“Don’t rush home. I want you to enjoy your night with the boys.”
Leaning down, I give her a tender kiss that’s interrupted when there’s a buzz from the intercom system.
“That’s probably Mom, Bianca, and Yuki.”
“My clothes are all over the hallway,” I say, and when Sienna spins around and runs out of the bedroom, I let out a chuckle.
Following her downstairs, I gather my boots off the floor and walk to the living room. While I sit down and put them on, Sienna takes my clothes to the laundry room.
When I hear the elevator open, I stand up and walk to the hallway. Seeing my gun on the side table where we usually leave our keys, I grab it and shove it into the waistband of my pants while smiling at my in-laws. “I hear you’re doing some wedding planning tonight.”
Bianca’s arms are loaded with magazines and a notebook. “Yes, we have a lot to do. Thanks for letting us take over your place.”
“You’re always welcome,” I reply while I lean in to kiss my mother-in-law's cheeks. As Bianca heads toward the living room, I say, “There’s a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge for you.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” She glances past me, then asks, “How’s Sienna doing?”
“Much better. We have systems in place so Sienna can check on me at all times.” Lifting my hand, I rub it up and down her arm. “You don’t have to worry anymore, Mom. I’m taking good care of her.”
“Aww…” Her smile widens. “I love hearing that.”
“I had to wait seven years to call you Mom. I’m not letting another year pass.”
My mother-in-law wraps one of her arms around me and gives me a sideways hug. “You’re going to make me cry.”
When we pull apart, I go look for Sienna, and finding her in the kitchen, I give her a hug and a quick kiss. “Enjoy your night, princess.”
“You too.”
As I walk back to the elevator, she calls out, “I love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
During the drive to the Rizzos’ property, Nico wouldn’t stop smiling, so I slapped him upside the head.
While my men go hang out with the other guards, I walk to Adriano’s cottage. I hear the other men's voices rumbling as I come up the pathway, and when I enter through the front door, Augusto calls out, “Finally. I thought you decided to cancel on us and do some wedding planning with the women.”
“I might be a glutton for punishment, but there’s no way I’m subjecting myself to that,” I chuckle as I shake his hand.
I spend a few minutes greeting everyone before I help myself to a tumbler of whiskey and some of the finger foods Aunt Tori must’ve prepared. She has the golden touch in the kitchen, and we’re always in for a treat when Adriano hosts poker night.
“How’s married life treating you?” Uncle Dario asks.
I haven’t spoken with him in a while. “Very good. I’m loving it.”
“Rosie was bragging about a new app she developed for you.”
“Yes. She outdid herself,” I sing his daughter’s praises.
“And then she complained because you added more men to her protection detail.”
My expression turns serious. “She’s our most valuable asset, Uncle Dario. It’s not negotiable.”
“I’m not arguing. I told her I’d mention it to you, which I did. Now I can enjoy the night and kick all your asses with poker.”
“You can be honest with me.” I lean closer to him and lower my voice. “Do you cheat?”
He lets out a burst of laughter, and shaking his head, he saunters away from me. “Don’t worry. I won’t take too much of your money.”
