Page 80 of The Proposal

I’m going to fill this luscious body of hers with all my babies, and maybe, just maybe, then she’ll love me back.

Chapter 18

Dante

“We’ve got him,” Romeo practically yells down the line. I don’t miss the mixture of enthusiasm and relief in his voice. “I knew it would only be a matter of time before he’d slip up.”

Romeo and some of his men have been on Edoardo since the ransacking. The tracker on his car only showed him driving to see his mistress or coming here … nothing out of the ordinary. He was adamant it was a waiting game, and I guess he was right.

I sit back in my seat as adrenaline pumps through my veins. “What have you got?” I ask.

“A warehouse in the industrial area on the outskirts of town. It’s not very big, but I can guarantee it will give us the answers we need. Why the fuck would he need a place like this?”

“Are you sure it’s his?”

“Yes. Once I was alerted he was there, I delved a little deeper, made some calls, and found out he’s been renting it for just over a year.”

“Hmm,” I hum. “Where is he now?”

“He left five minutes ago. What should I do?”

“Are you sure he’s left the area?”

“Yes. One of my soldiers is tailing him as we speak. He’s heading towards his mistress’s house.”

“Text me the address of where you are, and I’ll come to you.”

My hands are slightly trembling as I stand and button my suit jacket. When I exit my office, I head for the kitchen where Arabella is preparing dinner.

“I have to go out for a while,” I tell her, sliding my arms around her waist and leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her cheek.

“Dinner is almost ready.”

“I know, but I have some important business to attend to.”

“Ah, okay. Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”

“No.” When she blows out a puff of air, I kiss her again. I can see the effort she’s put into dinner; like always, she aims to please. “I’m sorry,Bellezza.”

“I will keep it warm and wait for you to get back. We can eat together.”

“Don’t wait for me. Eat now. I’ll have mine when I get home.”

She turns in my arms, facing me. “I’ll wait. I might go and soak in a bath while you’re gone.”

I groan, burying my face in the crook of her neck. “Now I want to stay and soak in the bath with you.”

“Go,” she says. “I don’t want to hold you back.”

“I’ll try to be as quick as I can.”

Her dainty hands clasp the lapels of my suit jacket. “It’s nothing dangerous, is it? You are not going to get hurt or anything?”

I raise my head, meeting her eyes. “Are you worried about my safety?”

Lately, I feel like I’m constantly searching for validation from her, and it’s maddening. I’ve never been this needy, so I despise this side she brings out in me.

“You are my husband; it’s normal for a wife to worry.”

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