“Being so exposed will take some getting used to,” I tell him.
His lips trail along my neck. “We don’t have the luxury of living out in the open like this.”
My hand reaches up and strokes his curly hair.
“No, we don’t,” I whisper.
“Nico, set up the game. I want to annihilate you.”
A deep chuckle rumbles in his chest. “Are you still on top of your game, Mrs. Pitucco?”
I laugh, “You’ll have to wait and see.”
He places a kiss on my lips and steps away. Instantly, I regret asking him to set up the game. I want his arms around me all the time now. I never felt so hungry for love and affection. I’m to blame. I’d starved us both.
“I’ll get the snacks and alcohol ready.” I turn on my heel and stalk into the kitchen.
Nico grins as he removes the game box from the black leather case.
This evening will be like old times.
Once I’ve gotten the bowls filled with chips and candies, I carry them into the living room and place them on the coffee table. I dip back into the kitchen to grab my vodka and cranberry juice with lime, and Nico’s whiskey neat. Sinking onto the sofa, I place his drink in his hand.
“Mortal Kombat time,” he says excitedly.
I take a swig of my drink and place it on the table.
Nico presses start, and we begin. We are focused.
An hour later the chef arrives Nico had arranged to cook for us tonight. We chat with her momentarily. Bets and Angel sit at the marble countertop in the kitchen, keeping an eye on the chef. Miff gave his poison tool kit to Bets while he’s away. I’d been spoiled for five years. Really just eating my grandmother’s cooking. And when I went into town, my bodyguards entered the kitchen and watched my meals being prepared. Normally, I only grabbed pastries from local bakeries. My grandmother was a chef in her own right. Even though she never opened a restaurant. She hadn’t followed her dream of becoming a chef because she was married to a mobster. She said she didn’t want to worry about her staff possibly dying in an explosion meant for her. It hurt my heart learning her truth. She always appears so happy. I guess she learned to accept the hand she’d been dealt.
“Do you think you’re warmed up now?” He flashes a cocky smirk.
I glower at him. “Nico, I allowed you to win those three games.”
He chuckles. “Sure you did.”
Once dinner is complete, we sit at a white, square table on the patio overlooking the ocean. The salty ocean breeze wafts up my nose. I inhale the vodka pasta sauce covering the cheesy rigatoni noodles and grilled chicken. I slip the fork filled with goodness into my mouth. The flavors explode on my tongue. Nico smirks as he watches me savor the goodness.
“It’s delicious,” I say as I scoop up more of my pasta.
“It was my mission to hire one of the best Michelin-star chefs. I’m happy you love the meal.”
“Can’t believe you took time out of your busy schedule to make all this happen for an arranged marriage honeymoon.”
Nico and I had a love hate for each other before we walked down the aisle. I know originally he wanted to punish me.
“Serenity, you were never going anywhere. You’re mine. And I wanted my wife and I to have an enjoyable honeymoon.”
I shake my head. “Nico, I’m trying to say, it’s very thoughtful of you to put all this work in for us.”
He sits back in his chair and holds my gaze. “When all this is over, I plan to put a smile on your face every day.”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach. Gosh, what is he doing to me?
“No wars. You’ll just work for Cichello Investments and Pitucco Enterprise. If that’s what you want to do. If you want to be at home with our children every day, that’s fine too. You deserve happiness, baby.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes. I’d been in hiding for so long, even while living in plain sight. My protection detail kept me safe. I don’t know what it’s like to travel the world or not worry about my enemies coming for me. The danger surrounding me is because I protected my family by killing Ettore’s men.
