Chapter 25
25
Giselle
T he last month had felt like a whirlwind. After much consideration, Carlo and I had decided to tell the world that I’d had—twins.
Stassia was paid off from now until the end of time. And she had signed enough legal documents to choke a horse. At least, that was what Nick had assured me. She wasn’t allowed within a city’s distance of Nicco at any time.
While that fact saddened me—a baby should always know his mother. It also made me happy. Because Nicco was thriving. He and Marcello were inseparable. If they were ever apart, they whined and cried for the other. It was stinkin’ adorable.
Dani had been slightly confused at first. But we kept telling her that they were both her brothers. And she was still young enough that she’d forget the exact way that Nicco came into our lives.
Not that it would matter to her at all. She was in her glory, having all of these babies to play with and care for. She loved playing the boss. The leader of the pack.
My pregnancy was going as expected. And my all-day sickness had morphed into just feeling gross until around noon. After that, I felt fantastic. Which was a huge blessing.
The only thing that hadn’t been worked out yet was the large question of where the heck Sergio was.
Until we had that answer, I could never really breathe freely.
And I also couldn’t marry Carlo yet, either.
Which completely sucked.
Our relationship had grown by leaps and bounds this last month. Like we’d both peeled back several more layers and exposed ourselves at an even deeper level.
And it was wonderful.
I’d never in my life felt this connected to another human being. And even though our sex lives had cooled off considerably, our connection was unbreakable.
In fact, Eve was giving us a break at the moment. We’d put the kids down for their naps, and Eve said she’d keep an ear out for them if we wanted to go for a ride, or “whatever.” She and I had giggled at that.
I was feeling good, and I wanted to get in as many rides as I possibly could before I was too pregnant to get up on a horse anymore.
And seeing as I was probably having another boy—and he was conceived with a lumberjack—I figured that time was going to come sooner than later.
The air out here was so fresh and calm. Not a bit of wind to speak of.
The sun was high in the sky, shining down gloriously. I let the heat from it soak into me.
I could still fit into my jeans, so I wore a pair that accentuated my curves. And then I topped it off with a cute, white blouse. It had short, capped sleeves with adorable little frills on the edging. And of course, I left one or two too many buttons undone for Carlo.
I figured we could maybe stop by the pond and make out. Or more.
Just in case, I made sure to wear a sexy, lacy bra and panty set. It was pink, and you could see a hint of it through my white blouse.
It would absolutely drive my fiancé wild.
“I’m surprised I could get you alone,” a voice shouted out from ahead of me. It startled me for a second before I saw who it was.
“Stefan,” I said with a smile and a wave. I ran up to him and jumped into his arms. I didn’t care if he wanted to hug me or not.
I missed him. Terribly.
And I wanted him to know it.
“Well, that was an unexpected greeting.” He chuckled and picked me up off the ground and swung me around.
“I miss you. Why haven’t you come over?” I’d messaged him several times. Sending him pictures and asking him to stop over and see us.
“I think you know exactly why,” he said into my neck. Then he kissed me there before setting me down.
I felt a little dizzy, but Stefan held onto me.
“Dani’s been asking about you. And I wanted you to see the babies. You haven’t been over in so long.”
He kissed my forehead. “Oh, you mean—the twins?” he said with a smirk.
I nodded and bit my lip. “Yes, the twins. They’re adorable.”
He looked at me carefully, scanning my face like he was trying to read something there. Finally, he said, “Yeah, I’ve been briefed on the whole twin situation. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Are you sure you want to do this? Because you can always tell my brother to go to Hell, you know. Or I can.” His voice held an edge to it that scared me. It made me wonder if he and Carlo would ever be on the same page again.
Like they used to be.
Or—if I’d ruined that for good.
“I’m sure, honey. This is the best thing to do for Nicco. For his future. And we’ll be raising them together anyway. They look so much alike. It’s amazing.”
He observed me for another minute and then said, “You look happy. Glowing. Are you feeling okay?”
