Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“Keep yourself safe,” Liberty tells him.
“That’s starting to sound like you care about me, baby.”
“I’d hate to lose your dick,” she says with a shrug. “One that good is hard to replace.”
“You can’t replace it or me, and you know it.”
“Maybe, maybe not. It’s up to you to keep me from ever trying.”
EZ pulls her into his arms and gives her a hard kiss as the rest of us walk toward the exit. It’s just a few seconds before EZ is catching up with us, determination written in every line on his face.
It’s showtime.
angelina
. . .
“You sound sleepy.”
“I am. It probably makes me sound old, but I’m already in my bed,” I admit.
“Sloan mentioned you came home early.”
“Grr…” I fake growl. Victor laughs as I hold the phone closer to my ear, curling deep into my covers.
“I just need to know you’re okay, sweetheart.”
“I’m fine except for being tired, psycho,” I joke.
“God, I love the way you laugh, Gia. It makes me miss you almost as much as hearing you’re in bed.”
“Victor.” His name comes out more like a moan as I do my best to ignore the way my body is responding to just the sound of his voice.
“Just being honest with you, baby. That’s all.”
“I know. I just miss you, too. We should probably change the subject before I get sad because you’re not here.”
“I like that. I want you to miss me.”
“Um… how’s the weather?”
He lets out a chuckle and if I close my eyes, I’m sure I could practically see the way he’s shaking his head at me. “Okay, I get the message—new subject.”
“Exactly.”
“Antonio said you were having a good time visiting. Why’d you come home early, Kitten?”
“My second night was cut a little short because Emilia and Zoe finally went into labor.”
“They did? Both of them?”
“Yeah. Emilia first, but Zoe went into it at the hospital. Which was a good thing. They were putting both of them in to induce labor this week anyway. Those babies didn’t seem to want to come out,” I giggle.
“Did everything go okay? I wonder why Antonio didn’t mention it?”
“Probably because Melina threw a fit that they were in labor, and she wasn’t. He had his hands full. I don’t know how he managed it, but her doctor decided if she wanted to have the baby, they could induce her labor because she was just a week away from her official date anyway.”
“So, all three of them are currently having a baby?”
“Nope. All three now have babies. So, I suppose, there are two new males in the DeLuca fold and Antonio now has a beautiful princess to worry about.”
“Wow.”
“You can say that again.”
“How are the new mothers?”
I smile as I remember their faces. “Ecstatically happy. Having their babies together is exactly what Zoe and Emilia wanted. They both were over their due date, so they had a harder time with delivery. They will have to stay in the hospital a little longer for recovery, but their little boys are the picture of health. Melina and Antonio were too busy beaming at little Izzy to say much at all.”
I smile as I think back to the way Antonio and Melina were together as they looked down at their daughter. I want that with Victor. I somehow must get brave enough to push through my hang-ups. I need to do it soon, too. I don’t want to lose him. Having Morgan show up—no matter what Victor said about her—was a wake-up call for me.
“I can’t wait to see them,” Victor says softly. “Actually, I can’t wait to see you again. I miss you, Gia.”
His words warm me. “I miss you, too. The bed feels kind of empty. I miss your arms around me.”
“God, mine too.”
“You could always come home. Antonio mentioned that Helena was with Marco, there’s no reason for you to stay there now.”
“I’ll be home soon, sweetheart. I promise. I can’t stay away from you for too long.”
I sigh with his response. It’s not what I wanted to hear—especially since I know why he’s staying.
“What’s your plans for tomorrow? I’m not used to you being off work.”
“I’m actually missing work, but they’re remodeling the entire building. We were lucky to get a grant to do it. The place will be amazing when it’s all said and done. They’re even going to make playrooms for the kids and a small play yard out back.”
“That’s great, Kitten. Although, I have to say, I’m a little bummed that you’re on vacation and I’m not with you.”
“Then, come home,” I plead again, only to hear him exhale in frustration.
“I have to do this, Gia. I get you don’t want me to, but I have to. It’s who I am. So, tell me what you’re doing tomorrow. Are you going to see the babies?”
“Probably not. My friends need time to recover and time with their men. I don’t have anything planned until later in the day,” I tell him, wondering if I should have just lied. He still would have known, because it didn’t slip by me that I had a bodyguard at my house yesterday when I got home. I started to invite her in, but I didn’t. I feel a little guilty about that, but I told her to go home, and she refused. It’s not my fault if she wants to be nuts.