Chapter Forty-Six Ella
Chapter Forty-Six
Ella
Rhia enters the room on her own. The tension in her expression tells me today has been eating at her. Me too.
When I showed her and Claudette the ultrasound pictures earlier, our spat from this morning vanished. All of us were too relieved that Peanut is fine. Before we could say anything else, I was called away for my blood test results.
Tiero lingers in the background, quietly observing the tension between Rhia and me. I can tell he’s just waiting for an excuse to intervene. No surprise there. He’s a man who likes to fix things, and on top of that, a complete control freak.
I turn to him. “Could you please check how long dinner is going to be?” I ask, needing some time alone with my best friend. Well, I hope she still is my best friend.
From the way his jaw tightens, I know he doesn’t like the idea. Still, he watches me carefully, as if gauging whether I’m truly okay or just saying I am. Rhia does the same from across the room, her concern written all over her face.
Two people, standing guard over me in different ways.
I keep my gaze on Tiero, silently asking him to trust me. We haven’t talked about what happened with Rhia this morning, but this is something I need to handle myself.
Eventually, he gives a curt nod. “Okay. I’ll be outside if you need me.”
With one last concerned look, he leaves and quietly closes the door behind him.
I stare at it for a second longer before turning to Rhia.
“I’m sorry,” we say at the same time.
We both laugh, the tension finally cracking.
Rhia crosses the room and pulls me into a fierce hug.
“El, you have nothing to apologize for. This is on me. I was so worried about you that I didn’t even let you get a word in. I know you aren’t impulsive or reckless, and I should have listened to your side of the story.”
She doesn’t let go, and I don’t want her to. I hug her just as tightly.
“If I were in your place, I would have said the exact same things,” I admit. “I got upset because you were right. You said nothing I was not already dreading myself.”
She exhales softly. “I’ve been watching him with you. I do think he truly loves you. The way he looks at you… that cannot be faked. And he puts your well-being above everything else.”
I pull back just enough to look at her, then guide her to sit with me on the bed.
“Rhi, I really believe he has learned from his mistakes. He said it took us being apart, and being completely miserable, for him to understand what kind of relationship he actually wants. He’s trying not to dictate my every move.
It’s hard for him. Compromising and talking things through instead of expecting his word to be law is a work in progress. ”
I grin at her. “At times, it is almost comical. He grinds his teeth a lot.”
Rhia chuckles. “I’ve noticed it once or twice.”
She shifts further onto the bed, sitting cross-legged facing me, studying me the same way she always has when something matters.
“I won’t jump to conclusions again,” she says gently. “At least I’ll try. Just tell me what’s really going on.”
I promised Tiero not to tell a soul. But Rhia isn’t just anyone. We don’t keep secrets.
I lean closer and beckon her forward, lowering my voice to a whisper.
“Tiero promised me he will leave the mafia.”
Her mouth falls open, eyes widening in shock. Before she can speak, I press my finger to her lips.
“You cannot tell anyone. I promised him to keep it secret.”
“That’s huge,” she whispers back, still stunned. “I get now why you agreed to give him another chance. But how is he going to do that?”
“He says he’s been planning it for a while, knowing I’d never want to be a mafia wife. I don’t know the details yet, but I trust him. He wouldn’t lie about something like this. I believe him when he says he wants a real relationship with me. One where we are equals.”
Rhia nods slowly, absorbing it.
“Then I’m fully behind you. As long as this is your choice, and we’re still part of each other’s lives.”
For the first time today, the tight knot in my chest loosens. Not because everything is solved, but because the people I love most are still standing with me.
“That goes without saying,” I tell her softly. “I could never not have you in my life. And Peanut needs her too.”
The mention of Peanut makes her smile even wider.
I take her hand. “We picked out names earlier.”
Her eyes light up. “Already? Tell me.”
Before I can, there’s a knock at the door. A server enters, pushing a trolley loaded with food. Where did Tiero even get all this?
It doesn’t look like hospital food at all. I really shouldn’t be surprised. Tiero makes sure I only ever have the best available.
My man enters next, followed by Claudette and Lex.
“Later,” I tell Rhia with a wink.
She pulls me into one last hug before jumping up to greet Lex.
Tiero is by my side in an instant, taking me into his arms. His expression is softer now that he sees me smiling.
“You good, angel?” he asks quietly.
I nod and press a kiss to his lips.
Dinner is unexpectedly lovely, considering the strange circumstances of being in hospital, after being found by the man I ran and hid from for weeks.
Laughter bubbles up around the table the server brought in earlier along with a handful of fold-up chairs. It’s tentative at first, then easier, as if we are all collectively pretending this is normal.
Tiero and Lex barely speak. They linger just outside the circle, watchful and alert, quietly sizing each other up while keeping a careful eye on us. It’s oddly comforting, even if the tension between them hums beneath the surface.
By the time we say goodnight, and Tiero and I are curled up together in bed, I feel lighter than I have all day.
“We haven’t discussed what happens from here,” I say, snuggling deeper against his body. “Where are we going to live?”
He told the doctor he wanted to return to Europe, which was diplomatic of him. It avoided an argument. I’ve made my wishes clear, but that doesn’t mean Gualtiero De Marco will automatically agree.
Tiero traces lazy circles on my back. My eyelids grow heavy.
“I know you don’t want to return to Sicily,” he says. “So how about we live on the island for a while? Just you and me. We were happy there.”
His island.
Why didn’t I think of that?
“What about your responsibilities?” I ask, deliberately avoiding the word work. To me, that would imply something legitimate.
“Mateo can take over the parts I can’t run remotely. Most of it I can manage from there. Once or twice a week, I’d need to fly back by helicopter.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “This wouldn’t be forever, angel. Just until I can firm up our other plans.”
“Which are?” I ask, unable to stop myself.
He rolls his head slightly, a theatrical gesture meant to tell me this is neither the time nor the place.
“I promise I’ll tell you soon. Your trust is the most precious thing I have.”
Unease still churns inside me, but I nod. I want answers. I want to know how he plans to leave the mafia alive.
“So,” he says softly, “you’re happy to return to the island?”
Who wouldn’t be?
It seems like the perfect solution. Only happy memories live there, untouched by everything that came after. He’ll be close enough to Sicily to go back when needed, without pulling me into it.
“Okay,” I agree easily. “But I want to stop in Dublin on the way. And in Austria, to check on Oma.”
He doesn’t answer immediately. I can practically see the calculations running through his mind.
“If you don’t have the time, that’s fine,” I add quickly. “I can go alone for a week or two. I won’t even object to having bodyguards with me.”
Tiero stares at me in disbelief.
“We won’t be separated again. I thought I was clear about that,” he says, mock stern.
I smile. “Then I suppose you’ll be coming to Ireland with me. There are so many places I want to show you. Places that matter to me.”
His expression softens. “I want to see them all.”
And I believe him.
“You’ll get to meet Knox—”
“Your Highland bull,” he finishes.
“Yes,” I say, grinning. “I can’t wait to see him again. I hope he still recognizes me.”
“You are unforgettable, angel.”
I lean over to kiss him. He can be incredibly sweet when he wants to be.
“Apparently so.”