Page 110 of Third Degree

I had meticulously arranged the couch with an array of pillows and blankets for Gianna, ensuring her comfort. The crackling fireplace cast a warm glow, creating an inviting ambience. I’d also strategically placed her favorite books within reach and scattered a few plants, ready for her instructions on how to care for them.

Gently, I lifted her from the car and guided her into the house. “My legs still function, you know?” she chuckled, but I paid little heed, adamant about carrying her to the couch.

“You set this up all for me?” She looked at me with that doe-eyed expression upon seeing the spread. These next six fucking weeks without fully tasting her would be a challenge.

“Of course, amore.”

She laid down on the couch, looking at the plants and laughing. “What are these for?”

“They looked like they were thirsty, so I figured I would bring them over for you to fuss with while you barked instructions on how much and how to water them.”

She laughed hysterically, and I was so happy that I was able to hear her voice again. Her laugh. Watch her smile and walk and breathe.

“I was so scared.” I sat down next to her and propped her arm up on a few pillows before I slid next to her.

“I was terrified,” she confessed. “I just kept thinking about how worried you must have been and how much I didn’t want to die.”

I looked into her sweet eyes, which were filled with tears threatening to spill over. “I was worried that somehow, if you married me, it would be like a death wish. Walking you into that hospital unconscious and limp was exactly what happened with Bea.”

“Elio.” She grabbed my hand and ran her fingers up and down it empathetically.

“I never want that to happen again. I called Ricardo right after and told him that I had to finish things with your dad, and then once I was done, that was it.”

Her eyes bulged in surprise.

I added, “I think I’ll work with Alex and act as a middleman between the family and what the boys are doing.”

“And you’ll be happy doing that?” she asked me.

Fuck, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and inhale her. No one had ever thought about my feelings or cared enough about my happiness in my lifetime. I was always giving to others.

“If I’m with you, then I am happy.” I dropped a kiss on her nose, and she scrunched it up in disgust.

“I need a shower. Help me get out of my clothes. This cast is in the way.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, and she realized what she had asked and started to laugh.

“You perv.”

“It’s going to be a very long few weeks without tasting you, rosa mia,” was all I could respond. She was on strict bed-rest from all ‘activities’ to make sure her shoulder healed properly.

“There are lots of things we can do that don’t include me using my shoulder,” she spoke coyly.

“Then I think it’s best if we shower and start practicing.” I lifted her up in my arms and walked her upstairs. I loved her with all my being, and I knew I needed to find a way to show her.

It had been eight long weeks, and I knew Gianna was getting restless being cooped up at home. She got her cast off officially last week but had been going to physical therapy all week to ensure it was healing correctly. I hired a bodyguard for her after the events at the club, just until the situation with her dad died down.

Ricardo had also told me that the family quietly removed themselves and their money from the other clubs.

There had been no other activity, so we were in the clear, but having a bodyguard was a precaution that she very hesitantly agreed to and only because Tatum and Chelsea had convinced her they both had one.

My youngest son, Alex, was just elected governor of the state, so we saw him less, but they were coming down here tonight for a surprise I had set up for Gianna. She was getting dressed for what she thought was a date night at Tatum’s house. I had already called Julian and told Tatum that she needed to wear a white dress.

Since Gianna was given the green light to do some light walking and exercise, she wanted to go to the mall by herself even though I insisted that I could accompany her and Tatum. It gave me time to organize what I needed to here.

As the party planner was busy setting up the yard and stringing thousands of fairy lights so it appeared that we were dining under a tent of fireflies, I heard the doorbell ring.

Walking over to the door, I pulled it open.

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