28. Arabella
Chapter 28
Arabella
“ H ow do I look?” I ask my husband as I exit the bathroom and straighten my dress.
His gaze peruses me from head to toe as he closes the distance between us. “Like a goddess,” he replies as he pulls me into his arms and nuzzles his face into my neck. “Can we cancel the party and see the New Year in right here … just the two of us?”
“As nice as that sounds, I’ve spent the entire day preparing for tonight’s festivities. Besides, I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone better.”
“In that case, you’ll need to march your sweet arse back into the bathroom and ugly yourself up a bit,” he replies, giving my butt cheeks a light squeeze for good measure.
“What a dreadful thing to say to your wife.”
He draws back and smiles down at me. “I’m pretty sure that would be impossible anyway.”
“Aww, that was sweet.”
“I’m anything but sweet, Bellezza ,” he says, grasping my shoulders, turning me around and marching me back into the bathroom .
“Where are you taking me? I don’t have time for this. I have dishes that need to go in the oven.”
“If you insist on wearing that dress tonight, then you’re going to have to take care of this first,” he answers, jutting his hips forward and digging his erection into my backside. “I can’t be walking around with a tent in my pants all night. How will that look?”
“I need to go and preheat the oven before everyone arrives.”
“I’m sure Chloe or Lina can handle that. This won’t take long.”
“Dante—”
He reaches around to cover my mouth, cutting me off. “Shh. Place your hands on the vanity and spread those sexy legs of yours,” he commands as his heated gaze meets mine in the mirror.
I’m powerless to this man, so I do as he asks. Liquid heat pools in my core as he hikes my dress up around my hips. The increase in estrogen and progesterone that a woman experiences in her first and second trimesters has only heightened my libido. My sexual drive and desire for this man are all-consuming.
I nibble at the corner of my bottom lip as he undoes his belt and frees himself from his trousers. When he pushes my underwear to the side and runs the crown of his penis back and forth along my slit, I tilt my head back and whimper.
“If any man dares to look sideways at you tonight, I’ll take pleasure in knowing my cum is inside that sweet pussy of yours.”
There’s no need for him to prepare me for what’s to come; his words alone are enough to do that job.
He sweeps my hair to one side, placing his lips against my heated skin as he slowly slides inside. We both moan in unison as he seats himself to the hilt.
My breath hitches in the back of my throat as his hands move to my hips, the tips of his fingers digging into my soft flesh as he draws my body closer.
He moves inside me in short, languid strokes, getting me used to the intrusion, but it’s not enough. I widen my stance a little more and push my backside towards him, trying to reach that aching spot of need deep inside me.
“Fuck, Arabella,” he grates out through gritted teeth as he rests his forehead on my shoulder and pounds into me at lightning speed. “You are my sweetest addiction … I can’t get enough of you.”
His hand slips from my hip, moving between my legs. “Come for me, amore mio . I can’t hold back much longer.”
It only takes a few swipes over my clit before I’m spiralling over the edge. This man is like a skilled musician, strumming my body with expertise.
I tilt my head back, resting it against his chest. “Daaante.” I drag out his name, and the moan that follows is loud as wave after wave of pleasure hits me like a freight train, leaving me feeling breathless and weak at the knees.
This is the life I could only dream about once. I never thought it would eventually become my reality. The sun is setting, casting a soft orange glow over the backyard. The heat of the Australian summer is still lingering in the air, but the evening breeze provides a welcome relief.
My husband is standing by the grill, flipping meat on the barbeque like an ordinary man. Not a feared Mafia Don.
The smell of sizzling chicken and marinated steaks fills the air. Lina, Chloe, Lucia, and I spent the day making a variety of salads, pasta, potato dishes, and Italian desserts.
Although this is not how we do things in my country, I love how laid-back and easygoing Australians are. I also adore the atmosphere and camaraderie these people share. It feels like a real family, nothing like how Papa ran things back in Italy.
I stand on the edge of the pool, sipping on a mocktail that Chloe whipped up for us, watching Dante as the people around me chat and the kids play and laugh in the water below.
My husband looks like he’s in his element, surrounded by his men as they laugh and rib each other. It’s rare for the Famiglia to see him like this … relaxed, unguarded, and present. There’s no calculating look in his eyes, no unspoken orders. Just a man preparing dinner for his family and friends … the people he cares about.
I see this side of him daily, but I’m one of the lucky few who gets to witness the real him—the person beneath the title and endless responsibilities.
He chuckles at something one of his men says before glancing over his shoulder and scanning his surroundings.
Is he looking for me?
Did he feel my eyes on him?
A few moments later, his gaze finds me, and the devastating, full smile I get as soon as our eyes connect gives me my answer. My heart begins to beat a little faster and a little louder. It’s as if the world falls away, and the only thing I feel is him. Despite the distance between us, his presence pulls me in.
This is the first time I’ve ever been in love, and it feels like he’s discovered a part of me I never knew existed, a piece of myself that has been lying dormant, waiting for him to awaken it. As if my heart had spent years trapped in a kind of limbo, longing for someone to rescue me from the hell that was my life.
