Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
I looked deep into his shining silver eyes as I spoke, my words encompassing so much more than the stunning scenery and opulent apartment.
He caressed my cheek. “You deserve so much more, farfallina. It’s only one bedroom, so we will buy somewhere bigger soon. I’ll show you around Naples, and we’ll find the perfect home for us. This should be comfortable enough for now.”
“I love it,” I said with the weight of a promise. “I’m so happy to be here with you, Massimo.” My throat tightened, squeezing the words I wasn’t sure I was ready to say.
I loved this beautiful, damaged, dangerous man.
Before I could muster up the courage to declare my feelings, a doorbell rang, breaking the intimate moment.
Massimo dropped a kiss on my forehead and went inside to meet his guest. I trailed after him, slight anxiety nipping at me. I didn’t know anyone in Naples, and Massimo’s friends would likely be associated with the Camorra.
I took a quick breath and reminded myself of all the times he’d protected me, putting his own life on the line. He would never introduce me to someone who might pose a threat.
He opened the apartment door, and two men stepped into the living room. I recognized them as Massimo’s friends who had been in Mexico City when I’d first met him. They’d been in Duarte’s building on the night I’d run away from George and Los Zetas.
Massimo returned to me and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze in a pulse of support.
“Evelyn, these are my friends, Gian and Enzo Franco.”
He gestured at the men in turn, indicating that Gian was the one with the military-short haircut and shrewd light in his dark green eyes. Enzo’s eyes were the exact same shade, but his square jaw was stubble-shaded, and his dark hair fell around his chiseled features to frame his harshly masculine face. A hint of a scar was visible at his right cheekbone, but it did nothing to diminish his ruggedly attractive demeanor. The two men were identically broad and tall, but not quite as big as Massimo. They were dressed in sharply tailored pants and button-down shirts. Enzo was in all black with his sleeves rolled up casually, a contrast to Gian’s crisp white shirt and rigid bearing.
Gian nodded at me. “It’s good to meet you properly. Massimo has been hiding you away from us.” His voice was warm and charming despite his harsh appearance. He offered me a dazzling grin, and it almost reached his keen eyes.
He was assessing me, passing judgment. I lifted my chin and met his sharp stare with a bland smile of my own.
“Massimo has been taking care of me in Mexico City,” I corrected him. “But I’m very happy to be here with him now.”
Enzo didn’t bother with charm. He cocked his head at me, his assessment more blatant than his brother’s.
Massimo lifted my hand and brushed a kiss over my knuckles. “It’s good to be home.”
Warmth suffused my cheeks, my body just as responsive to his touch as it had been on the night we’d first met.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked his friends. “I was about to open a bottle of Champagne.”
Gian shook his head. “We need to meet with the boss. He wants to talk to you about our new friendship with Duarte and Rodríguez. You’ve been gone longer than we anticipated.”
He’d been delayed in his return because I’d been shot, and he’d chosen to stay in Mexico until I was fully recovered.
“I want to get Evelyn settled,” Massimo said, his thumb caressing my palm.
“I’m afraid this can’t wait,” Gian countered. “You know Salerno isn’t a patient man.”
“I’ll stay here with Evelyn,” Enzo offered, his face still impassive. “We can get acquainted.”
Anxiety fluttered in my belly, but I smiled up at Massimo, reassuring him. “Go on. I’ll be fine here.”
“I wanted to show you around the neighborhood,” he said, his tone low with regret.
“There will be plenty of time for that later,” I said firmly. I didn’t want him getting into trouble with his boss because of me. He’d already given me so much. I could overcome my nervousness and spend time with his friend while he saw to his business.
I went up onto my toes and kissed him, a quick but fierce goodbye. “I’ll be right here, waiting for you to come home.”
His eyes sparked with pale blue fire, an all-consuming hunger that was mirrored in my own soul.
“I’ll make it up to you later. I promise.”
Massimo always kept his promises. I pressed one final kiss to his lips and urged him to go with Gian.
They left together, and a beat of awkward silence passed between Enzo and me.
“Would you like some of that Champagne Massimo mentioned?” he asked.
“No, thank you.” I didn’t need to get tipsy; I wanted to keep my wits about me so that I could navigate a conversation with a clearly dangerous man.