Page 31 of The Hitman's Rose

Chapter Fifteen

Rosaline

The past five days have been dreadful. I’m anxiously waiting for Ademaro to return. We had our heavenly fun at Piccolo Paradiso then morning came, he kissed me passionately, and off he went. I haven’t heard anything from him.

“You’re going to worry yourself sick, Rosaline,” Giovanni says, walking into the garden.

He walks over to me and smiles gently.

“May I?” he asks, gesturing at the bench.

“Of course,” I whisper. He sits beside me and faces me.

“He will get the job done. You have nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t care about that,” I sob. A stupid tear trickles down my face and I quickly wipe it away.

“Ah. You’re worried about Ademaro,” he says softly. I’m too choked up with emotions to speak so I simply nod. “I just got off the phone with Lorenzo Pappalarado. He says the weather is nice in Sicily.”

The weather is nice in Sicily? Who the hell cares about— Oh.

I look up at Giovanni and he smiles.

“He’s the best out there. He’ll be just fine.” He pats my hand. “I hoped you two would hit it off.”

“You did?” He nods in response. “Why?”

“He’s like a son to me and you’re my goddaughter. It’s the...” He brings his fingers and thumb together, and raises them to his lips. He kisses them then joyfully raises them in the air– the chef’s kiss. “... perfect match! Like a match made in heaven.”

“You think so?” I giggle. It’s hard to not smile seeing Giovanni so full of life and excited.

“I know so.” He taps the tip of my nose and smiles. “When he gets back, we should sit down and discuss everything.”

“Everything?” I ask nervously.

“I won’t pressure you two into anything; however…” He takes a deep breath. “I’d like the two of you to get married.”

“Married!” I probably just ruptured Giovanni’s eardrums. I hadn’t meant to scream but he surprised the hell out of me.

Ademaro mentioned more dates, but only that. I doubt he wants to jump the gun and marry me. Probably not now or ever.

“I don’t think Ademaro would be onboard,” I sigh. “Or my mother. Or Sofia. Or Adrianna.”

“Adrianna gave her blessings already and since she is the head of the household, she speaks for all of the Romanos,” he smirks.

“What?” I gasp. “You spoke to Adrianna?”

I don’t know which one is more shocking– the marriage talk or the fact he spoke to Adrianna about the marriage talk. My head is swimming with emotions.

“I needed to know where she would stand if I wanted you and Ademaro to marry.” He looks at the rose bush in front of us. “Her opinion matters for multiple reasons.”

“Of course it does,” I mutter. Giovanni chuckles and shakes his head.

“It’s a political game, Rosaline.” He looks at me. “Adrianna is the head of the Romano Family and has taken alliance with the Berlusconi Family.”

The head of the Berlusconi Family was Sofia’s husband, Antonio. It all happened super fast. She first met him at the wedding in Miami and then she got kidnapped by him unintentionally. Still not sure how that happened but she swears he’s the one. Every time I see them on video chat, they’re sappy and he dotes over her. It’s so cute it’s sickening. Makes me jealous.

Lucky bitch,I laugh to myself.

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