Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Yes, boss.”
Vittoria gets up from the chair, and leaning over Tiny, she presses a kiss to his forehead as if he’s a big baby. “I’ll call every day to check in on you.”
A disgruntled sound rumbles from my chest because her lips are touching another man. I know it’s just Tiny, but the jealous side of me doesn’t want to share her with anyone.
Tiny lets out a chuckle, which gives him a stab of pain in his gut.
“Serves you right,” I mutter.
“So jealous,” Vittoria teases as she comes toward me.
I hold out my hand to her, and when she places her palm against mine and our fingers interlink, I tell Tiny, “And lay off on the junk food.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Yes, boss.”
We leave the room with Big Ricky right behind us.
If I didn’t have two important meetings lined up in Sicily, I’d postpone until Tiny was good to travel.
I check the time on my wristwatch and say, “We’ll just swing by the mansion to get our luggage, then haul ass to the airport.”
“Okay,” Vittoria murmurs, her worry for Tiny still etched on her beautiful face.
She grips my forearm with her other hand and moves closer to me when we exit the hospital.
She’s a fucking quick learner. I only had to tell her once that I want her glued to my side whenever we’re out in public, and she’s not once slipped up.
It’s just easier for me to protect her should there be a sudden attack.
Not that I’m expecting one. Things have been good the past year.
Vittoria and I climb into the back of the SUV, and when Big Ricky slides behind the steering wheel, I say, “You’ll have to stay with Vittoria whenever I have to take care of business.”
I see his eyebrows draw together in the rearview mirror, but he doesn’t argue.
Since he started working for me, he’s never left my side. Where I go, he goes. But with Tiny in the hospital, I need him to protect my precious wife. I’ll also have Uncle Maurizio’s men at my disposal while we’re in Sicily.
Besides, I can take care of myself.
Chapter 27
Tori
As the private jet slows down on the runway, nerves tighten my stomach.
I’ve experienced a roller coaster of emotions over the past month. But the past three weeks have also been a dream come true instead of the nightmare I expected when I was forced to marry Angelo.
I’ve become good friends with Rita and Tiny. My relationship with Big Ricky is still developing because I don’t see him as often.
I haven’t heard from Giorgio since he confronted me at the cathedral. All the bruises he left on me are gone, and being out from under his control is a dream come true.
My duties at the Parish have continued as normal, although Rosa’s more distant than usual. I don’t blame her. People only know the dark side of Angelo, and they fear him the same way I used to.
There are still times I’m cautious around him, especially when he comes home in a bad mood. He never takes it out on me but is just quieter than usual.
The most important change is the way I feel about him.
I’ve fallen in love with the way it feels when he touches me.
Every time he gets home from work and walks into the kitchen, my heart skips a beat and my stomach fills with butterflies.
I’m in love with my husband, and it feels good.
All the hopes and dreams I’ve had are finally within my reach.
“Let’s go, baby,” Angelo murmurs as he unclasps my seat belt.
I take his hand as I climb to my feet, and sucking in a deep breath of air, I follow him to the exit.
“Don’t worry. My family will love you,” he says in an attempt to put me at ease. “Uncle Maurizio’s like a father to me.”
“Okay,” I whisper, tightening my hold on his hand.
Big Ricky is the first to leave the plane, and only when he calls, “Clear,” do we take the steps down to the tarmac.
My eyes dart to the three black SUVs parked near the private jet before settling on a man who looks like he’s in his late sixties or early seventies.
When Maurizio Rizzo was the head of the Rizzo territory in New York, I was too young to understand anything about the Cosa Nostra.
Angelo lets go of my hand when we near the man, and I watch as they smile at each other before hugging.
“It’s good to see you, Zio,” Angelo chuckles.
“It’s been too long.”
When they pull apart, Angelo takes hold of my hand and tugs me closer. “I want to introduce you to Vittoria.” There’s pride in his eyes as he says, “I finally listened to you and got married. Vittoria is my wife.”
Hearing Angelo introduce me as his wife has warmth spreading through my heart.