I don’t want to get out of bed. I never want to get out of this bed. I want to stay here forever with her. My eyes squeeze close as I cradle a sleeping Sloane against my chest. Her warm body has been curled around mine since we both fell asleep, exhausted, sometime in the early hours of the morning, after multiple rounds of fucking and lovemaking. It was, hands down, the best night of my life, and I want a repeat of it every night from now until my dying breath.
It replays continuously in my mind, and my dick is hard as steel and leaking precum at every delicious memory. Being with Sloane like this is a dream. She’s everything I have ever wanted, and I was such a fool to push her away at the start. I should have claimed her the instant I set eyes on her because some innate part of me recognized her immediately. She’s the missing piece I’ve been seeking. No one can convince me otherwise.
With Aliya, I thought I’d found “the one,” but I was wrong. So very wrong. I never felt this way with my ex, and I’m so glad she showed her true colors and we broke up, paving the way for me to meet my true soulmate. Opening my eyes, I stare at the woman sleeping soundly in my arms, marveling at the way fate works. I had given up hope, resigned myself to never having love, and when I least expected it, it popped up and slapped me in the face. Some might say I should take it slow, but screw that—I’m all the way in already.
I love her.
I love her with my entire being.
She looks so perfect nestled against me, like she was made to fit there. I’m convinced she was. An almost overwhelming urge to protect her and always keep her close crests over me. I just want to bundle her in my arms and never let go. I don’t know if her age is the reason I feel such strong protective instincts or if it’s just her because I have never felt like this with any woman who has come before.
They all fade into nonexistence now I have found the other half of my soul. Sloane and I were meant to find one another, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make this work. We have a lot of talking to do, but right now I must get up or I’ll be late to the office. I have back-to-back early-morning meetings I can’t get out of.
Very carefully, I extract myself from Sloane without waking her. She seems to sleep better in my arms, and I plan to make her a permanent fixture in my bed. Elio goes to sleep before us and wakes after us most days, and he’s a sound sleeper, rarely waking in the night, so I don’t think it’s risky moving Sloane into my bed before we make things official in front of my son.
I leave Sloane another note and a rose, explaining Sierra is dropping by at lunch. Then I press a soft kiss to her brow, snap another sneaky pic, and reluctantly tear myself away.
After eating lunch at my desk, I make a few quick calls, checking in with John Angelo first. Sloane’s bodyguard confirms Sierra is at the penthouse and Sloane is safe. I FaceTime Elio, and he talks excitedly about the zoo they visited this morning and their plans for the rest of the day. Papa reassures me everything is fine and security is alert and watchful. Tullia sends me the pics she took on Sunday, and I forward them to Sloane. There are several gorgeous ones of her, and that stunning one of the two of us I make my new screensaver.
Massimo calls in the early evening as I’m packing up my laptop bag, ready to head to the meeting with my capos. “This is becoming a habit, Don Greco.”
“Not deliberately.” Frustration underscores his tone.
My tone sobers. “What’s happened?”
“We got an ID on one of the shooters.” A heavy sigh trickles down the line. “He’s part of the Accardi crew.”
“Fuck.” Caleb will not take that lying down. Traitors in their ranks almost brought all of us to our knees a few years ago. “Active or not?”
“Active but new. He was the youngest son of a seasoned capo. I’m meeting with Joshua and Caleb now to discuss it. I’m sure they’ll update you.”
“What about the other two men?”
“We have nothing. The investigative team will do a full background check on the other guy and see if we can identify these two through mutual contacts. Chances are they were friends or friends of friends.”
“Let’s hope. Did O’Hara have anything to add?” I inquire, placing two folders in my bag before zipping it.
“He’s putting feelers out. Maybe something will turn up.”
“I hate we are back to this.” I grab my coat and switch off the main light in my office.
“It’s the nature of the game. No matter how careful we are, there will always be a few rotten eggs.”
“Whoever it is, he’s mine.” I’m gonna enjoy torturing the fucker who set this all in motion. No one tries to take me and my father out and gets away lightly.
“Of course. Talk later, Cristian. Be safe.” Massimo hangs up, and my thoughts are troubled as I drive to the meeting at the warehouse.
“It’s only me, Sloane,” I call out a few hours later when I enter the penthouse.
“In the kitchen,” she shouts back as I hang up my coat and walk to meet her.
Depositing my laptop bag on the island unit, I hand her the flowers and chocolates I picked up on the way home. “For you. I missed you,” I say before dropping a kiss on her lips.
“You just bought me flowers,” she splutters when we break apart.
“So?” I shrug. “Is there a law that says I can’t buy you flowers whenever I want?” I inquire, opening a cabinet door to extract a vase. I set it down, smiling as Sloane practically ingests the flowers.
“You are the most thoughtful man.” Putting the flowers and chocolates down, she flings herself at me. “Thank you. I adore you.”
My heart soars at her words. “Right back at you, sweetheart.”
Sloane’s arms wind around my neck as we kiss, and gradually, I feel the stress leaving my body. The meeting with the capos, my consigliere, and underboss was tense. The thought we might have a spy or spies doesn’t sit well with any of us. My men couldn’t think of anyone who stood out as a potential traitor, but they have sworn to question the lower ranks and keep a closer eye on our soldati. Dano, my underboss, is going to talk with the men in groups and set up surveillance. I hate we have to do this, that I can’t trust everyone, but I won’t compromise when it comes to my family’s safety.
“By the way, I missed you, too, lover.” Her cheeks flush, and her eyes dance with emotion as she smiles shyly at me.
“Any regrets about last night?”
“Nope. Not a single one.” She presses a kiss to the underside of my jaw, and I hug her closer, relishing the comforting warmth of her body snuggled against mine.
“You?” she asks, peering up at me.
“Zero regrets.” I kiss her gorgeous mouth. “You’re stuck with me now, beautiful.”
“I don’t deserve you,” she whispers as pain flits fleetingly across her face.
“Stop that. You are more than worthy.” I kiss the tip of her nose before straightening up. My nostrils twitch as I cast a glance around the kitchen. “What culinary delights have you whipped up tonight?”
“I was going to make your mother’s lasagna, but Sierra gave me the recipe for Mazzone meatballs earlier and convinced me it was yummy and really easy to make, so that’s what’s coming up.”
I chuckle. “A staple in every Cosa Nostra household in New York. I’ve been telling Natalia for years she should publish a cookbook instead of giving all her recipes away for free.” My arms band around Sloane’s waist as I gently sway us. “Natalia uses all her mama Rosa’s recipes, and they’ve been handed down for generations.”
“I love that, and she should definitely do a cookbook.” She shucks out of my embrace. “I need to finish dinner. Go shower or whatever. It’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
Dropping my laptop bag in the bedroom, I strip out of my clothes and grab a hot shower before redressing in jeans and a designer hoodie. I slip my feet into slides and return to the kitchen, where Sloane has dinner waiting. The flowers occupy center stage in the middle of the table, and I decide to buy her flowers regularly because she gets so much enjoyment from them. My mission in life is to make her happy today and every day for the rest of her life.
