~~~~~

Large hands slid down my stomach, making my spine arch, and my head fell back in pleasure. They landed on my hips before sliding back up my spine to pull me close, like we weren’t close enough. Burning emerald pools clashed with my heavily lidded gaze before lips traced the outline of my chest, making me cry out again. Paradise. Ecstasy made my toes curl, though not as much as his scent strengthened by the sweat of our bodies.

“More.” His voice was heavy with lust, and the low growl with which he spoke sent shivers up my spine. “Give me more, Lili.”

Oh my. I collapsed atop him, my breathing coming out in short bursts. I would never admit it, but I loved having sex with him. His eyes narrowed before he pulled me under him, the slap of skin echoing in the room. My nails drug down his spine, making him speed up when his lips lapped over mine, sending shock waves throughout my body. How long had it been since we started? I hazily wondered as he pulled me into his arms. This wasn’t even our room.

“You love having sex with me?” My eyes widened when a devilish smirk formed the dimple in his cheek. “You said that out loud, Little Dove.”

“No, I didn’t. You’re putting words in my mouth.” I returned, crossing my arms over my chest as I stood. “It’s the middle of the day, and you pulled me into some strange room…”

“Because of you. You look sexy in a skirt and heels, Amore Mio.” Nicolo countered, his grin growing larger. “I have no regrets.”

He turned away to put his shirt on, something which revealed his tattoo and the scratches left by my nails on his back before the fabric hid it from view. I readjusted my white dress shirt and skirt, then held up my now torn pantyhose, annoyed he didn’t wait for me to take them off. I only wore this outfit because he said today was important, yet now I’m wholly underdressed. His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me against a solid chest, and I looked up into those same desirous green orbs.

“Ne avrò di più stasera.” He whispered into my ear, sending a thrill down my spine. “Sii pronto.”

More? Tonight? My thighs clenched in anticipation as he led me over to the door, his hand feeling even hotter through the thin fabric of my shirt. What was this man doing to me? Before we made it to the door, though, something outside of it caught my attention. A shadow shifting under it meant someone was out there. Why? Who? Nicolo apparently noticed too, as he pulled me to a stop with a finger in front of his lips.

I didn’t hesitate to grab my magnum off the nearby coffee table and take aim as he pulled his own weapon out of his jacket. We stared at each other for a moment when he finally opened the door to reveal a nervous looking Marcello. I swore under my breath as I slipped my gun back into my holster and glared at him. He glared at Nicolo before saluting me, his expression fading to my second in command.

“The DeVille Family is moving. Their Soldati have surrounded the Church and are causing problems.” Marcello stated, adjusting his blue tie as we made for the exit. “These ‘excursions’ should be saved for another, less imperative time.”

“Marcello. Is there something you want to say about my free time?” I ventured, watching his face pale. “Send Marco and De Santis to take care of it.”

The sudden marriage had many in the Accardi mad. Apparently, when I was away on missions, several of the higher ups within the family were trying to get my grandfather to allow me to marry them. Marcello was one of many who wanted to try. And now, he directed his ire often at Nicolo, though there wasn’t much he could say. The marriage was done. Finished. We signed and dated our license and turned it in.

It didn’t stop the naysayers, though. Both members of the Accardi and members of the Romano were against it. Not that grandfather cared I was against it too. Nicolo made me a little out of control when I didn’t need to be. That could be a weakness. Especially in an open location like this. The courthouse. Of course, the Romano had the entire system in their pockets, but I still didn’t want people to know we had sex in there.

“I just think marrying someone outside of the Accardi and so close to civilians is a mistake. Why did your grandfather think it was a good idea?” Marcello wondered, sending another glare to Nicolo. “If you’re too exposed, it’ll be harder to protect you. The Accardi are supposed to be in the shadows.”

“I don’t know. But it was his last order as Don, so I want to respect it.” I replied, though I knew. “All you have to do is follow my orders. Nothing else has changed.”

But I also knew that wasn’t true for him. It was why he often snuck into my room when I slept. He knew I would be naked. It was the closest he could get. With Nicolo around, and acting possessive, it was impossible now. Though it wasn’t like I really cared before. Now, I didn’t want anyone else to see me undressed. Nicolo made a point of leaving red marks all over my skin, just under the edge of my clothes.

“I enjoy seeing you pull at your clothes to hide them.” Nicolo whispered directly into my ear after I tugged at the collar of my shirt. “And seeing them peek out when another person is looking at you. The disappointment on their faces is priceless when they realize just how satisfied I make you.”

“Nico…” I huffed, crossing my arms, but unable to pull out of his. “That’s bad.”

“But it feels good, right?”

He was the devil. The heat in his voice crawled down my spine, making me shiver, and his smile grew. Nico knew just what he was doing to drive me crazy. His muscular arm tightened around my waist, and I glanced up at him to see his darkening pools focused on Marcello, a smug grin spreading across his features. It didn’t matter if he could make me shiver in my heels. If he did it in the wrong place, he could put us in danger. As I was about to say that, he pulled me into a car.

“Don’t you worry, Marcello. Lili will be happy beside me.” Nico tossed him a carefree grin as the car pulled away. “Now let’s see how wild I can get you in a car.”

