Chapter 47 – Nico
Itrudged up the stairs and opened the front door. Lights were on farther into the house, but the foyer was cast in gloom. It was hard not to miss the shimmer of a moon-kissed dress.
Or the smell of bleach.
“I can get used to this,” I murmured as Magnolia Rae emerged from the front parlor. She arched a brow, and I laughed roughly. “Coming home to you, my sweet cherry.”
“There are some things you should know,” she said, holding up a hand to halt my advance.
I knew them already. The boys had filled me in. Taking a step forward, I nodded. But if my beauty wanted to tell me, I would listen.
“Arabella left. She’s safe,” Rae started.
Safe and controlled. Arabella was going to stay with Luigi’s dad until she figured out what she wanted to do with her life. It was a step in the right direction for the brand new adult. Giuseppe would let her test her wings, while keeping an eye on her.
“Before she left—” Rae looked to the side, gaze pinning on a spot in the foyer as if to check for blood “—she shot Sanderson.”
“She had it coming.” I wrapped my arms around her, capturing her arms at her side and bringing her close.
Looking up at me, Rae huffed. “You knew all that, didn’t you?”
I nodded. “Guilty.”
Bending, I brushed my lips against hers. Dio sacro, a man could get lost in her taste.
“Thank you for cleaning it up, but Rae?”
“Hmm?”
“That’s the last time,” I said vehemently. “From now on, you’re my queen and you’ll never scrub another floor as long as I live.”
Rae considered my words. “I don’t know, things might get pretty messy in the near future.”
“They might. But you’ll be away from the danger,” I assured her.
With a little laugh, Rae tucked herself into me. Mannaggia. She was so warm, so soft. Suddenly, I was starving.
“Did your buddy tell you Arabella nearly burnt the house down?” Rae asked sweetly.
“I’m glad you talked her out of it.” I slowly pulled the pins from that beautiful, wild mess of hair.
“I thought so,” she muttered. “You’re kind of attached to this hellhole.”
“No,” I corrected, “but it’s not that bad of a house. We just haven’t been able to properly use it before now.”
Scooping her into my arms, I began to carry her up the stairs.
Rae let out a half-hearted squeal. My girl was tired. And no wonder. It was nearly five in the morning.
“One question,” I began, walking down the hall to the room that was now going to be ours. “Where are your shoes?”
Her bare feet twitched. “I was kind of hoping you’d chase me. Since we have the place to ourselves now.”
The admission made my cock pulse greedily.
“But then I figured you’d be busy with mob stuff, and I didn’t expect you to come back at all,” she added.
“The most immediate problems are solved.” I pushed into the bedroom and kicked the door shut behind us. “The rest can wait.”
“Really?”
I laid her on the bed. Her beautiful tangle of hair fanned around her. I took a moment to memorize the vision before me.
“You come first,” I promise, sitting on the bed and plucking up one of her feet. I began to rub it as she yawned. “You’ll always come first, Magnolia.”
“Well, shucks.” She pushed onto her elbows, watching me massage her tired, probably aching feet. “You’re going to make me break my rule.”
I frowned at her.
The dainty foot wriggled in my hold. “Don’t stop.”
“What rule?” I rasped and continued to rub, digging my thumbs into the arch.
A wicked twinkle shone in her hazel eyes. “When you talk like that, it makes me want to let you drive the Camaro.”
Given everything that had happened, that was the furthest thing on my mind. I barked out a surprised laugh. “Does this mean I’ve won.”
Rae shook her head and rolled her eyes. “We’ve got to see how you handle her.”
Leaning forward, I brushed my lips over her forehead. “I’d rather handle you.”
With a low, throaty groan, Rae tipped her head back. My lips found hers, and I blessed every broken piece that led us to this moment.
“So….” I brushed a hand through her hair. “When can I drive Cherry Pie?”
Mischief sparkled in her eyes. “Race you for pinks for that Aston Martin?”
“Why not the Jag?” They were all hers. Whatever car she wanted.
She shrugged. “I don’t like the color on it.”
Pulling her into my arms, I laid back on the bed and tucked her close. “I have another idea….”
THE END
Be a good girl, and flip the page to read an epilogue from Arabella’s POV
And find the bonus scene “My Sweet Cherry Pie” here to see if Dominico ever drives the Camaro…or if Magnolia Rae wins a second sports car ??