Nico reached in his jacket pocket and brought out a paper bag.
“These are our new passports,” he informed me.
I looked in the bag and took out the fresh documents. He’d used an old passport photo of mine and created a new ID. Kenni Ferguson. I was going to lose my name. The good, strong name my parents had chosen for me.
“Will we be able to give our child your last name? Will it ever be a Rossi?” I asked and Nico sighed.
“Not unless my father clears our name here. If we can ever return to America, we will have to use these names. Our kid will have to be a Ricci,” he told me.
I placed a hand on his heart.
“Nicholas,” I said and smiled.
“You can still call me Nico,” he told me and kissed my forehead.
“So, we have one night in Seattle,” I reached for his hand and started slowly leading him away to our bedroom. “How do you want to spend it?”
Nico followed me with a darkened serious look on his face.
“We can do whatever you want to do,” he said and I smiled as we stepped into our bedroom.
“I want to sleep in our bed together one last time,” I replied.
I let go of his hand so I could slip out of the dress I was wearing. This was how I wanted to remember Seattle. Nico and me, naked and together.
Nico watched me as I undressed myself.
“Are you waiting for something?” I asked and he smiled.
“I’m just looking at you and admiring how beautiful you are,” he said.
I liked undressing as he watched me. That was when I felt most beautiful. My dress came off and then my lingerie. Nico took a step towards me so he could place a hand on my belly.
He crouched down on the carpet, his face was at level with my bump.
“Your mommy and daddy are going to take care of you, baby,” he said and then kissed my belly.
I giggled and fell back on the bed, stretching my legs apart invitingly for him.
Nico stood at the edge of the bed watching me. I could see his cock growing in his pants. It was crazy how desperately we still wanted each other. I would never stop wanting Nico. I knew that already.
I played with the pillows, clutching the bedsheets and swirling it around. Nico stood there watching me as my hair became tousled and my body writhed. I rolled my hips, while my pussy throbbed and ached between my legs.
“Don’t keep me waiting, Nico,” I whispered and I licked my fingertips before bringing them to my pebbled nipples. When I touched my nipples, I gasped and thrust my hips up to invite him.
Nico remained standing, enjoying how desperate he was making me by keeping me waiting. I pinched my nipples and tugged at them. The pregnancy had swollen up my breasts and made my nipples extra sensitive. I was hungry for Nico’s mouth on them.
Slowly, he started undressing himself too now. I continued to rub and play with my breasts while I watched him. His beautiful chiseled body being revealed to me. One by one, each article of his clothing fell to the floor. He was the only one who could tame me.
His dark hair thick and falling boyishly on his face. His deep gray eyes piercing my soul as he watched me. His shoulders were wide, like his chest…his abs like sculpted marble and a strong firm stomach. His jeans fell off and I saw his thick muscular thighs, his big cock hanging between those legs.
I must have done something right to deserve this man. To go to sleep every night with this perfect human. He slid himself over the bed so that he was positioned over me now.
He hadn’t touched me yet and I arched my back, trying to reach him. Just to get one soft kiss. Nico angled himself away from me, smiling mischievously as I purred.
“Kennedy, I want you to know that you’ve changed my life. You’ve probably even saved my life,” he said and placed his large hands on my forehead. My eyes flitted over his handsome face. I was still thinking about how lucky I was…how precious our baby was going to be.
I gulped and tried to smile. How could I even begin to explain to him how he’d saved me too?
“I love you, Nico. I can’t wait to begin this new life with you,” I said.
Then he kissed me. I felt his tongue pry my lips apart and slide in. He was sucking me up, devouring me and I pressed myself to him. His chest brushed roughly against my sensitive nipples and I quaked underneath him.
My nails were digging into his back as he kissed me, roughly at first and then softly.
We parted several minutes later and I was panting.
“I need you inside me, Nico,” I whispered and I felt his hand travel down to the spot between my legs.
***
He was stroking my pussy while he remained on top of me. I could feel his full weight, the strength of him, and I bit down on my lip. I kissed his neck, holding on to his shoulders while his cock rubbed against my thighs.
We were looking into each other’s eyes while he pleasured me. I could feel the wetness spreading. My clit was swollen and he stroked me, his fingers slipping in and out of my pussy.
Nico kissed me again. This time the kiss was soft and tender, I was in a daze and I was losing track of time. We could have been kissing for hours for all I knew!
He reached for my hands and slowly started stretching my arms up over my head. I was stretched out under him, completely at his disposal. He was being careful to not put any pressure on my belly while he moved against me.
I could feel every muscle and movement, I felt engulfed underneath him and it was the sweetest feeling. I was safe. I knew that nothing could happen to me or the baby as long as I was underneath him. That was exactly where I wanted to stay.
Nico entered me smoothly and I sighed. My pussy was already swollen and wet for his cock and he fit tightly inside me. Our fingers weaved together while he kept my arms stretched up.
I began to pant and moan while he slid in and out of me.
“You’re so beautiful, Kennedy, the most gorgeous creature I’ve seen,” he murmured as he made love to me.
