AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Clenching my jaw, I try not to let his accusation get to me. Even though he knows I used a condom, he’s never going to let me live this one down. If all goes right in my plans, he’s perfectly on board with thinking they’re great. But as soon as shit hits the fan because of something entirely outside my control, he’s all about pinning the blame on me.
“Diplomacy is what you use when you don’t have the strength to crush your enemies. When it comes to the men who serve us, it will take an iron fist to ensure we maintain control. You can’t afford to let your guard down or show any weakness. They’ll sniff it out like a pack of wolves.”
His words hang in the air, a heavy decree that settles over me like a suffocating shroud. “But what if there’s another way? What if we could rule by inspiring respect and loyalty?”
My father scoffs, the sound echoing in the dim room. “Fear inspires loyalty, Leo. Kill a man in front of his brothers, and they’ll be less likely to betray you. Respect, on the other hand, is a luxury. It’s earned over time, not given freely. You earn it by taking power, by making sure everyone knows the consequences of crossing us.”
He leans forward, eyes narrowing. “You can’t afford to be soft, son. The world will chew you up and spit you out if you show any weakness. Remember your priorities. We’re Morettis. We don’t let emotions dictate our actions.”
I clench my fists, the frustration bubbling over. My father’s eyes drop to the subtle demonstration of my feelings. A smirk mars his lips, and he raises his eyebrows pointedly.
“From the looks of it, I’d say your pretty little bride has you wound up and wrapped around her finger. I would suggest you get ahold of yourself before your little misstep carries beyond this room. You don’t want to lose everything you’ve worked so hard for over a feminine notion that one can rule with respect and loyalty.”
Releasing the tension from my arms on a breath, I nod. Perhaps my father is right. After all, I couldn’t have gotten this far without violence. But it was a pretty notion, getting to set aside the death and destruction to peaceably rule over the empire I’ve accrued.
“Yes, sir,” I rasp.
“Good. Now, I would recommend finishing the task you started for the day. Collections have been made, but your men need debriefing and to know what happened with your spy. I would counsel you to consider if a story about your unruly wife is the best one to tell them… considering the conversation we just had. Mm?”
“Understood,” I say flatly, then turn to head from my father’s office.
As I walk down the hallway, I call Rasco and Johnny for an evening meeting.
28
TIA
Saying goodbye to Maria tonight was hard. It was so wonderful to talk to my sister once again. And now, my resolve is stronger than ever. I need to stick to my guns and play my cards right so I can bring the Morettis down. Even if my feelings for Leo are growing more tangled by the minute.
But someone needs to stop them. I need to find a way to destroy them—Leo in particular—to free my family from the alliance that sounds more and more like a farce.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I slip into the lingerie I found in my dresser drawer—a bluish-gray satin slip with cream-colored lacing around the low neckline and hem—then wait for Leo to come home. He didn’t come back from cleaning up in the guest room. And now it’s well past dinner.
I wonder if he had to do some damage control after what happened this afternoon.
When the bedroom door clicks open gently, my eyes cast toward the clock on my nightstand—nearly 9 p.m. It’s late.
Leo slips quietly inside, his gaze finding me for a moment before he turns his attention to undressing, stepping out of his shoes as he undoes his tie. “You’re awake,” he observes, the statement mild.
“I was waiting for you to come back,” I say sweetly, clinging to my memories of last night and trying to push the image of Leo killing a man today from my mind.
But he doesn’t seem to notice the suggestive tone in my voice. Instead, he offers a grunt and heads into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Sighing, I realize that I might have to get more deliberate if I’m going to convince him I want to move past our disagreement.
As far as I can tell, he’s still put out about what I said.
The sink runs briefly, alerting me to the end of his cleaning, and I climb gingerly out of bed, aware that my muscles are starting to protest more audibly about my fall as they stiffen over time. It’s a wonder I’m not covered in bruises. Yet.
Hobbling to the end of the bed, I cling to one of the posts, attempting to look seductive.
And when Leo walks through the doorway into the bedroom a moment later, he stops short. “What are you doing out of bed? You’re supposed to be resting,” he says, crossing the space between us to grasp my shoulders with surprisingly tender care.
“I didn’t thank you properly for saving my life,” I insist, my eyes widening innocently. I don’t think I thanked him at all, actually, and at least addressing that wrong will help my act seem more convincing. “I want to make it up to you now. To show you just how deeply I appreciate your bravery.”
“Tia,” he warns as I sink onto my knees before him, my stomach knotting nervously.
I’ve never tried to do this before, and I don’t quite know where to begin. Thankfully, he’s already naked except for his boxer briefs—his preferred sleeping apparel.
Hooking my fingers inside his waistband, I call upon my best memories of how he did this last night. A shiver runs down my spine as I think of Leo removing my panties with his teeth. I’m not quite so bold. But I imagine I can fumble my way through this.
