I follow, and my men take note of every fuck who gets out of line. Luckily, only two find their asses beaten with a warning to keep their eyes to themselves or lose their lives. Still, I keep my distance because it’s bad luck to see my queen in her wedding gown, and I get a charge for a two-thousand-dollar gown at the shop, so I know she bought one. That eases my mind.
****
It’s finally the day of our first meeting. My queen will be mine in just two days. The wait is nearly at an end, and every hour that lingers between us feels like an eternity. I’ve kept my cool and kept my distance with good reason these past two weeks when I could have introduced myself to my bride. The pent-up lust, the craving to make her mine, would be impossible to fight. Instead, I sit quietly and watch as my queen packs up her room. I see her favorite things, learn more and more about her through these stolen moments. It’s sick and cruel to invade her space like this, but I’ve been hanging on by a thread.
A knock on my office door distracts me from my queen for just a moment. “Yes?”
“I need a minute with you, Domani.”
“Come in, Mama.” She barrels in before I get the words completely out, her hair still in a towel but her dress on.
“What are you doing sitting around here? She’s coming soon, and you can’t be looking a mess. She’s wearing a red dress tonight, so find something to match.” Mothers. I have a feeling she was going to get a bit insane as the wedding gets closer. I’m the one who should be freaking the fuck out, but then again, I just busted a nut, so I’ve calmed my ass down.
“I will,” I tell her.
She doesn’t know that I’ve already seen the garment and have my suit ready and waiting for me. “I have a few more hours before they are scheduled to arrive. Although, I’ll have you know that I’m going to pick her up myself, so I’ll be getting ready soon. I promise that I won’t disappoint my queen. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”
“Good. I’d leave the scruff unless you’re planning to get her alone,” she says with a wink before walking out of my office and closing the door behind her.
“Then a shave is a must,” I growl to myself. I might not fuck her tonight, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to eat her pussy for dessert or as an appetizer. The thought of spreading her out and thrusting my tongue into her wet slit makes me hard again.
I take a deep breath and think of anything else to shake off filthy images of Aria. There is too much to do for me to be sitting here spanking it, so I finally stand and adjust myself. Walking over to my safe and entering the code, it opens. There are many treasures and tons of money, but I pull out the most valuable piece inside, sliding it into my pocket.
Looking at my watch, I have too much time on my hands so I could use a gym session before I shower.
As I step out of my office to head to my personal gym room in the basement, Nero approaches. “Are you ready, cousin?” He’s grinning from ear to ear, knowing that I’m more than anxious for my queen to finally be by my side.
“Born ready.”
“Good. I’ll be heading home to change. The security is full-on tonight.”
“That’s great. I refuse to let this evening be ruined. Aria needs to feel welcome and safe in her new home. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to work off some of this tension.”
“Damn—save some load for your wife,” he teases, slapping my arm.
“Fuck off. I’m going to the gym. Go get changed. I can’t have her see the shitty genetics in parts of my family.”
“Hey, I clean up well.” He puffs up his chest. We could actually pass for brothers; that’s why I’m picking her up, so she doesn’t mistake me for Nero or my brother Nico.
I’d hate to have to kill my family if she wanted one of them instead of me. I wouldn’t tell them that, though. Needing to cool off, I change and jump into my Olympic-sized swimming pool instead of the weight room. After doing twenty-five laps to feel that burn in every muscle without exhausting myself, I hit the shower.
My dick refuses to simmer down as I lather my body. Giving it some meaningless strokes, I get pissed and turn the temp to icy cold until it goes down. Stepping out with a towel around my waist, I shave my face until it’s smooth. Finally, I slip on my black suit and a red tie to match my queen.
I check myself in my reflection several times because the thought of seeing her is making me anxious. I’m the head of a mafia family, and Aria can bring me to my knees.
I pull out my cell and call Luigi. “We’re leaving now.”
Finally, I make my way down to my vehicle, sliding in the back while my driver closes the door behind me. With privacy, I turn the cameras on using my phone and hear my queen snapping at her sister. “I’m not getting married to him. I don’t care what anyone says.” She huffs about the room in a beautiful robe, looking extremely put out.
The entire drive there, I feel the ring in my pocket. Twirling it about in my hand, I know that I’m going to have to slide this fucker on her right now so she understands there’s nothing that’s going to separate us. It doesn’t matter to me how long it takes, but I’ll show her that she’s mine.
They let me through the gate without hesitation which is wise for the way I’m feeling. “Stay in the vehicle. I’ll be back soon,” I inform Luigi.
As I arrive and climb the few steps of their portico, Don Grasso comes out.
“Ah, couldn’t wait, could you?” Don Grasso chuckles, welcoming me into the house with a wave of his hand toward the entryway.
“I thought I’d give her a proper escort. Besides, I have something to give her.” My mind immediately goes to reddening her ass, but I cool my ardor and step inside.
“Well, it’s good you came. She’s being a little stubborn at the moment.” I know all about it, but he doesn’t need to be made aware of it.
We shake hands. “As expected, I suppose,” I add, knowing Aria wasn’t just going to give in so easily. My bride-to-be has an internal flame that I crave. It’s in her eyes and I noticed it the first moment our gazes connected. In the two years she’s only grown tougher, more determined, and ever more beautiful.
We quietly go up the stairs, and her father knocks on the door while I stand off to the side, so they don’t see my feet under the door. Aria’s refusal only makes me laugh because my queen has a backbone that I will cherish. However, I’m just going to have to show her mine is made of steel.
Chapter Two
Aria
“You’re such a brat, Aria,” my sister, Gloria, says, crossing her arms and stomping her foot like she’s a child instead of a married twenty-two-year-old woman with kids. I’m hardly a brat, but that’s hard for anyone to see these days, since they all believe that my fiancé is everything wonderful and powerful.
I flip her off and continue taking my time. “Says the woman who married for love. You got lucky. I get to marry some guy I don’t know who is one of the most dangerous men in the world, and probably a big whore to boot.” And I’m terrifyingly attracted to Domani Bianchi which only makes matters worse for me. What if I’m putty in his hands? What if I lose who I am?