I wasn’t sure why I had told Emma I was a bad deal. It was true, but telling her didn’t serve any purpose. She sipped her cappuccino silently, obviously frustrated. She had every right to be. I wasn’t in the mood to discuss this topic more, so I decided to distract her. “How would you like a tour of the house and garden now?”
She glanced up and gave me a small smile. “I’d love that.”
I rose to my feet and waited for her to wheel back from the table. “Would you like me to push you?” In our short interactions so far, I’d quickly realized that Emma liked her independence. I had no intention of coddling her. I was relieved that she seemed much tougher than I’d thought. Maybe she could handle all the shit that came with being married to me.
“I’ll follow you. I’d like to see your face when you tell me about the house.”
“Last night was only the third night I spent here, so I don’t know that much more about its hidden corners than you do.”
She tilted her head. “You bought the house a while ago. Why didn’t you move sooner?”
I could have lied and told her my father preferred to have me close for business reasons, but the truth was simple. “It might seem odd, but I prefer company. Living alone in a house didn’t really seem appealing to me. I had all the freedom I wanted at my parents’ house, so I stayed.”
Emma nodded. “That makes sense. You have a hard job, so having family at home afterward is important.”
I nodded. After tough days, I’d often have a drink with Dad in the office.
“You can rely on me, Samuel. I won’t ever break your trust.” She flushed. As usual, Emma looked lovely, sweet, and sexy.
I motioned to the front window. “Let’s start with the view from the porch.” I strode toward the double doors and swung them open. The view over the lake was spectacular. Emma rolled out, and her entire face lit up. She pointed at the wide but narrow fireplace in front of two comfy deck chairs.
“It’s gas, but it’s cozy.” I turned it on with a remote, and the flames flickered up at once. It wasn’t as nice in bright daylight as it was in the dark.
“You still enjoy swimming?” I asked. I remembered from our trip to the Cavallaro mansion two years ago that she’d been ecstatic about swimming in the lake there. I had only been there to guard my sister Sofia back then and had hardly talked to Emma at all. Maybe I should have made an effort.
“Yes, I went to an indoor swimming pool once a week when I still lived in Indianapolis. I hope I can find a good place to swim here.”
“I have a small surprise.” I led Emma through the dining area followed by the vast living area with a wood fireplace to the wide double doors on the back of the mansion overlooking the sprawling backyard.
I opened those doors, and Emma’s eyes widened in utter shock as they took in the big swimming pool a few steps below the terrace. A ramp had been installed so Emma could easily move down to that level.
“That isn’t a small surprise. It’s huge!” she said. She reached for my hand and squeezed, her eyes emotional. “For being such a bad deal, you’re doing lots of thoughtful things. It’s misleading.”
I cleared my throat. “It’s nothing.”
She shook her head and released me, then moved down the ramp to take a closer look at the pool. “I wish I could take a dip right away.”
“It’s still two hours before our families arrive. Plenty of time.”
“Not if I have to shower, then style my hair afterward and put on fresh makeup.”
I made a clueless face. Emma giggled and allowed her eyes to take in the rest of the garden: an immaculate lawn, a few perfectly round bushes, a paved path, and a few flower beds with white flowers.
“I can’t wait to have a garden being lived in, played in. This looks like an exhibition garden.”
For a moment, longing reflected on Emma’s face, but then she turned to me with a smile. “Can you show me the rest? Even the kitchen?”
I nodded and led her back inside. We ended our tour in the kitchen, where Azzurra was busy cooking up a feast for lunch. I took a deep breath, taking in the delicious scents. Emma did the same and let out a sigh. “That smells delicious. What is it?”
Azzurra pointed at the pots. “As primi, tortelli al ragú will be served.” Emma wheeled closer to the stove.
“What’s the filling?”
On the counter, freshly made tortellini were lined up. “Ricotta and spinach.”
“Could I try the meat sauce?”
“Of course!” Azzurra dipped a spoon into the sauce and handed it to Emma, who pushed it into her mouth and licked it clean, sending images of a very different nature through my head. She moaned, and the images became even more explicit.
“This is delicious!”
Azzurra beamed and opened the oven. “Secondi will be cinghiale alla cacciatore.”
“My father loves wild boar stew,” I said.
“I do too,” Emma said delightedly.
“What about you, Mr. Mione?”
“Samuel,” I corrected as I’d done a few times before. “I love it too but not with the same childhood fervor as my father.”
Emma wheeled past Azzurra toward a chocolate cake. “Torta al cioccolato!”
Her excited expression made me laugh. “I assume you like chocolate?”
“I love chocolate. In any shape and form.”
I made a mental note to add chocolate truffles to the list of gifts Emma would receive—not just for special days but also when I messed up.
EMMA
The lunch with our families was relaxed. Even Danilo and Samuel managed civilized conversation throughout the entire meal. Of course, Danilo kept throwing me searching looks. The moment we were alone, he would definitely inquire whether Samuel was treating me right.
