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)
With anger bubbling in my chest, I watch him scurry away, and only because it’s Georgi and Nina’s engagement party do I spare his life.
“It was an accident,” Laurie says, her tone soft as she tries to calm my temper.
“An accident that could’ve…” I shut up, because just thinking of losing Laurie fills me with rage. I wrap my arm around my wife while muttering, “Stay by my side for the rest of the night so I can protect your arm, or I might end up killing someone.”
Uncle Damiano lets out a chuckle, then holds out his arm to Laurie. “Don’t mind my godson. I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.” When she takes his hand, he adds, “Damiano Falco.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Falco,” Laurie almost whispers, fear shimmering through in her voice.
I glance at her face, and noticing how big her eyes are, I say, “His bark is worse than his bite.”
“Wanna bet?” Uncle Dario, Rosie’s father, says as he joins us. “I’ve seen him bite off a man’s ear.”
“Dario!” Mom snaps. “My daughter doesn’t need to hear such gruesome things.”
“Sorry, Tori,” Uncle Dario quickly apologizes. He looks at Laurie and gives her a sheepish grin. “Hi, Laurie, I’m Daria La Rosa, the dumbass.”
She lets out a chuckle and shakes her head. “It’s okay. Please don’t worry.”
Someone taps on a microphone, then I hear Georgi say, “Can you all hear me?”
“Yes. All the way in fucking Canada,” Christiano shouts.
“Good. Now shut up and listen.” He shoots us all a grin. “Thank you for joining Nina and me to celebrate our engagement. Every person who means the world to me is gathered in this room.” He glances over us. “Christ, there’s a lot of you.” He holds his hand out to Nina. “But this woman is the one who holds my heart in the palm of her hand, and I’m so thankful she agreed to become my wife. I love you, Nina.”
Applause breaks out around the room as he puts the microphone down and walks to Nina to kiss the shit out of her.
I rub my hand up and down Laurie’s back, and as our eyes meet, I can see how much she’s enjoying tonight.
I lean down and whisper, “I love seeing you happy.”
“Good.” She leans into me. “Because you make me incredibly happy, so you’ll be seeing it a lot.”
Chapter 29
Laurie
It’s been months since Adriano and I went grocery shopping for the first time, and not once since has he complained even though I know it’s not his favorite thing to do.
As obsessive and unhinged as my husband is, I wouldn’t change him for anything in the world. I don’t have to worry that he’ll grow bored with me, and I can’t explain what a relief and comfort that is.
Our security remains a top priority for Adriano, so he always switches things up so we don’t form a routine that will make us easy targets, but the risk is always there.
Little Ricky heads into the store first while Paulie stays a couple of steps behind us so they can act quickly. We wait until Little Ricky gives us a subtle nod before Adriano guides me through the doorway with his hand protectively against my lower back.
The first thing that hits me is how half the store notices Adriano.
Some people recognize him because of his violent reputation, while others can feel the danger coming off him, and their instincts tell them to stay away from us.
Adriano’s sharp gaze flicks over the store before he reaches for a shopping cart like this is the most normal thing in the world.
Slipping my hand through his arm, I smile as I mention, “You’d think people would get used to it by now, seeing the big, bad mafia boss is out shopping with his wife.”
A low chuckle escapes him while we move farther into the store. The fluorescent lights reflect against polished floors, and music plays overhead.
For a few seconds, I let myself soak it all in because moments like this are very special to me in a way I don’t think Adriano fully understands.
Sure, like most women, I love expensive gifts and all the luxuries he provides for me, but shopping for food and cleaning products with my husband is priceless.
There was a time in my life when everything felt temporary and uncertain, when survival came before comfort and happiness. Back then, I used to watch couples shopping together and wonder what it felt like to belong somewhere so completely that even ordinary errands are intimate.
Now I know.
“You’re smiling again,” Adriano murmurs, his tone filled with satisfaction.
Grinning up at him, I admit, “I’m happy.”
His expression softens before he scans the area around us again while steering the cart toward the produce section. The way he’s aware of where every single person is, is so subtle that most people would miss it.