Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
I wasn’t sure which scenario was worse, but either way, I needed to put something on. Immediately.
Hurrying back into the bedroom, I grabbed the first piece of clothing my gaze landed on—Domenico’s shirt. It was big enough to cover every inch of me from mid-thigh to neck, so I slid my arms into the holes and quickly fastened the buttons. Then I snagged my panties from the floor and tugged them up my legs.
Once they were in place, I tiptoed toward the bedroom door and pressed my ear against the flat surface since Domenico had shut it behind him. I really had to strain to hear anything at first, but eventually, the deep murmur of male voices hit my ears. A little bit of my tension eased since I doubted he’d take the time to chat with an intruder before shooting him.
The remaining strain disappeared when the masculine tones got just loud enough for me to recognize Rafa’s voice. Heaving a deep sigh of relief, I flung the door open to march into the living room.
“Be careful that you don’t traumatize my little sister, walking around half naked like that.”
The list of people Rafa joked around with was quite short, and I loved that Domenico was one of them. It gave me hope that my brother would come around more quickly than we thought since he loved us both. All we had to do was show him that we made each other happy…once Domenico was ready for that conversation.
The decision had to be his since he had the most to lose. It wasn’t as though Rafa would renounce me as his sister, but Domenico’s position as his head of security and bodyguard—also as his best friend—could be impacted by his choice to be with me.
I had to pin my hopes on the fact that my brother understood how important love was now that he had Vivienne and their baby on the way. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t need to be softened up before he saw reason, so as I walked into the front room, I forced my gaze away from the sexy temptation Domenico presented in just his towel.
I beamed a smile at Rafa as I made a beeline for him. “Are you here with good news?”
“What the fuck?” he growled, his eyes narrowing.
My brows drew together. “What?”
He jabbed his finger toward my chest. “What the fuck are you doing wearing Domenico’s shirt and nothing else?”
Crap. I’d completely messed up, somehow forgetting that I’d thrown this on instead of hunting for my own clothes. But at least growing up with three older brothers had taught me to be quick with comebacks. “In the rush to come up here, I forgot to bring any pajamas, so I borrowed one of Domenico’s shirts.”
Rafa’s voice was steely as he countered, “That’s a good story, Gabbi. But you forgot one thing…I saw my best friend wearing that shirt yesterday.”
“Merda,” Domenico bit out, raking his fingers through his damp curls.
Rafa’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white as his voice grew louder with every word. “Although the man I trusted with your safety just washed his hair so I don’t know what it looked like before he got into the shower, yours looks as though you’ve just rolled out of his bed. Which is impossible because there’s no way in hell my head bodyguard and best friend would betray me like that!”
11
DOMENICO
“Rafa—”
“You’re like my brother, Domenico,” Rafa seethed, interrupting me before I could say anything else. “I trusted you with my life, with Gabbi’s life! How could you take advantage of her like this, pezzo di merda? She’s just a kid—”
“Excuse me?!” Gabriella interjected, shoving her hands onto her hips and glaring daggers at her brother.
But he ignored her and continued shouting at me. “And as if that wasn’t bad enough, you deliberately disobeyed orders! I told you to keep her safe and not lay a hand on her. I’ve killed men for a fuck of a lot less.”
“Rafa!” Gabriella gasped.
“It wasn’t like I jumped into bed with her, Rafa,” I growled. “I am well aware that Gabriella shouldn’t be with me, but I can’t change what’s happened.”
“Bullshit,” Rafa snarled. “You two are done as of right now.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Gabriella stomped between us, facing her brother and poking him in the chest viciously as she yelled, “I’m an adult, Rafa. A grown woman who can make her own decisions. Neither you nor Mico get to decide who I’m allowed to be with. It’s my choice. Mine.”
“Rafa.” Leo walked through the door, halting our heated discussion. His eyes slid over me, then Gabriella, and finally Rafa. “Cazzo,” he muttered under his breath.
Rafa’s eyes narrowed at Leo’s reaction, but my brother didn’t give him the chance to question it. “We need to go. Now. Oswald is making a move.”