Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Oh, hush.”
“Less than a month ago, you were complaining about him, and now you’re sitting across from me, swooning,” she says with a teasing tone, but then her expression grows serious. “I’m really happy for you, my friend.”
“Thanks.” Just as I pick up a sandwich, my phone buzzes, and I quickly read the message.
Christiano: Love hearing you laugh, and those sandwiches look good. Eat.
“Oh my God,” I gasp. “I forgot about the cameras.”
“Cameras?”
I point to the one by the corner of the ceiling. “Christiano is watching.”
Raya’s eyes widen, then she shrieks, “No! This is our girl time. Go work or kill someone and give us privacy.”
My phone vibrates again.
Tell Raya I only take orders from you.
Chuckling, I show her the text, and she lets out a groan.
I smile sweetly at the camera. “Switch off the camera in the kitchen, please.”
Off. Enjoy your time with Raya. Love you, my queen.
I stare at the words with a stupidly in love smile on my face.
“What did he say?” Raya asks.
I show her the screen again. “He called me his queen.”
I never thought I’d be worthy of that title, but after the past two weeks of being married to Christiano, he’s shown me in so many ways that I’m the only one he wants, phobia and all.
Setting the device down, I pick up a sandwich, and as we eat, I ask, “How are things with you?”
“Same as always. Georgi’s going to Europe to meet with the leader of the Bulgarian mafia, so I’m working my ass off to get everything ready.”
My eyebrows lift. “You should date like crazy while he’s gone.”
Letting out a burst of laughter, she shakes her head. “I wish. I’m joining him on the trip.”
I let out a disgruntled breath. “That sucks. How long will you be away?”
“Two weeks. Maybe three.”
“There goes our lunch dates. When are you leaving?”
“On Monday.”
There’s a buzz from the intercom system, drawing my attention away from my friend. “Be right back.”
Walking to the panel that’s situated beside the elevator, I press the button. The concierge’s face appears. “Mrs. and Miss Vitale are here for you, Mrs. Falco. Should I–”
Bianca’s face pops into view, startling the crap out of poor Johnny when she shrieks, “I have good news!”
Chuckling, I say. “Thanks, Johnny. You can let them up.” I walk to the end of the hallway and call out, “My mom and Bianca are here.”
“The more the merrier.”
When the elevator doors open, Mom makes a beeline for me and hugs me for a few seconds.
We had our parents over for dinner last week, but Bianca hasn’t seen the penthouse, so I ask, “Want me to show you around, B?”
She shakes her head, then shoves her left hand under my nose. “I’m engaged!!!”
“Oh my God,” I shriek, grabbing her hand to get a better look at the diamond on her finger while she practically jumps up and down with excitement.
“I hear the word engaged,” Raya says as she joins us, then she spots the ring on my sister's finger and hurries closer. “Contrats, B! When’s the wedding?”
“Not until next year. Augusto won’t allow it to happen any sooner.”
“You make it sound like it’s ages away,” Mom says. “They’re having a spring wedding in March.”
Mom starts to look emotional, and I quickly wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Aww…your last baby is getting married.”
“Don’t remind me.” She sniffs. “Empty nest syndrome is going to suck.”
“We all live near you, and you can come over at any time.”
“Since you’ve moved out, I’ve hardly gotten to spend any time with you,” she complains.
Guilt creeps into my chest for trying to pull away from my parents.
“That’s going to change,” I promise. “We’ll go out for a spa day or lunch at least once a week.”
A wide smile spreads over Mom’s face. “I’d love that, sweetheart.”
Turning my attention back to Bianca, I let out a happy shriek again. “Show me your beautiful ring again.”
We all gather around my sister, bathing her with attention while she tells us how Lorenzo proposed.
Chapter 25
Christiano
After I wash the blood off my hands, I strip and take a quick shower before putting on the clean set of clothes I always keep at the warehouse.
It’s something I started doing, so I don’t go home all bloody.
When I leave the restroom and walk into the main area, the men are busy disposing of the bodies. The only thing I got out of the two Albanian soldiers is that Genti Kadare has killed Altin Besart and taken over their organization.
It’s only the beginning of the war, which will probably last a couple of years. An organization that large can’t be brought down in a few months.
Leaving the warehouse, I see Nico and Luke standing near the SUV. “I want to stop at home before going to the poker game at Adriano’s place.”
“Okay.”
Luke jogs around the front of the Bentley to the driver's side while Nico opens the back door for me.