chapter 8LUCAToday Aria and I had our first anniversary, but instead of spending it on our yacht in the Mediterranean, I was stuck in a meeting in New York, trying to be Capo and Consigliere in one person, which wasn’t working. I barely had time for her anymore. If she’d tell me where Gianna was, we could cut this ordeal short and Matteo could finally return, but Aria kept her silence.
“It’s ridiculous,” Uncle Gottardo said. “Matteo should be here helping you and not chasing his whore around Europe.”
“I can handle business on my own, don’t worry,” I said sharply.
My eyes moved on to Cassio, who represented his father while the man was in the hospital. “How are you faring with the Bratva? Did they give you trouble again?”
There had been a major Bratva attack on our drug depot in Philadelphia one month ago. “Not since I killed Sergej and his brother Jegor, but we have an MC that’s trying to sell guns in our territory.”
Cassio handled things in Philadelphia with a brutal hand like I did in New York. It was time for him to take over as Underboss officially, but I wanted to wait until Matteo returned before I announced the change. Of course, I had no way of telling when Matteo would ever return. Gianna had managed to evade him until now.
I nodded. We had trouble with a new MC in New Jersey as well, but so far they were too unimportant to warrant an attack.
“The Bratva won’t risk an attack in New York any time soon. I killed too many of their soldiers, but I think they might focus on Atlanta or Charleston next.”
My Underbosses nodded. I gestured at Uncle Ermano, who ruled over Atlanta, and he began his report. I settled back in the chair, knowing this would be a long evening.
I managed to be back home around eight, and only because I’d cut another one of Uncle Gottardo’s rants short. Romero greeted me with a nod then disappeared as I headed outside where Aria was stretched out on the sofa. The moment I spotted her, my annoyance disappeared. I couldn’t stay mad at her even if she was the source of my problems.
She got up immediately and came toward me, guilt filling her face. “I got sushi for us. It’s in the fridge. I thought we could soak in the Jacuzzi a bit. You need to relax.”
I nodded and kissed her, feeling fucking exhausted. Aria hurried back inside and I began undressing then slid into the hot water, groaning as my tense muscles loosened. Aria’s soft steps made me open my eyes. She carried a tray with a bottle of champagne, two glasses and a selection of sushi, which she set down on the edge of the Jacuzzi. I watched as she got out of her dress, and despite my tiredness my cock reacted to the sight of her naked body like it always did. She slid into the water then pressed close to me, and I wrapped an arm around her. She kissed my throat before she raised her eyes to meet mine, looking insecure.
“We are okay,” I told her and ran my thumb over her arm.
She nodded toward the champagne. I reached for the bottle and opened it, even if I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was fucking happy about my marriage with Aria, but today had been a long, shitty day and I wanted it to be over, anniversary or not.
Aria and I drank champagne then she reached for the chopsticks, picked up my favorite eel inside-out-roll and held it out to me. I took it, savoring the taste, and felt another bit of tension lift. When we were done eating, Aria straddled my lap and began massaging my shoulders. I leaned back, eyes closing.
Aria leaned close to my ear. “Why don’t we head up to our bedroom so I can give your back a thorough massage?”
“That sounds like a perfect plan,” I said in a low voice. Aria straightened, water dripping down that perfect body, and I rose to my feet and climbed out before I helped Aria out of the Jacuzzi as well.
After we’d dried off, we moved into our bedroom and Aria motioned for me to lie down on my stomach. I didn’t need to be told twice. She climbed on top of me and settled on my backside, her soft pussy pressed against my skin. Her fingertips traced the tattoo on my shoulder. “Have you ever regretted getting it?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“No,” I said without hesitation.
Aria shifted and pressed a kiss to the tattoo before her hands began their work, massaging the tension out of my shoulders and neck. “That feels so fucking good,” I rasped. I hadn’t even realized how tense I was.
Aria applied just the right amount of pressure on my back and I could feel myself relax further, my limbs becoming heavy.