Page 44 of His Stolen Bride

Bella

Icringe as my father hits the unforgiving ground. The sound of several bones breaking all at once isn’t one I’ll soon forget. I stand and turn my head toward the window and find Leo standing there. I should probably feel sad, but I don’t. The only thing I feel is relief, knowing that my sister will finally be safe.

“That feel good?” I shout up to him. I know it felt good watching it. My father was a horrible man who likely got off too easy. You won’t see me shedding any tears over it.

“Long fucking time coming.” My sister comes up behind him. Leo turns and grabs her before giving her a small dip and kissing her like they’re on a romance cover. I have no doubt she’s loving every second of it.

Santino puts his arm around me and pulls me into his big body. I rest my head on his chest. “Thank you.” I tilt my head to look up at him. He runs his hand along my jaw.

“You never have to thank me for protecting my family.”

“Then thank you for loving me.”

“Not that either.”

“For letting me shoot some of the bad guys?”

Santino gives me that beautiful smile of his as he leans down and brushes his mouth against mine.

“I like her.”

Santino breaks the kiss.

I loosen my hold on his shirt and turn to look at Cato. I’d forgotten he was here.

“We need to talk about some things.” Cato glances up at Leo and Gianna then at the destroyed vineyard. This place is a freaking mess.

“Things that can’t wait.” Cato is all business.

I start to step back from Santino so he can go with Cato.

“Let me see to my wife first. I think I should bring Leo in, too.”

“Your office in 15. I told my tigress I’d be home for dinner.” Cato turns to leave.

“I can see to myself if you need to go.” I don’t want to leave Santino’s side.

“No, I need to speak to you first. Everything else will have to wait.” He takes my hand and leads me back into the house. I groan when I see the utter destruction that my father’s goons caused.

“Thank God you’re rich,” I mumble.

Santino barks out a laugh so loud it scares me for a second. “What? This is going to be expensive. It was expensive the first time around. And now—” I shake my head.

“There’s no such thing as too expensive when it comes to my wife’s happiness.” He picks up the pace. Whatever he has to talk to me about must be really important, because I’m practically running to keep up with him at this point.

“We need a minute,” Santino tells my sister and Leo as we enter our bedroom. “Don’t go far, Leo. We have a meeting in my office in ten.”

“I’ll be there.” He takes Gianna’s hand and pulls her out of the room.

Santino shuts the busted doors as well as he can. In two long strides he’s lifting me off my feet. His mouth takes mine in a fevered kiss. This kiss is different than any other before. After he devours me, he pulls his mouth from mine, leaving us trying to catch our breath.

“You didn't think you were going to live, did you?” I dig my fingers into his shoulders. That's why he kissed me like that. He thought he might never kiss me again.

He slides me down his body until my feet touch the floor.

“It was a possibility. I’ll do whatever I have to if it means protecting you.”

I shake my head. “That’s sweet and all, but I can’t lose you. Promise you’ll never leave me.”

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