Gluttony (The Seven Deadly #1) Read online

  Gluttony

  The Deadly Sins Series Book 1

  Copyright © 2017 Cassie May

  All rights reserved

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author makes no claims to, but instead acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Intro

  Ever since I know how to read and write I wanted to write a story about the seven Deadly Sins. My fascination peaked in High School, when the art class had a project about the Deadly Sins and I was wondering how I could do something with this topic on my own since I can’t draw for s**t.

  Fast forward to today. Writing about the Deadly Sins was the last logical step. At first I really wanted it to be paranormal, but then I happened to have this dream about Valerie and Matteo and yeah, the rest is the story you are holding in your hands right now. In the most parts of this series I used a more abstract view of the Deadly Sins, but I hope you find the essence how I intended it to be.

  Gluttony: Gluttony is known as the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste (this is from Wikipedia). It doesn’t necessarily has to do something with actual food, you can also overcompensate on other things. However I decided to stick with food, because this was what popped in my mind at first.

  Chapter 1

  Valerie

  Looking up when the doorbell chimes I can barely suppress my annoyed groan. It’s the day before Christmas and even if I love my little bakery café, sometimes I hate that I have to be here. Mostly that are the times when Miss Perfect and her entourage decide to visit me here. I don’t really understand why they are doing that besides the fact that they can mock me. As if they all are perfect size two while I have to fight most of the days to fit a ten is not mockery enough.

  “Hey Piggo, have you finally decided to offer a no fat latte?”

  Aaaaaand here we go. I try to hide my blush while shaking my head, because there is no way that the only other customer here has not heard how she calls me. “No, I am sorry, still no no fat milk in here. Why don’t you all go to Starbucks just right around the corner?”

  “You know, you really are silly. I am coming here for more than two months and you still can’t satisfy my wishes? I am a paying customer, you should respect this!” Her screechy voice grates on my nerves and I take a deep breath to stay calm.

  “Well actually you are not a paying customer. You never buy anything, because there is too much sugar, fat or carbs in everything I offer here to fit in your diet plan. I don’t really understand why you still come here other than to bully me and I would like you to leave now if you have nothing to order.”

  Stunned silence follows my little speech, but I know this is not for long. Barbie turns to her two friends. “Did she just say that? Have I heard her right?” They just nod and she turns back to me with a hateful glare in her eyes. “No one speaks to me like this, Piggo, do you understand me? No one and now I am going to make your life a living hell. You thought this was bullying? Well, that was nothing…”

  “I think the lady told you to go and I would appreciate if you would follow her order, because I really like to eat my Panettone in silence to enjoy it. It tastes exactly like the one my nonna made and you are all disturbing me.” The deep voice has only the slightest hint of an accent and the girls look around till their eyes focus on the man sitting at the table in the corner. I knew he was there, but they obviously didn’t notice him when they came in. He has lifted his head and now his dark eyes are resting on the three girls with what seems like disgust.

  “The lady? I don’t see a lady here, just us and this Piggo here and no one tells me what I should do. Don’t you know who I am?”

  I bend forward to see his reaction better. I should have known that she would notice that. Before I can actually register what she is doing I feel her hand on my cheek and the sudden pain that radiates from there makes tears shoot in my eyes. “Pigs should stay where they belong. Never forget that.” Her voice is hateful and her eyes are burning in mine.

  Frozen on the spot I try to figure out what just happened. No one has ever slapped me. I try to keep the tears at bay, knowing if I cry in front of her she is never going to stop, but it doesn’t work. They are running down my cheeks and this is more than I can manage. Without another word I turn around and disappear in my kitchen. The only place in the world where I really feel at home. Sobbing I open the fridge and see the cream filled pastries I made the day before as a trial. The loud voices from the café quiet the moment I eat the first one. Without another thought I keep on eating. I eat and eat not caring what happens to my café, the girls or the man that was seated there a moment before. I don’t think about new customers. I just eat and cry while sitting on the cold tile floor in my kitchen. I stretch out while eating even more pastries and let the cold seep in my bones. My soul is always cold and now my body follows it. This bakery has been my dream, but without my parents it is not the same. The day they died a part of me died with them and now I am failing them even more. They always taught me to stand up against my bullies and be proud of what I have achieved. But there is nothing to be proud of. I am weak. So weak that I am eating my problems away just to vomit them in the toilet afterwards. That thought makes my stomach clench and I jump up and race to the toilet. The familiar pain in my throat lets new tears rise in my eyes while I heave my wonderful pastries in the toilet. Sobbing I hug the cold porcelain. I feel like I am the biggest loser in the world.

  “Cara, don’t cry. They are gone and I have closed your bakery.”

  The warm hand on my back makes me scream and I jump up, crashing my head against the shelf behind me. Stars are flashing before my eyes and I sway back and forth till a strong hand steadies me.

