Bellissimo Fortuna (Beautiful Fortune) Read online

  I quickly shed my clothes, down to my boxers, and throw on a pair of shorts before she comes out of the bathroom. Her face is clean of make-up, and her hair is taken down and brushed. She is in her comfy clothes and yet, she’s still stunning. I purposely sit on the couch as far away from the bed as I can so she isn’t thinking about it. We’ll watch movies, and she will relax, then she’ll attack me like normal, but this time I’ll let her explore. I’ll let her lead for a bit. She watches me for a few minutes, “You okay?” she settles in next to me, cuddling into my side.

  “Never better.”

  “Do you leave right after graduation?”

  “No, I have the whole summer. I wouldn’t do that. You know you and Binks can come visit when you want. I figure she will want to see Dakota.”

  “We’ll see,” she says with a defeated tone.

  “Dad got us a three bedroom condo. He was worried about security, so y’all can have your own room.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Do you not want me to go? I’ll stop everything, just say the word.”

  “My dad . . . I don’t think he’ll let me go. Appearances and all, he likes to keep them up.” I hate that man.

  “Then I’ll just come home.” No hurdle is too high for us to leap. She lets out a deep breath and focuses on the TV. Soon her hand is rubbing my bare stomach, her fingers dipping and tracing the ridges of my muscles, repeatedly. It’s soothing and enticing at once. I want her hands all over me, even in the calmness it brings; it ignites a slow burn. I let her continue until I feel her tongue on my collarbone, kissing, licking, and nipping me. I look down at her, and she looks up at me with hooded eyes. Fuck, she is so damn sexy.

  I bring my mouth to hers, slowly. Giving her every chance to pull away, I watch her eyes darken, her cheeks turn pink, anticipating each inch as I get closer. Finally, our lips meet, and it’s combustible. Her fingernails dig in to my stomach, my hands go to her ass, kneading and holding her in my palms. She grunts in frustration and crawls across me. Sitting down on top of my straining dick, I can feel her heat. When she starts rocking, I don’t stop her. I see the flare in her eyes, the enjoyment written all over her face. I continue trailing kisses across her neck, to her shoulders, sometimes soft and dry, sometimes wet and seductive. I hear her groan in frustration. “What baby? What do you need?”

  “I don’t know.” She never stops dry humping me.

  “Does it feel good?”

  “So good. But something is missing.”

  I won’t touch her under her clothes, not yet. I skim my fingers up her thighs, and place the palm of my hand over her clit, and when she rocks into it, I hear her startled gasp. “Better?”

  She throws her head back, and that is my answer. Watching her ride me is another fantasy I will add to my catalog of memories. I’m about to shoot off in my pants, and I don’t even care. She picks up her pace, her breath choppy, then stills, trembling all over, her eyes wide. Her lips open, and she’s silent. “Let go, baby. This is what you’re searching for.” She moves slowly, riding it out. Her head collapses on my shoulder, and I stroke her hair, her back, and her arms. I just need to touch her. We remain silent, neither of us needing to elaborate on what we just shared. I know I’ll never get the sight of her going over the edge out of my head. I’m going to become a junkie, getting his fix trying to make her orgasm repeatedly, and it’s one vice I will cling to. Her breathing evens out, and I pick us both off the sofa and make my way to the bed, being careful not to wake her.

  Tonight is a night of firsts. Prom, orgasm, and now holding her in my arms all night. I don’t have to try to be comfortable at all, she curls into me, throwing her leg over mine, her head on my shoulder, and I wrap both arms around her, sighing in completion, and drift off.

  Chapter 9

  Callie

  I feel tingles from the tips of my toes to the nerve endings in my hair. I’ve never felt so close to him, staring in his eyes as I reach orgasm. I was seeking something and he knew exactly what to give me. Falling asleep with him, waking up with him surrounding me was a memory I would draw from in my darkest hours. There will be plenty of those when he is away. Each kiss, I felt him. Like my lips were made for his, my body fit his perfectly. We are in sync and he tells me we will get through the next year with communication and I’m pushing for lots of orgasms along with all that talking we will do.

