Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
After lying in bed for a few minutes, we get into the shower together, where Zane takes his time helping me wash my hair and body. His hands are gentle as he moves the washcloth over my skin and down between my legs. I gasp at the contact; my folds still sensitive.
Zane’s expression fills with concern. “Are you sure I didn’t hurt you?”
“I’m sure. I’m just really sensitive.” I give him a sincere smile, and we finish together in the shower without any more worrying questions. As soon as we’re done, Zane gets out, grabs a towel, and wraps it around me. It’s fluffy and smells clean and fresh.
Slinging a towel around his own waist, we walk back into the bedroom together. I sit on the edge of the bed while Zane walks over to the dresser and starts rifling through it. I can’t help but stare as his well-defined muscles clench and flex as he moves.
Those perfectly sculpted abs and the bulge of his biceps cause a heat to coil low in my belly. I shouldn’t be staring. I really shouldn’t, but…
“Xander’s wife gave me some clothes for you to wear if you want to come and look through the drawers,” Zane says, his voice interrupting my thoughts. My cheeks heat, and I can’t imagine how I look right now.
“Oh, okay, yeah…” I mumble and walk over to the dresser. I find some clothes and pull them on, feeling a little less exposed now that I’m dressed. Drying my hair with the towel, Zane watches me curiously.
“You know what happens next, right?” he asks, as I drop the towel to the floor.
“Yes, now that Christian is dead, Matteo is next.”
“Are you okay with that?”
My brow furrows. “Why wouldn’t I be? I told you, I don’t care about him, Zane. I was only playing along to protect you. He told me he’d kill you if I didn’t make you disappear, and so I decided I’d rather have you angry with me than never have a chance to see you alive again. Who will protect me if you’re not here?” I whisper as I cross the space between us and cup his cheeks. I lean in and press my lips against his.
They’re warm and firm, and when I feel his tongue pressing against the seam of my lips, I open up to him. Our tongues duel for a short while, each stroke of his tongue, stoking the warm coil of pleasure inside my belly. I know Xander is waiting for us, but he can wait a few more minutes.
Zane’s hands circle my waist and he tugs me forward…I’m seconds away from ditching my clothes and climbing on top of him when a knock on the door interrupts us.
Of course, Zane pulls away with a groan, a tiny smug grin pulling at his lips.
“We should probably go. I think we’ve left your brothers waiting long enough.”
My brothers. It’s so strange to think that yesterday I had no siblings, and today I have two brothers. Giving my hips a gentle squeeze, Zane moves me out of the way so he can get to the door. Tugging it open, I’m shocked to see Xander standing on the other side.
“Sorry to interrupt your reunion, but we need to discuss Matteo as soon as possible. Now that Christian is dead, word will travel fast.”
“We’ll be down in a minute,” Zane confirms, and Xander nods.
Sticking to his word, we walk downstairs and into the massive dining room, where Xander, Damon, and Ivan are sitting. They’re talking casually like they aren’t plotting to murder someone tomorrow.
It’s hard not to outright gawk at all the fancy features, like the huge open kitchen off to the right of the dining room, or the chandelier with ten thousand shiny diamonds reflecting back at me. Zane takes a seat at the table, and I take the spot next to him. A maid pops her head out of the kitchen and meanders over to us with a kind smile.
“Can I get you anything?” she asks.
“No, I can get it…” I start, but Xander clears his throat, cutting me off.
“That’s not how this works, Dove. The help is here to help. That’s what we pay them for. If you want something to drink or eat, Matilda can get it for you.” His words are clipped and cold.
I feel like a small child who’s being scolded, and I’m reminded of my stay at Matteo’s mansion, and I dislike greatly that he called this lovely woman the help.
“I’ll just have a coffee. Cream and sugar, please,” I say through gritted teeth before taking a seat. Zane takes the one next to me and slides his hand over mine.
“The Sergio family is crumbling apart without Christian, and Castro is running around like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to take over whatever territory he can. Greedy bastard he is. Plus, Alberto being dead leaves him spread thin. Now is the perfect time to strike, to take him down once and for all,” Xander explains while Damon and Ivan nod in agreement.