by M. T. Ossler
I know, he ain’t fucking any of the whores, never has and never will. When we were in the service, he never fucked any of the bitches when we would go on leave either.
He’s apparently only had eyes for Sam all these years. He truly loves her, we all can see it. I wish I knew what was holding him back.
One of these days he’ll wise up, hopefully before it’s too late.
“I want the Castellani boys and Lorenzo to join us in Church. You four go with Beast. See you all in the meeting room in an hour.” He dismisses us with a wave of his hand.
“Maddox, my office, brother,” Gator yells over the crowd and gives me a look. The look says it’s time he fills Maddox in on the whole dirty story about Bella, Gigi, Jules, and Cesare. He deserves to know exactly what he’s walking into.
Plus, he should know after the way he took care of my girl, while I was gone and the bond they have built. I nod for him to go ahead, knowing it’s a long overdue and a needed conversation.
I take the girls, mom and the guys up to my apartment. Blaze follows us up too.
Torch and Dusty meet us there, and we get the girls settled before we have to leave them.
Sam follows Bella and me to the bedroom to check her pressure.
It’s higher than it was at the doctor's office, but that’s to be expected after what just went down in the bar.
When Sam’s done, I get Bella comfortable in bed, then allow her brothers, my mom, and Gigi to come in and join us in our room for a little bit of family time. We talk and reminisce until it’s time for the guys and me to head out for a while.
Bella decides to stay in bed and call her therapist for another session before taking a nap. She’s exhausted from all the excitement of the last few days.
I kiss her on the lips goodbye and leave her alone in our bed.
Gigi and mom join Jules, Sam, and Ces in the kitchen to help make dinner for everyone after Church. The prospects are in the living room, lounging on the couch watching The Flash on Netflix from my Apple TV.
We all head to the meeting room. The room is standing room only when we enter. Maddox, his men, and my brothers are all waiting for us to take our seats.
Throttle informs everyone of the new information that has come to light and the reason why Anton is here to get the girls himself.
Gator informs us that he has assigned four men, two from our Club and two from Maddox’s to trail Anton and his men. They will monitor them from a distance to make sure they stay far away from the Clubhouse compound and the girls.
They have tracked them down to Pierson. They rented half a dozen cabins at the Cabin in the Woods.
Which means they are only about 15 minutes from us, this is not ideal. They are extremely too close for my liking and by the look of it, Ace and Bella’s brothers are on the same page as me. We need to up our game.
Anton brought 50 men with him from all three organizations. He has 40 men from both the Hernandez and Mendez Cartel, ten of the Castellani’s foot soldiers and a couple from the security teams. Vito, the head of the Castellani’s security team, is here with him and apparently has become his second in command. That asshat is on my list too, I will get my claws into him eventually. He was there that night and could have helped my girl when he removed Gigi, but no he left her on her own, to be brutalized by that fuckin’ bastard.
This means it will be harder for us to get our hands on Anton. He has too many men around him. There are too many men on our turf to keep a close eye on, and they could get their hands on the girls.
That’s why Gator ordered the lockdown and called extra men to guard the girls and Cesare. All the men from the other Clubs should be here by tomorrow.
We’ve been laxed around here the last few weeks, still leaving the compound, even though we’ve been in groups, but now no more leaving unless it’s unavoidable. Only necessary trips and they have to be authorized by Gator, we will have to take a larger group of armed patched members, no prospects.
As much as I want to get to Anton, I won’t put myself in harm’s way, not when I can’t win the fight. Not yet at least, but soon I’ll find a way to get his ass. His reckoning day will come soon enough, and I will be his fuckin’ Judge and jury sentencing him for all his sins.
In the meantime, we need to gather more information and come up with a full proof plan to get close to him.
Val has been in contact with Ricco, and as far as he knows, Anton still doesn’t know where they are or if they are even alive. So for now, that’s our advantage, they’re safe here and will stay in hiding.
