Page 85 of The Deal

So far, she’s gotten the phone from me and a handwritten book of recipes from Carmella, which she hugged to her chest the moment she opened it. It’s her appreciation of the small things that I love about her the most.

“Oh,” she says, taking the small rectangular-shaped gift from him. Her eyes briefly flicker to me as she carefully unwraps it. “Alex,” she breathes as she flips the lid on the black velvet box to reveal the diamond bracelet inside.

“I’m sure it’s not as extravagant as the jewels you lost, but you are my queen and deserve all the pretty things.”

“You mean my make-believe jewels … the ones you denied even existed.”

“Right, I forgot about that,” I reply with a chuckle.

Her eyes are slightly narrowed as she climbs back onto my lap and leans in for a kiss. “It’s beautiful, thank you. I feel bad that I have nothing for you.”

I nuzzle her neck. “You can give me a blowjob later,” I whisper.

“Ugh,” she groans, playfully slapping my leg.

There are still a few gifts under the tree for her—including a pair of diamond earrings to match her bracelet—but it’s the pièce de résistance, tucked away at the back, that I’m most excited for her to unwrap.

When Giovanni opens his final gift, he looks around at all the things he’s gotten and smiles. “This was the best Christmas ever,” he states, and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

Chloe goes to rise from my lap. “I’m going to get a start on breakfast.”

She’s been cooking all of our meals since we arrived here. She’s no Carmella, but I’m impressed with her culinary skills nevertheless. I’m sure with more practice, she’ll be rivalling her in no time.

“Wait,” I say, grasping her hips. “There should be one more gift under the tree.”

Giovanni crouches lower before reaching underneath. “Oh, there’s one pushed right to the back.” He grabs it and looks down at the card. “It’s for you, Chlo.”

“Me,” she squeaks. “I’ve already been spoilt enough.”

“I think you’ll love this one.”

“I love everything you got me.”

“And best of all, you love me too, which was the best gift you could’ve ever given me,” I say, lifting her hand to my face and placing a kiss on her knuckles. “Open it.”

When she pulls back the corner of the wrapping paper to reveal the blue velvet, she audibly gasps. With a ferocityshe didn’t show when opening her other gifts, she rips off the rest of the paper and flips open the lid.

“My jewels,” she whispers as tears flood her eyes. “How?”

“Will you get mad at me if I tell you?”

“Well, based on that question, I’d say yes. But honestly, I don’t care how you got them. I’m just grateful to have them back.”

“Let’s just say I borrowed them for safekeeping.”

“So my dad didn’t take them?”

“No. I did. He knew of their existence and where they were hidden. He also knew you’d offer them in exchange for his life, so I simply removed them from the equation. You were always going to get them back.”

“That is diabolical.”

“I know,” I say, beaming.

“I’m a little mad, but also thankful to know my father didn’t pawn them to fund his gambling habit. I think that is what I struggled with the most.”

“He’s made some mistakes in his life,bella, but never underestimate how much he loves you.”

And as if on cue, her phone begins to ring. “Daddy,” she squeals when she answers his call.

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