Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Shit!
The second I break through the surface, I sputter and cough my ass off while struggling to get air into my lungs.
“Rosie!” I hear Gianna shout.
There’s a big splash right beside me, and while I fight for my life, I’m hauled out of the pool in a matter of seconds.
“Christ, Rosie,” Enzo growls, sounding angry as fuck beside me while slapping the hell out of my back. “Just breathe for me.”
Much to my embarrassment, I begin to puke up all the water while sounding like a cat that’s being strangled.
A towel is thrown over my back, and I’m yanked away from Enzo and into Gianna’s warm arms. “You almost drowned her.”
“My fault.” I squeeze the words out through a tight throat, then I see Enzo, all soaking wet and looking hotter than ever, and I start coughing for a whole different reason.
He rubs a hand up and down my arm while leaning closer. “Are you okay?”
I nod, and getting air past my burning throat, I glance down and notice my dress is clinging to my thighs. I quickly try to tug the wet fabric down while climbing to my feet. My voice is hoarse and my eyes water from the scratchy sensation in my throat. “I’m okay. Stop worrying.”
“Let’s get you into dry clothes,” Gianna says, pulling me toward the entrance.
“Wait. I don’t want to leave wet footprints through the house.” Using the towel, I begin to dry myself.
“Rosie!” I hear Adriano shout as he comes barreling out of the house.
Someone must’ve told him, because he looks downright murderous as he hurries toward me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” When he hears how hoarse my voice is, the frown on his face darkens.
“It was stupid of me to throw Rosie in the pool,” Enzo says from behind me, then I feel his hand brushing up and down my back again.
Not wanting Enzo and Adriano to fight, I lie through my teeth. “I dared him to throw me in the pool.”
“The fuck you did,” Enzo mutters angrily. “This is all on me.”
“It’s fucking cold!” Adriano snaps at Enzo right before he grabs hold of me, and I’m lifted bridal-style again. “If she gets sick, I’m beating your ass.”
Knowing it will calm Adriano down, I grin at him while wrapping my arms around his neck and playfully coo, “My overprotective big brother. I like being carried around like a baby.”
“You’re going to make me old before my time,” he mutters.
Gianna rushes ahead of us while Adriano carries me to her bedroom, and once he sets me down on my feet again, he looks me over as if he’s searching for bleeding wounds.
“I’m really fine. Stop stressing.”
“You’re always looking for trouble, so I’ll never stop worrying when it comes to you. Your father will kill me if I let something happen to you on my watch,” he mutters. He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Take a shower to warm up before changing into something dry.”
“Okay.”
When he finally leaves, I let out a sigh and roll my eyes. “Such a big fuss over nothing.”
“That wasn’t nothing!” Gianna snaps, clearly still pissed off. “My heart almost stopped. Come get into the shower.”
Gianna helps me take off the wet dress, and when I step beneath the warm spray, I groan loudly. “God. Heat.”
She shoves the dress into her laundry basket, then glancing at my back, she says, “I’m seriously impressed that you’ve been able to hide your tattoo from your parents.”
“If it’s up to me, they’ll never find out. My dad will freak out, and lord knows how my mom will react.”
“But Uncle Dario has tattoos.”
“You know how it is. I’ll forever be his little girl.” Done warming up, I get out of the shower and dry off.
“Honestly,” she says while leaning back against the counter. “I’m surprised my dad gave his blessing and didn’t tell us we’re too young.”
With Gianna and me being the youngest out of the twelve children in the Cosa Nostra, everyone treats us like babies.
Sometimes it’s annoying, but overall we get spoiled rotten, so we don’t complain.
Once I’m wearing Gianna’s jeans and a warm sweater, I dry my hair enough to put it up in a ponytail.
“Makeup?” she asks.
“No. I’m good as is.”
We leave the bedroom, and when we reach the foyer, I spot Enzo where he’s standing by the open doors, leading to the veranda. The moment he lays eyes on me, he stalks toward me.
Looking worried, he engulfs me in a tight bear hug and almost squashes the life out of me. “I’m sorry, Rosie.”
“It’s okay.”
Taking full advantage of the situation, I wrap my arms around him and rub my palms over his broad back. I inhale deep breaths of his cologne that’s warm and manly with notes of citrus, sandalwood, and rich spices.
Enzo presses a kiss to the side of my head, and for a blessed moment, his hold on me tightens even more before he suddenly lets go and walks toward the front door.