Chocolate and Italian Wine (Music and Mayhem Book 1) (15 page)

“Oh yeah, Tae Bo,” she said with a grin.

“Not Tae Bo, baby, Tae Kwon Do. I’m a big guy. I kick a lot of ass.”

“Haa! Okay, big guy, let’s get to your place before I pull you back into my warm comfortable bed and make you perform some of those moves on me. You’re making me hot.”

He swooped in and gave her a quick, hard suck to the neck. Her hand immediately flew to the spot. “Ow, Paolo! You better not have left a mark on my neck. I’m being photographed tomorrow. As it is, I’ll look like crap from not getting my beauty rest.” She raised her hand to smack his arm.

Dodging her assault, he laughed and said, “Come on, woman, I miss my dog. I haven’t seen him in nearly a week.”

“Oh my gawd! No you didn’t get me out of bed at 2 AM so you could see your dog!” she yelled as he pushed her through the door by her hips.

13

“Why do you have so many bodyguards?” Karisma asked, frowning at all of the men moving toward the back of the house in addition to the ones that preceded them into the mansion. “I mean, you’re a businessman, and I know you said your family wants to keep you from kidnappers. But, this is overkill, don’t you think?” 

Paolo kept walking toward the entrance to the beach house, considering the question. Finally, he breathed in and squeezed Kari’s hand, replying, “My family is one of the wealthiest in Calabria. We all need protection, even in America. Even my brother Armando has bodyguards,” he said, eyeing his brown beauty.

“A priest with body guards?” she asked, eyebrows bunching.

“Yes. They try to be inconspicuous, especially during Mass, but he has to have protection just like the rest of us,” he told her. This was all true, of course, but he felt oddly bad for not fully disclosing to her the most pressing reason for the bodyguards was because of who he was. It just wasn’t the proper time to share everything with her yet. In time…

They entered the home and she was drawn over to the mahogany grand piano, as Paolo turned on the lights. She sat down at the magnificent instrument and began to play one of the songs she and Chris had been composing for that animated film they were scoring.

Paolo smiled. He was in awe of her talents. Taking off his coat, he was about to tell her how much he liked the song, when he spied Daniel coming down the staircase. He frowned.

“What are you doing here? We dropped you off at your place earlier,” Paolo said, confusion masking his features.

“I had to speak to you in person. I didn’t know you’d be out so late,” Daniel said, glancing at Karisma.

“At 2:30 in the morning,” Karisma said, ending her song. “It must really be important. Want some privacy? I can go upstairs and go back to bed.” She yawned. “I’m tired.”

Daniel smiled at her. “I’m sorry, Kari, I didn’t expect you to be here. Had I known, I’d have waited until morning,” he said while wiggling his brows at her. She blushed, and chuckled.

“This better be important,” Paolo warned his brother, knowing how Daniel loved pushing his buttons.

“You need to deal with this.” His look was one Paolo couldn’t ignore, and he silently agreed.

Karisma walked over to Paolo and kissed his lips. “I’ll meet you upstairs. Talk to your brother. Try not to be too long,” she said with a suggestive wink.

“I’ll just be a few minutes.
You
try not to be asleep,” he whispered to her.

“Night, Danny Boy,” she smiled and touched his arm affectionately as she walked past him.

Paolo watched Karisma’s ass as she walked away, and noticed that Daniel did too. The lighting fast palm of Paolo’s hand connected with the back of Daniel’s head.

“What the hell was that for?” Daniel asked, amused, and holding his head where Paolo whacked him. 

“What are you looking at?” Paolo asked, frowning.

“She’s… hot,” he grinned.

“Keep your eyes off my woman, Danny, especially her ass. Capische, fratello?” 

“Ti capisco,” Daniel replied with a smirk.

“Let’s talk in the kitchen, I’m hungry,” Paolo said as they moved through the open floor plan to a kitchen with nothing to hide. The windows went from the floor to the ceiling and gazing out onto the moonlit beach, the normally calming waters appeared black and eerie. Grabbing a bowl and spoon, and placing them on the granite countertop, Paolo asked, “So, want to tell me what’s up, night owl?”  He removed the gun he had begun carrying since the murders of the LA Capobastones, and placed it on the counter. Eventually he would have to explain the thing being his constant companion to Kari, but hoped it could wait, for at least a bit longer.

