Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“You’re okay,” I say, striding over to her.
“Please don’t be mad. I know you didn’t want me to—”
I grab her, yank her against me, and crush her mouth with mine. I kiss her hard, drinking her in, unable to help myself. My head spun with a million different ways she could’ve gotten hurt. Relief hits me hard as I slowly detach from her lips and lean my forehead against hers.
“Don’t do that again.”
“If you’re going to kiss me like that—” She gives me a teasing smile.
“I’m serious, baby. Things aren’t safe right now. If you’re going somewhere, you need an escort.”
“Oh, great. You’re serious right now?”
“It won’t be forever, but while things are unsettled, I can’t take the risk. The Irish might come after you next.”
She chews her lip and squeezes my hand. “I’m fine. I promise.”
“You’re fine this time, but next time—”
I can’t even finish the sentence. The thought of losing her is unbearable. I only just got her, and now she’s taking stupid risks.
“Okay,” she says, which surprises me. “If you really think it’s necessary, I’ll be more careful.”
“Really? No fight?”
“No fight.” She grins and kisses my cheek. “For now.”
“Ominous.”
“I actually have something I want to run by you.” She leads me from the foyer and into the kitchen where she pours two glasses of wine. I’m a little on edge, but I accept the drink without comment. She leaves hers untouched as I sip mine.
“Does this have to do with your cousin?”
“Sort of. Sophia inspired it anyway.”
“Did you two get along?”
“She apologized.” Allegra seems amazed, but not as happy as I would’ve expected.
“That’s good, right?”
“It’s good, but it’s also…” She trails off, her smile fading. “I’m not sure I’m ready to trust her again. She really messed me up, you know?”
“I don’t blame you.” I reach out and touch her hand. I brush my thumb over her knuckles. “I support you no matter what you choose.”
“But if you were me, what would you do?”
“Loyalty matters above everything else. If she did to me what she did to you—” I shrug a little bit. I don’t say this out loud, but I’d cut her out of my life without a second thought.
But I’m not sure that’s the right decision for her. Allegra’s softer than me, more forgiving, and that’s a good thing. She cares about her family too much to just get rid of them.
“I’m thinking a little space isn’t a bad idea,” she says after a short silence. I continue to stroke my fingers over her hand, and she doesn’t try to move away. Instead, she leans toward me across the counter. “For a while, anyway. I miss having her as a friend.”
“Do what you think is right. If Sophia really was apologetic, maybe you guys can move past what happened.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll see where it goes.” She nods to herself. It’s a cute gesture and makes my stomach do flips. What the fuck is with this girl? Even small things drive me wild.
“You mentioned wanting to talk about something else,” I prompt.
“Right.” She stands up straight, her eyes gleaming. “I have an idea.”
“If you’re about to proposition me, I’m prepared. I’m down for bondage, voyeurism, domination, but draw the line at pegging. However, I will gladly fuck your ass, but you’ll have to say please first.”
She makes a face. “Seriously? You can get in my ass, but I can’t get in yours?”
“Correct. This is simply a fact of life.”
“No thanks. When you let me in the back door, you can have mine too.”
I sit up straighter at the thought of taking her anal virginity. Although her price is a bit steep. “We’ll negotiate.”
She laughs and slaps my hand away playfully. “No, this isn’t about sex. It’s about your family’s problem, actually. I think I know a way to make sure my father doesn’t walk away from the alliance.”
My eyebrows raise. “I’m interested.”
“Right now, he’s tearing the city up, trying to find the two Irish guys that attacked his club. He’s trying to do it quietly though.”
“I heard rumors about that, but you’re right, he’s being subtle.”
“We need to find them first.”
My sit back and swirl my drink, considering. “You think that would endear him to us?”
“I think it would show him that the Rossi Famiglia is strong. If they can find the shooters, they can also win the war. And my father likes winning.”
“Everyone likes winning,” I murmur, staring down at my drink. It wouldn’t be impossible, finding the two shooters—but it would take manpower. We can’t exactly afford that right now. Most of our soldiers are busy protecting Rossi property and fighting the Russians and the Irish out on the street. Pulls guys from those duties could be dangerous.
But the upside is big. If the Rinaldo Famiglia finally commits to the fight, that’ll turn the tide and break this stalemate.