The Power of a Woman: A Mafia Erotic Romance (28 page)

“So this is why you’re involved? To be compensated?” My disgust was evident in my tone. He was right about this being big, possibly even bigger than Gotti putting a hit on Big Paulie in 1985. It changed everything, giving Gotti power of New York at the time. That in itself should be enough to have him on board—not to mention, this came down from Italy. And you do
not
question those orders.

“No, ma’am.” His eyes caught mine again in the mirror, sharp and undeterred. “You know I’d do anything for this family, anything for this life. It’s not about what I get out of it, but what I can do for it. Whether that’s being your shadow and keeping the Albanese princess safe, or running errands for the new boss, I’d do anything.”

Sunny had always been loyal, and this only served to validate those claims. You never know someone’s true colors until the pressure is on. They may seem genuine to the naked eye, but put them beneath a microscope and dissect their balls…that’s when you see what they’re truly made of.

For a man overseas, one who’d remained a myth, an urban legend to the younger generations, he really knew whom to trust. It amazed me how he could do that without ever getting his hands dirty. Without ever looking into the eyes of these men. It was a gift, one only he seemed to possess. And if he wanted Stefan—and me—it was more than an honor. We were in the midst of making history. Sunny realized that, too. Whatever his motivation was, it didn’t matter, because he was chosen for a reason. And it was not my place to question Carlo or his motives.

“What do you know about the courthouse?” I had an innate curiosity to understand his knowledge on this matter. No one was supposed to know about our nuptials, but I guess it only made sense for him to since he was my shadow.

“I only know that you were there. I can make assumptions, but I would rather not. When it’s my time to know, I’ll know. Until then, I keep my eyes directed forward and my mouth shut.”

“So what is it that you
do
know?” This had somehow turned into a game for me—like twenty questions—and I found myself enjoying it greatly.

He cleared his throat and made a turn down the street that led to Stefan’s condo. I knew we didn’t have much time left to chat, but knowing how close I was to my man…
my husband
, I found myself caring less and less about Sunny and his knowledge.

“I apologize if this is overstepping, Miss Jordana, but I would rather not discuss what I know and what I don’t. I’m sure you know all of it, or at the very least most of it. And all you need to be aware of is that I’m on board with Italy’s rule. I support the decisions made by Il Padrino. And I stand behind you and Mr. Giannotti. Everything else is unimportant.”

We pulled into the parking garage beneath the condominium. I’d heard his words, but never acknowledged them. I didn’t need to. He’d given me the right answer, but he didn’t need a pat on the back. The tables were turning, and he no longer answered to my father. He answered to me—well, Carlo and Stefan first, and then me. It didn’t matter, though, because that meant he’d no longer be my shadow. He’d no longer tail me and report back to someone else. I knew Stefan trusted me enough not to need a report of my actions, and Carlo had eyes everywhere, so he’d never need Sunny’s intel on my whereabouts.

Oh, the power that gave me.

Mafia princesses everywhere would envy me. I’d be the Queen Motherfucking Elizabeth of Mafia. The mere thought of my father’s men answering to me gave me a lady-boner. And there was a man upstairs capable of relieving that for me. The same man who’d made it all possible to begin with—
Stefan
.

“I’ll be waiting for you down here, Miss Jordana,” Sunny said as he opened my door for me and led me to the elevator.

I smiled at him as the doors closed, and then the cart took me all the way to the penthouse. But it felt further than that. It felt as if it’d taken me to the top of the world. Because I felt high…high on adrenaline, high on euphoria, high on sexual desires.

Stefan met me in his foyer once the door opened back up. My smile fell as soon as I noticed the stoic and hard expression on his face. He wore a sharp, black suit, stiff in all the right places. Even the collar of his white shirt was starched to perfection. He appeared ready to go out, maybe another meeting, but it made no sense to me. Why would he ask me to meet him here if he had other plans? My attire certainly didn’t match his.

“What’s going on?” I asked timidly, knowing to never question the man when he looked like that. Almost angry—guarded. As if holding himself back.

“There’s business to tend to,” he gritted out, causing me to flinch slightly.

“I’m not following, Stefan. Did I misunderstand your text?” An unfamiliar fear settled into the pit of my stomach. It reminded me of the time I went to meet Mick with an offer to settle my brother’s debt, only to find Scarface instead.

Something wasn’t right. His text was vague, and then he didn’t respond. Sunny seemed a little too eager to get me here. Was this a setup? An ambush? Was Stefan involved, or just as much a victim as I? Sunny’s words replayed in my mind, of how others were involved. What if one of them…

My frantic thoughts were interrupted when Stefan took my hand in his, his gaze softening slightly. “What have I told you about letting that beautiful mind of yours wander? Huh, Tesoro? You’re always on edge…”

My forehead dropped to the center of his chest and I smiled at his teasing. “So much has been changing and I think it has me on edge. How much longer until things settle down?”

“Soon,” he said and pressed a chaste kiss to the top of my head. “
We
have business to deal with, though. Tonight. Like, right now. I’m not entirely eager about it, but it must be done. And you’re the only person that can do it. The
only
one I trust enough.”

Pride filled me as I met his gaze once more. His brown eyes held concern, but the way they regarded me was nothing slight of trust. Of love. It calmed me, wiped out the worried questions from my memory. They no longer existed. The only thing I could see right in front of me was the man I trusted. The
only
man I loved. And I’d do anything he’d ask of me.

“It’s time to obtain proof of the Carraras’ involvement in my brother’s murder. Things are moving along, and I need this information before taking the next step. Antonio Carrara is at his club tonight. His girl is center stage, and that means he’ll be drinking. It’s how we’ll make our move.”

