Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 142640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 713(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 475(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 713(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 475(@300wpm)
“When I was in that cabin, all I could think about was that we didn’t get our baby yet. That there was more to our story than just the two of us.”
“Francesca.” He sighs as he pulls away from me. “That is the very last thing on my mind right now.”
“Why?”
“I just want to focus on keeping you safe, that’s all. We are nowhere near starting a family. I’m not even discussing this until things have died down.”
“Oh….” Disappointment runs through me and I shrug, feeling embarrassed that we are on totally different pages.
“Hey.” He puts his finger under my chin and lifts my face to his. “Just because now isn’t the time, doesn’t mean that I don’t want that too.”
If he dies, I’ll never get his baby. If I die, he’ll never get mine.
I get a lump in my throat as I stare up at him.
“It’s okay,” he whispers. “We have time.”
“Do we, though?”
He smiles softly. “We do. And besides, we have to get married first. Let’s just get through that first, hey?”
I roll my eyes. “Who cares about a piece of paper?”
“I do.” He kisses me softly; his lips linger over mine. “You are the love of my life, Francesca. I need you as my wife.” He kisses me again. “Anything after that is just a bonus.”
My heart swells.
And there it is, the reason. He makes complicated things simple.
I smile up at him, without a doubt I know my place in the world. I am the most important thing in his life.
I just love the way he loves me…and it makes me love him that bit harder.
Giuliano
We walk down the corridor on level three, we get to Enrico’s room. “I’ll just wait outside.”
Francesca’s face falls. “What? You don’t want to see him?”
Not really.
“You have to come and visit, he saved my life.”
I raise my eyebrow.
“Well…he didn’t actually save my life, you saved our lives,” she corrects herself. “But he did risk his for me. I think you at least owe him civility.” She takes my hand in hers. “He’s my brother, Giuliano. Please…for me?”
I exhale, she’s right. “Yeah, okay.”
She knocks quietly.
“Come in,” he calls.
She opens the door and peers in, his leg is all bandaged and he is sitting up in bed. He smiles broadly and holds his arms out for her and she rushes to him as she half laughs and half cries.
They hug each other in a long-lost greeting and it’s all I can do not to roll my eyes as I hang back.
“You’re alive.” She smiles down at him.
“I am.” He holds her hands in his. “Look how beautiful you turned out to be.” He pulls her close and hugs her again. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“And Olivia?” she asks.
“Is alive and well, we have five children.”
“Five.” She gasps. “Oh my gosh, you must be so busy.” She laughs as she sits on the bed beside him.
What else is there to do on an island but reproduce?
I bite my bottom lip to hold my snarky tongue.
Enrico’s eyes find mine at the bottom of the bed and he gives me the first genuine smile I’ve ever seen from him. “Giuliano.”
I nod.
“Thank you.”
I nod again, I get a vision of myself walking over and punching him until I knock the fucker clean out.
Knock, knock sounds at the door.
“Come in,” he calls.
Bianca puts her head around the corner. “Room for one more?” She smiles.
No actually…there isn’t.
Fuck off.
Great, this is the visit from hell.
Stop it.
This is Francesca’s family. Be nice…for her. Hold your tongue and get the fuck out of here.
Bianca goos and gushes. “My two children together again.” She kisses them both. “I’ve been so terrified. I could have lost you both.”
I clench my jaw. Fuck, I hate this woman.
She turns to me. “Giuliano.”
I stare at her blankly.
“Thank you, my dear boy, you saved them both.”
Francesca raises her eyebrow as a warning and I fake a smile. “Glad things worked out.”
A nurse comes into the room. “Francesca?”
“Yes,” she replies.
“You didn’t sign the discharge forms, can you come down to the office now and do it.”
“Oh sure.”
“I’ll come,” I offer.
“No, no.” Francesca smiles. “You stay here, I’ll be right back.”
I poke my head out the door to the guards. “Go with her, please.”
“Sure thing.” They follow Francesca and the nurse down the corridor and I go back into the room.
Great.
Enrico and Bianca both smile over at me.
I roll my eyes. “Oh please, fuck off, you two. You can cut the act now, she’s gone.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Bianca acts shocked.
“Stop pretending to like me, you only wanted me to run the company so that darling little Enrico didn’t have to come out of hiding.”
Enrico chuckles, clearly amused.
“And don’t you laugh, prick, you’re a fucking coward. Thanks very much for leaving a nineteen-year-old kid to take over the company and clean up your mess. If I knew you were still alive I would have found you and killed you myself.”