“They might.” I bite on the inside of my mouth, more terrified than I’ve been in a long time. The thought of losing Massimo cuts me up inside.
“Some might say it’s crazy because we haven’t known one another long enough, but I know you’re a good person. Whatever is driving this justifies your actions. I won’t judge you for that.”
“It involves—”
“Not now,” he says, placing his fingers to my lips and cutting me off mid-sentence. “We have had enough of the heavy for one day. I want to take you out tonight. To show you some of London. When we get home, you can tell me everything.”
I wonder if he has any inkling of what I’m about to say, if he’s just picking up on my scattered emotions, or if he truly doesn’t want to deal with it right now. Either way, I’m relieved. It’s cowardly of me to admit it and to accept his pronouncement, but I’m not going to argue. I am going to enjoy tonight with my husband and pretend like I don’t have a care in the world. Like Russians aren’t gunning for our heads. Like The Commission won’t do the same if they find out what I’ve done. Like Renzo won’t be disgusted with me when he finds out I have no intention of killing Massimo or his family or Don Mazzone. “Okay.”
He kisses me tenderly, at odds with how he normally kisses me. “I would like to know one thing now.”
Butterflies pound in my chest as I wait for him to continue.
“What was Lee Chang going to say before you killed him?”
“I suspect he figured out that I set him up. I staged everything between him and the Paraguayans so I had an in to approach The Commission. They needed to need me. I created an opportunity when one didn’t naturally present itself.”
He surprises me by chuckling. “You are even more devious than I suspected.”
“You have no idea the lengths I have gone to, to further my aims. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do or haven’t done.”
“I like that you go after what you want and you don’t let anything stop you. Fiero and me have the same bullish approach to life. I will never criticize you for that.” He winds his fingers through my hair as the car pulls up in front of large black gates. “Besides, The Triad didn’t have to take the bait. If they’d been honorable, they wouldn’t have stabbed us in the back. What happened to them isn’t on you,mia amata. It’s totally on them.”
I’m not sure I agree, even if there is some merit to his assessment.
I rest my head on his chest as Massimo’s driver talks to the security guard at the gate, handing him some papers. Ricardo is in the passenger seat, but Ezio and the rest of my men are staying at a hotel tonight. My husband assured me his London townhouse is highly secure; it’s on the only private road in Belgravia and behind high gates with restricted access unless you are an owner or a registered guest. His home has the best security money can buy and comes with the added benefit of a panic room.
I trust I am safe here.
I trust Massimo to ensure my protection for the duration of our visit.
I just…trust him, period.
* * *
“This is magnificent,” I say, pivoting my head to look up at the ornate high ceilings with patterned coving in the elegant hall, after he has given me a whistlestop tour of his gorgeous home. It’s set over three floors, and it has every luxury known to mankind. “Though my favorite is the rooftop terrace.” It’s a vast space with a dining area, enclosed garden, and a comfortable seating area with a TV. “Or maybe it’s the marble bathrooms.”
Contentment clings to him like a shroud as he reaches for me. Even injured, he can’t seem to stop touching me. Nor I him. I rest my palms on his chest, smiling up at him, like I don’t have a shit ton of problems waiting in the wings.
“This is one of my favorite homes. I love my Berlin apartment too, and my villa on the Amalfi Coast is another favorite. I can’t wait until I get to show them all to you.”
“I haven’t traveled much outside the US,” I admit. “I never had time for vacations, and most all of my business is conducted in the States.”
“That is something I will enjoy rectifying. We can be busy and still make time for vacations.” He rubs his nose against mine. “In fact, I think that should be a rule.”
“Donna Greco. Mr. Greco.” Ricardo slips into the hallway from the living room. “Apologies for interrupting, but I wanted to let you know the restaurant called to confirm your booking for eight thirty.”
“Perfect, thanks,” Massimo says. “And, Ric? Please call me by my first name. Mr. Greco makes me sound like an old fart.”
Ricardo’s lips twitch as I giggle. “As you wish, Massimo.” He nods respectfully at both of us before retreating to the living room and giving us our privacy.
I sense a thawing between Ricardo and Ezio and my husband, and I’m glad to see it. Dario and Nic have warmed to him too. Renzo will be a problem, but he’s the least of my worries right now.
“Only two weeks until you will be Don Greco,” I remind him. “Are you looking forward to it?”
“I am.” He tweaks my nose. “Everything is coming full circle, and I’m excited for the next phase of my life.” He clasps my face in his hands. “Having you by my side is the cherry on top. I didn’t see you coming until you snuck up on me five years ago and wormed your way into my heart.” His eyes glisten with sincerity, and with every word out of his mouth, I fall deeper and deeper. “Now I can hardly imagine what my life was like before you.”
“I know what you mean.” I rest my hand on his palm on my face.
