Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Daniella.”
“Would you like to dance with me, Daniella?”
He extends his hand, and without thought, I take it. Not only can I use the distraction, but I love dancing.
“I would love to.”
4
Daniella
Four Months Later
“You did it!” Lorenzo lifts me into his arms and hugs me tightly. “I’m so damn proud of you, sis, and Mom and Dad would be too.”
“Thank you!” I choke out, suddenly emotional at the mention of our parents.
It’s been a hard several months, but there’s one thing that’s helped—
“Dani,” Lorenzo says, his tone serious, “why does it look like you have a wedding band on your ring finger?”
I pull my hand back and flush. I completely forgot I had it on, and I was planning to tell him before he could find out. “Because I’m married.”
His eyes comically bug out. “To whom? I didn’t even know you were dating anyone.”
“To me,” my husband says, walking over and extending his hand. “Henry Thomas. The lucky man who has the pleasure of being married to your sister.”
He looks down at me and smiles softly, and I smile back.
Lorenzo glances down at his hand, and I hold my breath, knowing it can go one of two ways—he’ll either be the gentleman he was raised to be and shake Henry’s hand, or he’ll punch Henry in the face and then demand Matteo make him disappear.
After looking at me for several seconds, Lorenzo groans under his breath and shakes Henry’s hand, and I breathe out a sigh in relief.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Lorenzo asks, hurt evident in his tone.
“Because I knew you would freak out.” I pull him over to the side so we aren’t in the way of the families celebrating and taking pictures. “And then you’d go all big brother on me and demand to have him investigated.”
“Of course I would’ve,” Lorenzo agrees. “Because I am your big brother, and with our parents gone, I’m the only one left to protect you. You don’t understand, Dani.” He shakes his head. “You’ve been sheltered your entire life—”
“I think that’s enough,” Henry says, stepping into the conversation. “Your sister is a smart woman who is capable of making her own choices, and she chose to marry me.”
The truth is, getting married to Henry wasn’t planned. One minute, we had been in Colorado, during spring break—after I told him I loved to go skiing with my parents—and the next, he was asking me to marry him. We had both been drinking, and I didn’t realize he meant literally right there, in Colorado, but I got caught up in the moment and agreed. That’s why I only have a wedding band and not an engagement ring … because there was no engagement.
In my defense, Henry has been nothing short of amazing. But the quickness of the marriage is what caused me to keep it a secret. Because I knew Lorenzo wouldn’t approve, especially when I’m still struggling with it.
Don’t get me wrong. I care about Henry. I think I might even love him. But I often question if I married him because I needed him to fill the void I’d felt since losing my parents. And if that’s the case, is that reason enough to marry someone?
At the time, he swept me off my feet, moving so fast that I could barely breathe, but once the high wore off, I realized how little I knew about him.
Lorenzo’s jaw tics, and I know he’s holding back when he simply nods. “So, what are your plans now that you’ve graduated? You said you wanted to move home to work for the family company. Is that still true?”
“Yes,” I tell him. “Nothing has changed. I can’t wait to learn the ropes and spend more time with you and finally meet your fiancée.”
Lorenzo smiles a genuine smile at the mention of his fiancée. I’ve yet to meet her, but I’ve seen her a few times when Lorenzo and I video-chatted, and she seemed nice. They’ve moved in together, and she’s working as his assistant at the office after his former one left unexpectedly.
“How is that going to work with you two?” Lorenzo glances at Henry pointedly. “You moving to Harbor Point with my sister?”
“Actually,” I say, turning his attention back to me since I can feel the hostility vibrating through him, “it turns out, his family has a business in Harbor Point, so we’ll be moving back together. I already canceled my lease, and Henry found us a place in North Harbor Point. We’re all packed and moving tomorrow.”
“What did you say your last name was?” Lorenzo asks Henry.
“Thomas,” I tell him. “Henry Thomas.”
Lorenzo nods and then plasters a smile on his face. “Well, Henry Thomas, welcome to the family.”
5
Matteo
“That’s it. Watch his movements. Don’t give him an in. Fight smarter, not harder.”
I let Lucian’s words flow through me, despite them not being for me, as I circle my opponent, getting a feel for him.