The Twelve Vitali Ch. 03

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Ricco and Cat.
11.8k words
4.85
21.1k
15

Part 4 of the 36 part series

Updated 06/08/2023
Created 10/15/2017
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xelliebabex
xelliebabex
5,494 Followers

Authors note: Hello everyone. This story is a spinoff of the Twelve Tables series I wrote a while ago. I hope you enjoy this series despite its differences to the original story. Thank you once again to Paul who continues to be my second set of eyes. ~ellie.

*****

The trial had gone on for weeks with Ned's lawyers placing blame on her and throwing around the word love as if it was a weapon she wielded. As promised, Roberto closed the courtroom and even banned Ricco from the room on the day her victim impact statement and the details surrounding her rape were dealt with.

"It is true that love can drive people to do things that would normally be out of character," Roberto had said, nodding sagely as he addressed the courtroom. "But surely, if he loved her, cared for her, cherished this beautiful young woman, he wouldn't have called her a whore as he took advantage of her vulnerable position. She was handcuffed, beaten and dragged through the house, not once, but twice by a man who professes to love her. Every single stitch of clothing she owned destroyed, all of her artwork, her livelihood, destroyed. And why?" He turned to everyone in the courtroom letting the long silence envelop them before speaking again.

"This man, who professes love, took everything away from her so she would turn to him, be reliant on him once again. He threatened the one person in her life she might turn to other than him. He wanted to be sure she had no money, no belongings, no home, and, dare I say it, no hope. Beaten, demoralized and scared for her brother, she gave consent, but it was still rape by anyone's definition. Forced consent does not make such a vile act reasonable under any circumstances," he shook his head sadly.

Cat had watched on silently, listening to his words and feeling strangely vindicated. She had been the one to argue that it wasn't rape, that she had allowed him to do what he wanted because she was scared. The way he had put the information to the court, however, finally made sense to her. It didn't matter that they had once been lovers and she had entered into that relationship willingly, what mattered was that she didn't want it anymore and he had forced her into that situation.

At the end of the trial, Ned was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment with a no-parole period of half that. Even at ten years, Cat was pleased with the outcome and the feeling of safety it gave her, not only for herself, but David. She was awarded damages for the loss of property and livelihood while she had healed, not that she thought Ned had any money to be able to pay the exorbitant amount.

"I promise I will pay you back, it might take me a while, but I swear you will get every cent of your fee. I don't know how to thank you. I feel like, well, I don't feel scared for the first time in forever," Cat smiled widely at Roberto and Ricco. They had saved her life and her sanity by coming to her aid.

"The settlement you won will take care of that, and leave you a tidy sum of money," Roberto said kindly.

"I doubt he has that sort of money," she laughed easily. "He won't be able to pay that sort of money to me, let alone cover your fees."

"They will seize his assets to pay for his crimes. It's my understanding that he has quite a lot of money gained through nefarious means, no doubt. I am sure the local law enforcement officers are looking into that, but there is no reason to believe you won't get what is owed to you, as will I," he said with an air of authority.

"Seriously?" Cat was stunned. She'd be a rich woman. Not rich on the scale of the Vitali's, but rich in her mind. Maybe she could buy a studio instead of trying to rent one so she could concentrate on her art for a while rather than paint specifically for Vanessa's themes and colour palates.

"Yes, seriously," Roberto chuckled. "We will celebrate tonight, come to dinner and invite your brother, I would like to meet this young man outside of the legal atmosphere." He said, as David and Mick walked over to congratulate them outside the courthouse.

"Thank you," David said politely. "I'd like the opportunity to thank you properly." He shook the older man's hand. "And you," he smiled warmly ay Ricco, extending his hand. "And everyone else in your family who helped us. It's been amazing; I can't believe you've all done so much for us. First, though, we should go see Frankie, without him we never would have got to know any of you," David said easily. "I owe him big time."

"I'll call him and tell him to join us for dinner," Roberto said, using the same authoritative tone. "We'll expect you at six for cocktails, and bring your friend. He's been here every day to support Catriona as well," he indicated Mick, and before anyone could say anything else he excused himself and walked away.

