Dangerous Beauty: Part Two: A Mafia Princess (19 page)

“I’ve never spoken to him about my mother before, Carter. After a while, he just stopped trying. I’m sure he doesn’t care anymore. If I were him, I wouldn’t, either. I wasn’t the best kid after she died. I used to blame him for her death. I made sure he knew that I didn’t want to speak to him. I spoke only Russian for two years after my mother died. He and Kyle learned the language just to communicate with me, but I still wouldn’t discuss her with him.” Nathan began to unconsciously twist Carter’s wedding ring as he continued to speak. “Eventually, we were able to develop a relationship again. I love my father. I didn’t want to hurt him anymore, so I agreed to be more open and honest with him. I agreed to stop shutting myself off and to stop being such an asshole …as long as we never spoke of my mother.” He turned to face Carter. “We let it go long time ago, baby. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine. Better than fine. I’m happy. Here with you, married to you. I’m happy, okay?” He leaned forward and kissed her lips.

Carter stood on her toes and met him halfway, and once their lips parted, Carter nodded her understanding. After a moment of hugging each other in silence, Carter ended it by bringing something to Nathan’s attention.

“Not blaming him anymore is a huge step, Nathan. I’m proud of you,” she whispered.

Nathan frowned in confusion. “What?”

Carter looked up at him with loving eyes. “You said you ‘used to blame him’. That means you don’t anymore. I think that’s a huge step, Bubby. I can tell you’re not ready to talk to him about it, but just promise me you’ll try.”

Nathan couldn’t speak for a moment, realizing that what Carter had said was true. He didn’t blame his father for his mother’s death anymore. But when the hell did that happen? “Yeah,” he said, almost to himself. “I probably should talk to him. I’m not ready yet, but when I am, I’ll talk to him.”

Carter smiled and kissed him. Nathan returned her kiss, even as his thoughts remained on the impending conversation he needed to have with his father.

***

“Is this everything? We need to leave.” Kyle looked down at his watch, noting the time they were wasting.

“It will never be everything, Kyle,” Mickey said, flipping through Mitchell’s bank books. “That fat fuck spent a nice little chunk of Carter’s money and threw the rest away in bullshit investments.” He looked over at the three shaky sons of bitches standing in the corner. With a devious smile and his gun still in hand, he turned his chair to face them and propped his elbows on the small boardroom table. “Well, you heard my brother. Is this everything you have left?” he asked menacingly.

They nodded frantically.

Mickey sighed and shook his head. “Spook was loaded,” he said, looking in the bank book at the balance of the money Mitchell had taken from Spook Steele years ago.

They had the bank books, but the money was all gone. The only thing they found of Spook’s that had value was his safety deposit box— the one they had taken the day they killed him. Mitchell had kept Spook’s things as trophies. He had rewarded himself for being the man who took out Spook Steele.

Kyle’s jaw clenched. That motherfucker got off easy. He deserved much more than Anastacia Stone’s knife in his throat. He deserved to be tortured. He took a slow, deep breath. This was the building in the video Giovanni had given them. The place where they had held the meetings, plotting to kill Carter and Nathan. The three men standing against the wall about to piss themselves were the men who had handled Mitchell’s finances. They were also the ones who’d helped him gain access to Spook’s money five years ago. They had kept his money and his secrets, and now Kyle was waiting to receive word on whether or not they would keep their lives.

Dante walked into the room and sat at the table. Kyle looked at him, and he shrugged. Kyle frowned. “What the hell does that mean? What did he say?” He’d sent Dante to call Nathan thirty damn minutes ago.

“He didn’t answer.”

“Thirty minutes, and not an answer?” Kyle was beginning to get irritated. He was sick of this shit. He never realized how difficult Nathan’s job was until he’d had to do it. He’d had to lead the guys and take over his business meetings. He was practically sitting in as the underboss while Angelo and his father traveled to Italy then Las Vegas, and he was exhausted. He couldn’t wait for Nathan to return to New York.

