Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
The all but pull me out of Marco’s arms and hug me again. Sebastian shows up and hugs me, too. “We love you, Helena. None of us could imagine a future without you in it. I personally couldn’t have dreamed of a better match for my brother than you, but you enrich all of our lives.”
I lose it and lean on him as I try to get control. “I love you guys, too,” I all but wail and through my watery words I can see Marco smiling at me. This smile of his is completely new. It lights up his entire face and here’s not one trace of the reserve that used to be there. There’s nothing heavy or dark weighing him down. I force myself to get control and shake my head as I use the back of my hand to dry my tears. “I’m a little over emotional. It’s been a rough couple of days,” I try and joke. “So, if you could all kind of tone down the kindness so I stop crying, I’d appreciate it. You’re just being too… sweet.”
They all start laughing. Marco’s laugh is the sweetest. “Ena, my brothers are annoying assholes, not sweet.”
“You’re lying, they are!”
He shakes his head and before I realize his intention, he picks me up.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to the private elevators. Then, I’m going to carry you into our new home, take you to the shower and enjoy pampering you and helping you wash away this fucking day. Then, I’m planning on putting you to bed before coming back for my meeting. Incidentally, that, too, I’m going to rush through, all so I can finally sleep with my woman in our new bed.”
My eyes go wide as he explains everything. “You’re going to help me shower.”
“That’s going to be my favorite part.”
“Oh, well, if that’s your plan, I only have one word.”
“What’s that?” he asks as we make it to the elevator.
“Hurry,” I whisper.
His grin deepens. He kisses my forehead, and his eyes hold a promise that I can’t wait to see him deliver on.
Only Marco has the power to turn the worst time of my life into the best.
Chapter 44
Marco
I look around our new conference room with satisfaction. I may not like the reason I’m here—or some of the people I’m dealing with—but there is a sense of pride. The deep mahogany wood of the table, the sleek lines and silver accents scream that my family has finally moved from the past. The large monitors that came from the ceiling with but a push of a button back that up. One monitor has a view of Antonio and Niko—both of whom are in Miami. The next one has Victorio and EZ who are in the room EZ weirdly called “church.” The last monitor and my least favorite, has Ivan Levkin and his brothers, Mikhail and Viktor.
I stop thinking about how things have changed since my father was in charge and turn my attention back to the meeting. I left my woman in bed, after washing every inch of her body and slowly getting her off with my fingers. I’m dying to make love to her, and I know she seems receptive. I also know she’s been through hell. I’m not going to rush it. When I make love to her, there won’t be anything in her mind but the two of us. That means, I want to give her a few days to get used to being home and feeling safe. I also have anger that I need to work through—which I will be doing soon.
“Zervas was ours to take care of,” Ivan insists stubbornly for the third time. At this point, he’s starting to sound like a petulant child who is pissed he not getting his way and I’ve about had it.
“Well, there’s a simple remedy to that. Once I’m done with him, I’ll be glad to ship you the pieces that remain of his corpse for your disposal,” I reply drolly.
“How is that supposed to pay the debt that Zervas owed me. You and I had an agreement that you would double what was owed if we protected your woman.”
“I did. I agreed to that very fucking thing, but since that situation was contained before you had to get involved, that wasn’t necessary.”
Levkin shrugs. “That is not our concern. It doesn’t matter if it was necessary or not, a deal was struck in good faith.”
I was waiting for this, and I smile as Ivan gives me an opening. “You know what, Ivan? That is very true and it would be something I would be willing to consider if I didn’t Zervas on tape admitting that you demanded to fuck my woman until you tired of her after that piece of shit forced her into a marriage and fleeced her father for money to pay you off.”