"Mr. Vitali," Cat called after him, making him turn. "Thank you, it doesn't seem enough, but thanks," she impulsively hugged him and felt his arms wrap around her in a show of affection.

"You're welcome," he said in a soft voice. "I will see you at six to celebrate and talk about what you want to do with your settlement money. It's quite a substantial amount, and, as your lawyer, I would suggest that you need to protect yourself now more than ever."

"Seriously?" Cat stepped back and looked at him.

"Yes, there are a lot of unscrupulous people who would try and take advantage of you," he explained.

"No that's not what I meant. I mean. you seriously would consider being my lawyer now that this is over?" she asked dumbfounded. "I thought Ricco, and then you, were just helping me because Frankie wanted to help us and keep David out of trouble."

"Does David get into a lot of trouble?" he frowned.

"No," she laughed. "Not since graduation and getting an internship."

"Then I imagine the job won't be too onerous," he smiled and gently took her hand. "You are a good and kind woman who has risen above her past. I would be honoured to remain in your service."

"Wow!" she breathed.

"Wow," he agreed, nodding and letting go of her hand. He walked away leaving her with the younger generation, including his son, Ricco. He contemplated his son and knew they would have to have a serious talk, and soon. Stefano was always the one to deal with the emotional side of their family, but Roberto had a special bond with Ricco that differed to what he had with his other sons, except perhaps Matteo, although that had been sorely lacking lately. It was time to have a talk with him as well and start bringing Matteo back into the bosom of this family.

This young woman he had just represented had been willing to sacrifice her mind, body and soul for her family, her brother. He wondered if his children would ever do the same for each other. That sort of loyalty was what their family should be about, but he guessed it was more lip service to most of them than the reality that girl had just been through. He respected and even admired the young woman. He would be honoured to remain her lawyer, he hadn't lied about that.

*****

"So, let me see if I have this straight," Cat said as she walked around the large grounds with Ricco after dinner. "There's Mia, who had a twin brother who died. Matteo, who owns and runs Vitali Developments where David works, then there is Jacobi and you, then Vanessa and Trista," she looked at him for confirmation, and he nodded. "Aria and Zion, Lucca, and finally Leonardo and Rafael. Did I miss anyone?" She asked, finding it hard to believe he was one of twelve siblings.

"My eldest brother died when we were little. You won't have to remember his name, but it's Alessandro," Ricco said sadly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Cat reached out and touched his arm.

"I was too young to remember him," Ricco lied. He'd been six and had very clear memories of his brother and how he had tried to protect them all on the day he died.

"Still, it must be hard knowing there will always be an empty chair at the table, so to speak."

"You can't miss what you never had," he said offhandedly, making her look at him curiously.

"Sure you can, but I guess having so many brothers and sisters helps." She laughed. "It's always just been David and me, and Mick, I suppose. The guys from Dave's football team were like family for a few years, like Coach Frankie. He's been good to both us for the last few years. He got David the internship with your brother's company."

"Yeah, I thought that was a bit of a coincidence that you both worked for Matteo's company," he said. "Did he talk to Vanessa about your job too?"

"I never thought so, but now that you bring it up, maybe. Vanessa said she saw a painting I did and called me based off that," Cat murmured, thinking about the coincidence. Had Frankie meddled in her life that much? Why would he do that? Was Frankie afraid that she was holding David back?

"Forget I mentioned it," Ricco said quickly, seeing her mind whirling at the thought that she hadn't been hired based on talent alone.

"It's fine, it makes sense now," she smiled, despite the crushing blow to what was left of her ego. "I mean, why would she hire me based off one painting, and Maryanne's critiques were always brutally honest. Still, it was a good experience," she acknowledged, her smile returning.

"I just guessed about that. It's not fact," Ricco tried again to retract the words that had obviously shaken Cat. "I'm sorry I ever said it. You are amazing. You smile and look for the positives in everything, even when you're going through such a traumatic thing. You make sure everyone else is looked after when they should be looking after you, and you care, genuinely care about other people." He took her hands in his. "You are honest and forthright, I never know what's going to come out of your mouth. You are a constant surprise to me. You have a style all of your own, you always look amazing, in a quirky way. If you were a chicken I'd be a pretty happy man," he tried to link his attraction to her to her chicken analogy and knew it came off sounding creepy.

