Chapter 36

We sat there once again for what felt like forever, but this time Maxine and I made ourselves comfortable either side of Gio watching everything on the iPad with him.

There were quite a few cops and it looked like they had actually caught someone. Bev and Frank were doing their best terrified retired couple act while sitting at the kitchen table with a couple of cops talking and taking notes. Link was sitting there as well with his best worried face just adding bits of pieces.

There was only 1 of our SUV’s outside at the back where we initially left all 3.

After about an hour, the police finally left. They ended up catching 3 men in the end, 2 breaking into the house and 1 in the getaway car. So, hopefully that was all of them. Word from the other guys that where hiding around the place. It was all that they had seen and there was no other movement from the surrounding streets other than the police doing sweeps in case as well.

I was just so grateful that no-one got hurt!

The police were going to keep doing drive-byes to keep an eye on the area for the night, so once they all left, Gio opened the door and he and Alex left, leaving Mark the driver behind with us. Yes, I finally got his name!!

We tried to go back to sleep but,it wasn’t going to happen so we put on some stupid Rom-Coms instead.

We ended up staying there for 2 days. I didn’t hear a peep from Landon and Leo, nor did Ben, but we were told not to worry and that it was protocol until everything was under control.

Bev went to the store and bought us some clothes, so we at least had different clothes to wear. We went into the main house during the day, still with all the blinds pulled closed.

The men did shifts and slept when they could in one of the normal spare bedrooms on the first floor.

Maxine and I tried to keep ourselves busy with online shopping, work emails, board games and some reading. It was hard as your mind always goes to those you love and praying they are alright.

Finally, at 3am on the third day, my and Maxine’s phones went off at the same time. We both jumped and rushed to answer.

“Landon? Leo? Are you both OK?”

“Amore we are safe…”

“Come on, you think anything could happen to us,” Leo cut in. I was on speaker phone with my men.

I had missed their voices and it flooded me with relief to hear them and know they were alright.

“What happened? You sure your both OK?”

“Shhh Amore. We just needed to hear your voice. We are fine. Gio is getting the cars ready and your about to head back. You’re going to make just 1 stop then head to the airport where we will meet you.”

“Everything will be fine, my love. We can’t wait to see you.” Leo cut in again, cooing down the phone with his sexy voice. I have missed both their voices and can’t wait to hold them.

“OK. I love you both!”

“We love you too.” They both say and hang up.

I breathed out a sigh of relief and looked at Maxine who had already hung up and was grabbing everything ready to leave.

“Is Ben OK as well?”

“Yeah! These men!” she gave a frustrated sigh.

“But we love them anyway.” I laughed and helped her.

Everyone was already upstairs waiting for us. We gave Bev and Frank a massive hug, thanking them profusely for everything.

Maxine promised them a massive bonus was coming their way and asked if there was anything they really wanted.

“A trip to Australia would actually be nice.” Bev smirked as she looked at me.

“I think I can arrange that. Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne?” I asked.

“Surprise us!” Frank winked.

“Done! Thank you so much again. I will be in touch with all the details soon.”

We got back into our SUV’s and set off back to the city.

Maxine and I used this time to organise the trip for Bev and Frank. I decided on Sydney since Bev had mentioned watching the Bondi Beach Lifeguard TV show.

We organised for them to go for 2 weeks with trips to every tourist attraction you could think of and ending at a resort in the Blue Mountains for them to just relax and enjoy before they return. It was a good distraction and we were back in New York in no time.

The stop was to drop Maxine off so she could be picked up by Ben’s men.

Gio told us to keep our heads down before we came to a stop and he covered me with a coat as I got out of the car and one of the other guards did the same with Maxine as we were shuffled into a stone building.

I did as I was told and when we were through the door and had walked a bit until Gio told me to wait a moment. I did what I was told until the jacket was taken off my head and standing before me were my men.

I jumped at them and wrapped my arms around them. They chuckled and hugged me back, not letting even a millimeter of space come between us.

Leo moved my hair out of my face and gave me a gentle k**s before Landon gave me a quick k**s as well.

“Amore. You are not allowed to get angry at us. We understand you may not be ready, but you are in New York.”

