Page 41 of The Prizes We Win
My eyes find hers. She’s not wary or hesitant. No, not my girl. She’s confident and strong. “I just want to be sure.”
Her face softens, and she nods, letting me go about my last check of her gear. Even though I’ve already checked it three times. She’s wearing the exact same thing all of us wear any time we’re out on a mission. Hopefully, making it harder for people to single her out. However, if you look long enough, it’s easy enough to tell she’s not built like the rest of us. Pulling the gun from the holster on her leg, I ensure it’s loaded and slide it back in. Taking a deep breath, I take a half-step back to find her smiling widely at me.
“I’ll be okay. I’ll keep my promise. If it gets to be too much, I’ll get back in the van with Seb.”
A nod is my only response.
Despite the space I just made between us, Josephine steps into me. Reaching up, she runs her hand through my hair as she studies my face. And as I look down at her, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that what we’ve found in her is a once-in-a-lifetime treasure.
This woman, this strong, amazing, smart, and beautiful woman, had the world at her fingertips. She could have had anyone and anything she wanted. She had built a life for herself, not in spite of, but despite everything that had already happened to her. And yet… she chose us. She chose me. She chose a life with four men. A life filled with uncertainties and danger. A life in the spotlight. A life she never imagined for herself.
But just as certain as I am that she was meant for us, I am just as sure that the four of us will do everything in our power to give her the life she deserves. We will build a lifewithher andforher.
Everything I do, from here on out, is for them. The people that I love.
Love.
Reaching up, I grab her wrist and place her hand in the center of my chest. She doesn’t say anything. She just lets me hold it there, feeling my heart beat beneath her palm. “You feel that?” I ask her softly.
Josephine tilts her head. “Your heart?”
“Yeah, Vita Mia. My heart.”
She smiles up at me again and it fucking melts me. “I do.”
“Good. Because it’s yours. I love you, Josephine Jenkins. The best thing I ever did was agree to be your boss.” She laughs and playfully rolls her eyes. I lower my forehead to hers. “You’re it for me, Vita Mia. You’re it for us.”
Tears well in her eyes, and I swear to god my heart stills in my chest until she says, “I love you, Luca Vittori. Never stop loving me.”
“Never.” And then I’m kissing her. I kiss deep and slow. Pouring out every ounce of my love for her through our kiss.
“Soooo.” As per usual, Enzo appears out of nowhere. “You guys ready to go orrrrr?”
Resting against her forehead, I sigh before turning my head slightly to look at him. “Yes, Lorenzo. We’re ready.”
“K. Cool.” He pops a quick kiss on both of our cheeks. “Meet you by the elevator.”
Josephine laughs loudly as he practically skips away.
“We need to put a bell on him.”
She slaps me in the chest with both hands. “Oh, be nice. You love him.”
I grab my gun off the bed and slide it in my holster. “Yeah. I do.”
“You all set?” I ask Sebastian from the back of the van as we all get ready. We’re parked a few blocks away in an alleyway behind an event center. It’s inconspicuous enough that a passerby would just think we’re a catering or decorating van. We didn’t want to risk parking in the streets in a neighborhood as nice as this one, but we’re just close enough that Josephine can get back in a hurry.
Sebastian punches a few more keys before he answers, “All good.”
“Alright.” Bending down I kiss him softly. “Be back soon, Mio Re.”
“Please keep her close.”
“I will,” I promise before kissing him again.
“Hey, you,” he says pointing to Josephine before turning his hand and making a come hither motion. She goes to him and leans down so she’s at eye level. “You stay close to them. And you come right back to me if they tell you to.”
“Yes, sir.” She slants her mouth over his for a quick kiss.
