Page 29 of Savage Angels
“Emily,” he whispers breathlessly into my ear as he grunts loudly, embedding himself within me. “Mine,” Sal growls out as he spills his seed inside me. We collapse onto the bed, our bodies entwined and slick with sweat. “I will always love you.”
And at this moment, I know it is true. His love for me is what keeps me going through these dark times, and in his arms, I find solace and comfort unlike anything else in this world.
***
The following evening, I walk into our bedroom to find a sumptuous feast laid out on the bed. Candles flicker in the dim room, casting shadows that dance along the walls, creating an intimate haven just for the two of us.
“Salvatore… you did this?” I ask, tears filling my eyes at the unexpected gesture.
“Of course, amare,” he says with a grin, pulling me close. “We need moments like this to remember what we’re fighting for.”
As we sit to eat, the outside world fades away, replaced by the comforting presence of my husband and his love for me—a beacon of light amidst the chaos.
“Sal,” I whisper between bites of pasta, his hand caressing mine tenderly. “Thank you for this. It means everything to me.”
“Anything for you, Emily,” he replies. His eyes fill with warmth and devotion. And for once, I allow myself to believe we can weather any storm so long as we have each other.
The flickering candlelight casts a warm glow over the room, making it feel like we are the only two people left in this godforsaken world. I lean back against Salvatore’s chest, his arms wrap protectively around me, and I let out a shaky breath.
“Sal… I’m scared,” I admit, my voice barely a whisper as I stare into the dancing flames. “This life… it’s taken so much from us already. What if it takes even more?”
“Amare, I know. I’m scared too,” he confesses, his voice rough with emotion. He presses a tender kiss on the top of my head. “I never wanted to bring any of this shit down on you or our kids.”
His words hang heavily between us, and for a moment, we sit in silence, the air thick with unspoken fears and regrets.
“Things have changed, Emily,” he continues, his grip on me tightening ever so slightly. “I’m now the head of the Abruzzi Crime Family. I know I promised you I’d try to get us out, but now… we’re in deeper than ever.”
My stomach twists painfully at his words, the future suddenly looking darker than it had a moment ago. My heart races as I think of Vincent, our oldest, and the path that awaits him.
“Sal… what does this mean for us… our family?” I ask, my voice trembling. “Vincent… do you expect him to follow in your footsteps?”
Salvatore’s body stiffens behind me, and he lets out a ragged sigh before suddenly pulling away. He drops to his knees in front of me, his eyes begging for understanding.
“Emily, listen to me,” he pleads, his hands gripping mine tightly. “I swear to you, none of our children will ever be part of this life. They’ll make their own way in the world, free from this darkness. I promise I’ll protect all of you at any cost.”
His sincerity shines in his eyes, and I want so desperately to believe him. I manage to smile and nod, even though my heart still aches with worry.
“Thank you, Sal,” I whisper, my tears threatening to spill over.
But as he holds me close once more, I can’t shake the sense that something has fundamentally shifted between us. The man I’d fallen in love with, the rebellious, passionate soul who won my heart, is now the Don of one of the most powerful crime families in the world.
And no matter how much we love each other, I fear the path we are on will only lead us further into the darkness.
Chapter Twelve
Kat
Outside this filthy room, I look left, then right, when Stella lunges at me. Her hand clamps over my mouth with a rag. A sickly sweet scent fills my nostrils, and I struggle to break free, but she is too strong. My lungs grow heavy, and the darkness swallows me whole.
“St… Stella,” I manage before everything goes black.
My head throbs, and I feel disoriented as I open my eyes. The air tastes salty, and I hear waves crashing in the distance. I try to sit up and discover one of my wrists is handcuffed to a rusty pipe. Shuffling around on the mattress on the floor, I awkwardly make it into a sitting position.
“Fuck,” I say to myself, tugging at the cuffs. Pain shoots up my arm, but they don’t budge.
“Stella!” I yell, my voice echoing through the room. “Where the hell am I?”
There is no answer, just the relentless sound of the ocean and the faint cry of gulls outside. The place is cleaner than where she’d kept me before, almost sterile. But there is no sign of Stella.