Page 15 of Adore Me
"We will begin by announcing new soldiers. You men have proven yourself in your roles as an associate, and now we have decided who will be promoted." People looked up and held out their goblets. This is absolutely intense to witness. I followed everyone else.
When in Rome and all of that.
Vincent held his arm out and I locked my eyes on that watch I engraved for him. My heart must have a horse in it because it is galloping with glee that he is wearing my present. I am hoping that it is a sign that he wants to get back together. As soon as this is over with, I am going to talk to him and apologize for freaking out on the golf course and let him know that I want to be with him forever.
The sound of clapping interrupted my planning and I came crashing down from my fantasy. Oh, right, I am supposed to be paying attention.
"Tony, Jack, Howard, Michael and Anthony- please stand up and hold out your right hand," the men did as they were told. Vincent stood up and placed a card in each of their hands. "Now, Moretti!" Vincent lit a lighter and the men stood up in a line. Each one of the cards were set on fire and the men held it in their hands.
"Oh!" It slipped out of my mouth and everyone turned to look at me. I smiled and looked down. Crap.
"Gentlemen, these cards represent your life before the Family. These cards represent what will happen to you if you turn your back on the family, you will burn. Now, you have officially been entered into the book. You represent the Luckys now. Everything you do will influence our family first. If you are needed, you will come. For the time being, all of you are soldiers. Congratulations. Please sign the books," all of the men that were standing walked over to the book and signed it. "Rossi."
"Hold on," Ronnie pulled out a sharp knife and set it in the table. After the knife was set down, a piece of official looking paper was placed on the table as well.
"We live by the sword as we die by the sword," John said as he stood up and pointed to the piece of paper.
The guys who just signed the books stuck up their index finger. Some were their left and others were their right. They took turns poking themselves in that index finger and then dripping their blood onto the paper.
I am so confused. What am I doing here? This seemed so official and I felt like an outsider. I scanned the room hoping to gain some insight, but nobody was giving me anything.
Vincent sat back down, and I fought the urge to reach out and touch him. He looked so sexy in his tux and smelled so good. I kept checking him out with the corner of my eye. In this moment, I knew. I knew that I loved him with every ounce of myself and this stunk because he would and could clearly break me.
The enforcers, or at least that is what I assume they are, stood up and shook all of their hands. Most of the females just looked around in awe. I looked at this situation with confusion.
"Next order of business! Everyone sit down, please. For the position ofConsigliere, Moretti," Jack handed Vincent a cigar and Vincent lit it. I am so discombobulated. What is happening with everyone? "Those that were soldiers; Rossi and your line- now you are enforcers. Everything rests on you. You will be given a sector and you will need to protect it. Congratulations! Any new business?"
"Yes," John stood up and addressed everyone. "We've been delinquent in welcoming the new ladies of the group. Anne Rossi, please stand up!" Anne and Ronnie stood up holding hands. "Anne, you are now part of our family. If you need anything, please ask for it." Anne and Ronnie kissed and then sat down.
I chugged my wine glass and looked down. Vincent hasn't even looked at me since he sat down. Wow. Not even a compliment for the dress he bought; I need to get out of here. I pushed my chair back and stood up before the tears came flooding down my face. Every man stood up too. This is so weird. I scanned all of their faces and they looked at me expectantly. Is this secretly a cannibalism party? I feel as if at any moment, I will be eaten.
"Wait. There is another matter that needs to be discussed. Savannah, please take your seat," John said. Am I in trouble? "Moretti, don't you have something to say?"
Vincent looked up and pulled my chair back out. "Please, please sit." I sat down and looked away. I felt as if I looked at him, he would go up in flames. He's so pretty and everything...
"Savannah, this is important," Valerie said and I looked up to hold her gaze. I tried to ask her with a look what was happening, and she dodged it.
"It’s okay, honey!" Annabeth said with a giggle and snuggled into the side of Vinny.
Vincent stood up out of his chair and pulled mine out of its place. I looked up into his eyes and seen that they were smiling at me. Even though I was so nervous, I smiled back to him. Never did I realize the amount of energy I spent in trying to forget what his eyes do to me. "My, my, me. So much has happened in the short time that we have known each other. I wasn't able to do this the right way due to the certain circumstances of the past couple of months, but I am going to do this right this time," he held out his hand and took mine. I gasped as he kissed the top of my hand. We held our gaze while he swallowed. My eyes matched his. "Savannah, I ask you in front of all of our friends for you to bemy woman,"he looked at Jack and he shrugged while blowing a kiss out to me. "I want everyone here and everyone else to know that you are mine." His finger trailed on my hand as I processed what he meant.
"Um..." That was all I could say. Is he proposing? Ohshitballs! If he is proposing, I will just die! I want him more than an alcoholic needs their next fix, but I feel as if we have a lot to work on before we can even get on that level.
That cocky and arrogant smile that I love, is looking a little wilted. Oh, holy Jesus! He is nervous! “No, I am not proposing to you. That will come later," he chuckled and then his face sobered. "I am asking you to be committed to me and trust me. Will you?" I looked for Anne's face and she smiled enthusiastically at me. I held her gaze and then she pointed to her shoulder. Oh! This was him announcing our relationship! "Answer me, please?"
Could he read my mind? I have literally been thinking about telling him that I am done being stupid and ask him to take me back. I have been dreaming about this all day and I can't believe that he chose a night that seems so special to ask me. So, this is why I am here! Words cannot express how freakin' special I'm feeling. "Yes," I whispered. Everyone broke out in applause and I felt tears flood down my cheeks without any shame. This is so romantic that he wanted to do this publicly. Vincent grabbed my elbows and pulled me up.
As soon as I was standing in front of him, he gripped my face in both of his hands and plundered my mouth with his lips and tongue. I growled at him when he broke our lip lock and he chuckled. "Gentlemen, she finally agreed! Savannah, welcome to the family!" Vincent embraced me tightly against his chest. "Now you don't have to sneak into my bed at night and leave so early," he whispered in my ear with a laugh.
Wait, how did he know? I could have sworn I came in and out discreetly. I just loved laying my head in his bed because it felt as if we were the same person when our scents got mingled. Oh! That must be it! My perfume is pretty musky and does linger. "I guess I am not that sneaky, huh?" I said back to him with a giggle. "What does this all mean?" He pulled me out of his embrace and looked down at me.
"This means that if anyone touches you, they lose a hand!" He dropped his face and crushed my mouth and it felt like it was so long ago that he kissed me. He tasted like mint and wine all wrapped up in each other. Our lips danced with the other's and I could melt. When it comes to Vincent, I... just want to keep touching him so I can make sure this is all real. I wrapped my arms around his neck and parted my lips. Vincent slipped his tongue in between my lips and I met his tongue with my own. When our kiss broke, I felt dizzy and out of sorts. "Say it, I know you want to."
I didn't break our lips from touching, I tried to ignore his request. Annabeth yelled at me with a growl.
The words I know he wants me to say are the truth. "I love you, Vincent. Yes, of course I want to be committed to you. I do trust you," I stated as I broke our kiss. As soon as my sentence was over, I placed my lips on his.
Vincent broke our kiss and looked down at me. "I love you too," he leaned his face down to me and brushed his lips against mine. "Let's continue our party." We both sat down and our chairs were touching. His arm never left my shoulders and it made me giggle to watch him eat with one hand.
