Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“He already started the process. He wants Moreno destroyed, and he’s not above playing dirty where his family is concerned.”
“Good. I say we attack from multiple fronts. I just don’t want any casualties on our end.”
“Gio, if this works out, you’ll be getting a promotion.” I wink at him. I could use him in my upper ranks. Right now, he handles the tech and finances, but that’s it.
“I’m just trying to take care of my family.” I sense a shift in Gio. I wonder if there’s someone he met last night.
Since we had this impromptu meeting, we can skip the one I had planned. “So, everyone, let’s enjoy our breakfast because we’re getting married in two hours, and in the process, we’ll dismantle their organizations.”
“Sounds good.”
“What’s going on with Dom? Have any of you spoken to him or Luca?”
“Not yet. They arrived home safely, but we haven’t discussed anything over open lines yet.”
“I’ll give them a call and apologize for yesterday’s hiccup.”
“Good, son. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“You can sit in on the call with me.” He nods, and we all finally get to enjoy this fantastic meal that our mothers prepared even though I have a chef.
Chapter Nine
Vivian
“You look amazing. Matteo’s tongue is going to fall out of his mouth,” Aunt June says, coming in the room. She and Uncle Alessio were out of town when everything happened. They came back in a hurry when they got word. Yes, just like the Conti family, they aren’t my real relatives, but I suppose they will be now.
“Thank you for coming here,” I say. She pulls me in for a hug and squeezes tightly. She’s Matteo’s godmother and aunt, so they are all singing my praises again.
“Yes, well, we wouldn’t let anyone hurt the family and stand by without doing anything. The wedding came as a surprise. Alessio thought he’d at least give you a week.”
I pull away from her with my mouth open wide. “Wait—you knew he was going to ask me?”
“Ask? That boy has been obsessed with you for so long.”
“How did I miss it?”
“Because you weren’t looking for it. You wanted to fight him, and he didn’t want to show the world, making you a bigger target. Besides, if you knew he was tracking your every move, that would have given you more reason to try to sneak out of it.”
“Tracking my every move?” I step back, pressing my backside to the vanity, trying to put everything she said together. He was tracking me? He was obsessed?
She turns pale and then covers her mouth. “I can’t believe I let that slip.”
“I need a moment alone.”
She gives me a weak, apologetic smile. “Sure, sweetheart.”
I’m standing in my beautiful wedding gown, looking in the mirror, thinking about what she said. He has been watching me for a long time. How long? When I accused him of putting a tracker in the ring, he said, “I don’t need it.” That’s because he’d had me locked in his sights in other ways.
How does that make me feel? Most women would be pissed, scared, ready to run, but honestly, I feel loved. That man knows I’m fucking crazy and had me followed to keep me safe, always protecting me.
The door flies open, and I find a frantic Matteo staring at me with nervous eyes. “Vivian, I can explain.”
I try to cover myself with a nearby robe, but it’s too late. He’s seen the dress. “You’re not supposed to be in here. It’s bad luck.”
He shakes his head and stalks toward me, looking unhinged and insanely sexy. “I don’t care. You have to listen to me. I’m not letting you leave me. Not now, not ever, so we don’t need luck because you will be marrying me even if you fucking hate me because there’s no other option.” He runs his hands through his hand through his hair, mussing it all up. “Fuck, I told you I was obsessed.”
I brush my hands over his scruffy face, trying to calm the madman while I smile at him. “Matteo, calm down, crazy. I love you, too.” He finally stood still, shocked. His reaction gives me all the courage to continue. “Stalk me all you want. In fact, I look forward to one day figuring out how to elude you so you can hunt me down.”
He takes my hand and kisses the inside of my palm. “Not until after we’re married.”
“Fine, that’s fair.”
“God, I love you, Viper.”
“No blood on the outfits. We need photos,” my father calls out from the other side of the door.
“He’s afraid I’ll stab you,” I whisper.
“I think he’s just trying to stop me from fucking you,” Matteo grumbles, rubbing his hard body up against mine, proving that even when he’s worried about losing me, he’s still ready to go.
“What a pity.” I pout. “I could go for some frantic Matteo sex.”