The agent gave her an amount that made her jerk back. Vincenzo didn’t let her go.
“You can’t pay for this. It’s ridiculous.”
“This is one of the safest areas within the city. The building offers not only security but there’s a pool, a game room, and also a small grocery store on the ground floor for your convenience. The cost is all included in the purchase price. There’s also a gym.”
She thought about Vincenzo working out at his home and the women here drooling all over him. “I won’t need a gym.”
“Arika, this is the home I want you to have.”
“It’s too expensive.”
“I won’t spare any expense when it comes to your safety. Do you like this place?”
She gritted her teeth and turned back to look out of the window.
“Leave us, please. I want to talk with her in private.”
“I’ll be outside. Take all the time you need.”
She heard the woman’s heels clicking on the wood floor. The door opened, closed, and then they were alone.
Vincenzo pulled her against him, his arms banding around her waist as his lips nuzzled her neck. “Tell me what the problem is, Arika.”
“This is too much. It’s too expensive.”
“I think it’s rather cheap.”
“Really? This is … I know I said you could buy or rent me an apartment, but this goes beyond that. I can’t do this on my own if you decide to leave me.”
His hold on her tightened. “You really think there’s a chance of me wanting to leave you?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t, but I’m me and you’re you. You’ve probably been with thousands of women. You can have anyone you want.”
He sighed. “And yet here I am, willing to spend the rest of my life with you.”
This shocked her.
She spun in his arms, staring into his eyes. “A life?”
“You don’t think this was only going to be a few passing months, did you?”
“I didn’t know what to think. A lifetime is a long time.”
“Yes, it is, and I want to spend it with you. Not arguing about where you are. This is a cheap place, but it’s in a good area. Low to zero crime rate. You can also walk to the diner. I want to get you a car.”
“I can’t drive.”
“Then I’ll pay for lessons. You’ll drive to the diner and home. I won’t have it any other way. We will also be training you to shoot.”
“Wait, what?”
“You’ll have your own gun, just in case.”
“Vincenzo, this is too much.”
“This is what I require. I want this, Arika. I want to be with you. My place, it’s not as safe. A lot of shit has gone down there, and I want us to have our place, something to call our own. I know you’re not after me for my money or shit like that. I get it, Arika. You’re not like other women I’m used to. I am who I am so I need to know at all times that you’re protected. The only way to do that is to make sure you can take care of yourself.”
She glanced over his shoulder. “By learning to shoot a gun?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. That’s all you’ll be taught. I don’t need you to get all happy about this. Now, are we going to argue about this, or are you going to listen to me?”
“This is too much.”
“Then we’ll find another apartment for you. One I will be buying and you’ll love. This one could go while you’re being a pain in the ass. I’ve got no problem you being here. It’s safe, and I’ve looked into the security of every single apartment we’re looking at today.”
She turned back to look down at the pool. The families there looked so happy.
Vincenzo moved past her, opening the door that led out onto the balcony. “Come and look.”
He held his hand out, and she gripped it, stepping up beside him, looking down. The pool looked really inviting on this hot day. She was tired of apartment hunting. The place she’d been living in had taken her three months to find. It was perfect for her. This was sheer luxury as far as she was concerned.
“They all look happy.”
“You can be happy here too, Arika. I want you to have everything your heart desires.”
“I’m not with you for what you can give me.”
“I know that, believe me. You not wanting me for my money or my position only makes me want to spoil you even more. You’re a gem, and I will take care of you however I can.”
She took a deep breath. “Then I do like it here. I prefer it here.”
“You’re not just saying that?”
“No.”
“Good. Stay here while I’ll handle the rest.”
She watched him leave before leaning on the balcony, staring down below. There were several families running around, squealing and jumping in the pool. All of them were laughing, and she found herself chuckling along with their antics. It did look like a lot of fun.