“We got business,” Gavino grunts.
“Already?” I ask on a small laugh.
“Yeah,” he says, jerking his chin in the air.
Climbing into the back of the SUV, I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath as the doors close around me. Reaching for the window button, I lower the window and allow the fresh air to wash over me.
Freedom.
I didn’t think it would affect me like this. I didn’t think that it would matter that much to me. I didn’t know that I craved it the way that I do. I didn’t think that I would truly change, but here I am.
I am not the man who walked into that prison.
Vino pulls up to the casino and I grin at the sight of the plain brick building in front of me. “What are we doing here?” I ask.
Vino shifts the SUV into part, then turns and looks over his shoulder at me. “Business,” he clucks with a grin.
We walk into the casino and I’m surprised to see that it’s empty. Raising my brows, I look over to Arlo, then to Gavino. Neither of them spare me a glance as they continue to walk forward. There’s a light in the distance, one of the rooms. I see it like a bright shining beacon.
The closer we approach, I can hear the hushed voices of people. A party. I shake my head. These fucks, or more like their sweet wives, have thrown me a welcome home party.
Gavino and Arlo jerk their chins, signaling for me to go first, when we’re finally in front of the door. Stepping inside, my lips turn up into a smile as soon as a crowd shouts, welcome home. My gaze flicks around the room, my eyes in search of one person and one person only.
I see her.
Standing in the corner, her big blue eyes focused on me, her body trying to disappear into the shadows so that she won’t be seen. She’s trying to hide from me, but that shit would be impossible. Pippa is the most beautiful woman in not only the room, but the world.
With my gaze focused on her, I break through the crowd, stopping to shake hands and accept congratulations when I can, but having one goal in my sight—my wife.
Making my way up to her, I stop when I’m only inches from her body, so close that she has to tilt her head back to look up at me.
Those big blue eyes of hers, that almost haunted face, the sight breaks my heart. I have no doubt that there are people watching us right now, we’re the center of attention, the thing is… I don’t give a fuck.
Lifting my hand, I almost hesitate as I cup her cheek, thinking that I’m being too bold, that someone is going to tell me to step away from her, but then I remember that I’m free. I’m no longer in prison.
I can do whatever the fuck I want, even if it’s fucking my wife right here in this room. Not that I would, but the important thing is, the main thing is, that I fucking can.
“You look tired, dolcezza. Tired but so fucking beautiful,” I rasp.
Without giving her a second to respond, I dip my chin and for the first time in five years, I really kiss my wife.
Chapter Thirty
PIPPA
He kisses me. Massimo’s tongue fills my mouth as he presses his chest against my own and my back against the wall. One of his hands stays cupping my cheek, the other wraps around my waist as his fingers dig into my flesh.
Together, we let out a moan, as I clench my thighs, my center aching for him. I whimper, he swallows the sound with a grunt as he shifts his hips forward. I let out a gasp at the feel of his hard length against my belly.
My body wants it.
Wants him.
Now.
“Massimo,” Gavino’s voice calls.
Massimo jerks from me, his forehead pressing against mine as he catches his breath, then he lifts his head and turns around, shifting his hand from my cheek to wrap around my hip, his other hand slowly falling from my waist.
“We know you are eager to get home to your wife, but first we’re going to celebrate as a famiglia. Which means, mangiare.”
He lifts his hand and points toward a table where there is food piled high. There is everything from his restaurant that I could ever imagine to order. Pastas, meats, breads, salads and then desserts.
“Shall we eat, dolcezza?” Massimo asks.
Tilting my head back, I look up to him and give him a small smile and a nod. Food doesn’t really interest me as much as a hit would, but I smile anyway. My gaze flits around the room until I find Arlo. He’s been my supplier since I ran out of prescription meds. He hates it, but he does it for me.
“Do you want me to make you a plate?” I ask, looking up to Massimo.
His lips twitch into a smile. “Yeah, I’ll go get you some wine and grab us a table?”
“Sure.” I grin. “Anything you don’t want?”
“Load me up with everything, dolcezza. I haven’t had real food in five years,” he grunts.
His words are, by themselves, probably meant to be said jokingly, but with his tone, I take them how he truly meant them—angry.
Nodding my head, I turn from him and start to walk away. He reaches for me, wrapping his fingers around my wrist before he spins me around and pulls me against his body.
Massimo dips his chin, his lips touching mine. “Missed you more than you could ever know, Pippa. I’ll make it all up to you, I swear it,” he breathes.
“Massimo,” I exhale.
“Food first though, yeah?”
Taking a step back, I look up at him, licking my lips. “Yeah.” I nod.
I turn around and hurry toward the table of food. Luckily, Arlo is directly in
