Page 34 of The Hitman's Rose

“No debt,” he shakes his head. “You’re family.”

“Thank you.”

Giovanni’s sentimental speech has me a bit uneasy. I feel like he’s about to tell me he is dying. Why else would he talk like this?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he frowns and shakes his head. “I got something on my face.”

“What? No, Boss.” I shake my head.

“Ugh. We’ll work on that.”

Knock. Knock. Knock.Soft knocks at the door has me turning in my chair.

“You can come in, Rosaline,” Giovanni calls out, making my heart pound like a drum. The door slowly opens and I hold my breath, nervously waiting for her to appear.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Rosaline says softly as she comes into view. She’s wearing her robe and her hair is flowing loosely down her back. She looks like an angel. A beautiful angel.

I quickly stand.

“Shut the door and have a seat, Rosaline,” Giovanni says. I glance at him. He’s smiling at Rosaline.

Rosaline enters the room, closes the door behind her, and walks over to us. I pull a chair out for her.

“Hi,” she smiles at me.

“Hello,” I smile back. She stands in front of me. Her cheeks begin to redden. She bites her lower lip and rocks on her heels. She looks at Giovanni.

“Can you close your eyes?” she asks faintly. Giovanni rolls his eyes and laughs.

“Okay, but only for three seconds,” Giovanni laughs then surprisingly closes his eyes. I’m in complete disbelief, but the feeling soon leaves because Rosaline kisses me. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her back. “I said three seconds,” Giovanni warns.

Rosalina and I pull apart. She giggles innocently. I look at Giovanni and he’s staring at me with a fatherly tone.

“If you two are done, have a seat,” he instructs.

“Yes, Boss,” I reply, offering Rosaline the chair. She winks then sits down. I follow suit and sit beside her.

“How’d you know he was here?” Giovanni asks Rosaline. “Sensed him?”

“Kinda,” Rosaline smiles brightly, looking at him. “I told all the guards to wake me when Ademaro arrived.”

“Ah. That makes sense,” he chuckles. “I bet you are happy he is back.”

“Beyond so,” she glances at me and blushes then looks at Giovanni again.

“I won’t keep you guys long. I just wanted to see how things went on his trip.”

Rosaline looks at me. There’s a confusing look on her face. Mixed emotions perhaps.

“How’d it go?” she whispers.

“Everything went as I promised, Rosaline,” I smile.

“Oh. Okay,” she nods but there’s uncertainty in her tone. Giovanni gestures with his eyes towards her. I hold up the chain and he nods.

I face Rosaline and grab her hand. I hold it out, palm facing up. She raises an eyebrow. I place the chain in the middle of her hand.

“I know it doesn’t make up for what was taken from you, but I hope this can bring you closure,” I say gently. She looks down at the chain then up at me.

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