Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 128209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“False alarm,” I assured her, and she frowned.
I kissed her forehead then moved to Orfeo. “Find someone who’s been a sniper. I want to find that spot.” Orfeo nodded and rushed off.
We didn’t find the spot until a letter was taped to the door of the Sphere two days later with directions. I wasn’t sure what kind of game Remo Falcone was playing, but I couldn’t risk a fight with him as well. Dante and the Outfit needed to stay in my focus. I couldn’t deal with the Camorra on top of that.
chapter 25
ARIA
I was starting to count down the days to my due date. I felt like a rhino, and finding a comfortable position at night was near impossible. I propped my hip up against the kitchen counter; even standing was a bother now.
Luca came into the kitchen and kissed my lips. “How are you?”
He’d been almost constantly at my side, ever since the incident that prompted Demetrio to let down our shutters and shove me away from the windows. Luca hadn’t shared details with me, but it must have worried him to the very core because Matteo had handled the majority of business in the weeks after. Only in the last two weeks had Luca started to relax a little.
“Hungry.” I always was. Where in the beginning food had been a struggle, now eating was all I could do. Luckily, I hadn’t gained much weight. I thanked my good genes.
Luca touched my belly. “And how is she?”
I put my hand over his. “She’s very active. Doesn’t allow me much sleep at night.”
“I know. Soon the pregnancy is over.”
“I doubt we’ll sleep better then.”
Luca stroked my belly with his thumb.
Steps rang out, and he straightened and pulled his hand away a moment before Demetrio rounded the corner, then froze. “Will you be staying home today?”
Luca couldn’t show this type of gentleness in front of his men. At least he didn’t hide his feelings as much when Matteo was around.
“No,” Luca said. “I have to meet with the Captains.”
I touched my fingertips briefly to his chest over his heart and tattoo. Be careful. My eyes told him, and he knew. He gave me a brief, possessive kiss before he left.
Grabbing a book, I headed outside into the garden of the mansion, Demetrio trailing after me. Gianna and Lily were already sunbathing in the late June sun but I couldn’t stand heat in my state for long. I missed New York, but after the incident Luca had insisted I stay in our mansion. However, now that my due date was approaching I’d have to return to New York in the next couple of days, since that’s where the hospital Luca had chosen was.
I managed to maneuver my body out of my dress and sank down into one of the sun chairs with a groan. My bikini bottoms were hidden by my belly, and for a moment I wondered if I’d put them on the right way.
Gianna lifted her sunglasses and exchanged an amused look with Lily.
“Wait till you’re pregnant and can’t move anymore,” I muttered as I stretched out, groaning again.
“I have absolutely no intention of getting pregnant, trust me. Neither Matteo nor I want kids.”
Lily bit her lip. “I’d love to have children with Romero, but we’ll wait a few years until I’m a bit older.”
I’d never thought I’d become a mother at twenty-three either, but now I was happy.
Gianna looked over at Demetrio, who sat at the garden table in the shade. “Aren’t you warm in that outfit?”
He was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and black jeans, and looked up in confusion. “I’m not here to enjoy myself.”
Gianna snorted. “Heaven forbid anyone have fun around here.”
I laughed. “Leave him alone.”
Demetrio gave me a grateful smile, then returned to letting his gaze wander over the premises. I fell asleep with the sun on my face but eventually woke because Marcella kicked up a storm. I blinked against the sunlight. “What time is it?”
“No clue,” Gianna said, lowering a book she’d been reading. I glanced out toward the ocean, wondering if we’d manage to go back to Italy next year. These last few weeks of being confined to the mansion made me long for the vast expanse of the sea.
“When was the last time you were outside?” Gianna asked, regarding me with worry.
“I’m outside right now.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Romero said it’s for the best that Aria’s pregnancy stays a secret even if people speculate that Aria’s had a mental breakdown being married to Luca.”
I slanted her a look. “What?”
Lily grimaced. “Because you’ve disappeared from the public in the last four months. There’s a rumor that you are in rehab or a psychiatric facility, and another that Luca’s locking you in because you are simply too beautiful and he can’t stand others looking at you.”