Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“Danilo said he and Sofia will return to Indianapolis tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Danilo told me.” I’d hoped he’d spend a few more days here with me to make the transition easier. Giorgia had already returned to Indianapolis early in the morning because her brother needed to get back. And now my brother, the last link to my old life, will follow tomorrow.
Samuel regarded me with a thoughtful expression over his glass. “Will you be okay?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. I would be. “I just need to adjust to my new life.”
“Whatever you need, tell me. I’ll have a bodyguard in the house whenever I’m not present. I’ll introduce you tomorrow morning before I leave for work.”
So soon? I didn’t voice my thoughts. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. This wasn’t a dramatic love story where the protagonists couldn’t bear the idea of being separated.
“I hope he won’t hover. I don’t like to be watched,” I said.
“He’s very good at what he does. He’ll spend most of the time in the staff room beside the kitchen unless you require his assistance.”
Samuel glanced at his watch, an elegant, dark blue Patek Philippe Aquanaut. “I should probably head to bed. I have an early meeting at eight because of a shipment of slot machines.”
I stifled a yawn. It was already eleven, and I was usually an early riser, which meant I went to bed around ten at the latest. “I’ll come with you.”
Samuel downed his drink and pushed to his feet. He motioned for me to go first so I moved toward the doors, which he then held open for me. “Thank you.”
Samuel was being very considerate and polite, and that was nice in a way, but at the same time, it emphasized that we were still strangers. This didn’t feel like a married couple going to bed together. None of the lightheartedness, banter, and intimacy a normal marriage entailed.
When we arrived in the bedroom, my eyes involuntarily moved to the bed and what had happened last night. I’d felt empowered and womanly. It had been a far better first time than I’d ever dared hope for, and now I wished for more. Samuel cleared his throat, his gaze intent as it settled on me. “Go ahead. Get ready first.”
I moved into the bathroom and changed into another off-white silk nightgown with lace trimming, then returned to the bedroom. Samuel checked his phone in the middle of the room, his brows furrowed. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his muscled upper body and the line of dark blond hair disappearing in his pants. His belt hung loosely around his waist, and the top button of his pants was open. I wished I were brave enough to go to him and unzip his pants. Brave enough to show Samuel what I wanted.
Samuel didn’t notice my entrance immediately. He was immersed in his phone, but eventually, he looked up and pushed his phone in his pants. He gave me a distracted smile and brushed past me into the bathroom.
I wheeled toward the bed and frowned when I spotted his phone on the nightstand. He had two phones?
Worry and suspicion filled me. I wanted to come up with an innocent explanation. Many people had a business phone and one for their private life, but Samuel was a Made Man and future Underboss, so business was closely interwoven with his private life. There was no clear line separating the two.
I tried not to let my imagination run rampant, but a nagging voice suggested Samuel used a second phone for a mistress. It wasn’t uncommon for men in our world to have a mistress. Many of them were there before the marriage.
I could only imagine what my mother would say if I suggested Samuel had an affair. She’d implore me to turn a blind eye to it and be happy for this good catch. I took a deep breath and hoisted myself into the bed. I had half a mind to call Giorgia, but I didn’t want to wake her with unfounded suspicions, and Samuel could return any moment.
I could simply ask Samuel.
Samuel emerged from the bathroom at that moment, but instead of coming to the bed right away, he walked toward the walk-in closet and put something in the pocket of the jacket he would wear tomorrow.
My belly tightened.
When Samuel finally climbed into bed, I couldn’t bring myself to confront him.
Instead, I gave him a shaky smile.
He hesitated as if he wanted to say something, but then he returned my smile. “Sleep well.” Again, he hesitated.
He turned off the light and rolled over to face away from me.
I swallowed hard, agitated. My stomach churned as if I’d eaten too much and topped it off with soda.
As expected, we fell asleep on our respective sides of the bed without any physical contact.