Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“I can take over for a little while if you want,” he says, touching my arm. I step forward into his arms. Brando squeals and hugs our legs. “If you need a little break.”
“I’m good. This beast is getting a little too aggressive though.” Brando’s punching our legs.
“He really is a creature.” Gian flicks his head which only makes him attack harder, laughing the whole time.
“How about we go for a walk around the garden? Maybe the little beastie can get some exercise on the way.”
“Beastie!” Brando tears away, trips, falls, gets right back up, and keeps on running. I wish I had the joints and pain tolerance of a two-year-old.
I hold Gian’s hand as we follow Brando down the paths. He doesn’t go far—the kid’s used to wandering through his mother’s overflowing garden. I enjoy the company and Brando’s laughter as he yanks at flowers he’s not supposed to touch and throws dirt in the air. The kid really is a creature.
“I’m meeting Sophia for dinner tonight. Think that’s okay?”
“Should be,” Gian says. “I’m sending guards though.”
“So long as they’re discreet, it should be fine.”
“My men are the most loyal and the best trained.”
I laugh and nudge his side. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Gian finally figured out what he wants to do. He’s been running some of the family’s legal properties, a few clubs, a few restaurants, and turning the from barely worthwhile money-laundering schemes into genuinely profitable businesses. There’s also some illegal stuff he doesn’t talk about.
“Can I tell you something?” he asks as we hit the far side of the property and turn to head back. Brando’s keeping just ahead, taking his time. We’re ambling along in no rush either.
“Always.”
“I love you.”
“That’s not exactly news.”
“I know. But you need to hear it.”
“I love you too.” I kiss his neck. “I know there’s a war going on and the city’s kind of in chaos, but out here, it’s so easy to forget about all that.”
“I know what you mean. Which is why I want you here as often as possible. This place is safe.”
“Our place is safe too. You spent a fortune on security.”
“Yeah, but there aren’t half a dozen armed guards on patrol.”
“Fair point.”
“Bring Sophia over if you want.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously? That’s a new offer.”
“Yeah, well, I’m beginning to accept that she’s going to be a part of our lives.”
Gian still doesn’t like her for what she did to me during the beginning of our relationship. But I keep reminding him that I forgave her, and he needs to get over it.
“Thank you.” I squeeze his hand tighter. “You know what, I think I’m going to take you up on that offer and take a break. Is that okay?”
“No problem. I’ll watch the little beast for a while.”
“Enjoy it while you can. Soon we’ll have a little beast of our own.”
“I’m counting the days.”
Brando comes tearing back toward us, laughing like a maniac, and Gian scoops him up again. I laugh at my husband and his nephew as I head back toward the house, smiling the whole time.
“Nice day today, isn’t it, Allegra, dear?” Stella’s looking at me and I startle. She’s never used my name before.
“Really nice. How are you feeling today?”
“Good, dear, very good. You’re wonderful with that boy. What’s his name? He’s trouble, that one.”
“He’s a good kid.”
“Yes, a very good kid. That little Carlo, he’s so much trouble. And you’re so good with him.”
“Your boys are all wonderful. Did you know that? You did a wonderful job raising them. You should be proud.”
She beams at me. “I’m very proud,” she says.
I walk over and kiss her on the cheek, which she allows, and seems to glow with pride as I head back inside.