Page 134 of Masked Hearts

“It’s going to be okay. Just breathe; they all love you already.”

The girls track the environment around them as we drive towards the coast.

“That’s the promenade, Ambrose and I like to run along there,” I say as we head past, and next The Vice comes into view. as well.

“What’s that?” Noelle asks in awe.

“That’s the Vitale Vice,” I say, and it feels almost cringe the way all their eyes snap to me. “It’s a club/casino we own.”

“Whatdon’tyou and your brothers own on this island?” Noelle asks.

“Uhm…” I furrow my brows, genuinely trying to think. “Giovanni’s,” I say confidently. “It’s an amazing small deli in Di Mezzo,one of the few places with absolutely no ties to us. Oh, and I guess some of the more industrial areas. We’re probably investors, but we don’t fully own it.”

She nods slowly as if the sentence I just uttered was the most normal thing ever.

“It really is the Vitale City.” Theá chuckles, and I nod.

“Yes, it is.”

It’s not often I get to think about the extent of our wealth or just how far our ties run, but it’s moments like this when I realise just how hard my brothers work every day to make this possible.

The car takes a sharp turn into a driveway, and large wrought-iron gates open slowly, allowing the car to drive down towards the house.

It’s smaller than my childhood villa, but it’s still large enough for all of us to have our own space, and even have a few people over, as well.

“Oh my God, this is insane,” Noelle says, running towards the centre courtyard where a large fountain stands.

“Nino, this is huge,” Theá says as I help her out of the car.

“This,tesoro,is considered small by Vitale standards. Wait until you see where Valerie and Ambrose are staying.” I chuckle and follow her sister up to the front door that she sent flying open as she rushed inside.

Theá is quick to follow after her, but I grab her hand, pulling her back. She stares at me, brows furrowed, ready to question my actions, but I don’t give her enough time to.

In one swift motion, I pick her up bridal style and head for the door. “I’ll be damned if I don’t carry you into our new house,” I say, and she just giggles as I carry her across the threshold.

The foyer mimics the villa, but on a cozier level. Much less extravagant and more to both mine and Theá’s taste. With hints of purple and yellow all around.

I place her down gently once we’re inside and kiss the top of her head. “Have fun exploring.”

She jumps up onto her tippy toes and lets her lips meet mine. “Thank you for everything,” she says before dashing off after her sister.

“We need to head over to the villa in thirty minutes, so make it quick. You can do the rest of the exploring later!” I yell loud enough for both the women in my house to hear.

I head towards what I know will become my favourite room in the house very soon. It’s tucked away under the set of stairs. As I open the door, floor-to-ceiling bookcases flank the walls, all decorated with the books Theá filled them with in Monaco. In the centre is a desk for me to work at, and just off to the side is the same loveseat and beverage cart from Monaco, as well—because I’m certain my little wife would throw a fit if I stood between her and her iced syrup drinks.

I look out the large windows. We might’ve traded the Monaco harbour for the Tevici shore, but I’ve never loved a view more in my entire life. And I can’t wait to spend every single day of the rest of my life here with her.

Chapter fifty-two

Theá

Thirtyminutesflybya lot faster than I thought it would, and by the time Antonio calls out for us again, I’ve barely made it through two rooms of the house.

I follow the sound of his voice to the back patio where I find him listening to Noelle as she discusses which room she’s picking, since she can’t decide between an ocean view or a walk in closet.

“First world problems, I swear,” I mumble as I join them.

“She’s just excited,” Antonio says, pulling me into his side. He starts guiding us down towards the backyard that has an infinity pool, very similar to the one we had in Monaco and the one Kaia has, as well.

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