Her Mafia Daddy (Book 1) novel Chapter 50

Valentina POV

When I finished, he didn’t speak. His hand continued to stroke my back, his strong body cradling me like I was important. Like I mattered to him. I knew I didn’t, but at this moment I needed the lies. I’d never felt more alone, as if I had absolutely nothing and no one.

So yes, I’d take whatever kindness I could. The tears came then, pouring from my lids to soak his shirt. I held onto him tightly, clinging for all I was worth, grateful that at least I had this. At some point I think the door opened, but I wasn’t paying attention. I just cried and thought about how I’d never see my sisters again.

“I am sorry, dolcezza,” he said when I quieted. “I am not sorry you are here with me, but I am sorry that your father has hurt you.”

“My life is ruined,” I whispered shakily. “I’ll never go to university. I’ll never see Emma and Gia again. I’m totally alone.”

“This is not true. You wanted a life outside of your father’s world, and now you’ve been given it. You’re not foolish or stupid. You’re very clever. I am certain you’ll find a way to see your sisters again.” He made it sound so easy. But then, to a man like him, everything was easy. I shook my head. “I cannot see how. He’ll keep them from me, then marry them off to men who will keep them from me.”

“You forget that you now have a very powerful man in your life who can do almost anything. I can help you.”

“How?” I nearly screeched. “You are here and they are in Toronto. Plus, you know nothing can supersede a husband or father in this life. If they want to keep me away from Emma and Gia then they will.”

“Trust me, no? I will help you with your sisters. And if you want to go to school, take classes online. Plenty of students attend virtually these

days.” Right, sure. What an easy solution! “With what money? He will cut me off. Not to mention that school was supposed to start in two weeks. I don’t even have a laptop.”

“I will give you the money and you’ll have a laptop by tonight.” I leaned back to see his handsome face. The light in his blue eyes was soft and tender, and I let myself get swept away by the affection there. “You would do that for me?”

The edge of his mouth hitched. “Valentina , I like taking care of you. Haven’t you realised that by now?”

“But it’s expensive.”

“I have the money. Let me pay for your classes and books.” Could I do this? Could I allow Rafael to pay for my school? I considered it, thinking through everything that could go wrong. “What happens if we stop sleeping together? Then I won’t be able to continue. That would almost be worse.”

“Then I’ll set aside the full amount into a trust that only you can access.” I studied his expression, but he looked completely serious. Good lord, That was a lot of money. If I accepted it, did that mean I really was a whore?

I hadn’t wanted a big payout at the end of this relationship, like his other mistresses, but what choice did I have? Be your own woman, Valentina. Don’t make my mistakes. My mother’s words haunted me. The only way to do that was to get an education and make a life for myself outside of the mafia. I was proud, but not stupid. “Okay, but I will pay you back. Every euro.”

“Can you not consider it a gift?”

“No. Then I’d feel like I was in it only for the money.” His eyes narrowed. “The position of mantenuta is important here, Valentina . You have more access to me than anyone, even Marco. Everyone knows this and will treat you with respect or they will answer to me.”

“So you’re saying it’s not just about the money.”

“Exactly. It’s about power, as are most things in this world. And you have a lot of it. Haven’t you realised that yet?” No, I hadn’t. It didn’t feel like it when my father hurled hateful insults at me and I would never see my sisters again. “Isn’t it also about orgasms?”

He pressed his mouth to mine and gave me a deep kiss that made me dizzy. “It’s especially about orgasms.”

That I could handle. I leaned my forehead against his cheek and inhaled his familiar comforting scent. “Thank you, baby. I will pay you back and whatever you can do about my sisters would be very much appreciated.”

His lips found my forehead. “See? Now was that so difficult? I like to make you happy.” I was coming to believe it, and I had to admit this felt good. He understood me better than anyone and had gone out of his way to stay with me in Rome. More than anything else right now, I needed to forget all the shame and hurt in my heart. I didn’t want to think about the future, my family, or what anyone was saying about me.

