CPOV

My lips left wet kisses down Ana's back, her little moans letting me know that she was awake. Moving onto her bottom, I gave each cheek a playful nip.

Her giggle, made me smile but it didn't deter me from driving my wife crazy this morning. Yesterday Ana had one wish, that we spend the day in bed and enjoy each other and boy did I have fun. Today though, I was back to worshipping my wife before we left to go back to Caccamo.

"Christian" she moaned. "Get up here and make love to your wife."

Never to ignore a request from Ana, I did just that.

…

"What are you thinking," Ana asked me.

I had my head on Ana's chest, using her breasts as my pillow as she ran her fingers through my hair. I certainly was in no rush to move.

"Work."

"You have your naked wife underneath you and you're thinking about work. I'm offended."

I lifted my head to see her smiling at me, tease.

"Work is taking my mind off jumping you again. You have to be sore from this weekend."

"Well, it's to be expected when my husband's cock is huge. Now tell me what about work you were thinking about."

I moved off my comfy spot so we were face to face. Her hand had moved to my cheek, stoking there.

"Talk to me."

"I was thinking about Dad, about finding a new Consigliere."

"Have you spoken to him?" she asked.

"Yes, it's his idea. With him being Senator and the work he does with that, he isn't always on hand when I need that ear."

"You think he's backing away from this life."

"No Princess. Dad's just doing the job we wanted him to do. Taking the heat off the real work we're doing and getting rid of the roadblocks in our way. It's a lot easier to get things done with him being there and with Sam now the commissioner, we pretty much have everything sown up. We own Washington, Oregon too."

"What about this family that was giving you trouble before we left Seattle."

"Javier and Ricardo Garcia, father and son. We had trouble once, years ago when the boys were little. Around the same time that you were pregnant with Lucy.

"That's the guy you sent Sam in to raid his premises, the one when we had problems with the drugs."

"Yes, they did have drugs, not the ones we were looking for though. That was quickly shut down by the cops, pissed the son off because that was his end of the operation. The old man Javier didn't want to mess with us, he personally didn't deal in any of the business that we do so we left him alone, for the most part. They didn't stay in the area long after that, moved to Idaho was the last we heard."

"What's changed then," Ana asked me, her fingers now entwined with my own, before us.

"The old man passed a few months ago. He was always in charge when they were here, probably never thought his son was mature enough to take over."

"Is the son back then."

"Their old house is occupied, has been for some time although not by Ricardo. I think the old man had enough of this life and gave it up, that's why they left but the son wants back in."

"You think it's him that has been causing the trouble.….What are you smiling at Mr Grey."

"Just my beautiful, inquisitive, intelligent wife. You should be my Consigliere, I can speak to you easier than anyone. You always have my ear, ask the right questions and always have the answers I seek."

"I doubt some of your men would appreciate being told what to do by a woman."

"They would do as they're told. They wouldn't dare say anything against you." I said angrily. If one man stepped a toe out of line with Ana, they would be gone.

"Ok, we're getting off track. Answer my question."

"Not long after the old man died, Jason received a call from one of our guys who was originally from a small town on the coast. He had been back home to see his family and had gone to meet his younger brother from school. Some kids were selling drugs at the school gates. Terrified kids that had been forced into selling it. We did a little digging into similar groups of kids in the area and the name Garcia kept coming up. I know it may sound hypocritical especially with us dealing with drugs ourselves but we don't use kids. Lorenzo paid a visit to the foster home where they lived and pulled up a photo of Ricardo, scaring the crap out of them in the process. They identified him from the photo, They also told Lorenzo about another man, a younger man. This younger man befriended them, got their trust and then asked them if they wanted to make some easy money. They agreed until they were taken, blindfolded to a rundown building where they met Garcia and were told that they work for him now. They said he was angry, heard him complain about someone who had stolen his birthright and he was going to claim it back."

"Foster kids," Ana asked.

"Yes, brothers who thought they had found a friend. Lorenzo said they have been moved out, destination unknown."

"Good, I hope they're ok. By the way, I know Lorenzo but how many other cops are on the books."

"Not telling," I said smugly, that's more than Ana needs to know.

"Sorry I asked" she laughed. "Does this Ricardo have the means to build up, what was his father's empire. I mean what did they do originally when this family was in business, apart from the drugs."

"Cars and prostitution were their main source of income, some money laundering too."

Ana shuddered at the word prostitution. I don't want her to ever witness that side of the business.

"You deal in cars now or Mac and Matteo do."

