Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
With Roman, there was no competition. He hated her. I was number one. He promised me his fidelity, and I had no cause to doubt him.
When he informed me he would kill her if he found her, I should have been horrified. Begged for her life. Yet I remained silent. He was right. If she came near me again, it would only be to hurt. I was done trying. I would no longer protect her. After what she had done, she didn’t deserve it.
Vi knocked, and I let her in. She immediately grabbed my hand, effusive over the ring. “Aldo said it was spectacular, but wow!”
I smiled. “Overwhelming.”
She eyed me. “You don’t look like the blushing bride. Do I need to kick some mobster ass?”
I laughed, knowing if I said yes, she would spar with Roman without a problem. Tell him off without mincing words. But I shook my head. “Just all unexpected.”
She nodded, pouring a cup of coffee. “Love is grand.”
“Oh, he doesn’t love me. He is just protecting me.”
She looked amused. “Is that what he told you?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then. I’ll have lots of fun proving him wrong.” She looked at me over the rim of her cup. “The sex is wild with him, isn’t it?”
I choked as I tried to swallow. “Pardon me?”
“Aldo is a tiger in the sack. Or against the wall. The sofa. Anywhere. The man knows how to use that huge cock of his. His fingers and tongue are a close second. I imagine Roman is equally as talented. He’s got that dirty-boy look under his polished exterior. Am I right?”
I felt myself blush. “I’m not sure I should be discussing that with you.”
She laughed. “You said all I need to know.”
There was a knock, and she grinned. “Ah, they’re here.”
“Who’s here?”
She opened the door, revealing Gerry wheeling a tall rack filled with covered garment bags. He smiled at me. “These were all I could get today. If none of them suit, more will arrive tomorrow.”
“For what?”
He grinned as he lifted a bag off the rack, unveiling a beautiful gown.
“Your wedding.”
CHAPTER 22
ROMAN
Ifinished with my manager, walking through the lobby. Everything was in order. Perfect. Exactly the way I demanded. The right people doing their jobs made my life easier in many aspects.
I stopped when I spotted Gerry in the boutique, and I went in. “Gerry?”
“Boss man,” he greeted me.
“Why are you down here? You are supposed to be upstairs with Effie and Vi helping her pick a dress. She didn’t like any of them?”
Gerry laughed, indicating a rack of dresses. “Your lady picked a dress in five minutes. It fit her perfectly, aside from the length. The seamstress has it and will have it back tomorrow.” He looked delighted. “No fuss, your fiancée. I held it up, she said yes.”
I frowned. “I thought this could take days. Hundreds of gowns.”
“For some. I asked her to describe the perfect dress. I pulled one from the rack, and we were done. Now I hope you plan on letting her choose her flowers.”
“I can arrange that.”
“Then we’re all set. And by the way, green is the color for the day.”
“All right,” I responded.
“It suits her dress choice.”
I hesitated. “Was she happy, Gerry?”
He laid his hand on my arm. “I believe so. Overcome a little. She wasn’t expecting it. She thought she would wear one of the dresses you bought her last week. Not really high-maintenance, is she?”
“No, she’s not.”
I headed to the planning office, looking forward to when I could use my office upstairs again. I knew I could, but I didn’t want Effie feeling more trapped than she already was.
Aldo was there, looking tired.
“You were here last night again?”
He nodded. “A few problems on the floor.” He held up his hand. “I took care of them.” He took a sip of coffee. “How did the dinner go?”
“Good. Luca likes her.”
“We all like her.”
“Thank you for covering. I know you’ve pulled a lot of extra nights. Once the wedding is over, we’ll figure out a schedule that keeps our spouses happy.”
“Vi understands. She, as well as I, recalls when I was gone a lot because of our situation. You covered all the nights for me then. I’m returning the favor.”
I cleared my throat. “Would you stand beside me next week, Aldo?”
He looked confused. “What about Luca?”
“I spoke with him. He agrees it should be you.” I smiled, thinking of what Luca said. “I haven’t told Effie yet, but Luca is going to walk her down the aisle. He feels she should have that.”
“I would be honored to stand with you.” He paused. “You looked pretty serious yesterday after your talk with Luca. Anything the matter? Aside from the unexpected fiancée thing?”
I told Aldo what Luca had said yesterday. He listened, his surprise showing.
“He wants to walk away?”
I nodded. “He is right. The business is ours now. We make the rules, not my father. Not an organization. Each family is responsible for their own future. Others have left. Handed over the reins and walked away.” I took a drink of coffee. “Neither of us wanted what my father had. We hated his ways of doing things. Violence was his first response. Not”—I smirked—“that I objected to it. But there are other ways.”