Page 99 of Vows of a Mobster

I raised an eyebrow. “What kind of promise?”

“I have purchased property outside of the city. It is too far for the daily commute but it is perfect for the weekends. Promise me that when we want to get away, we’ll go there without Marissa and Daphne. Just us. It will be our getaway house.”

I couldn’t help but smile. He was making longer term plans with me. “Is that the one in North Scituate?”

He didn’t seem surprised I knew about it. “I wondered if you were the one that arranged it. I always liked that property but the agent was elusive. How did you make it happen?”

I chuckled at that. “The father of the agent was my grandmother’s friend. I just got lucky. It truly is a beautiful property. So you ended up getting it?”

“Yes, thanks to your reminder on the day of the showing.” There was amusement in his eyes. “Do you realize you signed that email with Xs and Os?”

I shook my head, frowning. “No, I didn’t.”

He chuckled. “Yes, you did. I still have it.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Smiling, he grabbed his phone and scrolled down, then showed me the phone. My eyes darted through the familiar email and I blushed. “Oh, my gosh. I really did.”

“See, you were giving me hugs and kisses even before we met,” he teased but his eyes darkened with desire and instantly my body responded.

“So it seems,” I murmured.

His big hand wrapped around my nape and brought me closer to him. “I will never have enough of you, Brianna. I want all your hugs and kisses.”

It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.

“They are yours then,” I vowed.

Thirty-Three

Brianna

When I woke up the next morning, Mateo was gone. I glanced at the clock and it was only six-thirty.

How early does the man get up?I wondered.

I didn’t dwell on it. It worked in my favor that he was gone already. I grabbed my phone and pulled up the last known address of Kyle’s parents.

I took a quick shower and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. Since it was going to be hot today, I just put on a light sundress with quarter sleeves. I pondered the best way to sneak out of the house. I needed to leave without any of Mateo’s men trailing behind me. I recalled there was a way to get to the garage through the garden. If I made my way into the kitchen, there was an exit to Mateo’s extensive gardens and from there, I could make my way to the garage. I grabbed my purse and once in the hallway, listened for any sign of life. I heard some voices coming out of the living room but I quickly bypassed that area, taking the back stairs towards the kitchen. I felt like a damn, sneaky teenager. I peeked into the kitchen and a relieved breath escaped me. It was empty. I rushed through it and out into the gardens.

Each step I took, my heart raced faster. I was sure any moment now someone would stop me. I saw the red color of my Jeep and was almost at the finish line.

“Almost there,” I whispered to myself. “Just keep swimming.”

Damn Nemo would be stuck in my head forever. In rushed steps, I headed towards my Jeep. I was positive Antonio would be with Mateo today. He would be a hard one to fool if I ran into him. My ears thundered with tension and excitement as I entered the car and pushed the key into ignition.

“I can’t believe I made it,” I murmured to myself. Now, I just have to make it out of the compound. Without any delay, I drove off, not bothering to stop at the gate. I just waved to the guys and kept going, heading towards South Boston, where Kyle’s parents last lived.

The whole drive there I kept pondering what to ask. Maybe neighbors still remembered them and could tell me if they knew Aoife, the sister of Kyle’s parents. It would help if I knew whether she was his mother’s sister or his father’s sister. I had so little to go off on.

It took me a bit to find the house. The neighborhood looked decent at least.

I prayed this would get me somewhere.Please God, I need this to lead somewhere. For Emma.

With my heart thumping wildly and my hands trembling, I rang the doorbell of the townhouse and stared at the black door, listening for any sign of life. Silently I counted to thirty and then rang the doorbell again.

Nothing. Then I did it again. Again nothing.