Page 45 of Violent God

Because as crazy as this is, it feels right. I haven’t had to worry about him coming home in a sour mood that he takes out on me. I haven’t been afraid that our power would be cut off because the bills aren’t paid. And even though he married me without asking first, I know I’m better off with him than with Giosuè.

His lips brush against mine. “Good.”

I playfully swat his chest. “This is where you say it back, dummy.”

“Dummy? I’m wounded.”

“Alessandro.”

“I’m yours,Dolcezza. There is no one else on this earth for me but you.”

“Wow.”

His eyebrow lifts. “What?”

“How do you get hotter each day?”

“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.”

His phone rings and I groan.

“No.”

He glances at the screen and flips it facedown.

“I’ll call them back.”

“You never answered my question about what you do for a living.”

“Are you asking because you’re worried or curious?”

“Both, I guess. Our relationship isn’t normal. We didn’t get to do things that most people do before getting married, like getting to know each other.”

He says, “True. How about this? When I get home tonight, we can talk. Get to know each other a bit better.”

“I’d like that.”

He kisses me. “Me, too. Now, as tempted as I am to call in sick, I do need to go. The SUV is waiting for me. I’ll be back by six.”

“Be safe.”

“Always am.”

He kisses me two more times before pulling away with a groan. I hate that I feel a sense of loss when he’s gone. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had people to hang out with. Friends. I snort. God, I wouldn’t even know how to go about making friends. But it would be nice…

In our room, I straighten up the bedding just so Donna doesn’t think we’re screwing around all the time, even though we basically are. I really like Donna. She’s sassy and tells Alessandro exactly what’s on her mind.

I’m smiling when I grab my new phone. There’s a message from Alessandro, so I open it.

Hubby

Miss you already.

I miss you, too.

My finger hovers over the heart emoji. Will he read too much into it if I send it? I decide against it and open up a book on my Kindle app. It’s a romance about a woman who gets captured on her wedding day. I grin. A bit of art imitating life is exactly what I need because if they can have a happily ever after, then so can I.

Around noon, I make my way to the kitchen where Donna and Chef are sitting at the small table. They both stand when they see me, but I wave at them to sit.

---