Kyle couldn’t take it anymore. People kept asking him shit, looking to him to make decisions and to meet with associates and other families wanting to do business with the Salerno family. The mob and other idiots around New York kept asking for favors, protection, and money. Not to mention having to deal with the pileup of assholes that owed the Salerno family money. How was he supposed to make these decisions? How the hell was he supposed to handle all of this?

He knew his father and Angelo were sick of him calling and asking questions, but he didn’t give a fuck. They were all suffering from Nathan and Carter’s absence. He didn’t know what the fuck he would do if he had to take on all of Nathan’s responsibilities. He was lucky he was only left in charge of New York. Nathan’s usual responsibilities involved the entire empire. Kyle would lose his mind if he had to travel from place to place, listening to idiots whine about shit.

Kyle groaned. This shit was over. He was ready to get the hell out of here. He hadn’t even gotten laid in a week. He needed to relieve some of this stress before they left Manhattan. They’d wrap up here, he’d hit up one of his girls, and then he’d head out to the country to see Carterina’s smiling face.

Kyle smiled at the thought of Carter. He loved the way she made him feel. Kyle had never known what it felt like to have someone miss him so much until he met Carter in Hope Beach. She always made him feel… special. Kyle knew that made him sound like a bitch, but he didn’t give a shit. Men like him needed to feel special sometimes, too. There was nothing like being greeted by the smiling face of a stunning beauty like Carterina. She had many smiles. He couldn’t wait to see the smile she reserved just for him.

Yep, that’s what he needed most. To see Carter. She was just the medicine he needed after a long week of bullshit.

Kyle stood, ready to go. He took the safety deposit box on the table in his hands. It was filled with old bank books and pictures of Carter and her father. Kyle knew Carter would want them, so he’d figured he would be sure to grab them and leave the bank books at his house.

He looked around to the guys. Lucca had entered the room. Kyle pursed his lips and glared at the only Salerno in the fucking room. The bastard had convinced Kyle to take over Nathan’s responsibilities even though he was the one that carried the Salerno name. Lucca was and would always be a lazy asshole.

Kyle cleared his throat. “I suppose you’re waiting for me to make a decision.”

“Yep,” they said simultaneously.

If Nathan were here, he’d tell Mickey to do what he pleased and walk out of the room. They all thought Nathan was giving them free will— a say in the matter— but no. Nathan had control over everything. He studied each of them and knew exactly what to say to get the result he wanted without being perceived as a dictator. It was something his father had taught him.

Nathan had explained it to Kyle once. He’d said,
“I tell Mikilo and Lucca to do what they please because I know they will kill who I want them to kill. If I didn’t want a man dead, I would send them on their way. I tell Dante to handle a situation because I know he’ll just beat them bloody. He’s never killed a man before, and I admire that about him. I know what to say to each of you to get the result that’s best for the situation. That’s all a part of being a leader.”

“Why are you telling me this, Nate? Now that I know your method of control, how will you use it against me?” Kyle asked.

Nathan chuckled. “It’s a process, brother. For all you know, I could be using it right now.”

Kyle didn’t want to admit it, but Nathan had unnerved him a little during that conversation. He really could come off as psychopath when he wanted to.

Kyle shook his head. This was no time to think about what Nathan would do in this situation. The asshole didn’t even answer his phone.

Kyle groaned and looked at the men standing against the wall. He turned to exit the room.

“Do what you want,” he muttered as he left.

He heard three clicks from a silenced gun that he was sure belonged to Mickey.

“Remember what I said, Nathan. Be respectful if you ask him about his relationship with my mother,” Carter said as she gave Nathan a kiss. Nathan finished buttoning his shirt and kissed her lips. She reached up to straighten the collar on his dark blue button-down shirt, then smoothed the wrinkles around his shoulders. She loved how he looked in blue. “You know how your father feels about respect. I don’t want you to get your ass kicked on my birthday,” Carter half-joked.

Nathan smirked. “Baby, I think I know how to speak to my father by now. I lived with the man, remember?”

