by Anne Mercier
“Baby, stop. It's great. I swear. Like I said, yeah, ideally I'd have liked to have had more time with me and you, but we've got babies in there. Mini-us's.“ I kiss her abdomen. “What do you think: boys or girls and how many of each?“
“I have no idea. No guess. I think one of them for sure is a girl though. When I was talking to my Aunt Lily—“
“Who?“
“My Aunt Lily. Sera's mom.“
“Um, Luce, isn't she dead?“ I ask carefully.
“Yeah. I know this is going to sound off the wall, but when I was unconscious out here, I was in what seemed like a tunnel but it wasn't. It was like never-ending open space. It was dark and all I could see was this bright light one way and a red light the other way. I was afraid, you know? Lost and not sure where to go so I headed toward the light thinking I'd find my way out of this tunnel when I heard a voice tell me I was going the wrong way. It was Sera's mom.“
“Huh,“ is all I say. That's fucking weird. It's something I've heard people talk about before and I never really gave it much thought one way or the other but now that it happened to Luce, I'm sure it's true.
“Anyway, we were talking a lot. She mentioned a girl and said something that implied multiple babies. I assumed twins, not triplets. To say I was more than a little shocked when I heard you and Xander talking about it, well… yeah,“ she shakes her head and yawns.
“We should get some sleep, babe. We've got a busy couple of days ahead.“
“Let's watch a movie,“ she hedges, even though we both know she won't last ten minutes.
“Alright. Let's see what they've got. How about this one? Action flick and with those two starring you know you'll get your romance fix. It's win-win for us,“ I tell her.
“That works out perfectly.“
“Cool.“ I snuggle under the blankets with her and she curls into my side, her head resting on my shoulder. Sure enough, not even ten minutes later, she's snuffle snoring. On top of all the damn trauma she's been through lately, I think, massaging the fingers on her casted hand, she's got three lives growing in there. Three miracles. I swallow. Hard. I don't know shit about being a dad but I know I want to do my best for them. I want them to have everything they need and I don't mean monetarily. I want them to have all the love and support and understanding that pretty much none of us guys had growing up. I want our babies to grow up seeing their parents in love so they know how it's supposed to be. What Lucy and I have is that kind of love. As she calls it, the happily-ever-after love.
I never want our kids to feel neglected, unloved, unsupported, or have any doubts about themselves or our love for them. I just hope I can give that to them. With Lucy as my wife, I'm pretty sure that's guaranteed. There's nothing we can't get through together. There's nothing we can't do when we've got each other.
I turn the TV off and kiss Lucy's forehead. I'm exhausted. I haven't slept worth shit with Lucy in the hospital. Hospital chairs are only so comfortable and I wasn't leaving her for anything.
I yawn and tuck Lucy closer into my side. We'll be heading home tomorrow or the next day. Security will be crazy from the hotel to the airport, on the plane, then again in the airport to the house but Lucy and I want to fly commercial. It's just us two. The rest are flying private even though a few of them complained they wanted to go with us.
It was Lucy's idea and I understand it, as risky as it is. She's got a statement she wants to make to not only the Manzinis, but the press and fans as well. We're solid. We aren't going to cower. We got this.
She knows I'll support any decision, within reason, and this one falls into that category. Besides, we've got Giovanni Russo's protection surrounding us. I honestly can't imagine anyone fucking with that again. He's already “taken out“ some of the threats and has plans for more.
Yeah, that shit's not scary at all.
“JESSE,“ LUCY PRODS.
“Hmm?“ I murmur, my eyes still closed. She sighs. “What's wrong, babe?“
“I want sex.“
My eyes open and I smirk.
“Yeah?“
“Yeah. But the doctor said no strenuous activity and when we go at it, it's always strenuous, if you know what I mean.“
I can hear the laughter in her voice.
“Oh yeah, I know what you mean. But,“ I begin as my dick starts getting hard, “we just had non-strenuous sex the day after you broke your hand, remember?“
“Mmm, I remember.“ Her tone is sultry and sexy and my cock twitches.
