34. Adriano
Adriano
I finish drawing a hot bath. There’s a radio playing soft jazz in the corner. Steam rises into the air. I head back into the main room and help Lucy into the bathroom. I undress her slowly, rage simmering in my stomach at the sight of her bruises. Then I help her into the tub.
She sighs, leaning back. Her eyes flutter. “Thank you,” she whispers.
I join her, slipping in behind. She leans her smooth back against my chest with a content little sound. It takes a lot of willpower not to get rock hard, and I still partially fail. She doesn’t comment on my half-hard dick.
“Doctor said to take it easy.” I kiss her hair softly. “You’re lucky though. Only a minor concussion.”
“And all the bruises a girl could need.” She touches her throat. There’s a ring of them like an ugly scar ripped into the earth. Anger flutters in my heart again.
“I’m going to kill him.” I kiss her neck and breathe in her scent: honey and lilacs. “I’m going to do it for you.”
It should’ve happened already. Vittorio and Luca went after him when the coward smacked his gun into Lucy’s head and shoved her away. He knew that hurting her but keeping her alive would distract me.
Somehow, the bastard got away. There was a car waiting for him nearby. Vittorio and Luca tried to gun him down, but they couldn’t land a killing shot.
Demir’s still out there somewhere, biding his time.
The man who hurt my wife.
“For me? Oh, what a gentleman.”
I go quiet as she leans into me. Her breathing is slow and steady. I watch her chest rise and fall and study the line of her neck.
She’s a perfect angel. A woman like her doesn’t deserve to get assaulted in a dirty alley by a pig like Demir. None of this would’ve happened if she hadn’t married me.
It’s hard to ignore. Right now, I’m trying to focus on nursing her and taking care of her, but the voice in the back of my head won’t shut up.
This happened because of me.
This is my fault.
I did this to her .
“When did you know?” I ask after sitting with her for a while. I turn on the water to warm up the tub again.
“Hmm?” Her eyes flutter open. “Know what?”
“The baby.” I reach through the water and press my hand against her belly.
She looks down, frowning a little. “I guessed a few days ago, but I was too much of a coward to take the test. I don’t know what I was thinking, taking it at that stupid event.”
“I’m happy you did.”
She bites her lower lip and looks away. “You don’t have to say that.”
“I mean it.”
“Even with everything going on right now? You’re happy that I’m pregnant?”
I make her look at me. “I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life.
” I force her to turn around, her legs wrapping around my middle and her arms around my neck.
She’s so gorgeous it breaks my heart. “I’ve broken all my rules.
I’ve lost myself a dozen times. I have regrets, amore mio , but you are not one of them.
And that baby is maybe the first truly good thing I’ve ever done. ”
“Do you really mean that?”
“Yes. With all my heart.” I pull her closer and kiss her.
She whimpers into my kiss, and I feel myself harden.
She reaches down and grips me, stroking slowly as her tongue slides into my mouth, and I can’t control myself any longer.
I lift her slightly as she adjusts herself, then I plunge myself deep inside her, spearing her to her guts with my iron-hard cock.
She moans as she rides me slowly. The water ripples around us.
This isn’t fucking; it’s not rough or animalistic like it has been in the past. No, this is lovemaking.
She stares into my eyes and kisses me, and I pepper her neck and breasts with kisses, nips, and licks.
Her hips move faster and faster, controlling the pace until her back arches.
I fuck up into her, grinding into her pussy, and we come together in the tub, gasping and holding each other, soaking wet with sweat and water.
Afterward, I turn on the shower and help her into it.
I soap and clean her, taking my time. I knead her tired muscles and make sure every inch of her is pristine, from her toes to her hair.
I kiss her when I’m done, and the look she gives me nearly stops my heart.
It’s loving and pure, like a goddess descending from the sky.
When she’s dried off, dressed in comfy clothes, and lying in bed, I decide now’s the time to tell her the truth.
“I don’t think you should stay with me.”
She stares, frowning like she’s waking up from a dream. “I don’t understand.”
“This war. What’s happening with Demir. And our baby. I’m too dangerous, amore mio .”
“You’re seriously doing this again?”
“It’s not like that.” I kneel down beside her and try to take her hand, but she yanks it away.
Fine, I understand why she’s upset, but this is bigger than both of us.
“We have the baby to think about now. The Famiglia owns a house down in Sea Isle City, right next to the beach. It’s a beautiful place. You’ll be comfortable and safe there.”
“I’m not letting you send me away.”
“Just until the war is over. I’ll make sure my most skilled and trusted soldiers protect you. I’ll visit if I can. But until you’re safe?—”
“No,” she says, sharper now, and pushes herself out of bed.
“Please, Lucy. You’re still recovering.”
“You don’t get it.” She shakes her head, her face turning red with anger. “I’m not some toy you can throw back in the box when you don’t want it anymore.”
“That’s not what I’m doing. You have to understand that.”
“And you have to see that I’m staying here with you, Adriano. You’re my husband. You’re my partner.” She presses a hand to her belly. “You’re the father of my child.”
That kills me. The thought of her living in New Jersey while our child grows in her belly is like a knife to my heart. But I keep seeing Demir with that gun pressed to her head, and I know that could happen again if I don’t do something drastic to make sure she’s safe.
I don’t want to send her away. It breaks me. But I have to be strong for her, even if she doesn’t want it.
“You’re better off far away from me,” I say coolly, while inside I’m melting to pieces. “Please, Lucy, just listen.”
“No. Screw you.” She storms over to her closet and starts grabbing clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“Sleeping somewhere else.”
“Lucy!”
“Don’t worry, I’m getting away from you, just like you want. But I’m not going far.” She stomps to the door and glares back at me. “This is my home now. Whether you like it or not.”
Then she leaves.
Well, fuck.
I sit down on the edge of the bed with a long sigh.
So long as she’s still in the house, it’ll be okay. I’ll talk to her again when she calms down and make her understand that this is for the best. She’ll come around. She’ll be okay.
Because if she’s not?
I won’t be able to live with myself.