Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
She knew she should probably be offended. “I’m not trying to manipulate you. It’s just everything has kind of moved so fast, you know. I mean, thank you, for ... marrying me.”
He smiled. “You’re thanking me?”
“Massimo, we both know you didn’t have to do that, and I don’t think it was a good business move to upset Diego.”
He shrugged. “The guy was a piece of shit and a coward.”
“Why did you?”
“Because you don’t deserve a death sentence. You’re a good person, Adelina. There are not many of those in the Russo Mafia. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Your dad wasn’t at the wedding,” she said.
“My dad has his ... troubles.”
She nodded. “I heard rumors that he’s damaged?”
“He’s not damaged. He is a vain bastard who upset the wrong kind of people. He paid the price, and for hurting my dad, I made sure they paid their price as well.”
“Is what they say about you true?”
“Being a monster?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not a nice guy, Adelina.”
“I don’t know. You saved me from a death sentence, I think that kind of confirms you’re a good guy.”
He chuckled. “There are a lot of people who would say otherwise.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“That’s because you have never seen the true side of me, and I won’t let you see it.”
Chapter Five
“Is everything okay back home?” Massimo asked, looking down at his sister on the cell phone.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Dad is dealing with everything. Diego tried to organize a meeting with him, but he told him until you’re home, that’s not going to happen.” Isabella shrugged. “Other than that, not a lot to report. Because you’re not here, I don’t have to worry about going to any of the parties, so I’m studying. How is married life?”
Massimo smiled.
“Wow, my crazy monster brother has a big smile on his face. Who would have believed it?”
“Shut up.”
“How is Adelina? I got the feeling she’s not used to people caring.”
“She’s not.” He rubbed at his temples. Massimo was not a man used to affection or even caring about a person’s feelings, yet when it came to Adelina, that was exactly how he felt. He cared about her.
She struggled with a lot. She wasn’t used to being embraced, or cared about. Her family was constantly chasing a title, or reputation, or to work their way up in the Russo Mafia, only no one would give them the time of day. Diego was going to be their key to a better chapter. He thought it was horseshit.
“I better go,” Isabella said. “I don’t want to keep you on your honeymoon. Have fun, but I’m going to warn you, I think it might get ugly when you get home.”
And with that, she ended the call.
He took a deep breath.
“Is everything okay?” Adelina asked, and he turned to find her in the doorway.
The clothes had all arrived yesterday by the time they got back from the beach. Adelina had put them away as he ordered dinner. She had offered to cook, but he wanted to treat her to a romantic meal.
“Yeah, everything is fine.”
Today, she wore a pair of jeans that were like a second skin to her ass, along with a t-shirt that only seemed to enhance how fucking luscious her tits were. It was impossible to keep his hands to himself. He wanted to touch and explore her, and learn every single inch about her.
She stepped toward him, and he took her hand and pulled her in close. “Have I told you recently how sexy you look?” he asked.
“No.”
“Well, I have to say, I think it is time we did some burning together.”
This made her frown, and he pulled her against his side as he walked out of his office, down the long corridor and toward the French doors that stepped out onto the patio. The moment he appeared, his men moved away, giving them the space they needed. He went to the incinerator bin, and opened up the lid.
“You put my clothes inside,” she said.
“Exactly. The only good thing these should do is go up in smoke, and I think it is only fair I let you do the honors.”
She laughed as he handed her the lighter fluid.
“I don’t want to see even a scrap of fabric left.”
She shook her head.
“It’ll be good for you,” he said.
She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was magnificent.
He watched as she poured the lighter fluid onto the clothes and he pulled out the matches and handed them to her. She pulled out a match, closed the box, and struck it along the side, to which it ignited. She tossed it into the clothes, and it wasn’t long before it caught fire. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her away and pressed his chin against her shoulder.
“You don’t have to hide anymore,” he said.