Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Grinning at me, he says, “I like that I’m the only one who can make you come.”
“Me too.” I push up and crawl off the bed. “You need to go before Mamma finds you in my bed.”
I use the bathroom and get dressed in the jeans and t-shirt I packed in my overnight bag. When I walk back into the room, there’s no sign of Armani. A single yellow flower lies on the pillow with a note.
I’ll see you in eight hours, bella. I can’t wait to make you Mrs. De Santis.
Love,
A.
My heart melts, and I read the note a couple of times. Every time my eyes land on ‘love,’ my smile grows bigger, my world becomes brighter, and my heart beats a little more for the man of my dreams.
Chapter 28
Armani
Opening the door for Misha and Aurora, I hug my friends and let them into my house.
It’s the first time Misha sees where I live, and glancing around, he mutters, “Not bad. You’ve done well for yourself.”
I take the compliment. “Would you like something to drink?”
Aurora shakes her head. “Just tell me where Tiana is so I can go to her.”
“We’ll walk you to my mother’s place,” I say.
As we head down the narrow street, Misha smiles, a pleased expression on his face. He glances at me. “This is what I envisioned for Tiana.”
“She seems happy,” I admit. “She’s not as cautious and skittish as when we first met.”
She’s slowly coming out of her shell. This morning when she took her orgasm from me, my chest filled with pride. Little by little, she’s changing from a scared little bird into a strong woman.
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Misha replies, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Thank you for everything you’re doing for her.”
Trust me. It’s my pleasure.
“You’re welcome.”
“Oh my God, I love the bridges,” Aurora sighs. “And the balconies with flowers. It’s beautiful here.” She nudges Misha’s arm. “Maybe we should move.” Smiling up at him, she rubs her cheek against his bicep. “You know, so we can be closer to Tiana.”
“Hmmm.” Misha brushes the tip of her nose with his finger, then he teases her, “Right, it’s not because you’ve just fallen in love with Venice.”
“Yeah, there’s that too,” she chuckles.
I open the front door and call out, “Mamma.”
“Mammamia. Stay here, piccola.” A second later, my mother comes barreling around the corner. “You can’t see the bride.”
Chuckling, I gesture to Aurora. “I brought Aurora over.”
Mom’s eyes dart between Misha and Aurora, then she hurries forward and engulfs Misha in a hug. “Finally, I meet you.”
She kisses both his cheeks. “Such a handsome boy.” Then Aurora’s yanked into a hug and kissed. “Welcome.”
Mamma wraps an arm around Aurora’s shoulders, and dragging her deeper into the house, she throws over her shoulder, “You can leave. Shut the door behind you.”
“I’ll come back to check on Tiana,” Misha says before letting out a burst of laughter.
Walking back to my place, Misha slaps me on the back. “Tell me everything.”
I lift an eyebrow at him. “About?”
“The Reaper.” Another slap hits my back. “Fucking badass, brother.”
I shrug. “I was in a hurry to get back to Tiana.”
His eyes search my face then a bark of laughter bursts over his lips. “You’ve fallen in love with her.” He grips my shoulder, tugging me to a stop in the middle of the street. “What did I say? Ha. I was right. You’re head over heels for my sister. Aren’t you?” He jabs my abs. “Admit it.”
I chuckle as I shove him. “Fuck off.” We continue to walk, then I admit, “Yeah, you’re right.” My mood turns serious. “She’s easy to love.”
“I know.” Misha throws his arm around my shoulder. “She’ll fucking give everything she has just to be loved.”
As we near my place, we see Alek checking his phone where he’s standing by the front door.
“Yo!” Misha calls out.
Alek’s head snaps up, then he stalks toward us. His eyes are locked on me, and Misha quickly steps to the side right before Alek grabs me to him in a brotherly hug.
It’s only for a moment before I’m pushed back, and he says, “Tell me how he died.”
I place my hand on his shoulder and lock eyes with him. “I stabbed him with his own steak knife and let him drown in his blood.”
Some peace returns to Alek’s eyes.
He needed this. More than anything.
“Come on,” Misha says, nodding toward the house. “I need coffee.”
We head inside, and while I prepare the coffee, Alek helps himself to one of the cupcakes Tiana baked.
“Jesus, I missed this,” he mumbles around a full mouth.
“Only you can eat sweet shit so early in the morning,” Misha mutters.
We sit down at the kitchen table and sip on our coffees.
“We have an hour before the florist comes to decorate the courtyard,” I inform them.