“Good.” His tender kiss is toe-curling. “You can expect a proposal soon. Once we get through the next few months.”
I prop up on one elbow and sweep my fingers over his cheeks. “You don’t need to prewarn me, babe. I will say yes. Nothing will change my mind. I have never felt this way about anyone. It’s just you, Joshua. It will always just be you.”
He holds my face in his hands like I’m treasure. “I told you before I’d been in love previously, but I was wrong. I never felt this with her, Gia. What I had with Bettina was some form of puppy love, but it wasn’t real or true, and it wouldn’t have lasted. I know that now. I have never loved anyone the way I love you. You’re it for me too.” He reaches up to kiss me. “You’re my forever.”
“I love you so much. More than I can describe.” I kiss his gorgeous lips before laying my head back down on his chest.
His arm tightens around my back. “I want to bottle this happiness and never lose it.”
I trace his chiseled chest with one finger. “I wish we could stay here in our little bubble and never leave. All I need is you, and I’m content.”
It’s the truth, but we both know we can’t ignore reality for much longer.
“Are you sure you want a place on my team?” Caleb asks as we work side by side on our laptops in Joshua’s home office. My love is attending an important meeting at the Accardi Company today, so his twin is keeping me company.
“Yes. It’s where my strengths lie.”
It’s been two months since the kidnapping, and I’m fully healed and back working out at the gym and training with my team at Commission Central. Everysoldatoandcapoin the city is undergoing refresher training ahead of the impending battle.The four new dons have brought one thousand men to the city in the past few weeks, and all are living in apartment buildings owned by Caltimore Holdings that solely housemafioso.
I had to postpone my skin graft and breast reduction surgeries because they would have forced me to sit out the upcoming battle, and there’s no way in hell I’m missing that.
Everyone is gearing up for the clash with our enemies. The plan is highly confidential, and I’m not even privy to every part. The Commission has purposely kept it that way so nothing leaks they don’t want leaked. They have made it known they are going after the Barone for the attacks on the twins and Rowan Mazzone, and they have released the date, time, and location in Jersey to draw all our enemies to the battle. It’s a gamble because they may sense a trap and not show up if they aren’t ready to invoke their plan, or they could turn up with more men and firepower than us, and we will lose a lot of good men.
No one knows who this Italian boss is or how many men he has on his side.
It’s risky, but we’re taking the fight to the enemy when it suits us. It’s better than waiting for them to strike and being caught off guard.
“I thought you’d want to be by Joshua’s side. You two are practically joined at the hip these days.”
“Aw, jealous?” I lift my head from my laptop and swivel in my chair so I’m facing him. “Afraid I’ll take him from you?”
He rolls his eyes. “Nothing will ever come between my twin and I. You’d do well to remember that.”
“I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your twin bond. He loves you, and he loves me. There is room for both of us. And being on your team is best for Joshua. If I’m with him, he’ll be distracted worrying about me, and distractions cost lives.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I’m not doing it for you.”
“I’m aware. I know you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you, Caleb. I hate what you’ve done to my friend. There’s a difference.”
“It’s better this way. Elisa is safer away from me. Look how you were targeted. I wouldn’t want that for Lili.”
I believe he’s sincere. I believe he cares about her. But he’s hurt her so much. Though it wasn’t intentional, I’m still finding it hard to forgive him. I tolerate him for Joshua’s sake, and to be fair, he’s done a lot for us since everything went down after Christmas. I’ve got to give him some credit.
“I was always going to be a target as an informant, but you’re right, being Joshua’s girl gave that douche added incentive to come after me.”
“He didn’t realize you’ve got bigger balls than most men and you’re not easy to take down.”
“Straight fucking fire.”
“You impressed me,” he says, setting down his pen. “I know it can’t have been easy in the aftermath of everything, but you just got on with it. You’ve proven you’re worthy of my brother. You have my blessing.”
I flip up my middle finger. “We don’t need your blessing. Your ego is showing again.”
“You think my brother would marry you if I didn’t approve?” He quirks a brow.
