Lacey Luzzi: Seasoned: A humorous, cozy mystery! (Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries Book 7)
Page 31
“Where are we?” I asked, glancing down at the tiny little remote Anthony had placed in my hand. It had only one button – the universal Power symbol – and no instructions.
Anthony cast a quick glance around at our surroundings. We’d made the trek out here in a ten to fifteen minute walk, but I couldn’t figure where we were on the grounds, since I’d been blindfolded the entire jaunt.
In the distance, the estate glittered brightly, a few lights twinkling from inside the house, a brighter collection of Christmas decorations swathing the outside in a pleasant glow. But beyond the estate, only darkness stretched in all directions. Carlos and Nora had plenty of land, and a huge, ginormous wall, keeping the people who belonged on the inside, and keeping the people who didn’t belong outside.
A trail of our footsteps created a path that led into complete and utter darkness. Judging by the firmness of the ground, we were on a cement patch of land. Come to think of it, the entire walk had been on firm ground. Shoveled ground, at that. In fact, I now had the sneaking suspicion we’d followed some sort of path or trail, since the rest of the estate was covered in a foot of snow, while we’d walked on an inch of the stuff the entire way.
“Where are we?” I asked again.
“One…” Anthony folded his hands over mine, guiding my thumb towards the red button. “Two…”
“Anthony—”
Before I could spit out my question, he smiled. “Three!”
Anthony spun me around, pressing my thumb to the button all in one go. As I swung to face the opposite direction, he held me tight, my back pressed to his chest, his hands sliding over my stomach. His arms crossed in front of me as he wrapped me in a hug.
It turned out to be a smart move on his part, holding me so tightly. My knees almost buckled. “Anthony, what is this place?”
“Do you like it?”
“It’s…it’s gorgeous!” I tilted my head to the side, searching for a better word to describe the building before us. “It’s…oh, Anthony, it’s beautiful.”
His eyes crinkled, an almost relieved gleam taking over the worried expression that hovered just out of reach. “I’m so glad you like it.”
“But, what is it? Er…” I swallowed. “Whose is it?”
“That depends.” Anthony’s voice turned soft, hesitant even. “Would you like to live here?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t.
“With me, of course,” Anthony said quickly. “But I had it built with you in mind.”
I turned back towards the structure in front of us, the glittering, gleaming home that was just stunning. When my finger had pressed the red button on the remote, a vast assortment of Christmas lights and interior lights had sprung to life, dazzling us in a snowy front yard. The edges of my vision blurred, the glow from the lights blending in a whirlwind of surprise.
“You built this?” I couldn’t take my eyes from the house. Well, I wanted to call it a house but it was more than that. It was a piece of art.
“When I first moved onto your grandparents’ property, ages ago, it was just an old barn. Carlos and Nora let me live here for free, to get on my feet in a new country. In exchange, I started working for them. Odd jobs, chores, the basics,” Anthony said, his voice soothing in the darkness just beyond the shimmer of lights. “I lived in that barn for years, and I loved it. I adored it, even though it was old and musty, and the insulation was terrible.”
I just listened, soaking in every tidbit of Anthony’s past. I wanted more, I wanted to know every detail, but I knew that’d have to come in time. There was no rushing Anthony when it came to stories from his past.
“And then I met you, and we started dating, and I realized that I wanted to have a place where you could stay with me. For as long as you want.” Anthony’s arms cinched tighter. “Whether that’s one night, or a month. Or a year. Or…or more.”
I found Anthony’s hands, which were clasped over my stomach, and I pressed my fingers to his in a tangle of heat.
“I began the project a while ago, restoring the original barn. I started it just a few weeks after we started dating. But the interior design wasn’t finished until yesterday.” Anthony paused. “I know it’s nothing much. I couldn’t bear to get rid of everything, which is why it looks like it does. I kept the barn structure, and made it into a home.”
“It’s beautiful.” Anthony might call it a restored barn, but to me it looked like a picturesque home.
Stunning, brand new wood lined the outside, while wall-length windows provided a view to the vaulted ceiling inside. The square footage of the inside might be miniscule compared to Carlos’s estate, but the coziness factor was off the charts. It looked more like a real, true home than any place I’d ever lived, including my apartment with Clay.
“But don’t worry, the inside has new materials. Modern kitchen, Jacuzzi bath…just because it looks like a farmhouse on the outside, I’m sure you’ll find the inside comfortable. At least, I hope so. And if you don’t like anything, I can change it. But I included a deluxe coffee bar and a Sugar Supply cabinet inside, stocked with everything you like. Marshmallows, popcorn, you name it. I wanted to surprise you, so I might have missed something, but I can always make improvements—”
I raised a finger, pressing it lightly to Anthony’s lips, stemming the flow of his excited, nervous stream of words. “Anthony, it’s perfect.”
“I’m sorry it’s on your grandparents’ lot, but I have to be here to do my job,” Anthony said. “We have our own entrance and exit, our own driveway and everything. Nora and Carlos both gave me permission to build, and Nora even helped decorate the inside, and—”
This time, I interrupted Anthony with a kiss. A brief one. “Show me the inside.”
Anthony’s face broke into a nervous smile. “I thought you’d never shut me up. My mouth just kept talking like an idiot. I suppose I was worried you wouldn’t like it.”
I followed Anthony up the walkway, past the glittering Christmas lights. Through the windows on either side of the door, I could see a huge, ten-foot Christmas tree on the inside.
“You even decorated a Christmas tree?” I asked. “Wow.”
“I cut it down myself.” Anthony paused outside the door. “From our yard. Er, my yard…or, whoever’s yard you want it to be.”
“Just shut up and unlock the door.” I winked.
