Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
The car pulled up to the house and parked, then the driver exited the vehicle and opened the door for us to get out. I released Gianna only to allow her to climb out. As I followed, I noticed the driver’s eyes were lingering on her ass, and I gave him a black look. Grabbing her hand, I brought her in close and tucked her into my side. He had the good sense to look apologetic and a little frightened, so I decided to fire him, rather than kill him.
The cleaning service was in the house when we arrived, and I dismissed them. It didn’t matter if they were finished or not. I needed to be alone with Gianna to assess where her head was after everything she’d learned.
“Are you hungry?” I wanted to take care of her before we delved into the serious discussion ahead of us. She shook her head as she hung up her light jacket in the coat closet.
“You need to eat, mia dolce. Let me feed you,” I said coaxingly, putting my hand at the small of her back and trying to lead her to the kitchen.
She shook her head again and stepped away, making me frown intensely. She barely noticed, when my look would have put the fear of God into anyone else but my mother.
“I will. But, right now, I need a hot shower and some clean clothes,” she said with a yawn as she started for the stairs. I put a hand on the back of her neck to halt her progress and moved in close, so I could rest my lips on her forehead. “All right, mia dolce,” I murmured, my lips brushing her skin with each word, “I have to make a call, but I’ll be up soon.”
Letting her go, I watched the swing of her curvaceous hips and sexy ass as she ascended the stairs. When she was out of sight, I remembered my purpose in staying downstairs. I swiftly walked to my office and sat behind my desk. I dialed my friend Brecken, a former military man turned security specialist. I had to recant my statement about who fears me. Brecken was one of the only other people who didn’t fall in line with my demands. He was more likely to tell me to go fuck myself and do whatever he wanted.
“Hey, it’s Nic,” I greeted.
“Nic? Damn, I haven’t heard from you since that thing, with the guy, in the place.”
It was a private joke between us, and I chuckled. The sound felt somewhat foreign, but it spread a little light in my current darkness.
“How’s the wife?” I’d heard he’d recently been married.
“Knocked up.” I could practically hear the smile on his face, and his words rung with pride. I couldn’t help feeling a little envious.
“Congratulations,” I said, genuinely happy for him despite my envy. “Listen, I need your help. Things in the family have progressed faster than I’d expected. I’m staring down the barrel of a fucking war and while I’m hoping to prevent it, I need to make sure my mother, Gianna, and Sophia are protected.”
“Gianna?”
“My fiancée,” I informed him. I loved referring to her that way, but I was eager to start calling her my wife.
“Seems the congratulations go to you, man,” he said, before pausing. “How is Sophia?”
“Back in the hospital. Another reason why I need guards ASAP. She’ll be coming home in a few days, and while I trust my men, I’d rather have expertly trained ones guarding my mother, woman, and sick little girl.”
Brecken was silent for a moment. Neither of us were the type to get emotional, and I knew he was quietly conveying his sympathy.
“I’ll have some guys there tomorrow. Do you want them at the house or hospital?”
“Both. Things are extremely volatile right now.”
“Done.”
I thanked him and hung up feeling marginally better knowing my family would be a hell of a lot safer. After making a quick call to check in on Sophia, I stood and headed for the stairs. The thought of Gianna wet and naked in the shower had my balls aching and my cock reminding me I hadn’t had her in days. I’d chosen to make my calls first so she would be relaxed and taken by surprise when I joined her. I had no intention of letting my sweet Gianna shower alone. Besides my physical need to fuck her, I knew we would find a sliver of peace in the comfort of each other’s arms.
I looked for her in the bathroom of her old room and found it empty. The bedroom was bare as well. Smiling smugly, I mentally patted myself on the back for using our time away to have all of her things moved to my room—which I’d turned into our room.
Entering the master suite, I heard the sound of running water and hurried to undress, desperate to hold my woman. When I twisted the door knob to the bathroom, it was locked. I rolled my eyes and searched out the key stored in the top, left drawer of the desk in the sitting area.