“I just want you, like right now.“
“Hmm. Let's see,“ I tell her and roll to my side, sliding my hand between her legs. I slide my fingers along her slit and she moans. “Fuck, you're already wet.“
“I told you. I'm horny all the time now, Jesse. I think it's the hormones.“
“Babe, I hate to tell you but you were horny all the time before the babies.“
“True, but this is like gotta-have-it-right-now-make-me-come feelings.“
“I'll see what I can do,“ I tell her with a chuckle as I crawl down between her thighs. I pull her pussy lips back and blow. She moans. I smirk again. She's really worked up. Hell, I wonder if I could get her off just with a few flicks of my tongue.
I use just the tip of my tongue and run it up her inner folds. I close my eyes and savor the tangy taste of my wife's pussy. Never have I ever wanted to feast on a woman's pussy until I met Lucy. Never. It was something I could take or leave, but with Lucy it's something I crave.
“Mmm, you taste good, babe.“
“Unh,“ she murmurs and I chuckle.
“Not funny, Jesse. I'm so hot and worked up I feel like I could explode.“
“I'll take care of you. Just relax.“
Her hands grab the sheets tight. That is not relaxing. But, maybe if I get her to come, she'll calm down a bit.
I work her clit with the flat of my tongue, then draw random patterns with the tip of my tongue. When I go to slip a finger into her, she's drenched and my cock aches. Literally aches. It's weeping with precum but I'm not going to take her. Not yet.
I thrust my finger in a little further and feel her pussy clamp down like a vise.
“Fuck, Luce.“
“I told you!“
“Alright baby.“ I slip another finger inside her and curve them up to hit the spot she loves so much, then I lick her clit without mercy. My fingers rubbing her inside while my tongue rubs her outside for mere minutes brings Lucy to a shuddering climax.
“Holy fuck, that's so god damn sexy.“
“Keep doing that with your fingers. Oh God, yes. Tongue, Jesse,“ she demands and I laugh just before I oblige her.
My flicking and licking, finger-fucking her pussy she doesn't move but let's me get her there and shit, she's hovering on the brink again. When she comes this time, I suck her clit hard, easing up the pressure as her climax eases off.
“Oh yes, yes, Jesse. That was perfect. Mmm,“ she murmurs under her breath.
I continue to finger her pussy, then ask the question that's been plaguing me.
“So, Luce.“
Her “hmm?“ is more of a moan than a question.
“Are you serious about a threesome with Xander?“
She stiffens a bit. “I considered it at the time because the thought of that is pretty damn hot, but I don't think I could do it for a number of reasons.“
“What are they?“ Please don't tell me you love him. Please don't.
“First off, he's my best friend and I don't want to ruin that. Yeah, he's hot and he's sexy and he's probably hot in bed, but his friendship means more to me than finding out if that's true or not.“
I grunt my agreement as I suck on her inner thigh.
“Second, I just can't see you being comfortable sharing me. If I put myself in your shoes, imagining another woman in bed with us, friend or not, I'd have to kill her. You're mine, your body is mine, and I want only me to love on it for the rest of my life. That's how I feel about you with my body, t
oo,. I want only you,“ she whimpers as I climb up her body and suck on her nipple.
“Do you have feelings for him?“ I ask. Glutton for punishment? Yeah, likely.
“Not like that. Not really. I mean, I do love him, but I'm in love with you. If you were never in my life and I'd just met Xander on the street, we might have a chance, but with you in my life, it's only ever you.“
“I'm really liking your answers, Lucy. You're about to get your reward,“ I tell her before kissing her lips. I slowly push my cock inside her.
“Jesus. So wet and hot. Your pussy is like the sweetest place on earth, baby.“
“Mmm,“ she moans and lifts her arms around my neck.
“No moving.“
She shakes her head.
I slip my tongue inside her mouth, then retreat, thrusting my hips to the same tempo as my tongue.
I lift my hips, then tilt downward and she moans out an “Oh Jesse“ that has me nearly losing control.