“A couple of things. As the new West Coast boss, there are a few important meetings you need to attend today. Due to the unfortunate circumstances of their previous owners the businesses we’ve taken over require our immediate attention.”

Paolo smirked, loving the simplicity of the ricin laced Cuban cigars. Of course, others suspected the Montovanis, but there was no proof and they’d taken another step toward more power, making them tougher to challenge and certainly tougher to deceive, should such a thought enter their minds. He moved to the pantry and took out a box of cereal.

Daniel continued talking. “Our associates need to see you. You are very powerful now, fratello. What we pulled off has made you a respected and feared man. Are you ready for this?” 

“I will be after some sleep,” Paolo said, getting milk from the stainless steel fridge.

“Sleep? With 
her
 in your bed? Good luck with that,” Daniel said sarcastically. 

Paolo glared at Daniel and his jaw was clenched. “Mind your own fucking business. I’ll be ready. Anything else?” He poured the milk and cereal into his bowl and sat at the crescent shaped island.

“Papa wants another teleconference before the meetings begin. We’ll be with you, of course,” Daniel said. “And, what are you gonna do about Kari?”

“What do you mean?” Paolo asked, crunching the colorful sweet loops.

“Her hanging around here while you have a long, drawn out conference with Papa? You know how long winded he can be. Might not be a good idea, after the fight you two had over her,” Daniel said.

Paolo wasn’t sure what Daniel’s intent was. “How about this? You let me handle Karisma and Papa.”

“Great, then, you handle them. One more thing, Paolo,” Daniel said.

Paolo raised an eyebrow and shrugged a shoulder at Daniel. “What?” 

“Maria Elena,” Daniel said, looking him in the eye.

“What about her? And don’t think I’ve forgotten that shit you pulled in the limo. Do something like that again, and I’ll kick your ass.”

Daniel sniggled. “You can try,” he challenged.

Paolo put down the spoon and balled his fist into his side. “Have I ever failed?”

Daniel smirked at him. “There’s always a first time, big brother.”

“Think it’ll be tonight?” For as far back as he could remember, he and Daniel had tangled. Though he tried, Daniel could never best Paolo. They stared at each other a while longer and when his brother didn’t answer, he went back to his cereal.

“Look, she and her mother are on their way here to see you,” he said, pointing at Paolo. 

“What!” he exclaimed incredulously. “What the fuck does she want? We’re over. What don’t they get?” he said, finishing his late night snack.

“The woman wants you, brother, and she’s willing to go the distance, apparently. Whatever the distance is,” Daniel said. 

Paolo was incensed. “See to it that she doesn’t get anywhere near the property. If she gets onto this land, I’m whacking off some heads. What the fuck does she think? That she can force me to marry her? Damn it!” He stood up, hands on his hips.

“I’ll make sure she stays away from here,” Daniel told him. 

“And that she stays clear of Kari, too,” he warned.

Daniel nodded. “Done.”

“Where is she now?” he asked. 

“In the air. They should be here in ten hours or so,” Daniel said. 

“I’ll need to talk with her and encourage them to get the fuck back to Italy,” Paolo said.

“Shouldn’t you let Kari know?” Daniel asked.

“You had better not be serious,” Paolo said, taking a giant step toward his brother so he was in his face. “She doesn’t need to know this and she’d better not find out.”

“Aren’t you the slightest bit worried about how everyone knows who she is? Not to mention those pics of you two are everywhere,” Daniel countered, standing his ground.

“Which is why I have extra security helping Kari stay protected. That stalker was just a convenient excuse, but I want to get that prick, too.” He retrieved the gun from the countertop.

“Hopefully you have as much control over the meetings later as you’re exerting right now,” Daniel said.

“Watch it,” Paolo said. “Now, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to bed.” He turned to walk out. “You staying?” he asked, not bothering to turn around.

“May as well,” Daniel said, watching Paolo’s retreating back.

“See you in a few hours,” Paolo said, as he disappeared around a corner.

