30. Manuel
THIRTY
MANUEL
I should have known, recognized the signs. After all, I’d seen Donatella, my nephew’s wife and mother to Enzo and Amadeo, throughout her pregnancies. Yet, just like Athena, the doctor’s words had shocked me. She didn’t have much of a bump at all, but I supposed her breasts were bigger and her skin was glowing.
I’d been driving for the past fifteen hours while Athena slept in the seat next to me. Somewhere in the night, she reached out and put her palm on my thigh, clutching my leg.
It gave me hope that she’d come around to this change we were about to face.
I hadn’t lied—while I’d never envisioned myself having a child, I couldn’t be happier. I’d ensure Athena and our baby were safe until I took my last breath.
I had to convince her to stay—for her sake and our baby’s.
My cock thickened just thinking about her round belly… My child growing inside her… I could not wait to dote on her. She was going to make an excellent mother.
When we heard the heartbeat echo in Dr. Alleghri’s office, I heard her sharp intake of breath, watched her expression soften.
Over the years, women had begged me to fuck them without a condom and I always refused. I never risked it, not wanting to bring an innocent child into this world. Yet, I’d been more than careless with Athena. Fucking her raw at every turn.
Probably because I knew she was the one from the start. She was never a casual fuck to me. And now, I’d keep her with me for the rest of our lives.
Fifteen hours of driving followed by a ferry ride and we were finally home—the island of Ischia. I turned down a long, paved road and drove through rows of cedar trees before coming to a ten-foot iron gate. The moment the men recognized me, it opened and I glided through just as the sun rose over my vineyards and orchards.
It was always the same feeling—pride, relief, love. This island set in the Bay of Naples, Ischia was home and I couldn’t wait to see Athena’s reaction. Would she love it as much as I do?
The road gradually sloped upward and, after breaking through the greenery, we were greeted by the sight of a large open landscape and the five-hundred-year-old castello that rose on top of the hill. Its slate roof gleamed under the rising sun and warm yellow light shone from the massive windows.
The house looked like something out of a fairy tale, and I hoped Athena would see it that way—for her sake and our child’s.
I pulled around the circular drive in front of the castle where four men dressed in black were waiting.
They opened the car door, but before they could touch Athena, I hissed, “I’ll get her.”
“ Certamente ,” the guard, Adriano, answered, bowing slightly and taking a step back.
I came around the car and scooped her sleeping body up, then made my way up the steps and inside. A cook was already hard at work, despite the fact that I hadn’t been here in weeks. She always kept everything ready for me, and she fed the local men who worked on the property year-round.
“So nice to see you,” she greeted me, her eyes falling on Athena. I had never brought a woman here.
“You too, Signora Fiore. Something smells delicious.”
“Should I prepare you a plate?”
I lowered my eyes to the sleeping woman in my arms. “We’ll be down later. It was a long night.”
I was on the second-floor landing in no time, snaking through the familiar corridors toward my wing of the castle. Once I entered the master bedroom, I lowered her onto the bed.
Cazzo , she looked good in my bed. In my house.
Our house.
It was where she was meant to be and there was no doubt in my mind that she was the one I’d been waiting for.
Athena
Blinding sunshine and birdsong roused me from a deep sleep. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a spacious room with large French windows that were wide open, inviting the daylight.
I jerked into an upright position, my eyes darting around in confusion.
“Where the hell am I?” I muttered.
Jumping out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom, finding it stocked with luxurious toiletries—all high-end Italian brands. And suddenly, the events of last night came rushing in.
The attack. The doctor. The pregnancy.
I met my reflection in the mirror, my bewildered eyes filled with panic.
“No,” I scolded, waving my finger. “Keep your shit together. You’ve survived worse shit.”
My words shattered the silence, bouncing off the walls, while a heaviness flooded me.
I wouldn’t let what happened last night swallow me. Instead, I rushed back into the bedroom, my gaze darting around.
“Thank God,” I whispered, finding my duffle bag seated on the little chest.
I started rummaging through it until I found my cell phone. My first inclination was to call my mother, but I thought better of it and scrolled through my contacts until I landed on Raven’s name. She answered on the second ring.
“Where the hell are you?”
“The better question is where the hell were you last night?” I demanded. “And where is Phoenix?”
A moment of silence passed before she answered. “She took off.”
“What? Why?”
“I guess to look for Reina. Amon kidnapped her.”
