Total pages in book: 260
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
“Wait,” he says.
“No. I’m finished with you, Marco. I’m finished with the Rossis, too. You’re going to let me leave this place and never come back.”
“Why would I let you leave?” he asks. “How do I know this isn’t a trick?”
“You know me, Marco. If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.” I pause and smile at him. “Good luck with the war.”
Without another word, I turn and leave the room. My back is to him to let him know he’s no threat to me. My blood runs cold knowing they could kill me. But it would break code. There would be no honor in my murder.
My job is finished. Marco doesn’t say anything as I leave and head back out front. Nobody comes after me, and nobody stops me as I get into my car and drive back toward the main road.
The gate shuts behind me, and I feel slight relief. But I won’t be complete until I have my Grace in my arms.
I roll down my window and feel the cool breeze on my face. I feel free for the first time in my entire life. My father’s dead, and my ties with the mafia are officially severed. The Romanos won't want me back, and the Rossis will probably kill me if they ever see me again. But as long as we stay away, they have no reason to come after us.
It’s just me and Grace now. I’m nobody’s fucking lapdog anymore. No more contracts from them, and no more killings. My life is in my own hands.
And the only thing I want is my princess. She’s the only thing that matters anymore.
My heart hammers in my chest as I speed back toward her. I grab my phone on the passenger seat and dial up her number. The darkness is nowhere to be seen, and I feel optimistic for the first time in my life. I believe the darkness is gone, or at least it’s buried down deep beneath this new feeling.
I can’t wait to get back home. I can’t wait to tell Grace everything. I want her to know how free I am. I want her to know how I feel about her. She’s mine, she’s completely mine, and she always will be.
I press down the accelerator and speed toward her, feeling light and ready.
She answers on the first ring. “Gio?” Her voice is low and full of worry.
“I’m coming, princess. I’ll be there soon.”
Epilogue
Gio
* * *
I step out onto the balcony and take a deep breath of the fresh sea air. I raise the coffee cup to my lips and sip the fresh, strong French coffee as the city unfolds in front of me. Duke is curled up in the corner under the small table, dozing in the morning breeze. He’s gotten lazier since we moved, just like a proper French dog.
It’s a beautiful town, Saint-Tropez. Situated in the south of France between Cannes and Marseille, it’s a small place that’s not jam-packed with tourists. It’s absolutely breathtaking, just like most of southern France, with gorgeous pastel-colored homes and a sprawling view of a deep blue ocean.
Grace picked it out. Out of everywhere in the world, she wanted to come here. It’s our home now. And she loves it. That’s all that matters to me. I don’t remember how long it's been. Two months, maybe three. Time doesn’t really matter anymore. Life is slow in Saint Tropez, which is exactly what I wanted.
I don’t kill anymore. Ever since leaving Chicago, the cravings disappeared. The darkness never appears anymore, not even in my worst moments.
I take another deep breath, feeling calm and content for the first time ever.
I turn around and look into our bedroom. Grace props herself up on one elbow, smiling at me. The breeze from the open doors blows her hair out of her face. She’s goddamn beautiful. I’m a lucky man.
“You’re up early,” she says with a yawn.
I walk in and kiss her gently on the lips. “I wanted to get your breakfast together.”
“You’re spoiling me.” She laughs.
I shrug, smiling. “You’re damn right I am. You’re my princess.”
“What’s on the agenda for today then?” she asks, stretching her arms above her head.
“Whatever you want. I thought we might walk down to the market, get something for lunch and dinner, and then walk along the beach. Maybe stop for a drink somewhere.”
“So, what we did yesterday?”
I grin. “Exactly. I also thought we could visit that little private outcropping of rocks… “
She laughs. “You dirty man. You’re just trying to get into my panties again.” She rests her head on the pillow and looks up at me as though she’s innocent. She’s just as dirty as I am. And she knows it.
“Damn right I am.” I kiss her rough on the lips as the memory of fucking her on that public beach the day before comes back to me.