  Watching him walk across the stage to receive his diploma is bittersweet. I’m proud of him, of all he has accomplished, and what he will in the future, but I know our time is running out. We’ve always seen each other every day, even before we were a couple, but now with him leaving for college in eight weeks, I’ll be lucky to see him four or five days a month. I know he promises me he’s coming home every weekend, and selfishly, I wish he would, but I can’t ask him to give up the college experience for me. The girl back home. The girl that will always wait for him. I know he is struggling with decisions for the future, and I won’t add to those; he has always been my rock, and I will be his.

  I know he won’t follow his heart and go into law enforcement. He would excel at it, with his strength, his dominance, his loyalty . . . all great traits to have. He won’t choose between his dream over his father, and I can’t blame him. Joseph Agosto may be a criminal, but he is a great man. A family man. A father, first and foremost, and would give up this lifestyle for his son to have his dreams if it wasn’t so risky to his family. The one decision I hope he doesn’t make is to join the business. I want him to be successful, but I want him to have a clear conscience, and I want out of this. I want away from my father and the reminders. I follow him with my eyes as he descends the stairs making his way towards me. He should be going to his seat and waiting for the ceremony to conclude, but he isn’t a follower, in life or rules. I practically jump in his arms as he approaches, and when his lips touch mine, the noise around us goes silent. The nerves and doubts don’t exist.

  I pull away, reluctantly, “Congratulations, you did it.”

  He is trying to mask his excitement, but I see the light dancing in his eyes. “Thanks. Now I have all my time to focus on you,” he says, wagging his eyebrows at me, being cheesy. I start laughing and stop abruptly when I see my father glare over his shoulder. To the Agostos, he has an artifice, although Bronson and Bianca see right through it, but he never lets me forget he isn’t happy with my relationship and ‘that boy better not try to take my place.’ Bronson’s solution is for me to move in with him and finish school online. He is nineteen now and legally an adult, so he doesn’t necessarily have to get it approved through his father. I refuse. I only have one more year, I want to graduate with Bianca, but the biggest reason is that it could get out of hand. If my father caused enough of a stink about it, Mr. Agosto would have no choice but to rein his son in, and I would have to go home, after defying my father. He still has control over me and can forbid us from seeing each other.

  Trying to balance both is becoming trickier each day, and as much as I want to enjoy my senior year, I want it over. I don’t care where I end up after, if he is still at FSU then I will follow. I want my teaching degree, and I want him. “Do you ever think about what it will be like when we are both in school? Together, full-time? Grown-ups?”

  He chuckles. “Yes, to all of those. I know me going away is bothering you no matter how you try to hide it. I know there will be some changes but not as many as you are thinking. I know you don’t agree, but the weekends you can’t make it to me I am coming home. My schedule allows Fridays off for study groups or whatever, so I can be home Thursday night.” A good girlfriend would argue, remind him to enjoy college life and study hard. I’m not her tonight.

  “Okay.” I shrug. “I hope I can make it up to see you. It will just depend on you-know-who.” I hadn’t broached the subject with my father yet and need to catch him when he is preoccupied. That seems to be all the time, but mix that with his anger, and I know to avoid him.

  “Don’t forget I leave to
morrow with Dakota, but we will be home early Sunday afternoon. You staying with Binks?” He is visiting the DEA recruitment office in Miami. I know he is going to support Dakota, but it has to hurt. His dream is right in front of him, but he can’t reach it.

  “I know. And before you make a final decision, really think about it. There may be a way.” He is shaking his head before I can even finish my sentence.

  “You know there isn’t. It is what it is and I’m slowly facing that truth. I’m still going to be there for Dakota. We made a pact years ago and I’m honoring that.”

  “I know,” I cup his cheek. I wish he would let me see how he feels, not be so strong all the time.

  “I wish you could come with us.”

  “I still have finals starting Monday, and you know I wasn’t granted permission.”

  “Sometimes . . .” he trails off. Yes, sometimes I would like to do vile and violent things to the man whose sperm created me.

