One night stand with the Mafia boss

Chapter 18

It was finally time!

I looked at the private jet in front of me. 

It looked like the exact same jet as last time. I don’t want to ask if it is his.

This time though, the stairs onto the jet were taking me away from Australia. 

The stairs were only 3 feet in front of me, but it felt like the air within those feet suddenly became thick and my lungs were unable to process it properly. 

I looked at the stairs as my brain went into overdrive as to if I was doing the right thing. 

Am I doing the right thing?

Will he change? 

Am I flying into some horror story you only read or watch documentaries about?

Did I think this through properly?

The hand that was on my lower back trying to gently guide me forward suddenly moved up my side over my shoulder and cupped my cheek. Another hand appeared on my other cheek as his face took away the view of the stairs.

“Breathe!” he whispered softly as he kissed my nose.

“Will you change? How many women are waiting for you on the other end of that jet? How…”

“Shhhh amore. Yes, I will change…” my mind started to scream at me as he quickly continued, “because you change me. You made my heart fucking beat for the first time and there is no going back. Every day I change because of you, for you! I will always be a monster, but never with you.”

What???? 

I stared into his eyes, looking for something to tell me there was even the smallest amount of untruth to his words. 

But there wasn’t! 

I changed him? For the better?

“I love you my beautiful, gentle, pure soul. Never be afraid of me! I only change for the good because of you. And other women, only family, are on the other side and sorry I’m not into that sort of thing.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me as my breathing started to calm and my heart rate started to go back to normal.

“Good” he smiled back and kissed me so softly, gently, pouring his love into me through that kiss.

He pulled back and gently guided me, so I went ahead of him up the stairs, probably still worried I was about to bolt or pass out.

I sank into the luxurious seat at the front. Landon sat next to me and didn’t say a word, only making sure my seat belt was fastened properly before taking my hand and kissing it.

I thought he would ask if I wanted to go lie down but I think he is just too busy making sure I don’t have another panic attack.

Everyone filed in and took their seats. 

The jokes and drinks started immediately. 

Listening to them ripping each other about a woman, money, family drama or something else awaiting them when they returned, helped me to relax. They hardly ever spoke Italian around me, which I know they do on purpose and I appreciate it.

To them they were going home. I had never seen them all this relaxed and happy.

Many of them came to check on me or ask if I wanted to play a card game. It was sweet.

They never asked Landon as he worked away on his laptop. He still acknowledged them and encouraged me to join them.

After a couple of hours, I just needed sleep though, so I gave him a quick kiss and went to the bedroom for a lie down. It didn’t take long before the bed dipped behind me and I was pulled into a hard body. 

I sighed in bliss and fell asleep.

I awoke to kisses all over my face.

Part of me wanted to stir him by saying Gio stop, but I didn’t want to start Italy off on the wrong foot if he took the joke the wrong way. I was still nervous as to what he would be like, what my life was going to be like here in Italy.

“Are you waking me up because you’re bored or we’re there?”

He chuckled “We are about to make a pit stop for fuel and stretch our legs. Did you want a quick shower first?”

“Yes please.”

He pecked my lips “clean clothes are in the bathroom already.”

“Think you know me, huh?” I let out a loud yawn at the end.

He put his finger in my mouth as I tried to cover it from the yawn. 

Of course, I bit his finger so he in turn lent down and bit my shoulder.

After my quick shower that helped wake me up, I walked out and took my seat. 

The stopover in Hong Kong was brief. It was actually a shame as I would have preferred to see the outside of the airport private lounge.

And now we are here.

The plane had come to a stop. Everyone instantly started taking off their seat belts, stretching and grabbing their stuff.

I certainly didn’t miss Landon watching my every move. 

When he started to move, it was slow, on purpose and he was always making sure to never have his back to me. It was like he was dancing around a scared animal, making sure not to startle it.

I slowly took off my seat belt and stood up.

I was very aware now that it wasn’t just Landon’s eyes on me but pretty much the whole plane. YAY I love this much attention!