Growing up under the iron grip of a tyrant made me despise my existence, and I couldn’t envision a future beyond the darkness. What I have now with my husband once seemed like an impossible dream, something so out of reach it felt more like a fantasy than a reality. I now look forward to tomorrow, to a life beside this man.
I place my hand over my stomach and return his smile. The air around us crackles as my chest tightens, and a mix of warmth and longing floods through me. He flashes me a playful wink, full of unspoken promises, making my heart flutter before he shifts his focus back to his men.
“You two are so cute,” Lucia says, nudging me with her elbow and pulling me out of my haze. “I want what you have.”
I glance at her. “I hope you find someone like that one day.”
Her cheeks balloon before puffing out a long breath. She doesn’t say anything further, but when I follow her line of sight, I see it’s directed firmly at Romeo.
“He’s a little old for you, don’t you think?”
Her eyes narrow when her attention snaps back to me. “You sound like him,” she grumbles as she abruptly turns and stalks away.
“Lucia,” I say, following after her. It’s not until we enter the rear of the house that I’m finally close enough to reach out and grab her arm. “I’m sorry.”
When she spins to face me, and I see tears cascading down her cheeks, I immediately pull her into a tight hug. “Oh, Lu-Lu.”
“I think he looks at me more like a little sister than a woman.”
“You’ve only been here a day; give it time.”
She draws back and looks up at me with tear-stained cheeks and so much hope in her eyes. “Do you think he’ll change his mind one day?”
I wince because I don’t want to give her false hope. “I don’t know Lu-Lu. It’s obvious he cares for you. He killed a man simply because he hurt you. ”
She lets out a breathy sigh as a small smile curves the corners of her lips. “I know, that was so cool.”
I gasp. “It was barbaric. That is not how civilised people behave.”
“Because we aren’t civilised, we’re Cosa Nostra, Bell-Bell. Besides, you don’t seem to have an issue with Dante ending Papa’s life.”
“That’s because he didn’t.”
Her big brown eyes get bigger. “Papa’s still alive?”
“No.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I ended Papa’s life, not Dante. I gave him the same fate he gave Mamma.”
She gasps. “You set him on fire?”
“Can we not talk about this now?” I ask as I release her and head towards the kitchen. “The meat will be ready soon. I have to get the rest of the food outside.”
“For the record,” she says, falling into step beside me. “I’m proud of you for what you did.”
“I ended a man’s life, Lucia, our Papa no less; that’s nothing to be proud of. I simply did what needed to be done.”
I place my hand over my mouth in an attempt to muffle my yawn, but of course, my husband notices.
“Are you okay, Bellezza ?” he asks, lifting his arm and wrapping it around my shoulder as he tugs my body closer to kiss the side of my head.
I hear one of the women across from us release a soft, breathy sigh. Tonight he’s been his usual hands-on, affectionate self. While the other wives have all been really nice and treated me with respect, I can’t help but notice the subtle hint of jealousy in some of their eyes as they watch the attention my husband showers on me.
Dante doesn’t need to put on any false bravado. He’s secure enough in his own skin to let his softer side show. It doesn’t diminish his status as a feared leader; if anything, it only makes him more powerful.
“I’m just a little tired, but I’m fine. It’s been a long day.”
“Do you want me to send everyone home so we can go to bed?”
“No. I want to see in the New Year with you.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
The coming year will be a brand-new start for us. I no longer have my father hanging over my head. Lucia is here, safe and sound, and in a matter of months, we’ll welcome our first child into the world.
“Okay.” He leans in to peck my lips, and when he draws back, he runs his knuckle down the side of my face, which garners an “Aww” from someone nearby. “If you change your mind, just say the word, and I’ll shut this party down.”
“I won’t change my mind.”
“Good, because I’ve organised a surprise for you, and I’d hate for you to miss it.”
My eyes widen. “What kind of surprise?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
A few minutes before midnight, Dante abruptly stands, grabs my hand and leads me away from our table of guests. At first, I think we are heading inside, but after we exit the pool gate, he turns in the opposite direction and takes us further into the backyard.
“Where are we going? ”
“To get a better view.”
“Of what?” I ask because when I look ahead, all I see is complete darkness.
He comes to a stop, guiding me to stand in front of him as his arms snake around my middle from behind. As the night wore on, it cooled down considerably, so being wrapped in the warmth of his body is a welcome reprieve from the cold.
“Patience, Bellezza ,” he answers, resting his chin on the top of my head.
“Should I be scared?”
“Of what? I will always protect you, Arabella. You have nothing to fear when you’re with me.”
My eyes strain in the pitch black as I try to see whatever it is I’m supposed to. I’m perplexed as to why he brought me out here.
Suddenly, Dante covers my eyes with his hands. “Ten,” he whispers into my ear, and even when his words are spoken softly, that deep baritone voice of his sends shivers coursing down my spine. “Nine, eight, seven, six, five …” He continues the countdown, and I can hear the others in the distance doing the same.