  “Happy thoughts tonight.”

  “Stay with me.” I don’t know what he means.

  “I’m staying at your house. Aren’t you going to be there?”

  “Yes, but I need you in my bed all night. It’s been too long since I’ve fallen asleep and woke up holding you. I need that before this weekend.” Knowing that my presence comforts him, I’d agree to anything for him.

  “Of course,” he bends down and kisses me sweetly. Our families are waiting on the obligatory dinner, and then we can make our escape. I notice Bianca and Dakota are talking with their heads together, no doubt scheming their escapade later. She’s gotten more action from him than I have from her brother, although that is one secret I don’t share with Bronson. Bianca explains it as they aren’t forever so the mistakes they make now won’t follow their entire relationship. It isn’t logical, and they’re both fooling themselves by not just admitting how they feel.

  Dinner is relatively quiet. My mom is absent and my dad is boisterous and charming to all who pay him attention. Luis, my father, and Mr. Agosto don’t talk business, but there is an underlying tension there, terse sentences and glaring looks pass between my father and Luis.

  “No, Marco isn’t ready to be brought in,” Luis sternly tells my father. By the look my father is giving him this is a point of contention between them.

  “Men, this is my son’s graduation party. We will discuss this later,” Mr. Agosto speaks.

  “Joseph,” my father begins.

  “Later.” And that is final word between my father and Joseph on the matter. It wasn’t hard to overhear because I’m used to listening when I shouldn’t be, but I’m not expecting what comes next.

  “Callie, dear, it’s time to get home,” my father says, clapping his hand over Bronson’s shoulder. “Congratulations, son.” I must look panicked because Bronson squeezes my hand.

  “Can I bring Callie home, sir?”

  “I can give you five minutes with her, then bring her to the car. I’ll be waiting.” Not expecting this turn of events, I try to rein in my disappointment, not wanting to set Bronson off. I say good-bye to the family and follow Bronson to the front lobby.

  “He’s a dick, Callie.”

  “I know. I think he’s upset with a business decision I overheard. He’s controlling me, because I am all he can control right now.” I shouldn’t explain it away; it upsets him when I do.

  “Has nothing to do with us. I don’t like it, at all. I’ll talk to Dakota, and his meeting is early afternoon. We can drive home from Miami after that.”

  “Don’t change your plans. It’ll be fine. He’ll settle down shortly.”

  “My mind’s made up. I’ll stop by before we leave tomorrow, and I’ll see you Saturday early evening.”

  “I love you.”

  “Always,” then he takes my lips and makes me forget about the debacle that happened inside.

  I climb in the car and before I can put my seatbelt on, my father hits the gas so hard I smash against the headrest, and before I could gain my bearings he slams on the brakes at the intersection, causing me to be thrown forward and hit my head on the dashboard. Crying out only angered him.

  “Stupid girl. You should’ve had your seatbelt on.”

  “I didn’t have time.” I felt his hand across my cheek before I even saw it. Not hard enough to bruise, but it most definitely stings.

  “Don’t talk back. It’s not respectful.” I keep my mouth shut and my eyes down the rest of the ride. Making my way inside, I go right to the freezer for an ice pack for my cheek. I don’t need any swelling tomorrow when Bronson stops by. It was a situation that I have kept hidden as much as I could, but I can’t have him involved.

  When I step out of the shower, I hear people yelling. I can distinctly hear my father, and I think Marco. I hurriedly put on clothes and edge my way down the hallway. My father’s voice is menacing. “I don’t care what you want, Marco. I threw your name in last night at the meeting, wanting you vetted to become a made-man, and they both shot me down. I tried to broach the subject again at dinner and it was still a no-go. Now you keep asking me the same damn question, you have me on edge and if I propose it again, there will be suspicions.”

  “This isn’t what we agreed to, Frank.” I hear the breaking of glass.

  “Show some respect, Marco. You may be a friend now, but it won’t take much for you to be an enemy. We’ll keep to the plan.”

  “The two year plan? You expect me to do your dirty work for that long? You’re out of your mind.” The wall I am leaning against vibrates with such force the pictures rattle.

