Page 75 of His Beautiful Revenge

“What you did today,” he said in broken English. “You saved my son. You put yourself in harm’s way for him.”

“Of courseI did, Enrico,” she said softly. “I would die for Giacomo. Happily. Willingly. As he would die for me. I know you think I’m some opportunist, latching onto the nearest billionaire. I honestly don’t give two craps about his money. It’shismoney. I make my own way in the world. Yes, sometimes the things he wants to do are out of my pocket, but we balance that out. Money is nothing in comparison to time. The time I spend with him. With our friends. With his family. That is more precious to me than any amount of money.”

Enrico smiled at her. “I believe you, Norah Reddy. I am sorry I was so …reticent? Is that the word?”

She grinned. “It is. Your English is better than you know. And never apologize for protecting your son. Although the circumstances weren’t great, I’m glad I was able to show you how I really feel about him.”

Enrico stood and bent to kiss her cheek. “I must tell you …even before today, I was beginning to change my mind about your motives. Goodness shines from you, Norah.”

Norah flushed scarlet. “That’s a lovely thing to hear. Thank you.”

“I speak only the true.”

She grinned. “Truth.”

Enrico chuckled. “I speak only thetruth. I will have to spend more time with you to improve my English.”

“I would like that.”

Giacomo came back then and she saw the happiness on his face when he saw them laughing together, but he didn’t mention it. “The F.B.I. just told me that the hitman who killed Carmel rolled on Tara in exchange for a lesser sentence. She’s going away for the rest of her life.”

Norah gave a little gasp. “God, I’m so happy for Orlando and Ferma. Closure, at last.”

Enrico nodded, smiling, and excused himself. Norah knew he was giving them some privacy.

Giacomo nodded, sitting down beside her. “I called Orlando …he’s pretty happy. He’s even letting me fly them all over in the jet.”

Norah blinked. “Wow. We’re really getting married in less than a week.”

Giacomo touched the wound on her shoulder. “The battle-scarred bride.”

She grinned at him and pressed her lips to his. “You betcha. I’ll wear this scar with pride, my love.”

His smile faded and he took her face in his hands, his eyes serious and intense. “You saved my life today.Again.You are my miracle, Norah Reddy.”

He kissed her slowly and tenderly, pouring all his love into the embrace and ignoring the amused looks of the nurses who wandered in and out, and of the doctor who came to stitch her wound …

The End.