25. Chapter 25 #2
“Marriage,” she clarified, lowering her gaze to his chest. Her fingers trailed lightly over the muscles there, down his arms, setting every nerve ending on fire.
Tony gripped her hips, pulling her flush against him, needing her anchored to him. “Yeah,” he said, his voice gravelly. “Yes, I meant it.”
He wanted to kiss her, but hesitation tugged at him. The words clawed up from his chest before he could stop them. “But not if you’re only saying yes because of the possibility of a baby.”
Her laugh was soft, relieved, brushing away his fear like sunlight through storm clouds. She kissed his chest again. “I’m not pregnant,” she said gently. “If you recall, my period ended a couple of days ago.”
Tony exhaled sharply, almost dizzy with the whiplash of emotions. Images of Naomi holding a baby had already filled his mind—and part of him, a part he’d never admit to anyone else, had wanted to cling to that hope.
She trailed a teasing finger lower, but he caught her hand before she could undo him completely again.
“Yes,” she whispered.
His head snapped down. “Yes?”
Her smile faltered, nervous now, but her eyes held steady. “Did you really mean it? Do you really want to marry me?”
Marriage.
The word was a vow, heavy and final. But looking at her—this woman who had fought through hell, who had crawled into his arms utterly shattered, and still managed to smile—there was no hesitation.
“Hell yes,” Tony said fiercely, his grip tightening around her.
The relief that washed over him was nearly instantaneous. For a man who rarely allowed himself the luxury of relief, it nearly knocked the wind out of him.
“Good,” she whispered, her eyes bright. “Then yes. I’ll marry you.”
For a split second, Tony almost laughed—an uncharacteristic, startled laugh. But he held it back. He didn’t want to scare her off by showing just how much she’d rattled him. Instead, he kissed her with the kind of hunger that said more than words ever could.
Before things could spiral again, another thought blindsided him. He pulled back, frowning. “Wait. Why do you think I’m mafia?”
Naomi actually laughed, soft and amused, as if the question itself were silly.
“You’re one of the good guys in the mafia,” she explained, tapping a finger lightly against his chest. “But you and Sal are definitely the head of a mysterious, powerful organization. And I’ve overheard a few things the two of you have discussed.
” She tilted her head, studying him carefully. “Am I wrong?”
“No,” he admitted, his jaw tight, his hands flexing possessively on her hips. “But that doesn’t mean I wanted you to know about it.”
She looped her arms around his neck, fingers playing with the ends of his dark hair.
“A lot of people think nannies are just glorified babysitters,” she said softly.
“But I have a degree in early childhood development.” Rising onto her toes, she pressed a featherlight kiss to his lips.
“I’m trained to observe and notice things other people would rather I didn’t. ”
Tony’s eyes turned grave. “I’m not going to sugarcoat this, Naomi. I’ve…done things. But Sal and I also run several large, profitable business that are completely legitimate.”
“Yeah, I suspected that as well,” she murmured, nodding, her eyes steady on his.
“But you don’t need to justify your actions to me, Tony.
I’ve heard about things that go on in wealthy households.
Most corporate CEOs are corrupt bastards without consciences.
Their actions are pure corporate greed and most of them are disgusting, unethical bastards.
” She brushed her lips tenderly across his again.
“Meanwhile, you fund a community center in one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. You pay for college for every kid who earns admission from that same neighborhood. You even paid off my student loans.”
She paused, searching his face—and the way his expression faltered, the way he stiffened, told her she was right.
“You didn’t think I’d figure that out?” she asked softly, fighting off a smile.
He leaned his forehead against hers, sighing deeply. “Don’t make me into a hero.”
Her hands slid down to his chest, the thudding of his heart warm and steady.
“You mentor those kids downtown. You keep them away from drugs. You try to give them a future when no one else will. And when some of them don’t make it out, it’s not because you didn’t try.
” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I love you. You’re a good man, Tony.
Underneath all that grit and growl, you’re good.
And I’ll keep your secrets—as long as you love me. ”
His chest tightened almost painfully. “I do,” he groaned, hugging her tightly, burying his face in her hair. His arms locked around her like he’d never let go.
Finally, he drew back, his eyes glittering with determination. “Now,” he rasped, “would you please let me get dressed so I can head down to the police station and ensure that the bastard who hurt you won’t go free?”
Naomi smiled, stroking his cheek before stepping away. “Yes,” she said. “As long as you make sure that Mark and Jacob’s mother is there to protect them before you do…whatever it is you’re going to do.”
This time Tony laughed. A real laugh. The sound was rough and rusty, but it filled the room with warmth. Naomi froze for a moment, startled—and then smiled, because that sound, more than anything else, told her he loved her.
He quickly adjusted his clothes, pausing long enough to lean down and kiss her again. A kiss that lingered, full of unspoken promises.
“I called Melissa Peterson as soon as you mentioned her earlier. She arrived a while ago and made sure the boys are safe,” he vowed.
“Thank you,” she whispered, touched.