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)
Refusing to lose her, I say, “We can take things slower.”
Sienna shakes her head, and she begins to twist her fingers together again. “No.” She swallows hard and sucks in a quivering breath. “I don’t…”
“I won’t let you end things between us.” The words burst from me as desperation floods me.
Suddenly, the door opens behind me, and I hear Aunt Samantha say, “Oh, sorry, Christiano. I didn’t know you were here.”
As I nod at my future mother-in-law, I say, “I just stopped by to make sure Sienna’s okay.”
Which she clearly isn’t.
Sienna gives her mother a pleading look, and as Aunt Samantha comes to wrap her arm around her daughter, frustration joins the desperation that’s quickly growing out of control in my chest.
A sob escapes her, then as if a switch is flipped, her tears dry up and all the emotion drains from her face, which has my worry growing into a monstrous force.
My eyes snap to Aunt Samantha’s. “What the hell is going on here?”
“We’ve all taken a blow this week,” she answers. Keeping her arm wrapped around Sienna, she reaches for me and squeezes my hand. “Sienna realized how short life is, and she wants some time away from the Cosa Nostra. She’s going to visit her grandparents.”
It feels as if they’re hiding something very important from me.
Wanting some privacy, I ask, “Can you give me a moment alone with Sienna?”
Aunt Samanatha presses a kiss to her temple. “I’ll be right outside, sweetheart.”
When she steps into the hallway, she leaves the door open.
I close the distance between Sienna and me and engulf her in my arms. Locking her against my chest, I say, “I’ll give you time to visit your grandparents, but we’re not breaking up.”
When she hugs me back, hope trickles into my chest. She pushes up on her tiptoes, and the instant our eyes meet, my heart drops to my stomach.
No.
Seeing the sadness in her eyes makes me feel fucking powerless, and my mind races to process what’s happening so I can find a solution that will work in my favor.
Sienna presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth, then whispers, “You will always be special to me, Christiano. You’re going to accomplish great things and find the right woman to rule by your side.”
“No!” I snap angrily while gripping hold of the sides of her neck. I lean down until our faces are only separated by an inch of air. My jaw clenches as I hiss, “You are the right woman.”
She grips hold of my wrists and gives me a pleading look as she pulls her neck away from my hands. “I’m not.”
“Why are you fucking doing this?” I demand, not understanding how we got here.
When she walks to her luggage and takes hold of the bags, I move fast, blocking her way while shaking my head.
Her expression is fucking heartbreaking as she begs, “Please, Christiano. I can’t do this. The shooting was a wake-up call. I need to be on my own.”
Don’t keep pushing her. Give her time. You can talk sense into her once she returns from her grandparents.
I stare at the only woman I’ll ever love and fight to control my emotions so I can think clearly.
Reluctantly, I give in for the moment and ask, “How long do you plan to visit?”
Once again, avoiding my eyes, she shrugs. “I’m not sure. A few months.”
Months. Fuck. I don’t think I can survive months without seeing her.
My first instinct is to grab Sienna and to haul her sexy ass over my shoulder so I can take her to my place.
You can’t kidnap her.
By some miracle, I don’t follow through, and instead, close the distance between us. When I wrap my arms around her again, she doesn’t hug me back. I tighten my hold on her and press kisses along her temple and cheek.
Christ.
“I’ll give you the time you need.” I intend for my voice to be gentle, but the words come out sounding like a threat. “We’re not breaking up.” Pulling slightly back, I brush my palms over her hair while my eyes drink in every inch of her beautiful face. “I love you, Sienna.”
Finally, her gaze lifts to mine, and as she places her hand against my chest, she whispers, “Please look after yourself. Okay?”
When she pulls away and rolls her luggage out of the bedroom, I stand frozen to the spot.
You can’t use force in the Vitales’ house.
Stay calm.
Just give her some space.
Chapter 3
Christiano
The present… Christiano Falco; 29. Sienna Vitale; 32.
My fist connects with Kevin’s jaw, and the Irishman’s head snaps back before he falls on his ass.
“Get up,” I growl, my breaths falling heavy over my lips.
Kevin, who’s one of the higher-ups in the Irish mob, struggles to his feet and takes a few steps away from me. He wipes the blood from his mouth, giving me a hateful look that’s growing less potent by the minute.