AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Aria goes on. "The reason why your parents were penniless was because your dad had a gambling problem. He has a long history of borrowing money he doesn’t return, and recklessly borrowing his investors’ money in hopes of doubling his profits or more, but it never worked out. Your family has basically vanished off the face of the earth," she says with a sad shake of her head. "From what I've heard, and what I've seen, that's probably not a bad thing."
Harper looks pained, but relieved. “Agreed.”
"Harper, the reason why your father borrowed money from the Rossi family is because they were distant relatives. In short, what I'm telling you is thatyouare related to the most powerful Italian mob in all of America. You are not just from the Bianchis. The Rossi family disowned the Bianchis because of your father, but he's out of the picture now, so…"
Shit. Seriously? Harper's eyes widen.
"You're gonna like us,” Marialena says. "I mean we're crazy Italians, so add mafia to the mix and forget it, but I'm telling you right now that we're gonna love you, Harper. We've already told you, but I'm gonna say it again, welcome to the family. I have five siblings and a whole bunch of cousins and they're all in Boston not far from here. You can come and visit anytime. We own restaurants and bakeries and all sorts of things."
Harper stares. "But if my father was on the outs…"
Marialena waves her hand. “Believe me, my brother Romeo is way more concerned with solidifying connections with the Romanovs than he is with worrying about your father.”
My mother grins. "Good, it's about time that we had some connections with people who know how to make pastry.” She winks at Harper.
"And I'll have you know, Harper," Marialena says, "my great-grandfather was an old, old man when I met him, and I was only a child, so I didn't know him well, but I've been told by many people that he was one of the most skilled marksmen in all of Italy. People would come from all over just to see him.” She smiles. "It seems like your gift may have been inherited.”
Harper smiles but her eyes water. “I’m sorry I’m so emotional.” Ha, not many know the real reason yet. “I'm a littleoverwhelmed. I never had family like this before and I… I'm sorry, I don't know what to say. Thank you."
"Tell me you’ll come shopping with me," Marialena says with a grin.
Harper grins back. “Consider it done."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Harper
I run,branches snapping beneath my feet, but no matter how hard I run, he's hot on my heels.
I look over my shoulder, and it's a calculated move that I shouldn't have taken. That quick look over my shoulder cost me precious seconds, and Aleksandr is closing in on me.
I squeal when I feel his fingers brush the back of my hair. I leap over a fallen log and quickly slide between a narrow opening in a gate he can’t make it through. I laugh to myself when he curses and slams against it. Not that I want to hurt him, but I'm not ready to stop running yet.
When I run, he always gives chase. There's something beautifully primal and erotic about the way he chases me, and I love it.
I run into the clearing, picking up my pace, just as he grabs the fence and swings both legs over. It's so gorgeous, seeing suchunbridled masculine strength, that I almost slow down just so he'll catch me. Instead, I turn on my heel and sprint even faster.
My foot catches on something in the field. I go tumbling, and thankfully fall into a bed of flowers. Now that I’ve fallen, he'll catch me in seconds. Game over.
"There you are, you little brat,” he says in that growly voice that makes me hot.
He's heaving with the effort of breathing, his hands on his hips as if trying to catch his breath. He falls down beside me, captures my wrists in his big, strong hands, and pins them by my sides. "You know the rule.”
“Maybe I do,” I whisper, anticipation weaving its way through my limbs, in my arms, in my nerves.
“Strip.”
If I provoke him, the rule is I get to run. If he catches me, the rule is he gets to fuck me.
“Right here in the middle of the field?" I say, just a little scandalized.
He slaps my ass. "Now, before I tear them off you and bring you back home naked."
"What kind of an example would that set for your daughter?"
"She wouldn't see you. I’d wrap you in my coat." He would, though my protruding belly might be visible.
I strip, keeping his eyes on me the entire time. He's already hard as fuck, and I'm wet. In seconds, we're rolling in the grass, my hands grasping for purchase around his shoulders, his aroundmy waist. We lose ourselves in each other until we’re sated, panting in the bed of flowers.