Anthony unlocked the door, holding up a hand for me to remain outside. “Hang on, isn’t this what I’m supposed to do?”
Before I knew what was happening, Anthony had whisked me up into his arms, cradling me to his chest, as he took one step over the threshold.
Unfortunately, he misjudged the width of the doorway, and as we stepped through, my feet smacked hard against the far side of the doorframe.
“Oh, my God, I’m sorry, Lacey.” Anthony whipped around at the sound of my feet hitting wood. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” I said, but Anthony had whipped too far around, and his bad shoulder smacked the other side of the doorframe.
Anthony swore, nearly dropping me to the floor, as he recoiled in pain from his injured shoulder. But he managed to hang on tight, even though I was squirming to get out of his arms and help him. The combination of it all caused us to topple across the entryway, landing with arms and legs tangled in a messy heap.
“Are you okay?” I asked, running my hands over Anthony. “I’m so sorry I was wiggly. Your shoulder…”
“I forgot about that annoying little thing.” Anthony grimaced. “But I’m fine. I’m just sorry I ruined your first view of the house.”
“Your bullet wound? That’s not an annoying little thing, Anthony.” I shook my head. “You need to be careful with it, I worry about you. And you didn’t ruin anything, you goof.”
Anthony closed his eyes. “I crashed you into the doorframe and then dropped you on the floor. I’m not sure how it could’ve gone more wrong.”
“Hey, don’t look at what went wrong.” I pointed up at the ceiling,
a sly smile curving my lips upward, as I silently thanked Nora’s obsession with mistletoe. “Look where we landed!”
Anthony opened his eyes, staring straight at the ceiling. His sad, forlorn gaze turned into one of confusion, which rapidly faded into his own mischievous smile. “Mistletoe! Well, I suppose we can’t let that go to waste.”
“Better not.” I smiled. “And I don’t believe in coincidences. I think we landed right where we are supposed to be.”
Anthony reached a hand up, cupped it behind my head, and pulled me so close my lips were less than a whisper away from his. “I love you, Lacey Luzzi.”
“I love you, Anthony.” I let my lips sink to his, and then and there, Anthony kissed me until the lights faded to dark, and held me so close I couldn’t think about anything else.
And after we’d had our fun on the floor, underneath the mistletoe, he led me into the simple, lovely bedroom with soft sheets and a bed fit for a king. As we undressed and slid under the sheets, I curled into Anthony’s open arms, drifting off to sleep as he kissed my neck, his fingers running soothing lines up and down my arms.
And as I hovered on the edge of my dreams, I’d swear on my life that I heard the pitter patter of reindeer hooves on the roof. I eased into sleep, surrounded by the magic of Christmas.
EPILOGUE
The next morning, our luxurious breakfast in bed – served by none other than Anthony in a Santa hat and boxers – was interrupted by the ding of the doorbell.
“Uh…” Anthony looked down at his bare chest. “Would you mind seeing who that is?”
I leapt from bed, pulling a sweatshirt over a borrowed t-shirt and shorts. “Maybe it’s your twin. The real Santa Claus.” I laughed, dodging his attempts to grab me by the waist and throw me back in bed.
Sneaking into the living room, I managed to peek through the front windows onto the steps, but I couldn’t see anyone. Taking a few steps closer, I realized there was a tiny package on the ground.
With cautious movements, I inched the door open and peered outside. Seeing no one, I opened the door a little wider to reach for the package when a flash of movement caught my eye – and, unfortunately, my ears – off in the distance. I scanned the horizon to see, zooming down a small, snow-covered hill, none other than a double sled. Clay looked like he might pee his pants, while Meg was singing “Jingle Bells” to the top of her lungs. Wait…was that a Balloonicorn trailing behind them?
Smiling, I nabbed the package and set it on the kitchen table.
On the top of the giftwrapped box was a card, the handwriting unfamiliar.
“Do you think that’s a bomb?” I asked. After the gift from Oleg, I couldn’t be too careful about unmarked presents.
Anthony raised his eyebrows. “Judging by the name on the card, it’s from your father.”
“Oh.” I sighed in relief. “What else does it say?”
Anthony unfastened the card and handed it over. “I’d read it to you, but it might be private.”
I scanned the message quickly, my blood running cold. I took a deep breath, and read it again.
Dear Lacey,
This was your mother’s. I meant to give it to you last night, but I forgot.
I saved it for all these years, not knowing why.
But I suppose everything happens for a reason.
Merry Christmas.
Love,
Your Father
THE END
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SURPRISE RELEASE!
A few notes from the author…
If you’ve enjoyed getting to know Mack in this story, then stay tuned for the release of One Little Wish coming at the end of January! This full-length, cozy mystery novel takes place in the charming, fictional town of Luck, Texas, and involves some laughs, some mysteries, and some romance. Sign up to my newsletter to be alerted to the special pre-order price. It will be discounted for a limited time before release!
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Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about Lacey. Her next adventures are due Spring 2016. Release date TBD, but will be announced soon via my newsletter at www.ginalamanna.com.
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Now for a thank you…
To all my readers, especially those of you who have stuck with me from the beginning of Lacey’s story.
By now, I’m sure you all know how important reviews are for Indie authors, so if you have a moment and enjoyed the story, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. I know you are all very busy people and writing a review takes time out of your day – but just know that I appreciate every single one I receive. Reviews help make promotions possible, help with visibility on large retailers and most importantly, help other potential readers decide if they would like to try the book.
I wouldn’t be here without all of you, so once again – thank you.
Thanks again for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story!
To continue with the Luzzi Family…
See other books by Gina here:
List of Gina's Books!
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Table of Contents
Synopsis
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
The End
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Surprise release!