Page 59 of The Arrangement

That surprised look was back on her face, cheeks sweetening with a touch of pink behind the carefully applied makeup. Anton couldn’t exactly blame her. The two level, modern house in the gated Brighton Beach community of Oceana was quite a sight. It was bigger than most on the block. A stone wall fence kept the corner property from having unwanted guests walking over the manicured grass, and not only was the location beautiful, and expensive, but it was also smart. Given the large bay windows on the top floors, Anton could see just about anybody coming for miles.

On the lower floor, windows were suited with triple latched locks. Only two entrances donned the home, also equipped with high tech alarms and locks, making it that much more difficult for an intruder, or police, to get in without him knowing in plenty of time to make whatever move he needed.

For all intents and purposes, the safe house located right in the heart of Brooklyn had been the perfect residence and spot for the Bratva boss to do his business and keep Viviana as safe as possible. But with the danger slowly beginning to ebb and his desire to return to his own home rising, the draw of their pseudo-home was starting to fade. She had yet to see where they would be living after the wedding, and considering they had a couple of hours before they needed to return to the club for his birthday party, he figured now was as good of a time to show her as any.

“I need to change my shirt. It doesn’t match your shoes,” he said, glancing down at the heels in question. They still had his body and mind in all kinds of turmoil, so just as quickly, he looked away. “And I didn’t want to drive all the way back to the safe house. Come on, Vine.”

The hand that touched his wrist stopped Anton from exiting the vehicle. Sunlight caught the glittering blue of the sapphire ring she now wore. It reflected a dance of light across his shirt. He’d kissed her deeply as he slid that band down her finger. His nerves only grew as he realized his hand had been trembling. But damn, doing that, and then seeing it, hadn’t been at all what he was expecting. It was so much more.

Now, the torn expression she sported had his heart beating into a worried frenzy.

“What is it?”

“I … well, is it like the safe house?”

It wasn’t. The home in Oceana had a great deal less in the safety feature department because it was his personal residence. Anton tried to keep as many weapons out of the home as possible, though there were a few handguns hidden in choice spots just in case. Little to no Bratva business was done inside or around the property, as all the phones were constantly tapped by the feds, and a federal car was usually close by monitoring his private activities.

“No, not really. That’s why we’ve stayed elsewhere for so long, because it’s safer for the bulls to keep an eye on you there while I’m working away from the safe house.”

“No, I meant business-wise, Anton.”

“Oh,” he drawled softly. “No way. Nothing in this house is off limits to you, not a single thing. There is a safe in the basement and one in my office that really don’t concern you, but you’ll have access to them if you want. None of my associates other than Erik and Ivan will make an appearance here. On a private scale, this is, in every way that counts, our home. The business will not intrude here, and I have kept it that way for as long as I can remember. That’s why there are other places, like the safe house, where certain precautions are already in place for other … things.”

Her brown eyes lifted to meet his as she asked, “Promise?”

“Yeah, of course.” Then Anton felt the need to explain a little more, wanting her to understand just how much of a distance he kept between his home and outside life. “Also, no one else was invited here, Viviana. I didn’t share this space with anyone other than family and close friends.”

The befuddled look had him sighing. “Women,” he stressed. “I did not bring a woman to this home. Ever.”

“No?”

“Not one.”

In fact, he never took another woman beyond wherever it was she caught his eye, honestly. The backseat of a car, in a dirty alleyway, or the hidden hallway of a club. No, Anton was quite clear with all of those women about just what he wanted or needed from them, and it wasn’t to invite them back to his home to spend the night. He simply assumed if he didn’t give them any impression that he was searching for more, they wouldn’t come knocking. So far none had, and he was grateful.

Viviana Carducci had been the first and only woman to sleep in his bed; she would be the last, too. None could ever look quite so good under his sheets with her head resting on his arm and her eyes closed, so he wasn’t going to try and replace that feeling with someone who wasn’t her.

The faint scent of her perfume had all but coated his car and lungs with its floral smell, overtaking him in the best way. That pink stain on her lips popped with the same color that naturally rose to her cheeks when she was happy, loved, or sad. Sometimes, it was the small things with her that caught him up in emotions he wasn’t used to experiencing. Without thinking anymore about it, Anton leaned over the console of his Mercedes, cupping her jaw in his grasp and pulling Viviana in close to his face so lips grazed over hers as he spoke in low, hushed tones.

“I love you and you love me, yes?” An almost dazed nod had him smiling. “That’s all that matters, then. I’ve been dying to see how you’d look walking through our home. That little dress you’ve got on, that ring on your finger, and those shoes are going to be the death of me if I don’t get you out of this car so I can think and breathe for a moment, so let’s go.”

“All right, you insatiable man. Let’s go.”

• • •

“So, what do you think?”

Viviana jumped in fright, not having realized Anton returned from the master bedroom’s attached bath. Turning away from the large window where she was looking down on the quiet, fenced backyard, she offered him a fake scowl for scaring her. Anton only grinned teasingly in response.

Basically, he left her alone to search out the basement, ground, and upper floors while he went to change his shirt. And explore she had. There was no doubt about it; she absolutely loved the home.

Fresh, white walls in every direction with high ceilings and bright lighting, it felt open and clean. Where the safe house was equipped with barely any personal touches on the walls, this home held artwork, family photos, and mementos of years gone by everywhere she looked. Instead of high priced, modern furniture that suited a group or gathering, the rooms were filled with comfortable pieces that fit the house and person inside it.

Spacious enough, but not ostentatious.

Relaxed, but not lazy.

Professional where it needed to be, sweet where she would want it to be, and homey in all the spots in between, Viviana was struck speechless. It felt like … home. It had been so damned long since she felt that. Despite not having been directly in his life when the property was purchased, she had to wonder if she had somehow been considered in its choosing, too.