“For your hair. I’ve helped Nonna wash hers in the sink. She uses olive oil with her conditioner.”
“You might be the sweetest crime boss I know.”
I deadpan. “I’m the only crime boss you know. What do I use next?”
She points to a hair mask container and turns her back to me. I lather her roots and ends, unsure how to calm the tightness in my chest settling between my ribs.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her.
“Did you fart?”
“Trouble.”
Bianca sighs. “Benny. I’m fine now.”
“You sure?”
“That dickhead deserved a few more bullets for trying to kidnap me,” she huffs. “Wearing his blood and guts was an experience, but I’m not losing sleep over him. I wish I could get my hands on that bridal attendant. How dare she make a sale and then turn me over like that?”
“I blew her up. With the building,” I add.
“Did you take your money back from the register before you did it?”
We snicker.
“Am I rubbing off on you, Trouble?”
She pinches her fingers together. “Maybe a little. There were a few people at my old job that I wouldn’t mind giving a dirt nap. I’d never do it for real, but if they tried to mess with my safety.” Her hands raise. “It’s above me.”
I push a strand of hair from her face. “Leave the killing to me, love. You’re too precious.”
Bianca came into my life like a hurricane with no off button or filter. She fits by my side as my partner. I want her, but not by force.
“I saw Tino’s father today. He vowed no harm would come to you.” I swallow and look away. “You’re free to go home now. I can get you on a plane tomorrow.”
“Benny. I agreed to help you.”
“And I care too much to see you hurt. I was ready to burn half the district behind you today. This life took away the people I love. I can’t lose you too.”
Andrea is an idiot half the time, but he’s right. If Bianca going home keeps her safe, I’ll learn to live without her.
She takes my face into her hands. “Bad things won’t go away because I do. You kept me safe. The guy called me by my fake name you told Andrea to make before your drones killed him. I don’t half-ass projects, and you aren’t getting out of being voluntold to marry me.”
I kiss her hands and sigh. “You really enjoy telling me what to do, don’t you?”
“You’re the one trying to act all chivalrous after blowing people up in buildings,” she says with a side-eye. “Do you want out?”
I’ll want more if you stay.
“No.”
Bianca rinses out the conditioner coiling her curls. Water runs down her neck to her nipples, tempting me to suck again. I slip my hands around Bianca’s waist, bringing her closer to kiss her collarbone. Then her throat. Then her mouth.
“If we get married, you’re mine, Trouble,” I say, to give her one last out. “Everything changes tomorrow.”
“Bring it on, crime boss.”
Her gaze meets mine, turning my heart over in response.
