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“So we put up with each other but he never really loved me or wanted the best for me and that is why I was so astonished when he left me Terra de Barbiera. While he was alive, he wouldn’t even give me the time of day, but he willed a property worth millions to me. It still shocks me to this day.”
Valentino is silent for a while. Then he kisses my forehead. “A loving father would never have left that property to his daughter.”
“Why?”
“Because it is so highly coveted. If I was him, I’d have sold the land and left you the money. He exposed you.”
“He didn’t put me in any danger. He just made every Tom, Dick, and Harry want to marry me to acquire it. Even you.”
“Even me,” he says evenly.
“What are you going to do with the land?”
“Build the most modern living space known to man. A fifteen-minute city. The residents will be able to access everything they need within 15 minutes. “
“I see. Will you build a church too?”
He frowns. “No.”
“Can you do that for me?”
He looks at me strangely. “Are you trying to save my soul?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“I’m already saved, baby.”
“Hmph.” I scoff.
His eyes fill with amusement. “You think you’re better than me, huh?”
“I know I’m better than you,” I answer sassily. “Your soul is lost, Valentino.”
He reaches for me, but I slip away neatly and drop off the bed on the other side. He scowls. “Come back here.”
“No.” I’m standing naked before him, but I don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. He doesn’t make me feel self-conscious because his every touch and kiss worships my body. As if I am a goddess.
“I’m going out today,” I announce.
“Where to?” He walks over to me, naked as sin. My gaze roams over his beautifully sculpted body as I fight my arousal.
“I’m hanging out with Louisa and a few friends today.”
He herds me into the bathroom. “Do these friends have names?”
“Why? You want to run a background check on them?”
“Yes.”
I laugh, but when I see the seriousness in his expression, my laughter disappears. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you want to do that?”
“You can’t hang out with just anyone anymore,” he says softly. “You had enemies as a Barbieri, but you are a Barone now, which means you have picked up even more enemies. Plus, there’s a lot of strife going on at the moment. It’s my duty to keep you safe. It’ll just be a simple check.”
“It’ll be so weird...”