Carter looked away. She was wondering if she should make him aware of something about himself. She took a deep breath and decided to go for it. “Nathan, you’re kind of a smart-ass. Plus you have a tendency to be blunt. Sometimes you’re just a little too honest about what you’re thinking,” she confessed.

Nathan’s mouth dropped, then he laughed. “What?”

Carter sighed and walked over to the closet to pick out shoes. “It’s true, Nathan. Being that way with me is fine— I’m your wife— but with everyone else? Not so much,” she said from the closet. “You wonder why your father always calls you a smart-ass? It’s because you are.” She came out of the closet with her favorite nude-colored pumps. She didn’t feel like being too short today. She sat on their bed to put on her shoes. “Just make sure you ask him
respectfully
about the nature of their relationship. Don’t ask him if they’re screwing, banging, and— I can’t stress this enough— do
not
ask if he’s fucking her.”

Once she had her shoes on, she looked up at him to make sure he was listening. “Nathan, did you hear me?” she asked. When she looked into his eyes, she was met by a hungry stare.

“You look damn good, Carter. It’s going to be torture watching you walk around in those pumps all night.”

Carter could practically see every dirty thought he had flashing across his face. She rolled her eyes. Of course, he wasn’t listening.

“Would you focus, Nathan? You’re not even listening to me.”

He stared off in thought while he sprayed himself with a little of his favorite cologne. “We definitely should have had sex in the shower. Now I’m going to be thinking about what
could’ve been
all night.” He laughed softly at his words.

Carter let out an exasperated sigh and went into the bathroom. She looked at her face, wondering if she should wear makeup today, then she shook her head, deciding against it. She reached for her cherry lip gloss and applied some, knowing that it was Nathan’s favorite. She made sure her roots were pressed out and her curls were bouncy. She gently pulled one long curl and let go. When it bounced back, she smiled, satisfied with the curly look. If she had to do this damn birthday dinner, she wanted to look nice doing it. Putting the finishing touches on her hair, she pinned it back to show off the birthday gifts Nathan had given her this morning. He had surprised her with custom-made yellow diamond earrings— in the shape of roses— and a matching necklace. Carter shed one or two tears. It was so sweet, and she could never get enough diamonds.

Once she finished with her hair, she smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt. This was the birthday outfit her mother had sitting at the bottom of the stairs for her when she and Nathan ran inside. It was a white sweater that hung just off her shoulders and a layered pale pink and white Chanel skirt. She loved the way the mid-thigh length skirt flowed as she walked, showing off a lot of leg.

Before her father died, Carter had always had a pretty birthday outfit. She was excited to start the tradition again for her birthday this year. She loved this outfit. It was as beautiful as the clothing her father used to give her when she was a kid. That thought brought a sad smile to her face.

She really missed him, especially on her birthday. She wondered how he would feel about everything she’d done in her life the past year— meeting Nathan, moving to New York, working in the Salerno Organization, letting Anastacia back in her life, marrying.

“Hey, babe? Are you mad at me or something?”

Carter snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Nathan speaking to her.

He walked into the bathroom, staring at his sleeves as he rolled them up to his elbows. He stood in front of the mirror, completing his task, and then looked up at Carter with a drop-dead gorgeous smile.

Carter fought hard to maintain an impassive expression. She didn’t want to smile. She hated when he did this. The Salerno men all had seductive smiles that left women no choice. They had to return the smile— and drool and swoon because the men were so damn stunning.

The thought was enough to give Carter the resolve that she needed. She glared at him. “You’re an asshole, Nathan Salerno.”

The smile fell from his face and was replaced with a look of innocence. “What’d I do, babe?”

Carter placed her hands on her hips. “Are you serious, Nathan?” Nathan’s innocent expression remained. Carter threw up her hands in frustration. “You know what? I give up, Nathan. You don’t want to listen? Then fine, do what you want. But don’t come to me when your dad beats your ass and expect me to have an ice pack ready for your head.” She turned and walked out of the bathroom.

“Babe!”

