Oh.
My.
Gosh.
Both of those women had been sex workers?I would have never guessed that in a billion years.
“So, no, Francesca.You really will never be like Giselle and Eve.And you should be happy about that.”
I bit my lip and nodded.And then the magnitude of what they'd gone through began to hit me.And all on their own—tears started running down my cheeks.“That's terrible, Stefan.I can't believe they went through all of that.”
He pursed his lips together and wiped my tears away with his thumbs.“They went through a hell of a lot worse than having to sleep with men for money.But that's for them to tell you.Not me.”
I rested my face in the crook of his neck, and he held me while I cried.
For Giselle.
For Eve.
For poor little Daniella.
“I—I—I—didn't know,” I sobbed and held onto him.“I didn't know.”
But Stefan didn't judge me for my ignorance.Or at least he didn't seem to.“How could you?Those aren't exactly things people share when you first meet them.”
I pushed away from his chest and asked, “Are you sure they'd be okay with what you just told me?Do you want me to pretend I don't know?I don't want to get you in trouble with any of them.”
Stefan's hand slid up the back of my neck and into my hair.He held me there while he spoke, “They'll be okay with it.They'll be more than okay with it.Giselle and Eve are excited as fuck to have you in the family.As are Nick and Carlo.”He kissed my lips.“But even if they weren't—” he kissed me again, “I wouldn't give a fuck.I'd leave them all in a second.And take you away.”He kissed me more deeply now.With more intent.
And I kissed him right back.“You're my wife, Francesca.I'll do anything for you.”
And somewhere deep down inside—I knew that was true.
2
Francesca
“Try again,” Stefan ordered as I held onto the saddle with a death grip.
“What if I fall?”I said, but it was too late.He boosted me up, and I had no choice but to lift my leg and sit down.
“You're not going to fall.Sole is gentle.And slow.And extremely tolerant.Much like me.”
That made me burst out laughing.Unfortunately, Sole didn't seem to enjoy that.She huffed and snorted and jerked her head.
“Whoops,” I whispered to Sole.“Nice horsey.”I carefully patted her.
“As long as you don't make any sudden loud noises,” Stefan added with a glare.He shook his head and wandered over to his own horse.
And let me tell you.
Watching Stefan mount that horse was a huge freaking turn on.
Huge.
Like he'd done it a billion times before.
He turned his head and said, “This way.”