  “Cara, I am sorry. I never intended to frighten you. Are you okay? How can I help you?”

  Grabbing his arm I wave toward the kitchen. “Sitting. And Water.”

  “Sure, cara. Come on.” He guides me to the kitchen and pushes me on a chair. Seconds later a cool glass is pressed in my hand.

  “Thank you.” I take small sips and let the water wash away the bad taste in my mouth. I refuse to look at the man and try to sort my thoughts before he can ask me anything. I don’t understand why he is here, why he has stayed. I was sure that the girls would seduce him to leave with them. Hoping that actually, but no such luck.

  He squats down in front of me and takes the glass from my hands. Slowly he massages my ice cold hands till the blood circul
ates properly again. “Cara, why do you let them talk to you like this? They behaved like bitches and you kept on swallowing what they dished out. Why, cara? Why don’t you fight back?”

  “My name is Valerie, not cara.” My voice sounds weak and when I open my eyes I see his dark ones resting on my face.

  A smile lights up his face. “Cara is just an Italian nickname. Now tell me, what I want to know.”

  Snorting I try to take my hands back, but he tightens his grip and keeps on stroking my wrist with his thumb. “Have you seen them? They are beautiful and I am, well… You heard what they said and they are right. I am not a model like them and you really should go now. I don’t even know where you found my keys to lock the shop.”

  His chuckle embraces me like a warm cloud. “Cara, I come here for three weeks now, it is not really a secret where you keep your keys for a regular customer like me. Under the counter is no real hiding place at all, if you ask me. This is New York, everyone could have just snatched your keys when you are not looking. That shit is dangerous, cara!”

  Snorting I look at him. “Believe me, stud, I am safe here and you have no right to tell me what to do. The only persons who had that right has left me years ago. I don’t even know your name, so fuck off and leave me alone in my dangerous bakery!” I feel my anger rising while I speak and finally pull my hands out of his grip.

  He stands up and helps me to my feet. “I am sorry. Obviously I forgot my manners. My name is Matteo Luciano. And I know this city better than you think and you are barely safe. You may have not encountered troubles so far, because your shop is near the NYU, but this is just a matter of time. You earn good money here and it won’t be long till someone wants his part of the cake.”

  His name sounds familiar, but I can’t really place it. Instead I concentrate on the other things he said. “Are you threatening me? How dare you!” Suddenly it klicks. “Oh my god, Luciano? You are part of the mob. Lucky Luciano was your ancestor, wasn’t he?” His eyes widen and then I feel his hand clamp over my mouth.

  “Don’t ever say this out loud, not when you want to be safe here. Yes, Lucky Luciano was my great-grandfather, but I won’t… can’t tell you more. These are my family’s secrets and I have to keep them. It would be too dangerous for you to know anything more. I have no intentions to blackmail you, I am really just hear to eat the Panettone. They are fantastic, by the way.” He grins and his eyes light up.

  “And now? What happens now, Matteo? What are you going to do to me now? Now that I know who you are? Hmm?” I start to shiver and I don’t know if it is from the aftereffects of my toilet hugging or from what Matteo has told me.

  He wraps his arms around me and I give myself the luxury to breathe in his woodsy scent for a moment. “Valerie, I won’t harm you. I am going to bring you home now. You had a rough day and obviously you have a stomach bug or something like this. What do you have to do before you can close?”

  “You can’t make me close my shop now! I have things to do, Matteo! And I have no stomach bug, just because I had this attack. I am okay and I still have two hours before I close up.” I can’t believe this man. How dare he come here and tell me what I should do? I don’t care, that he was nice enough to take care of me, but I won’t let anybody take over the control of my life. I am in control.

  “Cara, please. I worry about you. You are still shaking and I don’t think you are going to have more customers today. It’s Christmas Eve and you should go home. Don’t you have a family that is waiting for you?” An icy hand clenches my heart and I take a deep breath to calm me down.

  “No, no one is waiting for me, not that this would be your business. I am staying here till it is closing time and there is nothing you can do to make me leave earlier, do you understand me?”

  He steps forward, invading my personal space again and his hand grips my chin. It doesn’t hurt, but I can’t escape him. “Careful, sweetheart. You don’t want to provoke me. I am taking you home now and tomorrow you are going to celebrate Christmas with me and my family. No one should be alone at this time of the year.”

  My eyes widen and I gulp loudly. “Your… your family? But… why?”

  He lets go of my chin and smiles. “Like I said. No one should be alone for Christmas and my family is not going to harm you. I promise, it will be a nice dinner, nothing else.” He sounds sincere and I feel myself nodding and agreeing to his invitation even though my head screams at me to say no. He grins at me with a genuine smile and helps me up, so we can leave.

