Page 35
Story: The Don's Proposal
Later. I swear, we’ll entertain this thought. For now, this is a time meant for relaxing and spending time with those I love.
However, I can’t help but tease him. Giving him all but a ghost of a kiss, I leave him groaning in the back of his throat as I pull away and lean toward the sandwiches, capturing one for myself.
Without warning, I hear a cry in the distance that breaks the peace in the air.
There’s a slight commotion, and the three of us turn to look to see Tommy all but dragging a woman across the estate grounds. Her face is not one I recognize, but that pinched expression is pretty familiar. She’s kicking up gravel, attempting to put up a fight.
Every day, it feels like there’s always something exciting happening around here. I suppose today is just another random event.
Maybe not too random with the way these two stiffen up.
Bia straightens up, her face sobering up as her braiding motions slow to a stop. She looks startled, and I know she’s not the sort of woman who shakes easily.
“Who is that?” I ask, looking over to see Santino not looking too pleased either.
“My sister.” The answer comes instant and clipped.
His sister?
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. Leaning toward me, he presses his mouth to my cheek before taking another sandwich for the road. “Sorry, but I’m going to have to deal with this.”
He’s using his boss tone, the one he uses to deal with work.
Nodding my head, I squeeze his arm before he drifts off from our blanket to take care of business.
Once he’s out of earshot, I turn toward Bia. “He doesn’t talk about his sister. I barely know much about his other brother, Lazaro.”
“It’s been years since Valeria left us.” Bia remembers she’s in the middle of doing hair, and she forces her eyes down. Once Alle’s braid was finished, she smoothes down her brown locks. She releases the girl and smiles softly when she wiggles free to dart around in the grass. “Once someone leaves this life, they’re smart not to return. Many of us assumed she was dead, as terrible as it sounds.”
I can only imagine the reason she came back then.
“Did you?” Unable to hold back my curiosities, I notice the pinch of her lips as she shakes her head.
“Never. I hoped she’d return one day.” Smoothing down the front of her shirt, she blinks a few times to keep her cheeks dry. “I can only hope she’ll want to stay.”
With an unsettling feeling growing in my gut, I suggest wrapping things up so we can head inside to find out what all of the fuss is about.
The sooner Santino is free from his work, the sooner I can get my hands on him. Bia’s always happy to watch her granddaughter for us. Even more if it means we can give her a second grand kid.
However, Bia doesn’t move, basking in the sunlight instead. “Dear, I think we best sit this out. You’ll learn, there’s plenty you can learn without putting any effort in. Don’t let those sandwiches go to waste. These men can’t help themselves. They love to chat. I give it an hour before one of them will want to spread whatever news.”
Humming with doubt, I try to settle as comfortably as I can. Knowing she’s right, I grab a sandwich and nibble on it.
She is willing to bet an hour will pass before we get our information.
I’mwilling to bet Santino will last twenty minutes away before he’s returning to my side. These other members will play telephone for their gossip. Marrying the boss has its perks.
He’ll tell me the entire story.
Biting back my smile, I mimic her motion and enjoy the heat from above. Filling my lungs with fresh air, I countdown the seconds before I’m proven right.
However, I can’t help but tease him. Giving him all but a ghost of a kiss, I leave him groaning in the back of his throat as I pull away and lean toward the sandwiches, capturing one for myself.
Without warning, I hear a cry in the distance that breaks the peace in the air.
There’s a slight commotion, and the three of us turn to look to see Tommy all but dragging a woman across the estate grounds. Her face is not one I recognize, but that pinched expression is pretty familiar. She’s kicking up gravel, attempting to put up a fight.
Every day, it feels like there’s always something exciting happening around here. I suppose today is just another random event.
Maybe not too random with the way these two stiffen up.
Bia straightens up, her face sobering up as her braiding motions slow to a stop. She looks startled, and I know she’s not the sort of woman who shakes easily.
“Who is that?” I ask, looking over to see Santino not looking too pleased either.
“My sister.” The answer comes instant and clipped.
His sister?
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. Leaning toward me, he presses his mouth to my cheek before taking another sandwich for the road. “Sorry, but I’m going to have to deal with this.”
He’s using his boss tone, the one he uses to deal with work.
Nodding my head, I squeeze his arm before he drifts off from our blanket to take care of business.
Once he’s out of earshot, I turn toward Bia. “He doesn’t talk about his sister. I barely know much about his other brother, Lazaro.”
“It’s been years since Valeria left us.” Bia remembers she’s in the middle of doing hair, and she forces her eyes down. Once Alle’s braid was finished, she smoothes down her brown locks. She releases the girl and smiles softly when she wiggles free to dart around in the grass. “Once someone leaves this life, they’re smart not to return. Many of us assumed she was dead, as terrible as it sounds.”
I can only imagine the reason she came back then.
“Did you?” Unable to hold back my curiosities, I notice the pinch of her lips as she shakes her head.
“Never. I hoped she’d return one day.” Smoothing down the front of her shirt, she blinks a few times to keep her cheeks dry. “I can only hope she’ll want to stay.”
With an unsettling feeling growing in my gut, I suggest wrapping things up so we can head inside to find out what all of the fuss is about.
The sooner Santino is free from his work, the sooner I can get my hands on him. Bia’s always happy to watch her granddaughter for us. Even more if it means we can give her a second grand kid.
However, Bia doesn’t move, basking in the sunlight instead. “Dear, I think we best sit this out. You’ll learn, there’s plenty you can learn without putting any effort in. Don’t let those sandwiches go to waste. These men can’t help themselves. They love to chat. I give it an hour before one of them will want to spread whatever news.”
Humming with doubt, I try to settle as comfortably as I can. Knowing she’s right, I grab a sandwich and nibble on it.
She is willing to bet an hour will pass before we get our information.
I’mwilling to bet Santino will last twenty minutes away before he’s returning to my side. These other members will play telephone for their gossip. Marrying the boss has its perks.
He’ll tell me the entire story.
Biting back my smile, I mimic her motion and enjoy the heat from above. Filling my lungs with fresh air, I countdown the seconds before I’m proven right.