Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice gentle. "I'm fine. Really."
He walks over, a frown etched on his otherwise handsome face. "Are you sure? Maybe you should lie down and rest a bit more."
I close the magazine and look up at him, struggling to maintain my composure. "I’ve been resting for days. I need to move around and do something."
The concern in his eyes is genuine, but it's also suffocating. "The doctor said you need to take it easy. You need time to heal."
"Look," I say, standing up from the couch and facing him directly. "I know you're worried, but I'm feeling better. I need some normalcy, something to keep me from going stir-crazy. You hovering over me every second is driving me insane."
He opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off, my frustration finally bubbling over. "Don’t you have a crime family to run? Surely there’s something you have to do. Go order a murder or something." I throw my hands up in the air out of frustration. We’ve never discussed his job, and I know there are probably things he does that I don’t want to know about. This is the closest we’ve come to discussing specifics.
His eyes narrow. "Anyone in particular you’d like me to have taken care of?"
It’s a scary thought. And it’s definitely time to change the subject. "Not really," I say, my tone more serious as I step closer and place a hand on his arm. "But I can’t lie, it’s weird knowing you have the power to do it."
He takes a deep breath, and I can see the internal struggle playing out behind his eyes. Finally, he nods, albeit reluctantly. "There’s still a lot for us to learn about each other." Boy, that’s an understatement. “But I do know I couldn’t live without you. You’re more important than breathing to me.”
"I feel the same way about you," I say, smiling up at him.
“Good, then say you’ll marry me and put me out of my misery. Ever since the moment you got in the accident, I was worried you’d finally have enough of my crazy life and leave me.”
I blink up at him in shock. I had no idea he was thinking anything so silly. There’s no way I could ever live without the other half of my soul. “I could never leave you.” I wrap my arms around his waist and snuggle against his muscular chest. “I love you too much.”
“I love you more than life itself, bambolina.” He kisses my forehead. We stand there for a moment, the tension between us easing slightly as his strong heartbeat pounds against my face. I can see how much he cares and how deeply my well-being affects him, and it tugs at my heart.
"I guess I’ll have to take one for the team and marry you," I tease as if it isn’t the most exciting idea, I’ve ever heard.
He smirks down at me with all his usual cockiness evident. "I’m glad to know you’re so team-oriented. I could probably use your skills in our business dealings."
“Anything for you.” I hug him close as happiness flows through my soul.
This journey we're on will be filled with challenges, but as long as we face them together, I know we can overcome anything.
It won’t always be easy, but no matter what, it will be worth it. For both of us.
EPILOGUE ONE
LORENZO
Sunlight spills through the large windows of our country estate, casting a golden glow that dances off the walls and fills the room with a warm light.
My men would have a field day if they could see me now, sitting cross-legged on the floor, trying to stay very still as Lilliana, our three-year-old daughter, works intently on my face, her little tongue peeking out in concentration.
"Hold still, Papa," she commands in her serious, high-pitched voice, wielding a glittery pink makeup brush like it’s an instrument of magic.
"Yes, ma'am," I reply, trying to stifle a chuckle. "You're the artist." Her tiny fingers smudge some purple eyeshadow across my eyelid, and I groan, figuring I must look like a sight. I pucker up as she instructs and feel the cool touch of bright lipstick tracing my lips.
I can see the reflection of Mira and Lila hiding around the corner in the large mirror above the fireplace. Their muffled giggles slip through their failed attempts to stay quiet. I would do anything to keep my wife and daughter, the loves of my life, laughing and happy. Even let them take pictures of me in this insane getup.
Lilliana dabs more colors on my cheeks, her expression serious and focused. "You're gonna be so pretty, Papa," she declares with absolute authority.
"Oh, I have no doubt," I say, grinning. "With a talented artist like you, how could I be anything else?"