Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
“Let me go with you.”
“No.”
“Luca, please. I need to be there with you, with my family.”
“No.”
She pressed her palms against my chest. No matter what she did she wouldn’t soften my resolve. Tonight’s meeting was too dangerous for her to be present. “Luca, I know you’re worried that things escalate and I die. But if things escalate, and all of you die, my whole heart dies, and then I’d rather die by your side than live on without my family.”
“Aria, I love you more than anything else in the world, and nothing, absolutely nothing will convince me to have you there. If I die, if we all die, I still want you to live your life.”
“What life?” She glared but then her expression shifted. “Would you want me to remarry?”
Possessiveness raged through me, as Aria had intended. I’d never not be madly jealous at the thought of anyone having her. She gave me a knowing look, because she’d been certain of my reaction. I loved her absolutely, and wanted her to be happy, but still my cold, possessive heart couldn’t bear the idea of her ever being with another man even once I was dead. “I know what you’re trying to do, love, but the answer is still no. Tonight might make history, and if that’s the case, I don’t want you around.”
“You’ll need every trustworthy man at your side. I don’t want protection if that means you’ll be low on men.”
“I have enough men,” I said. But of course, Aria had seen the problem. There were many people I needed to protect. Romero’s family, Matteo’s family, Aria. Though, Matteo had refused to join the meeting. He was still pissed and didn’t want to be near the Falcones. Matteo had always been by my side, no matter how dangerous or difficult the situation. That this decision might drive a wedge between us hurt like a fucking knife in the heart, but I’d made up my mind and wouldn’t change it again. I owed it to Amo, and his girl too.
Aria began to shake her head. I touched her cheek. “I never thought I’d say this, but considering that we’ll create a bond with the Camorra that’s stronger than ever before, I accepted Fabiano’s suggestion that he would watch you. Adamo will be there as well.”
Aria’s eyes grew wide in surprise. “You’re accepting help from the Camorra?”
“Not in my fight against the Traditionalists, should it arise. That’s my responsibility. The Falcones can kill the people that hurt Greta, but the rest who might want to revolt are mine. The Famiglia is mine to deal with but if Adamo and Fabiano’s help guarantees your safety and that of your sisters and their children, then I’m going to trust them.”
I glanced at my watch. We needed to leave soon. Before the official meeting, I’d meet with the most loyal men in my rows.
The bell rang and glance at the camera showed Fabiano and Adamo. Fuck. If someone had told me this would happen a month ago, I would have silenced them with a bullet to the head.
Amo joined me in the lobby, patting Aria’s back when she hugged him tightly as if he were a small boy. For her our children would always remain her babies. It was difficult for her to see them in danger, and it wasn’t easy for me either. But this was our life.
I opened the door and let Fabiano and Adamo in. Aria tore away from Amo and went over to her brother, hugging him too. Fabiano briefly hugged her but public displays of affection weren’t his thing.
I stepped up to Adamo. “This is a major show of trust. I hope you know this.”
“I do, we both do.” Adamo glanced at Fabiano who nodded. “Remo wants peace. We all want peace. For Greta. For Amo. For all of us.”
I pulled Aria against me. She smiled sadly. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I’ll be fine.”
The bell rang again and I tensed, not expecting anyone else. The camera showed Matteo, Isabella and Gianna in front of the door.
I let them in. Isabella gave me a quick smile before she headed toward Amo. She hugged him. “I’m sorry for what happened to Greta.”
“Thanks, Isa.”
Gianna shoved Amo’s shoulder. “You have a lot of explaining to do. You’ve always been a troublemaker.”
“I guess I have that from you,” Amo said. Gianna huffed and went over to Aria.
I turned to Matteo who hovered in the doorway, looking wary. “Good job sending your daughter over to us for a guilt trip. Marcella has a way with words that breaks everyone’s resolve.”
I clapped his shoulder. “I’m glad to have you by my side.” I narrowed my eyes. “You won’t use tonight to sink your knife into Nevio, right?”
Matteo’s lips thinned. He nodded toward Isabella and Gianna. “They want peace. It was a two to one vote.”