Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
"No."
"Get your ass out here, or I will turn it pink."
I peek around the corner. "That's not really a threat since we both like it, but I'm not coming out until you turn off that monitor."
I’m not looking but I can hear Victorio and Antonio laughing. I smile feeling truly happy.
"Have Emilia get the dress and have someone bring it down in ten minutes."
I peek out again. "Isn't that kind of quick?"
That sends both men into another round of laughing.
Antonio shakes his head. "Give me an hour, and then come down." He clicks off the monitor.
I come out from behind the wall. “I think an hour might be a bit extreme, don't you?"
"Do you doubt that I can keep you on the edge that long before I let you come?"
I swallow nervously. I don’t think I could handle ten minutes of that kind of torture. An hour? I might not survive. I don't doubt his ability to do what he wants.
"I just meant that's a really long time to make the priest wait," I tell him quickly.
“Are you worried there will be another dark spot on my soul?” he asks as his eyes rake over my body. I swear I can feel his gaze as if it's a physical touch. “I doubt one more will make a difference.”
“Don't you go to confession?”
He laughs. “Lina, I doubt me going to confession and still doing what I do would make a great impression on the Big Guy upstairs.”
“You're not a monster, Antonio. I grew up surrounded by those. You would never cold-bloodedly hurt another person.”
“Don't make the mistake of painting me the good guy in whatever fairytale you're making, il mio tesoro. That's not me.”
I look up at him, but before I can say anything, he kisses me, pushing his tongue into mine, stealing my breath as he picks me up and presses me against the wall of the shower.
I sigh, giving in to him. He can think what he wants. The truth is he’s quickly becoming not only my hero, but my entire world.
antonio
I did keep my bride busy for almost the full hour. During that time my men prepped the upstairs for it to be fit for a wedding. I’m pretty sure they did so under Emilia’s orders. There is white drapery hanging behind the priest and an assortment of flowers filling the large living room, causing a light floral scent to surround us. They even had an arch covered in ivy brought in and set up on the staircase. Hell, my soldiers—except for the ones on duty outside—are sitting in white chairs to help form an aisle. When Melina takes it in, the happiness on her face makes my heart squeeze in my chest. I owe Emilia.
I stand beside Melina, with Niko at my side and Emilia at hers. Niko has his cane he still uses to keep himself upright—but I have noticed it is getting less and less of his weight. Some days the man still looks like hell. Today, at least, he seems a bit more relaxed.
Melina's in a summery white, flowy dress. I’m wearing matching black slacks and silk shirt that she picked out from my office wardrobe downstairs. I think this is perfect, but if after all this is over my wife wants a huge formal wedding, I will give her the checkbook and let her go wild. It doesn’t matter to me—as long as she is in my bed.
All this comes as a surprise. I was expecting to not give a shit either way. This marriage was a logical choice. In the beginning, it made sense because it would protect her. I just needed it done so she would have my name and all the benefits to that. I didn't expect my chest to feel tight when she told me she loved me.
"You're not listening to me," Lina says, her voice pulling me from my thoughts.
I look over at my bride, her hair still semi-wet from the shower. She doesn't have an ounce of makeup on, and I've never seen anyone more beautiful. Her cheeks are rosy from me fucking her thoroughly, just moments before. Her lips are pouty and swollen from my kisses. Everything about her speaks to me on a level I can't even fully comprehend.
All of the times I've seen my men bend over backward for their women and mocked them now haunt me. It never occurred to me I would ever want to do the same thing, and yet here I am, needing to lay the world at her feet.
I pick up a lock of her silky hair, twirling it around my finger. "I'm listening, Lina. I just disagree with you."
"You're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck," she insists. "We need to postpone until we're separated for twenty-four hours. Neither one of us need any more problems, Antonio."