Page 40 of Soulmate of the Mafia King
Carp laughed. “The money doesn’t fucking hurt. Who can argue with a jet like this?”
I ran my hand over the butter-soft leather of my chair. I certainly couldn’t.
“After my dad left it, maybe a couple months into living on the run, I realized there had to be more to it than that.” I shook my head.
“What did you think then?” Killian asked, his voice low.
I looked at theMano Della Morte. The first few months adjusting to a warehouse worker’s paycheck instead of amafioso’s had been the hardest, but Mom and Dad loved me so much that sometimes I didn’t even notice. I remembered thinking, back then, that Sera Bianchi could have all the rare dogs she wanted for her birthday, but she didn’t have two parents who showed up like I did.
“Power,” I said. “And the feeling that you were the thing that went bump in the night.”
He smiled wanly and looked away. Carp nudged Stan and snickered.
“But I was wrong about that too.” I turned to Tom, still asleep next to me, his curls in his eyes. “It’s about the relationships, isn’t it? At least for the ones worth having around. You’re each other’s family.”
Stan laughed delightedly. “I told Tommaso you were one tough-ass broad. I’ll drink to that.”
Carp raised his bottle. With a sideways glance in my direction, Killian did the same. I settled back in my seat, feeling like I understood the mafia better than I ever had before.
“For what it’s worth,” Killian said quietly, “we’re each other’s family.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, but a yawn engulfed the expression. “I guess I’m going to try to sleep now.”
They chuckled. I pulled a thin blanket over my shoulders and tried to get comfortable, but my thoughts wouldn’t slow. I couldn’t deny a certain love for the men in this plane, for what they’d done for Tom if nothing else, but I didn’t know if I saw a future in the life. Could we leave and keep these relationships?
I had no idea, but I thought I might like to find out.
CHAPTER 32
TOMMASO
Ijolted awake with my heart in my throat as the plane wheels hit tarmac. Only slim fingers surrounding mine kept me from freaking the fuck out. Paige. Holding my hand like she always did. I rubbed sleep from my eyes with my free hand and found her smiling at me.
“I was wondering if we were going to have to get one of those wheelchairs to drag you to the car,” she said.
My smile felt strained as the plane taxied to a stop. “I’m not that hurt.”
As if to prove me wrong, a slow burn seared across my side. Shit! Maybe I was that hurt, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from enjoying my success, my life with this beautiful woman. Just as soon as we got off this godforsaken plane.
“I told her none of us could move your sorry ass,” Stan said.
I shot him the bird as the plane finally stopped moving. Thank God. After a few minutes of shuffling outside, they got the stairs lined up, and I leapt to my feet.
The walls spun around me, my chest ached, and I caught the back of the seat for support.
“Impressive,” Killian said as he slid smoothly past me.
I cursed at him under my breath without letting go. By the time I felt steady again, everyone but Paige had already disembarked. She still sat, staring up at me with worry in her eyes.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Really. I’m just not fast yet.”
She pursed her lips. “Dr. Awad said you needed to rest.”
“And I will.” I kissed her pursed mouth. “At home. In my own bed. With you beside me.” I paused. “Naked, if you’re taking requests.”
She laughed and shooed me off the plane. Every step, I fought not to wince. At least the lingering grogginess made that easier. Killian, Carp, and Stan stood outside with four different cars, obviously waiting for me. When they sent me off with a few more jabs about sleeping the whole plane ride, I leaned against the back seat of the car and waited for Paige to join me.
“Did I really sleep that much?” I asked as she climbed in the back.
