Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Maddie’s staring at the ring on her finger with her other hand touching the necklace at her throat. It’s a simple gold chain and a gold cross with diamonds studding the length, but my father gave it to my mother for their tenth wedding anniversary. She rarely wore it, but it meant a lot to her.
Now, my wife’s wearing it.
Maddie looks perfect in only her underwear and that jewelry. I can’t move, and something builds inside my chest. I think of her chatting with my sister. I think of the sex we’ve been having. I think of the way she makes me smile and laugh, which is unusual. I’ve never met a woman that makes me feel this way.
I want to resist. I have too much going on in my life right now. My mother, the Famiglia, the business. My world is too full, and I’m afraid that if I try to shove Maddie into it, I’ll fail somewhere else.
I can’t afford to fail.
But I also can’t ignore this feeling.
I feel stuck. Caught between my obligations and my emotions.
And I don’t know how I’m going to resolve this tension.
Maddie’s quiet on the drive over. I try to engage her in small talk about the office but she gives me one-word answers. “Sorry, I’m just nervous,” she admits when I put a hand on her thigh. “Can you just tell me who we’re meeting with again? Maybe that’ll help.”
I stroke my fingers slowly up and down her leg. “Rocco Rinaldo is Don of the Rinaldo Famiglia. He’s around my father’s age, tall, skinny, very serious, but our families have been aligned for years. Then there’s Orsino Milano. Big guy, always smiling, but very clever. Don of the Milano Famiglia.”
“And you’re Don of the Rossi Famiglia?”
“Exactly. We’re the three Italian organizations. We’ve been at peace for as long as I can remember.”
“Won’t Rocco be pissed?”
“I’m hoping he understands this is only business. And I have a way to soothe him.”
She tilts her head to the side. “What about the others?”
“Finnian Lynch. Head of the Lynch Family. They’re the smallest organization, but they’re fierce. Finn’s around my age.”
“Young,” she says.
“Yes, but youth doesn’t always mean inexperienced.” I glance out the window. We’re nearly there. The town car parks outside of a non-descript office building in the heart of the city. “Last is Jasha Aslanov. Pakhan of the Aslanov Bratva. I don’t know him very well. He took over his organization in a coup three years ago, and he’s been keeping to himself ever since.”
“Should I be worried about them?”
“No, baby. You’ll be fine.” I take her hand and help her out of the car.
Dante gets out of the following car along with three more soldiers. Each family head can bring up to four bodyguards, no more. Normally, we show up with one or none, but today’s different. My wife’s here and I have to make sure she’s protected.
We ride the elevators up to the top of the building. The conference room is in the back of an accounting firm owned and operated by an influential businessman with ties to all our families. Neutral ground.
The others are already in place when the secretary lets me in through the main door. Jasha’s sitting at the head of the table near the projector, looking sour. He’s got dark hair, light eyes, and a square jaw. His massive bodyguard looms behind him. Finnian’s on the other end, leaning back in his chair, hands behind his head, looking like he’s having a great time. Orsino’s in the middle on the opposite side, looking sour. The big man nods to me.
Rocco’s standing near the windows. His hands are behind his back, and when he turns, the look on his face is ugly. It’s half a sneer, half a snarl.
“Renzo,” he says. “What’s the meaning of all this? I heard you did something stupid last night.”
“Thank you all for meeting me here, gentlemen.” Maddie steps up next to me and slips her hand through my arm. I tug her close, hoping that helps to keep her calm. Four powerful, dangerous men stare at my wife, assessing her, judging her, and I feel a sudden intense protectiveness wash over me. I want to hide her away, keep her safe and away from these vultures.
But this is the whole point of marrying.
“That’s the girl then, Renzo?” Orsino sounds amused. “She’s pretty. Where’d you find her?”
“Congrats, brother,” Finnian says. “It’s always a beautiful thing, a man getting married.”
“Then why aren’t you married yet?” I shoot back.
He shrugs and laughs. “I’m working on it.”
“You should have told me.” Rocco steps forward. Dante appears at my shoulder, but I hold up a hand to restrain him. “You insult me by bringing her here.”
“Calm down, Rinaldo,” Orsino warns, but he sounds only half-interested. “It’s not their fault your daughter ran from her obligations.”