Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
B ianca
The next morning, Gaetano is deep inside me when his cell phone rings. Fuck. It’s Sandro.
I can’t believe him when he answers, at the same time, he holds his hand over my mouth. “Yeah.”
“Hey, how are you holding up with Bianca?”
I’m so pissed at him. Except I love the way he allows more of his weight on me than he ever has before. “It’s fine. She was mouthy last night. She’s good now.”
Deeper and deeper he thrusts in me. I can’t believe Gaetano can sound so normal.
“I’ll have Natasha figure out what properties we have that she can stay at. With how picky Bianca can be, it might be another day or two. Thanks for putting up with her.”
A deep surge into me then he grinds his cock, driving me crazy with the way he’s brushing against my clit. “No problem if she doesn’t find anything. Like I said, I’m not here much. Still figuring out that damn software program half the day.”
It’s wrong. It’s dirty to be so turned on right now. So. Very. Fucking. Wrong.
“I gotta go. Mayor is on the other line. I’ll talk to you later.” Sandro says.
Making sure the call is ended. Gaetano tosses it on the floor and keeps pounding into me until we both cry out with our orgasms.
Holding me close, as my body shimmers with waves of pleasure.
“Do you trust me?” He whispers in my ear.
I nod, words too hard to form.
“Then trust that we’ll come out together in the end.”
“Okay…yes.” I recall Dominic’s words. “Sometimes there is no other answer than time.” I’m going to be patient and trust in him and us.
Bianca
The next two weeks unravel in a sweet, hazy, dream-like state that has me wondering if I’m going to wake up any moment. Every night, I fall asleep in his arms. Every morning, he kisses me awake. Sometimes he pulls me into the shower with him, other mornings he hands me a cup of coffee because he has to leave, but breakfast is waiting for me when I get up.
Gaetano is achingly sweet. The way he takes care of me is even better than last time. He tugs me into his lap constantly. Whether he’s reading or watching television, he wants me in his arms.
For the first time, I’m completely free to be exactly what I am. I had no idea I was even doing it until Gaetano called me on it. It was over something so simple, too, only he wouldn’t let me dismiss it.
“What sounds good for lunch? I have some leftover ground beef or chicken breast.” He asks when the television show we’re watching is in a boring part.
I shrug as I flash him a smile. “Whichever you want is fine. I’m hungry enough, I’ll eat whatever.”
His eyes narrow. “Don’t do that. Neither of those things appeal to you. Do you want to order in? We can.”
Shocked he could read me so clearly, I don’t know how to respond.
“You faked a smile while you did it. I told you, whatever you want, you’re going to get it.”
“It’s not a big deal. We have food at home. I’m happy?—”
“No, you aren’t. You aren’t happy. I want you to have what you want to have. You don’t have to please me for me to be happy. Tell me what you want.”
My stomach is twisting. How does he know me so well? “Sushi, but you don’t like sushi.”
An eyebrow goes up. “I don’t like sushi. However, I can either find something else around it or I can try it.”
I sag into him. “Thank you, the place I like it from most, they have steaks there too.”
“Then I’ll get me a steak. What you don’t do is lie to me. Be honest with me and we’ll figure it out.
“Sorry, I’m use to saying whatever I think Sandro wants to make him happy,” I admit.
“Because you’re afraid he’ll…”
“Resent me even more than he has to already.”
“Why do you think he resents you?”
It’s annoying the way I can’t stop the tears from appearing. “Because he had to take care of me. When I knew he’d rather not.”
“I know for a fact that’s a lie. He cares about you and wants you to be happy. It’s why he took care of you.”
I shake my head. Of course, he’s going to say that.
“Your father was going to ship you off to a boarding school. Sandro said no fucking way. He hated the idea of you off in a school where you knew no one. If he didn’t want to take care of you, he had an out, and he didn’t take it. Instead, he fought with your father to keep you.”
“I didn’t know that,” I murmur as I consider what he’s telling me.
“It’s true. You don’t have to become whatever you think I want. I only want you. And I only want you to be happy.” Black is soft, clear, and won’t let me hide.
“Okay, yes.”
“Good girl.”
How the hell did I get so lucky to find him? I wondered as he called in take-out from the sushi restaurant.
It feels like it’s time. I’m almost positive, but I need to know for sure, and I want Gaetano here with me when I find out. Which is why I wait until he comes home before I show it to him.
His eyes go big. “Pregnant?”
I nod. “I feel…different.”
A hand goes over his mouth.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. Oh god, I fucked up. He’s?—
Immediately, he shakes his head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not. I want you to be pregnant.” Wrapping his arm around me, a hand goes into my hair. “You pregnant will be what keeps me alive.”
Oh thank god. I exhale and almost collapse from relief. “Okay, let me just pee on this. Two minutes.”
The million-watt smile is taking over his beautiful face. I’ve never seen anything like it. “Two minutes.”
I went with the easiest test to read. After I wash my hands, Gaetano wraps one arm around me as he keeps his eyes on the phone timer.
“I cannot fucking wait until I’m holding my baby girl.” He whispers into my ear.
