Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Her head snaps up, and seeing me, she darts from the couch and plows into my chest.
I wrap my arms around her shuddering body, and lowering my head, I keep my tone soft as I say, “I’m here, baby. I’ve got you.”
She cries harder, and it has me lifting her into my arms. I walk to the couch and sitting down, I position her on my lap before holding her tightly again.
“That’s it, baby. Let it all out.”
I close my eyes, and while she breaks down in my arms, I find comfort in being so close to her.
Right now, I’m not a capo.
I’m not her boss.
I’m just an ordinary man who gets to hold the woman he’s fallen in love with.
Chapter 20
Samantha
After I cried my heart out, I made myself a cup of coffee, which I’m sipping on while I sit next to my mystery man on the couch.
He has his arm wrapped around my shoulder, and it makes me feel safe.
“I had a bad day at the office,” I whisper over the rim of my cup.
That’s the understatement of the century.
“Want to talk about it?” he asks, his tone gentle and caring.
Not wanting to put him in any danger by telling him about Mr. Vitale being a mafia boss, I shake my head. “I can’t.”
I can’t tell anyone about what happened.
It’s something I’ll have to stay quiet about until the day I die.
Feeling exhausted and emotionally drained, I let out a miserable sigh and mutter, “I need to do something that will take my mind off what happened today.”
My mystery man pulls his arm away from my shoulders and says, “I’ll be back in a few seconds.”
He gets up and walks into the restroom.
I rise to my feet and take the cup to the kitchen. Placing my hands on the side of the sink, I stare at nothing in particular as the past day's events hang over my head like a dark cloud.
Jesus, I can’t believe what happened today.
Mr. Vitale is one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.
After I got home, I took a quick shower before Googling the Sicilian mafia. Everything I read about the mafia group increased my fear tenfold.
Mr. Vitale made it clear he won’t let me resign, and I get a feeling if I try to run, he’ll come after me. Not because I’m an excellent PA, but to silence me.
Shit.
What do I do?
When the restroom door opens, I turn around and look at my mystery man, who’s quickly becoming one of the most important people in my life.
I could’ve called Jenny or caught an early flight to Seattle, but instead, I messaged him.
“We can leave in fifteen minutes,” he informs me.
“Leave? Where are we going?”
“To get the tattoo you want.”
For a moment, I’m overwhelmed because I’ve wanted to get the tattoo done for a while now. Every time I see Todd’s name carved into my skin, it’s a reminder of what he did to me.
Closing the distance between me and my mystery man, I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek to his chest.
It feels amazing to touch a man after not being able for so long. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now.
And it’s all because of him – my mystery man.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
When he engulfs me in a hug, a sense of safety calms the storm of emotions in my heart. “You’re welcome, baby.”
He’s called me that more than once, and it has me tilting my head back so I can look up at him. My voice is shaky as I ask, “What’s happening between us?”
“Whatever you want,” he murmurs.
“What if I want a relationship?”
He lifts his hand to my face and brushes his fingers along the curve of my jaw. “Is that what you want?”
My heartbeat speeds up and pulling my arms from around his waist, I reach a hand up to the ski mask. He allows me to trail my finger over the skull, and I wish I could see his face.
“Yes. I’d like to try with you,” I admit.
“Whatever you want, baby.”
Our eyes lock, and his soft brown irises make a kaleidoscope of butterflies flutter in my stomach.
Slowly, he lowers his head but stops an inch from my face.
“Is this okay?” he whispers.
“Yes.”
He closes the last of the distance and presses his mouth to mine. I can feel the heat of his breath through the mask before he lifts his head.
Again, we stare at each other, but when I try to take hold of the fabric so I can lift the ski mask, he grabs me by my wrist and shakes his head.
“Not yet.”
“When?” I whisper.
“Soon. I just need a little more time.”
Franco
I called Marcello and told him to have a car waiting outside with the keys in the ignition so I can take Samantha to the tattoo place. They’ll follow us in the G-Wagon.