“Please, don’t take Luca,” I say as he leads me through the house, into an empty room.
Letting me go, he leans against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest, giving me a once-over. “I’m not ‘taking’ Luca. He’s been a pain in the ass for years, begging me to take him in. I finally got in the mood and granted him his wish.”
“You’ll have him killed.”
He leans closer. Too close for comfort. “Between you and me, Angela, he’ll never be a killer, and I have no use for his whimsy ass on the field. He doesn’t know the back from the front of a fucking gun. I’ll have him manage something he can handle. Don’t worry so much. I’ll see if Matteo can teach him some tech, intel. It’ll make him happy and make him feel important.”
I gape. “Since when do you care about making people happy?”
“Such bitterness from someone so young. How’s the photography business?”
“Good,” I say, a bit apprehensive, waiting for the blow, praying someone will come and take me away from here.
“Good, good. You doing good? Are you happy?”
I frown. This isn’t anything like what I assumed would happen. “I am. I’m selling. I’ve got an exhibition coming up. I’m living my dream.”
“I’m glad to hear it Angela. I hope you’ll visit again.”
I hesitate, then I say it. “Do you want to come to the exhibition? Maybe…” I lick my lips, “bring someone.”
He looks me over, doesn’t answer, then he smiles. “That sounds like a good idea. I’d like that. Have a nice rest of the evening. I’d love to talk more but the house is full of guests, and I am the host.” He pulls me into a hug, patting me on my back. “Don’t be so afraid of me, Angela. You’re my flesh and blood. I’d never hurt you. I’ll never force you into something.”
I inhale shakily as he pulls away and holds me at arm’s length. “You’ve changed.”
He tilts his head in a slight acknowledgement.
“Is it Chloe?”
“You’re observant.”
“It isn’t hard to see, the way the two of you look at each other.”
“She’s one of a kind.”
“I bet.”
“Take care of her,” I say.
Salvatore pinches my cheek and then cups it.
“Always.”
He smiles. He does look happy. Content. Winds of change are sweeping through this clan. Christian has his Kerry. Nathan has Sydney. Eric found Anna. Uncle has Chloe. Me, I’m suddenly one of the family and can let my fears go. There are children, and a lot more on the way.
I don’t know what this will mean for us all, but I do know an era has come to an end, that darkness is being replaced with light and life. I sense a new beginning, and it’s good. It’s really good.
The End
Acknowledgments
Thank you, team Blushing Books, especially my ever-supportive editor Sandra Havro, and Eris Adderly for your edible covers!
This book concludes the Russo Saga. Bad men, women who refuse to bend, rough sex, angst, violence, kidnappings, but also babies, marriages, hope, love, and happily ever afters.
I feel such affection for all my heroes and heroines:
Nathan and Sydney, Eric and Anna, Carmen and Lucas, Christian and Kerry, and Luciano and Chloe. What a ride it has been! You took me by the hand and pulled me through your whirlwind of a life. I have loved every minute.
Nicolina Martin
Nicolina Martin is a Swedish born author who escapes the long, dark winter nights by writing hot contemporary romance/suspense. She’s a mother of three teenage girls, a medical doctor, a quirky loner, and a social human being. She has traveled the globe, has loved and hated, succeeded and failed, has gone through marriage and divorce. She has seen darkness and despair, as well as light and happiness. All these experiences, she pours into her stories, taking her readers for a wild ride, while twisting their minds. She loves showing that stories can be different even if the trope is the same.
Nicolina believes that life is too short for regrets and in looking forward, no matter what. She wants to enjoy every moment, and cherish life.
To find out more about her, visit her official website at: https://www.nicolinamartin.com/ or follow her on social media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nicolinamartin
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Don’t miss these exciting titles by Nicolina Martin and Blushing Books!
Individual Titles:
Break My Chains
The Russo Saga:
Heat - Book One
Ruin - Book Two
Shame - Book Three
Redemption - Book Four
Absolution - Book Five
Capo - Book Six
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