Capu Read online

  He chuckled. “Now you want to kill someone?”

  “You’re laughing at me?”

  He brought her food to the table. “I’m laughing at the irony. Marissa is nothing. Tahvo is the one who threatens everyone, including your friends, and especially you. If you want to kill the snake, you cut off its head not the tail. Jasper will be easy to find once his father isn’t protecting him.”

  Shae wiped more tears. “Sorry, I’m not up to speed on killing like you.”

  Carlo chuckled. When she didn't smile, he kissed her forehead. "Eat, cara mia.”

  She did as he told her. He watched to make sure she chewed and swallowed. After a few bites of food, the color seemed to return to her skin. He saw his woman’s spirit again in her eyes.

  “I called Lorenzo. I told him about Tahvo and Marissa. By the time we get to Vegas we should have them both. I promise you that.”

  “And what happens after Vegas?” she asked.

  “What do you want to happen?”

  “I dunno. I’m so confused and angry. I can’t think for myself anymore. I need you.”

  “You know what you need?” he asked.

  “A vacation?” she half-joked.

  “Exactly. Why don’t we get out of here? Go to L.A. Do something special for your birthday?”

  Shae laughed. “You keep trying to win this birthday award. The gifts you gave me were nice. Enough.”

  “It’s never enough. We’ll spend a day or two in L.A. Give my people time to deal with Tahvo. Then I’ll take you home. But first I will spoil you.”

  Shae looked up at him. “You don’t have to. You’ve given me more than any person in my life ever had.”

  “And it’s still not enough,” Carlo said.

  Shae shook her head smiling. “Okay, deal. And for the record, I am spoiled.”

  Los Angeles, California —

  The car rode smooth. They even gave the Mustang a fresh paint job. Shae explained to him that the Castillos ran a chop-shop. A place where vehicles disappear and emerge as different cars to be sold to thieves and on the black market. He liked the concept. He might want to discuss it with the boss. Shae hadn’t mentioned her girls since they left San Diego. He didn’t press her to talk about it. He wanted her to relax and forget the nightmare if that were possible.

  “Where should we go first?” he asked.

  “Rodeo Drive. I need some new clothes,” she smiled.

  “Rodeo Drive? A popular clothing place?” he asked.

  “You’ll see,” Shae chuckled. She instructed him where to park. He’d heard of two places in America to visit. New York and L.A., maybe one day soon he’d return and take Shae to New York.

  “I have change for the meter,” she said. Carlo parked on the side of the street between a Mercedes and a Maserati. Carlo got out of the car and a Ferrari zoomed to a stop at the traffic light. A blonde woman flashed him a smile. Carlo glanced around and noticed it wasn’t the only Ferrari on the road. And it was then he noticed the names of the stores Shae wanted to shop at. He smiled at his naughty minx. She was going to get everything out of him. Suddenly he felt underdressed. His clothes were the same ones he’d worn and washed for the past three days. He’d have to get himself something to wear as well.

  “Carlo! Come!” Shae grinned.

  He walked around the car and took her hand. They started in a fancy shoe store. Shae modeled shoes for him. The higher the heel, the more he liked them. He brought her three pair. They hit several designer dress stores, and Shae picked up whatever she wanted. Carlo didn’t mind. The store girls kept offering him champagne and giggling for him. Most of them were blondes with big breasts and tiny waists. The more they flirted, the angrier Shae became. Eventually, it began to ruin his lady's fun. He didn't understand the jealousy. After the hell they'd been through, did she think his head would turn at the first piece of ass to walk by? Either way, he dismissed the polite conversations and told the women to focus on his girlfriend. For the rest of the shopping, Carlo sat silent and ignored anyone but Shae. That seemed to work. A few times he slipped into the dressing room to help her undress. He got a few good kisses, and in one lingerie store, he got his dick sucked. He was a happy man.

  “Now it’s your turn.”

  “I only wear Gucci,” he nodded to the store on the opposite side of the street.

  “Why? Because they’re Italian?” Shae laughed.

  He shrugged. “I like them.”

  “Okay, Mr. Gucci." Shae walked him across the street. He carried her bags. They went inside, and she picked out everything from his tie to his shoes. He got several pair of pants and shirts. She even bought him a new pair of sunglasses.