"We do. So far no one has made a move in those areas. Our family has grown considerably since they left and if they think they can just move back and start again, they're in for a surprise…. Our wedding anniversary."

"Hey, stop with the guilt. Our anniversary happened, once I had patched your knuckles up."

"Always fixing me up."

"It's a tough job but it's my job….You think it was them, this Garcia that tried to shoot you."

I flexed my knuckles, the skin healed now but I had taken my anger out on his face. That day of all days. I had a perfect day planned but instead, I had to deal with all that crap.

"He was already pissed with me before we destroyed and shut down his little operation with the drugs from the schools. It had to have hurt, set him back a bit especially if he's trying to restart things. Yes, I have pissed off a lot of people but it seems too much of a coincidence that it happened the week after. The guy who shot at us was a hired hand, paid to do a job, not privileged enough to meet with the real boss and he ultimately paid for it with his life. With regards to if he could fully start up the other parts of his father's business again, I'm not sure. I know the old man was popular, made a lot of people a lot of money in the business they were in but if they trust the son, I don't know. There are a few smaller groups who took over some of the business when they left, he could have a war on his hands trying to get those parts back."

"Unless."

"Unless what Princess."

"Unless they have just been keeping the business going, waiting for either the older man to come back or for Ricardo to step up."

"It's been a hell of a long time but anything is possible in this business. If you're right Ana, then we have a bigger problem than we originally thought" I sighed.

…

We had a delicious breakfast together as no more talk of work occurred. We had two days left here in the sun and I wanted to enjoy them before reality beckoned back home.

I called Jason back in Seattle before we left, asking him to have a snoop around Salem. If Ana's theory is right, then the sooner we stub this out the better.

…

"Welcome back" Beatrice greeted us on arrival, back at her house.

"Thank you, Grandma. We have had a lovely couple of days away. Where is everyone?"

"The boys are out back with Mac, Sofia and AJ. Luciana, my beautiful little girl is visiting your mother with her Grandfather. They have Milo with them."

"Do you mind if I go and spend some time up there?" Ana asked, turning to me.

"Go, the boys will come and find you when they need you. I will escort this young woman inside."

Ana kissed my lips before her Grandmothers cheek, disappearing up the well-worn path.

"Young woman" she laughed. "You have made that real young woman very happy Christian."

"So have you Beatrice and thankfully we all get to keep her."

"I would drink to that but Tea is my limit these days" she laughed as we made our way to the house. Reaching the door, I noticed Ian was already following Ana. Being away with me, our security has stayed here but now when Ana was out of my sight, her security will not be far behind.

"Let's go and find some tea then."

We made our way through the house, asking the housekeeper on the way to bring some tea out onto the terrace.

"Is Mum with Grandma?" Theo asked, realising she was not with us.

"Yes, she went to spend some time with her. You're all welcome to join her if we want" I said, making sure the dogs got the same amount of attention.

"We were up there before but Lucy decided to stay behind for a bit. How was your weekend." Luca asked.

"Quiet. Lovely and quiet is all I'm saying."

"That's all I want to know" Matteo mumbled.

"How's that arm," I asked my son.

"It's fine, apart from I want to scratch it off. Grandma covered it in cream which stopped the itch, well for a bit anyway."

I heard a bark then and a whirlwind entered the garden, my daughter's arms soon wrapped around my neck. Oriella who was sat beside Luca was laughing as Lucy practically strangled me.

"Miss you, Daddy."

"Miss you too sweetheart, now can I breathe."

She let go of me, stealing Theo's chair who was hugging his mother.

"Where did you go, what did you do" she fired questions at us as I pulled Ana onto the chair beside me.

"Lucy be careful when you ask questions that you might not want the answers to," AJ told her, looking to his parents.

"Yes, our son thinks his parents should have at least 10 feet between themselves at all time" Mac laughed, pulling Sofia closer to him.

"It's just wrong, you're too old for doing that" he cringed, making Ana laugh.

"Do that, what's …...eww no. I'm with AJ on that" Lucy cringed too.

"Hold on Lucy, it was only yesterday when you were watching those two little girls at the beach and you said how nice it would be to have a baby sister," Oriella told her.

"That was before I remember how they get there in the first place."

I patted Ana's back, as she choked on her drink. She looked to me shocked, but I raised an eyebrow to her smiling.

"That ship has sailed, long ago Christian."

"I know, no sister for you Lucy. Although I think it's a good time for me to sit you kids down again and speak to you about the birds and the bees."

"No thank you, I will miss that. Wait, it was Mum who told us about it the first time, not you" Luca said.

"Your mother is a doctor, she explains it better."