He knew that I was pregnant. He also knew the many complications I had to overcome to get here.
Including escaping from a madman, giving birth in a tiny apartment in Italy, nearly bleeding out on that tiny bed, and then having multiple surgeries to fix me afterward.
“I feel wonderful. Except if you catch me before noon. Then I don’t feel quite as great.” I smiled at him, and he gave me a sad grin back.
Then he took my hand, and we wandered to the barn. Neither of us in any hurry at all.
We talked.
We laughed.
We caught up with things we’d been meaning to say for months.
And by the time he’d helped me brush Carmen and saddle her up—I felt like he and I were—good. Again.
At least I hoped so.
And Stefan felt the same way, I think.
Maybe fixing his relationship with Carlo might actually be possible.
I missed having Stefan around. And just because we weren’t together anymore didn’t mean we couldn’t be close.
“Need a boost?” he asked once Carmen was ready for me to ride.
Something inside of me wanted to keep him here. Because if I let him go, who knew how long it would be until I saw him again?
“No, I can get up. Thanks, though. I’ll wait for Carlo. He should be here soon.” Carlo had said he would be out after he returned some work calls. I wasn’t sure how long it would take him, but I didn’t know if Stefan wanted to be around for that.
The smile dropped off his face. “Ah, the boss is coming, too. I see. Then I’ll leave you to your afternoon.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I wanted him to stay. But he obviously didn’t want to.
“Promise me you’ll come back, Stefan. Please?” I asked him, hoping like heck he’d say yes.
When he nodded and pulled me in for a hug, I melted into him.
“I’ll come back and see the twins. And Daniella. I miss that kid so much.” He tightened his arms around me.
I looked up at him and set my hands on his strong chest. “I miss you, Stefan.” My eyes started tearing up. It could be the pregnancy hormones, but I didn’t think so.
“Fuck, woman. I miss you so much I can barely see straight sometimes.” He lowered his head until our lips were only inches apart. I felt his warm breath on my face. And I saw the sadness sitting there, written right across his face.
And it devastated me.
He must feel so alone right now.
I wanted to show him that was not the case. So, I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.
He groaned and instantly took over the kiss. Our tongues touched, and I felt an electric jolt go straight between my legs.
His hands landed on my behind and he squeezed me there.
It felt amazing.
My fingers weaved together behind his neck, and I held on.
And then we kissed. And kissed. And kissed.
Stefan’s hands moved up my back—and stayed there.
Stefan knew there were boundaries that we had to stick to. And he wouldn’t push me.
Not long after that, he pulled away from me, panting against my lips. “Fuck, I still love you. So fuckin’ much, it hurts.”
I kissed his cheek and down his neck. Then I held on and hugged the crap out of him. “I love you, too. And I always will.”
He sighed and buried his head in my neck. He didn’t respond, though.
When we broke apart, he gave me one last kiss on the lips. “Have a good afternoon, sweetheart. I’ll come by later in the week to see the kids.”
I couldn’t have disguised the huge grin that crossed my face if I’d wanted to. “That sounds great.”
He nodded, turned, and disappeared out of the barn.
Gosh.
I really, really, really hoped he’d show back up again. And soon.
I rechecked Carmen’s saddle, and then I decided to grab some water. I wandered toward the small fridge at the front of the stables when a very familiar voice said, “I see the rumors were true. You are fucking both Sovrano brothers. I mean, I always knew how big of a slut you were. But I never expected you to jump into bed with two brothers.”
I slowly turned around to see my worst nightmare standing there.
“What are you doing here, Sergio?” I asked in as calm a voice as I could muster. How the heck did he get onto Carlo’s property? I thought that was supposed to be impossible.
He grinned his sickly smile at me as he removed the cigar from his mouth. “I’m here for my wife. And my sons. I was told we had twins. Twin boys.”
The news had traveled fast to whatever hole he’d climbed out of. And now he was here to collect what he thought was his.
