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“I never knew I’d be too tired for sex,” she says with a groan, rubbing her eyes.
“Humph.”
“You, too? I don’t know what humph means.”
“Means I don’t think it’s possible to be too tired for sex, but if you are, then I’ll give you that space.”
She laughs and turns to me, burying her head on my chest. “How very noble of you, sir.”
“Dani, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I really am,” I say, pulling her even closer to me and holding her tight.
“I know,” she says. “Ricco, I know.”
“Back there when Nick was at my mercy. When you looked at me, I knew then.”
“That I accepted all of you,” she finishes. “Right?”
“Yes. That I didn’t have to hide who I was. That if we are truly meant to be together, we go into this knowing exactly who we are.”
“Yes. Yes, that.”
We lay in the silence before she broaches the other subject.
“How did you arrange for the cartel to take Nick out?”
“I didn’t want his blood on my hands or yours. I was framed for his murder, and I’d be damned if I was going to allow that to happen again. And you didn’t want the weight of that on your shoulders, either.”
She nods. “Do I want to know the terms of the agreement?”
I feel a familiar weariness descend on me. “No, baby.”
If she wants to know everything, I will tell her. But for now, I want to put this behind us.
She entwines her fingers with mine. I hold her hand, palm to palm.
“Thank you, Ricco. For telling me everything. For being honest. For today, helping me get Emmy.”
“Baby, I love you,” I say softly. “I’ll do anything for you, Daniella.”
“Anything?” she asks with a twinkle in her eye.
“Anything.”
“Good,” she whispers. “Figure out how to work this coffee maker in the morning.” She swallows and her eyes go half-lidded. “But right now, Ricco Montavio… I am very awake and I need you to do something about that.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
WHAT FAMILY DOES
Dani
“If you put your hands on my brother, I’ll take you straight over my knee.” Ricco glares but I only laugh, because I have no intention of putting my hands on his brother, and I love it when he gets all protective and possessive.
We’re in the back of one of the Montavio Brotherhood’s cars, heading into the North End for dinner. We’re meeting his brothers and sister. The kids are home in bed, Penny watching over them.
“I was just saying I owe them both a favor.”
“You owe no one anything,” Ricco says, giving me a pointed look.
“I do, though,” I say, my voice getting thick with emotion. “You guys went above and beyond.”
They truly did. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay them.
“And all I was saying is, the only thing I’m good at is massage.” I shrug.
“I mean it, baby. You don’t owe them anything.” He reaches his big hand to my knee and gives me a warm squeeze. “You’re family now. You and Emmy both.”
My eyes water. Though I’ve had mixed emotions and even now don’t quite know how I feel about everything.
I know how I feel about Ricco, though.
I love him.
He’s everything to me.
We couldn’t be more different in some ways… and in others, couldn’t be more alike.
“This is what my family does, Daniella. We’ve got each other’s backs. If you need something, we’re here for you. If they do, you are. I love that about you, babe.”
The long car pulls up outside of a restaurant situated back from the brick stone street. The smell of roasting garlic fills the air. My mouth waters.
Ricco opens the door and extends his hand to help me out. “Come here, gorgeous.”
Maybe it’s because he says it every chance he gets, or because I’m wearing a dress that really accentuates my curves and wraps around my waist just right, but tonight…I feel gorgeous.
I’ve never been to this part of the North End. It’s a cozy, intimate space with low lighting, ivory candlesticks at each table, soft Italian ballads playing in the background. It’s romantic but private.
I feel myself grow shy when Sergio and Eden wait for us, along with Eden’s sister Starla and Timeo. We have a large table in the back, away from the entrance and far enough back no one else will hear us.
“Hey, guys!” Starla says cheerfully, waving to us from the corner. “So glad you’re home! And congrats.” Frowning, she turns to Eden. “Can I say congrats because of what happened?”
Eden frowns and bites her lip, but I only smile. “Um, sure?” I say tentatively.
“It wasn’t fair what you went through,” Starla says fiercely. “You deserve better. So, welcome,” she says with passion.
Timeo smiles and gives me a little wave. “You gotta be patient with her, Dani, Starla’s like super shy and timid,” he says with mock concern, making me laugh. Starla promptly punches Timeo in the arm, making him grimace.