“Really? You want a girl.” It shocks the hell out of me.
“Hell yes, please. Make all of them girls.”
Shaking my head. “I can’t make them one or the other. We get what we get, and we’ll be happy for them to be healthy.”
“Fine. But I’ll be happier if they are girls,” he mutters.
The alarm goes off, and we both look at the test.
“We’re having a baby.” Gaetano swings me up into a tight hug. Then back down on the bed where he makes love to me so many times, I wonder if it’s good for the baby.
The next morning, I call Joanna.
“You bitch. How can you do this to me? Tomorrow? How can you get married tomorrow without telling me what the hell you’ve been up to?”
We both brush over the fact we’ve gone since my birthday trip without talking because I’ve left her two messages without getting back more than a text saying she was sorry but school was kicking her ass. I didn’t know what was going on with her, and I wasn’t going to push her. At the same time, I also knew me getting married was something she would be crushed to find out about later.
“I wanted to get married today. The sooner the better when it comes to dealing with Sandro. Gaetano, however, is doing the whole overprotection thing. Even if it was guaranteed he would walk out of the room after he told Sandro I was pregnant and we were married, he wants everything in place to protect me and the baby. So yeah…there was no question about getting married. I don’t want or need a big white wedding; I just want the ring and the husband.”
“Oh my god, I’m going to be an aunt. That’s awesome. Okay, yeah. I’m not surprised it’s Gaetano or that things are happening fast. I was simply hoping to live through you for all the buildup to a grand wedding day that I’ll never have. Take pictures. I want pictures.”
Once I hang up with her, I call Kitty.
“Yay, everything is going to plan. Your brother is going to turn to mush at the idea of a baby.” Kitty sighs. “So are you going to tell Gaetano?”
“God no. He thinks it’s good luck. I’m not going to tell him anything different. He’s happy. I’m happy. If I tell him, it will make him question everything.”
“If you say so…”
Gaetano
When she walks out of the bedroom, I take a deep breath and sigh. “You sure as fuck aren’t wearing that.”
Eyes wide like she has no idea why I’m saying no. “I look so good in this dress.”
I shake my head. “That’s the problem. No fucking way is another person seeing you looking as gorgeous as you do in that dress.”
Her hands wind around my neck. “Pretty please. I love this dress.”
“Why can’t you be normal and want some big ass dress with bows on it?” This was the last dress I envisioned her in on her wedding day. “I don’t give a shit if we’re doing it by an officiant at home. This is the only wedding you’re having, is this what you want as the memory of the day?”
I sent her out with my credit card the day after she came. She was gone for two hours and came back with only one bag of clothes. Annoyed, she barely bought anything. I took her shopping the next day, and we were out for six hours and purchased so many things they had to be delivered—but not home—to my tailor.
Cocking her head at me, she grins. “There’s a dress you want me to wear.”
Admitting it. “The blue dress with all the flowers. You look good in blue.”
“Because you like it. I’ll wear it.”
Damn, I’m lucky. “I’m sorry you aren’t having the wedding you deserve. We can?—”
“Don’t say you’re sorry, because I’m not. I don’t want or need the big dress and all the flowers. All I want is a ring and you. I’ve waited for so many years for you, all that matters is you’re finally mine.” Her smile is huge. I wonder if a person truly needs air to breathe because I’m certain I could live off her smile alone.
She’s waited long enough, I reach into my pocket and pull out the box. “You have me, I’m all yours. This is to ensure you never forget it.”
Opening the box, her eyes go wide. “Oh my god, you got into my social media. I’ve loved this ring. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Her hands are trembling as I take the ring from the box and slide the engagement ring on her finger. It’s an art deco three-stone diamond ring in platinum. The side diamonds are three carats apiece, and the middle one is five carats. “It’s so big.”
“So that if anyone looks your way they see their competition and how much I prize my woman.”
“Ooh, sounds Neanderthal again.” She teases as she runs a finger over her diamonds.
“Damn straight. Wait until you see your wedding band.” I growl as I pull her to me. Stealing, a kiss I’m trying to remember people will be here very soon. So I let her go so she can change.
“Oh no, I forgot to get your wedding band.” A little knot appears in her forehead. “I promise I’ll work harder so that you’re not the only one always taking care of everything. The way you take care of me…I’ll do better.”
Shaking my head, I run my hand over her cheek. “I love taking care of you. You happy brings the kind of light into my life I never thought I would have. Something I didn’t think I deserved. The way you take care of me is by being happy, smiling, and loving me. That’s all I need.”
She’s blinking back tears. “I was worried you would grow to resent me and I don’t want that. Whatever?—”
“Hey, listen to me. Look me in my eyes. The way you take care of me and keep me happy is being yourself, loving me, and being by my side. That’s all I need. There are benefits to having a Neanderthal as a husband, we’re simple beings.”
Giggling, she nods. “Okay, but if ever?—”
“If ever, I’ll communicate and we’ll work it out. There’s no escape from me until I draw my last breath.”
“I’m holding you to that promise.”