  "We can stay at the Four Seasons. I love that hotel. Only stayed there once though. So can we go there? Huh?"

  Carlo put the clothes in the trunk and hopped behind the wheel. “Four Seasons is fine with me.”

  The way to the hotel was quite confusing. Carlo got lost on the streets and had to stop for directions. Eventually, they found the Four Seasons. He checked them into a suite and whisked her away upstairs. They arrived to champagne buckets and butler service. He dismissed the man. He wanted her all to himself.

  “Where should we go for dinner?” she asked, laying out the clothes. “Oh, at night Santa Monica is nice. They have a Ferris wheel. Have you ever been on one?”

  He watched her from the door. She glanced up at him when he didn’t speak. “Huh?”

  “How about dinner in the room, and dancing tonight? I don’t like the Ferris wheel. It’s for kids.”

  “I like that idea better.” Shae sat on the bed. “Carlo?”

  “Yes.”

  “What if we don’t go out? Dancing I mean. What if we stay here and play? Keep the world out of here for the night. Just you and me.”

  “Play?”

  Shae smiled. "I feel like you're doing this because you're trying to prepare me. You're leaving, aren't you? Going back to Italy?"

  Carlo wiped his hand down his face. “I have to go back. But, I’m not leaving you.”

  Shae looked up. “It wouldn’t work, Carlo. I can’t pick up and leave my life. No matter how shitty it is.”

  He walked into the room and stopped before her. He eased his hands into his pants pockets.

  “You don’t have to give up anything to be with me, Shae. We can find a way to make it work. You spend some time in Italy with me, and I’ll spend time in America with you. We’ll find a way.”

  “You saying you can go months without seeing me and be faithful, too?”

  Carlo chuckled. “I can give up sex for you.”

  "No, you can't." She stood. "Sex is one of the best parts of you."

  She ran her hand down his chest. “You’ll start missing me. Find a woman. Any woman. You’ll give her my lotion and make her hold you at night because I can’t. Won’t you?”

  “I don’t want any other woman but you. If I lost you tomorrow, I wouldn’t make love to another woman for a long time. Not for a long time.”

  “How long?” she asked.

  “Two, or three months.”

  Shae laughed. She hit him playfully. She laughed and went into his arms. “I want to soak in the tub. Can you order us dinner?”

  He smacked her on the butt. Told her to go in and have her bath. The suite had two bathrooms and two bedrooms. But they'd only use one for the night. He walked out and found the concierge book and flipped to the menu. He ordered dinner, flowers, and candles. While Shae soaked in the tub, he had the hotel staff work their magic fast. They set the mood. One of the best parts of staying in a five-star hotel was the service. Carlo was wealthy, but he was criminally wealthy. He didn't get much opportunity to live a flashy lifestyle. Giovanni wouldn't approve. Here in America, he felt like a king, and the staff treated him like one. He was his own man. Not a shadow. Not a hit-man. Not a bone-crusher. It was a feeling he could get used to.

  Carlo showered and changed in the other bathroom. He put on all the new clothe
s she chose for him and splashed on cologne. The hotel even provided a razor for him to shave. He came out of the room to find Shae standing in the middle of the candles and flowers in her robe with a towel wrapped around her head.

  “Carlo? What is this? Omigod!”

  “What does it look like? You wanted dinner here. This is dinner, your birthday dinner, a special birthday dinner.”

  She smiled.

  “Can it be my birthday every day?” She hugged him. “Mmm, you smell good. Is that the Gucci?”

  “Or the hotel aftershave.”

  She looked up and ran the back of her fingers over his freshly shaven jaw. “You are so damn gorgeous,” Shae said. “When I was in Italy with Marietta you walked up with her husband. I couldn’t believe how handsome you were then. I still can’t. Especially when you shave.”

  “Look who’s talking.” He squeezed her ass.

  “What did you say to your friend, the one in the car, when you saw me? You looked at me the next night when I came home with the Don and his wife. Remember? You were headed to a car. You and the men got in. You looked up and saw me watching you. You said something, and the men in the car laughed before you drove away.”

