Rome's pov:
It was like the world had stopped, like the feel of her lips on my own were the only thing that mattered.
I'd never known any feeling like this before, it felt like somebody had lit my body up like one of those christmas trees.
I held onto her so tightly afraid if I let go she'd turn away, and with her would go away this part of me. A part of me I'd never seen before but didn't want to let go.
She broke the kiss, to breathe for a moment, our eyes clashing. So many emotions on our faces in our head but none being voiced.
She searched my eyes, like she was unsure I'd say it was a mistake and that I'd changed my mind about marrying her. But the fact was even if I wanted I could not.
She brought back the boys together, she brought back Martha and Dante's laughter, she brought back life to the estate. It felt like I was six again, roaming through it's room, with warm bright colours shining everywhere.
I didn't want her to go away, because intentionally or unintentionally but I was hooked to her. I liked how she challenged all my decisions, voiced her opinions out loud and clear, put me in my place.
It was like she was giving me a second chance in life, where I wasn't surrounded by 'yes men's' and had so much more to accomplish, so much more to become to be the perfect husband for her.
"Cara," I breathed, looking into her eyes.
"I don't want you to go, it is not just an arrangement anymore. I want this to happen baby, just give me a chance." I said, desperate for her to understand my situation. For her to know she didn't have to do anything, I'd make it work some way or the other. That she didn't have to sacrifice anything for a person like me.
She gently cupped my jaw, the one action enough to make my chest squeeze. "I want to trust you, but.." she peered up at me, her eyes switching between mine.
"I know cara, I understand. Just give this, us, sometime. I promise I'll make everything right." I said, taking her face in my hands.
She looked at me hesitantly but nodded. Her beautiful brown curls falling on her golden face. Just looking at her had my heart doing summersaults in my chest.
She was like the sun to me, bright and warm. And the more I looked at her the more her glow turned my head into goo untill all I could think was just her.
She moved back, taking her warmth with her. My phone dinged of a message from Dante.
This idiot. He's organised a party for celebrations without asking first.
"Dante has organised a celebratory party for us, it's in one of our clubs we'll have to leave in a few hours then." I informed her.
Her eyebrows scrunched, "But I've to change and have nothing to wear and how will I get ready?"
"Don't worry I'll arrange all that and there's my penthouse above the building we can go there." I said, leading her towards the elevator.
The moment the elevator's doors closed our eyes locked, the tension was inside the four walls choking me.
I felt ablaze and my dick was still mostly rock solid in my pants. I saw Kate instinctively lick her lips and almost lost it again.
But the elevator dinged and she got out, leaving me there with an aching head, pulsing cock and thumping chest.
The penthouse was in warm grey and cream tones with modern design with one way glass bulletproof glass as some of the walls. I'd always loved coming back here, it was like my sanctuary with peace and no-one to disurb me.
Nobody was allowed here, not even Dante and Luca except the cleaner I've had since as long as I can remember.
Kate stood a few steps ahead of me waiting for me to guide her. I lead her to one of the spare rooms and as soon as she was inside the door she slammed it on my face.
Excuse you too. I shouldn't have kissed her like that because it had now complicated things even more. I didn't fucking know what to do or say to make it right. The dull ache in my head intensified making me want to punch somebody.
Fuck this shit man I can handle the mafia but not the one woman-and my thoughts and emotions towards her- that I'd be married to? Great. Just what I needed in my life.
I went to the bar and opened a bottle of whiskey. I downed the entire glass in one gulp and texted Dante to call professionals to ready Kate for the party.
I sat down on the couch, pushing the glass of whiskey away. I shouldn't get drunk and specially not on a day like this. But what else was I supposed to do?
Have a screaming competition on how and why, I for some reason do not want to let go Kate? Nah I'd pass.
I sat there trying to convince myself that it was all okay and that the sinking feeling in my heart on Kate's admission was nothing. But God damn did it work?
My screen flashed with Dante's number call, "They're here Don."
"I'm coming, wait there." I said, pocketing my phone and going downstairs. In dire need of some fresh air.
