Page 80 of Hard Lessons

“Don’t call her that.”

He held up his hands. “Hey, sorry, didn’t know Luca Morretti was so in love.”

“If you didn’t get that after all I’ve had you do this last year, then you’re a dumber fuck than I thought.”

“So when are you going to put a ring on her finger?”

“As soon as possible.” Luca got out of the car.

Paulo did the same. As they walked to the gate he clasped Luca’s shoulder. “I’m glad for you, mate, she’s one hell of a beautiful woman, even if she is a loose cannon.”

Loose cannon.

Si, that’s exactly what she was. But she washisloose cannon.

Paulo unlocked the gate, they went through it into a small back garden, then he locked it again.

“Camera up there.” Paulo nodded to the side of the house. A lens blinked down at them. “Giovanni likes to know who’s coming and going these days.”

“Naturally.”

Luca had no idea what Giovanni wanted with him. Paulo had claimed not to know. So as they walked into the house, past two beefed-up guys who were both openly carrying weapons, Luca’s mind began to race.

Giovanni was a hard man to say no to; at least that was the case if you had a sensible head on your shoulders.

The trouble was, Serena had packed his sense onto a small boat and sent it westward in the direction of Hebridon. Now he wasn’t so sure he was going to be the willing beefcake he’d always been for the Cosa Nostra.

Chapter Seventeen

“Luca, you’re a sightfor sore eyes.” Giovanni Bianchi set down a fat cigar and stood.

Paulo shut the door.

“Giovanni, it’s been a long time.” Luca nodded as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting.

“It always is when Her Majesty decides to lock one of our brothers behind bars.” Giovanni kissed his cheeks then gave him a hug, slapping his back twice.

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