Page 121 of Relentless Sinner

“If your father sends anyone for them, my men will deal with them before they can even reach your sister. I’ve made sure they have enough money and access to doctors so Natasha and the baby can have whatever they need. You don’t have to worry about them.”

"You’re serious? You're protecting my sister?"

He nods slowly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I guess that was the selfish part of me wanting to keep something as leverage.”

I shake my head. He has no need to apologize. “You’ve done more for me than anyone else. This is probably the safest we've been in years. Thank you so much."

He gives me a hopeful smile. "You’re welcome.” He touches my cheek. “I thought we could go to Europe on a properhoneymoon and visit Natasha and Alessandro in a few weeks. Hopefully, I can get a few things sorted out by then."

This time, I can’t stop the tears from falling. They practically pour out of my eyes at the thought of finally getting a chance to see Natasha. “I'll get to see my sister?”

“Yes. You'll get to see your sister,” he replies with another confident grin.

I hug him again, and he holds me to him, stroking the top of my head. “Everything’s going to be okay, Gabriella. I’ll make it be okay if you give me a chance.”

I look back at him. “You’ve already madeeverythingbetter.” It’s like we’ve done a complete one-eighty from yesterday. I can hardly believe I’m the same girl who was worried her husband was cheating and that she’d be locked away forever, never achieving her dreams.

“I’m glad to hear that. How about for now, we have some lunch and head out to the Hamptons a few days early? That way, we’ll have two weeks together.”

I smile back at him. “Two whole weeks. That would be amazing, but can we really do that? You’re so busy.”

“We need to do this,” he says with conviction. "All we’ve ever known are the walls of this house. I can count the few times that we’ve been together outside of them. I’ve never even taken you on a real date.”

The idea of a date with him makes me feel giddy and excited all at the same time. “A date sounds so normal for us.”

“I know. It shouldn’t be that way. Normal should just benormal. Something we do all the time.”

“I’d really like that.”

“Then let’s go on this little break and enjoy ourselves. I’ve everything set up to run without me, but if I need to come back, then we’re not exactly that far away.”

“No, we’re not.”

He tilts his head. “Perfect plan, right?”

“Perfect.” I nod.

“Good. Let's eat and get out of here.”

When we set off, it feels like we’re going on an adventure. Jaxon drives, which is great because usually, we’re in the back seat with a driver.

The guards are following in a separate car. I was hoping we’d be by ourselves, but I’d agree to safety over comfort any day.

We arrive in the Hamptons just before three, and when we reach our dreamlike beach house, I feel like I’ve been pulled into an exotic paradise and can’t stop smiling.

Nestled against the dunes and the opulent backdrop of the Hamptons, the house is absolutely stunning and hardly any different from the manor in size and elegance.

Its sleek lines and towering windows reflect the shimmer of the ocean beyond, and the wraparound balconies overlook the private beach stretching endlessly before us in both directions.

“My God, this is beautiful,” I say to Jaxon when we get out of the car.

He smiles, seeming proud of himself and happy that I’m happy. “This house was the closest I could get to paradise at this time of year.”

I skip into his awaiting arms and kiss the edge of his chin. “I absolutely love it.”

“Then I accomplished my mission. Come on, let’s drop off our bags, look around, meet the staff, and hang out on the beach.”

I nod, smiling back at him and loving how much more relaxed he seems. It’s good to see him this way. Like a regular guy and not always in mafia boss mode.

---