Page 56 of Merciless Queen
I smiled wide, kissing her before jumping out of the bed. “What do I wear to a coffee shop?”
She smirked. “Jeans and a sweater. It’s chilly outside.”
I jumped out of the bed, scurrying to the closet. Going outside away from the perimeter of this house was the exact thing I needed to clear my mind. How much had the world changed since I was held captive? And then I thought about school and everything I missed out on, before my mind fell toher. Ten years was a long time to be without someone I thought about daily. She was my best friend, and when I was in my own personal hell, I thought about her.
Eventually, I never wanted to think about Mallory when I was in Vincenzo’s hands. Her beauty would have been tainted just because I wanted a different view, when all I had was misery and agony. Eventually, her eyes faded, and I only remembered her name and the softest of touches. Was it selfish to wonder how she was? Or how her life turned out without me?
“Can you find someone for me?” I asked Caterina as I walked into the bathroom.
“Who?”
“Her name is Mallory Jefferson. She was the girl I liked before everything happened. I want to see how she is. I want to close that gap Vincenzo created. I’m sure she has a beautiful life now.”
I saw her wince, but she straightened her back so I wouldn’t catch it, only I did. Did this make her upset? “Of course. I’ll get Luca on it. If she still lives in the city or close, we can go today depending on when Luca gets the info.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“You reaching out to an ex-crush while married to me? Why would I be upset?” She smirked. I really didn't know if she was being serious or not. I never wanted to hurt her. She saw the inner turmoil I was in and pulled me into her. “Harlow, I’m teasing. Of course I’m not upset.”
“I thought. I’m sorry. If you—” She silenced me with a quick kiss.
“Come on. Let’s take a shower so we can get ready.”
After taking a quick shower, I changed into a pair of jeans that were hugging but not suffocating, a maroon tank, and a taupe cardigan. It was comfortable without being too restricting, but also giving me confidence in my skin. I never had the luxury of covering up. With Vincenzo, I was in lingerie, or I was naked. I never got to dress comfortably regardless of the bitter Chicago weather and our horrid living conditions. My body was never mine. I was a vessel used for men’s sick pleasure, because expensive force was more important than free consent.
I needed to stop thinking about my past and move on with my life. Ten years was a long time to be in the arms of a cruel beast, but Caterina saved me. She didn’t realize it, but she was saving me even if she was cold. She was an anomaly. One moment, she was caring and loving like an actual partner would be, and the next, she was distant. I thought I liked her and it scared me. I’d been hurt by men my entire life. I didn’t want my heart shattered by a woman.
CHAPTER 44
Caterina
The early Marchweather was bitter, but Harlow beamed as she snuggled closer to me as we walked down the strip. Malachi, Alexi, and Cornelius were trailing behind us as our protection, but I had my pistol tucked into my pants in case someone decided to act a fool. My men were good, but I was better. And that wasn’t my ego talking. I trained since I was a child since my father was paranoid about my safety in a male dominant world. My men would die for me, but I wouldn’t lay down and take it. I would stand strong by their side and annihilate the threat. With Harlow with me, I knew she would be defenseless, and it was up to me to be the first line of defense for her safety.
Our winters were brutal, and I was ready to take my father’s jet to Tahiti to get some sunlight. Harlow would enjoy Tahiti or Italy during the summers, seeing the beautiful scenery and culture. The Sistine Chapel in Rome might’ve been her favorite thing in the entire city, but I’d have to find a way to have a private showing to avoid the tourists. I told her I would give her anything her heart desired, and I intended to keep that promise to her.
I loathed being in the public eye, and sightseeing was not something I did. This city was my home. I grew up in the streets of Chicago, but my happy place was Italy where the Moretti family was left alone. Chicago was filled with nosey press, desperate people, and assholes trying to kill me or destroy my family name. The Moretti family was one of the greatest Italian mafia families in the western hemisphere, and power was intimidating. I wanted to be a recluse, but this lifestyle made it impossible unless I gave my throne to someone else, which was never going to happen.
“What’s your favorite coffee?” Harlow asked, pulling me back to reality as we stopped in front of Java Jive.
“Do you not have one?”
She shook her head, rubbing her hands together. “No. My mom didn’t like me having coffee. She thought caffeine was bad for us. We were tea drinkers. Mainly her.”
“You poor soul. I’m a cinnamon latte kinda girl.”
She giggled, her brow arched high. “I’d figure you’d be a black coffee girl. Intense and bitter.”
“Are you saying I’m intense and bitter?” I japed.
Her eyes grew wide, and her cheeks became redder from a mix of embarrassment and the bitter air. “N-No. It-It’s just?—”
“Harlow, breathe. I’m joking. You’re cute when you’re flustered. Black coffee might match my personality, but it’s disgusting. Coffee has to have an extra kick to it.”
Walking into Java Jive, the baristas recognized me and instantly stood at attention. My favorite blonde barista, who acted normal around me without the fear of God plastered on her face, smiled at me. I ordered two cinnamon lattes, one with extra foam and cinnamon for Harlow, tipping the barista twenty dollars because I knew how shitty people could be when it came to a five-dollar cup of coffee.
Harlow sipped it and her eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s really good.”
“Told you.” I laughed, taking her hand in mine as we left the shop. “It’s cold out, but how about the park?”
