Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
He pecks my lips. “I’m counting on it. Allow me to fill you in on all the things you don’t know. Then you will see how sweet this gift is.”
I roll my eyes. “Start talking.”
He goes to open his mouth, but his phone rings. He bares his teeth and scowls. My nostrils flare. The timing around here always sucks. He holds his hand up and reaches for his phone.
Jace turns over and bites my ass. I yelp and turn to lunge off the bed after him. He’s up and running from the room. Genuine laughter leaves my lips.
I catch him in the kitchen, but he turns the tables on me. He catches me in his arms, bringing me onto his waist. Then he spins to allow my body to slide down his as he backs me into the island and crowds my space.
I look up into his eyes. They’re green and shining bright.
“I’m glad you’re home. This place finally feels right.”
“What don’t I know, Jace? It seems like he’s changed. Something happened while I was gone. I know it did.”
“I’ll tell you everything later,” Gio calls as he steps out of the bedroom. “We need to head out. Dante says he needs to talk to me.”
Jace turns. “You think they have something?”
“No, but I want to be sure. I need to know what he knows.”
Jace nods, then turns to kiss me. Then he looks me in the eyes. “Call me if you need anything.”
I wink at him and go to hug Gio before they both disappear to dress for the day. Today will be my first full day here by myself. I don’t have much at the house so it shouldn’t take long for me to get my things.
After a shower and getting dressed myself, I find Gio and Jace by the elevator. I walk over to Gio as he stands with his hands in his pants pockets, his stance wide and commanding. Stopping in front of him, I place my hands on his waist.
He kisses my forehead. Jace comes over and places a hand on my back. I turn to look over my shoulder and he kisses my nose.
“The keys are all on the rack over there. If you ride down with us, I can point out our spots. I also need a favor from you.”
“What’s that?”
“I know exactly how to handle Lizzy and Dante. I don’t want her to find out about Bethany before I’m ready. Do you think you can keep her busy over the holiday? No TV or media outlets, just in case.”
I frown, still not sure how I feel about his plan for my sister. However, I know all I have to do is challenge Lizzy to read or get her into creating content and I can easily hold her attention from anything but books and gaming.
“Yeah, I’ve got you, but Gio—”
“Trust me, baby. I’ve got it. She’s perfect for him and he needs her. It will work out in the end. Oh, and hold off on Carleen. I need to pivot there.”
I side-eye him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just need to adjust.”
“You mean you don’t want to tell me,” I say, reading the look in his eyes.
I see him dancing around the subject. He runs the backs of his fingertips down my cheek, then kisses my lips.
“I mean what I said. I need to tweak my plan a bit. You’re still going to wake her. I just need to make an adjustment or two.”
Gio
We pull up to Dante’s just as Dario is stepping out of his truck. He has a somber look on his face. Not the look of a man who knows the woman he’s been in love with all his life is pregnant. Jace parks and turns to me.
“You think she still hasn’t said anything to him?”
“I don’t know yet. That’s what I’m waiting to see. I’ll decide Ny’s next move after I get that answer. Andiamo.”
I push the door open and step out of the car. We meet up with Dario at the front door. I tug my brother into a hug and kiss his cheek.
“This is crazy. I couldn’t stand her ass, but damn.” He shakes his head.
“Karma. One hell of a bitch, ain’t she?” I say and wink.
“Marone,” he says and pulls a hand down his face.
“Andiamo. He called, so he needs us.”
My brother nods and pushes into our other brother’s home. Mitch is making his way up from the basement when we get inside. I nod and he gestures down the stairs with his head in reply to my unspoken question.
I head down and Jace and Dario follow me. When we enter the gym, Dante is running on the treadmill as if he can outrun his life. This… this is the thing I aim to fix. We don’t run from shit. We’re the shit others run from.