The Brambilla's, The Beginning

After he had gotten her settled and was asleep he went downstairs to his office. He undid his tie, a few buttons on his shirt and sat down to made a few calls. When he finds out who was responsible for doing this to her he would destroy them. When he got through with them no one would be able to identify them. Two hours later Eddie showed up.

"Well, what did you find out?"

"We talked to all the staff there and no one knows anything about the waiter, except for one woman. She was in charge of the staff and says there was one young man she didn't recognize but got busy and didn't have time to check him out. By the time she was able to, he had disappeared."

"Do you think she was telling the truth?"

"Yes, I do. She was very upset and kept apologizing, saying she feels bad for what had happened."

He went over to the bar and poured them both a drink. "Did she give a description of the man?"

"Yes, and I have William and a few of your other men out looking for him. So how is Eleonora doing?"

"Feeling sick and tired, but she's been sleeping for a while now. She's strong and will be okay and I never want her to go through anything like this again. So I'm going to up the security on her."

"Leone, we will find the bastard, no matter how long it takes."

"Yes, we will. I should go upstairs now and check on her so since it's late why don't you crash in the guest bedroom tonight. I know it will cheer her up seeing you in the morning."

They walked upstairs together. "Eddie, you are a good friend to both of us. Even though you keep hitting on my woman I still love you, man."

Eddie laughed. "You do know I only do it to get a rise out of you. I would never seriously hit on her and even if I did she would slap the shit out of me."

"You got that right. Goodnight my friend, see you in the morning."

When he got to their bedroom she was still asleep so he undressed and got into bed. Putting his arm over her he held her while she slept. Watching her as she slept, he didn't want to take his eyes off of her, afraid she would disappear. But sleep eventually did come, she was asleep with her head on his chest and arm over his stomach.

They both woke up at the same time, he kissed her lips softly.

"How are you feeling?"

"Just tired, and a little weak but I'll be okay."

"The doctor said for you to stay in bed for a couple of days so I'm going to stay home and make sure you do."

"That's okay with me, I like when you're home with me. I feel so safe when you're here and I wish you never had to leave. Besides the poisoning, I had a fantastic time last night. Oh, my beautiful dress, where is it?" She then felt for her necklace and earrings and panicked. "My jewelry, where are they?"

"It's okay baby, I took them off you and put them in the safe."

"Thank goodness, I was afraid I had lost them."

"Even if you had I don't care. All I care about is you and that you're okay, nothing else matters to me."

"You're so wonderful and that's why I love you so much."

"I love you too. You must be hungry so I'll go down and try to make something edible for you to eat."

"Oh God, you can't cook and I'm not hungry anyway."

"I can make toast and you do have to eat something. Maybe with any luck Eddie knows how to cook and he'll make us breakfast, but I doubt he knows how."

"Eddie's here?"

"Yes, he came over and it was late so I told him to stay in the guest room." He jumped out of bed and threw on some clothes. "Now don't you dare get out of that bed"

"What if I do?"

"Then I will tie you to the bed so that you won't be able to."

"What if I have to go to the bathroom?"

"Don't get cheeky with me woman. Yes, you are allowed to go to the bathroom, but that's it. I hope I have made myself clear."

"Yes, sir," she said, rolling her eyes. "Okay, I promise to stay in bed. Say hi to Eddie for me and tell him to stay as long as he wants."

Leone walked over to the bed and sat down. "He can stay until you are better, then after that, I don't think it's wise for him to be here."

"Why not?" she asked, then knew what he was talking about.

"Because when you're better I am going to make love to you so hard, and we both know how loud you can get."

"Oh get out of here," she said, giving his arm a light punch.

"Okay, but I'll be back up with something for you to eat. Get some more rest, I love you."

Eddie was in the kitchen having some coffee when he came down, he went and poured himself a coffee and sat down.

"How is she doing?"

"Tired and still feeling weak, and I told her she had to stay in bed for a couple of days. I told her you spent the night and she said to say hi. I came down to make her something to eat, but she says she's not hungry."

"Yeah, it's not easy to eat anything after what she's been through. But she needs something, but you don't cook."

"I can make toast and pour her some orange juice."

"Toast, good God man, she's got to have something more than that. I'll scramble her up some eggs while you make the toast."

Between the two of them, they made her the toast and scrambled eggs, a glass of juice and some sliced-up fruit.

"Would you mind if I take it up to her?"

Leone nodded his head. "I think she would like to see you. While you're doing that I'm going to the office and make a few phone calls."

Eddie knocked on the door before walking in with the tray and walked over to the bed. "Hey sweetheart, I brought you a little something to eat."

A smile crossed her face when she saw him and she sat up. "I told Leone I wasn't hungry. I'm not sure I can even keep anything down."

He placed the tray over her lap. "You should try to eat a little something. Just a couple bites of the eggs and a slice of toast." It pained him to see how pale she looked.

"I'll try, and will you stay for a little while and keep me company?"

"Of course, I will. Look, I am so sorry for what happened to you last night at the party. Maybe I shouldn't have put a party on."