I grabbed my handbag and tried to ignore the eyes. Deep breath in and slow exhale.

Landon gently cupped my face with his hands titling my face up to look at him. His smile was soft and reassuring. “I love you!” 

I smiled back, letting out another breath and kissed him gently to tell him I was fine. He scanned my face one more time before nodding and leading me off the plane.

I glanced back to see Louie wink at me while Gio and a few others gave me a reassuring nod as well.

They all have my back. I tried to reassure myself. 

I had gotten to know them all over the 4 weeks and felt I could trust them. I had to keep reminding myself it was going to be OK.

The jet had been taxied into a large hanger. There were several black SUV’s lined up with numerous guards walking around looking every which way. Yep, totally typical Mafia scene from the movies! I tried not to laugh at that.

I looked down the stairs to see Ma, Tom and Leo, who had big smiles on their faces. The size of the smile on Tom’s face almost confused me, as he was normally quite serious all the time.

There were several other people around them who were all not so subtlety sizing me up. I tried to ignore them as I really shouldn’t have been surprised. Most of them are probably still wondering if I was a gold digger or some power-hungry slut.

You could tell a few women that were hanging back were the partners of some of the guys as they watched the door to the jet with bated breath and looked disappointed when they only say Landon and I.

I smiled as Ma yelled out “My daughter”, totally ignoring Landon or anyone else. I looked at him and he just rolled his eyes and kissed my forehead before letting me go down the stairs first, which surprised me. Then again he was probably worried he would be pushed aside by his Ma anyway.

I barely made it down the stairs as the little 5 foot-nothing woman engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug. This woman was strong!

I hugged her back tight. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person!”

She pulled back, cupping my face and examining it. “My daughter is finally here. Come, come, we have much to catch up on!”

“Shouldn’t you say hello to your son as well?” I joked with a big smile.

Her smile grew somehow bigger as she looked at Landon before going to him and giving him 3 kisses on his cheeks. He kissed her back as Leo then made his way to me.

“Welcome to Italia sis”, he gave me a big hug before kissing my cheeks 3 times. That seems to be the custom here.

I saw the bloody scabs on his knuckles and a very very slight limp. It had been too long for it to be from the gunshot wound in Sydney. I don't want to ask and I'm sure they won't tell me anyway.

“It’s good to see you again Leo. How have you been?”

“Putting up with Ma talking about you non-stop” he groaned and shook his head. He only got the last part out before he was smacked across the back of his head by Tom.

Tom gave him a glare but it was more playful than malice before he pushed Leo out of the way to give me a hug as well. Also, I wasn’t expecting that!

“Welcome to your new home Kate” he said warmly and kissed my cheeks 3 times. Yep, definitely the custom!

All this while, Landon had greeted everyone else and was back to being beside me rubbing his hand soothingly up and down my back.

“Thank you Tom! I really do appreciate it!” he smiled and nodded to Landon before stepping back.

“Good. My daughter is with me”. Ma grabbed my hand and led me to the middle SUV with Landon following behind, chuckling.

I wasn’t introduced to anyone else but am guessing that will happen another day and it wasn’t important in their eyes for the moment.

Ma and I got in the back, as Landon and Tom got in the front, Tom drove.

I watched out the window, trying to take in all the scenery. It definitely looked a lot different to Australia with the different plants and traditional-looking houses or villas or whatever they call them today.

“We will go for a drive and sight see another day. Today you rest and enjoy your new home.” Ma said as we drove for only a few minutes before we drove through some massive gates guarded by many very armed men and women. At least they didn’t discriminate!

“Dis is da main house.” It wasn’t a house, it was a fucking massive mansion! “Come say hi first and have a tour den go to your house to rest” she said as Tom opened her door and Landon opened mine.

“Thank you kind sir” I fluttered my eyelashes at him, making him grin and give me a quick kiss. I most certainly didn’t miss the sigh of contentment from Ma somewhere beside me.

Ma linked arms with me and led me through the massive wooden double doors that were opened by what looked like 2 butlers or doormen. 