I hadn’t eaten as much of the first two courses as I could have because I wanted to leave some room for the dessert.
When Azzurra served the cake, I could barely restrain myself. Luckily, she had more manners than me and served our guests first. Samuel sent me a knowing look, and I flushed.
The cake was as delicious as I’d expected. Azzurra had sprinkled pine nuts on top, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she’d even added some ground pine nut to the dough. I closed my eyes to really savor the richness of the chocolate. When I opened my eyes, Samuel watched me with an intense look that made me blush hard.
After lunch, Ines, Sofia, and I moved out to the porch. I turned on the gas fireplace. We looked out over the lake and allowed the silence to settle around us for a few minutes. The men had retreated to Samuel’s office, a big room with a desk, cozy leather couches, and a fireplace, to discuss business and probably have a drink.
Azzurra came out. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Could you ask my husband to make me a hanky-panky? I’m sure Samuel has everything it needs in his office.”
My eyebrows shot up. I had a very different image in mind when I thought about hanky-panky.
Azzurra nodded, then glanced at us.
“Amaretto sour for me. Samuel can make it,” Sofia said without missing a beat despite Ines’s curious look.
I had drunk two glasses of wine for lunch, so I definitely couldn’t have anything else. However, I didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t order anything. “Uhh…what would you recommend?”
Azzurra looked like a deer in the headlights. “Espresso martini?”
I nodded, even if I’d never had one before, and it sounded like a combination for sleepless nights.
Azzurra disappeared.
Ines sighed. “You’re both under twenty-one. I’m pretty sure I should stop you from drinking.”
Sofia huffed. “We can be married off to men ten years our senior who kill for fun and work, and we can bear their babies. I think it’s fine, Mom.” She hadn’t said it meanly, but I didn’t miss the bitter note in her tone.
What was Danilo doing? Sofia was such a sweet and kind girl. They had seemed to get along better yesterday and today.
Ines sighed again. “I hope you’re at least happy with your marriage so far?”
I blushed. What could I say? “Samuel’s been very kind so far.”
Sofia gave me a doubtful look, but Ines seemed relieved to hear it.
Not long after, Azzurra returned with a tablet and three glasses.
“You can go home now. You worked so hard today,” I said with a grateful smile as I took the espresso martini.
Azzurra gave a small nod and slipped away.
Ines, Sofia, and I clinked glasses and then took a sip. The cocktail was delicious but way too strong for me. I put it down on the side table. I didn’t want to risk being drunk on our second night as a married couple. Though some liquid courage wouldn’t be the worst. I’d really love to be intimate with Samuel again, even if I was still a little sore, but I wasn’t sure if he’d initiate anything.
Danilo appeared in the doorway. Sofia looked up at him with a pinched expression. “Are we leaving already?”
“No,” he said matter-of-factly, as warm as a piece of brick. His eyes found mine. “I’d like to talk to you, Emma.”
I stifled a small smile. I would have been surprised if that wouldn’t have been the case, but I would have to give him a piece of my mind regarding Sofia. If he thought he could meddle in my marriage, then he couldn’t expect me not to do the same with his.
I followed Danilo into the living room. He turned to me, his expression softer but also filled with a deep brotherly concern. “Is there anything I should know?”
I raised my eyebrows, amused. “I’m sure there are plenty of things in the world you should show a greater interest in.”
Danilo moved closer and got down on his haunches in front of me. “Last night, I couldn’t stop wondering if I should have stopped this marriage from happening.”
“You were the one who agreed to it in the first place, Danilo.”
His expression became wary. “Did he treat you right?”
A blush crept up my throat and cheeks. I couldn’t hold Danilo’s gaze. “He treated me like a wife should be treated by her husband.”
“That doesn’t constitute for much in our world,” he drawled. “If he hurt—”
Danilo shot to his feet before Samuel even spoke up. He stood in the doorway. Unlike my brother, I hadn’t heard him approach.
Samuel’s eyes locked on my brother as he strode into the living room in long, confident strides. “I ask you not to shove your nose into my private business.” Samuel stopped in front of my brother. They were the same height. The air bristled with their dominance as they tried to stare each other down. It was clear they had a long history of these stare downs. Samuel smiled in a way that made me nervous. “But I can assure you I took all the necessary precautions to hurt your sister as little as possible on her first night.”
Boom. My mouth fell open, and blood shot so rapidly into my face, I was sure I would combust. Did he really just say that in front of my brother?
Danilo rocked forward as if he was going to attack Samuel, who braced himself. Then both men looked at me, and my brother straightened, righted his tie, and turned to me. He kissed my forehead and strode out without another word.
Samuel regarded me coolly. He pushed his hands into his pants. “I know this was quite embarrassing for you. But your brother has dropped very similar comments about both my sisters in the past, so it was time he got a taste of his own medicine.”
I gave him a doubtful look. “Do you always share details like that with other men?” I felt very uncomfortable thinking that other men would know about what happened behind closed doors.
