Page 97 of Caruso

Three pieces that complete my soul. My future, my destiny, my world.

I tiptoe downstairs, marveling at the opulence surrounding me. My feet bare, my hair wet and naked under the huge t-shirt Tommaso draped over my body.

I hear them talking, and rather than be caught eavesdropping on their conversation I head outside into the mountain dusk; the breeze chilling me slightly as I face them fresh from the shower.

“Taylor.” Matteo and Giorgio stand as one, and I’m unsure which one of them I should go to first.

There is a seat beside Tommaso and one beside Matteo, and so I edge between them with a smile.

“Hey guys, I’m still here.”

“Thank God.” Giorgio growls.

“So I’m a god now.” Tommaso raises his eyes, and Giorgio flips him the bird.

Matteo leans closer and whispers, “Are you okay, baby girl?”

His concern causes my heart to flutter as I gaze into his dark eyes.

“I’ve never been better, Matteo.” I reach out and stroke his face lovingly, staring at every frown line as I ease them gently away.

Despite everything, I have missed him. He offers me protection and happiness wrapped up in one decadent package.

“So, that Jason guy turned out to be a waste of time.”

Giorgio’s voice cuts through the moment like a knife, and I turn my attention to him.

“He was.” I shrug, accepting the glass of wine that Tommaso hands me, and Giorgio chuckles softy.

“One day with the prince of darkness here, and he has corrupted you already. Since when did you accept wine without a grimace?”

“Since I educated her.” Tommaso adds smoothly and for good measure lays his arm around my shoulders, a declaration of ownership that doesn’t go unnoticed by his brothers. In fact, it probably wasn’t a good idea to wear their brother’s t-shirt. It’s a sign he has pissed all over me and scented me as his.

I smile lovingly at Giorgio, whose eyes darken with lust, and a shiver passes through me as I accept I’m the focus of three powerful men’s attention now. I wonder ifthis will ever get old because it’s as if I’m the most powerful woman on earth right now.

“Jason is gone.” I shrug, sipping the wine with the attitude of someone who doesn’t give a fuck about him now.

It still hurts like crazy that I held him in such high regard compared to how he held me, and yet none of that matters now.

“So, here we are.” I flick my gaze to everyone of them in turn and smile.

“The beginning of forever.”

My words cause the others to visibly relax, and I settle back against Tommaso’s arm, loving the intimacy we all share.

Matteo nods, accepting the situation with a relieved smile, and Giorgio laughs softly.

“One big fucked-up family. God help the world.”

Tommaso chuckles. “God help us.”

I rest my hand on his knee, tightening my hold, loving how he presses it harder against my leg, reminding me of all the unfinished business we have yet to explore.

“I can’t wait for you to guide me on the trails, Giorgio.” I turn to him with a shy smile. “I heard you are a cowboy now.”

“You better believe it, ma’am.” He tips his pretend stetson causing me to giggle, and says as an aside, “We’ll head out in the morning if you fancy it and watch the sun come up.”

“I’d like that.” I smile with happiness and then turnto Matteo. “When I get back, you could give me a tour of the property before lunch.”