I gasped. “Jesus Christ.” Then I remembered my original question. “Where were you last night?”
“Where did you go? And why was the apartment such a wreck?”
I stiffened. “You’re not there, are you?”
“No, I’m staying with…” She faltered. “A friend.”
I guess girls’ days in the apartment were done for. Isla was married, Amon snatched Reina, Phoenix took off, I left with Manuel, and now Raven had a mysterious friend she thought she was doing a great job of hiding. I’d stake my life on it being Aiden Callahan, the Irish mobster.
“So where are you, Athena? Did you find yourself an Italian daddy too?”
I snorted. “I got knocked up by an Italian daddy.”
I regretted saying it, but the words were out of my mouth and it was too late to take them back.
“You’re joking, right?”
I sighed. “I wish.”
“Jesus, Athena. How long have you been sleeping with him?”
I sat down on the bed, the landscape of shrubs, greenery, and the blue sea mocking me in the distance.
“I guess long enough to get knocked up.”
“So you’re keeping the baby?” Manuel’s reaction from last night flickered into my mind. He was just as shocked as I was by the news, but for some reason, he appeared almost happy about it. “Are you going to marry your baby daddy?”
“Man, you’re asking an awful lot of questions for someone who’s over there keeping secrets.”
“Pffft. Your shit’s more exciting. You’re gonna blow up like a balloon.”
“Geez, thanks,” I retorted wryly. “Nice to have your support.” My stomach growled and I decided this conversation was over. In fact, I almost regretted calling her. Raven was my best friend and I loved her, but sometimes she could drive you insane. “I have to go.”
She chuckled. “Why? Are you about to have wild, unprotected sex? Oh wait, you’ve already done plenty of that.”
“Are you?” I snapped, slightly annoyed. “Let me guess, Aiden Callahan?” The moment I uttered the words, I wanted to reach out and stuff them back into my mouth. “Listen, I’m sorry?—”
“He’s keeping me locked up in his penthouse.”
Confusion slammed into me. I wasn’t quite sure what we were talking about anymore. “Huh? You’re what now?”
A heavy sigh sounded over the line. “I ran into Aiden last night, and now he’s keeping me prisoner. The only reason I know about the apartment is because he sent someone to go get my stuff.”
“Do you want me to call the police?”
She snickered. “And say what? This crazy Irish dude kidnapped my friend, but there’s no evidence of it ? And even if they do find any, they’ll never get close to him.”
“Jesus, now I’m kind of thinking I got the better deal.”
“I think so too.” I heard a soft sniffle over the line. “And, Athena?”
“Yeah?”
“You’ll be the most beautiful pregnant woman,” she said softly.
My nose tingled, finding myself getting emotional.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No. I’ll have to get myself out of this mess.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I can get my Italian daddy to fight Aiden?”
Raven’s chuckle crackled in my ear.
“Let the two of them kill each other. That’s not a bad plan.” It was ridiculous, but my chest twisted at the thought of Manuel being hurt. The man exuded power and strength—I saw it for myself last night. Thankfully Raven rejected the offer. “No, I’m fine. This thing with Aiden is long overdue. I can’t keep running from it.”
“Give him hell this time.”
“Oh, I fucking will. The man will be begging me to leave when I’m done with him.”
My lips curved into a smile. “That’s my girl.”
We talked for a few more minutes while I snooped around the room. When we hung up, I made my way into the giant walk-in closet filled with men’s clothes that smelled like Manuel. Leaning in, I pushed my face into the expensive material and inhaled deeply. My stomach warmed and dipped, my lungs squeezing tight as I sighed.
“You’re awake, I see.”
I whipped around at the familiar voice and flushed crimson at being caught. “What are you doing here?”
He chuckled. “I live here.”
“I didn’t hear you come in,” I breathed.
His gaze traveled over to the opposite side of the closet. “Whatever is missing, you can order it or we can go shopping.”
My brows furrowed, following his eyes to find a whole section of brand-new clothes, from yoga pants to designer dresses. Even La Perla bras and panties.
“Umm, thank you.”
“The first drawer has a black Amex with your name on it. I remember you telling me you like to spend money.”
I’d been joking, of course, but I still padded over to the drawer. “What are you going to do if I spend all your money?”
He chuckled, the sound deep and raspy. “ Amorina , we have enough money to last us five lifetimes. I’m counting on you to make a solid dent.”
Well, damn.
The words every woman wanted to hear and who was I not to oblige?