I looked at them both confused, then started to look around.

We were in the middle of a jewellery store. There were women and men dressed immaculately behind every counter. It took my brain to catch up and finally start working as I saw the word “Tiffany’s”.

“What?” I looked at them and then looked at Maxine behind me, who was holding tightly to Ben with a massive smile on her face.

“You can choose anything you want, no matter the price Amore.” Landon took my hand and started leading me to a counter filled with rings, engaged rings.

“Anything you want. Especially a ring, we hope.” Leo whispered in my ear.

“If you’re not ready to wear it now though, we can put it in the safe at home until you are there. What about this one?”

The woman had brought out a tray and rings that had platinum bands and different assortment of either one large, and I mean a large diamond or a large diamond with small ones around it. Landon pointed to one with a large diamond in the middle and 2 smaller ones on the side.

It was beautiful and close to my style. “I like it but I would prefer gold. Landon and Leo’s eyes lit up, I’m guessing, since I didn’t say no.

We continued to walk around until I finally spotted it. It had a gold band, a pink square stone in the middle with white square diamonds either side. The band then had little diamonds that went half way around the band. It was very art deco and I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did, but I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I honestly thought I would like something that looked a little more classic or older with more intricate details.

“This is a radiant Pink Diamond in the middle with two…” I didn’t hear the rest as Landon carefully grabbed the ring and dropped down on his knee with Leo on his knee holding my hand.

“Amore. You are our world, our future, our heart, our soul, our everything. You have awoken and filled our dark hearts by showing us a type of love we didn’t think possible. You are nothing but light and love and we couldn’t live without you. Please say yes to being ours forever?” his eyes shone with nothing but pure deep love and admiration and had me entranced.

My rational brain would say it hasn’t been long enough and I could have been killed in the last 72 hours… again. But, my heart and a of the part of my brain that has been desperate to see and touch my men again to make sure they are safe was screaming shut the f**k up to my rational brain.

I finally tore my eyes away from Landon to look at Leo.

“You have been my rock since the first moment I laid eyes on you. You have shown me that you can be kind while still being strong. You have shown me there is still pureness in the world. You put me in my place better than even Ma and have me begging for me. Please let us treasure you for the rest of our dumb arrogant lives.” Ha, of course he couldn’t help himself.

My head was nodding before my mouth could work as I looked at them both. Landon quickly slipped the ring on my finger as I tried to actually speak.

“Yes…” I squeaked as I was lifted off my feet and squished against Landon’s hard chest with Leo wrapping himself around both of us. Landon’s lips crashed hard on my lips before he pulled back and Leo did the same.

When he finally pulled back, Landon finally put me back on my feet. I looked down at the ring, it was a little big in both size and finger size. I would hate to think how much it cost and wondering if it was actually too much for a simple country girl like me.

Landon lifted my chin with his finger. “It isn’t too much for you. It’s perfect!” he kissed me gently again. How did he know I was thinking that?

“Yeah except we were here just to buy earrings, but oh well, an engagement ring will have to do.” Leo teased and kissed the end of my nose.

I heard a lot of little chuckles around the store. Leo can never help himself and that is what I love about him. I love his humour, how fun he is. Landon is fun as well, but not as cheeky.

The Landon took the ring back and gave it to the attendant who quickly measured my ring finger before it was whisked away to be resized.

“In the mean-time, let’s find some earrings just to make him happy.” Landon pointed to Leo, who grinned and pulled me over to another counter.

They talked me into some beautiful drop pink diamond earrings to match my ring, a wedding band that would fit my engagement ring, and then we chose their wedding rings. I couldn’t let them be left out. We were at Tiffany’s!

Landon chose a chunky black ring that had a square diamond in it to match my engagement ring. Leo ended up choosing the same but with a platinum band.

I noticed Maxine and Ben also taking advantage and doing some shopping of their own as well.

I have no idea what my men had been through the last couple of days, but for them to only want to spoil me before we headed home to safety once again blew my mind. These men were my world, even though Leo and I hadn’t actually been together that long and I am going to insist on a long engagement, it still felt right. Tonight felt right, or is that the magic of Tiffany’s and a lot of sparkly diamonds?

