Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
When the jet finally touched down on the West Coast, I felt my nervousness finally take the forefront. I’d only been to the West Coast a few times in my life, but this felt different because I was here in Gio’s domain as his fiancée.
I glanced down at my ring, at the diamond that was massive and surrounded by sapphires. The light caught it, and it sparkled. A little smile curved the corners of my mouth.
Everything felt almost surreal.
“Come on, baby. Let me show you my world.” He took my hand and led me off the jet and into a waiting black car that sat on the tarmac.
The drive to his home was about an hour, and the whole time, Gio kept me pressed close to his side. I realized he loved placing his big hand on my belly and just holding me there, as if he were still trying to come to terms that it was all real.
I know exactly how you feel.
We finally pulled up to his home, and I leaned forward to look out the window at the massive, sprawling estate.
The mansion was imposing, with perfectly manicured landscaping and a warmth that seemed almost like a façade to cover up the horror I knew Gio had been put through behind those walls.
It wasn’t until we were inside that I realized Claudia and Amara were also there, along with Dmitry and Nikolai, who stood like overprotective watch dogs beside them.
My sisters-in-law greeted me with a warmth that always seemed to surround each of them. It wasn’t until I looked at my brothers that I saw their expressions and the tension radiating off them.
Okay, they were here on business with Gio, and judging by the darkness I felt taking over by the second, the more I knew I wanted to get out of this house and check out the grounds.
“Can you show me around outside?”
The girls picked up on my need to get the hell away and nodded toward the hallway that led to a sunroom I could make out down the hall.
Before I was led away, Gio caught me around my waist and pulled me in close. He curled a hand around the back of my neck and dipped his head to kiss me long and deep. Right in front of my brothers and their wives.
Dmitry and Nikolai started talking shit in Russian under their breath, and I felt Gio’s smirk against my lips. That had me chuckling and breaking away. I stared up at Gio, knowing the last thing I wanted was for another fight to break out. Although, surprisingly, my brothers stayed back and just glowered with irritation.
I didn’t miss how they kept glancing at my hand, and I realized I wore that big fucking rock on my ring finger but hadn’t told them about being newly engaged.
I guess they know now.
“Miss me while I'm gone?” I whispered as I smiled up at Gio.
He got all serious and leaned down to murmur against my lips, “When you’re not with me, it feels like my heart is gone.”
I felt my belly flutter at his words because he said it with such fervor that I knew he spoke the truth.
With one more kiss, I forced myself to turn away and follow the girls, but I glanced over my shoulder to see my brothers and future husband heading in the other direction.
We found our way into the sunroom and then went outside to the garden. I felt my eyes widen at how beautiful and peaceful everything was. I’d always lived amongst the cement and steel of a bustling city. Seeing this serene oasis made me feel as if I missed out on a whole other kind of world.
“Mama!” a little voice shouted, and I glanced to the side to see Luca running toward us with a bundle of flowers in his tiny hands.
The sight of my nephew had a big smile spreading across my face.
Amara scooped up her son and held him tightly, and all of us went over to one of the stone benches to sit down, letting Luca run around and pick more flowers.
“Congrats,” Claudia said softly, and I looked down at my ring and then smiled as I glanced up at her. But she was staring at my belly. Instinctively, I placed my hand on my stomach and felt this warm glow settle over me.
“I don’t have to tell you that secrets rarely stay hidden for long with the type of men in our lives.”
That made me chuckle because that was so damn true.
“I think congrats are in order for all of us.” I stared at Claudia, since Gio recently told me that she—as well as her sister, who had gotten pregnant again before either of us—was now expecting, and I exhaled as reality settled in deep.