by KL Donn
Maria is thrilled to be returning to Italy. Before they left their homeland, she had funded a children’s orphanage and spent her days with the kids. Teaching, reading, loving them in a way they hadn’t had before. She’s already expressed her eagerness to have me work there with her. Maria has been more of a mother to me in the past few months than my own in an entire lifetime, so I’m giddy that she’s willing to share something so close to her heart with me.
My own mother and I have reached a place in life where it’s time for me to let her go. For so long, she was the only person I felt loved me, but I was a crutch for her. I think she was relieved when I told her that I needed distance. I know the woman loved me, I never doubted that, but she never protected me. Not the way a mother should, and I was holding in too much resentment for her that it was best for both of us if we parted ways.
My father’s abuse of her was the reason for her drug use, and I’ve only been a reminder of the life she’s hated for so long. Now we both have the power to move on without guilt. Perhaps one day we’ll meet again, but it’s not something I’m holding out hope for.
Because of the Morello’s, I have everything I’ll ever want in this life.
“Tesoro.” Natale’s voice breaks me from my thoughts as he crouches down beside the tub. “You should be in bed sleeping.” His tone is filled with desire as his gaze caresses my body.
“It’s cold without you.” A satisfied look enters his eyes as he offers me a hand. I know he was downstairs making plans with Domino and his father about our departure. I’m fairly certain that we’ll have an army escorting us from the airport to their villa in Sicily.
Grabbing the towel off the stool beside the tub, Natale holds it open as I step out into the chilly air. Wrapping it around my body, he pulls the tie from my hair, allowing the dark locks to flow down my back.
“I’ve missed you,” he mumbles, nuzzling against my ear.
“It’s hardly been that long.” I giggle. He makes me feel so free. No matter what I’m experiencing, as soon as Natale enters a room, I’m untethered from any negativity.
Some would call me foolish for being so dependent on him; I simply call it being in love. We’re far luckier than most at our young ages. We’ve found our soulmates and aren’t willing to let go for anything.
“Your visa arrived today. Flights are booked. We leave just after the fourth of July.” Picking me up, Natale carries me to our room. Laying me on the bed, he unwraps the towel like a present.
I watch, mesmerized, as he discards his own clothing, dropping each layer on the floor before lying beside me. His hand smooths across my belly, making me quiver.
“We’ve never used a condom,” he finally says, and my eyes dart to meet his stare. “I never want to, either.”
“Yo–you don’t think it’s too soon for that?” I ask. I hadn’t given it thought before. I guess I should have, but I’m always so wrapped up in him.
“Maybe, maybe not. What I do know is that I want to be blessed with many of your children. Whether it happens now or in ten years, it doesn’t matter. I know that when the universe is ready for us to bear children, it’ll happen no matter what.” I melt at his words.
Rolling over on top of me, Natale slides between my legs, making me forget the world as he shows me over and over how much he loves me.
Natale
Sliding into her silky heat is enough to make me forget my own name. Making love to Posy every night is a dream come true. Having her return my love is a fucking miracle.
She’s witnessed me at my worst. Been faced with the killer in me, and gratefully, she loves me. We aren’t ready for children, not yet, but I wanted her to know exactly where I stand on the matter.
I selfishly want more years with just us, but nothing else matters when we make love, including protection. I can’t bear the idea of a barrier between us, but the pill may be an option.
“I love you, tesoro,” I whisper against her neck, kissing along the tense column until she moans.
Rocking back and forth in her pussy leaves me in awe. The pleasure we bring each other is both painful and exhilarating.
Her nails score across my back, and she squeezes my dick. Milking every ounce of bliss out of me that she can until we’re both a sweaty, satiated mess in the middle of the bed.
Long after she’s asleep wrapped in my arms, I can’t help but be excited about taking her home. Showing her the villa that she thinks is just another mansion.
It’s not. We live on a little slice of heaven in Catania off the Ionian Sea. Where the sand is nearly white, and the water is so blue it appears crystalline. It’s everything in Italy that tourists can never appreciate enough. Tonight, my father had me approving plans for a two-story cottage to be built far enough from the main house that it will feel like our own but close enough that Posy knows where she’s going and where her family is.
