Page 146 of Craving Danger

I squeeze him hard before I pull my hand away and grab a salmon puff from the nearest platter.

Soon, everyone is enjoying the food and laughter fills the air as the men joke with each other.

I turn my head, and seeing the smile on Franco’s face, I say, “We should make this a regular thing.”

“I agree with her,” Dario backs me up.

“We can host a dinner next month,” Vittoria chimes in. “Right, Angelo?”

“Sure.”

Franco rests his arm around my shoulders, and leaning closer, he murmurs, “Thank you, baby.”

“Anything for my man.”

His eyes roam over my face, then he asks, “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine.” I press a kiss to his jaw before I add, “I have you by my side.”

His features soften with a loving look. “Always, baby.”

Bonus Epilogue

Franco

(Five years later…)

Augusto barrels past me to where Marcello and Milo are dragging the Christmas tree into the living room.

“Mommeeee, we’re back.”

“I’m coming,” I hear Samantha answer from the direction of the kitchen.

A second later, our two daughters run into the room with chocolate icing all over their mouths.

“Did Mommy let you lick out the bowl?” I ask as they each grab one of my legs and stand on my shoes.

With my daughters giggling, I keep walking toward the foyer.

Samantha appears in the doorway with Augusto in her arms, and frowning at the girls, she says, “Sienna! Bianca! You’re getting icing all over your father’s pants. Come wash your hands.”

Before Samantha can head to the bathroom with our triplets, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, and plant a kiss on her mouth.

“Let me just change into comfortable clothes, then I’ll take the kids so you can –”

She interrupts me before I can finish my sentence, saying, “We have to decorate the tree.”

I give her a no-nonsense look. “Baby, the tree can wait an hour. You’ve been on your feet all day. Take a nap while we get everything ready.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” I take Augusto from her arms. “And stop carrying the kids. You shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy.”

Suddenly, a smile spreads over her face. “I love how you always fuss about me.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

I brush my palm over her baby bump and give her another kiss.

---