Sweet Pain: A Dark Mafia Billionaire Romance (Amatucci Family Book 3) Read online

  I looked over her shoulder at Jessa. The good doctor was frozen in place, her hands over her mouth. Her gaze was glued to something on the wall.

  “We’re clear, Nico,” I called before I shuffled my girl back into her horrendously smelly apartment. I wouldn’t have thought two days would allow everything to spoil in a closed refrigerator. It seemed I was wrong.

  Squinting against the stench, I spun so I could look at the wall. YOU’RE NEXT, BITCH was written in dark red paint. I gritted my teeth to keep from telling Nico to just kill the idiot. We had bigger fish to fry.

  I nudged Jessa to the bathroom as I practically carried Willow. “Get your shit together, cupcake. We’re out of here. Get everything important. You’re not coming back here ever again. At least not to sleep.” I set her back from me. Lifting her chin, I gazed into her mossy green eyes. “I love you.” I leaned down, pressed my lips to hers. “But I will paddle your ass if you take a second longer than twenty minutes to get your shit together. If it doesn’t fit in your suitcase, I’ll replace it.” I slapped a hand against her ass. “Get moving.”

  I spun on my heel and dragged the doors closed behind me as I heard the two women dart and dash around the room. The squeaking of their shoes on the cement floor and whispered remarks a balm to the jagged edges of my rapidly fraying irritation.

  I strode back out to the hallway. Nico and the would-be assassin were still talking. The rest of the family was at the other end of the hallway. Momma had another gun from somewhere and had it pointed at the man. “Ragazzo, move out of the way,” she called.

  I pushed up against the far wall. “Thanks, Momma.”

  Her smile was beautiful. “You call me momma. You’re a good boy.” She glared at me. “My Willow needs a big rock on her hand. Fix it.”

  I laughed. The mafia boss got all squishy that I accidentally called her momma and then she threatened me to put a ring on her adopted daughter’s hand in the same breath. Man, I loved this family. “Si, Momma.”

  Her dark eyes sparkled. She walked up to her middle son. “Who is this man? Does he need to die?”

  The guy, who on second look, couldn’t be any older than Nik, quaked in his shoes. “No, ma’am. A simple misunderstanding.”

  I snorted as the fire raged through me again. “Are you responsible for the artwork on my woman’s wall?”

  All of the Amatuccis snarled as more guns came out of concealment. Seriously, how many guns did this family own? I shook my head. As long as I wasn’t in the crossfire, I really didn’t give a damn.

  “What is this artwork you speak of, ragazzo?” Papa asked.

  “Brilliant red paint that reads, ‘you’re next, bitch.’” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  The hired killer shook his head frantically. His messy dark brown hair flopped and flapped over his forehead. “No. I swear. It wasn’t me. You gotta believe me, man. It wasn’t me. I don’t know how to jimmy the lock. I’ve been waiting in this hallway for twenty minutes since I got the call.” He held his hands out. “See? No red paint.”

  Nico leaned forward slightly. “You could have washed it off.”

  The man whimpered. “No. Fucking hell. I’ll give you anything you want, but you gotta believe me. I was just supposed to kill the big guy and the chick with the ass.”

  I snarled and jumped forward.

  Nico beat me to it. He lifted the appropriated weapon and punched it across the idiot’s face.

  The guy fell to the floor in a lump. A low sigh sounded before his body went limp.

  I kicked him in the belly. Fought not to stomp his head into dust and brains. I clenched and relaxed my fingers at my sides as I warred for control. Breathed through the red haze that had closed over my vision.

  “He said Cavendish sent him,” I said through gritted teeth. I had to focus on something other than the mental picture of me tearing this guy into a million pieces.

  Tali pushed forward, her gun pointed at the floor. She slid around her mother. “Are she and Jessa in the apartment?”

  I nodded. Moved out of the way for her to pass without getting in anyone’s barrel lines. I heard her knock and her low voice at the door.

  The elevator dinged behind us. All guns were pointed at the opening. Nik’s pale face emerged as she ducked. She raised her hands, glared at all of us. “Shit. I leave for two minutes to load my car up and this is the greeting I get? Where’s the fucking love, man?”

  I laughed. Pulled the woman from the cabled car.