"If I was a chicken?" she frowned.

"Uh huh," he moved even closer and, still holding her hands, he smoothed them over the pants she wore. "Thighs and..." he stopped short of finishing his thought and lowered his head to kiss her.

It was a kiss like she'd never experienced before, soft and tentative at first, but then deepening into a heated hungry affair when it felt like he might just devour her. She was stunned, both by his words and his kiss. His arms wrapped around her and held her safe in his warm embrace as the kiss lengthened, and when she finally came up for air all she could say was, "Wow. I guess I have to fire you now, because I don't think lawyers and their clients get to kiss like that."

"No need, I quit. Papa has told me he intends to help you manage damages settlement you should be getting. You don't need me as a lawyer anymore. I thought maybe you might need me as something else, a friend, at the very least, a close friend, maybe? Because I've wanted to do this for a very long time," he murmured and kissed her again, pulling her closer and letting his hands travel down her back to her ass briefly before lifting them again.

Cat smiled into his kiss, feeling the same attraction to him that he had admitted he had for her. It was surreal that a man like Ricco would even consider looking at her in that way, let alone kiss her like this in the quiet dark of a wintery night with his family not far away from where they could interrupt the moment at any time. The thought of his family brought her back to reality, and she broke the kiss, looking up into his eyes. He was the nicest man she had ever met, and he was here kissing her, but she knew she shouldn't get carried away. Women like her didn't fit into families like his, and she wasn't sure she wanted to be just a fling to him.

"We should go back," she said softly, putting a hand on his chest and widening the distance between them. "They will think I have kidnapped you." She laughed.

"We can go back inside if you let me drive you home tonight," he tightened his hands around her before she could pull away completely.

"There's no need, my brother is here. It would seem a little silly for you to drive out of your way when David is going to the same place I am," she reasoned.

"Fine," he groaned. "But spend tomorrow with me then. We'll do something fun. It will do you good to have some fun after all the drama of the trial."

"Like a date?" she asked, "Or as two friends?"

"Why can't it be both?" Ricco desperately wanted to kiss her again. She was soft and pliable and tasted of the strawberries they'd had for dessert. She tilted her head at his response and, unable to resist, he kissed her again.

*****

Cat had spent not only the following day but the entire weekend with Ricco. He'd been a complete gentleman, driving her home and kissing her goodbye on the Friday night after a day spent at Luna park laughing and having far too much fun. On Sunday, he had taken her for a drive along the great ocean road to a small idyllic hilltop town.

"My brother has a house up here," Ricco said casually. "He loves horses, and we keep a few stabled here."

"Jacobi?" she asked. She could imagine Maryanne being a horse lover and looking even more beautiful in full riding livery.

"Matteo," he replied. "It's Matt's hideout, but he's overseas at the moment."

"I get the impression he travels a lot," she remarked.

"In the last few years he has, but he seems to be slowing down again. Or at least I hope so, I miss having him around," Ricco said honestly. "Father had a small heart issue earlier this year, and I think it's made us all want to stay a little closer to home."

"That's understandable," Cat responded automatically. She didn't pretend to understand the strange triangle of his parents, but she understood enough to know that Ricco regarded both Roberto and Stefano as fathers and that he loved his step-mother to a somewhat lesser degree. "Is that where we're going, to your brother's house?"

"I thought you might like to go for a ride since the weather is so good," he glanced at her with a smile.

"What on earth makes you think I have ever been near a horse before?" she laughed, "Let alone want to ride one!"

"You rode a horse just yesterday and looked like a natural!" he smirked.

"Carousel's don't count," she laughed harder. "How about I watch you ride?" she tried to compromise.

"Just try it, if you absolutely hate it we can go home, I promise," he negotiated as he had to do the day before to get her on the roller coaster when she assured him the carousel was more her speed.

"Why is everything a negotiation with you? Why can't you just accept that there are things you can't argue or negotiate to get your own way?" she asked and shook her head.

"I'm good at arguing, and I very much like to get my own way," he grinned.

"Fine," she sighed, knowing from their day together yesterday that he would continue the negotiation until she gave in.

