SALVATORE I could tolerate so many things. Things like being tied to one woman in the name of being married. Other things like having my wife dance with a stranger to get back at me. But there’s one thing I wouldn’t tolerate. Might be up to three but this one tops it all. Having a drunk woman or just any woman at all spoil my reputation. Soiling the name I had worked so hard for. I be damned if I let that happen. “ Up you go. I’m taking you home. That’s enough fun for the night.”Martha set this up. She knew I’d be here. She wanted Alessia to find out about Tess. I would deal with that later but for now, I have to get my drunk wife home. “ Don’t touch me, you little cheat.”Okay, that hurts. “ Listen, forget whatever you saw. This marriage? You know it’s..” I was talking in hushed tones just loud enough for her to hear but I couldn’t say what I’m about to in a club full of people so I take the mic from her and order the crowd to go home without mincing words. “ I and my wif
ALESSIA He let me go. The moment those words left my mouth, his hand dropped. I never even noticed he had been holding on to my arm. Good. I was not going to play the perfect trophy wife who would stays silent while her whore of a husband rides every Jane and Janet in the city. I blend into the now dissipated crowd; they knew better than to butt into Salvatore’s affairs. They were staring at me, I could feel it but I couldn’t care less. “ The club’s signature. It better be good.” Not like I expected less from Salvatore. He gets his liquor from the best of the best ; Nico’s A&D. Six glasses down and my head starts to ache. My guards are still somewhere in the club, watching me drown in pain. “ You know who Salvatore is right? I’m married to that scumbag. That lying, manipulative, narcissistic man whore.”I was talking to the bartender now. Maybe he pitied me enough to listen, or I’m probably making a fool of myself and he finds it funny. Slurring and holding an emp
ALESSIA It had only been a few days yet I was tired of being a stay-at-home wife. The men went to work always and even if they didn’t, they all had their own houses to go back to. So I decided to go out tonight. Probably check out some new restaurants. I informed old Martha of my plans and she made sure I was ready in no time. She insisted I visited a night club instead. Vignette. I had always heard about it but my father would never let me leave the house let alone go to a night club. Vignette. The name rang a bell. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. “ Signora, a restaurant won’t do. You should go to a club. There’s one you’d like… Vignette. Sinful and exclusive. Shh, no complaints. She’ll help you get ready.” That was all she said before she handed me to a younger girl who was solely in charge of picking the right outfit for tonight. “ What do you think about this?” I asked the young girl who shook her head in both disbelief and horror. I had insisted she
SALVATORE The clock struck 9pm. Just the perfect time to be at Vignette. On my way here, I had thought about calling and checking on my wife and perhaps inform her I'd be late tonight, but wouldn’t that mean I care? So instead, I rang old Martha and she assured me Alessia was doing just fine without me around. As expected. I stepped out of the car, adjusting my clothes. The music at Vignette was low and seductive. I owned eight private clubs across the city but this was the most discreet, always bubbling with sin and young blood. Girls in seductive dresses trooped in and out. No cameras. No press. Just heat and hush, hence my favorite amongst all eight. I went in through the back with some of my men. I wasn’t my usual self tonight. My eyes were searching for one person. Found her. Tessa. She was at her favorite spot, a secluded corner just near the stage, half-lit from the amber glow of the chandelier hung above. But, something was different tonight. She
SALVATORE It’s been two days since our marriage. Still, I haven’t touched my wife. Why is that the only thing on my mind in the middle of a meeting? “ Are you even paying attention to this, Salvatore? The Outfit are threatening to start a war. Again. The same war we tried to put to an end using your marriage to Alessia as the white flag.” Zakai has been repeating these same words over and over in the last thirty minutes of this meeting. Cesare sat undisturbed in my armchair, legs crossed and eyes glued to some photo. No doubt that of a woman. Whoever this new chick was, I felt so sorry for her. “ I already know this, Kai. It was me who received their message, wasn’t it?”I had been standing, taking in the view of the city from my office. Before I said another word, I turned to face them. “ If Giuseppe wants war, war he shall get. I can always paint the white flag red.” This obviously was not the reponse Zakai had been hoping for. Kai was many things; my adviser,
ALESSIA “ What are you doing?”Salvatore’s hand traveled far up my thighs, the transparent thin material giving more access. He didn’t reply. Instead his other hand yanked me closer. His heart racing wildly as he stared at me. “ What else do you think I’m doing? Claiming you.” As he spoke, his fingers brushed my collarbone. Slowly making their way to my chest before I pushed him off me aggressively. How come even I didn’t know I had such strength? “ You.. stay the fuck away from me. I never wanted this. I’m only doing this because it’s my father’s wish.” He smiles, like a maniac. Oh lord. Salvatore hops back on bed and makes right for me. “ I don’t care, Amore,” he says, eyes locked on my lips. “ But, I don’t half-claim things. When I take, I keep. And I ruin. In the worst way, Amore.” I shiver slightly. This wasn’t a threat, he meant every single thing he said. “ You think you scare me?” I whisper, even as my voice trembled.He was too close to me for