New York

Back again!! SO I REALIZED SOMETHING LMFAO. I wrote an official kiss scene in the notebook version of the book but I guess I never wrote in the chapter so I'm going to write edit the kiss scene into the chapter that it was supposed to be in.  So I have to go back after I post it to rewrite the chapter. I'll let you know when the edit is up. ALSO... I realized there are way too many chapters for this book so I'm going to be combining the previous chapters.

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I spent the last 2 days in Genoa rekindling a relationship with Dominic. We were all alone to spend the most time with each other. The guards and maids have been hiding and only been out when they've been requested by Dominic. His parents have been requesting to come to the main house to see us but his guards have kept them away upon Dominic's request. From our days together, we realized that a relationship can work when we are alone. Dominic spent most morning and afternoon locked up in his office working, while I wandered around the estate or kept myself busy with my laptop or phone. During the evenings we would find somewhere in the house to cuddle up and talk. We talk about the future, our pasts, random things...it was exactly what we needed.

Now it's time to put our relationship to the test.

We leave for New York today. I had to call my girls last night and explain to them they'll be flying alone and I'll meet them at JFK airport. They wanted a better explanation as to why I wasn't home and why my mother has called them claiming I've been kidnapped but I felt like an explanation would be better in person.

Dominic and I left for the airport bright and early. We had to fly earlier to meet the girls on time in New York. He wanted to pick them up in Milian but I needed to prepare myself for the yelling and beating I'm going to receive when they find out.

We arrived at the private tarmac and waited for the guards to get our luggage from airport security before loading the plane. Dante and two other guards were picked to come on the trip with us. I was the first person on the plane. Memories of the first day I came to Genoa flashed in my mind. This was the same plane we took. I'm guessing this was his plane. I can't believe it was normal enough for someone to own their plane!

I took a window seat by the door that leads to the private quarters. Dominic sat beside me after his conversation with Dante. He took my hand in his and leaned back into his seat.

"Nervous?" He wondered as he closed his eyes and loosened his tie with his other free hand.

"Understatement," I said shakily.

"About us, about your mother, your friends, or the trip?"

"All the above. My friends will accept the choice I make so that's not my biggest concern. I haven't traveled outside Italy so going to New York is a crazy big step. My mother...I sent her a text showing her that I'm safe, alive, and well but I don't want to explain more than that until I come back from my trip."

"Relax, if I have too I'll take the heat. It's your birthday week."

"No, You won't be the bad guy anymore. Not with my family, not with my friends, not with me. I'm going to enjoy this trip and enjoy my birthday."

The flight wasn't terrible. There was quite a bit of turbulence so Dominic had to hold my hand and soothe me while we got through the patchy air flight. We landed at JFK half an hour before the girl's plane. I had Dominic wait outside the terminal and order a car for us and the guards while I waited by customs for my friends.

Half an hour later, I saw Juliana and Bambina walking over with their suitcases. I ran over to them and gave them a huge hug.

"YOU'RE HERE! I thought you were bailing on us!" Juliana gasped.

"Why would I bail on my birthday trip?"

"Why would you go missing two days before your birthday trip?" Bambina countered.

"About that... I went to see Dominic. It's a long story and there's not enough time to explain but Dominic is here and things are better. I don't want you guys to hate him or blame him for anything. I know it's hard to forgive him but after I explain everything you guys will understand." I said quickly.

The girls looked at me with wide eyes and open mouths. I turned my head to see Dominic re-entering the airport.

"Please don't be weird. Just be normal-ish." I grabbed the girl's hands and led them to Dominic.

"Juliana, Bambina. You two look good." Dominic greeted nicely.

"Look here mafia man, I don't know what happened with the two of you or why you're here but my friend wants you here and told us to be on our best behavior. We don't understand the situation here nor forgive you but you can make it up to us by buying us drinks. Let's go get wasted." Juliana spoke. She shot me a sarcastic smile before grabbing Bambina and walking out the airport.

God this is going to be a long trip.

Dominic had the Airbnb we ordered upgraded to a penthouse in Manhattan. It was a beautiful newly renovated 2 story modern penthouse with a beautiful view of the city and access to our private pool and jacuzzi on our balcony.  This brought a smile on the girl's face and gave Dominic some points in towards being in their good graces.

I followed the girls down the first level hall to their bedrooms, since they didn't want to share the same floor as Dominic and I. As Juliana blatantly said in the car before we arrived, she didn't want to be in earshot of our bedroom in case I let Dominic deflowers me.

