Page 5 of Ambitious Bastard

Salvo tilted his head as he concentrated on massaging the arch of her right foot, "You take care of yours, which means you don't take yourself for granted. And I must say, you're little feet are magnificent."

"Thank you," she replied and giggled, sipping her wine. "So what kind of look did my father give you when you asked for his approval to have me spend New Year's Eve with you?"

"He didn't speak and only nodded his approval."

"Ha! You are a brave man, Salvatore Falco."

They talked as the night went on, and Salvo played more Frank Sinatra records while finishing off the bottle of wine. Finally, when Salvo looked at his watch to see it was 11:52 pm, Bianca has fallen asleep and snuggled up next to him on the couch. His arm was wrapped around her, and he watched her sleep as he brushed a long lock of hair from her face.

Salvo had been with plenty of women, but the dating stage only lasted an average of three months because he got bored quickly.

The longest was six months when he dated a young and aspiring French model named Monique Bonnet, but she traveled back home to Paris two years ago. The Italian community in New York was close-knit; everyone was related in some way, whether a sibling, parent, or distant cousin.

Having Bianca spend New Year's Eve alone with him at his place, and, even though she had drank plenty of wine, she was comfortable enough to fall asleep beside him, made Salvo feel at ease and settled something deep within.

He brushed the back of his hand across Bianca's cheek, wanting to kiss her lips, and whispered, "Wake up, BB. The ball is about to drop."

Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him. "You’ve not called me that in years, not since I was a kid."

Looking into her sleepy eyes, Salvo's heart pounded in his chest. God, he couldn't wait to kiss her when the clock struck midnight.

"Let's go out on the patio." He said as he left the couch and went to fetch his wool coat her mink.

She slid her heels back on, and when she stood, Salvo held out her coat so she could put it on, then took his hand and followed him onto the patio.

It was a freezing and cloudless night, with the sky filled with so many bright stars. Salvo's condo was only a few blocks from Times Square, and they had the perfect view of the giant New Year's ball with colorful lights. They could also see the streets below crowded with thousands of people packed like sardines as they did every year to celebrate in the Big Apple.

"It's so beautiful up here!" Bianca said excitedly.

When Salvo grinned and wrapped his arms around her, she slid hers inside his coat. God, he smelled so good!

Then the countdown began when the giant ball slowly slid down, and the sound of thousands of voices shouted, "10! 9! 8!"

Salvo tipped Bianca's chin up and leaned in.

"I'm a virgin, Salvo." She blurted out.

The side of his lip lifted as the crowds roared, "Happy New Year" in unison when the giant ball lit up.

"Happy New Year, Bianca," Salvo said as he leaned in and planted a soft, innocent kiss on her lips.

CHAPTER 4

Two weeks later, Matteo Andolini went to the Gold Lion to meet Salvo in his office. He sat in a chair in front of Salvo's desk with his head down as tears fell from his eyes. "I don't know how I can go through with it, Salvo."

Salvo stood from his chair and walked over to Matteo. He handed his distraught cousin a handkerchief and then placed a hand on his shoulder. Matteo was a gay man, and it was a dangerous secret that only Salvo knew.

Enrico announced his son's engagement to Tessa Demonte after the new year. The marriage would perfectly fit both the Andolini and Demonte families. Tessa was a few years younger than Matteo, but they grew up in the same neighborhood, and her parents and extended family had ties with the Andolini family. This also signified that Matteo would become his father's Underboss and begin his life in the Andolini business.

"This is your destiny, Matteo," Salvo said. "Tessa is a nice girl. You must make babies with your wife to carry on the Andolini name."

Matteo sniffled and wiped away his tears with the handkerchief. "I know, but I've struggled all my life to keep up this façade, to live a lie. Hide who I truly am."

"There are worse things to endure. Of course, you can still enjoy pleasures elsewhere with whoever you choose. But you must be very careful, Matteo. This secret about you can never get out to anyone. It's dangerous. Do you understand?"

"I understand. That's why I've kept it hidden all these years, never told anyone except you, Salvo. You're like a brother to me."

"And you are like a brother to me," Salvo replied.

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