  A low snarl came from amid the group of Amatuccis.

  I ignored it. “Get in the house with the other women. And I swear to Willow’s goddess, if you give me any gruff for it, I’ll fire your ass.” I pushed her in the right direction. “Tali’s already in there. And she’s got a gun. So don’t just rush through like the bulldozer I know you are.”

  She stuck me with a savage look. Stabbed her finger into my chest. “This time. Because it looks like everyone’s on edge. But that goddess will be needing to help you if you ever talk down to me like that again. Got me, bossman?” She bit out the nickname.

  “Yes. Fully understood. Go.” I pushed her down the hall.

  Nik stomped down the hall before she snapped her knuckles against the door in three hard raps. “Tali, it’s me. Let me in. I’m being sent to the kitchen with the other women.”

  I winced. Knew I’d be paying hell with all four of those women.

  Nik’s mouth split in a huge smile as the door was ripped open. “Ryker said it. Shoot him. You have my blessing.”

  Tali stuck her head out the door, narrowed her eyes on me. “We’re going to have a talk, Mr. Penn.”

  “Oooooh,” Nico sang loudly. I was immediately thrust back into high school gym class. He had a huge smile on his face. “Penn’s gonna get his ass beat. Penn’s gonna get his ass beat.” He looked down the hall. “Tali, can I come watch this talk?”

  Tali shook her head. “No. Finish taking out the garbage. We little women are about to lose our guts to the stench in here.” She glared at me a final time before she shut the door.

  My belly loosened. I’d literally just handed my ass to them. And not in fun, sexy ways. Damnit.

  I shook it off. Turning back to the Cavendish flunky, I bent down. “If you’ve been here for the last little while, then you can tell us who was in my woman’s home.”

  He shrank back, shook his head. “I don’t know. I swear to you; I don’t know. I haven’t seen anyone coming in or going out since I got the call. Not even from the garage.” His outstretched hands were shaking. His dark eyes wide, his lower jaw was slack.

  I looked up at Nico. Raised an eyebrow.

  He looked at his mother. “Momma, I vote we send a message to Cavendish.”

  I straightened. “That gets my vote as well.”

  Momma sighed, put her gun away. “Fine. But only a couple fingers. I’m sure this idiota needs his hands for more than just a good night.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “If I find you around my girls or my family ever again, you will wish I had killed you today. Do you understand me?”

  I felt my balls draw up in fear and I wasn’t even the one in trouble. The guy nodded. If I wasn’t mistaken, his eyes misted with tears as his nose began to run. “Yes, ma’am. Yes, I swear. You’ll never see me again. Thank you.” He dipped his head low, cast his gaze to the floor.

  A motion at the far end of the Amatucci group caught my attention. I looked up. Foster’s bright white hair seemed to stick out like a flame in the pitch black. I raised my brows.

  He flicked his gaze to the gunman. Looked back at me.

  I nodded slightly. Good. We’d be able to track this little shitstain and pry into his life. I stepped back. “Get your ass up.”

  With moans and groans, he stumbled to his feet. He shoved his hands behind his back as if we’d forget that we’d threatened him. “I’ll just be going now.”

  Nico’s chuckle was dark and a little happy in a creepy way. “Sure. We’ve got a couple more items on
our agenda to take care of, but we’ll get you on your way soon enough.” He reached out, grabbed the scruff of the guy’s neck and pushed him to the end of the hall.

  Mas and Rafe were the last of the human gauntlet he had to pass through. Rafe grabbed the guy’s wrist, held it steady. Mas had his hand up and slicing down in one smooth motion before the would-be killer even had an idea of what was going on.

  The man’s scream scented the air with fear and piss.

  I winced, but I forced myself to watch it. I wasn’t going to pussy out on the darker side of being with the Amatuccis. Not when they’d offered me support and family.

  Momma was busy watching me while her sons carried out her orders. I felt her heavy gaze on my face. When I shifted to meet her gaze, she smiled. A light of pride in her eyes. She nodded and walked toward me. “Bravo ragazzo.” She was careful not to touch me as she passed.

  I looked up just in time to see Rafe wrapping the man’s hand—minus two fingers—in a large wad of gauze. Mas said nothing, as if cutting a man’s fingers off was the same as taking the garbage out to the trash.

