Page 157 of Empire of Temptation

“If you are willing to live in Catanzaro for the other half, then yes.”

We shouldn’t let anything hold us back.

My mother’s words. She wouldn’t want me wrapped up in Luca’s world, but she would want me to be happy. And she would want me with a man willing to do anything for me. Like move across the globe for six months out of the year.

He shifted on his feet. “You may take more time to think about this. I know it is a big decision for you.”

“Yes.”

“So think, fiore mio. I’ll give you a few days?—”

“That was my answer. Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes, I’ll live in Catanzaro for part of the year. Yes, yes, yes!”

“Thank fuck.”

He was on me in a flash, his strong arms pulling me into his chest. I wrapped myself around him and held on, his familiar scent filling my head. God, I’d missed him.

We clung together for a long beat, then he grabbed my face in both his hands and kissed me. His lips were soft, and he tasted like wine and mint and a lifetime of promises. I gave as good as I got, telling him without words that I was in this for the long haul.

When we finally parted, he pressed his forehead to mine. “Ti amo, baby.”

“Ti amo, Luca.”

He gave me a brief, hard kiss then picked up my hand. “I hope you like it.”

The diamond ring was over the top. A cushion cut stone, withsmaller diamonds surrounding it like a halo, all in a platinum setting. “It’s . . . stunning. I’m almost afraid to wear it around.”

“But you will. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

For some inexplicable reason, that caveman declaration caused my heart to flip over. “I’m yours. And I love it.” I pushed up to kiss him. “Grazie, bello.”

He growled low in his throat, his fingers tightening on my skin. “I love when you speak my language.”

“Then I’ll hire a tutor and learn it properly. I mean, we’ll be living there for half the year. I’d better understand what you and your brothers are saying.”

“This makes me very happy. Come, I want to fuck you in a bed.”

He started to tug on my hand, but I stayed put. “Wait. Tell me what you’re planning to do while you’re here. Are you starting another criminal empire in New York?”

Luca placed his hands on my shoulders. “I love you and we will share a life together. But it’s for your own protection if you stay out of the business and leave it to me, capisce?”

I held onto the edges of his suit jacket. “Luca, I visited you in prison once. I don’t want to live through that again.”

“You won’t. Amore, I went to the GDF headquarters purposely so they would put me in prison. You see, the man who killed Palmieri’s daughter was the boss of the region. I couldn’t name him and betray the brotherhood. So I dropped enough clues for Palmieri to figure it out, then insulted him to get arrested. Being in prison ensured that I couldn’t be blamed for what needed to happen—not by the GDForthe ’ndrina. Thankfully, Palmieri is a smart man and did what had to be done. Then he let me go.”

“That was all planned? Holy shit. You’re very smart.”

His mouth curved into a sly grin. “This is true. I am very smart. Any other questions before I take you to the mansion and fuck you into the mattress?”

“What about the fire? I thought the mansion was in bad shape?”

“The garage, yes, and I’ll have it rebuilt. Andiamo,fiore. That’s enough talking.” He flicked open the door and held it for me. I grabbed my bag from under the desk, which caused Luca’s smile to widen. “I see you are still using my gifts.”

I was carrying one of the expensive handbags he bought me. “Only because these are too pretty not to use. It had nothing to do with you.”

“You missed me,” he whispered as I walked by him.

I had, but I wasn’t admitting it. Yet. I walked through the kitchen on my way to the dining room. The staff all stopped what they were doing to watch us go by, their gazes curious. “We’re back together,” I announced.

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