Page 17 of Bruno
I stare at her. I want to hold her close and make the past disappear. Only that would mean that I wouldn’t have Chris. Or at least not Chris, the annoying, cockblocking teen. A smile curls my lip, and Attia looks at me in question. But I don’t share.
“Look, let’s just take it slow, okay?” she says finally, offering me a small, tentative smile. “For Chris’s sake.”
“Fine,” I agree, not wanting to fight with her. “But just remember—we’re together now. Fuck the past. We’re a family, and he’s going to have to get used to it. Because I swear, I’m not going anywhere again.”
“Is that so?” Her eyes lock onto mine, challenging me. But I see a flicker of hope there too—a small spark that’s matches my own.
“Damn right.” My confidence is unwavering. She hesitates a bit before she leans in for a kiss. The taste of her lips spirals me back into our early morning rendezvous. The hot as hell secret sex that I can’t wait to have again. Each lick and stroke of her tongue causes all thoughts of our complicated situation to melt away.
“Okay,” she whispers against my mouth, surrendering—at least for now.
“Good,” I breathe, tightening my arms around her. The road won’t be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. And Attia? She’s worth everything. She leans impossibly closer, gluing us together, breasts to thighs. My groan is the only thing that slips out from between us. We’re interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and she quickly steps back, putting distance between us. The blocker strikes again. This is part of being parents, so I’ll take it. I give her a look that promises she will make it up to my whimpering cock. She gives me a saucy wink in return before Chris enters.
His eyes sweep the room before he addresses Attia, ignoring me. “I’m bored. Do you want to go outside? Go for a walk? Escape from prison?”
To her credit, Attia’s voice is firm in the face of his petulance. “I’m talking to Bruno right now. Why don’t you join us?”
“Forget it. I’d rather stay bored. Besides, you’re the one he’s here for.” He rolls his eyes and sulks out of the room.
A minute ago, I would have paid for his absence. Now, it’s a razor burn on wounded skin. “He’s never going to forget.”
Attia laughs. “Of course he will. But he’ll need—”
“Don’t say it—”
“Time.” She strokes my arm, her coke-colored eyes softening. “I can try to talk to him again if you want.”
“No. I’m the one who wronged him, Attia. I’ve got to figure this out. And I will.”
“Maybe…” She hesitates, biting her lip. “He might stay in his room for the night…”
I surface from my nosedive. I see where she’s going when her hungry eyes sear mine. “Then how do we pass the time?” I crowd closer, inhaling her unique fragrance.
“Who knows?” She shrugs nonchalantly, but I sweep her up into my arms and carry her back to the couch. Before things get any further, I check the door, making sure it’s locked. Can’t be too cautious.
For once, time gives me a break as we lose ourselves in each other, our bodies tangled together on the couch. The outside world fades away, leaving only us and the cozy bubble we’re building. It’s a moment I never want to end, but reality always has a way of intruding.
Her breath tickles my neck, and her voice is soft and urgent. “Maybe I should go back to my room before Chris finds out.”
“Let him find out,” I say, wrapping my arms tighter around her. Before I can argue further, my phone vibrates on the table. Its insistent buzz is as effective as cold water—or Chris.I grab it, frowning at the screen. “It’s Marco.” Swiping to answer, I brace myself for whatever shit he’s got to share.
“We got a message from Gio Verrazano,” Marco’s voice crackles through the line, tense and low. “He wants to meet with you.”
“When?”
“At Sin Towers in an hour. This could end the war, Bruno.”
I don’t need the reminder. I’m the one who told Marco to pursue Gio. I’d heard rumblings that Don Verrazano’s nephew was no happier about his Uncle’s moves than I’d been about my father. But whereas I was able to take over peacefully, Don Verrazano’s brutality towards his own family meant that his takeover would be the opposite.
“Shit,” I say. Attia’s face is drawn and strained. I haven’t told her yet, but she’s picking up on my tension. “I’ll be there.”
“Good. I’ll let him know. Sending a helicopter for you now.”
Marco disconnects, and I’m left with a bitter taste in my mouth. Marco has been my best friend and brother for decades. But looking at my woman and knowing I have to leave her makes me wish I’d never met him. His timing sucks. But as much as I want to stay here with Attia, duty calls. It’s time to get this shit over with.
Attia’s eyes darken. But I try to stay stone-faced. I don’t want her to worry. “I have to go,” I tell her, pulling her back into my arms, feeling the warmth I never want to leave.
“Will you be back?” she asks, her words hesitant.
