“Frankie, go wait for me in the car.”
“You got it.”
Luca waited until the front door closed before asking, “What are you wearing?” He stood, laptop bag in hand, and rounded the desk.
“A going-away present, but it looks like there isn’t enough time.” I opened my robe, letting him get a better look. “Too bad, huh?”
He stalked toward me, his body forcing mine back into the wall. “Yeah, too bad.” Trailing a finger down my sternum, he grazed my belly. My breath stuttered, and I gasped as he roughly cupped my pussy. “How am I supposed to leave you here like this?”
I shook my head, my fingers digging into his arms to keep me upright. Luca’s lips crashed down on mine, teeth nipping until his tongue thrust into my mouth. All too soon, he stepped away, and I stumbled forward.
“What the fuck?”
“I’ve got to go.” He snarled, his eyes burning into me, setting my body on fire. “I love you.” It sounded a lot more like I hate you.
“I love you too. Be safe,” I said, my voice just above a whisper.
Luca gave me one more hard look and shook his head before walking out of the room. From the hallway, he shouted, “Pictures. I want pictures, maybe a video.”
I let out a surprised laugh.
“And I told those Marino fuckers to stay out of the house, so shoot them if they take one step inside.” And with the dramatic flair of a man who was used to getting what he wanted, Luca slammed the front door.
“Well then.”
* * *
“Why don’t you two stay in the lobby with Miranda?” I mumbled as I stared at the scantily clad pic I’d sent Luca. The sexting arms race was ramping up to what I hoped would be an explosive finale when he got back.
The Marino twins looked at each other and shrugged. Silently, they left my office, and I could finally take a full breath. Their presence was the exact opposite of Frankie's. The two behemoths would loom around me, silent like a pair of statues. One would ride in the back of the car while the other rode upfront with Pete, never saying a fucking word. For two days, I hadn’t known peace, just quiet. Even at home, I was painfully aware they were sitting right outside because it was the only time I heard their voices.
Ashley’s head popped in the doorway, and she visibly relaxed when she saw I was alone. “Thank God. I don’t know if I can handle any more of the beefcake twins.”
“They’re a lot.” Understatement of the year.
“I never thought I’d say it, but I miss Frankie.” Ashley sat and set her laptop on my desk.
“He’s not so bad. And after those two, he’s looking more and more like Prince Charming. Luckily, they’re only temporary.”
“Ah, the life of a mob wife.”
I bit back a smile. I tried to keep that part of my life away from Ashley, and for the most part, she never spoke about it once Luca and I got back together.
“Not a wife yet.”
Ashley frowned. “You having second thoughts?”
“No! I just mean I haven’t gotten married yet.”
“Has it been hard? Entering his world?”
I pursed my lips, not sure how much to share. I didn’t want Ashley to think I regretted my choice to get back with Luca. “Parts of it. There’s a lot more to it than I imagined, and there’s a lot less.” Her brow furrowed. I was clearly making zero sense. “Nothing has fundamentally changed besides the extra security, but there’s an extra mental burden now that I know. Does that make sense?”
“I think so.”
“Eventually, people will have expectations for me, and that terrifies me.”
“And the only person you have to help you figure it out is Rosa.”