“How can every moment away from me be killing you when it took you a year and three months to come for me?”
“Ti amo, Nyla. Tu sei l'unico per me. Non farmi vivere senza di te.”
“Stop it, speak English.”
He stands and starts to walk toward me. He stops right in front of me and covers my hands, still holding the guns, pushing them down at my sides.
Lifting a hand to my chin, he lifts my face. “Why? You understand me. You know I just told you I love you.” He covers my heart with his hand. “You feel in here the same as I do, no? Baby, don’t make me live without you. Is that better? Does it mean any less in English?” he says against my lips.
“Why did you contract my sister? What game are you playing now? You’re here, so it isn’t about me.”
“She’s a piece I’ve been missing. She’s for my brother.”
“What?” I look at him in confusion.
He smiles. “Dante will be happy, and I do believe at the right time that will be with Lizzy. She’s perfect for him.”
I lift my right hand. “I should shoot you now. Dante is married with a baby and he’s five years older than Lizzy. Again, why are you trying to make me kill you?”
He knocks my hand away. “Your sister means a hell of a lot to me. I could never hurt her. Dante won’t be married to that cunt forever. That’s a promise, and when I remove that bitch, I’m going to slide Lizzy right in where she belongs.”
“So fuck what Lizzy wants and Dante’s whole life because this is what you think is best. You’re unbelievable, Gio.”
I roll my eyes and turn away from him. He grabs my face and turns it back to him, hovering inches away from my lips. I snarl at him.
“You fail to see this is always about my family. I’m tearing myself apart for all of you. You will all be safe and happy if it kills me.”
With that, he takes my lips and kisses me passionately. I click on the safeties to my guns and holster them, freeing my hands. My fingers are locked in his hair as he devours me. He groans in my mouth and moves his hands to grab my ass and lift me onto his waist.
My heart is breaking because nothing has been resolved, but I know I can’t pull away. It’s like finally going home, but he came for me this time. That means a lot. Gio sends for you, he doesn’t go to anyone.
He reaches between us and unfastens my jeans, then slips his hands into the back, finding my core from behind. I whimper and tug at his hair.
“Mi sei mancato così tanto,” he says huskily in my ear.
“I missed you too, but something has to change, Gio.”
“It will, baby.”
He releases me to slide down his front. I look at him curiously. He looks good, smells good, and feels good. I miss him and want him.
He drops to one knee and lifts an open ring box. I break down into tears. Suddenly strong arms wrap around my waist and I’m being rocked back and forth in a comforting embrace.
Jace kisses the back of my head. I stare at Gio through my tears. They both came for me.
“We can’t live without you. I’m going to get over myself and do what I should have done a long time ago. Will you marry me, Nyla? I can’t promise you an ordinary life. I still need to finish what I started, but I want you by my side.
“I’ll find us the best way to make this wish you have come true. I’ll find a way to make it all happen. Trust me, give me a little more time.”
“Okay, yes.” I nod.
CHAPTER 58
Lunch & Friends
Gio
Three months later…
I sit with Lizzy in this restaurant as we wait to have lunch with Ny. I’m supposed to be meeting her sister for the first time. I figured while we wait, I’d hand her the contract to come work for me. Well, Di Lorenzo Industries and Dante.
I needed to move some pieces around before I offered her the mail room position at Di Lorenzo Industries and told her about the contract I placed for her services. I laugh at the bewildered look on her face.
“You’re going to pay me what to work in the mail room?”
“It’s a two-million-dollar contract to start in the mail room and move up through the company as I need.”
“Wow, but I’m starting that channel thing with my sister. A lot of gamers are taking off and making good money. You encouraged me to do it. Why, when you knew you had this in mind?”
“You have a certain set of skills I need. When the time comes, I’ll ask you for them. That could take a few years. I want you to have your business and do something you love.