Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
My hips shifted as my body luxuriated in the feeling of fullness and completion.
My eyelids drooped.
His dark voice came to me as if through a long, dark tunnel. “That’s it, colomba mia. You’re safe now. Fall asleep with my cock inside of you. I’m here.”
My cheek rested against the top of his leg as the sound of his voice and the feel of him lulled me.
The last thing I heard before falling into a deep sleep was him whispering, “I’ll always be here for you, baby.”
Please don’t let me go.
CHAPTER 41
MATTEO
“She’s lying to me.”
Enzo passed a cappuccino to me before making the foam for a second one.
I joined Cesare at the kitchen table as he reached for a cornetto. “What makes you so certain?”
At his nod, I slid the small jar of homemade apricot preserves down the table toward him. “She’s a terrible liar.”
Enzo took his seat across from me. As he raised his cup to his mouth, he chuckled. “Well, that's going to make marriage easier. Assuming you’re still marrying the girl?”
It wasn't even a question. “Fuck yeah, I’m still marrying her. The sooner the better.”
Cesare broke off a piece of the buttery pastry and popped it into his mouth before leaning back in his chair. “If you want to keep your edge, keep her away from Milana. I swear to God, that woman could sell someone two left feet and convince them they are a better dancer for it.”
Uncle Barone poked his head in. “Amara?”
Enzo waved him in. “It’s safe. She’s with Bianca and Milana getting ready for Liliana’s visit.”
He stepped into the kitchen as he rubbed his hands together. “Finally, I can enjoy an espresso in peace.”
He pressed the fresh coffee grounds into the filter basket, before locking it in. The machine hissed as he pulled a shot. The room once again filled with the acrid, earthy scent of coffee.
After placing the cup on a saucer, he leaned his hip against the kitchen island, closed his eyes, and took a moment to inhale the rich scent.
Before he could even lift the cup to his lips, Aunt Gabriella drifted in and snatched it from his hands without even stopping on her way to the table. “Thank you, darling. I needed this.”
Taking a sip, she grimaced and held it aloft over her shoulder. “Ugh, Barone, you know I take steamed milk.”
His brow lowered as he said through clenched teeth, “That wasn’t meant for you.”
She pivoted on him as she adjusted one of her heavy gold and diamond loop earrings which completed her deep purple and cobalt blue turban and caftan morning outfit. “Don’t be silly. Of course you made it for me.”
She then raised one elegantly arched eyebrow. “Otherwise, that would mean you were about to drink it, and I’d hate to start the day having to impart nasty gossip to sweet Amara.”
Uncle Barone pointed a finger at her. “You’re an evil woman, you know that.”
She laughed as she took a seat at the other end of the table. “So I’ve been told many, many times, darling.”
He placed the espresso with added steamed milk in front of her, then poured himself some orange juice. “Matteo, how’s your girl?”
Leaning an elbow on the table, I rubbed my eyes. “To be honest, Uncle, I’m worried about her. I need to get this mess settled, and quickly. I’m afraid if I don’t, she might do something stupid.”
Enzo shook his head. “Not going to happen, cousin." He gestured around the table. “We’ll all be watching out for her. We’ll keep her safe, even from herself.”
Cesare pushed the platter of cornettos toward Gabriella.
She waved him off. “No thank you, dear. I haven’t eaten carbs in the morning since carrying a Fendi logo bag was fashionable. Are we talking about Ella?”
“I think she’s lying to me.”
She shrugged. “Of course, she’s lying.”
“You haven’t even heard why I think it.”
Gabriella put her espresso cup down and waved her hand in my direction, her signature gold bangles jangling, as if they were the theme music of her life. “You’ve met her father, and we all know about the dreaded sister. No one survives a toxic family environment like that without developing survival skills.”
Her words gave me pause.
She continued. “I imagine the poor girl is forced to lie through her teeth to those two selfish egomaniacs on a daily basis just to get a moment’s peace.”
I switched seats to be closer to her. “But she’s no longer in that environment. She’s safe here. Why is she still protecting them?”
Her soft hand covered mine as her red lips lifted in an understanding smile. “Because family’s family, dear. If human beings didn’t have a high tolerance for their loved ones' bullshit, we would have died out as a species long ago.” She patted my hand. “Like I said, survival instincts.”
Suspicion that Ella was lying about how she was injured last night itched at the back of my brain. I stayed up half the night watching her sleep, going over it in my mind.