She heard Nathan’s smart-ass following after her. He was such an asshole. He only called her “babe” when he was being a clown, the jerk. Carter continued walking until she exited their bedroom. She’d rather be downstairs with her mother right now anyway. Screw Nathan.

“Aww, come on, baby. I’m just kidding,” Nathan said as he caught up and fell into step behind her. “I was listening, Carter. I heard you, baby.”

“Whatever, Nathan,” Carter said as she descended the staircase.

“Carter, don’t be upset. I heard everything you said.”

She stopped walking mid-step and turned to him, her hands on her hips again in frustration. Nathan quickly halted to avoid running into her. “What did I say then?” She waited a moment for his answer. “Come on, ‘
babe
’, tell me what I said.”

When Nathan bit his bottom lip, she knew the asshole hadn’t heard a word. Carter let out a grunt of frustration and turned to finish going down the stairs, her hair slapping Nathan in the face. The jerk had better be glad it wasn’t her hand.

Nathan chuckled behind her. “Come on, Carter. You can’t expect me to hear everything you’re saying when you walk around looking that good, baby,” he said through a chuckle.

Carter’s jaw clenched. He was starting to piss her off.

Nathan continued talking, only digging himself deeper. “I mean, between those pumps and that outfit, how do you expect me to focus on anything but your tits, legs, and that sexy ass?”

That did it. Now Carter was pissed. She turned around and hit his arm hard.

“
Oww
!”

Carter glared at him. “You’re a pig!” she yelled, and then she attacked, slapping him in his arms and head repeatedly.

Nathan raised his arms, trying to protect himself, thanking God that she was holding back. But that didn’t mean the shit didn’t hurt. He backed up until the bottom step knocked him off balance, and he fell back. That didn’t stop his wife. She pounced on him. “Dammit, Carter! I said I was sorry!” he yelled, still trying to protect himself.

“You’re such an asshole!”

Nathan managed to stand back up even as the series of slaps continued.

Then Carter made a huge mistake— she punched him in the stomach. As soon as her fist came into contact with the stone wall that was Nathan’s abdomen, severe pain shot through her hand, making her gasp loudly. She remembered the same pain from when she had first hit her father in the stomach, and it hurt just as bad.

When Nathan heard her gasp, he peeked to see why the hitting stopped. When he saw the pain flash across her face as she held her hand, he immediately came to her aid. “Oh God, baby, what happened?” he asked softly as he sat down on the stairs and brought her to him.

Carter’s quickly pulled herself together as she sat on Nathan’s lap. She knew better than to show her pain, even though it hurt like hell. She looked at Nathan as he began to rub the pain from her hand and frowned. Nathan had to stop coddling her like this or he’d make her weak. She knew her father had loved her more than anything, but whenever she hurt herself with him, he would just tell her to ‘get the hell up and shake it off’. Carter always knew he was only that way with her to make her strong, and she tried her best to please him, even though tears got the best of her sometimes. But she didn’t want to be weak in his eyes, and she didn’t want to be weak in Nathan’s eyes either. If she kept accepting Nathan’s comfort, wouldn’t that make her weak?

Nathan took her hand in his and kissed it softly. He was so sweet as he tended to her injury, and Carter continued to stare at him blankly while he kissed her and apologized. No one had ever done anything like this for her. No one but him. No one had ever kissed her pain away or made her feel like it was okay to show it. Just Nathan. Nathan had never made her feel weak when she cried, either— he just held her and told her everything would be fine. And Carter believed him every time.

A warm smile appeared on Carter’s face as she watched him tend lovingly to her.

Nathan looked up from her hand to her face and was met with her beautiful smile. He brought his hand to her face and ran his thumb across her smiling lips. “Why are you smiling?” he asked sweetly.

“Why do you do that?” she asked, genuinely curious. The tender tending wasn’t something Carter was accustomed to.

Nathan gave her a curious smile. “Do what?”

“When I hurt myself, you hold me. You’re so sweet and gentle with me … like I might break,” she said through a soft laugh.