There were two women and a blonde man, with big bags that were being cross checked by my men. They also had a big rolling cloth stack where big covered clothes were.
I eyed them skeptically making them squirm under my gaze.
"They're good to go Don." Carlo said, moving back.
I nodded and asked him to guide them to the penthouse.
I sat down on my office chair, Dante following suite.
"What's gotten you all sulking all of a sudden?" he asked, eying me.
I ignored him and looked outside the glass wall.
He gasped, "You are not going to yell at me or going to send me to work extra hours? Something's really wrong." he said, folding his hands infront of his chest.
Luca entered and sat beside Dante, raising a questioning brow at Dante.
"Our brother here has something on his mind that is bothering him so much, he can't be a dick right now."
I narrowed my eyes at him and then sighed. I should probably tell them since if anything happens between us they'd know.
"I messed up," I said lowly, looking outside again. It was warm and sunny outside but it still felt gloomy.
"What do you mean?" Luca intervened.
"I kissed Kate," I said, finally looking at them gauging their shocked expressions.
"I thought it was strictly business to you." Luca said giving me a disapproving look.
"It was-"
"Do you like her?" Dante asked, all hints of humour gone from his face.
Did I? I did maybe a little bit. She just made me feel things that I thought weren't humanly possible for me to feel.
They took my silence as their answer. "It's complicated. We were marrying because I wanted to take away Russo's power but I did it today without any prior call. And she was in with me for the plan of dethroning her father.
But she thinks I'm just using her maybe and don't consider her important enough to tell such crucial information about. But the fact is David not showing up today, the local gang leaders brewing up shit had me made the decision. I've had enough of not having control over my own mafia.
And I know the only reason for me and her to be together is now gone and she wants freedom but I don't know. I don't feel like letting her go. I like her man. I don't think I'd be able to go back to normal without her." I added.
"Then you should tell her that" Dante said looking at me pointedly.
"I did, I asked her for sometime but I don't want to force her for anything." I sighed.
"Is she not interested in you?" Luca asked.
That was the thing, her bodily reactions said one story and her verbal actions said another. I shrugged.
"Do you want her?"
Hell yes I do. Is that even a question after all this time?
"Then go pursue her man. Show her why she should stay. Show her the man beneath all that disdain for other people." Dante replied.
I mean he had a point. I cannot just give up. Not what it came to her. I know I'd regret that shit for the rest of my life.
"But I'm not sure if she wants us." I said, looking away. I'd never been this vulnerable to them or anyone before. I didn't want them to look at me.
"Rome, you should do your part. And if she still doesn't want to continue then atleast you won't have any regrets." Luca intervened.
I nodded, I knew I was just being a coward but never letting anyone in and now all this was overwhelming for me.
"Yeah, good come on get out of this sulking." Dante said, pushing me outside and taking me to the elevator.
This motherfucker is going to get killed someday for forcing me to do things.
"Yeah, but she sure has the body of a whore." someone chuckled. I stilled in my tracks. My mind going blank with only the man's voice running in my mind.
"Shh. She's a Russo and now a Moretti, you're done if someone hears you." Another guy replied. I felt white searing anger.
Before I knew I was out of the elevator and on the guy. My fist landing on his jaw, making a sickening voice of bones and teeth breaking.
I punched and punched and punched him, my entire hand bloodied and his face covered entirely with blood.
I gripped his neck, cutting off his oxygen circulation. And then punched him again untill he stopped fighting back and just watched at me in horror.
I pulled the dagger out of my waist band and stabbed it into his tongue. The action making people around me gasp and Dante and Luca coming to grab me off of him.
One look and they backed away. I then dragged the motherfucker from his hair and dragged him to the main road.
I left his limp body in the middle of the road, where he stared at me in horror his hands begging me to help. Should've taught of that before disrespecting my woman.
I turned back and went into the building, wiping the blood off my hands. When I looked up the women in the reception and the bodyguards were still staring at me in horror but looked away instantly.
"Carlo, get our suits for the party ready." I said, leaving the premises of the lobby and going to the backyard.
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*Wiggles my eyebrows at u guys* how was it??