Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I would take a life for you. You gave me friendship when I needed someone so badly. There is no way I could ever repay you.”
Her eyes tear up. “Being your friend is no hardship. I love everything about you, Sim and you saved my life. Friendship is the least of what I could offer after what you did for me.”
“Symphony, oh my God, that was amazing.”
I release Ximena to find Annabella rushing toward me. Uri and Nico are right behind her. My shoulders sag in disappointment as I look around them for Michael and he doesn’t come into view.
Disappointment tears through me and I reach for the band on my wrist. I’ve begun to wear one all the time now. Annabella covers my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“He’s proud of you. Things back home are just keeping him away from you,” she whispers into my ear.
“Come here, you,’” Nico croons. He lifts me into a bear hug. “Look at you, all grown up. Who knew you could be all graceful? You’re just full of magic and secrets, aren’t you?”
I frown at his teasing. I don’t get to see Nico much, but when I do, he’s always teasing me. The fact that he does so with a smile has always put me at ease.
I have learned his words are never meant to be harsh. It’s just brotherly taunting. Nico has had a smile for me since the day we met.
He places me back on my feet and smiles down at me as he towers over me. Nico is as handsome as Michael and Uri. He hands me two bouquets of flowers.
I smile and take them both to hold them to my nose. I must be going crazy because I swear I catch a hint of Michael’s cologne against the paper wrapping the roses.
I wrinkle my nose and begin to look around for him again. My heart sinks when I still don’t find him. I thought just maybe he would come.
“Wow, one day you will have to tell me how you know so many hot Italians,” Ximena breathes.
I laugh as I look between Uri and Nico. If only she could meet my husband. Her jaw would surely drop.
“Ximena, this is my family. My brothers and sister-in … They are my brothers and sister. Uri, Nico, Annabella, this is my friend Ximena.”
“Her best friend.” She corrects with a smile.
“Yes, my best friend.”
CHAPTER 23
In Love
Michael
Three years later …
I stare at the video chat, wondering when Sim became such a gorgeous woman. She’s looking back at me with those big, bright eyes, and I can’t remember when it happened.
When did I fall in love with my wife? I know, without a doubt, I love her. She doesn’t know that I’ve been in the States a number of times to see her.
I’ve been to her performances. I’ve been to the house in Boston just to be near her for a night. Annabella hates it when I ask her to slip Sim sleeping aids for my visits.
I have only asked on our anniversaries. For one night, I climb into the bed with my wife to hold her in my arms. When the morning comes, I leave her a gift and disappear as if I was never there.
It might sound crazy and creepy but it’s the only thing that keeps me sane while I deal with the reality of our life here in Italy. It is almost that time of year again and I long to hold her in my arms.
“Michael, can I ask you something?” she says, grabbing my attention.
“Yes, cara, ask me anything.”
“When can I come home? I miss … I miss home. I want to talk to you in person. I have enjoyed our calls, but I want to see you face to face in real life. Did I do something wrong?”
“No. You’ve done nothing wrong. I want to see you too. I’m just not sure this is the time. Things are still complicated here.”
It’s the truth. Leonardo is still a problem, and the other families are still lending him support. The attempts on her grandfather’s life are starting to wear him down.
I have taken on more and more of his responsibilities. In the last three years, I’ve been establishing myself with his men and their crews. It’s a precarious balance we have to strike to keep everyone thinking I’m the oldest son of Angelo Donati Jr.
It’s not time to tip the scales and reveal our hand. For now, everyone believes Uri and I are one. This has worked in our favor in a number of ways. Believing Hush is one man who has struck fear around the world.
Don Locatelli still won’t give us the green light to end this bullshit. I grow tired of it, but I’m a man of my word. I have done what I promised I would seven years ago.