Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
“Sweetheart. Other than crazies like my sister, most women in the families don’t have anything to do with the business, but that doesn’t mean I don’t plan on keeping my promise. I want to see if you taste like vanilla.” His mouth is on mine, and my body betrays me, releasing a moan that says I’m going to be in trouble. His strong hands lift me onto his lap, and I find myself straddling his large frame.
“Fuck, you feel incredible, Cupcake.” I moan as his mouth drifts lower, kissing down my throat to my shoulders, pushing my top down just over one arm until he notices the mark there and stops.
“Can’t have you coming on me in front of everyone.”
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t,” I sass, hopping off his lap and sitting beside him. He scoffs, adjusting his pants.
“From the looks of my pants, I’d beg to differ.” I notice a wet spot and blush. He can fuck off. He chuckles and then speaks heavy Italian to the men in the front seats. Unfortunately, Spanish and Italian are close because I can understand a few words and don’t like what I hear. I cling to the hem of my dress, playing with the fabric and ignoring how his voice sounds as he directs his attention to the two men.
Suddenly, the vehicle stops and I’m afraid of what’s next. “Pops,” Gio says. “Since when are you on gate duty?” Great. His father is mere feet away—the same man who was pissed on the call.
“I’m not, but I knew you were on your way.” I can feel the elder Barone’s eyes on me, but I refuse to glance his way. I am tired of being assessed today. It was humiliating enough this morning.
He chuckles in the same familiar tone as Gio, and my eyes dart upward, forgetting myself. There’s no mistaking they are father and son. “Matteo is going to want a briefing first.”
“I was on my way there.”
“And her?” His eyes land on me with a hint of a smirk that he’d passed on to his child. Instantly my womb becomes needy, and I picture a baby. I slam my eyes shut because that’s ridiculous. The very notion is preposterous and infuriates me.
“We will discuss it later,” Gio says, dismissing my presence. I want to snap my teeth, letting them know I’m not up for discussion and that I don’t belong here because I’m not a part of their war. In fact, I want nothing to do with it.
“Then I’ll let you be on your way. Be careful of the viper,” he says. Great…snakes. I hate snakes.
Chapter Five
Gio
We pull up to the compound, and I’m forced to take Patricia to the main area because I must speak with Matteo first. I don’t trust my little sweet thing to not pull a disappearing act. If she managed to slip past the Morenos, I wouldn’t be surprised if she could dodge a couple of my men. Plus, I’d hate for anyone on the compound to lay a hand on her because they know who she is, even if I didn’t.
“What the fuck is this bitch doing in my house?” my sister says, jumping up from Matteo’s side on the sofa, ready to attack. He quickly grabs his wife, who pisses me off instantly.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” I bark out, standing in front of Patricia. She clings to the back of my jacket, but I pull her off it because my knife is there, and I don’t trust the little enemy.
“You remember who you’re talking to, Gio,” Matteo warns me.
“My bratty fucking sister,” I remind him.
“True, but she is my wife in public.” He smirks, and yes, she’s his queen, which suddenly puts the crazy brat behind me in a dangerous position. Although, since we crossed paths, I plan to put her in a new position that will ruin our enemies.
“Fucking bullshit is what I call it, and besides, I’ve decided that Patricia will be my wife.” I pull her out of hiding, hugging her tightly to my side.
“What?” my sister and Patricia say simultaneously, both looking at me like I’m crazy.
“Wise,” Matteo chuckles, understanding the playmaking game plan.
Patricia tugs at my wrists, attempting to get free, but my grip is strong. “No. I…didn’t escape one monster for another…” I release my hold and she takes off, but she won’t reach the front door before they get a hold of her. As much as I don’t want anyone putting their hands on her, she crossed the line.
“Stop her,” Matteo says. His men move quickly, and I don’t bother to stop them from grabbing her because I’m fucking pissed off right now. She just compared me to her father.
“I like her. She’s got spirit,” he adds, smirking, which doesn’t please my sister.
My cupcake has spirit to spare, and I’ll show her what I think of her remark later. For now, I have business to attend to.