This was our home, this was where we’d built a life together and we were going to give it all up.
While Nico moved inside me, I could feel tears brimming in my eyes. He gulped and a darkness covered his face. He hated seeing me cry. His thrusts became wilder and harder.
“I’m going to fix this, Kennedy. I’m going to keep you safe,” he growled as he started pounding his cock into me. I writhed underneath him, rolling my hips and arching my back to meet him. I could feel his length inside me, filling me up.
Nico clenched his jaws as he searched my face. I was trying not to cry, but even as we made love, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything we were going to leave behind.
I hadn’t seen my parents in several weeks. They’d been so excited about the baby. I would never get to say goodbye to my other friends…I might never see Ava again.
One single tear rolled down my cheek and Nico thrust harder into me.
“Kennedy…please…” he murmured and I shook my head.
“Please don’t stop Nico. I’m happy when you’re inside me,” I cried and I could feel my body hurtling towards an orgasm. My mind was elsewhere but my body was pinned down under Nico. This felt good and I was sad at the same time. It was a strange feeling.
He kissed me again, deeply pushing his tongue inside my mouth. I tried to zone myself out and focus on how my body was feeling. It felt good. I could feel his cock sliding in and out of me, his hands squeezing and pinning down mine. I gave myself up to him and allowed the orgasm to build up.
I pulled my mouth away from his kiss so I could moan aloud. I was coming with force and the tears were gushing down my cheeks at the same time.
Nico was coming too. He released my hands and fell down on me, covering me with himself. His thrusts were hard and quick and we were coming together. I wrapped my legs around his waist, enjoying the heaviness of him…how it felt when he filled me up with his seed.
I buried my face in his shoulder as I came and for those fe
w moments while he was still inside me…I forgot about the rest.
Nico pulled his cock out of me and rolled over, collapsing down on the bed beside me. We were both short of breath. Staring up at the ceiling in the darkened room.
“I’m sorry, Kennedy, for putting you through this,” I heard him say. I turned my face to look at him and then wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“I’m happy, Nico. I’m happy about our future. It’s going to be an adventure and we’re going to have a little baby with us,” I replied.
He weaved his fingers in my hair, gently beginning to massage my scalp. It was always so relaxing when he did that. Nico knew exactly what to do to calm me down. In a way that nobody else did, not even Ava.
“I’m going to make this better. I promise you, Kennedy. I know our lives in Italy will be nothing like Seattle…” he was saying and I placed a finger on his lips to stop him.
“Nico, please stop. Stop feeling guilty and stop beating yourself up about it. We will figure this out together. I’m sorry I cried. I didn’t mean to. I don’t want you to feel like you have to give up your life just trying to make it up to me,” I said.
He pulled me into his arms and we held each other as tightly as we could.
“I love you, Kennedy Anderson…soon to be Kenni Ferguson,” he said and I laughed.
“I guess it has a ring to it,” I said and finally, a soft smile grazed Nico’s downcast lips.
“We’ll be the same, just with new names,” he said and I nodded my head.
“Of course. Nothing’s going to change us,” I added and we kissed again.
“You should get some sleep, beautiful, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,” I heard him whisper in the dark.
Chapter 24
Nico
I didn’t sleep the rest of the night. Under the circumstances, there was no way I could rest. Knowing that there might be people out there who were keeping a watch on the apartment! I didn’t want to give them any opportunity to catch me by surprise.
My phone was blowing up with messages and calls from my dad. I had it on silent so that they didn’t disturb Kennedy’s sleep. According to his texts, he wanted to speak with me. He said he wanted to listen to the plan I’d suggested. He even went so far as to say that he didn’t want to lose his son. He wanted to be a part of his grandchild’s life.
It was too late now.
I needed to get Kennedy out of the country before I could even think of solving the mess we were in. I hadn’t decided yet if I wanted to help my father get out of the problems he’d created for himself. Even if I did, I would have to do it remotely. There was no way I was putting my woman and my child’s life at risk in the meantime.
At three in the morning, I looked through all the windows to make sure there was no surveillance on us. Then I spent the next half hour packing. I didn’t bother with much of my own stuff. Instead, I filled up two bags with things I thought Kennedy might need and stuff she’d bought for the baby.
Then, tiptoeing over to her bedside, I kissed her cheek to wake her.
Kennedy moved and purred. She’d had trouble falling asleep herself, but I held her and spoke to her till she finally drifted away. She needed at least five hours of rest if we were going to make this journey. I was going to keep her healthy and strong, at least for the sake of our child.
“What’s going on?” she whispered, rubbing her eyes sleepily. I’d kept all the lights off in the apartment.
“I’ve packed two bags for us, all you have to do is change and we’ll be ready to go,” I said to her.
She looked over at the clock on her bed-side.
“It’s not even four!” she exclaimed and slowly sat up.
“I know, which is why we should leave now. I’ll drive to the airport. I’ve booked us tickets,” I said and stroked her back.
Kennedy gulped and shook her head.
“When you said morning, I thought in the day. I have to call my parents, I have to see Ava again before we leave,” she argued.