“As you should. Now go get changed.” I smack her ass and love the way her ass bounces. Fuck, I’m a lucky bastard.
When she comes out, I smile. It’s an ice-blue long dress with sheer sleeves that have the same flowers as the skirt. She looks like a winter queen.
I sweep her up in my arms. “Gorgeous.”
Less than ten minutes later, the knock on my door tears me away from my beautiful woman. It’s Nico. I wasn’t sure he’d come. I’d asked but told him that he didn’t have to.
I’m glad I warned Bianca before he arrived. Not only about his scars, but about how he refused to smile because he believed it made the scars look worse.
Her smile isn’t false or forced as she greets him. “Hello, thanks for coming. I hope you don’t get in trouble or anything.”
Shaking his head, he nods to me. “It’s worth it. I don’t think it’s as bad as he does. I’ll be back at the cameras before anyone is aware I’m gone.”
She’s curious. “So you watch all the cameras all the time?”
“While I have access to all of our cameras from the room in the desert to the casino and hotels, I keep an eye on the ones people shouldn’t be on. It’s not as demanding as it sounds. There’s a reason why I’m the only one who does it. You sure you want to marry him? He’s kind of an asshole.”
Laughing, she nods. “I’m more than aware. Don’t tell him, but it’s kind of his charm.”
The doorbell goes off again. It’s Dario and the officiant.
Dario brought the flowers I asked him for, pink tulips and white roses. I’m unable to hide my smile at how happy she is with the flowers. While she’s loving on the flowers, he shows the cake I completely forgot about. It’s her favorite, a coconut cream cake in white and pink.
I’m embarrassed I forgot about photos when Dario takes photos of us and has us posing. No one says a word when Nico stays well away from the camera and talks to the officiant.
A few minutes after we’re done, just as it’s time for the ceremony, the doorbell goes again. It’s Kitty. Fucking hell, I don’t want this bitch in my home. Her smile is fake as she greets me and Nico. It’s not fake when it comes to Dario.
The ceremony doesn’t take long. I love how confidently Bianca speaks her vows. Her smile as she slid the thick platinum band I’m wearing with three diamonds that match hers was enough to make my cock hard. The wedding ring she has is an eternity band in diamonds, she had on her pinned boards.
Once we’re done, I speak to the officiant, thanking him for coming and paying him for his time. Closing the door behind him, Dario claps me on the back. “Finally, man, you were giving me a headache for a minute. It wasn’t fair that he called me more than you.”
“That’s what you get for being up in everyone’s business all the time.” Nico shrugs.
“Shut up,” I grumble. “Are you good to go?”
“Yep, I follow you, ensuring you get to the hotel.”
“I’ll keep an eye on the cameras in case I see more,” Nico adds.
Dario nods. “If Sandro killed you. I’ll take care of Bianca and the baby. The lawyer has all of the paperwork.” He affirms the plan for the next hour or so.
The drive to the hotel feels like it goes by in an instant. Sandro has two choices: accept me as his brother-in-law or kill me. If he accepts me, it means he approved the match between his sister and his number two. If he doesn’t, he kills me, and it’s like I never existed—except for the proof in my baby girl when she’s born.
We have arrived in the middle of his walk and sit down to wait in his office. Once the front desk sees him in the elevator to go up to his suite, they are to tell him we’re waiting.
He enters with a curious look on his face.
I stand to meet him like a man, and he knows before I say a word.
Shaking his head, our eyes meet. “You bastard.”
My jaw goes tight as I fight to keep calm. He has every right to be pissed.
Bianca grips my hand to pull me beside her. “Please don’t.”
“She’s right Gaetano. Don’t. You have done more than enough.”
Unable to find the words to say to her brother, I can’t hold his eyes. How can I explain my obsession for her? The way I can’t sleep without her. It’s too much information for him not to pull out his gun and shoot me dead. “It wasn’t like that.”
“What was it like then? My best friend fucking my little sister. Emphasis on little. She’s seventeen years too young. The only reason why I’m not going to kill you is because if I do, she’ll never forgive?—”
“I’m pregnant.” Bianca spits the words out. Letting go of my hand, she steps between us. “And it’s my fault. I took advantage of him. He was being nice.”
He scoffs.
“He was exhausted. I was in his bed. I’m the one who started it.”
“It’s been since I was in Chicago?” Is a roar.
Fuck this. Either kill me or don’t. I take her hand, somehow terrified he’ll take her from me. “I married her. I’m not letting her go.”
He’s still for so long, I’m not sure what the hell he is going to do.
“Do you want me to leave the family?” I ask.
With a shake of his head, he frees me. “What I want is for you to treat my sister the way she deserves. You knew my mother’s greatest wish, and my promise to her was that Bianca would not marry into the mafia. The least you can do is help me keep the other promise to her that Bianca will not know the pain this life can bring.”
It isn’t until the ding of the elevator taking Sandro upstairs sounds that I’m released from the fear that gripped me over what he would do.
Bianca looks up at me. “I told you. He knows what love is now. There’s no way he would kill you for finding love.”
I hold her tight and know I’ll never let her go.