The Brambilla's, The Beginning

The sound of the shower running woke her up, getting out of bed she wrapped the sheet around her and went into the bathroom. She stood there watching him as he showered until he noticed her. She dropped the sheet when he opened the glass door and pulled her in.

"I'm so glad you've joined me," he said as he put his arms around her waist and kissed her. He would never get tired of feeling her naked body against his.

"I didn't want you to be lonely," she said as he moved her up against the wall. She just about lost it when he started kissing her neck and his hand massaging her breasts. The feel of his manhood was pressed against her, and judging by how hard he was she knew she was in for a treat.

He grabbed her one leg, slid easily inside her and began with a slow rhythm until his thrust became harder and faster. She held on to his shoulders, eyes closed to let out a muffled scream when an orgasm hit her. When he was done he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her like there was no tomorrow.

"Oh baby, what a great way to start the day."

Later once they were dressed and she had made them a late breakfast he was heading out for the day.

"So what are you going to do today?" he asked, leaning up against the counter as he sipped on his coffee.

"I'm going to finish your painting, so I'm sure it'll be done by the time you get home. Will you be home in time for dinner?"

"I'm pretty sure I will be but if I'm not I'll call you ahead of time and let you know. I can't wait to see the painting. I want you to use part of my office to do your painting. There's plenty of room in there and if I have to move things around I will."

"Are you sure you don't mind me using your office?"

"Of course I don't, there is nothing in there that I would hide from you. There will be no secrets between us." He ran his hand up and down her arm as he looked lovingly into her eyes. He hated leaving her, but he still had a business to run and men to take care of.

"You be safe out there and come back home to me."

"I will and I love you so much. I will have a man outside keeping an eye on things. If there's anywhere you want to go he will take you. You must promise me you'll never go anywhere alone."

She just loved how protective he was of her. "I promise and if I do go out I will leave you a text. So what is this guy's name and have I met him?"

"Kenny, and you've met him a couple of times."

Once he was gone she got her paints ready, she wanted to have it done by the time he got home. He had only been gone ten minutes when he called her, letting her know that Kenny and a couple of the other guys were coming inside to move some of the furniture around in the office and that she was to tell them how she wanted it arranged.

She let Kenny and the other men in and took them to the office and after looking around for a minute she decided how to arrange things so that it wouldn't look cluttery or out of place. After they were gone and since it was such a nice day she took her paint and canvas outside on the balcony and got busy with the painting.

Once the painting was finished she cleaned up and went into the kitchen and started supper, hoping that he would be home in time. The pot roast and potatoes were in the oven cooking and the salad was made when she heard the door to their apartment opening.

"Honey I'm home." He loved the sound of that when he said it out loud and then when she came running from the kitchen and flew into his arms he picked her up, planting a big kiss on her.

"I'm so glad you're home, I have missed you so much. I have a surprise for you, but I think I'll wait until after dinner to give it to you."

"If it's sex I don't want to wait."

"No silly, I finished your painting."

"I want to see it now, so please don't keep me waiting."

"Okay," she said and taking his hand walked him over to where it was, the cover was over it. "I hope you like it."

He pulled the cover off and stood back to look at it. "This is amazing. I can't get over how well you captured me. I love it, I absolutely love it and I want to get it framed and hung up."

She was beaming with pride and joy, it meant the world to her that he loved it.

"I also have a surprise for you."

"Oh, what did you do now?"

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a black velvet box and handed it to her. "I bought you this as an engagement gift."

She opened it and inside was a beautiful bracelet with blue and white diamonds. "Oh, Leone, it's absolutely gorgeous."

"I'm glad you love it. I smell pot roast, how long will it be before it's ready?"

"I put it in kind of late so it won't be for another two hours."

Now that was music to his ears, picking her up in his arms he carried her upstairs. "That should give us enough time. All day you were on my mind and I couldn't wait to get home and make love to you."

It was after they ate and were sitting in front of the TV when his phone rang. She didn't know what was being said on the other end but he was very agitated when he hung up the phone.

"What's the matter?"

"I just got a tip that there's somebody snooping around my warehouse." He got up and went over to the table and opened the drawer, taking out his gun. "I've got to go and check it out."

"You're not going alone are you?"

"I'll call William to meet me there." He then looked over to her and saw how worried she was. Going over he touched her cheek. "It's probably nothing so please don't worry."

"You will call me and let me know everything's okay right?"

"I promise and I'm sure I won't be gone long." He kissed her before leaving. On the way out he called William and told him to meet them at the main Warehouse.

Three hours had passed and still no word from him and she was starting to get worried. Picking up her phone she called him but it went to voicemail. After three tries and still no answer she started to panic, it wasn't like him not to keep in touch with her. She then called Eddie.

Hey good looking, what's up?

"Eddie, I'm worried about Leone."

Why, what's wrong?