  “I saw you at the house. Marietta’s American friend. I saw the way you looked at me. And then that night when you came back from the party with the Don and the Donna I saw you. The way you stopped in that dress and watched me and my boys. I told them if you kept looking at me that way I was going to fuck you.”

  Shae laughed. “Ain’t that the truth!” She hugged him again. “Let me get dressed! Okay?”

  “I’ll wait,” he said.

  Shae hurried back into the room. The wine he selected was uncorked. He ordered a Chianti with their dinner. It reminded him of home. After pouring the wine, his gaze lifted to the windows. If he looked down, he could see an aerial view of the garden of flowers and gazebo walkways. When his gaze lifted, he could see in the distance the lights of the city. Carlo went to the remaining lights and dimmed them. He checked and found a music system. There were several CDs left to play. He didn't recognize some of the artists, but thanks to Marietta’s love for music he knew several. He chose Luther Vandross’s greatest hits. He popped the silver disc into the drawer and pushed it inside. The first song to play was ‘Stop to Love.'

  The volume was set to a medium-low setting. Carlo bobbed his head to the music. He sipped his wine and walked over to the window again. He stared out of it and listened to the lyrics. Seldom did he have the time to reflect. That evening after his shower, his mind was on instant replay of all the choices that led him to this day. Could he go back home and be the capu he was known to be? He didn’t have that kind of rage or anger in him anymore. Could he slow down and become an earner for the family? Settle into a life with one woman? The more time he spent with Shae, the more he knew he wanted her in his life permanently. Maybe there was another commitment he could make. One to show her he was in it for the long term. Carlo smiled as a plan formed in his head.

  “Carlo?”

  His head turned, and Carlo looked back. Luther Vandross singing ‘If Only for One Night’ began to play. Shae walked out in a very fitted salmon pink dress that had slender straps. The material was soft as her features. She braided her wet hair and wore only a dash of lipstick. Carlo set the wine glass down. Shae came to him. He welcomed her into his arms. Each time he held her it felt like the first. When Shae was happy, the world was fresh, exciting. It made him feel such peace. Carlo closed his eyes and savored the feeling. It was becoming addictive. Shae rested her head on his chest. The music did all the speaking for them both. It was almost spiritual for him. Never in his life had he felt such harmony with another human being.

  “I love you so much, Carlo,” she said.

  He kissed the top of her head and danced with her until the song ended. She looked up at him and brought his face down to hers to kiss him in her tantalizing way.

  “Feel better?” he asked when their lips parted.

  She nodded. “I do.”

  He took her by the hand and walked her to the table. He pulled out the chair for her. Shae sat. He scooted hers in. He'd ordered her fish because she didn't prefer beef. He knew her wine choice should have been a white, but she didn't seem to care about his selection. She drank the wine and licked her rose colored lips.

  The song switched to another. It was called ‘So Amazing’ and he’d never heard it before.

  He looked across the candles’ light and smiled at her as the music brought their love to life.

  “Luther? You listen to Luther?”

  “I do know Luther. I thought you would like him. Now I’m beginning to see the man has a way with words. He’s no Luciano Pavarotti, but close.”

  “Who is that?” she wrinkled her nose.

  “Come home with me and I will introduce you,” he winked.

  “You know him?” she asked.

  Carlo smiled and nodded.

  “You surprise me, Carlo.”

  “I’ve got more surprises for you.” He winked.

  Shae ate her salad and her fish. He was so busy watching her eat that he barely touched his own food. It was unfair that she couldn’t have children. She would be an amazing mother. Maybe they could see doctors? Maybe there was something that could be done? If not, they could adopt. They were both good at taking in other kids and making them feel loved. Carlo smiled to himself, at the thought of adopting a little brown girl like Shae with pink hair. The sky was the limit.

  “This is my favorite song. It’s perfect.” She said and swayed.

  “Amazing Love?” he asked.

  Shae began to sing to him. Carlo liked her voice. She hit all the notes and knew all the words. She grinned. She picked up her wine glass and toasted him. "To Carlo, my amazing love."

  “Passerortto mio,” he chuckled.

  “What does that mean?”

  “My little song bird,” he said.

  “I think tonight we can go all the way without a condom,” she said. She must have forgotten the night they shared in the house in San Diego. He didn’t use a condom then either.

