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Of course he did. But I needed to talk about what happened with Nino. I was still angry.
I grabbed the nape of Giulio’s neck and held him tight. “Do not ever surprise me like that again. I didn’t know what you were planning back there. It is dangerous for one member of a team to work alone, capisce? We stick together.”
He pressed his forehead to my chin and let me take his weight. “Perdonami, assassino. I won’t ever do it again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to talk me out of it. And it was something I had to do.”
For Paolo. I understood. And I wasn’t jealous. But I didn’t like surprises. I liked plans and sticking to those plans.
I kissed the top of his head. “I will never try to stop you from doing what you feel is necessary. My only purpose in life is to keep you safe. Do not make that more difficult. If something happened to you . . . .” I let out a shuddering breath. “I could not handle it, principe.”
“I won’t. Te lo prometto, amore.”
As we walked back to the bike, I studied him. “You’re okay?”
One eyebrow shot up. “What do you mean? I got my revenge and you gave me an amazing fuck in the woods. Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
A smile tugged at my lips. So much for worrying about him. I should’ve known the former mafioso prince could handle violence.
“You were worried about me,” he said, bumping his shoulder against mine. “That’s cute.”
He slung a leg over the bike, looking like the hottest advertisement for designer cologne or clothing. Fuck, I would buy anything this man tried to sell.
He waved his hand to hurry me along. “Andiamo. We have places to go, Alessione.”
I got on and started the engine. The wet come in my pants was uncomfortable, but a reminder of what we’d just done in the woods. I didn’t hate it. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Giulio
Ravazzani Estate, Siderno
I didn’t warn them I was coming.
I wanted it to be a surprise. I hadn’t been home in almost six months and that visit lasted less than two days. Now I could stay as long as I wanted. The feeling was surreal.
Alessio and I slowly approached the massive gate. I was behind the wheel of our rented car, which would allow the guards to see me first.
Four men surrounded the car, guns drawn, and I recognized only one. “Cugino!” I called out to Benito. “They still have you out here?”
My cousin’s eyes went wide as he hurried over. “Madre di dio! I didn’t know you were coming.”
We slapped hands. “How have you been?”
“Good, good. You going up to the castello?” He pulled out his phone.
“Yes. Is he there?”
“I’ll find out. He’ll want to know who you brought.”
Right. “Bennie, meet Alessandro Ricci. Alessio, this is my cousin, Benito.”
Alessio gave a terse nod, his hands on his knees. To anyone else, he might appear relaxed. But I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingertips pressed into his jeans. Was he nervous?
