Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
I pull out the chair and wait for her to take a seat before I press a kiss to the top of her head. Walking around the table, I place my hand on Mamma’s shoulder then kiss the scar on her temple.
“Morning, everyone,” I murmur as I take my seat.
When we’re all done greeting each other, I announce, “We’re going out after breakfast.”
Carlo lets out a groan. “Where?”
“Wherever the women want to go,” I mutter.
“Shopping?” Mamma asks, excitement in her tone. “Christmas is only two weeks away.”
Fuck. I forgot about the festive season.
“Shopping it is,” I agree.
“Forget breakfast,” Aunt Greta mutters as she climbs to her feet. “Come, Aida, let's go get ready.”
Gabriella smiles as she watches the women rush out of the dining room then turns her attention to me. “I still have your credit card.”
“It’s yours to keep.”
Martha comes in with the breakfast, and she sets an omelet and bacon down in front of me.
“Thank you,” Gabriella murmurs when she receives her food. “It looks delicious.”
“What can I bring you to drink, Mr. Falco?” Martha asks.
“Coffee.”
“I’ll have coffee, too,” Gabriella says. She pats my thigh beneath the table, then adds. “Please.”
I stare at her for a moment before I realize she expects me to thank Martha.
My eyes flick to the housekeeper, and I mutter, “Thank you, Martha.”
Startled, her eyes widen. “Oh…ah…of course, Mr. Falco. You’re welcome.”
I watch my housekeeper flee from the dining room before picking up my utensils and cutting into the omelet.
Silence falls around us while we enjoy the meal, and when I’m done, I sip on my bitter coffee while I watch Gabriella pour two sugars into her beverage.
No wonder she tastes so sweet.
Carlo climbs to his feet. “I’ll get the guards ready.”
I nod, and when Carlo and Gerardo leave the dining room, I reach for Gabriella’s free hand.
“Is there anything you need to get?”
She nods, and after swallowing the sip she just took, she replies, “Just toiletries.”
Wanting no misunderstandings, I say, “You’ll use the credit card for everything.”
She nods again.
“Is your bank account in Sicily?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “It’s a dollar account with Payoneer.”
“We’ll have to open one for you in New York so I can transfer money to you.”
Her eyebrows lift. “For what?”
“For whatever you need.”
“Oh…but I have the credit card,” she argues.
I let out a sigh. “You’re mine, Gabriella, which means I’m going to provide for you. You need an investment in case of an emergency.”
“What…” she doesn’t finish her question, and her features tighten when she whispers, “In case you die.”
I nod because, contrary to popular belief, I’m not indestructible.
Her fingers tighten around mine, and she glances away from me.
“It won’t happen easily,” I say to put her at ease.
She sets her coffee cup down as she lowers her head. “I really hope not.”
“Come here,” I order as I scoot my chair backward.
She gets up, and I pull her onto my lap. Taking hold of her chin, I nudge her face so she’ll look at me.
“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Okay,” she whispers before wrapping her arms around my neck.
I hold her tightly while it sinks in that it upsets her a lot to think of me dying.
More love pours into my chest, and I press a kiss to her shoulder and another to the side of her neck.
“Look at me.” She pulls back, and when her eyes lock with mine, I say, “I have the whole Cosa Nostra behind me. It will take one hell of an army to overthrow me.”
She brings her hand to my jaw and presses a soft kiss to my mouth. “I just don’t want to lose you. You’re the first place that feels like home.”
Christ. My heart.
I close the distance between our faces and kiss her tenderly, but then we’re interrupted when Mamma and Aunt Greta come rushing into the dining room.
“We’re ready … oh dear … we can wait,” Aunt Greta says before pushing Mamma back to the door.
There’s a confused expression on my mother’s face as she asks, “Why?”
“They’re kissing,” Aunt Greta whispers.
I let out a chuckle as I lift Gabriella off my lap. We get up, and taking her hand, I head to the doorway. “Let’s go.”
When we walk out of the house, five SUVs are waiting out front.
“We’re in the third SUV,” I say.
Aunt Greta climbs into the second one, and as Gerardo leads Mamma to the fourth one, I feel a twinge in my heart.
Now that I’m engaged to Gabriella, she takes precedence over my mother. I wish I could have them both with me, but the risk is too high.
With us separated, some of us might survive during an attack.
I let Gabriella climb into the backseat before I slide in beside her.
“Why are your mother and Mrs. Accardi taking different cars?” she asks.
“It’s a precaution,” I explain.
Carlo gets in behind the steering wheel, and Dante, one of my other guards, takes the passenger seat.