AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I watch my housekeeper flee from the dining room before picking up my utensils and cutting into the omelet.
Silence falls around us while we enjoy the meal, and when I’m done, I sip on my bitter coffee while I watch Gabriella pour two sugars into her beverage.
No wonder she tastes so sweet.
Carlo climbs to his feet. “I’ll get the guards ready.”
I nod, and when Carlo and Gerardo leave the dining room, I reach for Gabriella’s free hand.
“Is there anything you need to get?”
She nods, and after swallowing the sip she just took, she replies, “Just toiletries.”
Wanting no misunderstandings, I say, “You’ll use the credit card for everything.”
She nods again.
“Is your bank account in Sicily?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “It’s a dollar account with Payoneer.”
“We’ll have to open one for you in New York so I can transfer money to you.”
Her eyebrows lift. “For what?”
“For whatever you need.”
“Oh…but I have the credit card,” she argues.
I let out a sigh. “You’re mine, Gabriella, which means I’m going to provide for you. You need an investment in case of an emergency.”
“What…” she doesn’t finish her question, and her features tighten when she whispers, “In case you die.”
I nod because, contrary to popular belief, I’m not indestructible.
Her fingers tighten around mine, and she glances away from me.
“It won’t happen easily,” I say to put her at ease.
She sets her coffee cup down as she lowers her head. “I really hope not.”
“Come here,” I order as I scoot my chair backward.
She gets up, and I pull her onto my lap. Taking hold of her chin, I nudge her face so she’ll look at me.
“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Okay,” she whispers before wrapping her arms around my neck.
I hold her tightly while it sinks in that it upsets her a lot to think of me dying.
More love pours into my chest, and I press a kiss to her shoulder and another to the side of her neck.
“Look at me.” She pulls back, and when her eyes lock with mine, I say, “I have the whole Cosa Nostra behind me. It will take one hell of an army to overthrow me.”
She brings her hand to my jaw and presses a soft kiss to my mouth. “I just don’t want to lose you. You’re the first place that feels like home.”
Christ. My heart.