Samuel stepped up to me and touched my shoulder. “No. I don’t intend to share any kind of information about our life, especially what happens in our bedroom with others.”
“Okay.” I could feel my face cooling off. “I would like to return to Sofia and your mother.”
Samuel nodded. “I should probably make sure Danilo doesn’t say anything to my father that causes an unpleasant atmosphere.”
I scoffed. “Good luck.”
Once our families took their leave, Samuel joined me on the porch in front of the fireplace. The lights from the other houses reflected on the surface of the lake like doors to another sphere.
Samuel had a tumbler with a generous amount of a dark amber spirit in his hand. I could still feel the gentle buzz from the wine and that one sip of the espresso martini, but Samuel obviously could tolerate far more alcohol. He had drunk four glasses of wine for dinner, plus whatever Danilo, Pietro, and he had consumed in the office, which likely hadn’t been little, and now the tumbler. I had to admit I worried how well his body tolerated the amount of alcohol. It indicated that it had a lot of practice.
“Danilo said he and Sofia will return to Indianapolis tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Danilo told me.” I’d hoped he’d spend a few more days here with me to make the transition easier. Giorgia had already returned to Indianapolis early in the morning because her brother needed to get back. And now my brother, the last link to my old life, will follow tomorrow.
Samuel regarded me with a thoughtful expression over his glass. “Will you be okay?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. I would be. “I just need to adjust to my new life.”
“Whatever you need, tell me. I’ll have a bodyguard in the house whenever I’m not present. I’ll introduce you tomorrow morning before I leave for work.”
So soon? I didn’t voice my thoughts. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. This wasn’t a dramatic love story where the protagonists couldn’t bear the idea of being separated.
“I hope he won’t hover. I don’t like to be watched,” I said.
“He’s very good at what he does. He’ll spend most of the time in the staff room beside the kitchen unless you require his assistance.”
Samuel glanced at his watch, an elegant, dark blue Patek Philippe Aquanaut. “I should probably head to bed. I have an early meeting at eight because of a shipment of slot machines.”
I stifled a yawn. It was already eleven, and I was usually an early riser, which meant I went to bed around ten at the latest. “I’ll come with you.”
Samuel downed his drink and pushed to his feet. He motioned for me to go first so I moved toward the doors, which he then held open for me. “Thank you.”
Samuel was being very considerate and polite, and that was nice in a way, but at the same time, it emphasized that we were still strangers. This didn’t feel like a married couple going to bed together. None of the lightheartedness, banter, and intimacy a normal marriage entailed.
When we arrived in the bedroom, my eyes involuntarily moved to the bed and what had happened last night. I’d felt empowered and womanly. It had been a far better first time than I’d ever dared hope for, and now I wished for more. Samuel cleared his throat, his gaze intent as it settled on me. “Go ahead. Get ready first.”
I moved into the bathroom and changed into another off-white silk nightgown with lace trimming, then returned to the bedroom. Samuel checked his phone in the middle of the room, his brows furrowed. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his muscled upper body and the line of dark blond hair disappearing in his pants. His belt hung loosely around his waist, and the top button of his pants was open. I wished I were brave enough to go to him and unzip his pants. Brave enough to show Samuel what I wanted.
Samuel didn’t notice my entrance immediately. He was immersed in his phone, but eventually, he looked up and pushed his phone in his pants. He gave me a distracted smile and brushed past me into the bathroom.
I wheeled toward the bed and frowned when I spotted his phone on the nightstand. He had two phones?
Worry and suspicion filled me. I wanted to come up with an innocent explanation. Many people had a business phone and one for their private life, but Samuel was a Made Man and future Underboss, so business was closely interwoven with his private life. There was no clear line separating the two.
I tried not to let my imagination run rampant, but a nagging voice suggested Samuel used a second phone for a mistress. It wasn’t uncommon for men in our world to have a mistress. Many of them were there before the marriage.
I could only imagine what my mother would say if I suggested Samuel had an affair. She’d implore me to turn a blind eye to it and be happy for this good catch. I took a deep breath and hoisted myself into the bed. I had half a mind to call Giorgia, but I didn’t want to wake her with unfounded suspicions, and Samuel could return any moment.
I could simply ask Samuel.
Samuel emerged from the bathroom at that moment, but instead of coming to the bed right away, he walked toward the walk-in closet and put something in the pocket of the jacket he would wear tomorrow.
My belly tightened.
When Samuel finally climbed into bed, I couldn’t bring myself to confront him.
Instead, I gave him a shaky smile.
He hesitated as if he wanted to say something, but then he returned my smile. “Sleep well.” Again, he hesitated.
He turned off the light and rolled over to face away from me.
I swallowed hard, agitated. My stomach churned as if I’d eaten too much and topped it off with soda.
As expected, we fell asleep on our respective sides of the bed without any physical contact.
I wasn’t sure when I actually fell asleep. My mind kept obsessing over Samuel’s second phone. I had to find out what it was about. I couldn’t confront Samuel if I didn’t have any hints.
And even then…
