Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
My muscles are stiff from all the traveling, and I suppress the urge to stretch while my eyes flick over our surroundings.
“Welcome to The One & Only,” an African man greets us with a friendly smile.
“Thank you,” Gabriella replies while she keeps her arm wrapped around Mamma’s lower back.
“I’ll get us checked in,” Emilio says.
When Gabriella leads Mamma to a garden at the side of the hotel, Carlo and I follow behind them with Vito and Tommy sticking close to us.
“There are dark gray slate stones and green reeds and plants. It’s so pretty here, Mamma,” she tells my mother. “Try to picture paradise. That’s what it feels like.”
Christ, I chose the perfect wife. She’s so good with Mamma.
Gabriella points to the right of the hotel. “When I checked the surrounding area on Tripadvisor, it said there’s an aquarium. Can we visit it?”
“Sure,” I mutter.
“And there’s a market that’s open on Saturdays,” she mentions. “I’d like to get some souvenirs.”
“Okay, amore mia.”
“And there’s a scratch patch where a person can get all kinds of crystals and stones. It’s only an hour’s drive away.”
I nod. “Whatever you want.”
Gabriella lets go of Mamma and moves closer to me. Vito quickly hooks my mother’s arm through his and leads her into the hotel lobby.
My wife wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down for a kiss. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get plenty of rest,” she assures me before pressing her lips to mine once more.
“We’re all set,” Emilio says. “I just have to take the cars down to the parking area.”
The four extra guards I brought along on the trip go with Emilio so they can bring the luggage to our rooms.
Another African man gestures at a golf cart. “I’ll drive you to your rooms.”
I let Gabriella and Mamma get on first before I take a seat beside my wife.
Vito sits next to Mamma, and Tommy grabs the seat beside the driver.
As we’re driven around the side of the hotel, I have to admit, Emilio has outdone himself. Passing over a wooden bridge, we find ourselves on an island where the rooms are hidden between thick greenery, and seagulls cry overhead.
It really feels like paradise.
The golf cart comes to a stop, and to our right is a restaurant and pool area that has a zen feel to it.
“Your mother will stay on the ground floor, and we’ve given Mr. and Mrs. Falco the room above her so you’re close to each other,” the concierge explains.
“Thank you,” Gabriella murmurs as she glances at our surroundings. “It’s so beautiful and peaceful here.”
The concierge unlocks the door to Mamma’s suite, and when we walk inside, he explains where everything is.
I glance at Vito, and he quickly steps forward to handle the concierge while I walk out onto a small veranda that has a stunning view of the waterway that encircles the island.
Once the concierge leaves, I watch as Gabriella leads Mamma through the suite, explaining in detail where everything is.
I pull out a chair by a small round table and sit down, not wanting to rush the women.
With my eyes following them, I’m once again struck by how amazing Gabriella is with Mamma.
She was made for me.
She’s my better half in every way.
When Emilio and the other guards bring in the luggage, I climb to my feet and walk back into the room.
“Vito, my keycard.”
He hands it to me, and I say, “Stay with my mother until she’s comfortable.”
“Yes, boss.”
Taking Gabriella’s hand, I pull her out of the room and up the stairs to our suite.
I scan the keycard and shove the door open.
Once we’re inside, I bring my hands up and frame her face, my eyes drifting over every beautiful inch of her.
“There are no words to describe how much I love you,” I murmur.
Her smile softens. “I love you too.”
“It’s you and me forever, amore mia.”
She pushes herself up on her tiptoes, and against my lips, she breathes, “Forever.”
As I kiss her with a hunger only she can create in me, I once again thank all that’s holy I took her for myself.
Gabriella
It takes a whole week for Damiano to finally relax, and I’m proud to say I even have him wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
But he still walks around with a murderous expression on his face that scares the hotel staff half to death.
“Stop scowling at everyone,” I whisper as we walk down a path that leads to the market.
There are sailboats in a small bay area and the summer sun shines brightly down on us.
“I’m not scowling,” he mutters, just as a mom and a toddler walk by us.
The poor kid takes one look at Damiano, then his bottom lip trembles, and he cries at his mom to pick him up.
“You’re making children cry,” I say as I slap his arm, then I spot a floating deck where seals are sunbathing. “Oh my gosh! Look. Seapuppies.”