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There’s no wolf whistling, and Tasha and Carla are hugging Gigi fiercely, leaving me to run the gauntlet.
Matteo’s first and pulls me close.
“Bring Gigi to see her sister in the morning,” he says for my ears only. “Something’s up with Carla, and I don’t want any surprises.”
Fuck. I have no clue what he observed in the time I’ve been away arranging things. And if Carla has gone and done the unthinkable, like giving their location away before we’re ready?—
Next comes Dominic. “Congrats, brother, you do us proud.” He slaps me on the back and sends me in Luca’s direction, singingAnother one bites the dustinsotto voce.
“Taking one for the team, as always,” Luca says with a smirk. “Have fun.”
And then, there’s Benedict. The youngest. Observant and somewhat sly. “Enjoy wrapping up your unfinished business, bro,” he says with a smirk.
There’s too much fucking smirking all around.
“Your day will come, Benny,” I say with a squeeze to his biceps.
If they think I’m going to go home with my bride and have an all-nighter between the sheets, they’ll be sadly disappointed.
At last, we’ve extracted ourselves from the family and are in the elevator, going down to Matteo’s private garage. Gigi still has her bouquet with her, clutching it as if it’s a lifeline.
“You’re supposed to toss it to the ladies,” I say, wanting to cut through the tension in this box that seems to shrink withevery floor we descend. She looks so goddamn beautiful. Some hair strands have slipped free and frame her face softly, and her lips…God, those lips, which I’ve tasted now, are plump and full and ready for the taking.
“There’s no point, what with Tasha being married and Carla the only other woman there. Plus, they’re too pretty to toss.”
“I see.”
The elevator opens onto the garage, and I guide her to the car with my hand on the small of her back. All I want is to settle it a bit lower, on the curve of her butt and hug her closer in a gentle embrace, but there are rules here. Rules I’m already planning to break.
My driver is waiting for us. I open the door and help Gigi in, then take hold of her safety belt. She can do it herself, but I want to get into her space and inhale her scent.
“How’re your bruises doing?” I ask, leaning over her. Our faces are close, and I meet her gaze in the car’s little interior light.
“They’re much better. Almost gone, actually.”
“And lower?” I ask close to her ear. With great satisfaction, I watch how her skin pops a spread of goose bumps, straight to her nipples.
She turns her face away from mine. “I think it’s fine.”
I bet she hasn’t looked as the mere idea of going there is too much for her. I strap her in with care, as she might still hurt, and battle the urge to press a kiss to that perfect naked shoulder.
It’s quiet in the car as we head out, and the drive isn’t far, plus the traffic is light. I watch Gigi as she takes in the changing environs, from downtown high-rises to the more traditional redbrick rows. It’s more historical, and hopefully, she’ll feel at home. When the driver opens my garage and drives into the four-car space, she glances at me.
“I know. Not Matteo’s place, but we’re literally surrounded byIl Consiglio’sstaff.” I don’t need to tell her the neighboring buildings belong to us too, how some are offices and some apartments for staff. She’ll read between the lines.
We take the stairs, and I reach for her hand. She doesn’t pull away, and in those heels, I’m tempted to scoop her up in my arms, but don’t. I’ve never minded, but maybe being on the fourth floor without an elevator isn’t the brightest idea.
“It’s spotless,” she huffs as we reach the small foyer with the door to my apartment.
“We’ve updated the security. Lots of high tech you won’t spot unless you’re a professional.”
Over the past few days, Dominic and I’ve been busy. My place is being watched now by an in-house team sitting in the basement, keeping my wife safe. We’ve secured the environment as best we can. The only variable is the road outside which we can’t control.
I unlock the door. It’s still light out, and I want her to see this apartment with the fading pink of a spectacular sunset tinting the space.
I sweep the door open and turn to her. “Mrs. Scalera.”
Before she can protest, I have her scooped up in my arms and walk her over the threshold. She’s giggling and wraps her arms around my neck.