Antonio was an idiot when it came to keeping his cards hidden. Everyone knew his next move because it was written plainly all over his face and in his actions. He had a dancer that worked for him, Chastity—totally cliché and completely ill fitting…the girl was a whore. We all knew that his unimpressive dick had been wound so tight around her pinky finger that the nights she took center stage, he drank himself into oblivion. Apparently, watching her rub her plastic tits on other men made him miserable. What a fucking
jadrool
—a loser. Stefan would never let me on stage to begin with, and if it happened, he certainly wouldn’t sit back and drink himself stupid over it. No. He’d gouge out the eyes of any man that even glanced my way. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself…he’d gouge out the eyes of other women, too, if their gazes lingered too long.

“What’s funny, Tesoro?”

I gave him a wicked grin and said, “I find his weakness hilarious. A total joke.”

His eyes sparkled for the first time since the elevator doors opened. “It is quite humorous, but it works to our advantage. Because tonight, you’re going to play on it. Use it to get what I need from him.”

“We’re going to the club? I’m not exactly wearing strip club material…”

He didn’t care to let me finish speaking before pulling me toward his room, leaving my words trailing off behind us. In his ornate bathroom hung a dress that I would’ve worn out prior to meeting Stefan. However, I wouldn’t dare to anymore—unless I really wanted piss him off—and not in the pleasurable way. But there it was, hanging from the hook on the wall. A black, skin-tight number that was so explicitly short that it probably wouldn’t even cover my snatch. It was lacy, which meant practically see-through and that didn’t surprise me one bit…Stefan and his obsession with lace. His predictability nearly made my eyes roll.

“You can’t possibly want me to wear that…” I pointed at it while carefully studying his rigid posture.

“Of course I don’t. But you have to. Otherwise, I won’t get the answers I need. This is why I’m not excited about this, Jordana. The thought of you flaunting what’s mine in front of these fuckers makes me want to murder someone. And if everything goes according to plan, I’ll get to do just that. It’s the only reason why I’m asking this of you.”

“Very well, then.”

He bowed his head and closed his eyes, taking in a cleansing breath before regarding me once more. “This isn’t easy for me, Tesoro. But it needs to be done. I will be there. Sunny will be there. But we have to keep our distance. Antonio can’t know we’re there. I don’t want you alone with him, and if he touches you, I’ll kill him on the spot. But this needs to be done.”

I nodded, fully understanding the situation. He’d told me before that he’d need my help when it came to getting answers, and I’d been proud then. I couldn’t allow my defiance to rear its ugly head now of all times. I had to do what he’d asked of me…what he needed of me. Stefan had a way of digging deep inside me until he could use me as his personal puppet. And no matter how defiant I was, or how much I wanted to stand on my own two feet and rule this world…I’d let him use me every single time. In any way he pleased. I’d let him manipulate my every action—
no
…I’d beg him to.

Stefan was my King of Spades. And if he wanted me to be the ace in his pocket, then so be it. I’d be anything he wanted me to be. His Queen of Hearts or his Two of Diamonds…it didn’t matter. I trusted him implicitly.

“Just tell me and I’ll do it.”

“You’d really do that for me, Tesoro?”

“Of course.” I laid a hand on his chest and smiled up at him.

“Why? I can tell in your eyes that you don’t really want to.”

“Because I love you.”

His grin reached his eyes as he released a heavy sigh of relief.

“And because you’re my husband…and you asked me to.”

His lips took mine hungrily, his tongue not wasting a second before consuming me, filling my mouth. His appreciation became evident the moment his hips pressed roughly into mine. And the growl that rumbled his chest had my excitement nearly running down my inner thighs.

He pulled back, releasing my mouth from his astounding torture. With a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his lips, he said, “
Mine
.”

Sunny drove us to the club and pulled around back. I’d be lying if I said my nerves weren’t shot or that my stomach wasn’t in knots. I had no clue what I’d be walking into, and that was enough to increase my anxiety to an all-time high. Fear of the unknown could cripple you if you let it. I had to rise above that fear and turn it into power.

“Look at me, Tesoro,” Stefan said once we were out of the car and standing in the back of the building, the thumping of bass vibrating the concrete beneath my six-inch hooker heels. “You’re the sexiest woman alive, the strongest woman I’ve ever known. You have no fear. There’s nothing you can’t do. If you start to feel yourself lose your game face, or get overwhelmed at all, just remember that you’ve done worse than this before and came out on the other side alive. Zeke. You took him down. And no other woman could’ve done that. Just remember that, and how nothing or no one can break you.” He kissed me gently.

His words made me smile. But more than that, they empowered me. My spine straightened, my shoulders squared, and my chin lifted. I glanced to the closed door and asked, “How are we getting in?”

“We’re expected.”

My gaze snapped to his and my forehead tightened as my eyebrows pinched together. “I thought… They know?”

“Only Silvano. He mans this door.”

I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around everything I’d been told and understood about this plan. “But Sunny said the Carraras have been left in the dark about everything. How would he know? And why would he let us in?”

With a smirk, Stefan caressed my cheek with his thumb. “Nothing gets by you. But every now and then, your naiveté shows up. It’s not often. But when it does, I can’t help but fall in love with you all over again. Silvano isn’t a Carrara. He may be on Antonio’s payroll, but he doesn’t answer to him—or his daddy, Billy.”

“Carlo…” I whispered, putting it all together. The embarrassment of missing that piece, of thinking like a child instead of a capable adult, covered me in a heated blanket, my cheeks burning hot.

“I told you…you’re safe. I’d never lead you to the lion’s den without an army of protectors.” Stefan must’ve misread my expression, and took it as worry or fear instead of humiliation. I didn’t know which one was worse.

I turned and headed for the heavy, steel door, Stefan at my heels. He knocked four times, in a distinctive manner that led me to believe it was his way of informing Silvano of our arrival.