It’s meant to be a surprise for her, and keeping the secret just might kill me, but I think it will be worth the deceit. Posy has never been outside of this city, so I know she will be overwhelmed at first, especially with the language barrier. Lucky for her, Mamma is an excellent teacher and has already begun working with Posy on the dialect.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would find the idyllic girl, end the feud my family never should have been involved in, and move back home so soon.
Now, I’m about to have it all.
Epilogue One
Posy
Six Months Later.
Italy is wonderful. Sicily is historically beautiful. Natale spent the first two weeks showing me everything he loves about his home. Museums, churches, beaches. We even went diving, which was terrifying but magnificent.
But my absolute favorite thing is here, at the orphanage. It owns my soul. I’ve spent nearly every day here with Maria since she first brought me, a couple of weeks after we arrived. The children are just precious and only desire to be loved. Some are here hiding, damaged, crying day and night. They’ve experienced some of the worst the world has to offer, and despite being so broken, they’re learning to trust again.
About a month before our arrival, a little girl named Gianna was abandoned here by her grandparents, who were too old and sickly to care for a three-year-old toddler. She didn’t speak, barely ate, and reluctantly bathed or left her bed. I bonded with her instantaneously.
I know her agony. I know what it’s like to lose complete control of your life, including your own voice. It took me a month to gain her trust. I would sit with her every day, read stories to her. When I was playing with the other children, I would do my best to be near her, so she knew she could join in as well, but they frightened her, so I never pushed.
Then one day, she reached for me. Her little arms wrapped around my neck and wouldn’t let go. She was vibrating with the need to be held. To be loved.
Natale teases me about the orphanage being my addiction, and I usually laugh at him, but he’s not wrong. I love these children. They’re so kind and sweet and smart, and thanks to the Morello’s, they want for nothing.
Natale and his father are so different here. Darker, more intense. And I’ve realized it’s because this is their kingdom. Being in America provided a sanctuary, but here is where they reign.
I understood, almost immediately upon our arrival, that the Russian men were right; the Morello’s are mafia. How I didn’t pick that up at home is baffling, and when I asked Maria about it, she smiled indulgently and told me to accept it and not worry about a thing. It’s my trust and love for this family that allows me to do just that. They took me in when no one else wanted me, and because of them, I get to help Gianna and so many other children.
“Where is she?” Natale’s eyes search the common room for little Gia. I’ve talked about nothing but her for weeks on end, and he’s finally asked to meet her.
Spying the curtain move on the little house that Gia loves, I point over to her. “Watching us from her hideout.” I wiggle my fingers when sh
e peeks out again.
Natale heads over towards her, pulling out the violet floppy-eared rabbit he bought for her on the way here. Her eyes widen when he sits next to the small house and places the bunny in his lap. He completely ignores her hesitation and begins speaking to her like they’re old friends.
Maria has been teaching me the language, but it’s slow-going. Getting the translation correct is always confusing. So when I overhear bits of what he’s saying and Gia glancing between the both of us before tears begin to streak down her cheeks, I’m confused.
“Natale…” I whisper, uncertain that I understood him properly.
Gia’s head begins bouncing up and down before she tentatively crawls into his lap, accepting the purple bunny and laying her head on his chest. Eyes closed, thumb in her mouth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the young girl so content.
“What did you say to her?” I finally ask as I sit in front of them, stroking her dark curls between my fingers.
Gripping my chin, he pulls my face closer until we’re just a breath apart. “I asked her if she wanted to be our figlia.”
“Figlia, figlia, figlia.” I repeat the word until it hits me. “Daughter.” I gasp. He winks before capturing my lips.
My love for him grows daily, on insurmountable levels.
Epilogue Two
Natale
Six Years Later.
These past six years, Posy has been the center of my universe. The one who has given me more than I thought possible. She’s selfless, loving, and her heart is bigger than this world deserves.
My father was right. She was going to change the world. And in our little slice of it, she has.