"Wow, I had a whole case to argue, and you just gave in?" he asked.

"You don't have to sound so disappointed," her voice held a small laugh.

"I'm not, I'm just impressed that all it took was a single promise," he grinned. "I was about to tell you about the therapeutic value of horses for physical and mental well-being. I stayed up all night researching those statistics, and now I guess you don't even want to hear them," he looked crestfallen, making her laugh harder.

"I would love to hear all your research, maybe it will make me less nervous about horse riding," she suggested and sat back in the seat listening to his summary.

When they turned off the bitumen road, Cat marvelled at the house on the hill, thinking that it looked beautiful and would possibly have the best of views out to the ocean on one side and the countryside on the other. She felt a little sad that she wouldn't get to see it as Ricco drove directly down to the stables, eager, it seemed, to see her on a horse.

Cat surprised not only herself but Ricco by grasping the basics quickly and being able to handle the gentle mare with relative ease. It seemed no time at all to her when Ricco steered them back to the stable.

"You'll thank me tomorrow," he chuckled when she complained. "First I couldn't get you on a horse, now I can't get you off the horse. Your muscles are going to be sore tomorrow if we don't stop now. We can come back another time though," he suggested. "Besides, I'm starving," he grinned.

"You're always hungry," she rolled her eyes. "I don't know how you aren't as big as a house," she teased.

"Good metabolism," he shrugged and helped her unsaddle the horse. They spent time brushing and cleaning the horses and tack before returning to the car. To her surprise, rather than turning back to the town, Ricco drove to the top of the hill where the house was situated. "Matteo always keeps the cupboards stocked with long-life stuff and meals in the freezer. Let's go have a look," he led the way into the house.

"This place is amazing! It's even bigger than it looks from the road," she said, marvelling at the huge entry and foyer.

"Have a look around while I ransack the kitchen, Matteo won't mind. The kitchen's back this way when you're done. Or if you get lost just call me and I'll come find you," he chuckled.

"Something smells nice," Cat said, walking into the large open plan area where the kitchen was located. By the time Cat made it back to the kitchen, Ricco was busy with the oven and microwave oven.

"Garlic bread in the oven always smells great," Ricco nodded.

"Look at you being all domestic, I wouldn't have thought of you as the type who would know his way around the kitchen," she said, watching him as he took a container from the microwave and stirred it.

"Yeah, reheating in a microwave and chucking some bread in the oven is about the extent of my cooking prowess," he admitted. He served the chicken and mushroom dish into two bowls and put the bread on the table. "lunch is served," he grinned at Cat as he made a bow and pulled her chair out for her.

"This is great," Cat said between mouthfuls.

"Yeah, I think he does a deal with the local restaurant to keep his freezer stocked," Ricco nodded. "What did you think of the house?"

They continued to talk about the house and the land, as well as the horses while they ate, and when both the food and the conversation was exhausted Cat stood and gathered the dishes.

"Go and relax, you cooked, so I'll clean up," she offered, taking their bowls to the kitchen.

"You don't have to do that," Ricco said, picking up the plate he had served the bread on and following her.

"I want to. It's the rule in our house, whoever cooks, usually, me, doesn't have to clean up," she laughed. "I rarely have to clean up, so I don't mind doing it occasionally. Go relax on the couch, I'm fine here, honestly."

"If you're sure," he said, and left her to it, stretching out on the couch where he could still see her. He hadn't lied when he had said he had stayed up most of the night, and with the contentment of a full belly he dozed lightly as she padded around the kitchen.

Ricco felt Cat squeezed onto the couch with him, moulding into his body with her back to his chest. "I'm glad you're here," He whispered, wrapping an arm around her and kissing the side of her neck below the ear softly. "This would probably be more comfortable in bed, though." He murmured sleepily.

"I didn't want to wake you," she whispered back.

"I'm awake now," he moved his hips slightly away from her, and she realised just how awake he was becoming.

"It's nice and cosy here," she whispered with a giggle, squirming her ass back against his hard-on making him groan softly into her ear and kissing her gently there.

"I won't be responsible for what might happen if you keep doing that," he rocked his hips forward meaningfully and nipped at her earlobe.

xelliebabex
xelliebabex
5,494 Followers