Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“For now. I’ll get sick of him eventually.”
“I don’t think so. You’re a nester.”
“Sorry?”
“You make a nest and you stay in it.” She nods, looking very smug and satisfied. “Maybe there’s something in this whole psychologist thing I should look into because I’m killing it right now.”
I open my mouth to tell her off, but there’s a commotion from inside the house. We both look back at the sliding door and can just barely make out movement behind the blinds. I give her a look and get up to check it out, curious about what’s going on. There are voices, but they don’t sound upset or scared.
When I step back inside, I stare at a room full of men. I open my mouth to panic but spot Luca standing in the kitchen with several of his guards. “What’s going on?” I ask, blinking in surprise.
Luca comes over, hands held out in a calming gesture. “It’s okay. They’re all with me.”
“I didn’t realize we were having a party.”
A gruff man with graying hair laughs sharply. “Not sure this counts as a party, but sure, close enough.” He pulls back the slide of a pistol and shoves it into a holster attached to a bulletproof vest.
“We should talk.” Luca leads me away as the men behind him start laughing together and talking in low voices. He takes me back outside and slides the door shut behind us. Elisa watches on curiously.
“What’s going on in there?”
“I made some calls. Those guys are my backup.”
I frown slightly. “Backup?”
“The Marino Famiglia is officially getting involved in your civil war.” He glances at Elisa and lowers his voice. “At least, I have to speak with Adriano to confirm everything. The men inside are Marino soldiers. You’re safe with them.”
I glance back toward the sliding door. “How many guys are we talking here?”
“Twenty or so, depending on what Adriano says. They’re good people. And don’t worry, they’re not staying long. After we assign crews, they won’t be near the house, except for when they’re on guard duty.”
“I guess security’s getting tighter.”
“For a little while at least.” He touches my hip and pulls me in closer. “I promise you’ll be alright.”
“What about my car?”
“You can still work on it. That won’t change.”
Relief floods me. I know that means his men will have to work harder to protect me when I’m exposed in that makeshift garage tent, but I don’t know what I’d do with myself otherwise.
“What happens now?” Elisa asks him, sounding afraid. “There’s going to be fighting, right?”
“Corrado’s going to start gathering strength and putting together support.” Luca moves away from me slightly and addresses both of us. “Our goal is simple: find him and kill him.”
“While I convince the Serrano Capos to support Raf.”
“Assuming he’s okay,” Elisa adds quietly. “I really hope he is.”
“He will be,” I tell her.
“This won’t be simple, and I won’t put either of you in danger.” Luca gives me a hard look, like he’s anticipating an argument. “But your guidance will be helpful.”
“He means he needs us to make it look like he’s not just some outsider taking control of the family.”
Elisa drinks her wine. “Got it. Politics. Maybe that’s what I’ll be good at?” She considers for a second, then shakes her head. “Nah, not my thing.”
“Either way, we’re entering a dangerous phase now. I need you both to be careful.”
“Always am.” Elisa sounds chipper as she gets up with a sigh. “Well, I’m going to grab a refill and peruse the offerings inside.”
“Oh, God, please don’t do anything stupid,” I say with a groan.
“I’m with my wife on this one. Those men are off-limits to you.”
Elisa swats at Luca. “You can boss her around, but I’m not your wife. Are any of your soldiers single?”
“No,” Luca says with a glare. “They’re all gay or married.”
“I can work with that.” She slides the door open and disappears inside.
“She’s not really going to hit on a room full of murderers, is she?” Luca sounds genuinely worried, and it makes me like him even more.
“Not at all, don’t worry. She’s just going through a tough time. A little introspection.”
He nods and bends down to kiss me. I lean into him, breathing in his smell and letting his taste glide down my tongue. Instantly, my jaw relaxes and my shoulders feel less tense.
“I need to get over to Adriano’s. Things have been quiet for the last few days, but it won’t last.”
“Will you be late?”
“I’ll be home before you’re asleep.”
“Good.” I get on my toes and kiss him again. “You want to hear something weird?”
“Always.”
“Now that I’m pregnant, I’m having these… urges.” My cheeks turn pink, and I suddenly regret saying anything.
He looks uncertain. “Like food cravings?”
“Like that, but not for food. I’ve been, you know, really, uh—”
Understanding dawns on him, and he licks his lips. He bends down to kiss me again. “If you have needs, I’m happy to fulfill them.”