Taking the leap

(ARIELLE'S POV)

In the following days, things kept falling into place. My new life was taking a new shape soon, and I couldn't be more excited. The house, the restaurant, everything was coming together for food. Just as Maverick and I were building towers with his blocks, my phone buzzed.

"Girl! Guess what?" Ashley's voice screamed through the speaker.

I laughed. "What now?"

"Guess!" she insisted.

"Did you get a promotion?" I teased.

"I wish! No, it's bigger. You'll love this," she giggled. "Your house is ready!"

"Oh my God! Are you serious?" I squealed.

She went on about the newly installed chandeliers, plush furniture, and the kitchen she knew I'd die for. As much as I wanted to joke about her theatrics, her excitement mirrored my own.

"You'll love it. Trust me," she assured. But her tone suddenly shifted. "But hey, I really think it's a good time for you to come back. You know there's something else..."

""What is it?"

"I heard some weird stuff going on in Italy. Mafia stuff," she whispered, lowering her voice like someone could overhear us.

I rolled my eyes, amused. "Ashley, come on. We've been over this-no one's after me."

He's got connections with some insiders, and they're saying there's a power struggle because some old Mafia boss just died. And get this-he showed me pictures of the guy's stash. Wine, jewelry, gold, like something out of a movie." I laughed. "Ashley, I'm pretty sure I'm not

huffed. "Fine, mock me all you want. Just don't say

"I have to go. I

huh? Talk soon!" she teased before I

to the door, his voice high-pitched

of cold air. His usual warm smile was in place. However, there was something different today, like

made for Uncle Dwayne? Why don't you go grab it and bring it to

of Dwayne. "Oh, yeah! I'll go get it!" he exclaimed, running

as he disappeared, I straightened up

"Ok. What happened?"

softened as he stepped closer. He extended his hand and forearm toward me, both wrapped in a makeshift bandage. "Just a little accident," he

"Seriously? How could you hurt yourself like this, working in

comes

simmering beneath the playful words. His gaze

ver

pushing down

flare of irritation.

wrist and pulling him toward the kitchen. Tried not to care

grabbed the first

that I could feel the temperature of his body. I glanced over my shoulder. His eyes were still on me en

need to be more careful Dwayne." I signed. "This isn't a

you scold me."

don't try to

to focus on cleaning his cut, but my hands

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