Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
I like Angelo. I might like him even more than like—I want to be around him all the time. He makes me feel good. We mesh together in a way I’ve never experienced with another person before, like every time he’s in the room somehow my life is lighter and easier. There’s the sex, which is mind-blowing and addictive, but it’s all the little stuff too. The way he holds me after, the way he laughs at my jokes, the way he can’t seem to keep his hands off me.
“I think we’re moving in that direction,” I say after a long pause, which I know is pretty awkward, though Elena doesn’t seem to mind.
“That’s really good,” she says and slaps her knees. “Seriously, you don’t know how happy that makes me. Angelo’s been having a tough time ever since he came back home, and I think he really needs someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” My eyes go wide and I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean.
“Someone not in our world,” she clarifies. “A woman not involved in the Famiglia. You can tell him I said this if you want, but I think Angelo needs to find his own way right now.”
I let that sink in, and it makes sense. Angelo has hinted at something along those lines a few times. He feels like the family left him behind, and now it’s up to him to find a way to define his relationship with them. Maybe I’m part of that definition, and maybe I’m not.
But I did kill to save his life, which probably says a lot about how I feel.
We chat for a while longer. I start to feel at ease with Elena. She’s got a way about her—it’s bubbly and upbeat, but not overbearing, and it makes me really comfortable. Eventually she gets a text that says the guys are on their way back and she calls it a night, but promises we’ll spend more time together soon.
“You need to meet our parents,” she says, grinning huge. “Plus, I think you’ll like Stefania and my sister Laura.”
“I mean, I’d be happy to get to know everyone more.”
“Fantastic.” She looks over her shoulder as a black SUV parks out front and Angelo climbs from the passenger seat. He says something to the guy driving, and I stare at the back window. It’s shattered, and the seat is covered with several towels, like they’re hiding something underneath.
“Sister, were you bothering Claudia?” Angelo looks exhausted. I’ve never seen him so drained before in my life, and it breaks my heart. If Elena weren’t here, I would’ve already gone to him.
“Never,” she says sweetly. “We had a lovely talk. I figured she wouldn’t want to be alone right now.” Elena waves and walks off.
I finally reach Angelo’s arms. He sighs once he hugs me, and I can’t ignore the smell of blood and sweat on him. I get under one of his arms and he leans on me as we head inside and go right upstairs.
“What happened?” I ask quietly.
He fills me in as he starts the shower. Tommy’s condo was empty, but they found some incriminating evidence. Roc ambushed him outside, except Roc’s dead now, and Angelo has a pretty good idea where Tommy’s hiding out. Bianco men are currently watching the place from a discreet distance.
I help him shower. It’s strange, but there’s nothing sexual about the way I clean him off, soaping his body and rinsing the suds down his gorgeous skin. He lets me take over, not complaining, not fighting, just watching me with his beautiful eyes. When I’m done, he puts on sweats, and we get into bed together.
His arms pull me close against his warm body, and all at once, I know what I want. It’s so clear, so bright and painful. Tears swell in my eyes, but this is right. It has to be right.
“What if we let it all go?” I whisper to him.
He’s very still in the darkness. His chest rises and falls. “I’m not sure you mean that.”
“What if we did?” I press. “Forget about Serena. Forget about Tommy. Your family will catch them and deal with them eventually, right? You’ve gone through enough, Angelo, and I don’t want to lose you. What if we let it go?”
Each word is like a knife in my heart. I’ve never seriously considered giving up on Serena before, but after today, I can’t act like she’s the most important person in my life anymore. I killed for Angelo, and I don’t regret it one bit. I’d do it again if I had to. And if we keep pushing this, if he keeps barreling straight into danger searching for his obsessive revenge, I might not be there the next time he needs help.
I can’t stand the thought of losing this, not after I just found it.