After Church, we all head back up to my apartment for family dinner. Tonight, it’s just the fifteen of us, not to overwhelm Bella and it gives her and Gigi some family time. Mom sent the prospects away with food to eat in the Clubhouse.
Ace, Blaze, Gator, Ryder, Lorenzo, Val, Romeo, Bash, Cesare, Sam, Jules, Gigi, mom, Bella, and I sit down at the table. Ryder is a new addition to our little family since Cesare arrived. The second their eyes met that day, I knew my brother had found his soulmate, and I for one, am extremely happy for him.
I always suspected my brother batted for the same team, but never felt the need to bring it up. In the four years that I have known him, I have never seen him with any women sexually. He stays away from the club whores and party girls.
He always took these mysterious trips once a month, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami, Orlando, or Jacksonville. My theory was he went on those trips to hide from us and find some tail. Him being who he is, never bothered me and nor will it ever. If our brothers have a problem with him, I will be the first one to stand up for him. He’s a good brother and loyal to our Club, that’s all that matters to me. Now, he’s part of our little family.
Uncle Dominic and dad had friends that were gay, and they taught us all not to judge others. I will never judge any man or woman for their sexual orientation, that’s their business, not mine. Maybe that’s why Ces and I get along better than him and Ace. My brother, Ace, is uncomfortable with him, and we can all see it. I’m not sure if it’s all jealousy or not, he’ll figure it out and get over himself soon, I just know it.
Our fest this evening is Baked Ziti, Sausage and peppers, meatballs and garlic bread. We are talking and laughing, mom is telling old embarrassing stories about when we were all kids.
The guys and I tell our own stories for my brothers. I tell stories about Bella and shock her at how much I remember about her growing up and how much I observed. I even enlighten mom and her brothers, about the many times I spied on Bella, in the ballroom at their home and our first kiss. Val, Lorenzo, Romeo, and Bash, of course, aren’t too happy with me because she was so young at the time. I don’t blame them, I never should have kissed her then, but I did, and I don’t regret it. That’s the main reason I watch Dusty like a hawk when he’s with Gigi. Stolen kisses are easy to take.
Val and Romeo inform me on the years I missed out on, with stories of their own about Bella, Gigi, and Jules. Hearing them talk about my girls brings a gigantic smile to my face. I know not all of what they are telling me was happy times for Bella, my girl was sad most of the time, but she put up a good front for her friends and family. Still, it’s good to hear their stories.
The food evaporates before our eyes into everyone’s bellies leaving not a scrap left. Time flies by with all the storytelling through the night.
Ace is becoming more comfortable with Ces, but now he has Romeo on the attack around him. If I didn’t know any better, I would say, Romeo always had a thing for Jules, and her being with Ace is rubbing him the wrong way. Ace being Ace has become possessive as fuck of Jules and hates the way Romeo looks at her.
I’m going to have to watch them. Val and I might be bad over Bella, but I have a feeling those two are going to come to blows very soon, worse than Val and I ever have or will.
My girls are finally genuinely happy having their brothers back, and it fills my heart with pure joy. Even after finding out Anton is in town
with his goons, today has turned out to be a good day.
Life is great right now, and I just hope I can keep it this way for a while. Better yet, if we are really lucky, forever.
Chapter 19
Bella
It’s been two weeks since all my brothers arrived here, at the Clubhouse with us. My brothers, Gio and the rest of the Club are still no closer to getting their hands on Anton. It’s been great having my brothers back, Gigi is so happy these days she barely leaves their sides. I can’t blame her because I’ve been the same way. Things have gone back to normal around the Clubhouse, somewhat. I still have my moments of not wanting to be touched, but they are far and few in-between with my family. My therapist, Joyce, comes here to the Clubhouse, once a week for my sessions, and I call her when I need her to help me work through my anxiety. Sam took me off my anti-anxiety meds, so my therapist and I are working on different strategies to aid me forward. Gio still goes to every session with me. I never have to ask him to go either, which is a relief in and of itself. I love that he just knows what I need from him and does it. He’s the best husband, lover and best friend I could have ever asked for in my life.