It’s not until he reaches “One” that he finally removes his hands from my eyes. “Happy New Year, amore mio .”
The loud, sudden crack in the distance makes my heart leap into my throat, but when the fireworks light up the night sky with an explosion of colour, a huge smile curves on my lips.
I’ve only seen fireworks on television, never in real life. I’m frozen in place as my breath catches with every eruption. I’m utterly spellbound by the spectacle.
The vibrant golds, reds, blues, and greens illuminating the sky make me feel giddy inside, like a little kid. The sharp scent of sulphur mixed with the crisp night air and the thunderous crackle of each loud burst ringing in my ears has my heart racing with a mix of wonder and excitement .
Within a matter of minutes, the show is over, and I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. I turn in my husband’s arms, reaching up to cup his face.
“ Buon Anno (Happy New Year)!” I say.
“ Buon Anno, Bellezza .”
“ Ti amo (I love you), Mr Mancini.”
“I love you too, Mrs Mancini, so fucking much.”
His kiss is rough, raw, and desperate when his lips meet mine. And if we didn’t have an audience off in the distance, I’m pretty sure I know how this would end up … the two of us making love right here, on the grass under the stars.
We are both panting when our mouths finally part. He reaches for my hand, and as we return to the others, he says, “Let’s get rid of everyone so I can take you to bed and spend the first day of this year inside your beautiful body.”
My face flushes red when our guests clap and cheer as we approach. I hope it has more to do with the fireworks they just witnessed than the heated kiss we shared.
I follow Dante’s lead as he goes around wishing everyone a Happy New Year. He shakes his men’s hands and kisses their wives on both cheeks as he extends his hopes for a prosperous year ahead.
Seeing how awestruck some of them are towards him is heartwarming and humbling. They shower him with praise and gratitude for including them in our celebrations tonight … like it was an honour just to be here.
To them, he’s not just a man; he’s a king, a figure to be revered—almost like a celebrity or a god—his every move commanding respect and admiration.
Witnessing how this Famiglia works, as opposed to how my father ruled back in Italy, makes me see the Cosa Nostra in a different light.
Dante’s leadership isn’t about fear and control. It has a true family dynamic where each person plays their part, and the bond between them runs deeper than mere obligation. There’s an undeniable sense of unity, which is a contrast to the cold and distant intimidation I witnessed growing up.
I can barely keep my eyes open by the time the last guests leave. Chloe disappeared with Giovanni as soon as the fireworks ended, but Alexander remained with us.
Tonight, I saw a different side of my brother-in-law. He was more relaxed, and once he let his guard down, I actually think he had a good time. I saw him laughing with his brother and the other men on more than one occasion.
We all briefly congregate in the kitchen, reminiscing about the shenanigans from tonight. I find myself wishing we could do this more often. This bond and sense of family is exactly what Lucia and I have been missing.
We didn’t grow up surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was always just the two of us. But now, seeing how deep these connections run, I want that for my kids. I want it for Lucia and me too. A place where we truly belong, where family isn’t just blood but something stronger.
I give Lina the biggest hug, thanking her for all her help tonight. I’ve only known her for a few days, but already adore her. She reminds me a lot of my mother, and her presence has unknowingly filled a tiny void deep inside me. Her warmth, kindness, and quiet strength bring me a sense of comfort I didn’t realise I was craving until now.
All the women pitched in earlier, helping clean up and pack away the leftover food, so there’s nothing more to do.
When we finally turn off the lights and head to bed, the exhaustion takes hold. We barely make it halfway down the hallway before Dante pauses, effortlessly sweeping me into his arms and carrying me the rest of the way.
There are moments when I still struggle to adjust to the intensity of his care, to the way he seems to anticipate my every need and tend to it without hesitation. It’s overwhelming, but in the most comforting way.
I snake my arms around his neck and lay my head on his shoulder. “You’re going to be the best Papa,” I say over a yawn.
He doesn’t reply, but when he places his lips against my forehead, I feel them curve into a smile.
Once we reach our bed, Dante puts me back on my feet. He moves behind me and drags down the zipper of my dress, pushing it off my shoulders and guiding it down my body until it pools at my feet.
My bra is next to go, and once it’s removed, he grasps my elbow to steady me as I step out of my shoes.
He tosses the throw pillows on the floor, but I’m too tired to care. Once he drags back the covers, he says, “Lie down, Bellezza .”
I do as he asks, sighing as my eyelids flutter closed and my body snuggles down into the mattress. Dante pulls the sheets up to my chin, tucking me in before kissing my cheek softly.
I can hear him undressing, but I don’t even have the energy to open my eyes and watch the show. A minute later, I feel him climb in behind me, spooning my body and wrapping me in his arms.
I wait for him to instigate something, but he doesn’t. He places his mouth on my hair and whispers, “Get some rest.”
This is just another example of how he cares for me, by putting my needs before his own.