Page 112 of Roman

CHAPTER 25

ROMAN

Over the next couple of weeks, I found being a husband extremely easy. Or perhaps it was who I married that made it easy. Effie was a constant delight, surprising me at every turn. I found myself thinking of her all the time. Planning ways to make her smile. I texted her during the hours I was gone. Called to check in. Sent flowers. I took her and Nonna out to dinner. I brought her here to the casino to stay a couple of nights when I was taking the overnight shift. I snuck upstairs to fuck her, leaving the room regretfully, shocked at how much I wanted to stay with her.

She loved to cook and bake, and Nonna enjoyed having her company. The two of them became close quickly, and Nonna smiled all the time. They gardened and strolled the vineyards. Had lunch with Vi. Went shopping one day, well guarded and protected, but I worried the entire time. Effie bought a few things but nothing big. I had given her a credit card with her new name and opened a bank account, depositing a large chunk of cash in it. When I checked the balance, wondering if I needed to replenish it, I was amused at her purchases. Some candy, a sock shop where it appeared she’d invested in half a dozen fuzzy pairs of socks, and a menswear place. When I arrived home that night, she waited in our room, wearing nothing but the silk tie she had picked out for me. She let me bind her to the bed, and she blushed the next day when I wore the tie, declaring it my favorite. Effie was an enthusiastic lover, wanting to learn, eager to please. I loved watching her discover her sexuality, and the caveman in me liked knowing I was the only man to ever know her. That I would be the only one to ever have the pleasure of her body.

Aldo cleared his throat, bringing me out of my musings. “Sorry,” I muttered.

“Should I ask what has you staring out the window? Or whom?” he asked with a smirk.

I shook my head. I didn’t want to talk about it with him. With anyone. I hadn’t expected to feel this way about Effie. I hadn’t expected to feel anything aside from the lust that raged through me whenever she was close. But I couldn’t get her out of my mind. My day wasn’t complete until she was close. There was no denying I missed her when I was away from her.

I was beginning to think I was obsessed with my little tiger.

“I think you are.”

I shut my eyes. I had spoken out loud again. It kept happening when I was thinking of Effie.

“It’s all right, Roman. I’m obsessed with Vi. Luca is with Justine. That’s what happens when you’re in love.”

I was about to deny his words, but I stopped. On some level, I admitted I had feelings for Effie. More than I expected. What exactly they were, I wasn’t ready to discuss, so I remained silent.

He grinned, glancing at the file open on his lap. “This is very detailed.”

I flipped open a copy of what he was looking at. “It would have to be if we hand over the reins. Have you talked to Vi?”

He nodded. “She is torn. She loves the city, but she has grown inordinately fond of Effie. She hates the thought of not seeing her every few days.”

I waved my hand. “We’ll arrange a car anytime she wants.” I paused. “Or I was thinking of getting a chopper. Fast trip between the estate and downtown.”

He nodded. “Great investment for time saving.”

“Yep. Less than thirty minutes door-to-door. The casino has a helipad now.”

“She’d love that.”

My phone rang, and I glanced at the number and frowned. “Nonna?” I asked. “What is it?”

“When are you coming home?”

“I work late tonight.”

“Something is wrong with Effie.”

I was on my feet without thinking. “Is she ill?” I asked.

“No. She was busy all day unpacking some boxes in your room. I found her outside, white and shaken. She said she was fine, but she looked anything but. She said she was tired and didn’t want dinner. Something is wrong, Roman.”

I glanced at Aldo, who nodded. “I’m on my way.”

“Good.”

EFFIE

I stared at the small pile of boxes. I wanted a certain sweater, and I knew it had been on the back of my chair. I hoped Roman’s men had packed it. It was dreary today and chillier than it had been, and I decided it was a good day to sort out a few boxes.

The past while had been unexpectedly tranquil. I loved the estate. Nonna and I got along so well, and she bent over backward to ensure I understood I was the mistress of the house, not her. But I only laughed when she would defer to me, and I insisted she knew better. We gardened and walked through the lovely vineyards every day. We cooked and baked. Vi came over, and we sat on the patio and laughed, sipping wine or coffee. I had never known such a decadent lifestyle. Not having to work. Roman had given me a credit card, black and elegant, and told me to use it freely. He had also handed me a debit and bank card, giving me the passwords to both. “I put money in for you. Tell me when you need more,” he had instructed.