed at being so easily manipulated. He’d worry about that later.
“What’s Rico?” The little minx asked again, and Cesare only leaned further into her touch. “Organized crime.” He rumbled. “Racketeering.”
Sabrinna was quiet for a moment before she spoke again, amusement coloring her words unexpectedly. “And it was all a misunderstanding, I assume?”
Cesare shook his head. “Nah, he did it. He did more than that, but those were the charges.” He muttered into her neck.
He couldn’t see Sabrina’s face, but he could feel her body continue to stay relaxed in his arms, with no tension.
“And your mother?” She asked softly.
Cesare reluctantly pulled back, just enough to meet her gaze. “She passed away just after he got out. Doctors said she was too young to have a heart attack, but she always enjoyed proving people wrong.” He gave her a pained, half-hearted smile.
“Gallows humor.” Sabrina remarked softly, tracing his brows.
“Yes.” He nodded simply.
“What was her name?” Sabrina asked.
“My mother’s name was Eva. Eva Lorena Bonetti Lombardi.” He smiled wistfully.
“That is a beautiful name.” Sabrina nodded solemnly.
“She was a beautiful woman.” Cesare replied.
“We’re both in the dead parents club.” Sabrina remarked after a prolonged moment of silence.
“We are.” Cesare sighed, running a hand behind his neck.
“I never got my card.” She frowned with faux disappointment.
Cesare looked back at her lips, thinking that if she could crack a joke about dead parents, then she stood an actual chance of holding her own with his brothers.
“I’ll get you a card.” He said, sounding more Italian than he had planned to.
“Yeah?” Sabrina asked softly. Her eyes were wide and doleful again; her pouting lips demanding his attention.
Cesare had meant it when he told her he’d kiss her after the date, but right now that seemed like the stupidest idea ever. He wanted it now.
“Yeah.” He answered smugly. “I’ll get you anything you want.” He said matter-of-factly.
“Anything?” She teased.
Cesare met her waiting gaze, his eyes both gentle and lethally serious. He ran his hands up the curves of Sabrina’s body, and squeezed at the contours of her waist. “You don’t believe me now, but you will, Sabrina. You’ll learn. I’ll give you everything.”
