AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Always knew there was more to you than met the eye. Touching myself thinking about the man you'd end up with, I used to try and imagine various scenarios where I could tell you who I am, without dropping you into the craziness that is my life.”
I smile, feeling nostalgic. “Same.”
He spread his hands out. “And here we both are.”
I put my head on his chest. “Here we both are.”
* * *
The next morning, I wake up before the sun has even risen. I sit up, staring down at Romano’s broad back, admiring it in an absent sort of way. I'm thinking about our wedding, and how we can possibly pull it off. It might be time to call Aunt Ludovica. I'm fairly sure she would help us after I explain everything. I know it sounds mad but at least she knows that I've been seeing the same guy for the last two years.
I shuffled out of bed, and into the bathroom. It's a very basic set up with one sink, a shower stall, and a toilet. Benedetto gave me a stool where I can put all my toiletries, and he bought me both a towel and a bathrobe, which hang behind the door. It's a pretty cozy setup for an abduction.
I take a shower, enjoying the water pressure as I contemplate our future. I'm hopeful that Aunt Ludovica will help me, but even if she doesn't, my mind is made up. I am going through with this - come hell or high water.
A warm body presses against my back and I startle, “You move so quietly for such a big guy,” I say.
Romano chuckles in my ear, his deep baritone causing vibrations against my skin and making me shiver. “You're way too relaxed about your surroundings,” he counters. “Were you daydreaming about last night?”
“No, I was actually trying to make plans for our future.” I turn around in his arms and look him in the eye, “I think my aunt would help us. Is there any way I can get a message to her?”
He stares into the middle-distance frowning, “Do you know her schedule? Is there a place that she visits religiously where we can intercept her?” He takes the soap, lathering his hands, before rubbing them down my back and copping a squeeze of my ass while he does it.
I blow out a breath, trying to focus as I think hard. My aunt is a widow, her husband died soon after their wedding night in very mysterious circumstances. Nobody comes right out and says it, but everyone treats my aunt with wary respect.
Including my parents.
Her being in charge of her own shit, she's difficult to pin down. Then I remembered one activity that she loves. “The opera. She never misses an opening night. She says that it's the most stereotypically Italian thing about her.”
Romano frowns. “I don't keep up with the opera, so I have no idea when the opening night is. But I do know that it is not a weekly occurrence.”
“Plus, she's unlikely to go, while I'm ‘kidnapped’.” I raise my fingers to mimic quotation marks.
“Mm, you're probably right. Plan B?”
I sigh, “The best thing is probably to call her directly. She lives on her own, in the East Village of Manhattan, but she's well-guarded. If my family hear ofanyoneeven distantly related to the Montis, anywhere near where she lives, it will be taken as a sign of open hostility. Especially now. My father doesn't kid around when it comes to his sister.”
“Are you sure it would be safe to call? What if her phone is bugged?”
“I'm not saying it's impossible, but my aunt employs some high-tech guys to make sure her shit is clean.”
Romano shrugs. “Okay, if you want to risk it, I won't stop you.”
A smile slowly spreads on my face as I look at him with affection. “You really do trust me.”
He gives me a strange look. “Of course, I do. You know that.”
“It’s one thing to know it and quite another toseeit.”
“Me leaving you here alone, without locking you in, didn’t do it for you?”
I throw back my head and laugh joyfully. “I figured that was more of a test.”
He nods slowly, then moves his head from side to side in a fifty-fifty gesture. “A bit of both, I guess,” he says. He gives me a look like he’s seeing me anew. “You really are more than just a pretty face.”
I smack his arm. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
He sniggers evilly, “Hey, don’t blame me. I’m not the one who put out the dumb blonde rumors about you.”
