Page 6 of Ciao Bella

“That’s not nice,” pouted Tailor. The others chuckled, shaking their heads.

“It may not be nice, but it’s true. You and Alec eat like there’s no tomorrow. There will be no shortage of food where we’re going, and if experience tells us anything, Italian grandmothers love cooking for big boys who love to eat. Don’t accept everything offered! You’ll get sick, and that will ruin it for Lena and Lissa,” said Wilson.

“We only got a week,” frowned Alec. “How am I supposed to be in peak shape in a week?”

“You should have been in peak shape all along,” frowned Gaspar. “You slept in for a lot of runs and shouldn’t have.”

“We’ll be okay,” said Tailor. “We just won’t eat dessert until we leave.”

“That doesn’t mean you can double up on entrees,” said Cruz. “Eat realistic proportions.”

“We do! This is a lot of body to fill with food, Cruz. I need more than the average man,” said Alec.

“You’re anything but average, Alec. I’m going to give the cafeteria instructions on what you two can have to eat until we leave. No carbs, no sugar, which means no desserts, and we’re cutting down on the red meat.”

“Don’t make me kill you, Cruz. I don’t want to leave my sister a widow.”

“Nobody’s killing anyone,” said Gaspar. “We promised, and we’re keeping this promise come hell or high water.”

“Well, that brings about an interesting question,” smirked Baptiste. “Weapons. Comms devices. Stealth vests. What are we bringing?”

Ian looked at Nine, who looked at Ghost, then back at Gaspar.

“I love my wife. I love my sisters and all of your wives, the women I consider sisters. I will not compromise on their protection and safety. I know we made promises, and I know we said that we wouldn’t do anything to start shit. But if shit should come our way, I want us to be prepared, and I want us to have what we need.

“I’m not going to lie to them. Not outright, anyway. Bring what you think you might need without being obvious. I’ll take the blame if they find out.”

“Fuck that,” growled Nine. “We’re a team, and we make decisions as a team. If they find out, we’ll take our licks like men. Albeit men with really pissed-off wives.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“I can’t believe we’re actually going!” said Lauren, setting her bags down at the dock for the team to load onto the boats.

“I know. I keep thinking they’re going to jump out of the bushes and say, ‘gotcha!’. I’ll kill them if they do,” frowned Erin, “but I keep waiting for it.” Alexandra laughed, shaking her head.

“Oh, I don’t think that will happen. I know for a fact that the plane is fueled and ready to go. We even contracted two former pilots that Savannah and Doug knew to fly us so they wouldn’t have to. I saw the tickets to a few of the tours and the e-mail confirming our stay in Rome. It’s for real, ladies.”

“Three weeks in Italy!” smiled Ella. “I can’t believe it.”

“I’m going to eat my weight in pasta,” said Ro. “I don’t care how much weight I gain. I want to eat every kind of pasta they make.”

“Same,” smiled Lauren. “I’m going to eat it all. Oh, look. Here comes our ride.”

The two large pontoon boats pulled up to the docks, one for luggage, the other for the ladies to ride.

“Beautiful women this early in the morning,” smiled Remy. “This is the way I like to start my day.”

“Remy Robicheaux, don’t you use that charm on me,” said Lena. “I’m in a good mood, and I’m liable to run off with you.”

“I’m a married man, Ms. Lena,” he smirked. “And your husband is as big as a truck. I’m good right where I am.” She laughed as he helped her aboard while Robbie, Ben, and Adam loaded the luggage on the other boat.

As the women took their seats, the guys got the luggage situated, and then everyone looked off toward the other islands. A large boat was making its way toward the animal sanctuary.

“What do you suppose that is?” frowned Erin.

“If I had to guess, that’s a new delivery from Mama Irene,” smiled Alexandra. “She did tell Gaspar that she would help plan the trip as long as he didn’t complain about any new animals.” Sara grabbed the binoculars from the pilot house and stared off at the big boat.

“What in the world?” she whispered. “No. No, she didn’t. She couldn’t, could she?”

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