Page 87 of Massimo
Do it
My phone vibrates as he calls me again, and once again, I decline it. Then his text comes in.
Fuck's sakes, Mass. Answer your damn phone
Do it, Gabe
This is a direct order from your Don
I want it done for tomorrow
Not the next day or the day after
Tomorrow
She could hate you, brother
I know Gabe will get what I've ordered done.
I'm a monster, Gabe
HER monster
I'll protect her anyway I need to
Even if it means forcing her to marry me.
And for her to have my child.
As the mother of my heir, my family will protect her without hesitation, no matter what happens to me. Nova will be strategically protected.
But this isn't just a play on the mafia chessboard. The thought of being a father—of having a child with Nova—lightens my steps and brings a wolfish grin to my face.
Nova. Is. Mine.
Chapter 35
Nova
Jeromeisteachingmehow to make pancakes, and I'm a hopeless, flour-covered disaster. We're laughing when Gabe walks in with Gemma.
She spent a good portion of yesterday here. At first, it was awkward, and it was a harsh reminder of the hurt I felt after finding out she deceived me. But Gemma isn't one to beat around the bush, and after a while, she wore me down. By the end, I laughed at the stories she told of growing up with Gabe and Massimo, the other Santoro brothers, and a guy named Raf.
"Welcome, Gemma." Jerome smiles easily. "Can I get you an espresso?"
She eyes us critically. "I can make it. With the amount of flour coating you, the espresso will probably end up as cake batter."
"An espresso sounds lovely, Jerome," I say.
"You've already had one, Miss Nova."
"I had a very weak coffee."
"We're taking things slow to ensure your digestive system isn't overtaxed."
My cheeks heat. Everyone in this room knows what happened, and how I was so severely compromised to begin with, but I'm not comfortable talking about my eating issues—only with Massimo.
Because he's my crutch.