Val has been more accepting of Gio and my marriage, for the most part. It’s essentially like old times with the way they joke and rip on one another. I’m so happy my brothers are finally back and staying with us, but it’s going to be hard to have them leave us again. Especially for Gigi, she has been attached to them and is with them constantly. I don’t think she’s going to handle it well when the four of them leave us. I don’t know how well I’m going to react to it for that matter.
We don’t know how long they will be staying with us, so I’ve been enjoying the time we have together, because I know it will come to an end all too soon. I need to start to figure out with Joyce how to prepare Gigi and myself for another, step back in our lives.
They promised to visit us, especially when the babies are born if they are not here with us then.
I know once they get home, that the business will take over their lives. It’s going to kill a part of me not having them close. Except for these last few months, my brothers have been with us every day of our lives.
My brothers promise they would talk to us every day, it just won’t be the same. To me, it’s going to feel like losing them all over again. I’m sure Gigi will feel the same way.
Unless there is no business left to go home to, that is. I’ve heard the guys talking this week, they’re all worried he has ruined everything by joining forces with the Cartels.
They said once the Cartel is involved in the Family business, it’s hard to get them out. Especially, since Ricco isn’t stopping him from working with them. Ricco said if he did, it would bring attention to him, and he may figure out he knows more about the situation than he’s letting on.
In a way, I hope he has destroyed the business, and the guys can stay here with us for good. I’m sure they can fix it, though, but only time will tell, right!
Today, Gio and I are meeting with his friend Benny to see the final plans for our house. He and Gio have been working on them secretively for a couple of weeks. Gio wants to have everything done and move us in no later than the beginning of February. He wants us to be set up in our new home before the babies arrive. He also wants us to be able to spend our first Valentine’s Day together in our new home.
If we finalize things today, next week they will start to break ground. The area where the house will be built has already been cleared and is ready for them to start. I’m so thrilled about this new adventure in our lives and that my brothers are here to share it with us.
I find my sandals, to pair with my sundress, and I’m ready to head out to the kitchen. Everyone should be here already and sitting down to breakfast that Aunt Cindy prepared.
My hair is still wet from the shower Gio and I took together not too long ago. It will air dry soon, even up in the messy bun on my head.
When Gio finished dressing, I sent him out to greet our guest and give myself a few minutes alone to finish up.
God, thinking about our shower has me wanting him again. I do love shower sex with my man. Our shower is small here, and we both agreed our new shower will have a bigger one to accommodate both of us, along with a big Jacuzzi tub.
That’s about all he would discuss with me, he wanted the rest to be a surprise for today. I’ve been patiently waiting, or at least trying. My Gio has a talent for distracting me from thinking about anything but him, and with my hormones raging all the time, it’s not hard.
All he has to do is touch me, not even sexually these days, and I’m aroused. I forget everything. I’m not complaining, sex with my man is great, and it just seems to keep getting better and better every time.
I emerge from our room to a full house. They are all sitting at our large kitchen table, eating breakfast and engaging in conversation.
Gio holds out his hand for me to join him at the end of the table. I go straight to him, and he pulls me onto his lap. He starts feeding me eggs and bacon off his plate. Bacon has become my new favorite craving.
Val is on our left, my back is to him, and Ace is on our right. Our original 10-seater table just seems to be getting longer every time I enter this room. It warms my heart to have all our family in this small apartment with us.
Though, we are going to need a large dining room in our new home. I hope Gio anticipated this and made the proper adjustments to the house.
“What the fuck is that on your back, Princess?” Val growls, startling me. I have no clue what he’s going on about.
“What?” I ask, dumbfounded, wondering what he could possibly be asking me about. Maybe he doesn’t like my dress or something.
