29. Dante
Chapter 29
Dante
I stand in the living room of our hillside home, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city below. The early morning light bathes the room in a soft, golden glow, highlighting the modern, minimalist decor that Lia and I chose together.
It feels like a sanctuary, far removed from the chaos of the past few days. Because it's been two days since Helena's funeral and Eduardo's death. Two days since Eduardo tried to kill us with a car bomb.
But more than that, today is the day the Syndicate makes the biggest change in decades.
Lia’s soft footsteps approaching interrupt my thoughts. I turn, and my breath catches in my throat. She's radiant, her pregnancy giving her a glow unlike any other.
Her flowing sundress hugs her curves, accentuating her growing belly. I'm struck once again by how lucky I am, and how much I long to meet our children.
"Are you ready?" I ask, my voice husky with desire.
But I don't wait for her reply.
In two quick strides, I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms. Our lips meet in a passionate kiss, and I savor the taste of her, and the softness of her skin under my hands.
"Where did that come from?" she pants.
I wish I could take her back to bed and lick her pussy until she's crying out for me to stop.
I go to kiss her again, but my eyes are drawn to the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, where a news ticker scrolls across the bottom.
We turn and listen to the news reporter telling of the discovery of bodies and that more details will follow.
TWO KNOWN MAFIA MEN FOUND DEAD.
THE POLICE HAVE NO LEADS AT THE MOMENT
What the listeners won't ever find out is Dominic made a deal with one of his contacts in the police. His contact likes the monetary pay off he gets. He also likes that Dominic makes sure he gets re-voted.
Added to that, the police department will take the glory for the apparent apprehending of the mafia men in a gunfight that led to their deaths.
The one caveat Dominic insisted on was that they stopped raiding Cade's and Rafe's club, and keep all the de Luca family safe from arrest—and also keep out of the Syndicate's way.
It's the perfect deal for the police commissioner. A way for the locals to think the police are getting on top of crime for a change, and the perfect way for the Irish mobs and other crime families to receive a simple message about the Syndicate's new direction.
“… We will provide more details on this evening’s news.” The reporter's voice fills the room, detailing the discovery of the two bodies and promising more information to come.
I can't help but smirk slightly, knowing the full story will never make it to the airwaves.
I smile at Lia, cupping her face in my hands and gazing into her eyes, as I feel a surge of emotion that threatens to overwhelm me.
"I love you," I begin, my voice soft but intense, "but it's so much more than that. You've changed everything for me. Before you, my world was darkness. But you brought light into every dark corner."
I take a deep breath, struggling to find words adequate enough to express the depth of my feelings.
"You're not just going to be the mother of my children or my partner or my wife. You're everything. Because for five years, you're the reason I woke up every morning with hope. You're not just the woman I'm madly in love with, you're my home." She smiles as my thumb traces across her cheekbone. "Aurelia de Luca."
"Aurelia de Luca-Moretti," she states.
I laugh lightly. "You make me aspire to be better, to do better. Because deep down, I'm simply a man who's found his better half."
Tears glisten in her eyes as I lean in and press a soft kiss to her forehead before meeting her eyes again. "I promise you, Lia, that every day for the rest of our lives, I'll strive to be worthy of the love and trust you've given me."
"I love you," she breathes. "How do I follow that?"
"Just tell me you'll always be mine."
"I always have been."
I smile. "And despite you being my boss, I will challenge you. For your sake."
"You can't help yourself." Lia's eyes meet mine, but she's not angry. They are only sparkling with love. "You're slipping back into your possessive ways."
"You know I won't change."
She gives me a knowing look before pressing her hand on her belly. "Ooh. That was a kick."
My heart beats wildly. It's not the first time I've felt the life underneath my palm, but every time is like the first time. I love it. "Can I?"
She takes my hand and places it where she felt the kick. My hand gently caresses her belly. My heart pounds, feeling the slight movement beneath. "I can't wait to meet them," I murmur, my voice heavy with emotion.
"Me too." I glance over Lia's shoulder. Cade watches from the doorway as he eats a slice of toast.
We all feel the same way about her.
"Are you both ready to face the world?" Cade asks.
I nod at Cade's question, my hand instinctively tightening around Lia's.
"You can still back out."
"I can't do that." Lia steps toward Cade, her sundress swaying gently with her movement.
"We're ready." My voice is calm despite the gravity of the moment.
She presses a soft kiss to his lips, and I watch as his fingers tangle in her hair, pulling her close for a lingering embrace. The sight no longer stirs jealousy in me, only gratitude for the love and protection Cade and Rafe offer her.
"Then be safe, my love," Cade murmurs as they part.
Previously, Cade and Rafe only wanted Lia and these babies so they'd be accepted as a couple once I was the head of the de Luca family. Now neither man cares. Now they only want all of us to be safe. It makes me feel so much better. Just knowing these men love her and these babies as much as I do, and I know if anything should happen to me, Cade and Rafe will always be there for her.
Lia replies, "As long as Lorenzo Bianchi doesn't cause any trouble, we'll be fine."
"But Milly might not be so happy. He'll need to get married soon, because if he dies, he has no heirs, and that leaves his family in a precarious position." Rafe enters the room, his bare feet silent on the floor. His gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips.
I notice Lia's appreciative glance at his muscular but still bruised form.
His response is valid, causing Lia to groan in frustration. "He's going to dump her for the same reason Romeo did. I wish she'd listen to me. I need to talk to her."
"Not such a bad idea," I say.
She sighs. "I'll call her again when we get back."
The buzz from the security gate interrupts our discussion. Rafe checks his phone, his brow furrowing slightly. "Yep … Okay." He checks the screen on his cell before pressing the button to open the gates. "Dad's here."
An hour later, we're pulling up to Antonio Conti's estate. The car winds through manicured grounds, the sprawling mansion growing larger as we approach. My father's voice breaks the tense silence as we come to a stop.
"Are you ready?" Dominic says as his driver opens the door on Lia's side.
"I am."
He turns his attention to Lia. "And you, Lia?"
As we step out of the car, the warm breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers, but even that doesn’t dissipate the tension in the air.
She offers him a warm smile, her hand finding mine once more. "I'm ready."
Hand in hand, we walk toward our future with the gravel crunching beneath our feet, and the only sound I hear.
When we reach the imposing front door of Antonio's home, the door opens.
I glance at Lia. We exchange a last look.
But I know we'll be fine. Whatever happens next, we've agreed we'll face it together.