"He got a call from somebody saying that was a problem at one of his warehouses. I haven't heard from him since he left."

I'm sure he's okay and it's nothing.

"It's been over three hours and he's not answering his phone. Whenever he goes out like this he always calls me to let me know things are okay. I'm so worried about him."

I'll go check on him, but he has more than one warehouse. Did he happen to say which one he was going to?

"Not to me but I overheard him when he was talking to William to meet him at the main Warehouse. Thank you for going and please let me know what's going on as soon as you know."

I will sweetheart, and don't worry. Leone is very smart and can handle any problems with or without anyone's help.

When they hung up she started pacing back and forth. He had gone out many times before to do whatever it was he had to but somehow this felt different. She just knew that something was wrong. When another two hours had passed and still no word she tried calling both of them but it went straight to voicemail. Now she knew something was terribly wrong.

She sat down on the couch and started to cry, wondering why he or Eddie hadn't called her yet. Then when she heard them coming in she wiped her tears away and got to her feet.

"Where the hell have you been and why didn't you call me," she screamed at them. But then when she noticed Leone's arm in a sling she ran over to him."Oh my God, are you all right?"

"I'm okay," he said, noticing that she had been crying.

She saw the blood on his shirt when he slid off his jacket. "You've been shot."

"It's nothing, the bullet just grazed my arm."

"Why didn't one of you call me?" she asked, looking from one to the other. She was so angry she wanted to slap both of them.

Leone put his arm around her waist. "Let's sit down and I'll tell you all about it. But first I need a good stiff drink."

Eddie went and poured them both a double scotch and went and sat with them.

"I was worried sick about you, you could have called me even if it was in the car on your way home. I am so angry at both of yous."

"I couldn't call you."

"Why the hell not?"

"Okay, when William and I got to the warehouse we were ambushed. They took our guns and our cell phones, smashing them to pieces. Thank goodness Eddie got there when he did and we were able to take them down. But then one bastard went to shoot me but Eddie shot him first before he could do any real damage."

She got to her feet in anger and placed her hands on her hips and stared at both of them. "No real damage, you were shot for crying out loud and could have been killed. Why the hell didn't you take more man with you?"

"I didn't think it was necessary, it happens all the time that somebody snoops around our warehouse."

She looked at Eddie, giving him the death stare. "You, you promised me that you would call me the moment you knew anything. You should have called me and I would have come to the hospital."

Leone tried to calm her down by going over and putting his hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him off.

"Don't touch me."

"Baby, don't be mad at Eddie. I was the one that told him not to call you and we didn't go to the hospital."

A shocked expression appeared on her face. "If you didn't go to the hospital who took care of your arm?"

"We have a doctor that we go to when one of us is hurt so that the police don't get involved. And I told Eddie not to call you because I didn't want you to panic and go running out to the damn hospital. I admit that was a mistake and I should have let him call you."

She was so close to tears and knew she had to leave the room. "I'm going to go make some coffee," she said and rushed to the kitchen.

Eddie walked over to Leone. "Don't be upset with the way she's behaving. You have to remember that she is not used to all of this and it is the first time the reality of what can happen. You should go in there and talk to her."

"You're right, I will. Help yourself to another drink while I see how she's doing."

He walked into the kitchen and saw her leaning up against the counter with her head in her hands and she was crying. This was the first time he had ever seen her cry and he didn't like it one little bit. Going over he pulled her hands away from her face.

She looked at him with eyes that held fear and sadness. "I'm sorry for the way I behaved, but I was scared that I might lose you."

"You know who I am and how dangerous my life could be. But I'm okay and you haven't lost me and you never will."

"How can you be so sure about that?"

"Because for one thing I will never assume that I can handle it on my own and I will always make sure I take some men with me. Before you came into my life I didn't really think about my safety and sometimes I was careless and went in by myself. But I give you my word things will be different from now on." He cupped the side of her face. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that I always come back home to you. I love you so much and not even the devil himself can keep me from you."

"Give me your word."

"I give you my word. Now I could really use a hug and a kiss from my girl."

She put her arm around his neck, being careful not to touch his injury. Her kiss was passionate, letting him know how much she loved him and trusted him.

When the kiss was broken he wiped her tears away. "I could sure use that coffee now."

Nodding her head she poured three mugs of coffee and placed them on a tray and carried them into the living room.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you Eddie."

"I promised you that I would call you the moment I knew anything and I broke my promise. I give you my word I will never do that again."

She went over and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for saving Leone."

He placed his thumb and index finger under her chin and lifted her head up. "He's my friend, and I will do anything for you."

Leone sat down and grabbed his mug of coffee. "Okay Eddie, that's enough, you can let go of my girl now."

Pulling out of his arms she went over and sat beside him. She had this need to be as close to him as she possibly could.

Since it was late she suggested that Eddie spend the night in the guest room. Which he gladly accepted as he was beat and had drunk three double scotches.