Francis sat up. His expression turned serious. “What do you think I do, donna?”
“I don't know. I know that you own a casino with Gianni, but you spend a lot of time with Luca, and I’ve heard that Luca is some kind of mafia boss. Do you work for Luca, Francis?”
Tracy had always wondered, but she was never brave enough to ask. Often times, Luca and Francis were joined at the hip. It was obvious that Francis was involved, in some capacity, with Luca’s business.
“It’s time that you know who I am.”
“Okay,” Tracy said softly.
“Mi chiamo, Vittorio Francis Savelli. And of course you already know that I am from Sicily, but since I move around so much, I’m practically homeless.”
Francis’ smile was sexy without effort, eliciting a smile in return.
“I’ve never been married, and this will be my first child. I have feelings for you. And even if you weren't housing my bambino, I’d still have those feelings. You're smart, beautiful, and you have a figure that’s worth committing cold-blooded murder for.”
Tracy giggled like a teenager. Whenever Francis complimented her, it did something to her. She’d heard those things from other men. But it was Francis that made her giddy. He took a deep breath and his smile faded. The conversation was about to get serious. Francis went silent, but Tracy waited in anticipation of what he needed to get off his chest.
“Donna, first of all, I own and operate several legitimate businesses. But you asked me if I was mafia, if I worked for Luca. Well, the answer to both is no. I’m not part of any mafia, but I am involved in what one would refer to as an organized criminal enterprise. My business is guns. I’m a weapons dealer, Tracy. And, no, I do not work for Luca. Luca works for me. I am the head of the Savelli family, and Luca is my advisor; my, what you would call…my right hand man.”
“Wow,” Tracy whispered softly. She hadn't expected Francis to tell her that he was the head of a major criminal enterprise. Luca, yes definitely, but not Francis. If he was the boss, he hid it well. Or maybe not. With further reflection, he did seem to be always in command.
“Tracy, I have never shared this information with anyone that wasn't directly involved in my business. And I wouldn't be telling you if I didn't know that it would affect you directly. I know that I don't have to tell you that this is not to be discussed with anyone. It could mean danger for our family.”
Francis poured grape juice into a wine glass and handed it to Tracy. Then he poured himself a glass of red wine. “I come from a wonderful family. I am excited for you to meet them.”
He sipped and smiled with warmth as he spoke of his mother and siblings. The conversation flowed with ease as if he hadn't just told Tracy that he was an international arms dealer; a criminal.
Surprisingly, Francis’ admission hadn't completely turned Tracy off of him. In hindsight, looking back at the horrible things that their family had been through, Francis’ criminal connections had a lot to do with keeping them alive. It was Francis’ men, not Luca’s that had flown to Poland to rescue Natasha from a crew of Russian human traffickers. It was Francis’ men that had accompanied Natasha and Victoria’s former teammates into that abandoned warehouse to rescue Victoria, Emily, and Katherine. And it was Francis that had prevented her from being brutally raped by a psychotic co-worker.
“Francis, I would never do anything that would put you in danger. I would never discuss your business,” Tracy assured.
“Bene. Now can we discuss where we’re going to live?”
Tracy gasped, almost choking on her juice. Surely she hadn't heard him correctly.
“Wherewe’regonna live? Um…I’m gonna live at my house, and you're gonna live where ever you live. Jeez, Francis, haven't you ever heard of dating?”
Francis grinned and ran his finger gently down her cheek. He raised his head and pressed his lips to hers. His kiss was tender and sensual. Tracy quivered. A shiver ran down her spine every time Francis touched her. But when he kissed her, Tracy damn near melted. The way she felt when she was with him was foreign. Although she had loved Steve with all her heart, Francis seemed to have a hold on her. And when she pulled away, she felt instant loss and emptiness.
“Donna, I’ve just given you good reasons why I have to keep you and my child close. If someone wanted to hurt me, don't you think that you and the figlio would be the first target? I’m not trying to take away your…uh…free will? I just want to make you safe. Do you understand?”
“Francis, we can't just move in together,” Tracy implored.
“Perche? Why can't we? You enjoy me, I enjoy you. Why is this decision to be so hard? A child should have a family, no?”
“Yes, Francis, but we should take our time. We don't have to rush. We do have time,” Tracy argued.
Francis’ brows wrinkled as if he was actually contemplating what Tracy had said. Compromise would be a minor miracle when dealing with Francis Savelli. He wasn't the negotiating kind.
“Si, okay, we’ll do this dating for now. Will that make you happy, donna?”
Tracy smiled and smacked her lips against his. Just the fact that he’d finally considered her feelings made her happy. And truthfully, she was looking forward to dating Francis. He was a tall, sexy, beast of a man with a kind heart.
Tracy snaked her arms around Francis’ neck and kissed his square jaw. “I’d be delighted to date you, Vittorio Francis Savelli.”
“Bene,” he responded, pulling her closer.
“By the way…” she asked, “…how did you lock down this area for a private picnic? This is a public park.”
