"There you are," he says, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. "Gabriel said you got a phone call. Everything okay?"
"Wrong number," I lie automatically, because I am not ready to explain the Erin situation to anyone yet, not even Luca. Not until I have processed it myself.
He studies me for a moment, and I can see him deciding whether to push, his green eyes narrowing slightly. But then he just smiles and pushes off the doorframe, moving into the room with that easy, predatory grace.
"You look happy," he observes, stopping in front of where I am sitting on the bed.
"Maybe I am."
"Good." He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my jaw in a touch that sends warmth spreading through my chest. "You should be happy, Fiorella."
"Is that an order?"
"A suggestion." His thumb traces my bottom lip, the touch gentle but deliberate. "Though I am not opposed to making it an order if that is what you need."
I roll my eyes, but I am smiling. "You are impossible."
"And you love it." He leans down, and I think he is going to kiss my forehead or my cheek, but instead his mouth finds mine—soft and slow and sweet in a way that makes my chest ache and my breath catch.
When he pulls back, I am breathless, my heart racing, and he is grinning like he knows exactly what he does to me.
"What was that for?" I ask, my voice coming out more breathless than I intended.
"Do I need a reason to kiss my wife?" He straightens, adjusting his jacket with casual movements. "Dante and I have to go. Meeting with Lucas. We will be back late."
"Be safe," I say, and I am surprised by how much I mean it, by how much the thought of something happening to him makes my chest tighten.
"Always am, Bella." He winks, then turns to leave, pausing in the doorway to look back at me. "Sweet dreams, Fiorella. Try not to miss me too much."
"I will try to contain myself," I say dryly.
He laughs, and then he is gone, his footsteps fading down the hallway, and I am left alone in my doorless bedroom with the ghost of his kiss on my lips and the sound of Erin's voice still echoing in my head.
I lie back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and find myself smiling.
Two months ago, I walked down an aisle in a wedding dress that was not meant for me, marrying a man I had never met, sacrificing my freedom for Erin's happiness.
And somehow, impossibly, I ended up here—in a doorless bedroom in a Manhattan mansion, married to a man who kisses me like I am precious, potentially falling for two others, playing video games with Gabriel and getting my sandwiches stolen by Luca and standing up to mafia dons at dinner parties.
My life is absolutely insane.
And for the first time in a long time, I would not change a single thing.
I hear footsteps on the stairs again—Gabriel, probably wondering if I am coming back to finish our game.
"I am coming!" I call out, pushing myself off the bed and heading for the door.
Time to go destroy Gabriel at video games.
Or, more likely, get destroyed by him again.
Either way, it sounds perfect.
15
ROSALINA
I knowwe are playing with fire the moment Luca catches my eye across the dinner table and grins.
