“I promise.”

“Roza or Lila will show you around if you want. Marcus will not be far. There is a large yard and a garden if you enjoy that. Do not leave the gates. They are locked for a reason. If you leave the grounds, it will be with me or Marcus beside you. At least for now. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

He bent and brushed his lips to mine. “Thank you. I will see you this evening. Anything you want, anything you need, ask Mrs. Armstrong or Marcus. Or Roza if you are more comfortable.”

“Can you finish your coffee before you go?”

His smile was wide. “Yes, I can.”

I wandered through the large house, sticking to the main floor for now. Marcus was a silent sentinel behind me. He greeted me with a simple tilt of his head and a “Mrs. Campari” when I left the kitchen. Aside from his murmuring into his wrist on occasion, we engaged in little conversation.

A large central entryway divided the house into two sections. I quickly surmised one side was lived in and the other for business. I avoided the hallway I could see leading to that side of the house. I recognized a few of the men from last night, and I felt a case of nerves seeing them again. Marcus strode down the hall and shut a large doorway, effectively closing off the sight and sounds coming from the many offices and rooms I glimpsed. There was another office which I assumed was Matteo’s, but for the moment, I didn’t ask. He would show it to me when he was ready.

I discovered a large library, the shelves filled with books. I ran my fingers over the spines, imagining myself curled up in one of the tall wingbacks by the stone fireplace on a cool day, enjoying the warmth and losing myself in the words. Like Matteo’s bedroom, it was a masculine room, the furniture heavy, the colors subdued. Still, I liked the feel of it.

Aside from the room we’d been married in the night before, a smaller, cozier room was located at the back of the house, with a TV mounted on the wall and a deep, comfy-looking sofa. The dining room was a long, formal room.

The pool was at the back of the house, glassed-in and inviting. I bent and ran my fingers through the warm water with a sigh. I loved swimming.

“Am I allowed to use this?” I asked.

“Of course,” Marcus replied.

“With you watching me?”

“No. Inside the house, you are safe. If you go outside, though, I will accompany you. Mr. Campari thought you might have some questions as you looked around today that I could answer for you.”

“Have you been with him long?”

“Yes.”

“Do you–do you live here?”

“I have a place over the garage, yes. I stay there when required. I am close if you ever need me, Mrs. Campari.”

“Do others live here?”

“Mrs. Armstrong has the other apartment over the garage. Vince and Gianna have a house set back on the grounds. You can see it from the great room.”

“Ah.”

I found an unused room with large windows showing off the massive, walled-in yard that ended at the tree line. I could see another pool, a tennis court, and a huge, covered area, obviously meant for entertaining. With a start, I realized my new husband was wealthier than I had already thought he was. It was disconcerting

I looked around the room—it was smaller than most of the others I’d looked at, and I wondered if Matteo would allow me to make it into a spot for myself. Somewhere I could read or do crafts. I used to love to sew and make things with my hands. I would build up the courage and ask him.

Another hallway at the back led to the other side of the house, and I glanced at Marcus.

“More offices. The ladies work there. You can go see them if you want.”

My head was beginning to ache again, so I declined. “Maybe tomorrow.”

I returned to the large room we’d been married in—the “great room,” Marcus had told me. It suited the name. It held lots of seating with artfully arranged groupings, yet another fireplace, and high ceilings. It was the biggest room I had seen so far, and my least favorite.

At the end of the chamber were French doors that led to the outside. I paused with my hand on the handle. Marcus inclined his head, and I stepped outside, welcoming the fresh breeze. I walked the grounds, stopping to smell the flowers, look at the pool, admire the garden. I used to garden with my dad, and I enjoyed it. It might prove to be a good pastime here. Farther back, I saw the pretty house set in the trees where Vince and Gianna lived. I wondered if she would warm up to me.

Tags: Melanie Moreland Men of Hidden Justice Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net