He inclines his chin and we drop our hands, take off our shoes, and go to the mats. “Let’s do this, Lady Hawk,” he says, and so it begins.
An hour later, we’re lying in the middle of the mats, staring at the high ceiling, both of us breathing hard. Kayden says, “A guy walks into a bar, and you glimpse a shoulder holster—”
“Wait. Is this a country song or a joke?”
“It’s a situational exam,” he says. “Like what your dad gave you.”
I roll over and climb on top of him, straddling his hips and pulling my shirt over my head. “I take his gun. That’s the answer.”
His full, sexy lips, which I really want on mine right now, curve, and he turns me on my back, the heavy, delicious weight of him on top of me. “And I take the woman,” he says, his mouth closing down on mine, and I decide that combat training and this man are my Happily Ever After.
Too soon, and not soon enough, Saturday has arrived. One day before D-day. I am ready for this to be over and I really don’t feel like making the shift to shopping from planning war. Maybe that’s why I’ve just taken yet another black T-shirt from a hanger and pulled it on. Wait. It’s the same black T-shirt. Maybe I do need a little shopping. Just not today. Actually, today is exactly when I need to go shopping.
“Fuck you, Garner Neuville,” I bite out, yanking up my pant leg and strapping on the ankle holster Kayden had delivered yesterday, before sliding my new backup firearm inside. “I’m going to go shopping and enjoy it.”
I pull down my pant leg, grab my boots, and sit down on the bench, just about to stand when Kayden appears, his faded jeans paired with a light blue Jaguar F-TYPE shirt, reflective of how much he loves his cars. The look on his face, however, is not love. “What’s wrong?”
“Gallo is testing me. He wants to meet with me and Chief Donati.”
“Wait,” I say, standing up, remembering Kayden’s worries that Gallo was still trouble. “I thought he took the deal. Did he back out? Is he here in Rome?”
He rests a shoulder on the door frame. “He came home to pack up, but says before he leaves town he has information about The Jackals that both myself and Donati need to hear.”
“And you think it’s one last attempt to come at you?”
“Somehow, in some way, I assure you it is.”
“When’s the meeting?”
“Three hours from now. An interruption I really don’t need today.”
“Is everything else still on track?”
“Word is that Alessandro touched down in Paris. Carlo’s man met with Neuville this morning and told him that not only had Alessandro stolen from him, but he’s in town and planning to steal the necklace right from underneath him. Everything is going as planned—at least on the Paris end of things.”
“What does that mean? ‘At least on the Paris end of things’?”
“Matteo caught wind of one of our guys doing a side deal with Alessandro. We’re headed there now to find out what it’s all about.”
“Do you think it has something to do with what Gallo wants to talk about?”
“That’s what we need to find out.” He reaches behind him and pulls a leather wallet from his back pocket, closing the small space between us and flipping it open to display several credit cards and a healthy stack of euros. “These cards have my name on them, but I cleared them at the bank for you. Once we get married, I’ll take you to the bank and get your name on everything.”
“No, I don’t need that. I don’t need the cards.”
“Of course you do. You’re going shopping and you need money.”
“You already gave me a credit card.” I fold my arms in front of me. “I don’t want your money, Kayden.”
“Why the hell not?” he says, sounding baffled. “You can enjoy spending it.”
“I’m not going to spend your money.”
“Ella, sweetheart.” He unfolds my arms and presses the wallet into my hands. “You’re marrying me. It’s our money.”
“It’s our life, not our money.”
“I told you. I have money and I’m going to make a lot more money. We’re going to make a lot more money. Enjoy it.”
“But then you’ll think I’m with you for your money, and that would feel horrible.”
“I thought you were with me for my body,” he teases.
“Well, that’s true.” I grin.
“All the more reason to spend a ridiculous amount of money on lingerie that I can look forward to when I get back Sunday night. The driver I lined up for your shopping trip should be here in the next forty-five minutes. A guy named Oliver. I’m thinking about moving him up in the ranks, so let me know what you think of him.” He kisses me. “I’ll call you after I find out what this is about, and we’ll figure out dinner.” He disappears into the bathroom, leaving me with his wallet, a smile on my face, and apparently an Italian named Oliver.
Forty-five minutes later, I head downstairs to find Marabella and Giada waiting in the main foyer, both in long coats. Marabella wears a blue flowery dress under hers and Giada is in a daring emerald pantsuit.