Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Oh, so it was a great day.”
She gave a quick smirk before she took a bite. “But Leo came into my office…and had some shit to say.”
“Let’s hear it.”
She took another bite of her food because she gave a quick shake of her head. “Just seemed really pissed off that I was back and said coming back was a betrayal to you, which is a stupid thing to say because he thinks you’re the rat.”
I smirked. “I’m guessing he was taking care of everything the past week.”
“Yes. But to be honest, he didn’t take care of a damn thing. I pretty much spent the entire day reorganizing and getting things back on track. No wonder my dad called me. He’d probably lost his shit.”
“Not surprised.”
“I kinda felt bad for Leo because I didn’t want to make things worse, but he kept saying shit that pissed me off, so I gave it right back to him.”
“That’s how you’ve got to be.”
“So, it was a rough first day back. How was your day?”
“Fine.”
“What did you do?”
“Worked out, made some calls.”
She turned back to her dinner and didn’t ask me to elaborate on anything. “It’s not the same without you there.”
“It’s probably best if I’m not there. Otherwise, I’ll bend you over that desk.”
She gave a slight smile like she thought I made a joke.
Nope, wasn’t a joke. She was publicly mine now, so I’d do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
“I can’t wait for you to be there again. I like looking out the window and seeing you outside.”
I grinned. “Spying on me, baby?”
“I wouldn’t call it spying…”
“Seems a little creepy.”
“You’re my boyfriend, so it’s not creepy.”
“I’m not your boyfriend. I’m your man.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Oh, there’s a big difference.”
She finished her dinner then downed the glass of wine, but she continued to sit there like she was tired from the long day at her desk.
I already missed Palermo and how we devoted all our energy to exploring the town and the sea. But I knew we couldn’t live like that forever. Francesca had a legacy to fight for, and I would help her seize it. “You look like you’re ready for bed.”
“I’m ready to see you naked…and then go to bed.”
I smirked. “Sounds like a deal.”
I borrowed a work truck from a friend and brought my supplies to Francesca’s house in the vineyard. The destruction was worse in daylight, with the thousands of bullet holes dotted everywhere. There was still broken glass on the floor from the shattered windows. I stood there for a while and examined the mess that I would clean with my bare hands before I got to work.
The windows were the most important repair because the interior was exposed to the outside elements, like dust and pesticides from the vines and bugs and all kinds of things. No one had sealed the opening with a tarp. I felt like that was something Leo should have done for his sister, but apparently, he was lost in his own world.
I left my house right after Francesca went to work so I could get a lot done before it got too warm. But it was barely ten in the morning when I had to take off my shirt because I was hot as fuck. I’d just set the first window in place and sealed it when I heard the sound of a car behind me and smelled the scent of dust kicked up in the air.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
I recognized his voice—Leo. I waited until the window was sealed before I let it go, seeing it hold its place before I turned around.
Leo was in his truck, the passenger window rolled down so he could talk to me. “You aren’t supposed to be here.”
“Relax,” I said as I walked up. “Your father said I could repair the house.”
“Why are you repairing the house?”
I reached the door and looked at him inside, seeing him with one hand on the wheel. “Because your sister loves this place. I’m not going to let it fall apart just because some asshole thought he could destroy it. Aren’t you late for work?”
“I get there whenever the fuck I want to get there.”
I patted the windowsill. “Spoken like a hard worker.” I turned away from the window before I remembered something else I wanted to share. “Don’t mention this to Francesca. I want to surprise her.”
He gave me an irritated look as his hand continued to rest on the wheel. “My father is never going to let you back here.”
“We’ll see…”
He gripped the wheel and then took off, his tires lifting a cloud of dust into the air.
I watched him go before I turned back to the house and the rest of the windows that needed to be installed. “One down…ten more to go.”
25
FRANCESCA
It took a couple of days, but I reorganized the mess my brother had made. Got orders and deliveries back on track, finished the schedule for shipments for both the wine and the guns, and then informed my father of outstanding payments.