My jaw nearly dropped as we walked into a massive white foyer. If I thought the hotel’s we stayed at screamed money, this place made you deaf with the high pitch screech of money!

I had only a moment of holding myself together and not looking like a tourist before Ma led me into what looked like their sitting room. There were 3 older gentlemen and 2 women in there that instantly stood up the moment we walked in. Ma led me over to them with that massive smile still plastered on her face.

“Kate, my daughter, dese are Uncle Vin, Uncle Andy and Uncle Francesco, the trusted elders.”

Uncle Vin looked to be in his 70’s with white hair, blue eyes and a better physique than most 40-year-olds! 

Uncle Andy was about the same age with salt and pepper hair and brown eyes and was slimmer but still no dad bod in sight. 

Uncle Francesco had dyed black hair and eyebrows that looked really out of place with his ageing face. He looked older than the other 2 but it might have been the hair dye.

All 3 men greeted me with a nod although I wasn’t dumb to see Uncle Francesco’s was forced. I didn’t mind as I was trying not to stare at his hair.

“Dis is Uncle Vin’s wife Mil and Uncle Andy’s wife Maria.” 

Mil was a natural stunner with her white and blond hair up in a bun, tanned skin and slim body. She was probably in her late 60’s but looked to be in her 40’s. Same as Maria except she had long white hair flowing behind her. 

The 2 women stepped forward and gave me 3 kisses instead of the nod. I kissed them all back. They said something in Italian and Ma replied in a gushing manor.

“They said you are very beautiful and it was good to see I brought home a real woman”, Landon whispered in my ear before biting my ear lobe.

“Enough. You boys go talk while we take my daughter for a tour” Ma shooed Landon away. 

He quickly pecked my lips and winked at me before leaving with the men. Leo gave me a wink as well as he left making me shake my head and laugh at him.

I turned back to Ma having the biggest excited smile like a kid that was just told they were going to Disneyland. The two women beside her were just as bad.

We spent the next hour with them giving me the grand tour. 

You hear the saying living like royalty, well that is what this place is. It really is more like a castle than a mansion and you add the high end finishes, all the staff, the gardens, the pools both inside and outside, tennis courts and well, everything and you have living like royalty.

Everything screams money and power! Lots and lots of both!

If I even tried to wear any of my old clothes that I refused to throw out even after all the shopping sprees, I think they would even jump off my body and burn themselves out of shame!

Everyone is lovely to me and we chat easily. Although I am not joking when I say I am sure Ma would have anyone shot that wasn’t nice to me.

Mil and Maria, although so nice on the outside, you could see the danger just sitting below the surface. Then again, they are wives of elders. Would I be like that by that age?

At the end, they bid good-bye and said they would be around tomorrow to check up on me. We did the 3 cheek kiss thing as they left.

In all the movies and books they always talk about how close the mafia families are and by the looks, it’s very true. I will probably have to get used to constant visitors or invitations to their houses, which I don’t mind.

Ma and I then went to go and “find da men”. We found them out on a big balcony smoking cigars. Yuck he is so not kissing me after that!

Landon smiles up at me saying his good-byes to them.

“Ready?”

“Only if you are.” He nodes and we say good-bye to everyone.

Ma gives me another bone crushing hug before telling Landon to look after me. He shakes his head, kisses my forehead before leading me out.

There is now just an expensive looking sports car out the front. He opens the door and motions for me to get in.

“So did you like the house?”

“I didn’t see a house, but I loved your mum’s mansion or castle. Not sure which to call it yet.”

He chuckles “It is supposed to be ours, but I didn’t see the point of taking it since I didn’t have a family yet. If you prefer it, Ma has another house.”

“What! No way! I would never kick Ma out of her own home. I am sure your home will be perfect!”

He shakes his head slightly before kissing my hand. “Our home” he corrects me. 

It takes only a few minutes until we drive up to what could be called a smaller replica of the mansion/ castle. I think I will just call it a mansion for consistency.

Don’t get me wrong, though this house was still a mansion and not small in the slightest.

Chapter 19 - One night stand with the Mafia boss