I MARRIED A GANGSTER: [2018 EDITION]

Twenty-Three

We pulled in front of a small house that was decorated in stone. The house was nestled in between green trees and vast hills. It was beautiful. The lights outside of the house illuminated the entire driveway giving the home a dreamy look. Francesco walked around and opened my door, holding my hand as he led me up to the front door.

"Should we have brought a gift?" I ask Francesco. Francesco knocked twice, "No, Salvatore doesn't accept gifts."

The red door opens and standing there is a tall man with salt and pepper hair. His eyes were blue, and he was finely aged. Francesco and he locked eyes and instantly they smiled and brought each other into a large hug.

"Francesco!" he exclaims, his voice deep.

"Salvatore! Long time no see!" Francesco chuckles patting him on his back twice. When they pulled away Salvatore turned towards me with a large grin on his face.

"Mrs. DeLuca. It is nice to meet you. I am sorry I didn't make it to your wedding." Salvatore says and then kisses my hands. I grin; "It is no big deal that you couldn't make it."

Salvatore grins, "I cannot cook on the stove, but with Francesco's help I was expecting to put something on the grill."

Francesco rolled his eyes and stepped into the house, "You have always expected someone else to aid you."

I follow the men in and look around at the small homey house. The floors were dark wood, and the walls were painted dark brown. Photos hung all over them, family photos. I could see the living room directly to the right. It was an absolute mess. Papers were strewn everywhere and the TV was blaring soccer.

"You didn't clean up, I see," Francesco comments.

"Maid only comes on Sundays. I set the patio up for us." Salvatore says, leaving us towards the living kitchen. Wooden countertops and white fixtures gave the house a Southern appeal. It was very country-chic here. The more I looked around I saw every room had its theme. It was odd but very comfortable.

We were led out on the patio where there was a table set up and lights dancing around wrapped around the wood. The setup was gorgeous.

"For me? You shouldn't have." Francesco says sarcastically, "I'm not sure if you're trying to wine and dine me or my wife."

Salvatore looks towards me with an amazingly sexy grin. I had to admit, Salvatore's looks were something a girl could dream about. Even with Francesco in the room, I was drawn towards eyeing Salvatore who was always looking at Francesco for the most part.

"I adore you, boy, but Eleanor is a bombshell." Salvatore then winks his crystal blue eyes. Another handsome feature on that gorgeous face. I look up to Francesco who glared at Salvatore.

"You'll have two black eyes if keep eyeing my wife like an entrée. Make your damn burgers." Francesco says.

I hide a laugh behind a cough and take a seat off to the sides, "I like my burger medium rare and I like my beer cold, boys." I demand with a fake bitchy accent.

They both look at me and laughed in amusement. It was good to loosen the mood. I felt that Salvatore was someone I could trust and also someone Francesco should trust more.

I was hoping that the men would manage to get along, but that wouldn't stop me from eavesdropping.

"So, what have you been up to in the past few years since I've spoken to you?" Salvatore asks while he fires up the grill. The gas on the grill made a ticking sound before a flame came to life under the bars. Francesco remained standing by the grill and watching Salvatore looking like the sexiest man on Earth. He hadn't cut his hair in a while and the dark curls started to hang over into his face. The dark scruff on his chin was turning into a bear. He'd go full-on Duck Dynasty if he didn't shave soon.