Page 233 of Power
She swallowed down the oatmeal. “I’d like to do something special today.”
“Wrap gifts?”
“All done,” she replied before sipping her coffee. “I’d like to visit your family.”
“But we’re spending Christmas with them tomorrow.”
“No, Luciano.” She placed her warm hand on his. “Your family at the cemetery.” Love poured from her eyes.
“That’s very kind, Simone.”
“They’re important to you and I’d like to acknowledge them.”
She continued to amaze him. “We can stop on the way to Carole Jean’s.”
Her smile brightened his day. He loved making Simone happy… he just hadn’t expected this would be one of those ways. That’s what made her unique. She went out of her way to include his past and he was grateful for that.
“I spoke with my realtor,” she said. “We’re putting my house on the market January twenty-third, so if you haveanydoubts about my moving in?—”
He captured her face in his hands. “None, baby. Are you sure you want to live here? It’s a big house?—”
“I’ve always loved the mansion, plus, I definitely feel safer here… and with everything going on, it’s the perfect solution.”
He pushed out of his chair and kissed her. “Not gonna argue with perfect.”
“Elsa told me she’s thinking of visiting us,” Simone said as they cleared the dishes.
Luciano started cleaning a pot.
“Domestic Luciano is super-hot.” She ran her fingers down his back, stopped on his ass, and squeezed. “My sexy, sexy boyfriend.” She leaned up, kissed his cheek.
“Elsa’s concerned she’s a burden to Carrera and Slash,” he replied.
“Maybe she’d like living here part of the year with us.”
“Are you sure about that?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” She smacked his backside with the dishtowel. “I’m going to grab a change of clothes, then head over to my place for an hour or two. I’ve got a ton to do before the house goes on the market.”
“I’ll go with you,” he said.
“Luciano—”
He pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her. “You’re the one who killed Jerod De Clerq. I just shot the gun out of his hand.”
She laughed. “Ohgod, what kind of sick mess am I to laugh over that?”
He kissed her. “My sick mess.”
Then, his smile fell away. “Trish Benderson attacked you?—”
“Triedto attack me,” Simone pushed back, “and she failed.”
“There are dozens of terrorists out there who could be plotting their revenge. I’m coming with you.”
Upstairs, she pulled her body armor over her shirt while he dressed for their lunch. He pulled on a black shirt, black dress pants, and a sport coat while she tucked a Santini Original cocktail dress and stilettos into a garment bag.
After slipping into his shoe boots, he said, “How do I look, baby?”
