It had been a week since we’d been back from our vacation and vow renewal. The trip was much needed; I got to see Savio a little carefree, and the sex was beyond gratifying to where every time I thought about it, it made my thighs tremble. I needed to help the ache when I was alone by using the vibrator I had stored in my bedroom drawer. Tonight, he’d agreed to come to a work event that the paper put on every year for upcoming journalists. He didn’t give me too much pushback, and I gladly showed him what I was wearing beforehand. The asshole came out when he threatened to cut it up after I came back from wearing it at this event.
Rena and Gabby were talking in a corner, watching all the single men come in and out. I waved to get their attention, and they came toward us.
“How much longer is this again?” Savio challenged.
“Babe, you’re the owner of the newspaper. You should know this.”
“I have someone to handle these things for me.”
I repeated the same statement he always gave me whenever it came up about something with the paper. I still didn’t like that he went behind my back to purchase the company, to keep me under his thumb, but I couldn’t fight him about that anymore. I just accepted my fate as his wife.
“I love you in this tux.”
“Great job on the guest list, Savio.” Rena twiddled her fingers together in excitement.
“How many phone numbers have you gotten?”
Gabby laughed at my question.
“She’s gotten about three numbers already,” Gabby replied.
“That’s supposed to stay between us, Gabby,” Rena fussed.
“Does Sante know you’re here?” Savio asked.
“Why would I need his permission?”
“My brother may come off calm and nice, but he’s a ticking time bomb.”
“Sante seems so reasonable though, compared to you,” I blurted out.
Savio gripped me around the waist, pulled me into his chest, and smashed his lips on mine.
“There’s a reason I made him underboss.”
“What about your brother Renato?” Gabby inquired, and Savio’s brow furrowed.
“You don’t want to know,” Savio, Rena, and I all said at the same time.
“There’s a big turnout tonight, I think we’ll have a lot of interns coming in this year,” I said.
“What about getting together for lunch?” Rena asked.
“Not this week, but we’re having a family get together at Savio’s parents’ house.”
“I don’t know about that,” Rena responded and blew out a breath.
“Why not? You like his parents.”
“His parents, not the rest of the clan.”
“I should be offended, but I know you’ve had a lot to drink,” Savio told her.
“You’ve kidnapped me already and sent your crazy brother out to get me,” Rena spat.
“As long as you know it can be done again.” Savio’s eyes darkened.
“All right you two. Rena, you’re more than welcome to come to the house.”
“We don’t allow outside people in our family’s home,” Savio explained.
“This one time can’t you make an exception?” I batted my eyes and bit my bottom lip.
Savio sighed heavily and leaned over to whisper in my ear, “You’re sucking my dick for this favor.”
“I’ll do that anyway.”
` He growled at my response, kissing me on the neck.
“They’re starting the announcements,” Gabby said. The jazz music stopped playing, and the large screen showed the newspaper’s name and interns who were coming in for the new year. When Savio said the event would be held at the Calabresi Hotel, a division of the family’s business, I was blown away at the huge twenty-story building and landscape. The place was massive and expensive. We had the largest ballroom rented out to hold up to five hundred people, and he wanted to get us a room for the night, but I wanted my own bed.
The presenter finished running down the names, and we clapped. Food was then served, and we took our seats and enjoyed ourselves. Everyone wanted to meet Savio and came up to our table to shake hands with him.
The next morning, I had a meeting with the editor about the next steps with my ideas since the article and book were doing well on the charts. I came in extra early, even though we made it home late. Savio stuck to his word, ripping my dress apart and making love to me all night long.
“McKayla, thank you for coming in today.” Samira extended his hand out to me.
“Thank you so much.”
“Have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
“So, you know why I wanted you to come in, right?”
“Yes, hopefully I do.” I chuckled, and he laughed.
“Well, your piece on the Calabresi struck the book.”
“It caused a lot of emotions and controversy.”
“I understand, and I want you to know that it’s up to you if you agree to my proposal.”
“What proposal is that?”
“If you’d like to oversee the organized crime unit news.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“I know you’ll need to talk it over with your husband, and this could be a little dangerous.”
“What would it entail exactly?”
“A lot of late nights if something breaks. Meeting with the police and talking with some people who aren’t the friendliest to reporters and media.”
“I’m not sure.”
“I understand. This is a huge job, but I must tell you… Your husband wouldn’t be a factor in the decision of me having you oversee the work.”
“When you came onboard, what made him hire you?”
“Let’s just say I have some familiar ties with the Calabresi family.”
“Wait, your family’s in the mafia?”
“A few on my mom’s side.”
“They’re not mad about your job?”
“We clash on occasion.”
“I thought I had it bad.”
