I stuffed my face with another bite of lasagna, moaned, tasting the full flavors in my mouth, and closed my eyes. This was heavenly and the only thing I’d wanted all day.
“Very close to being finished. I need to type up a few notes, and I called your dad to see if we could meet soon.”
“Has Joseph given you any more problems?”
“No, and I’m surprised.”
“Keep me updated if he does.”
“How are things with your business?”
“We’re going into the third year of projections on pace.”
“You love the legit business part or the mafia more?”
“I feel like you’re fishing again.”
“Just observation.”
“For different reasons, I like them both.”
“No judgement.”
“How are things with you parents since the dinner?”
“We’ve gotten better, but it’s still a slow process.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Does Renato have a girlfriend?” I questioned.
“Why?”
“Not for me.”
“What are you asking for?”
“I never see him with anyone.”
“He’s a private person.”
“Any of your brothers?”
“We don’t sit around and talk about our love lives.”
“But you talk about who you’re having sex with?”
“Actually, we don’t.”
“Seriously.”
“McKayla, not all men talk about who sucked their dick to their brothers or friends.”
“Well, Vincenzo is the youngest, so he has to have a girlfriend.”
“We’re not having this discussion.”
“You’re such a killjoy.”
“Eat.”
I stuck my tongue out, and he smirked, slid his hand under the table, and caressed my leg.
“Nope.”
“Tell that to Savi the dog, not me.”
I stretched my back, lifted my leg, and mimicked the poses on the TV screen. Rena wasn’t paying attention, and I gave up on trying to force her into what I liked to do for fun. Last night at dinner, I talked with Savio about letting Rena come over to hang out while he was off doing God knows what. He had his men drive her to his place, and we ordered breakfast, talked, and now sitting through a yoga session before working.
“Are you going to the office today?”
“Yeah, Joseph gave me another story to work on.”
“That’s great.”
“It’s fine. I just need to remind myself to stick to my schedule.”
“I forgot to tell you about the night of the club.”
“What happened?”
“I came home super drunk and late, and Savio was pissed, sitting in the chair right there.”
“Did he say anything?”
“He was his usual angry self.”
“Did you tell him where you went?”
“He knew and asked why I ignored his calls.”
“Married life is too much for me.” Rena blew out a breath.
“I asked him about his brother Renato.”
I glanced up to see if she would make eye contact.
“What did he say?’ She continued looking at her phone.
“Nothing, but that he and his brothers don’t talk about the women they’re dating.”
“I think Savio’s a jealous, possessive prick, but he’s perfect for you.”
“Leave my husband alone.” I threw a pillow at her.
She chuckled and threw it back.
“What about the fight with Viviana?”
“He told me not to worry about it as usual.”
“She has it bad for you.”
“Obsessed sounds more like it.”
“Where’s the cute bodyguard you had at the mall?”
“I didn’t ask. Enzo was busy with Savio, so he brought a new guy with me.”
“You’re not paying attention at all.”
“Hmmm.”
“I need to set up some time with Mr. Calabresi.”
“Have fun with that.”
“His mom asked about us going over there for lunch one day.”
“You should go and get to know them outside of Savio.”
“I can’t believe I actually like his parents.”
“Even though you two came together under these circumstances, he loves you.”
I jerked my head back.
“Who loves me?”
“Savio.”
I laughed at her comment.
“He doesn’t love me.”
“You believe that?”
“He’s never come out and said that he loves me.”
“Sometimes it’s in a man’s actions.”
“I’m done talking about him. Let me shower, and we can get started working.”
Later in the afternoon, I finished research on Elio Calabresi and the Colombo and Greco families. Rena was still here; only this time, she was asleep from drinking the last bottle of wine.
“Rena.” I touched her on the shoulder.
“Hmmm…”
“Wake up and look at this.”
“What is it?”
“You remember that detective who arrested me?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s in a photo with Maurizio and Nevio.” I turned my computer around and showed her.
“I mean we knew he was up to something.”
“Yeah, but I might use this in a new article.”
“Where are they?”
“Looks like outside some restaurant.”
“I wonder if they were setting up Savio from the beginning.”
“I remember yelling that night about stealing.”
“We were pretty drunk though.”
“I had a few drinks, nothing to put me over the edge.”
“This is interesting.”
“Are you going to tell Savio?”
“No, he already knows Officer Harris is dangerous.”
“I still can’t believe you were arrested.”
“I can still feel his disgusting hands on me.”
“Sorry you had to go through that.”
“I’ve been through worse.”
“I’m going to head out. I have a deadline to finish,” Rena said and jumped up to pack her computer, shoes, and backpack.
“Be safe getting home and text me later.” I walked her to the door.
“I promise.”
I sighed and shut the door in thought.
“Small world.”
Arf!
“Savi, are you hungry?” I bent down to lift him in my arms. The front door opened, and Savio came through holding flowers in his hands.
“Who are those for?” I walked toward him and kissed him on the lips.
“You.”
“Say hi, Savi.” I held his palm up to greet Savio.
“I saw Rena leaving,” Savio said.
“We’d just finished working.”
Savio followed me to the kitchen and placed the flowers down. I put Savi near his water bowl, washed my hands, and grabbed the flowers to smell.
“Was it productive?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“So, I have you all to myself tonight.”
As Savino walked up to me, he put the flowers back on the counter, lifted my chin, and gave me a soft kiss.
“That was lovely.”
“I missed your voice all day.”
“You could have called.”
“I didn’t want to disturb your workday.”
“Well, we have the afternoon and night to ourselves.”
“Did Marilyn cook?”
“Yes, but we mostly ordered out.”
“I never asked, can you cook?”
“Yes, but I never tried to impose on Marilyn.”
“She wouldn’t mind.”
“She needs a vacation for putting up with you.”
“Give it to her.”
He released his hold, went to the fridge, and grabbed leftovers from the casserole.
“She’s your cook.”
“You can handle some things as the woman around the house.”
“Oh, you let me run the house.”
“On certain things.”
“Doubt that.” I rolled my eyes as he pulled out a plate to heat up some food.
“I have some work to do in my office. I’ll be pretty late coming to bed.”
“Can’t you put that off for one night and watch a movie with me?”
“It’s a big deal we’re trying to close.”
“Just one night, and tomorrow you can handle the deal.” I stood on my tippy toes and pecked his lips.
“Trying to distract me?”
“Is it working?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his bottom lip into my mouth.
“Yes.”