Page 91 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

“Someone else would have taken advantage if we didn’t step up. I could see you didn’t want to do it. Seeing you with Val now, I’m glad you didn’t.

“Sim wasn’t the one who needed me. You were right for the job and still are. You were never meant to be in my shadow. I believe we are both on the paths meant for us,” he says.

“Speaking of which, did you know Don Trovati planned to have Don Alfanzo offer me a seat at the table?”

“No, I didn’t know he would be involved. I’ve always been under the impression that this is LaSalle’s thing.”

“It is, but apparently Don Locatelli has a few seats he plans to fill. I have been given one. If you don’t want me to take it or if you would rather I do so you don’t have to?—”

“I am a Donati. We are men of our word. I have already accepted my role.

“Do as you wish, Michael. You are a grown man. I have trained you as much as I can.

“What you do from here, you do as your own man. These are your decisions. Yours and Sim’s,” he interrupts me to say.

“There you are. Come, she’s ready. You need to watch her come down for the full effect,” Annabella says excitedly.

I grin and grab the bouquet of red roses from the countertop where I placed them, then I follow my sister to the foyer. Her excitement is infectious. I pull out my pocket watch to check the time.

My grin grows as “Für Elise” begins to play. I never leave home without this watch. I have cherished it since Sim gave it to me. It has been a reminder that, in time, all things fall into sync.

Uri clears his throat beside me, causing me to lift my head. I close my watch in my palm and grasp it tightly. Sim has a nervous smile on her lips, but that’s not what grabs my attention.

It’s her long, silky legs that are on display that have my mouth watering and my slacks growing tight. She has on a pair of red fuck me heels that scream she’s my naughty girl. I have to bite back my reaction when my gaze rises to the garment she’s wearing.

I want to demand she turn around and go change, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings. However, she may get someone hurt before the night is over. She’s wearing what looks like a black sleeveless tux jacket—nothing else.

From this distance, I’m left to wonder if anything is underneath. It molds over her breasts and stops mid-thigh. She has done something different with her hair. Her locs seem to be twisted together in twos and then pulled back away from her face in a high ponytail that hangs down her back.

The elegance and grace of Sim’s walk only enhance the visual of her coming to me. Her full lips are painted red with a glossy shine to them.

The look is tightly skating the line of classy but sexy. My wife could have had a career as a supermodel if she wanted. She is a head-turner, for sure.

“I am ready for our date,” she says as she stops in front of me.

I place a hand on her hip and pull her to me to kiss her soft lips. I don’t take it too far, just a peck. When I pull away, I hand her the flowers in my other hand.

Her eyes light up with excitement and she claps her hands together. I will have to bring her flowers more often. She takes them in her hands and gives them a sniff.

“I am used to getting flowers in my dressing room, but this is so much different,” she says excitedly. “Thank you, Michael.”

“You are welcome.”

“Annabella, will you please put my flowers in some water for me? I don’t want to damage them on our date.”

“I’ve got you.”

Symphony’s eyes light up as Annabella takes the roses from her. I can tell something has come to mind to make her happy and excited. It’s as if I can see her downloading information in her head.

“Oh, I don’t want them to die too quickly. Do you know to make sure you use a clean vase? You have to trim the stems at a sharp angle underwater and remove any leaves that could be submerged in the water. Michael, can we stop for some flower food to add to the water when we return?”

I kiss her cheek. “We might not find anything open by then. I will buy you another dozen tomorrow.”

“It’s okay. I want to save these. I will order online and have it delivered.”

“In that case, we should go.”

CHAPTER 44

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