Nathan laughed softly and nodded his head. “Ahhh, sometimes I forget.”

Carter’s brows furrowed, but the warm smile remained on her lips. “Forget what?”

He pulled her closer to him and kissed her cheeks softly. “That I’m married to the hit-man’s daughter,” he said against her skin. “That my wife is a warrior, a fighter. No pain, no tears, no weakness.” He grasped her chin and put his forehead against hers. “None of that here, Mrs. Salerno,” he said, shaking her head back and forth softly, and Carter chuckled. “I am your husband. So when you’re hurt, or sad, or are just having a serious case of PMS …” Carter slapped his arm playfully for that last one “ …I will hold you, and kiss you, and spoil you rotten, showering your violent little ass with expensive gifts and chocolate from foreign lands. Do you know why, Carterina?” he asked as he pulled her so close that their lips were only a whisper apart.

“Why?” Carter whispered, looking deep into his eyes.

“Because I love you, Carterina Salerno.”

He had said it many times before, but it never ceased to give her butterflies. She closed the small distance between their lips, and immediately felt that impenetrable connection. It was the same feeling that swept through her the moment she laid eyes on him in Hope Beach. It was an unfathomable force, an undeniable pull that tethered her to him the moment she took his hand when she was three years old. Carter slipped deeper and deeper into a place of utter peace as she kissed him deeply. It was always like this with Nathan— his touch, his kiss sent a sweet electricity coursing throughout her body. It made her unaware of the existence of anything else but him…

The kiss was sweet, tender, loving … like the kiss they had given each other when they became man and wife in their garden. Carter ran her fingers through his hair, and his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as they slipped deeper and deeper into their own little world.

It was normal for Carter and Nathan to become lost in each other, completely oblivious to what was happening around them, once they were in each other’s arms. That explained why they didn’t hear their parents approaching.

Anastacia and Angelo came through the walkway from the kitchen.

“What the hell is taking them so long? I want to see how she looks in the outfit,” Anastacia muttered as she hung up her cell phone. She had just wrapped up a very important call.

Angelo watched her slide the phone into her back pocket. “Who was that?” he asked. “It sounded important.”

Anastacia nodded. “That’s because it was,” she said coolly.

“So … who was it?” Angelo asked again.

Anastacia rolled her eyes. “Why must you know everything, Angelo?”

“It was just a question, Ana.”

“No, it’s your way of asking if I was on the phone with Paolo,” Anastacia snapped, becoming getting irritated with his questioning.

Angelo glared. “Well, were you? You accepted a call from him this morning. He’s been calling you nonstop since then!”

“So what? He always calls me. Because I answer the phone, that means I’m fucking him, too?”

“Why speak to him? There’s no reason!”

“I can speak to whoever the fuck I want to speak to. It’s none of your God-damn business, Angelo! Anastacia Fucking Stone will answer to one man, and one man only, and that’s the fucking Creator when he’s shipping my ass to hell— so fuck off!”

“Don’t you care about your daughter? What if that sick prick comes to America? What if he sees her? Will you be able to stop Paolo Luchini when he decides to take her? I swear to God, Ana, if he touches her—”

Anastacia hit his chest forcefully. “Do you think I’m a fucking idiot? That I don’t know how to protect my own child?
I’ve been protecting her for her entire life! I stayed away from her to protect her! I don’t need you telling me shit about protecting my child!
”

That’s it!
Angelo had had enough. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. He hadn’t seen her in weeks, and then she showed up in Italy with a jet, wanting to make the trip to America together. He was going to let it go, but now he was mad as hell. If she had spent that time with Paolo, he was done with her— and this time he meant it!

“Where have you been?” he yelled. “Tell me right now, Ana! You disappeared without a word, and then you just show up with no explanation? I’m not going through this shit with you again!
So tell me!
” he ordered.

Fire filled Anastacia’s eyes.
Was he accusing her of something?
“Fuck you!” she shouted and balled up her fist, ready to punch the motherfucker in his face, but she caught movement out of the corner of her eye.