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I love you, I love you, I love you.

And when his big, muscular body suddenly jerks behind me, and he groans my name out as I finally experience what it means to have my mafia boss's cock fill my pussy with his cum—-

I love you.

The words play endlessly in my heart as his orgasm triggers my own, and I can only sob as the thick, creamy essence of my release pours out of my body and coagulates with his own seed before trickling down my thighs.

I love you.

We make love several times more after that, and when my stomach starts growling again, we end up enjoying a midnight meal in his balcony, and with Cesare feeding me Chinese takeout while I'm still naked in his lap.

I can barely keep my eyes open by the time he carries me back to his bedroom, and I'm vaguely aware of Cesare quietly telling me that he'll set up a meeting with Pilar Sorrento first thing tomorrow morning.

'I don't want another day to pass without making you my wife.'

I wish I have the strength to ask him if what I'm hearing is true... since I know Cesare calling me his wife is another way of him saying he loves me back.

But because sleep is ever so traitorous, his words are left unanswered, and I find myself dreaming...again.

"DAD."

I sit up and rub my eyes so I can have a better look at the time on my phone.

01:53 AM?

I'm wide-awake in an instant, and confused, since this isn't the usual time for him to come home. "Where have you been?"

Dad sits next to me on the couch. "That's the question you really want to ask?" He reaches for the book from the coffee table and places it on my hand. "You've been working on this, haven't you?"

"Yes...and no? I mean, it's a book about ancient mysteries. And countless experts have already tried solving them and failed. It's not like I can do anything else—-"

Dad shakes his head. "You're looking at it the wrong way, Penny."

My brows furrow as I belatedly notice the way he's looking at me. "What's wrong, Dad?"

"It's not always about what or how much you know."

"Why do you look so sad?"

"Sometimes, it's all about the simplest things, like what you saw. What you heard. What you remember."

I shake my head. "You're starting to scare me. Is this about Mom?"

Dad ruffles my hair. "Love you, Pens."

Tears start rolling down my eyes, and even though we see each other every day—-why does it suddenly feel like it's been forever since I last heard Dad say that?

I wish, God, I wish I can say the words back.

But when my lips part, it's all too late.

I'M CRYING WHEN I WAKEup, but I waste no time in wiping the tears away since someone is furiously knocking on the door.

"Penelope?"

I think that's Massimo's voice?

I open the door, and it's indeed Cesare's brother standing in the hallway, and the grim set of his features makes me feel sick.