“Do you like that, baby? My cock sliding along your clit?“
“Yes, God. It feels so good. Keep doing that, and, oh, deeper. Yes, just like that.“
I love how vocal she's become, how comfortable she is while we fuck and make love. It's a huge turn on and son of a bitch if I don't feel myself getting close to coming. Where's my control? Shit. She feels so damn good, so good.
“Baby, I'm going to come. I want you to come with me.“
I sit up and kneel in front of her, slip her thighs over my forearms and brace my hands on the bed, then let loose.
I lift and swivel and thrust like a mad man. I can't stop myself. It's too good and I want my wife to come long and hard as I'm pumping my cum into her. Fuck.
“Fuuuuck, Lucy,“ I moan when I feel her pussy clamping around my cock.
“Jesse,“ she whisper screams and I want to laugh but I can only moan. “Faster. Yes! I'm going to come, baby.“
It's her endearment that snaps my control. I thrust hard, so hard I know she's going to have a headache afterward and I hate that I've lost it like this, but it feels so incredible and when her pussy convulses and she blows out a breathy sigh and moans, her pussy getting hotter around my cock, I thrust hard and deep and let go. I come so hard, spurt after spurt pouring out of my cock into her spasming pussy. I come and come and come and I lean in and ravage her mouth when she starts coming again.
I love when my wife has multiples. Jesus. Her pussy continues to milk my cock and I swear on all that is holy that I have never come so long in my entire life. I'm light-headed and my legs are shaking when Lucy's body relaxes. I fall down on her, a bit to the side so I don't squish the mini-us's in there, my cock still buried inside her, enjoying the occasional aftershocks that flow through her body to mine and mine to hers.
When I hear her snuffle-snores, I look up at her with a grin. My woman is sated. Nothing pleases me more than knowing I can give her that. I lift myself from the bed and pad to the bathroom, washing up. I wet a washcloth and make my way to clean up Lucy.
I look down at her gorgeous body, that beautiful face, I have to admit I'm glad she doesn't want the threesome with Xander. I'd have done it with her and for her and it might have bothered me, but I think her happiness would have outweighed that. But the truth is, she's mine. Every inch of her is mine and I don't want anyone else touching her like that ever again.
I slip into bed beside her and she immediately curls into me, murmuring my name in her sleep.
Mine.
“I got ninety-nine problems, but a bitch ain’t one.“
—JAY-Z
I STRETCH AWAKE languidly, my body relaxed, a soft ache between my thighs reminding me of the amazing sex I had in the middle of the night with the sexiness that is my husband, Jesse Kingston. I reach over for him and he's not there. I pout. I wanted some good morning snuggles. I look around the hotel room and sigh.
I'm truly lucky. I know it and I try very hard not to take it for granted. I don't know what's happened in the last six months to give me such a charmed life, and it is charmed, but I'm not going to question it—well, not too much anyway. I'm happy. Finally happy and content—then I remember. I'm not completely happy. Not with my sister or my parents. I understand my grandpa keeping things from me. I mean, he's a mob boss for fuck's sake. He doesn't answer to anyone but himself. I can also understand Damian's secrets. He has reasons, being the one who protects and kills people for my grandpa. If I'd known who he was and what he did, likely I'd have made his life a bit of hell. Okay, a lot of hell. I really hate when my grandpa interferes. Then again, knowing what I know now, I may have been cooperative.
I sigh again. Oh who am I kidding? I wouldn't have been cooperative. When have I ever been cooperative when mafia bullshit interfered in my life unless I saw the threat directly… like now.
I wish Cage had been honest with me. That betrayal stings more than I'd like to admit, but I know Cage. He doesn't apologize for his actions to anyone. Like my grandpa, Cage's position, though one-step lower than gampy's, requires him to accept no questions from anyone. You question him, you may as well take a knife and cut out your own tongue. This is why I'm surprised because so many times I've been disrespectful to Cage. I mean I stole his employees.
I pause. Oh man. I wonder about Celeste, Spenser, Carmen, and Simone now. Oh boy. I'll have to ask how they're doing. I'm sure going a little stir crazy. They were sent back to Los Angeles and are now under strict instructions to stay at Casa Falling Down and not to leave without security.