I continue eating, not bothering to be too concerned. I am starving this morning, and this has been a good morning for me, so far no nausea. Go me, these mornings are few and far in-between lately.
“That’s a tattoo, a big fucking tattoo on your back!” he growls loudly again.
Oh shit, I forgot to leave my hair down to cover it. For the last two weeks, I’ve been in one of Gio’s shirts and yoga shorts. My tummy is starting to pop out, like a basketball, and my tops are too tight and uncomfortable.
Today, I decided to wear one of my baby doll sundresses because we are meeting Gio’s friend and walking down to the lake. I wanted to look nice and presentable in my own wardrobe.
I turn on Gio’s lap to face my brother and stare him dead in the eyes.
“It’s my property patch because I’m Gio’s. What does it matter if I have a tattoo, it’s my body.” I answer and continue to eat, not too concerned with his opinion.
I’m feeling really good this morning and craving only this bacon. The only thing that would make it better would be chocolate. I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts because all good things come to an end.
“She has other ones too,” Gigi spits out giggling.
“She’s had them for a long time.” I swallow a piece of bacon that Gio just fed me and almost choke on it. He pats my back, and I drink some water to wash it down.
All four of my brother’s growl at the same time and glare at me with displeased faces.
God knows I love my sister, but right now, I want to kill her. She was supposed to keep her mouth shut, how could she do this to me.
The day she found out about them was my 23rd birthday. That was also the same day Gio found out about them and saw them for the first time.
“How the fuck is it possible you have other tattoos, and we never knew about them?” Romeo asks fuming, wondering how I hid them and kept them a secret all these years.
Well, I guess the cats out of the bag now, and I might as well spill.
I look at Gio, and he nods his head for me to tell them. I take a deep breath and give them the short story.
“I had Luigi take me on my 18th birthday. I have three others.” I shrug my shoulders and grab another piece of bacon to eat.
&n
bsp; “Luigi is so getting his ass beat when we get home if he’s not already dead,” Bash says, and I laugh. I can’t help it; they are acting ridiculous about this. It’s no big deal.
Gio places his hand on my growing belly while my brothers gawk at me like I just committed the worst crime in the world.
This is Gio’s new and favorite thing to do, always having a hand on my belly. The way I’m sitting on one of his legs, with my legs in-between his, it’s easy for him to do. Today you can really see how much I have popped. I look like I’m carrying an actual basketball low, that’s how big my belly is now.
“Bella, honey, stand up for me.” Aunt Cindy says from the other end of the table, changing the subject. Why is she asking me to stand up?
“Why do you want me to stand, Aunt Cindy?” I ask becoming shy all of a sudden, and she gives me a look.
“Bella, how about we start with you not calling me that anymore, considering you’re married to my son and carrying my grandbabies. You need to call me mom now, honey,” she says, raising her hands for me to stand.
Gio helps me off his lap, and I flatten out my dress to show off my puffy belly. I place one hand above my bump, under my breast and the other under it. I step to the side so they can see. My belly isn’t that big, but you can definitely see it since it was flat before. I’m 10 weeks now, our babies are growing fast. I’ve also been covering up, wearing Gio’s big shirts, so only he and I have seen how big I have gotten.
I’m going to be as big as a house by six months at this rate. I think I’m fat now, but Gio tells me every day, many times a day, how beautiful I am and how I glow.
“I know I’ve gained weight, I’ll be the size of a house soon.” Gio places his big hand over my belly, covering it and with his left hand, and pulls me to sit back on his lap. I release my hands from my dress and wrap my arms around his neck.
“You are not going to be the size of a house. You look more gorgeous today than you did yesterday. The more you grow to accommodate my babies. The more your beauty will enhance just like it did since you were a young girl. You, mia bella Principessa, are the most stunning woman I have ever laid eyes on. Ti amo, mio angelo.” Gio kisses me on the lips, and I have tears falling from my eyes.