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“It’s okay to question my motives, Bella, everyone does.” He took a step toward her, “I’m used to it. Inside we have some of the same fears.”

“Maybe we do. Still, the more I know you, the more questions I have.”

“Come closer, and I’ll answer them,” he said, reaching behind him to engage the lock on the door.

“Smooth,” she smiled. She loved the way his dark tailored suit crisply outlined his large frame. His deeply tanned skin and the way his hair darkly framed his face was a huge turn on. She wasn’t really upset anymore. She enjoyed having his attention solely focused on her. Selfish as it sounded, she would prefer he didn’t speak or touch another woman after her. Mira went to him. “You liked what happened between us last night, not just the sex. After?”

He nodded that he did enjoy the intimacy. He dropped his hands on her hips and pulled her directly into him.

“You know I did,” he answered.

Mira moved her face to avoid the kiss pending between them. Her breasts rose sharply as she drew in a breath. And the burn for him intensified “If you ever make me feel lonely for you again Giovanni, it’ll be the end of us.” He heaved her up and half-spun her to the door. Fire spread between her thighs as his pelvis pressed into hers.

“Are you threatening me, Bella?”

“Yes,” she panted softly.

He nipped her bottom lip. “That’s my girl.”

At last her lips parted and he tasted her sweet mouth. Infuriating woman. A sexy, almost apologetic little murmur of surrender escaped her. Mira wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his passionate kiss. Her tongue darted in and out of his mouth with quick little butterfly flicks that drove him wild. Giovanni parted her soft thighs with his to press in against her warm center. He seized upon her vulnerability with kisses to her neck while both of his hands cupped her ass and lifted her off the ground, pushing her higher up the door. His face went in between the separation of her wrap dress, he moved the crossed over fabric and exposed her left breast effortlessly as his lips brushed across her nipple still covered by the cup of her bra. He drew it down with his teeth. Mira grabbed his hair, wrapping her leg high around his hip to keep him close. She moaned once his tongue circled her nipple while in his mouth.

“Slow down, we can’t, people are waiting on us,” she panted weakly, which he ignored. Reaching for the tie of her dress he pulled on the long belt loosening it.

Nico’s voice sounded on the other side of the door. He knocked hard and fast.

Giovanni let her breast go. “What is it?” he shouted. Mira pushed her breast back down inside the cup of her bra, and lowered her leg so she could fix her dress, although he refused to lift up and release her.

“Don Calderone and his nephew Angelo are here to see you. They say it’s important.”

“I’ll be right there,” he grunted finally releasing her.

Mira tied her dress and looked up at him concerned. “Let me guess, you have to go again?”

He cupped her face and kissed her. Then he turned away, adjusting his erection in the front of his pants, trying to shake off his arousal. Mira watched him pace to collect himself and walked over to him, touching his arm. “What’s wrong? Who are these men?”

“No one. Visitors. Go upstairs and make sure the boys have your things. We’ll leave soon.” He kissed her jaw. Before she could say more he walked out, leaving her to wonder again what just happened.

Giovanni stormed down the hall. “Find Lorenzo and tell him to join us. The girls leave now. We’ll meet them at the airstrip.”

The men nodded and marched away.

He rounded the corner and entered the open parlor on the lower level.“Come va?”Giovanni asked. Don Calderone turned with his cigar in his hand. He had three of his thugs including his nephew at his side. Giovanni gave him a proper greeting by kissing both of his cheeks.

“Forgive the intrusion. We have a problem.” The Don said with concern in his voice.

Lorenzo appeared at his side. Angelo seemed to tense and focus his hostility again at his cousin. Giovanni frowned at the exchange. “I’m listening. What can I do for you?”

“It’s Giuseppe. He hasn’t been seen since yesterday evening. We can’t locate him, and it’s not like him not to check in.” The Don shook his head in disgust. He glanced over at Lorenzo. “Earlier you said he was to meet with you yesterday?”

“No. I said he was to call to set up a meeting. I never heard from him.”

“Where were you to meet?” Angelo asked.

“Are you deaf? I said he was to call, nothing more.” Lorenzo shot back. From the rigid tension in his cousin’s jaw and neck, Giovanni felt odd about the entire matter.

Angelo addressed his uncle. “How could he have a meeting with Lorenzo and be expected in Genoa the same day?” he said.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Lorenzo demanded.