Since taking over the family business, I’ve turned the feared Morello name into one called on when someone needs help. People no longer fear our family, in fact, because of Posy and Mamma, there are fewer children in the orphanage. That alone has helped on many levels.
Papà was unsure at first, until he saw how happy our three girls were. And when three turned to four and four turned to five, he was more than happy to have less animosity aimed at our family.
After we adopted Gia, Posy became pregnant with another little girl, then we adopted twin boys. Then she had twin boys again. And now, she has another little girl on the way.
Seven children in six years would be a lot for most, but our family is close-knit. We have more help than we’ll ever need. Gia and Posy are still as close now as the day Gia gave my wife her trust. They share a special bond that I don’t think could ever be broken.
“Natale?” my sleepy wife calls from the bed in a husky voice filled with her constant craving for me.
It’s early, and the house is quiet, so I slip in next to her. “Anything you desire.” I spend the next hour devouring her body, showing her without words how much I love and appreciate her and the pleasures she gives me.
“For every day until I die, I’ll never stop loving you.” I whisper the words in her ear as she dozes off again. Pregnancy wipes her out.
Staring down at the love of my life, I realize that Sicily, the villa, the Morello name, none of it matters without her.
Posy is my kingdom and the only one I’ll ever need.
The End!
Thank you for reading His Kingdom. The next book in the series is Her Empire by E.M. Shue. You can find a complete list of my books, along with series lists and reading orders on my website.
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Acknowledgments
Huge thank you to my girl E.M. Shue for your endless support and wanting to write in this world with me. I love you girl!
Thank you to all the girls in my Deviants group for encouraging me to write this book when inspiration struck, you guys rock!
Thank you to everyone who has grabbed, read and reviewed a book. You’re the best!
And as always to team, my PA’s Kaci and Brittney, you both rock hard core! My editor Kim, I couldn’t do this without you! Lindee, thank you for the amazing cover image!
About the Author
Hey, I'm Krystal. I write as USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn. I'm stoked you've grabbed one of my books and I really hope you enjoyed the story!
A little about me:
Perpetual romantic.
Coffee addict.
I speak sarcasm more often than not.
Gimme an action flick over a romance. But a romance book over action. I'm weird like that.
Did I mention coffee addict?
Closet shopaholic.
Beach lover.
Coffee addict, it bears repeating. Again.
Husband obsessed. Mine that is, you can keep yours.
Mom of 6, well 7 if you count the husband. Oh and 2 of those are a cat & dog.
I love to connect with my readers so feel free to find me on any and all social media platforms you use! I can’t promise to be sane, or not swear a lot, but I’ll be extra happy to hear from you!
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Also by KL Donn
Mafia Made
His Kingdom | Her Empire | His Jailbird
Task Force 779
Missing in Action | Explosive Encounter | Nowhere To Run
Neighbor Novels
Possessive Neighbor
Power of Vashchenko
Taking Emmaline
Uncontrolled Heroes
A Girl Worth Fighting For | The Girl Who was Meant to be Mine | Loving the Girl in the Tutu
Daniels Family
Until Arsen | With Kol | Embers Falling | Before Noah | Dreaming of California
Those Malcolm Boys
Obsessive Addiction | Accidental Obsession | Arrogantly Obsessed
Adair Empire
King | Luther | Castiel | Atticus | Carver | Grasping For Air
Timeless Love
Once Upon A Time | Happily Ever After
In His Arms Series
Safe, In His Arms | Bullied, In His Arms | Coached, In His Arms
Naughty Tales
Dirty | Treat Me | Snowed In | Cuffed
The Protectors Series
Keeley’s Fight | Emily’s Protectors | Kennedy’s Redemption
The Possessed Series
Owned | Consumed | Unrestrained | Grinched
The Hogan Brother’s
One Chance | One Choice | Unchained
Love Letters
Dear Killian | Dear Gage | Dear Maverick | Dear Desmond | Dear Lena | Dear Steele
Stand Alone Books
Holding Out For A Hero | Love Comes After | Saving Their Princess | London’s Calling | Cowboy Bodyguard | Holly’s Knight