Six days. It's been since the attack. Yep, that's what I've started calling it. The attack. Attack of the razor-edged ice ball.
I lay back on the pillows and close my eyes trying to recall the night of the concert.
I can see myself and Mike clear as day as we walk across the lot to the back entrance. I see the fans behind the barricades, security workers, flashes going off. I'd waved and gave a small smile as I do when there's a crowd. It's rude not to acknowledge them, even if some of them were chanting “Whore Kingston“.
I see the door opening and then something stops me. What was it? What, what, what. I breathe deeply as I do when I'm meditating, hoping the calm will trigger something. Anything.
Mike opens the door and holds it for me. I turn and give a wave and a small smile, surprised at the number of fans out here. I take a sip of my ginger ale and just as we're about to head in, someone calls my name. No, not my name. Luciana Antonia Russo. Not Kingston—Russo. The shock of that had me turning to see who said it? Was it someone I knew? I mean, that's pretty familiar calling me that. Did they not know I was married? Or did they just prefer Russo instead of Kingston?
Brow furrowed I searched, turning my body, taking a step out the door, Mike at my side. He asks what's going on but I don't answer because before I know it, something hits me hard. Pain engulfs my head and my glass of soda falls to the ground. I remember hearing it shatter. I remember feeling sharp pain shoot up my broken hand as I fell on it, then shards of glass embedding into my uninjured hand as I shifted my weight before falling onto my side.
The feel of blood, thick and hot; the coppery smell of it as I lay there, my eyes searching the crowd. Wondering who would do this, why? Then I see him. I can only see through a pinpoint as the darkness starts closing in but it's enough time to see him standing there smug, grinning. That is, until he sees me focused on him. Then he frowns as I narrow my gaze at him, knowing I'm essentially giving myself away as well as calling him out, but I'm a fucking Russo after all. We don't back down and I know this isn't random. I recognize Sera's cousin, Emilio, with his short blonde hair sticking up in spikes, tattoos covering the arms that are bared with the short-short sleeved black Falling Down tee he's wearing. He's got piercings now as well and he's also got a gun tucked into the waistband of his jeans.
I wink and smirk at him.
He's reaching for his gun just as I lose consciousness.
I sit up with a gasp.
“Lucy?“ I hear Sera ask. I look over a
nd she's standing beside the bed.
“I saw it. I remember it. Can you get them?“ I ask her. She nods and leaves the room. Jesse comes rushing in.
“Baby, are you alright?“ he asks, pulling me close.
I nod. “Yeah. Yeah.“ I'm breathless. I didn't realize I was breathless. I'm also shaking.
“He's going to kill me because I saw him,“ I whisper.
“Who?“ Gampy asks.
I remember it all. I replay what happened as Jesse cradles me to his chest, soothing me as his hand rubs my back.
“Who was it?“ Cage asks this time.
“Emilio Manzini.“
Gampy nods and sends Cage and Damian a knowing look. Sera gasps and I press my lips together so I don't burst into tears or curse like a sailor.
“We used to play with him as children!“ Sera bites out.
I nod. “I don't know what stopped him from shooting me, but he had his gun ready and he knows how to get away with shooting someone in public.“
“Motherfucker,“ Damian curses.
“This presents a problem, no?“ my dad asks.
“No, it does not,“ Gampy tells him. “We knew who they sent. It's no matter that he's their childhood friend. No one hurts a Russo.“ He looks to Sera. “You are a Russo, not a Manzini just as you are Regina. You are all under my protection and I will not tolerate this.“
“He meant to kill me with that ice ball. You saw where it hit. I'm not sure why he missed. He never misses,“ I comment.
Sera nods, sits on the bed next to me and holds my hand. I allow it because in spite of the secrets and feelings of betrayal, she's my sister and what's going on now is a bigger betrayal than anyone could have imagined.
“What are you going to do?“ mama asks.
“You know what needs to be done,“ Gampy tells her and she nods once.
“Why Lucy? Why not me?“ Sera asks. “The threats were toward me for how long, and now they turn it on Luce? Something's going on there.“