"Thank god for that. I can only imagine how your talk with me would've gone Dad" Lucy told me. Not going to happen, she doesn't need to know that stuff as she's never growing up.

We never consciously gave up having more children when Lucy was younger, it just never happened. As we got older, we knew adding another one at that stage wouldn't have been fair so Ana went back on the shot. We have our amazing family and I wouldn't do without any of them.

….

God, I'm a sap, I'm never going to hear the end of it off my wife but I will deal with it. I opened the door of the store, making sure no one was around that I knew and stepped inside. I had a page, a page from a magazine in front of me and that was the only thing I could go off at the moment.

"Welcome, what can I help you with" the elderly woman greeted me.

"I called about a purse. I was told you would put it to one side for me."

"Ah, Mr Grey. Si Si….vieni."

I followed her over to where she had purses laid out on a little table, each more expensive than the one before. I picked one up, different than the one I had come here to buy but I think it's something my wife would like after she has told me off for spending so much that is. The purse that Lucy wanted was tiny when I finally picked it up. Was there a hidden pouch with diamonds inside it as I couldn't see where the price tag came from. I picked a third purse, not wanting Oriella to be left out and then once it was all paid for, I was out of there.

Now I know why Ana does all the Christmas shopping, birthday shopping, I hate it.

Arriving back at the house, they were all finishing their packing. The dogs were enjoying the last bit of sun before we were all going to spend tomorrow in a tin can.

"Dad where have you been, skipped out of packing again I see," Lucy told me.

"I have been on a secret mission, one very important," I said before I pulled the bag from behind my back and handed it to my little girl.

The scream from her had everyone running, all guns drawn, even my wife. Add the dogs barking into the mix and as usual, it was chaos.

"Jesus Lucy, I just about had a heart attack," Ana told her, seeing our happy daughter.

"Look, Mum, look" she held up the purse, practically knocking her mother out in the process, it was that close to her face.

"You bought it, what happened to her birthday which is five months away" Ana laughed.

"You know me if my girls want something."

"Yes, we all go deaf," Matteo said, complaining his ears were ringing.

"What else are you hiding," Ana asked me.

"Oh, these," I said, bringing my hands around and handing the bags to Ana and Oriella.

I watched as they opened the bags, bringing the purses out.

"I love you, it's beautiful. Thank you" Ana said, kissing my lips.

"Christian, thank you. I've never had a purse like this before."

"You haven't bought her a thousand-dollar purse before bro, what kind of boyfriend are you" Matteo teased his twin.

"A perfect boyfriend actually" Oriella defended him.

"Come," Ana said, pulling my hand up the stairs and into our bedroom.

"Princess the children will only complain if they hear the bedsprings."

"Behave" she laughed. "I wanted to know if you were taking any of this or is it staying here."

Ana pointed to my jacket that she had bought me before we came here as well as some of the clothes we had brought too. I loved this jacket and wanted to take it back with me.

"The jacket comes back with us; the others can stay here. Now, about this sister for Lucy," I said, pulling Ana into my arms and gently nipped her neck with my teeth. I moved my lips up to hers which I quickly claimed.

"Put my Mum down" Lucy shouted through the door, as her footsteps moved away in the direction of her room.

"Can we go away, just the two of us again?" I asked, holding Ana to my chest.

"I wish, back to reality though. Back to having my shadows again."

"I'm sorry Ana, I just, I need you safe when I'm not there."

"Hey, I know. Come on, let's go and meet the family before they come looking for us."

…

We left the house, making our way down to the beach. We had reservations for all the family at a small restaurant and as we were eating on the terrace, the dogs were coming too.

"I can't believe your holiday is over already," Isabella said.

"Don't, I will be crying and we're not even on the plane" Ana said before she hugged her and was then wrapped in her Dads arms.

We made our way onto the terrace, taking our seats. There were some families on the other side of the terrace with children but they kept their distance. Probably because we had four very large dogs with us. Antonio had ordered when he had made the reservations and soon the table before us was full of every Italian dish you could think of.

"To Family" Antonio toasted. "La mia famiglia."

We all raised our glasses, clinking them together as I looked down to my wife. She's everything to me, the heart of my family.

"Love you" Ana whispered before I placed a chase kiss on her lips.

"Love you too, Princess."

We enjoyed our very loud dinner. AJ and Theo were in a deep discussion or plotting if I know those too. There is only a year between them and like all the younger men in this family, they're close.

"Has anyone heard how Gemma is doing" Sofia asked.

"Waddling and ready to drop, if the way Max describes her is correct," Matteo said.