It hurt me to put her through this. I knew she was trying to be brave for my sake, but inside, she was still hurting. In one day, less than twenty-four hours; her whole life and the world she knew was turned upside down.
“Kennedy, you can’t. We can’t risk you seeing Ava again. We have to leave now,” I insisted and crouched down on the floor beside her.
“What about my parents? I need to call them. They’ll be so worried if I just disappear!” she exclaimed and her face was pinched with worry.
“You should text your parents on the way to the airport. Tell them you’re going into witness protection and that you’ll get in touch with them when the coast is clear. After that, we destroy our phones before we get to the airport,” I told her. I’d decided on this plan some time ago. I just never thought I’d be putting it into action.
Kennedy seemed horrified as she listened to me.
“Witness protection? When will I see them again?” she asked.
I helped her out of the bed. I needed her to hurry.
“Can I text Ava too? What if my parents contact the police? Do you think Ava will be safe?” she was full of questions as I pushed her gently towards the bathroom.
“Kennedy, listen to me, calm down,” I grabbed her shoulders and peered into her eyes. “Are you listening to me?”
She nodded her head.
“Give me some time and I’ll fix this. I promise you, we’ll visit Seattle for Christmas next year. You have my word on that. You’re not going to live your life without seeing your family and friends again. Our baby will not grow up clueless about its grandparents,” I tried to be as firm as possible. I was making her a promise that I didn’t know if I could keep. All I knew was that I would try my best to fulfill it.
I would just have to find a way to fix the problem. It was decided. I was going to have to help my father.
My words seemed to relieve Kennedy a little. She nodded her head and then went into the bathroom.
I waited for her at the door and she emerged a few moments later. She’d already changed into the clothes she was wearing the previous day. Other than washing her face, brushing and running her fingers through her long red hair—she’d not wasted time on anything else.
“I’m ready to leave,” she said in a meek voice. I watched her as she placed a hand on her belly protectively. I knew what she was thinking. That if she stepped out of the apartment—she was exposing herself to a host of dangers.
Until we got to Rome, we wouldn’t really be safe.
I grabbed her hand and picked up the bags from the floor. The next few hours were going to be crucial. It would be a test of our strength and our relationship, but I was optimistic that we would get through it.
Then our life in Italy could start afresh.
We left the apartment and on our way down the stairs, Kennedy stopped to look back up.
“Goodbye Seattle,” she said, to nobody or nothing in particular. I could feel my heart breaking. I didn’t know if she would ever be happy again.
Epilogue
Kennedy
Five Months Later
I was holding our baby girl in my arms. After twelve hours of painful labor, I had finally delivered a beautiful healthy child. Avery Martina. I stared into her face. She had her father’s dark hair, they were soft little curls on her head now. Her eyes on the other hand, were exactly like mine…green and wide.
She was a smiling baby. In the past three hours that she was born, she’d cried very little. I could sense that she was going to be a happy cheerful child.
Nico had left the hospital room. He’d gone to make a phone call and I was alone with Avery. He’d spent every moment by my side, refusing to go anywhere. Even though I didn’t have anybody else I knew around me, Nico was enough.
The past five months in Rome had been turbulent but we’d found our moments of happiness. I was clueless in Italy, but thankfully, Nico spoke the language and had distant relations who were willing to help
us out.
We’d made our escape out of America quietly, without any incidents. Now, it was time for us to build a home and a life here from scratch.
As the days went by, I fell more and more in love with Rome. It was a beautiful city steeped in history and culture. It was Nico’s culture, and somehow here, I felt more connected with him. I was immersing myself in a new world and a new language and it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.
I cradled Avery in my arms as she giggled blissfully at me.
“You’re going to be fluent in Italian, just like your handsome daddy,” I cooed to her and she giggled some more.
I’d watched Nico these past months, trying hard and working all hours of the day to provide a comfortable life for us. We’d left America with some money, but not enough to live luxuriously here. However, Nico was determined and I was certain that if he set his mind to it—he would be a success.
He’d started working with his cousin in their car dealership business, but Nico didn’t want any favors. He was determined to put in the effort and the hours. He’d already decided that he was going to save enough money to start his own construction business soon. This time, it was going to be fully legitimate and free of any mob violence.
I believed he would. He just needed some time.
Avery giggled again, bursting through my thoughts and I bopped her little button nose tenderly.
I had never felt this happy or content before, than having my baby in my arms. Avery had changed everything and I knew Nico felt it too. I’d seen it in his eyes. Now more than ever, he was going to work his hardest to make sure that Avery had a comfortable life.
The only element of sadness in all of this was that my parents and friends hadn’t seen Avery. The situation was a little better back in Seattle, nonetheless, Nico didn’t want to risk it.
He was working with his father now, only on an advisory level, to help sort out the business. According to Nico, his father had turned a new leaf. Nico’s departure from the family business had challenged him and somehow made him see reason. He was calling truce with his worst enemies, paying his debts and going straight.
Girth (Marked Skulls MC Book 1) Page 47