  Matteo

  Sitting in my car with the stubborn woman riding shotgun I fight my way through Chelsea with the directions she gives me. I still don’t know why I asked, well, commanded her to join me at the annual Christmas party of the Family. The Family that includes my brother, the Capo of La Cosa Nostra in New York and other high ranks of the mob. Valerie was right. I am part of the mob. The second in command after my brother. As the consigliere I can’t stay away from the Christmas party, but it is highly unusual for me to bring a date. I don’t date, ever. And I don’t bring dates from the outside of the mob to a mob party, but the moment I found her alone in the kitchen of her bakery I couldn’t help myself. I had to lighten up her mood and when she told me that she would be alone tomorrow, my mouth was running faster than my brain. I won’t go back on my invitation, though. Not after the fight she put up with me over that topic. No woman has ever put up a fight with me. Most of them are frightened or just want to fuck me, because of my body or my position in the mob. Either way, there is no space for personal relationships in my life. When I look sideways and see her frown I can’t suppress a grin. “No need to sulk, cara. I think I am finally doing one thing right and that feels good.”

  She snorts. “Yeah, well and now it took three times longer for going home than I would need if I have taken the underground. Gee, thanks.”

  I shake my head, still grinning. “But if I wouldn’t take you home I wouldn’t know where to pick you up tomorrow. You already agreed, so there’s no chickening out, cara. I am going to pick you up, I am still gentleman enough to know how to do this date thing. Be ready at six.” I stop the car in front of a two story brick house and get out to open her door. But before I am at her door she is already getting out and now stalking toward her door.

  “Thanks for the ride, Matteo. I think I’ll see you tomorrow? After all you won’t let me have a choice, do you? You are going to force me to join you if I want or not.” She rolls her eyes and searches for her keys in her purse.

  “Cara, I never forced a woman to do anything she didn’t want. Believe me, normally I don’t have to fight with any woman to make them go on a date with me. You are a surprising change. You make me work for what I want. That makes you different.” I wink at her and can’t resist touching her. Putting two fingers under her chin I lift her face to look at me.

  Stepping back Valerie escapes the contact and shakes her head. “Yeah, I bet that you are constantly flocked by women completely different than me. Blonde bimbos with size zero and breasts like watermelons. Excuse me, but that were enough pleasantries for one day. I am expecting you tomorrow even though I feel forced to attend that dinner with your family.”

  Raking my hand through my hair I try to keep calm. “That is not what I said. I don’t really know why you are so obsessed with your figure, cara. You look great, better than any of the size zero bimbos you think I am dating. You have flesh on your ribs what would give me the right handle when I am pounding in you, so don’t think you know what women I prefer, do you understand me? Do you really don’t want to attend the party? I just wanted to offer you something you could look forward to. I don’t like the idea of someone I know being alone at Christmas.” I wink at her and smile to soften my outburst.

  After suppressing her frown she sighs. “I am a bitch. I am sorry, I never wanted to seem ungrateful for your offer. I am coming. Should I bring something with me? Maybe Panettone?” She grins and that makes me smile even wider.

  “
No, cara, you don’t have to bring anything. You are my guest and I would like to keep your Panettone a secret. I know my people, they would take it from me and I can’t have that.” I wink and that makes Valerie actually laugh for the first time since the incident with the girls.

  “I have to get inside now, there are things I have to take care of and they don’t get done on their own. I see you tomorrow at six, goodbye Matteo.”

  I decide to challenge my luck and press a soft kiss on her cheeks. “Goodbye, Valerie. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that I step back and turn around. When I get to my car I turn back and see Valerie still standing in front of her door, a stunned look on her face. “Get in the house, cara. I am waiting till you are safely inside.” That seem to snap her out of her thoughts and she opens her door to get inside. Chuckling I drive off.

  ***

  Entering my apartment building at the Upper East Side the concierge waves me over. “Mr. Luciano, your brother is here to see you. I let him upstairs, I hope that was okay.” Nodding I prepare myself for seeing my brother. When the Capo comes for an unexpected visit it means nothing good.

  “Thank you that was the right thing to do. Since when is he here?”

  “He came ten minutes ago and he didn’t look too happy about you not being here, if I am allowed to say that.”

  “Thanks for the heads up.” With a fake smile on my face I walk toward the elevator. In the elevator I swipe my keycard through the slot of the penthouse apartment. The ride in the elevator is short and when I step out of the cabin I am immediately greeted by Luca, the bodyguard of my brother.

  Lifting his hands, I grin at the tall man. “Easy, Luca. It’s just me entering my own condo. What are you doing here? Where is my brother?”

  “I am here, Matteo. Where the fuck have you been?” Federico’s voice comes out of the living room and I head there, followed by a stoic Luca.