Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“Then we might never marry because I just don’t see a reason for marriage.”
Aurora swallowed, but the stubborn gleam remained in her eyes. “Then I’ll be okay with that. I want us to marry for the right reasons, and I want a real proposal!”
I chuckled. “Promise, if I ever find a good reason to marry, then I’ll knock you off your socks with my proposal.”
I arrived for our weekly business meeting ten minutes early. The surprise on Dad’s, Fabiano’s, and Nino’s faces, who were already there, made it clear that they still hadn’t gotten used to my responsible side. It wasn’t only Rory who needed to see that I was more than a crazy killer. Dad needed to realize that I’d one day make a good Capo and not cause the Camorra to implode with my craziness.
I sank into the armchair across from Fabiano. He and I had a sort of truce, but he definitely liked me a little less since I started dating his daughter. “I should probably give you fair warning that I might one day ask Rory for her hand.”
The words slipped out before I could think them through. I still wasn’t sure about marriage.
Fabiano’s expression twisted with confusion, not the shock I’d expected. “And you’re telling me now?”
“So you can make peace with the idea,” I said with a grin.
Dad and Nino exchanged a look that showed they were more shocked than Fabiano.
“If I hadn’t made peace with you and my daughter, you would know by now. And I always expected you to be serious about her, so why would I need to get used to the idea of marriage?”
“I’m serious about her. But that doesn’t mean it has to end in marriage. People can love each other without being married.”
Fabiano narrowed his eyes. “Not in my world.”
I chuckled. “I don’t see why we should marry without a good reason.”
“Then find a reason.”
Dad rolled his eyes. “You took a while to find a reason to ask Leona for her hand.”
“But I did find one, so it’s irrelevant.”
Nino opened his mouth. He was as skeptical about marriage as I was. Fabiano raised his palm. “Don’t bother. I’ve heard all of your logical arguments, and I’m over them. Nevio will find a reason to marry Aurora.”
I stifled a laugh. Fabiano’s scare tactics were directed at the wrong person, but I had no doubt that Rory would make me want to marry someday.
I scanned the ground below us. Where the scenery had been brightly lit when our flight had taken off, darkness spread below us as our airplane slowly descended for landing. In the distance, I could make out a spattering of light. At least, there seemed to be some kind of civilization where Nevio was taking me.
“Won’t you tell me where we’re going? I’ll eventually find out,” I said. I’d asked Nevio countless times since he’d practically kidnapped me from the breakfast table this morning. I’d only had time to say goodbye to Battista before Nevio and I had driven to the airport where the private Camorra jet had been waiting. Nevio had even packed my bag, which was one of my main worries right now. I doubted Nevio had any clue what kind of clothes I’d need. I hoped he’d at least asked a female family member for help with the toiletry bag. My other worry was how Battista would fare. This was the first time I’d be gone for more than a few hours. He would turn four this year and he loved spending time with his grandparents and his uncle Giulio so my concern was completely unfounded.
Nevio crossed his arms behind his head with a satisfied grin. “Can’t you guess?”
“Well, considering our flight time and the landscape below, I’d guess we’re somewhere in Europe, most likely up north.”
“Good detective work, Sherlock.”
I moved over to him and sat on his lap. “We’re supposed to stay buckled in,” he said with raised eyebrows, but his hands grabbed my hips as I straddled his thighs.
“Then you should consider telling me or risk my health.”
“I like you on my lap. What’s life without a little danger?” He kissed me, his fingers tangling in my hair.
I sank into the kiss when the buckle up sign binged again. Nevio moved back with a sigh.
I returned to my seat with an expectant expression.
“All right. Lapland.”
My eyes widened. “We’re here to watch the northern lights?”
Because of Nevio’s obsession with the lights, I’d started researching them, and the photos I’d seen had made me want to experience them in real life.
“I thought it would be the perfect way to spend our second Valentine’s day as a couple.”
“It is!”
The hotel that Nevio had picked for us was in Northern Lapland and consisted of small round cabins with a glass roof over the bed. Our cabin even had a Jacuzzi on the patio. Everything was covered in snow, making the area look even more magical. Having spent most of my life in Las Vegas, the temperatures were a shock to my system, but Nevio had bought snow attire for both of us in preparation for the trip.