  “Don’t bleed on my floors,” Rafe said in a hoarse whisper as if he were holding back some kind of strong emotion. “Or I’ll gladly take your other fingers.” As he turned, a huge goofy smile tugged at his mouth.

  I could have sworn I heard him chuckling to himself as he passed me.

  “You’re a sick fuck, you know that, right?” I said softly.

  Nodding, he just snorted and kept walking.

  Nico and Turo were the last ones in the hallway as Mas opened and closed the door at the other end of the hall. His whole demeanor had changed. While he hadn’t been a springy butterfly, he’d at least had more light filtering through the darkness that clung to him like a ghostly cloak.

  I waited for the other two men to finish whatever discussion they were having. Glancing at my watch, I saw that Willow had five minutes left before I trucked her sexy ass out of this hell house and into my penthouse.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out. Felt my lungs seize up. “Baxter?”

  “All good, Mr. Penn.”

  I blew out a long, slow breath. Nodded.

  “We’ve arrived safely in Montana. Alda is enjoying a rest in the walk-in whirlpool with the aide. I’ll be getting a burner phone. I’ll text you with a number once we’re secure.”

  “Thank you. I’ll get a burner as well. We’ll use those for contact until you come home. Be safe.” I swallowed. “Both of you. How’s Ricardo?”

  Baxter chuckled. “He’s doing well, all things considered. Says he’s going to write the next Great American Novel with Big Sky country as his muse.”

  I laughed. “Good. I’ll expect to read some pages in a few days then. You know where to find me.”

  “That I do. Be safe, sir.” He hung up.

  Nico and Turo were watching me from a few feet away. “How’s your grandma?” Turo asked.

  I shoved the phone in my pocket. “Enjoying the easy life with my driver-slash-bodyguard, his husband, and a private nurse. She thinks she’s on vacation.” I shrugged. Pushed away the pain in my heart. I guess I should be thankful dementia gave her some semblance of peace during all of this. She wasn’t bothered or worried about me. She could focus on simply enjoying her life.

  Turo smiled. “Better to be ignorant of many things in this life than deal with the true horrors of reality. Let’s get these women out of here.”

  “Damn straight.” I turned with them and we walked to Willow’s door.

  Chapter 6 – Willow

  I looked around my home for the last eighteen months. It had been exactly what I needed at the time when I most needed it. Memories washed over me in 4K detail. Over there by the little desk where Tali and Nico helped me draw up the business plan for my bakery.

  The couch where I huddled with Momma after a week of nightmares. Papa baking his signature molasses cookies in my new oven. We’d spoken of nonsense for hours and hours. Not once had I been made to feel like I was an imposition. A drain on their lives.

  I looked across the room. The table that carried the echo of my tattoo where we’d had hundreds of late night dinners and board games to help chase away the demons. The games of Mafia and Clue that made us chuckle. The games of Monopoly that brought out the most savage in all of us as we maneuvered for Top Dog.

  Every part of this home had been touched by the family that had loved me. Accepted me. Made me one of their own.

  And now it was time to leave. To move on to the next part of my life. With the man who had become my whole world.

  He came up behind me, slid his hands over my hips. Pressed his lips to my hair. “You good? You’ve got a minute left before I paddle your ass.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah. Just saying goodbye.” I spun in his arms, curled my hands against my chest and leaned my forehead against his sternum. “Ready for me to move in with you?”

  Not a single hitch in his heartbeat, not a catch of breath. Just the steady soothing rhythm that was Ryker. His arms closed around me. “More than ready. And this time I won’t have to worry about someone trying to kill you when you should be safe.”

  I leaned my head back, stared up into his devilishly handsome face. I raised an eyebrow. “As long as you don’t make me want to kill you, then I guess we should be fine.”

  He laughed as he leaned down and took my lips in a swift, fierce kiss of dominance. He licked into my mouth, demanded entry. We both groaned when I let him in.

  In some ways it felt like forever since we’d touched each other. In a million other ways, it was as if we were never apart. In either instance, I relished the touch, the give and take, of being in his arms.

