Page 98 of Bellini Bound

For your information, she’s asleep, and I’m waiting for herantibiotics to arrive.

Matteo:When she wakes up, let her know that Summer and I hope she feels better soon. And I am sorry that she got sick from nursing Bianca back to health.

Damn, you must really mean that if you’re willing to put it in writing.

Matteo:Your wife’s one of the good ones, Enzo, so try not to fuck it up.

I would never admit it, but I had Matteo to thank for Allie’s presence in my life.

Don’t I know it. I’ll keep you updated as to when to expect my return to the office.

Matteo:Take all the time you need. Family comes first. Always.

We might not have grown up in what anyone would call a loving household, but if there was one value that had been instilled in us since birth, it was the importance of family. Though if either of our fathers could see us now—completely pussy-whipped by our wives—they wouldn’t be overly thrilled. The twin brothers shared the view that a woman’s value lay in the number of sons she could produce. And once they served their purpose, they were no longer needed. That’s not to say either man remained celibate once our mothers were sent away, though Uncle Dominic was the more discreet of the pair.

A text from Emilio at the front gate, letting me know Allie’s medicine had arrived, broke me out of the thoughts over the dysfunction ofgenerations past. Matteo and I were carving our own path, and I firmly believed that having our wives standing by our side as equal partners only made us stronger.

Twenty-four hours later, Allie’s fever had broken, but her throat was still killing her, and it was killing me to watch her wince every time she attempted to eat. We’d tried everything from soup to mashed potatoes to smoothies, but every swallow was accompanied by a pained whimper that ripped my fucking heart out.

Propped up on a mountain of pillows in bed, she pushed my hand away when I brought a spoonful of yogurt to her lips. “No more. Hurts too much.”

“Baby.” I sighed. “You’ve barely had more than a few bites.”

Her eyes slid closed, and she rasped, “I just can’t.”

“All right.” Reaching over, I placed the container on the nightstand. “How about a popsicle, something cold to help numb the soreness for a little bit?”

Allie gasped, head whipping to the side, eyes wide.

“What? What is it?” Automatically, my gaze swept over her body, searching for signs of physical pain.

“There’s this little shop around the corner from the hospital that carries uncommon ice cream flavors like green tea, lavender honey, and chili chocolate. A pint of their hibiscus and pomegranate sorbet would beamazingright about now.” She moaned, rubbing her stomach.

This was the most animated I’d seen her in two days. So, there was no question in my mind that I was running out to get that ice cream for her, late hour be damned.

I eased off the mattress, shoving my legs into a pair of joggers and pulling on a shirt. Fully dressed, I leaned over to place a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

“Are you serious? You’re going out? Now?”

Shrugging, I grabbed my wallet. “My sick wife requires a certain fancy sorbet to feel better.”

“Enzo.” My name came out on an exhale. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Of course I don’t,” I replied. “But I want to.” Heading for the bedroom door, I called over my shoulder, “Do me a favor and text me the address.”

Her soft voice reached my ears. “If I’m too busy scarfing down my frozen fruity treat and forget to tell you later, thank you.”

I turned around, and my heart clenched at the sight of my wife, who was hands down the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, even sick and miserable.

“Your love is all the thanks I’ll ever need, Allie.”

“Aw.” She practically melted into the pillows. “That might be the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Because I was an asshole who had a tendency to deflect with humor during mushy moments, I arched an eyebrow, crossed my arms, and said, “No way that beats out ‘choke on my dick’.”

Her hoarse laughter sounded behind me as I slipped out of the room, but I could have sworn I heard her mutter, “Okay, it’s a tie.”

A smirk tugged up one side of my lips. Yeah, my wife was a total slut for dirty talk, and I fucking loved it.