Page 66 of His Vow
Lucia
“Signora, Signore Barbieri is here to see you. He is waiting in the living room,” my father’s assistant announces, and I jump up from the lounger I’ve been lying in on the terrace.
My brother chuckles from the chair beside me. “That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile properly in days,” he jokes. I scowl back at him.
Dante and my mother have stayed the week in Capri. My father having decided that if my safety was at risk, it was best for all of the family to remain together with security. Papa is never going to stop being the head of the family, and I’m more accepting of that after our conversation in his office. It doesn’t mean I can’t wait to leave with Antonio, though.
“And that’s the first time today that I’ve seen you look up from your cell to notice,” I tease back. To be fair, it is early, and he only just joined me on the terrace a little while ago.
My sandals click on the tiles as I hustle after the assistant. Slowing my pace as I near the doorway. Antonio and I need to talk before I crawl all over him, begging for his kisses.
He stands in the middle of the room with his eyes tracking every step as I approach. Stopping just out of arm’s reach, I drink in the sight of him. In my head, I catalog each of his injuries and search for evidence of them before moving on. The faint bruises on his jaw are barely noticeable beneath the heavier-than-usual growth, the one around his eye more obvious but faded to a yellowish-brown. Otherwise, there are no discernible changes to him. He’s still as hot and sexy as he’s always been.
“You’re looking better than you did the last time I saw you.”
“I should hope so.” He inches a step closer. “And you look as gorgeous as ever. Still no bump, though.” My black halter-neck top and matching leggings still hug my figure exactly the same as they’ve always done.
“It’s only been a week.” I smooth my hand over my flat tummy.
“I’m impatient,” he says, flashing his cheekiest grin as he takes another step forward.
He deserves the eye roll I give him.
“You said you wanted to talk.”
“I do. There’s a lot I need to say.” He moves the final step and places his hands at my waist. “But none of that’s as important as me telling you that I love you. I’ve missed you so much that I can’t bear another night without you.”
“That’s a good start.” I place my hands on his forearms, then run them along the corded muscles from his wrist to his elbow. I love his arms, especially when he wraps them around me.
“Next thing I wanted to say was that I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you first before your father turned up. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you myself, and I’m sorry I put you in danger.”
I reach up to place my fingers on his lips. “Most of that wasn’t your fault. Yes, you should have spoken to me about my safety before you made arrangements with my father. But as I told youon the phone, it hasn’t been too bad with Dante and Mamma here too.”
We’ve spoken or texted every day, so he knows I’ve enjoyed spending time with my brother. He’s also apologized to me on our calls, though I do like that he did it again in person.
“Your text this morning said you had news?”
He looks over my shoulder as one of my father’s staff passes through the hall. “Let’s not talk about that here.”
My gaze narrows as I search his stormy blue-gray eyes for what he’s not telling me. Maybe he discovered who was stealing from his company and threatening us.
“Is it over?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Sadly, no. But soon, I hope, sweetheart.”
His cell buzzes, and he pulls it from his back pocket to read the message. A wide grin slides across his mouth. “That was Will, one of the guys in our security team. He and Parker have just checked the villa, and it’s safe. Are you ready to come home with me?”
“Sì, but my father wants to speak to you first.”
One brow rises high on his forehead. I told Ant about my conversation with my father and his misunderstanding about what really happened when we were teenagers.
Ant’s silence over the phone spoke louder than his only comment,it all makes sense now. Maybe that’s something else we’ll talk about later; though, like him, I’m surprised Papa has asked to see him today.
He groans low. “Let’s get this done, then, so I can take my wife home and show her just how much I missed her.”
“You missed me? Good. That will teach you for sending me away in the first place.” I soften the words with a smile and close the final gap between our bodies by sliding my hands over his shoulders to link at the back of his neck.
And with that, Antonio steals my next breath in a deep, passionate kiss.