“Don’t stress about your answer right now. Keep me updated. You have a few weeks before I make an announcement.” She stood up and reached for my hand again. I promised to give her an update soon after thinking everything over and left to head back to my desk and finish working. I sat and made some notes on the piece Gabby and I finished together. I glanced across my desk and saw my phone vibrating with my mom’s name across.
Mom: Hi baby, are you up for lunch today?
Me: Sure, where do you want to meet?
Mom: We can do a place close to your job.
Me: Panshce?
Mom: Great and see if Rena is free.
Me: I will.
I looked up from my cubicle and saw Rena walk in with papers in her hand and her hair pulled up in a tight bun and bags under her eyes. That wasn’t like her to be so off when it came to her looks. I marched over to her desk and leaned against as she sat.
“What are your plans for lunch?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
Rena stretched her arms and yawned.
“You seem off today. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I had a long night with one of my friends.”
“My mom wants to go to lunch. Can you free up an hour?”
“I wouldn’t be much company.”
“You have bags under your eyes, and your hair seems unkempt. Are you sure you’re telling me everything?”
“Yes, why would I lie to you?”
“Good, so you’re coming to lunch. Grab your purse.”
“McKayla,” Rena hissed when I grasped her wrist, picked up her purse and jacket, and headed to my desk to grab my things. Twenty minutes later, we were laughing and drinking with my mom at Pansche, and Rena’s entire mood had shifted.
“Savio doesn’t know about the work opportunity?” Mom asked.
I shook my head.
“No, but I’ll ask him later.”
“Be careful, honey.”
“I think it’s brave of you to take on a big role like that,” Rena told me.
“I haven’t agreed yet.”
“But I can see the light in your eyes,” Mom said.
The waitress refilled our drinks of mimosas, and I asked for a to-go bag for my salad and shrimp. Pansche wasn’t crowded, and we sat outside for the cool breeze.
“The money would be good.”
“What do you need money for? Your husband’s a billionaire,” Rena quipped.
“That’s his money. Who knows what can happen in five years.”
“I’ve always taught you to be independent.”
“I know, Mommy.”
“I need me a billionaire.” Rena gulped her drink.
“You’re not dating, Rena?” Mom questioned.
“No, too many men for me to settle,” Rena replied and ate more of her calamari.
“The days when I was single.” Mom shook her head.
“Are you ready to head back to the office, Rena?”
“Yeah, I still need to type my article.”
“Thank you for having lunch with me girls. It’s on me.”
“I can’t let you do that, Mom.”
The waitress approached and placed the to-go box down. I pulled out my card to pay, and she blocked me.
“No need to pay. The bill is already taken care of, Mrs. Calabresi.”
“Huh? How? I just got the final cost.”
“Your husband.”
“Wait, is he here?”
“No, an associate of your husband informed us that he is paying for your meals.” She thanked us and strolled back inside.
“That’s why I want a billionaire,” Rena said.
“Savio has you watched?”
“It’s a long story, Mommy.”
“I thought you’ve worked through the trust issues.”
“We have, but he’s never going to stop being overprotective and having his men around.” I scanned the street and saw one black Lincoln town car parked up a block with tinted windows. I more than can assume it’s one of Savio’s men.
“We need to get back to work. Thank for inviting us to lunch.” I leaned over and hugged my mother and left the restaurant with Rena teasing me about Savio. Later in the evening, Savio came into the bathroom while I was soaking in the tub with music playing. He loosened his tie and sat on the edge of the tub, dipping his hand in the water to caress my thigh.
“How was work today?”
“Long,” he answered.
“Thank you for lunch.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How was your lunch?”
“Boring if it’s not you.” He smirked, then pecked me on the lips.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Go ahead.” He dipped one finger in my sex, and I felt the intense feeling of wanting it to be his dick.
“The editor…”
“What about the editor?” he teased me, stroking me slowly with a second finger.
“She asked me about taking over a new division of the paper.”
“That’s good news, correct?”
“Yesss—”
“I love when your voice becomes shallow, and you wither underneath my fingers.”
“Baby… I can’t concentrate.”
Savio chuckled, removed his fingers, and stuck them in his mouth.
“Sweet like always.”
I cleared my throat.
“What I wanted to say is that it would be overseeing the organized crime section.”
“This is what you want?”
“I don’t know, but it could become something big for me.”
“I like when you’re happy.”
“I’m happy with you.”
“Glad to know I can put that smile on your face.”
“Let’s have dinner and talk more about this later.”
“Let me wash you up.”
“No.”
“Why not?” He grinned and reached for the soap and towel.
“You love to taunt me.”
“That lovely red flush that comes across your face when you’re coming gives me pleasure.”
“You’re so bad.”
“Better to be bad than good.”
“Why?” I picked up the end of his tie, twirled it around between my fingers.
“You know what you’re getting when I’m bad. I make no apologies, McKayla. You’re my weakness, strength, and heart. The second you crumble, then I do.”
“Let’s make sure it never happens.”