  “I can kill you and not raise an inkling of curiosity. We stick to the plan.” I peek around the corner and my dad has Marco against the wall by his neck.

  “Yes sir.” I race back to my room, shutting and locking the door. I wish I was with Bronson and Bianca tonight. I don’t know what my father is planning, but I know it can’t be good. In one more year I will be in college, Bronson will be finishing his Bachelor’s degree, and the choices are wide open. I just know I don’t want to be around for his plan to come to fruition.

  Needing to hear Bronson’s voice, I dial his number. As soon as he picks up my heart rate settles.

  “Hey babe. Everything okay?”

  “I don’t only call you when something is wrong. Just wanted to tell you I love you.”

  “I love you. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Okay. Sweet dreams.”

  “When they consist of you Callie, they aren’t sweet.” When his voice drops like that, with a twinge of sexiness, I want to kick my own ass that I’m not ready for sex. I know we are the real deal, but I feel that will cement us and no matter what he won’t leave me, and I want him to have all his options open when he goes to college. If we were to break up, and I had given him that, I wouldn’t recover. Although, I am not sure I would recover anyway.

  Chapter 10

  Bronson

  This summer has been rough. Not only am I leaving for college, Frank Locati has been a pain in my ass. Every year, for as long as I can remember, he has never cared about her being at my house, but since graduation he’s had her on a short leash. She is more reserved, always skirting the issue when I ask her what’s wrong. I know he isn’t happy with us being together, I just haven’t figured out why. His place in the family is secure, and my plans have been made known.

  After traveling to Miami to the recruitment center, I couldn’t let go of my dream. There were several options open to me, and instead I changed the path of my future. Instead of being a Special Agent in the DEA I decided on Forensic Sciences. I will be combatting scientifically sophisticated illicit drug manufacturers and working with the agents with intelligence on them. I will not be a direct opponent in my father’s organization, and I will still feel like I’m doing something worthwhile. I talked to my mentor at length and explained my situation; let him know I’m not interested in being used for information on my family’s crimes. He already knows about our family and who we are as he is my
godmother’s brother. I am going to take the Special Agent training with Dakota the summer after we finish college, but then I will work out of the Miami field office.

  Callie’s excited and doesn’t seem discouraged that she’ll have to transfer after her freshman year to be with me, so I tell her I will research everything.

  “No. It’s my education. I’ll figure out which college I’ll go to.” Her stubbornness is a new side to her personality. She is growing by leaps and bounds. I still keep a close watch on her food intake and stress level, but so far, with medication her ulcer is controlled.

  “It’s our future, Callie. We’re having to relocate because of me. I’m just trying to help you out.”

  “I’ve got this.” I relent and let her do this on her own. Of course I will have my own research files for back up in case she needs help.

  The conversation with my dad went better than I hoped. I was timid when broaching the subject because I never want him to think I will choose a career over him. I know he’ll always stand behind me but I didn’t want that divide between us. He promises he is trying to get out of the drug business. It is only a small fraction of the business they do, so it won’t hurt them at all. Even if they get out of drugs, I can’t become a special agent as the other ties to other families. It can create discord so I compromise and feel good about it.

  “Are you excited?” I hate hearing the sadness in her voice. She is putting on a brave front for me, but if she is hurting half as much as I am, then I know it’s killing her.

  I zip my suitcase and throw it on the floor so I can pull her in my lap. “Hey, it’s only a couple hours away. I’ll either be doing school work or talking to you. Besides, we still have this weekend. I’m glad your dad relented and let you come.”

  “You can thank Luis for that. He was against it until the meeting the other night.” I know he wasn’t pleased, but instead of pissing off the Consigliere of the family, he allowed her to take me to school and spend the weekend with the rest of the family. It won’t afford us a lot of time alone but I just want to be with her as long as possible. This next year will be the most trying for us as a couple and as individuals. We will have to learn to not be so dependent on one another, or more like her not being available to me every time I need her. I know we will be fine, but I worry about her handling the stress of my absence.