By the time we had finished, my engagement ring was ready. Landon put it back on my finger and kissed my hand. Their rings they were going to come back and collect another time as they were going to take longer to resize. I can handle another trip to New York as long as it doesn’t include having to go to a safe house or being in danger.

I gave Maxine the biggest hug, squeezing the life out of her.

“Thank you. I’ve actually had a great time, not including the other stuff….” We were still in the store.

“Me too! Thanks for not being a stuck up drama queen.”

“I was going to say the same thing to you or should it have been pompous stuck up b***h?”

“Eh either was fine.” She waved it off laughing and flicked her hair the way she does.

“Are you going to be OK?”

“Don’t worry about me, New York can try its worst, I’m always ready.” She winked.

“Well, if you need, our door is always open and I really need someone to help me do some more wine tasting and I know Ma would love to meet you.”

“Hmm, I might take you up on that offer. I’ll be in touch.” She gave me another hug.

We all took off in our separate convoys.

Both Landon and Leo were in the back with me. Gio and Alex in the front.

“What about all my stuff at the hotel?”

“Already at the airport Amore.” Landon smiled as he held my hand with my new engagement ring, slowly rubbing his ringer around it. “It truly is perfect for you.”

I smiled and cuddled into him while still holding onto Leo tightly as well.

I let out a breath of relief as we arrived at our jet, it would be good to get back to Italy, home. I really need a hot bath and a good drink! Oh and I am going to ravish my men in the endroom and not care what the guards hear!

Leo suddenly looked tense and sheepish, while Landon looked guilty. NO WAY!

“You’re both not coming back?” I almost whisper yelled, as my surprise turned into fear and anger. Fear as to what they are staying to deal with and anger that they were going to let me leave without them.

“It’s too dangerous here for you right now.” Landon stroked my cheek as Leo appeared behind me pressing his muscled chest into my back and his hands on my h**s.

“So you propose and just send me off so I can freak out about what is happening to you both?”

“We can’t concentrate when you are in danger. We need you safe.” Leo spoke softly, sorrowfully in my ear before kissing down the side of my head.

“We need you safe Amore. There will be no arguments about this. I love you and I can’t have you here. Please get on the plane for us.”

“We will be home as soon as we can. Hopefully, only a couple of days behind you, my love.” Leo added.

“You’re a bad liar.” I tried to glare behind me as Leo chuckled. “There’s nothing I can say or do to make you change your mind, is there?” I searched Landon’s eyes.

He smiled at me and shook his head.

I grabbed him by the collar and kissed him hard, deepening the k**s as quickly as I could to pour all my emotions into him.

He finally pried himself from my tight grip after we were both breathless and panting. “I love you with everything I have my Amore.” He looked straight through to my soul.

“I love you too, Fiancé.” I gave him a sad smile while he now beamed with happiness. He gave me another quick k**s before helping spin me, so I was now facing Leo.

“I love you, our beautiful fierce Fiancé. Stay safe and try to smile, remembering we will be coming home to you as soon as we can. You will never be far from our thoughts.” He crashed his lips onto mine before I could reply, wrapping his arms around me holding me tight. I didn’t want him to let me go and I doubt he wanted to let go as well.

Finally, he pulled away because I couldn’t.

“Go. We will be home soon.” He patted my a*s as he gently guided me up the first few stairs.

I looked back at Landon, who stood there with his hands in his pockets and the saddest look I had ever seen on his gorgeous face.

I couldn’t stop the tears that started to roll down my face but I had to hold in my sob. They didn’t need that right now, they needed to be strong. I needed to try and be strong for just the couple of seconds it took to get onto the plane for them.

This was such a f****d up f*****g f****d situation and did I say it was f****d? Because it was f*****g f****d!

I walked up the stairs and stopped at the top to briefly look back before I went into the bedroom and closed the door behind me.

The flight was the most painful, lonely 10 plus hours as my imagination went mental. I cried and cried as I asked; What about if I never see them again? What about if I lose one or both of them? What would I do? Would I stay in Italy? Could I stay without them?

Stop! Stop! I have to try and not think the worst. They always say try and be positive and think of the best outcome, but I can’t help it!