Page 44 of His Broken Queen

“I think I’m going to like it here,” she said. “The view is spectacular.”

“I thought you might like it.”

“Can we go down there and have a picnic?”

“Now?”

“No.” When she laughed, I smiled. “Tomorrow.”

“Whatever you want.” I kissed her neck. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

That wasn’t completely true, because the most important thing she wanted, I couldn’t give her. A life free of violence and death. A world where she could go outside by herself, drive to a store alone, go out and get a cup of coffee. None of those things other people took for granted were in Luciana’s future. Not as long as she stayed with me.

“Hey.” She looked over her shoulder. “Where did you go?”

“Huh?”

“You’re a million miles away.”

“I’m right here.” I trailed my hand down her back. “Let’s go inside.”

As I guided her back into the bedroom, I picked her towel up from the floor and wrapped her in it. When she looked up at me with her beautiful, innocent eyes, I promised myself I wouldn’t have any more dark thoughts tonight.

I came here to fix what was wrong back in New York. If I had to sell my soul to do that, I would do whatever it took to keep my wife safe and by my side.

Could I do both?

Chapter 13

Luciana

Romero and I finished dinner on the covered patio. The stone pillars accentuated the marble floors that flowed throughout the large area. It was located off the kitchen, giving the staff easy access to and from the patio. When dinner was over, they cleared the table, and left us for the evening.

We cuddled on a chaise lounge in front of a built-in fireplace that helped to warm the chilly October evening. I rested under his good arm as I laid my head on his chest. I almost felt like myself again.

“This house is fantastic.” I looked up at the painted ceilings. “How were you able to rent it on such short notice?”

“I didn’t rent it.” He twirled my hair around his fingers. “I own it.”

“This is your place?”

“It’sourplace, and Gio’s.” He continued to play with my hair. “We lived here after our father died. It was originally his house. We haven’t been back in two years, but we let friends and associates use it from time to time.”

“Why don’t you come here more often?”

“You mean, why have I never taken you here?” He laughed. “That’s a good question.”

“It’s just so beautiful. I would think you’d want to visit more often.”

There was much I still didn’t know about my husband. Some things I didn’t want to know, but there were other details I craved to learn.

“I didn’t mean to stay away for so long, but when Gio and I came to New York we were busy making a name for ourselves. There wasn’t time to come back here. Then, you and I got together, and I was busy fighting with your family.”

“We should have fled to Italy.”

“Well, now that I know you like it here, I’ll take you back often.”

“It’s not any different here than it is at home, is it?” We came here because he needed help with the problems at home. “With your business.”

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