Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Saverio stands by the window, rocking Claire in his arms when I walk inside. Smiling down at her, he says, “See? I told you. Mommy is right here, angel.”
I go over, wanting to wrap both of them up in my arms.
Gently, Saverio hands her to me. “She already finished the bottle Livy packed this morning. It seems it wasn’t enough.”
I sit down behind my desk and throw a cotton feeding blanket over my shoulder. I’ve barely adjusted my blouse before Claire latches on to my breast.
Chuckling, I caress her head. “Such an impatient little girl.”
“Mm.” Saverio perches on the edge of the desk, watching us with pride and an odd dearness I haven’t seen on his face before. “Just like her mother.”
“I’m not impatient,” I exclaim.
His smile is wicked. “It depends on the situation.”
Dante sticks his head around the door. “Do you have a minute, Sav?”
“Not now,” Saverio says, the words a warning that rumbles in his chest. “Anya is breastfeeding, and if you catch a glimpse of my wife naked, you know I have to kill you.”
“Later, then,” Dante says, quickly retreating. “It’s about a new supplier, and your Lady Luck should be present. She can give us her take on their terms.”
I groan when he closes the door. “They’re all calling me that now.”
“I heard,” Saverio drawls. He leans closer, stealing a kiss before breathing over my lips, “Lady Luck.”
“It’s Benson’s fault. He started it with his ladybug that someone mistakenly took for Lady Luck, and now everyone has gotten it into their heads that I’m lucky.”
Saverio holds my gaze in that intense way that makes heat bloom under my skin. “It’s an honor.”
“Mm. That’s what Roy and Dante said. So, what’s your nickname? How come I’ve never heard it?”
A soft smile plays on his face as he takes me in, as if the sight in front of him pleases him immensely. “I haven’t deserved that honor yet.”
“You’re joking.”
“Not at all. To the men, I’m simply Sav.”
“Mr. De Luca, you mean. Only Dante calls you Sav.”
“It depends on how close we are.”
Yep. Like Nicole said, he’s not close to many people.
“I guess it’s official then.” I’m half frightened, half resigned. “I’m a proper mobster.”
Saverio cups my cheek. “No, tesoro, you’re not a mobster.” The pride and affection of earlier is nothing compared to the possessiveness that gleams darkly in his gaze now. “You, my love, are a queen.” He stares at me as if I’m a rare and precious object. “And a dangerous one at that.”
Chapter
Thirty-One
Saverio
* * *
There’s no sign of Mary and nothing about her whereabouts from my informants on the street. Either she’s hiding, or she’s dead. With the lifestyle she’s been leading up to now, I put my money on the latter. However, I continue the search. I won’t sleep easily until I see her body with my own eyes.
While the search for Mary and the preparations for war continue, Rachele gets word to Anya that Elena left. Raphael’s wife packed a suitcase and sneaked out of the house, and no one knows where she’s gone. Raphael is having the airports, bus depots, and trains stations searched as we speak.
Gossip like that spreads fast in our circles, and the talk is that Raphael has lost his shit. As he should.
His pregnant wife is missing.
She humiliated and defied him, dealing him the ultimate blow by not honoring her vow and by disrespecting a marriage contract and her father’s wishes. It’s only a matter of time before he blows up. He’ll tear down the country to find her, but Elena is cleverer than he gives her credit for. She’s been born and raised in our world. Before her father became ill, he was the master of helping men disappear so well not a soul ever found them. She knows how to stay invisible. And Raphael is the poor fool who didn’t see it coming. It’s a pity he didn’t take better care of his wife. Everyone knows what a cruel bastard he is, and although no one will say it to his face, they’re all relieved for her sake that she got away. That’s to say everyone except for the Morelli family who are left with egg on their ugly faces.
We struck right when Raphael discovered his wife was missing. We ambushed a money collection operation and pushed them into a corner, depleting their ammunition while saving ours. The cocky bastards didn’t even see us coming. We’re hitting Raphael’s collection teams relentlessly. They stocked up on weapons since the first attacks and changed their pick-up points, but I have eyes and ears everywhere in the city. We hit time and again, using the very tactic he employed when he sneaked up on my guards and killed every single man outside the church on the day of my wedding.