“Get over yourself, Maltese. I’m a red-blooded woman, and you’re standing in my kitchen half naked. Of course, I’m going to look.”
I arch a brow, not entirely sure if the emotion I’m feeling is jealousy or pride.
Catarina rolls her eyes. “Don’t lose your arrogance now, Massimo. You know you’re hot as fuck and the only man I desire.”
“She picks me,” I tease, fixing a smug grin on my face as I turn to look at Fiero.
“I see it’s back to acting like five-year-olds again.” She rolls her eyes when I turn my head around to her. “Maybe it’s a good thing we can joke, but we have stuff to clear up before we leave.” She palms my cheek, staring adoringly at me. “I love how readily you are willing to sacrifice for me, but we’re not changing our name.”
“We’re not?”
She shakes our head. “That would be akin to letting them win. You can’t sit on the board of The Commission, let alone ascend Ben as the president, if you aren’t a Greco.”
“I’ll give it up,” I reply without hesitation. “I told you you’re the only important thing in my life, and I meant it.”
Fiero manages to stifle his gasp of surprise before Rina notices.
“Fuck, I love you,” she says before pressing a passionate kiss to my lips.
I want to reel her in to my body, but she’s dressed and ready for our meeting, and I won’t sully her.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you. You’re amazing, Massimo, but no. You will not give up your dreams for me.”
“You need time to think about it.”
“I absolutely don’t. I tookyourname, Massimo.Yours, not his. Besides, I like to think of them rolling in their graves knowing I carry their name, I married you, and I have more power than they did.”
“It’s the ultimate fuck you,” Fiero agrees, grinning.
“I like to think so.”
His expression turns tender. “I know you don’t want any more of the heavy, but I need to say this. I’m so sorry for the things you went through. It sickens me. You have always been an impressive woman, but I’m only fully appreciating how impressive now I know the full story.”
“You don’t hate me for what I planned to do?”
“I admire you for having the courage and the bravery to follow through. You put most dons to shame. I hope you know that.”
“Thank you, Fiero. That means a lot to me.”
“We’ve got your back.” He slaps his arm around my shoulders. “Massimo may not have mentioned this, but we come as a package deal.” He flashes her a grin laden with intent, and I glare at him. Predictably, he chuckles. “I’m only teasing,” he tells her. “Kind of.”
I punch him in the stomach, only half joking. “Stop hitting on my woman.”
He sobers up. “All joking aside, we have both got your back. No one is hurting you on our watch. You got me?”
She audibly gulps, smiling as she nods. “Thank you. It will take some getting used to, but I look forward to sharing the burden.”
He saunters toward her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’m willing to share in more ways than one.” He waggles his brows before shooting me a wicked grin.
I throw one of my sweaty sneakers at his retreating back as he leaves.
“I can only imagine how the women flocked to your sides when you were younger. You two are quite the team.” Catarina steps around me, striding toward the coffee pot.
“You really don’t want to know,” I murmur, heading to the fridge to retrieve supplies for breakfast. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can attend the meeting alone. Make up a plausible excuse for you?”
“I need to work.” She takes the eggs and bacon from my hands. “I can’t think about all the other stuff until this danger has passed.”
“I understand.”