“Yes, we have twin boys, Sergio. They’re beautiful. I can’t wait for you to meet them,” I lied my face off and backed up a step or two. If I could get closer to the entryway, my voice would carry out into the yard. But if I screamed right now, no one would hear. And me yelling for help would only inflame Sergio even more.
“Yes, you want me to meet my sons. And that is why you ran away?” His gaze grew sharper—as did his words. And I knew he was in the mood to do some damage.
I just needed to figure out how to get myself—and the baby growing in my belly—out of this.
“I was jealous of all your other women. I couldn’t stand seeing you with them. So, I left.”
He shook his head and walked in my direction. There wasn’t enough time for me to run. But I had to at least try.
I spun around and took off. Before I could get very far, Eve walked around the corner, about ten feet in front of me.
“Guess what? Stefan said—” she started to say, but then stopped.
“Run, Evie!” I screamed, heading her way. But it was already too late. I was being pulled backward by my right arm.
“You fucking whore!” Sergio bellowed at me. Then his fist came up, and he hit me directly on my left cheek. It stung like mad as I fell backward onto the ground.
“Stop it!” Eve shouted in a shrill voice I’d never heard from her before. It terrified me, and I felt it vibrate into my bones.
“Shut the fuck up!” Sergio stormed over to Eve and threw her onto the ground. She tumbled and rolled. When she turned around, I saw that her lip was bleeding down her chin.
“Ah, Mrs. Rosetti. How nice to finally meet you. Well, I guess our party for two has just turned into a party for three. Ask Isabella how much I enjoy other women joining in. This should be fun. We’ll play a little bit before I go inside and get my sons.” He started walking over to Eve. I scrambled to my feet and got in between them. “No, Sergio. I told you how jealous I am.” I rubbed my hands on his chest. “Just take me. Please?” I looked up into his hideous face and felt like barfing. I needed to play it cool. I had to get us out of here alive.
His hands landed on my shoulders, then they slipped down to my breasts. “All right. I’ll fuck you first while Mrs. Rosetti watches. And then you’ll watch me fuck your friend.” I could smell his disgustingly sour, smoky breath as he smiled and breathed through his mouth. His hands grabbed my breasts harshly and he rubbed them and squeezed me so hard it hurt.
“You like that, don’t you? You little slut.” Before I knew what was happening, his hands ripped the front of my white blouse open, the buttons bouncing onto the floor. “I missed your fucking tits, Isabella. It’s the best part about you.” He grabbed my breasts again, harder this time. “These and your tight little pussy, that is.” His touch felt like acid on my skin.
“Yes, Sergio. I want you so badly.” I tried my best to purr for him how he liked.
Instead of answering me, he pulled something out from the back of his waistband.
And pointed it at Eve.
She was crawling on the floor, trying to get away.
“I don’t think so, Mrs. Rosetti. You need to come closer. How can I fuck you if you leave? Hmm?”
Yeah.
I was definitely going to vomit.
Eve obeyed and crawled closer to where we were standing. Sergio gestured with his gun for her to keep moving toward us.
“That’s right. Nice and close. I want you to see how good you’re going to get it once I’m done with your friend.”
A second later, Sergio pushed me onto the ground. A sharp pain shot through my back and head at the same time. I felt bile rising up in my throat. “Now, take off Isabella’s jeans for me, will you? I’d do it, but then I can’t keep my gun on you.”
Sergio started quickly undoing his button and zipper and pulling himself out. His tiny cock jutting forward, pointing down at me.
“I’m sorry,” Eve whispered as she started to undo my jeans. Her tears fell on me while she worked.
“Run away,” I mouthed to her when our eyes met. She frowned and shut her eyes in pain. The stench from Sergio’s discarded cigar floated up my nose. It laid on the floor a few feet away from me.
“Enough!” Sergio’s foot connected with Eve’s ribs and sent her flying back onto the floor.
He crouched down and pulled my jeans off the rest of the way with one hand. And then he crawled between my legs.