"Okay we are finally alone so SPILL THE BEANS!" Bambina squealed as she locked the door. They pushed me down on the bed and stood in front of me with their arms crossed and scowls on their face.

"Long story short, I decided to fly to Genoa and see Dominic. I gave him a call and told him if he wants to come to New York, he could but then I heard that he's been going through a rough patch. It's been 3 months since I've seen him and I was missing him. After all the time part, I realized what we needed for us to work. So we spent the last two days together and we hash a lot of issues out. I forgave the past and I want to move forward. So... I need you guys to support us and not be so mean to him. He has upgraded our place, our flight back home, and I know he's going to be showering you guys in gifts so you guys forgive him. This is all I'm asking from you."

The girls didn't move from their position as they listened to what I had to say. It took a long moment before they sat down beside me on the bed. Still, no words were said and their expression didn't change.

"Are you sure about this?" Bambina wondered.

"Yes, I wouldn't have invited him or flew to see him if I didn't. I want to try. For real."

"You guys did look disgustingly happy in the car. Don't think we didn't notice his hands over your thigh." Juliana gagged.

"I'm happy, I promise."

"Fine, we will give him a chance but I'm not stopping the attitude. The attitude is apart of me." Juliana sighed.

"Thank you."

I let the girls relax and unpack in their rooms while I joined Dominic upstairs in the master suite. The suite is way bigger than Dominic's. There was a sitting room, a private mini-library all in the master suite! The bathroom alone is practically the size of my entire house back in Milian. Dominic was sitting on an armchair outside on our private balcony.

"How was your intimate talk?" Dominic asked as I walked towards him. I sat on his lap and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Easier than I expected."

"Hmm... so how much is their affection going to cost me?"

"That I can't answer. You want their acceptance, they want new clothes. It's impossible to put a price on it." I laughed. His arms instinctively hugged me closer as my chuckles soften. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach.

"You're friends are going to run me dry." He joked dryly.

"You have no idea."

We waited until sunset before hitting the town. Our first stop was dinner at one of the most expensive and high-end restaurants in Manhattan called Le Bernardin. Dominic managed to get us a reservation and scored us a private booth. It takes nearly two months to get a reservation and Dominic was able to get us in in less than a minute. There was a long line up by the restaurant for people waiting to be seated. Juliana couldn't help but strut her way inside with a condensing smile on her face as she passed the crowd. If Dominic keeps spoiling my friends, I don't think Juliana will be able to go back to her normal life.

"Thank you for making a reservation. The restaurant is beautiful" I whispered into Dominic's ear as we sat down at our booth.

"You're welcome." He whispered back.

"You outdid yourself today. The penthouse and dinner...you know how to butter some friends up." Juliana smirked.

"I wouldn't say butter up but I want to show how grateful I am that you're all giving me a second chance."

"Well, you're going down the right path."

This had to be the best dinners I've been too in my entire life. Not only was the food immaculate and absolutely delicious, but we were also able to relax and actually carry on a comedic stress-free conversation for the entire meal. Drinks were heavily poured throughout the meal which probably helped the conversations but I couldn't be more thankful and relieved at the knowledge that we are capable of having a fun judgment-free time.

It took the effort of a buzzed Dominic and two of his securities to get us out of the restaurant. I haven't gotten drunk since I was a teenager so after drinking 3 martinis I could barely walk out of the restaurant without fumbling and falling flat on my face. Drunk or not, I could see clear as day the irritation on Dominic's face as he shoved me in the car for the 3rd time. Let's just say I was having a hard time leaving the fun atmosphere.

Once we got back home, Juliana and Bambima fumbled until they got to their rooms. I tried to walk solo by myself but right as I took a step up the stairs, I tumbled to the floor. Dominic rolled his eyes and curled me into his arms. We made it upstairs in seconds, something my drunk self couldn't handle. Dominic laid me on the bed and went to the bathroom. It took forever before he came out shirtless and pantless and holding a wet face cloth in his hands.

I rolled over so my head was laying on his lap as he sat down on the bed. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of cold refreshing water hitting my face from the cloth. He removed my makeup for the most part. Once he was done he began to strip off my clothes until I was in nothing but my bra and panties. He smirked as he admired my white lace bra and matching panties.

"Eyes up here pal" I growled.

"Oh, you're in no position to growl at me. Drunk in public... you're lucky it's your birthday love." He whispered.

"Just change me."

He left me to get boy shorts and a tank top I packed. He had to dress me and get me under the covers. Once he climbed in, my eyes became heavy.

Today was a great day