  He arched a brow. “You all better down there?”

  “Mmm, yes. I feel better.”

  “I’m done with dinner.” He pushed back from the table. Shae laughed. He came around the table for her. Shae drank a little more of her wine and he swept her up to him. She hugged his neck and kissed him again before they went to the bedroom. It was fit for an Emperor with the largest bed he’d ever seen. Shae went to the wall system and controlled the stereo speakers. She put the CD player setting on repeat remotely and turned the volume up in the room.

  “Isn’t that cool?” she asked.

  She started using her hips and belly to move to the music. It was slow, seductive, the kind of moves to knock any man’s head back. Carlo watched her. The dance was far more erotic than the one she did with Macie at the club. And that dance had left him sleeping with a hard-on all night. He never knew what to expect with Shae. It was one of the many things he loved about his lady. The passion in her heart overflowed. It was his balance. Shae smiled and reached behind her to lower her zipper. Carlo unbuttoned the cuffs to his shirt.

  Shae shrugged down her dress. She wore a bra but no panties. He wished he’d discovered that little fact himself. Shae sang and hummed along with the music as she undid her bra. Carlo pulled off his shirt. He dropped his pants and stepped out of them and his loafers. His boxers were the last to go. Shae sat on the edge of the bed, then scooted back to the center. Carlo walked over to the foot of the bed. He grabbed her ankle and dragged her back down the silk comforter. Shae giggled. He brought her to the edge of the bed. He lifted her legs and parted them into a wide V by holding them by her calves. Carlo stared down at her piercing. He shook his head.

  “You did this for me, or for you?”

  “For us. Uhm, me. Because if I like it, baby, then I’m going to make sure you like it. Get a closer look.” Shae said and bent her kne
es. She held them both so she could open for him. Carlo dropped to his knees before her. He pressed kisses to her clit. He thought the clitoris itself was pierced. He was wrong. It was more like a vertical hood piercing right above the clit. It had been almost three weeks now, and they’d been careful. Still he was afraid of hurting her.

  “I’m fine, Carlo,” she said as if she sensed his hesitancy. She let go of her knees and sat up on her elbows. She rested her feet on his shoulders. “I’m fine.”

  “Say it in Italian,” he said. “And I’ll believe you.”

  She grinned. “Teach me.”

  “Sto bene,” he said.

  “Sto bene,” she repeated.

  “Bravissima!” he said.

  Carlo didn’t make her wait. His tongue flickered at her piercing, and pleasure unfurled from her pelvis to her torso. Her lower body and vagina reverberated with the aftershocks. “So good, it’s so good,” she breathed. Carlo twisted and twirled his tongue, and then thrust his tongue into her hole. The tip of his tongue fluttered up to her piercing and lashed it and the sensitive knot of flesh.

  She was close.

  Nearly there...

  He flipped her over. Shae gasped when she was dragged off the edge of the bed. Before she had a chance to react he had parted her again, and was once again diving in for her ultimate pleasure. His nose pressed in between her butt cheeks, and his tongue swept up with long licks.

  Luther was on repeat. He crooned that ‘a house was not a home’ and she came. Hard. Her breathing broke apart like sobs, and pleasure hit her like blasts of lightning, over and over again. To the point of madness. Rough thumbs parted her ass and he rimmed her entrance before pushing his tongue inside. Shae’s face lifted off the bed and she cried out again.

  Luther’s voice rose to higher levels. And suddenly her body and mind separated. She drifted. Carlo had to move her. Sweep her up to the center of the bed and lay her down on her back. He eased over her and kissed her face and neck. She parted her thighs and wrapped her legs around his narrow waist. She held his face with both hands as the thick head of his cock butted against her entrance and then plugged it before a single thrust drove him in. She closed her eyes and let go a small gasp, then opened her eyes. He kept looking down at her. Shae stroked his jaw. He gave her short and long inward thrusts that juiced her pussy. Her hands fell from his face, and her body arched beneath him while she rolled and worked her ass like a belly dancer. The in and out strokes continued, and the friction sparked fireworks in her body. She had so much tenderness and soreness before with her piercing, but now it was all pleasure, tenfold. She gripped his arms and worked harder on her pelvic pushes to force him to go deeper.