His cock grazed my thigh, and I steeled myself for the impending onslaught.
I just hoped Evie could get away before he turned to her.
A crashing sound caught Sergio’s attention. His head turned. I looked over and saw Eve by the door. A rake on the floor beside her. She’d almost made it out but must’ve bumped into the rake in her haste.
“Oh, I don’t think so, Mrs. Rosetti. Get the fuck back here!” Sergio pushed off me, and aimed his gun at Eve.
“No, I don’t think so, Sergio. Put your fucking gun away before I blow your ugly head off.” Stefan strolled in calmly, his gun aimed at Sergio. He took his stance in front of Eve.
“Outta my fuckin’ way, Sovrano. I’m about to teach that bitch a lesson.” Sergio was kneeling and turned away from me.
I wanted to run.
I wanted to kick him right in the ass.
But at the moment, he had a gun pointed at two of my best friends in the world. And Sergio had already killed one of my friends. I wasn’t going to let him do the same thing to Stefan and Eve that he did to Amelia.
“Put your fuckin’ gun down,” Stefan said as he slowly stepped closer.
My heart was in my throat, not knowing what to do. Not knowing what was going to happen next.
Sergio always won.
Always.
He always found me.
And he always ruined my life.
“All right, Sovrano. Have it your way. I’ll shoot you first. Right through your cold heart. And then I’ll fuck Mrs. Rosetti over there. And then I kill her, too.”
Stefan let out a small laugh. “I don’t think so, asshole. Not today. Not ever. You made an incredibly stupid, gutsy move, and now you’re going to pay for it.”
Eve was still on the ground. Stefan’s body obscuring most of her from view. And most importantly, from Sergio’s aim.
But that wouldn’t matter. Once Sergio shot Stefan, he’d move on to Eve.
I knew that for certain.
I had to do something. Or he’d kill them both.
And then me.
And the baby I was carrying.
I quietly, and stealthily, drew my legs up.
And then I aimed and used the only power I had.
Both of my feet powered into his behind, shoving him forward.
Two gunshots rang out, nearly bursting my eardrums.
I opened my eyes to see Sergio on the floor.
And Stefan standing. A bright red spot on the lower left of his torso.
There was screaming. And I really wasn’t sure if it was me. Or Eve.
Or both of us.
“Fuck!” Carlo stormed into the stables and took in the situation.
He grabbed some rope hanging beside the door and ran over to Sergio’s prone body. “You fucking asshole!” He dragged Sergio’s hands behind his back and tied them up quickly and efficiently.
Next, he kicked Sergio’s gun, sending it sliding across the floor. “Christ, Brother. What the fuck did you do?”
I scrambled up and hurried to Stefan. Not remotely concerned that I was practically naked except for a ripped blouse and pink bra.
Stefan took a deep breath and dropped his gun. The look on his face told us all we needed to know. And none of it was good.
“Lay down,” I said, grabbing onto his arm. Carlo helped ease him onto his back. And onto the floor.
Stefan’s breathing was sharp. And choppy.
“Don’t you dare fuckin’ die on me, Brother. Don’t you leave me. Do you understand?” Carlo shook Stefan by his shoulders. But Stefan didn’t say a word.
And that told us even more.
He couldn’t talk.
“Go get help,” I ordered Carlo as I ripped off the rest of my blouse. It wasn’t much, but at least it would help. I pressed it up against Stefan’s wound and he winced. “You’re going to be okay. Just breathe slowly. You’re going to be fine.” I felt Stefan’s warm blood soaking through my blouse and into my hands. I didn’t care. I kept holding it there. Trying my best to stop the bleeding.
Eve kneeled on the other side of him, crying. “Stay with us, Stefan. Please.” She grabbed his hand and held on. I saw his hand close around hers.
I wasn’t sure how long we were there. Time seemed to crawl.
But when Stefan started coughing up blood—I really panicked.
And then when his hand went limp from around Evie’s—we both shouted at him to stay with us.