Page 38 of Taboo Flames

Finally, he pulls another of his shirts over my head and leads me back to the bed, where he tucks me in with care.

“You’re being so sweet that it’s weird,” I say as he tucks me in. “A good weird, I think.” Then I giggle. “Would you sing me a lullaby as well if I asked?”

“Go to bed.” He presses a kiss to my forehead and adds, “I’ll join you in a minute. I just need to drain the tub.”

“Okay,” I mumble tiredly.

When he walks off to the bathroom, my feet start to feel cold, so I get out of bed and tiptoe to his drawer to steal some socks. When I pull open the first drawer, the sight of shopping bags tucked into it makes me freeze.

I search through them, my eyebrows climbing higher and higher in surprise.

I eventually find the socks, pull them on, and get back into bed.

All the while, there’s a besotted smile playing on my lips. Gio had retrieved all the clothes I chose, including the last dress I tried on, but in the color blue, just as I wanted.

I fall asleep moments later with a smile on my face.

CHAPTER 11

Giovanni

Iwalk back into the room to see that Aurora is fast asleep. I know I told her that I’ll join her in a minute, but she’ll have to forgive that little lie. I have more pressing concerns to deal with, like finding the little sons of bitches who are after Aurora.

Nobody messes with what’s mine and lives to tell the tale.

I pull the covers until her feet are fully covered, then I turn away and walk right out of my bedroom, seething with unadulterated rage.

I immediately dial a number on my phone. Omar is a real estate agent that I’ve worked with in the past. He’s trustworthy and reliable.

“Boss,” he says into the phone when he picks up on the first ring.

“The Mediterraneo Plaza on Via Roma. I want it.”

There’s a pause on the other side of the line before he replies, “But it’s not for sale.”

“I wasn’t asking about its availability, Omar,” I bite out. “I’m telling you that I want to own that mall before today ends. Canyou get it done, or do you need incentives to do what I fucking ask you to do?”

“Consider it done, boss,” he says determinedly.

I hang up on him and then call Fiore, one of my most trusted men.

“Boss,” he greets.

“The mall where Aurora was attacked today…” I begin, knowing he will already know about the incident. “Find out who the manager is and every single thing about him. If he takes a shit by four in the morning every day, I want to know. Then I want to know the names of everyone he holds dear.”

“Yes, boss,” Fiore replies without faltering.

“Be on standby. I’ll need you soon,” I say to him.

Exactly an hour later, Omar calls me back.

“The price is ridiculously high,” he scoffs. “The owner of the building has noticed our urgency and is trying to make a hiked sale.”

“Get to the point,” I bark.

“The mall is yours,” Omar said.

“Good.”

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