All Chapters of NOW AND FOREVER: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

CatalinaOver the next few weeks, we settled into a routine. Dario and I would eat breakfast together before he left for his day. Our quality together-time was at night. Sometimes he’d need to go out. Other evenings, after dinner, he’d work in his downstairs office. Either way, alone in our bedroom suite was the place for us to talk and connect. While I didn’t ask any more questions about Josie, we were never at a loss for conversation.In the relatively short period of our marriage, I’d become addicted to the way Dario touched and kissed me. His patience and my resolve reaped our desired outcome. Sex was not only better, I also yearned for the closeness. Whether before falling asleep, during the night, or first thing in the morning, both of us would initiate lovemaking.Being in his presence caused my blood to warm. Having his attention sent electric currents to my core. One night as we climbed into bed, I scooted closer and ran my fingertips over the scars on his chest.“You can tel

CatalinaWhen we came up for air, I smiled. “Thank you for not minding that Camila is visiting. I’ve missed her more than I realized.”“This is your home. You may have whomever you want here.”“I was thinking about Em.” Dario’s body tensed beneath my touch. My cheeks lifted as I grinned. “Is that a no?”“As a rule, a capo doesn’t welcome soldiers from the cartel to his home.”“Capo?”Dario nodded. “My father finally made the right decision.”I took a step back and studied Dario’s expression. “This is a good thing. Isn’t it?”He nodded. “It’s good. Once the transition is complete, I plan to primarily work out of the office downstairs. We’ll increase the number of bodyguards. You won’t be in danger.”I hadn’t thought about that. I was glad Dario had. “What about Emerald Club?”“Rocco is there. Dante can increase his time. The club is only one part of what I’ll be overseeing.” He nodded. “I’ve waited for this.”I leaned closer. “You can do this, Dario. I know you can. Whatever you set yo

Catalina“I don’t want you to leave. It seems like you just got here,” I said to Camila in the airport, standing near the entrance to her gate. I would walk her all the way if I could. Without a ticket and with a knife strapped to my leg, going through security wasn’t an option. “Maybe you can come back when you have a few days off school?”She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m glad I got to see you. I feel better about you and Dario.” Her lips curled. “He’s quiet, but I saw the way he looks at you.” She nodded. “You two will make this work.”I nodded. “I have to lower my expectations. It’s not like Dario will ever love me, but we can be partners in this marriage.”“I think you’re wrong.”“You do?”Camila nodded. “I saw it. Today at Emerald Club. He cares about you and keeping you safe. He didn’t want us to come for some reason but changed his mind when you asked. Dario doesn’t strike me as a man who easily changes his mind, but he did for you.”A lump formed in my throat. “I can’t get

DarioIt went against the omertá to kill the capo dei capi. If I chose to take my father’s life, I would never be capo. I wouldn’t be the first son to murder his father. Recently, there was a situation in the Chicago outfit. While no one can prove the son was responsible for the boss’s death—he had an alibi—that didn’t stop the rumors. I’d met the father more than once. With the son in control, Chicago was now a better outfit.Dante was seated shotgun while Giovanni drove the bulletproof SUV.“He’s in the city,” Dante said after a series of text messages with some of our top soldiers—the ones we knew we could trust, or at least we thought we could. My brother was speaking of our father.“Take us to his apartment building,” I said.Giovanni took the next turn and headed toward our father’s penthouse.“Fuck, I’d rather not see Alesia,” Dante complained.“I don’t want to see our father either.” The fucker broke his word again about stepping down, claiming the famiglia needed him. Last ni

CatalinaWith his wrists bound by zip ties, Rocco’s curses filled the air.Piero ripped the sleeve from Rocco’s shirt revealing a bandage.Holding Jasmine against me, I lifted my brow in question.“He’s the man who tried to get to Jasmine,” Piero said. “The one I shot in New York.”“Rocco?” How had he been in New York and gotten back to Kansas City before Jasmine? I knew the answer. Rocco had flown while Piero and Jasmine drove.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rocco replied, his gaze filled with hatred directed at both me and Jasmine. He spoke to Armando. “Let me go. I’m the next consigliere. If you let me go, I might spare your life.”When Armando turned to me, I shook my head and directed my message toward Rocco. “Dante is the next consigliere. When my husband learns what you’ve done, you’re going to wish you weren’t spared.” I turned to Armando and tilted my head toward his blood-soaked sleeve. “Are you okay?”“Just a scratch.”I hoped he was right. “Find out if Mia is re