  “Gross! Get a fucking room. And by that, I mean leave!” Tali said. “Watching you paw my girl while I’m standing right here is just wrong.”

  Something soft and squishy hit my back.

  I pulled back with a laugh. Saw the pillow settling on the floor. I looked at Tali. “You’re just jealous. We’ll find a man for you to boss around, T. No worries.”

  She flashed me a sparkling smile. “Now we’re talking.”

  “You’re all invited for a girls’ night tomorrow. Drinks, dancing, pillow fights. No boys allowed.”

  Ryker drilled his fingers into my sides. “I’m getting kicked out of my own house on the second night we’re together?”

  I nodded, not bothering to look up at him. “And I’m moving in, at your very direct order. Therefore, it’s our house.” I elbowed him.

  Nico and Turo laughed at whatever expression Ryker must have made. They smiled and shook their heads. “We’ve got a weekly guys night. We can make sure you’re on the list,” Rafe offered.

  Ryker sighed against my hair. “It seems I need to vacate the premises, so yeah. I’ll take you up on that. Penn Towers has better security than the White House, so they should be fine.”

  I smiled, leaned back against his chest. Rubbed a hand over his. “See? That wasn’t so awful, was it?”

  He ground his dick against my ass. “We’ll be chatting later.”

  I wiggled my eyebrows at the girls. “Sir, yes, sir.”

  They burst into giggles as the men groaned.

  “That’s it. Get her out of here before I want to paddle all of you,” Momma said from her spot at the kitchen island. She flicked a dish towel at us. Stabbed a finger at Ryker. “Ring. Finger. Two months. Or Momma steps in.”

  “Si, Momma. Si,” Ryker said.

  Momma’s lips twitched before she got control and glared at him. A soft rush of Italian floated over the quiet room. She winked at me before turning back to the fridge she and Papa were trying to salvage.

  Ryker started slinging bags and suitcases up into his arms and hands. “Everyone grab something.” He turned to the door. Turned back when no one moved. He looked around the room, looked at me. “What’d I do?”

  I raised my brows. “Not say please. No need to be rude. They aren’t you hired peons; they’r
e family.” I rolled my eyes.

  His cheeks colored slightly. “Sorry. If you all would please help me get Willow’s stuff to the car, I would greatly appreciate it.”

  Everyone nodded and moved forward to help.

  Once outside—even in the garage where the smell of hot engines and oil permeated the open space—I felt like I could finally breathe again. We all gathered at the back of the SUV. Like we were playing a big game of Tetris, we loaded the back of Ryker’s Range Rover. Even with the backseats folded flat, it was going to be a squeeze.

  He manhandled the back gate down. Glared at me. “I couldn’t have replaced any of that?”

  I shrugged. “You said what I couldn’t pack. I could pack it all.”

  He chuckled, rolled his eyes. “I’ll be more precise in my language next time.”

  I snorted. “If you think I’m going to be moving again any time soon, you’re severely mistaken, hero.”

  His green eyes darkened. “I wouldn’t let you leave anyway. Not without me.”

  “Boo. Take that cheese elsewhere,” Jessa joked, hand cupped around her mouth. “Boo!”

  Ryker smiled, dipped into a slight bow. “The show’s over. Go away.”

  He walked me to the passenger side of the car. Opened and held the door for me. I stood on the running board. “Girls, don’t forget. Drinks and all kinds of debauchery tomorrow night.”

  Nik, Tali, and Jessa sent up war whoops and fists into the air. “Hell’s yeah!”

  I smiled and dipped into the car. Buckled my seatbelt as Ryker shut my door and made his way to his side of the car. He slid in behind the wheel.

  He leaned over the console, caught my chin in his hand, and pulled my face to his. “You’re really okay moving in with me?” he asked. His green eyes were dark and searching as he studied me.

  I nodded. “I wouldn’t be coming if I weren’t. The Amatuccis have enough safe houses that I could have stayed in while the loft was being cleaned.” I eased forward. Planted my lips on his for a brief moment. Pulled back. “I’m moving in because I want to. Even though you never officially asked me. And no, orders don’t count. Are you okay with me moving in? Actually moving in. Not just staying for an extended visit?” I asked. I probably should have asked that pointed question before we took twenty extra minutes to pack the car.