"I remember that boy when he was a toddler, time is going by too fast," Antonio said.

"Not too fast Granddad, you had better not be planning on going anywhere," Lucy said, wrapping her arms around her Great Granddads shoulders.

She had been down on the beach with Oriella, trying to keep the dogs out of the water. They failed the second those dogs feet touched the sand.

"Not for a lonnnng time little girl. You're stuck with me."

"Good," she said, kissing his cheek before taking her seat by my side. "Dad" she whispered.

"What are we whispering for."

"Sorry, where's Mum" she was still quiet as if she didn't want anyone to hear our conversation.

"She went to the bathroom. Luciana what's wrong."

"The stairs that go down to the beach, there is a couple at the table closest. The man, he looks like the one who was staring at Mum on the beach last week. He looks like he's on a date, poor woman."

I looked over to where Lucy described. She was right and by the looks of it, they were getting very cosy. Time for some fun.

"Boys a word," I said, kissing Lucy's cheek and made my way over to the bar.

"Is this a boy's club or can anyone join in?" Ana asked as I brought her into the group.

"Seems the man who likes to look at your mother, is on a date. By the stairs to the beach. I wonder how he would like it if we made him uncomfortable."

"I'm out," Ana said putting her hands in the air. "Have fun but just remember, we have a flight to catch in the morning and I expect you all on it otherwise you will be in trouble."

"Don't worry Princess, we won't even touch him or her. I promise."

Ana left us to go back to her seat as I took a glass of wine from the bar.

"What's the plan Dad."

"I think he should find out what it's like to have someone stare at the woman in his life. If it's his wife, all the better."

I walked over, dragging a chair behind me and put it by the side of their table.

"Hi, you don't mind if we join you do you."

"Eh" was all the woman said before looking at Saul.

"We would just like to return the gesture," I said.

The woman had no idea what I meant but this guy was starting to sweat.

"I don't understand," she said, looking at my boys who had come to join us.

"Well you see Saul here, by the way, are you married."

"Yes, two years," she said, looking scared.

"Two, how lovely. I've been married twenty-one years myself. Best years of my life and there is nothing I wouldn't do for my wife, especially defend her. Now you see, last week my family and I were enjoying the beach when your husband started to make my wife uncomfortable. He was staring at her, even standing over her to get a better look at her body. I'm sure you can understand how angry that would make any husband" I said and they both could probably feel how pissed I was of that.

"Saul, what is he talking about."

"Nothing, I've never met these men before."

"Really, there were enough witnesses. The beach patrol even took our names. Your husband here was told to leave the beach as he was making a nuisance of himself. How did your mother describe him" I asked the boys.

"A toddler having a tantrum, that's how Mum described him," Theo said, his stare more glacial than my own.

"You promised, no more," she said looking to her husband before throwing her glass of wine in his face.

She was off before he could move but when he did, I pushed him back into his seat.

"Take this as a warning. You make women uncomfortable and there is always going to be someone around the corner who will do this or worse. Say hi to your wife for me, now fuck off."

The boys who had been blocking his path, moved as he quickly ran down to the beach. The echo of his wife's name in the distance.

"Have you finished playing Mr Grey, because my glass is empty" Ana smiled, holding her glass up.

"Coming dear."

The rest of the evening went without a hitch, we had all eaten and drank too much but it was our last night here, for a few months anyway.

…

It seemed like it had been five minutes since we had touched down on this runway and now we were leaving again. It had been a tearful goodbye as always, but as always it wouldn't be long until we were back together once more.

"Ready for home Ana," I asked, brushing the tears from her cheeks.

"Yeah, ready for one home but leaving another."

"I know but we will always be back."

Ana giggled, resting her head against my arm as the plane started moving.

"Do you know how many times you have said that to me over the years Christian."

"Hundreds, thousands, but it's always true."

The engines picked up and we were soon in the sky. We had a few yelps from the dogs, Sprout mostly who doesn't travel well but we were on our way home.

Ana thinks I was kidding about her being my Consigliere and I probably was in that moment but the more I think about it, the more I know she would be perfect. She has always been my sounding board, always the voice of reason and the one that can calm me down. She's the brains in this family, thinking logically when sometimes my mind is clouded with rage. At that moment, I realised that Ana has always had the role my father had the title for and I know she will always be by my side.

Thank you for reading.

Any Italian comes from google translate so I hope it's right.

I'm hoping to have the next chapter out over the weekend, depending on how many times I go and see Freed. The next chapter of my other story Bad Girls should be out then too.

Until next time, take care

Caroline