Meet the characters:
Zano is a prominent soldier, set on proving his skills and dedication to his family. Zano has learned to curb his impetuous nature, until he sees Allegra being cornered by several gang members. He should walk away. This is none of his business, but he can’t.
Allegra’s life has been a mess since her father ruined the family name. With her mother gone too, she’s the only one left to raise her teenage brother who is doing a great job of making a mess out of his life and hers. The gang is now coming after Allegra.
Zano and Allegra are strangers, but both have made a commitment to make their marriage work. When all seems lost, a spark of hope appears.
Feel the passion:
Zano approaches, takes my hand in his, and leads us to the front of the altar. I feel like I’m in a trance. I barely grasp the words the priest is saying, but hold tighter to Zano’s hand.
Elio steps forward with the rings to have them blessed, then takes a step back, palm open for me to take the ring from him and place it on Zano’s finger.
“I, Allegra, take you, Zano, as my husband. To love, honor, and cherish, till death do us part,” I repeat after Father Franco. My voice never falters, and I look directly into Zano’s eyes.
Zano holds my gaze and says those exact words back to me. Although the church is filled with people, I see only my husband. The priest gives his final blessing, then says, “You may now kiss your bride.
I want to stop this moment in time as his hand cups my cheek, his lips slowly descending to cover mine. His soft, warm lips leave what would be considered a chaste kiss on my lips. However, I feel a tingle running through me from head to toe. When he finally lifts his head, I find myself breathless, and my legs are like jelly. If it weren’t for his steady hand at my waist, I swear I would swoon.
Elena plops the bouquet back into my hands, and Zano and I walk back up the aisle, stopping to acknowledge our capo, then Zano’s parents, out of respect. I regain composure and manage a smile and a nod before letting Zano lead me away.
Leaves you wanting more:
My eyes flutter open. I feel a heavy arm around my waist and find that I’m partially lying on a sleeping Zano. What’s more, I can hear Gina talking rapidly in Italian, and loud noises coming from the kitchen. A man’s low voice is saying something back to her, probably Zano’s dad, Dario.
I try to move away, but Zano hangs on even tighter. Oh crap! I’m pinned to him. I have no choice but to wake him up. I brush my fingers over his cheek. “Zano, wake up.” He mutters, but his eyes remain closed. “Please, Zano, you need to wake up. Your parents are downstairs,” I whisper. He forces his eyes open, clearly not having slept long enough. I know how he feels because I could use a few more hours myself. He lets me go and gets up into a sitting position, taking me with him. “Stay here,” he orders. “I’m going to go do damage control.” He stands, and I see his abs and muscles on display. His pajama bottoms are hanging low on his waist, and I can say with total honesty that he’s the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. I know I shouldn’t be staring at him, and even worse, Zano catches me, which brings a smile to his lips. That only makes him more handsome. “Cuoricina, if you keep looking at me like that, my mother is going to have another shock when she finds me kissing you.” I tear my gaze away. I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I listen to his chuckle as he leaves the room to find his parents. I gather up the blanket, folding it neatly, gathering it to my chest, and wonder if I should go back upstairs and stay out of sight for a while, at least until Elena arrives with a change of clothes. One thing leads to another, and ideas begin to swirl through my head. Victorio and I both need clothes and essentials. I need to get a job. I don’t even have a car. All this sets my mind reeling. I’ve always had a plan. Mom told me I was the one she could count on. “Mom, you’re being ridiculous.” I hear Zano say. His voice is getting louder as his footsteps come closer. He swings open the living room door. “See?” he says, “Allegra’s fully dressed. I’m fully dressed. There’s no inappropriate behavior going on.” “You’re half-dressed!” his mother exclaims. She’s got a point there. “What will people say if they find out?” Gina’s a tiny woman with curves, and she carries it well. Her dark brown hair is thick, and even though her hazel eyes are glaring at her son, they’re super pretty. “What people?” Zano asks. “The only ones around are us.” Then Zano gets cheeky and tells her, “I promise not to tell if you don’t.”
Want even more?
Check out
