Page 165 of King Of Order

As for my grief, I came to terms with it.

The death of Olivio Tirone helped.

The demise of their family business, too.

Chiara, driven by guilt and love for me, was eager to help me overcome my sadness.

With her by my side, I understood that heartache is unpredictable and uncontrollable by nature. She let me brood when I felt sad and lifted me out of my malaise with her fire and love.

Together, we got the help we needed to accept, process, and seek support for our pain.

I’d also begun to plan a future with her.

Perhaps one with marriage on the cards, yearning for the same deep, unshakable, eternal love my parents shared.

Matrimony was no game to me, nor was it to Chiara.

A stunning diamond ring now sat in my office drawer, waiting for the right moment to get on one knee.

This time, for real.

I had no clue whether she’d say yes.

Or when we’d walk down an aisle, if ever.

Neither did I know what tomorrow held.

For once, I was comfortable with disorder and not knowing.

‘Ciao!’

The front door clicked shut, and my soul lifted.

My woman was back from her day at work.

Unlike my brothers, we made Sydney our base and drove to their homes in the Blue Mountains for a break when needed.

We had to be close to Chiara’s art gallery in Manly, and our home was the midpoint between her showcase and our Calibrese family office in the city.

We loved the beach, the sand, and the sun, so Clontarf was a perfect compromise.

She sashayed through the entryway in heels and a flowing light summer trouser suit.

Her hair was wild and free, but her smile,Dio, so full of life and love, got my heart racing.

She flew into my arms, and I bent my head to kiss her.

I hissed as my cock went diamond-hard at her touch.

So stiff that as her lips glided on mine, I was in freakin trouble.

I pushed her off with a groan. ‘Belleza.’

While we made love most mornings, she’d left earlier than usual today to run a school art class in Manly.

Thus, we’d missed out on sexy times.

My cock was not happy and was letting me know.

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