Page 89 of Captured Innocence

Her tone was chastising but playful. “I can’t be too careful, beautiful princess.”

“Of course. Forever the protector.” She rolled her eyes.

“Absolutely.” I took a few seconds to tie my shoes as she walked away. The girl was going to drive me to an early grave. I laughed at the thought.

Sophia was waiting by one of the back doors, moving from one foot to the other. “Come on. We’re wasting time. It’s perfect out there.” She pointed to the backyard, the interior lights providing a spectacular glow on the snow’s surface. It appeared like crystalized glass, tiny ice particles creating a shimmer.

When she tried to open the door, I yanked her hand away. “Not so fast. I need to check the perimeter.”

“Come on. We’re going ten feet away. Ten feet. It’ll take thirty seconds. That’s it.”

Growling, I rubbed my face then opened the door, peering outside. “Alright. Thirty seconds but that’s it.”

Squealing, she scampered outside, immediately selecting a spot in front of the window and plopping down in the snow. When she patted the area beside her, I looked at her skeptically.

“Come on. Are you chicken?” she cooed.

“Me?” I asked, pointing to my chest. “I’ll have you know I’ve skied these mountains, princess.”

“Uh-huh. I’d like to see that. Then this won’t be any big deal for you. Lie down.” She eased back, showing me what I was supposed to do, laughing the entire time.

Grimacing, I finally sat down, groaning twice before lying down.

“Move your arms and legs. Don’t be a statue.”

Biting back a laugh, I did as she… commanded, feeling more like an idiot than anything. As the snow continued to fall, the rustling sounds she was making kept my rapt attention. The vivacious vixen was even sticking out her tongue, collecting the snow as it fell. There were so many things about sharing the moment with her that seemed entirely too special, my gut telling me that at any moment the bubble could burst. However, I had no intention of ruining the single aspect of the night that I had a feeling she’d remember more than anything else.

“Come on. Put some effort into it, DeLuca,” she barked like a sergeant would in the Italian military. “Flap your arms like you have wings. You know, angel wings.”

“Oh, is that what we’re doing out here in the frigid cold?”

Her laughter forced me to laugh and within seconds, I had a feeling that if either one of my men noticed what we were doing, they’d never respect me again. Did I honestly care? Not even remotely.

While I doubted that I’d admit it to the woman I adored, this was the most fun I’d had in a long time.

A few seconds later, she rose to her feet, staring down at me, criticizing my efforts. “Hmm… I can see I have an amateur on my hands. Get up. Let me see if it’s acceptable.”

Another groan left my aching body before I attempted to get up, but not before glancing over at the angel she’d created. The lighting from the window shimmered across the newly created form and I could swear the wings were in gold.

She threw out her arm, giving me another feisty look. When I grabbed her arm, she threw her other arm up, pointing her index finger at me. “Do not pull me down or there will be hell to pay.”

“Oh, you’re tempting the devil. You should know better than that.”

“You know how I love to live dangerously.” She did what she could to yank me onto my feet, laughing as I playfully tumbled into her then grasped her around the waist, pulling her against my frozen body.

“That’s what I’m worried about.” I stroked her face as she continued to laugh, taking a deep breath as I enjoyed gazing into her eyes. “You are truly a beautiful gift.”

“I love you, Mattia. I think I always have.”

I shook my head, trying to think of something to say that she would realize came from my heart. Then something caught the corner of my eye and I snapped my head to the side, yanking her behind me.

“What’s wrong?” she half whispered, shock in her voice.

“Get back to the house.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t argue with me. Get back to the goddamn house.”

---