Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
That will keep me from blowing Riccardo’s brains out. I wouldn’t want to ruin Dante’s home or scar Bella.
I give myself the reminder as Bella runs up to Nonno and I look at my sister in her pajamas, looking right at home. I can do this for them.
I breathe easier when I see it’s only family here. That piece of filth hasn’t arrived. A part of me hopes he doesn’t.
***
I stand in the kitchen, staring down into a glass of eggnog. My thoughts all over the place. Gio is always right.
I hate to admit it, but you can taste the chemistry between Dante and my little sister. The way he looks at her tells a story in itself and watching Lizzy with Bella tells me she’s already in love with that little girl.
They’ll make a cute little family. I wonder what our children will look like. Bella took so much after Dante, from her eyes to so many of the Di Lorenzo facial features. I see Bethany here and there, but her Di Lorenzo blood is undeniable.
I think of Jace. He looks so much like Uncle Emil. I can only imagine our child will be a little brown version of Jace. No matter what they look like, they will be loved.
I smile as the hairs on the back of my neck rise and warm breath fans across my skin, right around my tattoo. I pulled my hair up earlier. From the scent of his cologne, I know just who it is as he plants his hands on the island on either side of me.
“Where’s your ring?” Gio breathes in my ear from behind.
I purse my lips and turn to look up at him. “Come on, G. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. You have to decide what you want. If Lizzy sees it, she’ll have questions. You made it clear you don’t want that yet,” I say low, then reach into my sweater and pull out the chain I placed it on. “I’m still wearing it, just not on my hand.”
He rolls his eyes. “Fair point. I just hate not seeing it.”
I cup the side of his face and look into his eyes. He leans in and takes my lips. The kiss ends way too quickly.
“You already know I’m yours. A ring is just a symbol. One day soon, we’ll be free to tell everyone.”
He moves in closer to crowd my space. I look up into his eyes and smile. Dario storms into the kitchen, breaking into the moment. Gio takes a step back and turns to his brother.
“Cosa c'è che non va?” he says to Dario.
Dario looks like he’s fuming. I know that look. Gio gets it any time only Jace and I are around and he’s ready to rip someone’s head off. Dario downs a glass of water before he answers.
“What’s wrong? I’ll tell you what’s wrong. I’m going to skin that son of a bitch alive. Why the fuck did he bother to come? I don’t take his calls and I’m the only one willing to tolerate him. Dante can’t even stand his ass,” he seethes.
Ah, Riccardo has arrived. I place a hand on Gio’s stomach as I round him to leave the room and allow him to talk with his brother in private. When I step out of the kitchen, I head toward the common room I left the others in.
I come up behind Riccardo as he stands on the threshold and pause. My hands itch to lift my dress and pull the gun strapped to my thigh to blow his head right off his shoulders here and now. I’m vibrating with rage.
Gio comes up behind me and places a hand on my back. I calm only a little. That’s when Jace appears to stand on my other side. As if sensing us there, Riccardo turns slowly. The bastard’s mouth drops open as his gaze lands on me.
I give a slow smile and lean forward. “Boo, bitch,” I say with a smug smile.
Gio and Jace scoff at my sides. Riccardo turns white as a sheet before he tries to quickly recover. I fold my arms across my chest.
This bastard has the nerve to frown at me like he sees something distasteful. His gaze bounces between Gio and Jace before he settles on me. His mouth twists up as if he’s about to say something foul.
“I told you a long time ago. Call me or my friends’ names and I’ll kill you myself. Say what’s on your mind and I’ll give you the gift of the Holy Spirit today. After all, I didn’t get you anything,” Gio snarls.
Riccardo clamps his mouth shut and glares at Gio. “Where did Dario go? He’s who I’m here to see.”
“Looks like he doesn’t want to see you. Make your business quick. We were all having a good time before you brought your trifling ass through the door.”