“That’s the difference between crime and organized crime. We aren’t interested in interfering in the lives of civilians. We do our thing, we keep our side of the street clean, and we go about our business. But regular crime, like robbery and grand theft auto and all that bullshit, is right in your face.”
I chuckled. “All that bullshit, huh?”
“They aren’t the same. You know that better than anyone.” He moved his hand to my thigh. “I’ve seen the mob side of you. It’s fucking hot.”
An uncertain smile moved over my lips. “I don’t have a mob side.”
“Oh yes, you do. I’ve seen it.”
“Fighting for survival has nothing to do with the mob.”
“But when your dad threatened to take everything away, you told him to fuck off. You walked out of there with your head held high and said you didn’t need that shit.” His big fingers gave my thigh a gentle squeeze. “Definitely mob-ish.”
“I don’t know… I’ve always questioned if I’m cut out for the business.”
“And you are,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean you need to be in it. Putting up with me is pretty mob-like.”
“You aren’t hard to put up with, Wolfe.”
He smirked. “I’ll remember you said that next time I lose my shit.”
We fell into comfortable silence, the two of us enjoying the sea air and the rocky beach. His hand remained on my thigh, his fingers moving from time to time to draw little circles on my skin.
“Where would you like to go for dinner?” he asked.
“I don’t know. You’re the tour guide here.”
“Well, what are you in the mood for?”
“I want to go to all your favorite places. I want to experience your Palermo.”
“Alright.” He gave my thigh a pat. “My version of Palermo is also hooking up in a dark alleyway.”
I smirked, knowing he wasn’t kidding, that he’d probably done that with the other girls in his life. But I brushed away the insecurity because I had him in a way they never had. “Don’t threaten me with a good time…”
He turned his head to look directly at me, his eyes hidden behind the sunglasses, but his provoked mood was distinct. His hand slid farther around my thigh, and he cupped the inside of it before his fingers slid up to the area between my legs, getting dangerously close to where I always craved his touch. “Be careful, baby. Otherwise, I’ll make you scream my name right here on this beach.”
We went to dinner atSiciliò Marina Villa Igiea, a restaurant with a terrace that had a view of the sea in the distance. They had heat lamps all over the patio, along with pots of overflowing flowers. It was kinda pointless to sit outside during dinner when the ocean couldn’t be seen in the dark, but it was still a romantic atmosphere.
Wolfe pulled out the chair for me before he turned on the heat lamp to make sure I was warm. Then he sat in his chair and grabbed the wine list.
I was heartbroken by my father’s reaction to my relationship with Wolfe, but honestly, it felt like a distant memory now. I was almost glad it had happened, because this quiet life with Wolfe brought me so much more happiness than work ever did. I wanted to be close with my family and make my father proud,but once that was off the table, I had no desire to return to that place.
The waiter came over to the table, and Wolfe ordered the wine. Then we were left alone once more, the smell of the flowers hitting my nose every time a breeze came through. He sat with his elbows on the table, absent-mindedly cracking his knuckles as he looked at me.
“What do you think about living here?”
“In Palermo?”
He nodded. “If you aren’t at the winery anymore, then there’s no reason to be in Caltanissetta.”
“True.”
He gave a slight shrug. “Just an idea…”
I knew he loved Palermo, that he’d only moved to be closer to work, and he would be a lot happier here. The idea of moving two hours away from my family sounded ludicrous momentarily, but once I let that shock pass, I realized it made a lot of sense. I loved his house, I loved this village, I loved being close to the ocean. I could walk right outside onto the street and get coffee whenever I wanted. I could walk to the market and gather everything I needed for dinner every night. If we continued to live at his new house in Caltanissetta,we would be in the middle of nowhere behind a gate, and that sounded a bit lonely.
When I didn’t answer right away, he added, “No pressure. Wherever you want to be is fine with me.”
