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“You’re fucking perfect, Tiana,” I say before I claim her mouth with a thankful kiss.
I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’ll treasure her forever.
Chapter 26
Tiana
There are no words to describe how happy I am, and there’s not a single doubt in my mind that Armani is attracted to me.
We only fell asleep in the early morning hours and woke in time for lunch.
I can’t stop looking at him or smiling as I make pollo alla cacciatora for him.
He’s sitting at the kitchen table, watching as I work. “That smells familiar.”
“Mamma taught me how to make your favorite dish,” I admit with a sneaky grin.
“Hmm.” Getting up, he comes to stand behind me and wraps his arms around me. “Was she here every day?”
“Yes. They helped me get the shopping done and showed me around Venice. I had a lot of fun with them.”
Mamma said she saw the perfect dress for me and will bring it by for a fitting. It’s crazy how quickly everything is happening. I’m marrying Armani in two days.
“I’m happy to hear that,” he says.
He kisses the side of my neck, and my chest explodes with warmth.
“My heart is going to burst,” I admit as I leave the food to simmer on the stove. I turn around in his arms to face him. “I never thought I’d be this happy.”
Armani’s mouth lifts with an affectionate smile. “I wish I could change your past.” When he sees the question on my face, he explains, “Misha told me everything about your time in the orphanage.”
“Oh.” I scrunch my nose. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a long time ago.”
“Still, I want you to know I’m here if you ever need to talk about it.”
I push myself up on my tiptoes and give him a quick kiss. “Thank you, Armani.”
His phone starts to ring, and as he pulls it from his pocket, he sits at the table again. “It’s Misha. I’ll put him on speaker so you can say hello.”
Armani answers, “Hey, brother.”
“You’re one badass motherfucker. I hear you’ve been nicknamed The Reaper. Apparently, half of Italy shat themselves and paid up. Did you really cut off Sibilia’s hand? Brutal man.”
Jesus.
Part of me wants to know what Armani does as an enforcer, but then I think I’d rather not know.
“Tiana’s listening,” Armani snaps. “Say hello to your sister, fuck-face.”
“Shit, sorry, Tiana,” Misha chuckles. “Did you hear how awesome your man was?”
“You just told me,” I answer. “Before I forget, you need to be here first thing Saturday morning. Don’t be late.”
“I wouldn’t miss your special day for the world,” Misha replies. “So, Armani, did you really get a promotion?”
Armani chuckles. “You seem to know more than I do.”
“I heard you have to report to Franco.” Misha is quiet for a moment, then says, “Alek is here. I have you on speaker.”
“Thank you, brother,” Alek says, his tone tight with emotion. “I owe you.”
Owe him? For what?
“You don’t owe me shit,” Armani replies. “It was long overdue.”
I take the food off the stove, and grabbing two plates, I dish up for us.
“Lunch is ready,” Armani informs them. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”
He sets his phone down on the table, and when I place a plate in front of him, he murmurs, “Thank you, bella. It looks delicious.”
I take a seat across from him and watch as he takes a bite. “Careful, it’s hot.”
With a smile stretched over his face, he swallows. “It tastes exactly like my mamma’s cooking. You’re a quick learner.”
Beaming from the compliment, I dig into my food.
We eat in silence for a couple of minutes before I ask, “What did Alek thank you for?”
He stares at me for a moment before answering, “I killed Ignazio Prodi.”
Shock waves spread through me, not because Armani killed someone, but because I know the name. Prodi’s son is responsible for all the heartache the Aslanhovs suffered.
“I’m glad he’s dead.” My eyes lock with Armani’s. “You rid the world of a monster.”
“It takes one to kill one,” he mutters before having another bite of his meal.
“I’ve met plenty of monsters in my life, but you’re not one of them.”
His gaze lifts to mine. “I kill and torture people for a living.”
“I know.” I twirl my fork in my food. “But you don’t prey on the innocent.” I scoop up some braised chicken. “Trust me, Armani. You’re the farthest thing from a monster there is.”
I’m rewarded with a smile from him before he finishes the rest of his food.
Just as I place the empty plates in the sink, we hear Mamma call, “Piccola. I found it!”
She barrels into the kitchen with a wedding dress hanging over her arm. Seeing Armani, she shrieks, “Turn around. You’re not allowed to see the dress!”
I hurry to take the dress from her and carry it to a guest room.
