Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Once again, my fucking heart breaks as my wife’s body convulses with dry heaves because of the fucking nightmare she’s been through.
I open the cold water and pour some over the back of her neck and arm. As her body jerks violently, the sounds coming from her destroy me.
Suddenly, she loses all strength, and I manage to catch her around the waist before she can drop to the floor.
“I’ve got you, baby.”
I move her into the shower and open the faucets. Leaning her body against mine, I grip hold of the shirt and get it off of her.
She feels hot to the touch, and I keep the water cool as I hold her beneath the spray.
After a few seconds, she whispers, “Feels good.”
When her strength returns and she’s able to stand by herself, I make the water a bit warmer.
Still dressed in my suit, I grab a loofah and body wash.
“Your clothes are getting wet,” she says.
“I don’t care,” I mutter as I begin to wash her body while making sure to keep my touch gentle. “You’re all that matters.”
My eyes lock with hers. “You’re my entire fucking life, Vittoria.” My voice grows hoarse as I admit, “I would die if I lost you.”
Chapter 35
Tori
Angelo is so careful with me that it makes me feel even more emotional.
When he’s done washing every inch of my body, he turns off the faucets and helps me out of the shower. My eyes drift over him while he uses a towel to pat my skin dry.
Even though I’m still reeling from all the trauma, incredible love fills my heart for this man.
He places an arm beneath my back and another beneath my legs, then lifts me to his chest and carries me back to the bed.
After setting me down, he rushes to the walk-in closet for a clean shirt and gently pulls the fabric over my head.
“I need to brush my teeth,” I say, my eyes constantly locked on him.
“Okay.”
When he moves to pick me up again, I shake my head. “I can walk.”
“I know.” He lifts me into his arms and heads back into the bathroom with me.
Once I’m on my feet and I’m brushing my teeth, Angelo cleans the floor.
Seeing this badass mafia leader wipe up the mess I made only makes me love him more.
He quickly washes his hands, and when he’s done, he stands next to me and rubs his palm up and down my back.
I spit the toothpaste out and rinse my mouth before I say, “You need to change out of those wet clothes.”
“I will. As soon as you’re back in bed.”
My heart. He makes me feel incredibly special.
Angelo wraps an arm around me, and I lean into his side as we leave the bathroom.
Once he has me tucked under the covers, he heads to the walk-in closet. I watch as he strips before pulling on a pair of black sweatpants. Coming straight back to bed, he sits down beside me.
Bracing his forearms on either side of my head, he leans over me, his eyes searching my face.
I lift my hand and brush my fingers over the dark stubble covering his jaw. “I’m sorry I ran away from you.”
He grips my hand in his and presses a kiss to my fingers. “It’s okay, baby.” A dark expression tightens his features, then he asks, “Do you think you could tell me the rest?”
My stomach churns, and shivers rush down my spine.
I swallow hard as I nod. My fingers tighten around his as I say, “I stumbled, and we both lost our balance. It happened so fast, and as I fell over the railing, I managed to grab hold of it, but…” My tongue darts out to wet my lips, and I lower my eyes to his chest. “Maurizio tried to grab hold of my dress, but he couldn’t, and…” The memory shudders through me, and my breaths speed up. “H-he f-fell.”
When Angelo is too quiet, my gaze darts to his face, and seeing the rage burning in his eyes, I start to tremble.
“I’m so sorry,” I whimper. “It was an accident.”
He shakes his head hard, a ruthless expression tightening his features, as he growls, “You went over the railing?”
I nod, and swallowing again, I say, “I managed to pull myself back onto the balcony.”
Extreme pain ghosts over his face as he shakes his head repeatedly. His voice sounds dangerous as he growls, “You almost fucking died.”
He grabs hold of me, and a second later, I’m squashed against his chest.
“I almost lost you,” he groans. “Christ.”
Hearing the heartache in his tone, my tears start to fall again.
He peppers desperate kisses over my face, and when his actions feel frantic, I quickly frame his jaw with my hands and say, “I’m here. I didn’t die.”
He nods and presses his mouth to my palm. Shutting his eyes, he takes deep breaths.