His Elle was brave, and she was fierce, she was stronger than a lot of the hardened veterans of the industry. These were qualities that Gio, truly loved about her. But sometimes he wished she was a little less fearless. That she took her own safety more seriously, rather than having a go in guns blazing and when you run out if bullets, punch your enemies in the throat approach.
They were lying in his bed, completely naked( being able to have her in the comfort of his home was so good he often wondered why it had taken so long). Drumming his fingers over her bare thigh, Gio took a moment to process what she had just said, but Elle seemed to think he was ignoring her.
"Gio, did you hear me?" He hummed, resting his head on his elbow and looking down at her.
"I heard you, cara mia, you want us to use the wedding as a way to draw out the attackers," She smiled, glad he had been paying attention.
"It's a good plan. Imagine, all those people coming in and out. It would be too tempting an opportunity to miss,"
"Let the snake into the house and then chop off its head," His cock twitched at her bloodthirstiness, but he ignored it.
If he let her idea gain momentum it would be difficult to dissuade her. She was a force of nature once she sunk her heels in and decided to do something.
"It is too risky, we would be opening our doors to not just one, but to as many assassins as are sent," He caressed her naked side, his hand settling over her warm thigh, and he began lightly tapping it again, the feel of the soft, smooth flesh helping to relax him further.
"We would be in danger of dodging bullets just to fall onto a blade or drink poisoned wine," She raised her head too, cheek mashed against her palm.
"We could reduce that risk, place people in all areas, from catering to the set up and entertainment. To not only catch your enemy, but to do it on your wedding day…that would be a show of true power," He caressed her shoulder with his free hand.
He had thought of the same thing, but had dismissed it.
"The girls from the club will be there, will you be willing to deal with it if something happens to any of them?" The thought of someone he let in causing her harm had been enough for him to throw out the plan altogether. Hopefully she would feel the same when it came to keeping her friends safe. He had wanted to include himself the people she should want safe, but he had not had the guts to do it, too scared that she would not choose to protect him. So he had gone with just her co-workers instead, knowing that Elle and the girls, after years of working together were close.
And seeing the way she was furrowing her brow, Elle was not willing to have unnecessary collateral. For some reason her hand went over his heart, a sigh escaping her.
"You are right, it is too risky," Gio did not even try to hide his sigh of relief.
She replaced her hand with her lips kissing right over his heart. He pulled her closer, glad that she had seen reason. And more than a little relieved that he would not have to go through his wedding day worried there would be a gun trained on them from the shadows.
But speaking of weddings…
"How would you like to get married tomorrow?"
She laughed, her whole body vibrating against him.
"Gio, be serious, what would I even wear?" She huffed, he kissed the top of her head, running his hands over her back.
"Just say the word and the dresses will be here within the hour, you can pick whatever you like," He knew the names of quite a few tailors, all of them would be more than willing to drop whatever they were doing if he so much as glanced in their direction.
She leaned her head away from his chest, looking him in the eye. A ghost of a smile on her mouth, she thought he was kidding.
"Guest invites?" She clearly picked the question at random, thinking he would freeze up, but Gio was ready.
"Give me a list of names and I will have them picked up off the street," A random date with not even the guests knowing there was a wedding. That reduced the chances of infiltration significantly.
"Food? The cake?" He shrugged.
"My cousin Mario, is in the food business, he would deliver in an hour if I asked him to. He owes me countless favours,"
"Decorations?" Another curveball meant to trip him up, but Gio's answer came without effort.
"One phone call, and it is done," Now she was really looking at him, her eyes wide. Her breathing picking up as she realized that he was not pulling her leg, but actually meant every word he said.
"You really mean it don't you?" He nodded and she laughed again, her whole body shaking, a strand of blond hair going over her face.
"The girls are going to have kittens when they realize what's going on…fine, let's do it," She raised a hand, tucking the strand behind her ear.
Gio sat up on the bed, and she mirrored him. The two of them facing each other, their foreheads against one another.
"Danielle 'Elle' Cutting, will you marry me tomorrow?" He asked in an overly chipper voice, completely serious despite his cheerful tone. She looked into his eyes, her own seriousness clear to see.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed, throwing her arms around his neck, her naked body against his front. Her breast soft and warm, a welcome contrast to Gio's hard abs.
The two of them rolled around the bed, laughing. Enjoying a carefreeness they often lacked in their day to day lives. It was nice, being able to be so free and just enjoy life with her by his side.
It would have been even better if she was agreeing to marry him out of love. But Gio would take whatever little bit of happiness he could find.