Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“What the hell was that, Tore?” Lucca demanded. “You were nearly as fast as ballet babe.”
“You are not going to call me ‘ballet babe,’ ” Amaranthe objected.
Geno was extremely happy his brothers were taking the spotlight off him and Amaranthe’s mind off the fact that he’d nearly died. Her body felt less tense, and she was once again allowing him to slip into her mind a little at a time. He was careful, going slow, inching his way, making certain to keep his touch light. She was still very fragile, but she was willing to allow his brothers to distract her, and that was half the battle.
Geno’s eyebrow shot up. “ ‘Ballet babe’?”
“Look at her. She’s a teeny-tiny ballerina. And she is a babe, Geno. You don’t want me calling her ‘hot ballerina,’ ” Lucca persisted.
“I’d have to beat you into the ground for that one,” Geno agreed.
“ ‘Ballet babe’ isn’t any better,” Amaranthe objected. “I might have to beat him into the ground.”
Lucca, Salvatore and Geno smirked. Geno hastily rearranged his expression into his stone mask.
“Babe,” Salvatore said. One word. Gentle. Soothing.
“What does that mean?” Amaranthe demanded, sitting up straight and pulling away from Geno to include him with the glare she gave to his brothers. “I’m supposed to know what you mean by that one word and your incredibly condescending tone?”
“It means you’re fast as lightning,” Lucca said. He held out his fist. “But beating one of us into the ground isn’t in the works. Killing yes, beating no. We’re going to have the advantage through sheer strength and size.”
She smirked and fluttered her long lashes at them. “I don’t think you’re using your brains, brothers, dear. Neither one of you would dare lay a finger on me. If you even looked as if you would, Geno would eat you for breakfast.”
Amaranthe made the declaration with such confidence, as if it was pure fact. It was evident that she had no doubt that Geno would defend her even against his brothers—and he would—without hesitation. Not that either one of them would ever physically assault her. Both would defend her with their lives. He was certain Amaranthe knew that as well.
Salvatore sighed. “I suppose you’re right. But then you’re so compassionate, as much as you like to act tough, you wouldn’t let him go all big brother on us.”
“Which is why we’re one hundred percent in your corner, Amara,” Lucca added. “One thousand percent. Geno is so damn bossy it isn’t funny. We’ve talked it over, and now that you’re here, we think you can tame the beast.”
“Or at least distract him when he’s at his worst,” Salvatore added.
“Do you two think I can’t hear you?” Geno asked. “I might be a little weak at the moment, but my eyes and ears are working just fine.”
His droll tone earned him a little feminine giggle from Amaranthe. He reached for his brothers on their private telepathic path. Thank you. She was so upset with me. I’m always going to be that man who steps in front of her, and she’s struggling with the concept.
She’ll have three of us stepping in front of her, Salvatore pointed out. You struck gold, Geno. She’s beautiful. I couldn’t believe the way she was when you went down. Not just the way she saved Stefano, but when you went down, there was no other purpose in her mind but keeping you alive. If I had any doubts about her, they were gone right then.
She’ll learn who we are, Lucca assured. She’s intelligent and quick.
“Stop talking to each other without including me. I’m beginning to think you’re conspiring against me.” Amaranthe searched each of their faces carefully.
“Nothing gets past you,” Geno said.
“Geno, you’re in so much trouble.” Lucca looked gleeful.
“We were just assuring Geno you were in love with him and weren’t going anywhere,” Salvatore told her. “I saw the look on your face when he went down. He worries that you can’t live with a man like him. With the way he is. He can’t change who he is. Fundamentally, at his core, he’s a man who protects his family. He protects his woman, his family. Lucca. Me. And here’s the thing, Amara. You’re our sister. You’re family to me. To Lucca. We’re exactly like Geno. We’ll be the same way. Stepping in if we think you’re in danger.”
Geno’s breath caught in his lungs. He’d spent so much time trying to get Amaranthe to move away from the fact that he’d almost died, and now they’d circled right back to it. He should have known Salvatore would be direct and honest with her. His brothers might tease her, but they wouldn’t lie to her.
Amaranthe made a little moue with her lips and then nodded slowly. “It’s taken me most of the night to process the fact that Geno has nearly died twice now because he’s insisted on taking poison in my place and that he won’t stop.”