Page 31

Penelope

"It's a positive match," Dr. Rivera says with a smile as soon as we settle into a comfortable pair of seats across his desk. "There is absolutely no doubt that you areSignoraPilar Sorrento's granddaughter, but...I have a feeling both of you already know that."

The doctor goes on to discuss results from my blood tests next, and my heart feels like it's about to burst when I see the taut edges of Cesare's gorgeous face while he listens.

He looks really concerned, but...I can't let myself assume anything just yet.

This is still the same man who only sees us as owners looking after each other's properties, and until he says otherwise...

Don't get your hopes up, dude!

We stop by the concierge on our way out, and I see the other man look at me while Cesare is busy re-arming himself like he's John Wick. "Signorina?"

I feel like a student being called to the dean's office, and my back automatically straightens as I nervously meet his gaze. "Yes, sir?"

"Thank you for your visit. We look forward to being of service to you again."

He takes something from the shelf behind him, and I can't help laughing when I realize he's giving me a bottled frappe from Starbucks.

"Thank you, Cazzo."

Cesare chokes as I thank the concierge, and I end up grasping empty air when the concierge, now looking murderous, throws the bottle of coffee straight into the trash.

"Mi dispiace, Cassio."

I realize my mistake as soon as I hear Cesare apologize on my behalf, but I have no chance to say sorry myself with mymafiaboss is already whisking me out of the hospital like the concierge is about to shoot us dead.

"I guess it's a mortal sin to mispronounce afamiglia'sname?" I ask weakly as he walks me to my side of the car.

"Not generally, no—-" Cesare slides back behind the wheel before facing me. "But it is when you call him adick,which is what'cazzo'translates to in Italian."

Oh.

SHIT.

I groan, and being the ever-supportive owner that he is, Cesare throws his head back with a laugh.

"It isn't funny," I bemoan as his sports car blazes out of the parking lot. "I'll never live this day down. Everyone will remember me as that bitch who said—-"

"Fuck!"

I nearly drop an F-bomb myself as his tires screech under us, with Cesare abruptly making a hard turn to the right. Is it just me...or do allfamigliamen have this dream of shooting for the next Fast & the Furious movie?

Panic starts feeling like an old frenemy when I see Cesare keep one hand on the wheel while yanking his pistol out with the other.

I know I should've expected something like this because he'sfamiglia, but the moment his window rolls down, and he starts shooting at the car trying to crash into us from another lane—-

I scream and freak out like a headless chicken as chaos erupts all around us.

"W-What's happening?"

Cesare shoots me a look of disbelief...even as he keeps shooting at everyone else. "What the fuck do you mean what's happening? Didn't you fucking say you understood—-"

"No, I didn't!"

"You even told me I shouldn't fucking worry—-"

"I thought you were worried I'd get bored during the drive," I cry out. "I didn't know you were warning me about peoplewaaaaaantiiiiiing tooooo kiiiiiiiill uuuuuuuuus!"