~~~~~

The DeVille family. They were a small group hoping to gain a name for themselves by being reckless. Their primary targets were churches and the businesses near the churches with a goal of ‘revealing the truth behind religion.’ Our request came from the Vatican to ‘take care’ of the issue, and since most in the Romano and Accardi were pious, we would handle it on our end. Funny, considering our job description. I took a seat with my tablet in hand and reviewed the information.

“Gabriele DeVille. Thirty-four years old, blonde hair, blue eyes. Deemed a playboy by past lovers, with a track record of abuse, drug use, and gun violence.” I whispered, sliding the screen down to read more. “He’s the young future Don of the family, though according to insiders, the current Don is looking for someone different. Gabriele’s let potential power go to his head and started threatening the wrong people.”

Now it was my job to determine what needed to be done about him. If it were any other time, I would go in and handle things myself, but Nico probably wouldn’t like it. Not that it mattered if he liked it or not, since it was my job. I shook those pointless thoughts from my head as I considered how to deal with the wayward son of the DeVille Mafia. A knock on the door startled me from my thoughts, and I glanced at it as Nico walked through.

“We caught that DeVille boy. What do you want with him?” Nico questioned with a raised brow. “If they keep hitting up my churches, I’ll have to handle this in a bit more of a violent method.”

“Let me talk to him.”

I could see the worry creasing his brow before I stood up, but elected to ignore it in favor of walking towards the trunk containing my clothes. Though I had been here for a while now, I still didn’t want to unpack all my stuff, since I didn’t think this was an actual permanent solution to the problem. If someone was after me, they could still show up, so I needed to have the ability to escape quickly.

“Lili…”

“Remember what my grandfather said, Nico.” I sauntered over to him with my clothes in one hand, a smirk on my lips. “You let me handle my job, and I’m happy to play wife.”

“There is no ‘playing’, Tesoro. You are my wife.” He countered, sliding his hand around my waist. “And I don’t trust that pretty boy around you.”

“I never said you couldn’t come with me. I might need my powerful husband to keep him in order.” Was my reply as the clothes I wore slipped from my shoulders. “But try to play along, husband. We need more information, not for him to shut his mouth.”

I wasn’t sure if Nico could handle what I do, so I needed him there. Getting information was my specialty, especially from people who didn’t want to talk. I pulled on my jean shorts and a red tank top before turning to him with a wink. If he got in the way, I could have Marcello remove him from the room, though from the looks of things he was trusting so far. I followed him under the Villa to where our little friend was staying.

The dim lights and leaking cellar often spooked the others out, but it was a dankness I was familiar with. As I followed him deeper, cells appeared, and a roughed-up image of the man I saw earlier sat tied to a chair. There were bruises all over his face, cuts up his arms, and a glare I could sense from where I was standing behind Nico. When I finally walked around him to look at our latest victim, his eyes widened.

“Non sapevo che una donna così adorabile vivesse qui.” He smiled, wincing when his cracked lip appeared. “Questi idioti non hanno idea di chi io sia. Signora, per favore salvami.”

“Cut the crap, DeVille.” I replied, leaning against the cell door as I picked at my nails. “I’m the one who ordered your arrest… Selling information is against the Omertá. If you were the true heir to your family, you would know that.” Then I dropped my foot as I stepped forward and smiled sweetly at him. “So you’re going to tell me who your contact is.”

“Why would I do that?” He ventured, his smile showing a missing tooth. “Unless you plan to strip naked, I’m not talking.”

“Sure.” I shrugged, pulling at the tail of my shirt. “Or I could just let my husband here black your other eye. Your choice.”