Page 50 of His to Possess

“Blake, look at me.”

Digging down deep, trying to find my self-esteem and confidence, I force myself to meet his gaze.

“I want you. You hear me?”

Words escape me, but I force a nod.

“You are the one who is way too good for me,” he continues, holding my chin, forcing me to look at him. “I’ve spent my life playing, flitting around from place to place, feeling discontent, but I did my best to ignore that lost feeling. Instead, I numbed that emptiness with parties, traveling, women who meant nothing. But you…”

He cups my face and tilts my head back, his handsome face softening.

“You mean something. Hell, you mean so much that it’s throwing me off and confusing me in the most amazing way.” His dark eyes lock onto mine, flashing with emotion. “I love you, Blake.”

That does it. My heart explodes and I push up onto my tip-toes. Our mouths crash together and my arms wrap around his neck, pulling him even closer. As we kiss, a cheer goes up on the other side of the room, and I feel my cheeks heat up. When we finallypull back, breaking the kiss, I look up into Angelo’s beautiful face and I’m truly in awe.

“No one has ever told me that,” I whisper, my eyes filling with hot tears. “Ever.”

“Don’t cry,” he says, swiping his thumb over my cheek and catching a tear. “Better get used to it,la mia farfalla,because I’m going to be telling you that I love you every day for the rest of our lives.”

A huge grin lifts my lips and I hear one of Angelo’s brothers yell, “Kiss her again, bro!”

A half-laugh erupts from my throat and then Angelo kisses me again. This time it’s deeper and our tongues slide against one another’s. It’s a sensual dance of our mouths, seductive and delicious. But before things can get too out of hand, we break apart, breathing hard, eyes only for each other. He presses his forehead against mine, his warm breath fanning my face.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he murmurs. “I promise you.”

That’s an awfully nice promise and I hope he’s right.

“We’re going after Gallo,” he states, voice firm. “And we’re going to win.”

Please. Please let him be right,I think and send up a silent prayer. Because I’ve just found the love of my life. And to lose him now? It would be a goddamn tragedy.

20

ANGELO

Itold Blake I love her and it’s the best feeling in the whole world. I don’t expect her to say it back yet, though. I know I took her by surprise and she’s incredibly emotional right now. Fragile even. Grabbing the edge of my t-shirt, I lift it up and wipe her damp cheeks.

“If you cry every time I say I love you, we’re going to have a problem,” I warn her with a smile, and she chuckles. Her laughter is like music to my ears. If only I could sweep her up into my arms and take her home. But, unfortunately, our happily ever after is going to have to wait a little longer. First, we have to slay the dragon.

We walk back over to the others and, for the first time ever, I can see support on every face at the table. Despite our differences, all it takes is a dangerous, common enemy to bring us together.

“We’re going to try this the easy way first,” Miceli says. “The four of us will go to Gallo’s and talk to him.”

“Blake stays with us,” I say. “She’s still on the Kill List and needs our protection.”

“Of course,” he concedes.

“And if that doesn’t work?”

“Then we’re going to be a little more persuasive. Everyone, bring a weapon.”

“Gallo will give in,” Aldo DeLuca says. Although Alessia’s father didn’t always have my family’s back, he does now, especially after seeing how much Miceli loves his daughter. He treats her like a princess. And then, of course, Aldo is over the moon about his baby grandson.

“I want to come,” Carlotta pipes in, and we all shake our heads no.

“Absolutely not,” Miceli states, voice firm and unwavering.

“You are not the boss of me, Miceli Rossi,” she snaps, crossing her arms. “I am just as much a part of this family as you four. I just don’t have a dick, but that shouldn’t matter.”

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