Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I hope with all my heart this is how things will always be, because I get the feeling if I fall in love with Adriano, it will destroy me if he turns cold and cruel like Austin did.
Chapter 18
Adriano
Last night, while Laurie was showering, I instructed Rosie to find out everything about Mitchell’s Construction and the fuckface my wife used to date.
I plan to toy with the fuckers and bankrupt them before erasing them from existence.
Sitting on the couch in the living room, I call Christiano.
“I expected your call much sooner,” he answers.
“I’ve been busy. I take it you heard?”
“About you killing Castellano or you getting married?”
“Both,” I mutter.
“What happened with Castellano?” he asks.
“Fucker came at me as we were leaving the church. He mentioned something about an uprising.”
“Rosie hasn’t been able to pick up on anything regarding an uprising. Maybe he was talking shit to get you riled up because he knew you were about to off him,” Christiano mentions.
“I don’t think so.” I roll my shoulders while adding, “My gut tells me he wasn’t bullshitting me.”
“In that case, I’ll have Rosie dig more. Whichever families are involved might be meeting in person and keeping their discussions away from technology because they know about Rosie.”
“Probably. That’s what we would do.”
“Okay. I’ll call a meeting so we can all sit down and decide how to handle this problem.”
“Can you give me a couple of days? I want to get my wife settled.”
He lets out a chuckle. “Uncle Angelo must be proud that you’re walking in his footsteps. I know my father is. I hope she makes you happy, brother. You deserve it.”
I smile as I reply, “Thanks, Christiano.”
We hang up, and while I’m waiting for Laurie to wake up, I quickly reply to a couple of emails and check in with my men, but it’s a struggle to focus.
I arranged for Mom’s personal shopper to come over with clothes, jewelry, and whatever else Pierre thinks Laurie might like. But he’ll only be here around two this afternoon.
My thoughts are filled with Laurie, and remembering how she slept on the far side of the bed, my eyes narrow.
I was content just staring and hearing her soft breaths, but I’m not known for my patience. She needs to deal faster with the fact that we’re married, and this is her life now.
I want her in my arms at night.
I want her smiling at me.
I want her touching me while she shares all her secrets.
I want to strip her naked and feast on her body.
I want to sink deep into her and devour every moan as I make her come.
I start to harden and adjust my cock while shaking my head, thinking about work to get rid of it.
Fuck. I forgot to tell Remo!
Letting out a sigh, I bring up my brother’s number and press dial, listening as it rings.
“Hey, what’s up?” he asks.
“I’m not coming in for the rest of the week. Little Ricky will go to the shipping yard, so I need you to take care of the club.”
“Okay. Are you finally taking some time off to rest?”
“No, I got married yesterday.”
“Say what now?”
“I got married.” I hear Laurie's footsteps as she comes down the stairs. “Ma will arrange a barbecue for this weekend. You’ll get to meet my wife then.”
Remo is quiet for a moment. “Why the fuck am I only hearing about it now?”
“It was a forced marriage. Happened kind of fast.”
Remo lets out a bark of laughter.
“Kind of fast,” Laurie snorts. “You can say that again.”
The corner of my mouth lifts, and getting up from the couch, I follow her into the kitchen while saying, “Anyway, take care of the club.”
“Okay. See you this weekend.”
I end the call and sit down at the island, staring at my butterfly while she makes herself coffee.
“Wow, I can feel your eyes burning into the back of my head.”
“Sue me,” I mutter, before reminding her, “You’re mine to look at as much as I want.”
She glances over her shoulder. “Would you like some coffee?”
I shake my head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Once Laurie is done and takes a sip of her coffee, she asks, “So what happens now?”
“You come sit your sexy ass down here by me.”
I wait for her to take a seat, then grab hold of the stool and turn it so she’ll face me. Only when I have her right in front of me, her knees between my thighs, do I say, “We’re going to ask questions so we can learn more about each other.
“Are you always this intense?” she fires the first shot.
“Yes. What’s something you’ve desperately wanted your whole life but never got?”
“Wow, go straight for the jugular, why don’t you.” She sets her mug down on the island and stares at it for a moment. “I guess I always wanted to belong somewhere.” Her mouth twists a little downward, but she quickly schools her expression, hiding her true feelings. “I want the same as most people. Security. Happiness. Health.”