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Attempts had been made before, but from stories I’d heard both from my birth father and Franco, the tightknit alliances with the Five Families had kept order, slaying the enemy with ease.
The rivalry amongst the stubborn men had allowed an opening, a weakness that had turned profitable businesses into shark-infested waters. People were scared, those living their lives every day under the protection of the respective syndicates worried their warriors would no longer be able to defend them. What I’d often found fascinating was that in the United States, mafia organizations were feared by almost everyone. In Italy, while innocents were fearful of being caught in an attack or doing something to cross a member of the organization, they also revered the powerful men who allowed them to succeed.
I’d been back in Italy for only a few hours before realizing how imminent the Bratva attack seemed.
My lovely bride had been surprised that I’d been recognized more than once by store clerks and the man who’d rented me us the hotel suite for our single night considered a honeymoon. He’d been nervous, more so than he should have been.
The war would soon begin, and all the pieces had yet to be put into place.
I’d purchased a villa far removed from my adopted father’s rule, using my former name in making the purchase. I’d amassed a fortune over the years given my careful business practices, which had allowed me to maintain a more secretive life. While I’d only been able to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of Tuscany a few times, bringing her to my beloved home was the perfect beginning to our sacred oath.
Even though it would be short lived.
In making several calls to Raphaelo, I’d learned how tense the situation between the Five Families was. A conference call had already taken place between them and from what he’d told me, nothing had been accomplished since they’d spent most of the sixty minutes screaming and pointing fingers at each other.
That’s exactly what the Volkov Bratva was counting on. The aging fools holding court with eachFamigliahad counted on their former hold on their territories, their savage methods of handling infractions to put the fear of God into any outside organization. The idiots wouldn’t see the forces trampling through their vineyards and olive meadows, destroying their factories and ports before it was too late.
I had no intention of waiting long enough to see it happen.
Striking immediately was the only sensible thing to do.
That’s why calling a meeting of several of the men I considered loyal to my cause had been prudent, albeit it was risky holding the conversation inside my private residence. However, anonymity was vital if I wanted the coup to succeed.
“You’re certain this is in our best interest?” Lucia asked. She’d been quiet most of the morning, sipping coffee and staring out the window. While there was a fantastic view of the vineyards I’d paid several workers a small fortune to keep pristine, there was no doubt she was contemplating her actions as well as mine.
“This is the only choice we have.”
“We,” she breathed, brushing the tips of her fingers across my jaw. “I like the sound of that.” She absently glanced at her ring finger. “You haven’t shaved in days. Are you trying to be even sexier?”
Laughing, I rubbed the same place on my jaw she’d just stroked, my heart heavy even though my thoughts were sharp. “I do need to keep my bride on her toes. Yes?”
“If my husband continues to talk that way, the meeting will need to wait.” As she purposely slid her fingers across my groin, I growled then wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
“Be careful, my sweet and obedient bride, I might need to initiate regular spankings.”
“I’m always obedient. When I determine it’s necessary.” She rose onto her toes, nipping my lower lip. Our night of passion had been extraordinary, leaving us both breathless for hours. However, there’d been a weight on both our minds, stripping away a portion of the happiness.
I was determined to ensure that would never happen again.
I yanked her against me, thrusting my tongue inside her luscious mouth. The hint of hazelnut coffee infused with the scent of her perfume made my cock became fully aroused. Sadly, our desire would need to be put on hold until the nightmare was cast aside.
If that was possible.
Even as I explored her mouth, tasting her as if for the first time, I sensed a tension buried deep inside both of us.
When I pulled away, she rubbed her thumb across my lips, hers swollen from the night before.
“I’m leery of the men you think you trust.”
“Don’t worry, my sweet queen. I know what I’m doing.”
“I trust you, D’Artagnan, but it’s been proven that money talks, not loyalty.”
“True enough, but I think I have that taken care of.”
“My rich husband?”
“My rich wife?” I countered.
