Page 153 of Crazed

His body erupts in flames. The smell of stain fumes and burnt flesh turns so thick, we all leave the room and shut the door.

I rip off my mask and watch him burn through the fireproof glass. Fat Tony gags from the smoke until his body hangs lifeless. When nothing but Leo's bones are left, I go to the bathroom to shower and clean up.

It takes about an hour until my insides calm. It's only then I climb up the stairs to the main level of the house.

It's dark. I glance at the hallway clock. It's five-thirty in the morning. I continue to my wing, and when I open the bedroom door, my dolce is there, pacing.

"Hey," I say, rushing over to her.

Anxiety fills her expression. She throws her arms around me and asks, "Is...is he dead?"

I tighten my arms around her and reply, "Yeah. And I made him pay."

30

Katiya

Two Weeks Later

"Dolce,do you have a few spare hours for me?" Massimo asks, popping his head into the bathroom. He's wearing a grin that brings instant joy to me.

Ever since Leo's death, I've slept better than ever.

I finish my last curl and set my iron down, unable to hide my smirk. "That would assume I had a job or something on my schedule."

Massimo steps behind me and slides his hands down my arms. I tilt my head back. He gives me a peck on the lips. His eyes twinkle as he states, "I'm good if you want to be barefoot and pregnant for the next decade."

"Next decade!" I shriek.

He chuckles. "Yep. We could have a little team of Marinos."

Laughing, I shake my head and spin into him. Since the night before we got married, a day hasn't passed where Massimo hasn't talked about knocking me up. The idea of kids is growing on me now that the threat of Leo coming after me is over. For the first time since my father was alive, I feel safe and loved. It's allowing me to think about a future, which I used to avoid. I lock my fingers through Massimo's thick head of hair, asking, "So what's going on?"

Arrogance fills his expression. "It's a surprise."

My flutters explode. Massimo's always taken good care of me, but he has a new surprise for me daily. I claim, "You're spoiling me."

He declares, "I think you're going to really like what I have in store for you."

"Because I didn't like the other amazing things you've done for me?" I tease.

"This is different."

"How?"

"You'll see."

My butterflies spread their wings. Heat flies to my cheeks as I question, "Is it more of what you did to me last night?"

He cocks his eyebrows. "Which part? The part where I restrained you to the balcony in the dark so the guards could hear you beg me? Or the part where I turned on the lights in our room and fucked you against the glass?"

The burn on my face intensifies. I meekly reply, "Either?"

He chuckles and squeezes my ass. "It's not that type of surprise, dolce. But I'll make sure I take care of your needs later."

I get on my tippy-toes and kiss him, then chirp, "Deal."

"When can you leave?" he inquires.

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