Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

How did you feel about the balance between action and romance in the book, and did you think one was more prevalent than the other? *

• Personally, I felt that the action was more prevalent than the romance in the book.
• I thought the balance between action and romance was well done.
• In my opinion, the romance was more prominent than the action in the book.

Did you find the book to be too violent or graphic, or did the violence feel appropriate for the genre and the story being told?

• No, I felt that the violence was appropriate for the genre and the story being told.
• Yes, the book was too violent and graphic. Some scenes were too disturbing.

Did the pacing of the story keep you engaged throughout?

• Yes, the pacing was excellent. It kept me engaged from beginning to end!
• The pacing was somewhat inconsistent at times!
• No, the pacing was a major issue for me!

Were the conflicts and obstacles faced by the characters engaging and suspenseful?

• Yes, the conflicts and obstacles were intense and kept me on the edge of my seat!
• They were somewhat engaging, but I felt that some of the conflicts could have been developed further to create more suspense!
• No, I found the conflicts and obstacles to be predictable and lacking in suspense!

Submit

Extended Epilogue

Lori, One year later

I’m rocking our son to sleep when Marco steps inside the nursery, walking quietly until he stops behind me and peers over my shoulder to look at our baby as he sleeps in my arms. Luca De Vico is only three months old, but he still looks exactly like his father. I often wonder if he ever will take after me, if there will be evidence that I even grew this child to begin with. His temperament however, is completely different. He’s a sweet boy, soft and simple much like me, only crying when he needs something. He’s happy to lay in anyone’s arms, preferably mine or Marco’s. He loves sunshine and to be outside with me when I take pictures or walk around the garden. He’s a precious light that I never knew I needed until I birthed him, until he lit up my entire world with just one look.

Marco kisses my shoulder, his hands on my arms as I lean over Luca’s crib and lay him gently inside of it, his lullabies playing softly through this little lamb Claudio bought for him while I was still pregnant. The kid is insanely spoiled already, everyone from both families stopping by constantly to hold him or shower him with gifts. He’ll never wish for anything and honestly, I’m more than grateful for that.

“Let’s go to bed, baby.” Marco whispers against my ear, my pussy fluttering in response as the idea of making love to my husband tantalizes me beyond belief.

I turn immediately and grab his hand. I pull him out of the nursery and down the hall towards our bedroom, my desire building for him with each step.

“Somebody is eager.” He chuckles as I push him down on the bed and crawl onto his lap, my need for him growing with each kiss I give his lips.

Between our work schedules and Luca’s constant, nightly feedings, I haven’t really had any alone time with Marco. By the time he gets home, I’m already passed out in bed or in the nursery. If I have pumped enough that day, he feeds the baby for me so that I can sleep. However as soon as I hear Luca’s cry, my breasts automatically start to leak and my brain is wide awake and ready to go to him. So yeah, if my husband wants to fuck me while our child is finally asleep, I will rush to make that happen.

I’m just about to take off his shirt when that soft wail sounds through the baby monitor, my groan filling the air as my forehead lands on his chest in frustration. He laughs softly, pulling my head up before he kisses my lips.

“I got him,” he says, but I shake my head.

“No, we’ll go together,” I say, crawling off of his lap and standing with him as he grabs and walks me to the nursery.

I lift Luca from the crib and cradle him, freeing my breast from the nightgown and tilting him before his small lips latch onto my nipple. While he feeds, I feel Marco looking at me. His gaze feels intense, strong emotion filling the air as I tilt my head at him in question.

“I can’t help but wonder how I got so lucky,” he says in amazement. My heart fills with both joy and pride as I stare back at him, Luca feeding happily at my breast.

“We’re both lucky,” I say as he walks to me, his large hand softly caressing our sons head as he drinks from my breast.

“So lucky,” I say as my husband leans towards me, capturing my lips in the sweetest kiss as we settle in our little bubble of happiness forever.

~

Carmelo

There’s a pounding at the front door and it only grows louder and more impatient as I walk to it.

“I’m fucking coming! Jesus Christ.” I hiss, walking to the door as I rub my eyes.

I’ve gotten a total of four hours of sleep in the last two days and the one time I have the house to myself to get some peaceful rest, this bullshit happens. I yank the door open, the sun blasting my eyes before they widen. There, standing on my front porch, is a tall and slender woman with straight black hair that lands at her hips. She has wild, golden eyes and her mouth is painted a bright red. She’s wearing a tight, fuck me black dress and spiky stiletto heels that I would love to feel digging into my back as I fuck-

But I can’t really finish the thought of bedding this woman because as soon as my eyes finish scanning her, I see a pistol aimed directly at my head.

“What the fuck-” I try to say, but she tilts her head at me, eyeing me like a wild cat as her gun clicks.

“Are you Graziano Saracino?” She hisses, her voice like liquid silk as she sneers at me.

I narrow my eyes, my hand moving to the gun tucked into my waistband. Her eyes follow the movement and she thrusts the gun at me, forcing me to raise my hands in defense.

“Easy,” I say, my eyes moving from the gun to hers in rapid movement.

“Answer me. Are you the bastard that killed my father?” She hisses and for a moment, I am so beyond confused that I wonder if it’s due to my lack of sleep or the fact that an insanely hot woman is pointing a gun at my head.

“Who are you?” I ask, my eyes dropping to her chest, her ample breasts nearly spilling from her dress.

Jesus, this woman might be insane, but she is otherworldly. I’ve never seen anything like her and I’ve spent a fair share of my time with beautiful women. She narrows her cat eyes with me, the liner surrounding them almost making her seem like an Egyptian goddess, her golden skin like the treasure that hides inside of the ancient pyramids.

“My name is Caterina Merlini. My father and my brother were killed by the hands of either you or one of your family members. I’m here for them.” I have to physically stop my eyes from rolling into the back of my head.

Will this shit ever truly end?

I look at her gun and back to her eyes, knowing that I need to move fast if I don’t want a bullet hole right in the middle of my forehead. Thank God years of tactical training has prepared me for moments like this, regardless if I’ve slept or not.

My hand snaps out immediately, grabbing the gun in one quick swoop before I grab her arm and spin her around, her back pinned to my chest as I wrap my arm around her, holding her against me as she hisses and curses against me.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I say into her ear as she thrashes against me.

“But you can’t just show up on my doorstep with a loaded gun and expect to leave here with vengeance. That doesn’t happen with men like me.” I growl, knocking the gun against her head, her eyes rolling back as she collapses against me, now completely passed out and sagging back onto my body.

Well, this ought to be fun. I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to the boys when they get home.

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book