This man could make me forget. I kissed his throat. “Is it too early to drag you upstairs so I can have my wicked way with you?”

He caressed my thigh, in no hurry to break our connection. “Why don’t you sit here and keep me company while I catch up on work and calls? Then I’ll take you upstairs and fuck you.” Over the next three weeks, life settled into a normal pattern or as normal as could be expected when one was a mafia don’s girlfriend. Yes, girlfriend. I had convinced myself that Rafael was my boyfriend, because that was preferable to the real situation, that I was his mistress. Everyone knew the truth, however. The only person I was fooling was myself.

Most days, my inner lie worked. Everyone on the estate treated me with kindness and respect. Whatever I asked for was granted, and I felt like part of the family. The only person who hadn’t quite warmed up to me was Marco, and I found that troubling, considering his closeness to Rafael. Marco’s attitude remained polite but cold towards me. I told myself I didn’t care, but the question of why dug under my skin like a splinter. My classes started next week and I couldn’t wait. I found a college with a good agricultural program that had online classes, and as promised, Rafael gave me the money in a trust and bought me a laptop.

Meanwhile, on my phone I set up a secret account that allowed me to chat with my sisters every day. I showed them the vineyards and the castle. Gia thought I was the luckiest woman alive, but Emma was more concerned with my happiness. Did Rafael treat me well? Was I safe? Did I mind not being married? The truth was I didn’t care about marriage. I knew what it meant to be a mafia wife, waiting at home with dinner on the table for a man who cheated on me every chance he got. My mother had given up her career, her whole life, for my father. Then she’d died from cancer in her mid-thirties, regretting the choices she’d made. I never wanted that. I wanted independence and a career of my own.

“Are we going to clear out the stables again for an early riposo?”

“Hmm. Maybe after. I have very fond memories of that day.” The first time I deepthroated his cock. “Me, too. Can I take a selfie with you? Please? I like the casual mafia boss look. I won’t post it anywhere. It’ll be just for me.” He always refused to be in pictures with me, much as Dimitri had in Rome.

“No photos, Valentina . I can’t risk it ending up online or someone hacking your phone.”

“Are you saying the Italian government doesn’t know who you are?”

“Of course, they do. But that doesn’t mean I want to remind them.” We went into the stables. This time, he didn’t order everyone out. Instead, he led me to a stall in the back. On the wall was a brass plate that read La Piccola Monella. “You’re moving me out to the stables?” I joked.

“Not yet,” he smirked and slapped my ass. “Look inside.” I peeked into the stall and a huge brown head appeared. It was a chestnut-coloured horse with a patch of white on its face. She nuzzled toward me, curious. I reached out and stroked her muzzle. “Hello, girl.” She shifted and bobbed her head, like she was saying hello, too. I laughed.

“I think she likes you,” Rafael said, his chest at my back. “Not that I ever doubted it. You are far kinder to animals than you are to me.”

“I was very kind to you last night. Twice, in fact.” I continued to pet the horse. “She’s beautiful, Rafael .”

“I am glad you think so. She belongs to you.” I cast a glance over my shoulder. His brown gaze smouldered with heat and affection, a look I was coming to know well. “You bought me a horse?”

“Sí. I took the honour of naming her, though.”

“So I can ride whenever I like?” I liked to walk the estate, but that could be exhausting. Plus, I missed riding. We had grown up taking lessons as girls. “Of course. You must wear a helmet, however.” My paparino. Always looking out for me. I bit my lip as happiness coursed through my chest. “I promise. May I go now?”

“Yes, as long as I may come with you.” Now the casual clothes made sense. He’d planned time away from work to take me riding. Grinning, I threw my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him like that aphid on the leaf. “Of course. Grazie, Rafael . This is the very best surprise.”

He held me under my ass and kissed my mouth. “I’m glad you are happy. Let me have both horses saddled and then we’ll go.”