"Don't say that, it was wonderful for you to do that for us. None of what happened was your fault so please don't blame yourself. I had the best time of my life at that party, well until the poisoning part."

"We will find out who was behind it."

"Do you think that they will try something again?" she asked, taking a sip of her tea. "Please tell me the truth."

He inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly. "It was obvious that you were the target, so I do believe they may try again at some point. I could be wrong and I sure hope so."

"Is it because they know they can't get to Leone personally so they are using me to hurt him?"

"That's usually the way it works. But I don't want you to worry because you will be surrounded by so much security not even the Queen of England could touch you. Neither Leone nor I will let them get a second chance. So don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid, I know you both will protect me."

"Yes, we will." He looked over on the far wall and saw a painting. "Leone said you did a painting of him, is this the one you made?"

"Yes, do you like it?"

He got up and went closer to it. "It's amazing, you have so much talent." He turned around to look at her with a grin on his face. "Would you consider painting my portrait?"

"I'd love to."

He went back over to the bed. "I want one of me in the nude."

She laughed and shook her head. "I am not going to paint you in the nude. I wouldn't do it for Leone and I'm certainly not going to do it for you."

"What are you not doing for Eddie?"

They both turned their heads when they heard his voice.

"I'm going to have her paint a picture of me in the nude."

"I'm not painting him in the nude. But I did say I would paint his portrait so you can wipe that angry look off your face."

"Damn Eddie, you really like pissing me off don't you?"

"I do get a kick out of it man, you're so serious and get worked up so easily." He got off the bed and leaning over he kissed her cheek. "I've got things to do but I will check up on you later."

When he was gone she reached her hand out for Leone to come closer to her. "You shouldn't get so upset with him, you know he's just a tease and he doesn't mean anything personal about it."

"I know," he said, sitting down on the bed. "I guess I just don't like when any man flirts with you." He looked at the tray and notice that she only ate one slice of toast and her tea. "You really need to put more in your stomach."

"I will later but not yet. I'm so tired and I just want to sleep."

"Then lay back and close your eyes and go to sleep. I'll just take this back down to the kitchen. I'll be back up shortly to check up on you."

"Please don't go. Will you lay down with me and hold me in your arms?"

He put the tray on the table and got into bed next to her, putting his arms around her. I'm not going anywhere, for the next few days I will be right here with you. Then when I'm not with you there will be two bodyguards right outside the door. I need to ask you for a favour."

She felt so warm and comfortable and safe in his arms. "What's the favour?"

"Until we find out who tried to poison you I want for you to stay inside this apartment unless I'm with you."

"Okay, I understand."

Moments later she had fallen asleep, he held her and closed his eyes. Even though she was putting on a brave front he knew she was scared to death.

When she woke up and saw him asleep beside her she ran her fingers along his chin. "Hey handsome, I'm feeling much better."

He opened his eyes and smiled at her."I'm so glad to hear that. I bet you're pretty hungry by now."

"Yeah I am, but I'm not hungry for food, I'm hungry for you." She pushed him down on his back and climbed on top of him.

He stopped her from kissing him, which was not easy for him to do since he wanted to kiss her so badly. "Baby, as much as I would like to make love to you it's too soon. Give it another day."

"But I want it now."

"You are such a horny broad, sorry baby, you'll have to wait," he said and flipped her back over onto her back.

"Fine, it's your loss." Then a wicked little smile crossed her face. "Oh it's so hot in here, I think I need to remove this nightgown."

He had gotten off the bed and when he saw her remove her nightgown he couldn't help getting aroused. She had the perfect body and her breasts were magnificent. She laid there on her back, not bothering to cover herself with the blanket. Oh, he knew what she was doing, she was trying to entice him into having sex.

"Maybe tomorrow."

His eyes were glued to her hands when she cupped her breasts with them. And then when she opened her legs he could see the glistening of her arousal. Now he was a goner, being a man with a high sex drive there was no way he could deny himself the pleasures of what she was offering him.

"Why you little vixen, you sure know how to get to me."

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, and knew that he couldn't resist her. She was feeling much better and was in the mood for some good loving.

Since she had just gotten over being poisoned he was gentle when he made love to her. Maybe he was wrong and should have waited, but how could he when she wanted it so badly? The truth was he also wanted it.

"That was so sweet and gentle."

He looked down at her and kissed her. "It wasn't my best work but I figured you weren't well enough for the full treatment."

"No, it was amazing. Sometimes it's nice just to make sweet love. But don't think for one minute that this is going to become a habit. From now on I don't want you to hold back. I like it when you become so passionate. Did you not enjoy it?"

"Woman, how can you ask me that? Yes, I enjoyed it immensely. Whenever we make love it's always amazing. Just being inside you and feeling your warmth wrapped around me drives me insane with desire for you." He rolled over onto his side and pulled her into his arms.

After a couple more days of rest, she was up and back to her old self. She kept busy with her painting and the final arrangements for the wedding. Knowing that he had business to take care of she practically had to push him out the door. Of course, she agreed to stay in, her bodyguards were outside the door and would only let the piano teacher and her art teacher in.