Paolo walked away from his brother, making his way up the stairs to his bedroom, where his beautiful queen awaited him.  Fuck, Maria Elena was going to be a problem. He was sure of it.

                                       ***

Carlotta Bianchi sat with Maria Elena on the family’s private jet. She wasn’t sure that this mission would be successful, but she wanted her daughter to have the chance to attempt to win Paolo’s heart. It was risky and her daughter was clearly up against a lot; a beautiful “other” woman and a man who was stubborn and determined to veer his own course, even if it meant breaking tradition. Men like that scared Carlotta, but she would be strong for her daughter and do anything that she could.

Maria Elena sniffed. “Mama, what if he turns me away? What if that bitch is with him? This might not have been the best idea.”

Carlotta patted her daughter’s leg. “If she is, you let her know who you are. You make it plain and you give her no choice but to leave. When all is said and done, he’ll realize he loves you, and he’ll come around, don’t worry.”

Maria Elena turned to her mother. She said, “He said that he did not love me, Mama. He says he never has and that he loves her, that Karisma Montgomery.” Of course, Paolo hadn’t said that, but Maria Elena trusted her instincts with it. There was no other reason for him to be so dishonorable.

“She is not like us, even if she loves him back, she doesn’t understand our life. You will be there supporting Paolo when that time happens,” Carlotta replied.

“I want to be first in his life,” Maria Elena said, her pride taking over.

“Well, I don’t mean to hurt you, daughter, but right now, you are not. Being the second choice with a good man is not bad. Your life will still be better than most.

“I want to be loved!” Maria Elena countered, folding her arms and glaring out the window.

“Focus on the prize and do what you must,” Carlotta said. She was also prepared to do what she must and she didn’t know exactly what that meant, but she would not have her daughter live a heart broken life because of Paolo Montovani, boss or not.

“This is that woman’s fault. She’s turned Paolo away from his duty and came between us. She’s bewitched him; seduced him with her willing body!” Maria Elena spat in disgust. “What’s he going to do? Move her to Reggio? Can she give him children in his image and likeness? No, she can’t! But I can! My children would look like him, not hers.”

“Maria Elena, stop it! You are working yourself into a frenzy and it’s not productive. Stop diving into the future and worry about now and see what you can do,” Carlotta scolded.

“Rrrrr,” Maria Elena mumbled.

“Attendant,” Carlotta called out, waving their private stewardess over. “Wine for my daughter to calm her nerves.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Maria Elena drank the wine fast, but kept on pouting and ranting about Karisma Montgomery.

Finally, her mother took her by the arm and looked her in the eye. “Do you want that man, or not?” she asked.

Maria Elena looked at her mother and frowned. “You know I do.”

“Then we’re going to make sure you get him and keep him. We stay as long as we have to. Stop crying and start fighting. Show who you are and what your family represents, Maria Elena.”

                                         ***

Karisma had just faded off to sleep, still wearing the smile from the sexy, steamy session she’d just had with Paolo when she was snapped to reality by MC Hammer’s
Can’t Touch This
. She jumped up.

“Who’s calling this early?” Paolo called from the bathroom.

“Val. I wonder what she wants,” Kari said. She picked up the phone and answered it. “Hey Val.”

“Girl!  Guess what?” Val called out excitedly.

“It’s 5:50 and you’re excited. Must be big. What?”

“You got Maxim’s Woman of the Year! Congratulations!” Valerie shouted.

Karisma pulled the phone away from her ear. “What? You’re lying!”

“I swear it, girl! They just called. You got it!”

“Oh my gawd!” Karisma gasped. Then she screamed. Rolling around the bed kicking her legs out, she whooped it up.

Paolo walked out of the en suite, with a towel around his waist. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“I got Maxim’s Woman of the Year,” she yelled. Giggling, she thanked Valerie for the call, and told her she’d see her in a few hours.

He jumped on her and they rolled on the bed together laughing. “Congratulations, love,” he said, and kissed her.

“Thank you, baby. I wasn’t expecting it.”

“You deserve it, beautiful,” he said. “I wish I could ravage you right now, but work calls. It’s going to be a long day.”

“Okay, I’ll have my people come pick me up here; a little later if that’s okay. I wanna sleep a few more hours. I have so much to do today.”