Dark Love (The Two Sides of Me Book 3)

by Garcia, Amy

When we arrive at Dominus it’s dark and snowing and cold as hell. I’m grateful to have a driver that drops us off at the front door instead of walking from the parking lot. There are only five steps to take through the weather and I’m wrapped in Evan’s warm embrace, where I would never know that it is February in Seattle. Inside, we are greeted by the always perky and perfectly dressed hostess with the mostess. Evan acknowledges her presence but breezes past her into the main dining room and up the curving staircase in the center guiding me with his hand at the small of my back.

  The heat from his hand spreads through my body and as always, it stirs the simmering passion brewing just below the surface, waiting to boil over. A time and place, Mia, and this is neither the time nor the place, hormones geesh! All eyes in the place are on us, well Evan probably, the women drooling with forks and drinks paused half way to their mouths and the men with either envy or irritation that he has stolen their dates’ attention.

  Evan is oblivious of his effects though, or that’s how he lets on, just striding along paying all of his attention to me and I fucking love it. We haven’t had much public exposure, I’ve not had to share him with anyone or anything while he’s been sick and recovering but all that is going to change. I’m going to have to learn to be separated from him when he goes back to work full time here at Dominus and when he travels to check on other locations.

  “You are very beautiful tonight. I want you to know that, all right?”

  “Ok…everything ok?” We stop in the hall outside the door to our reserved room and I slide my fingers up his angular clean shaven jaw to cup his cheek in my hand. We are out of the line of sight of any customers now and his hands slide around my waist.

  “Yes, I just don’t like sharing you with other people in public, I hate how their eyes roam. I don’t tell you enough how lovely you are.” His eyes sparkle in the reflective lights of the chandelier above us, the sharp green irises with their lilac ring along with his compliments make me swoon. At least I think that’s what is causing the fuzzy feeling in my head and a moment of cloudy vision. I blink until I can see him clearly again but he’s seen the disturbance and read my reaction.

  “You aren’t feeling well.”

  “No, I mean, yes I am. Just a little dizzy for a second and look at these shoes wouldn’t you be a little wobbly?” He peeks down at my shoes and lifts his eyebrows.

  “Why would you wear those? I love them but you could snap your ankle and then where would we be? Take them off.”

  “What?! I can’t go around barefoot in this gorgeous dress and all of this jewelry!”

  “Why not? It’s our restaurant we have a private room, you are taking those death trap stilts off, end of conversation.” He pushes open the door and guides me in the same way he did downstairs but with a stronger hold now. The first person I see as we cross the large private dining room is, of course, my mother dressed differently than I’ve ever seen her in a grey floor length formal gown. She’s up and out of her seat at warp speed hugging me and then Evan, Sage and Dad a few steps behind dressed similarly in formal dinner attire.

  “Oh I am so happy you two are home and look at you! Your hair has all grown back and your color is so good. How are you feeling?” She briefly lays her hand on Evan’s cheek when she speaks of his coloring and then turns to me.

  “When did you two get in? You look so beautiful, that dress is…oh my, that choker!” She’s breathless from her constant string of questions and compliments. I slip my hand into hers and squeeze.

  “We are both fine, Mom. Evan is recovering well and thank you for the compliment; we have been home almost a week now.”

  “A week!” She glances to Evan and back to me frowning. I should have lied it would have been easier but we are here to tell them everything so I may as well start with this.

  “There were some sudden reasons to return home, Chanel. Why don’t we sit down and get comfortable and discuss it.” My dad reaches an appreciative hand to Evan and they greet each other the way men do.

  “Good to see you again, Mr. Galloway.”

  “Nick, please call me Nick, you’re my son-in-law now and nobody calls me Mr. Galloway!”

  “All right, good to see you, Nick.”

  “This is quite the place you’ve got, we have never been here before.” Dad takes Mom’s hand to lead her back to the table while Sage embraces me quietly, when she pulls away she looks at me as if she knows my secret but I’m not spilling the beans just yet.

  “Come Mia, let me take those shoes off of you.” Sage gives me a questioning look and I just shrug and follow Evan to the long elegantly lain table covered with low arrangements of, what else? Lavender and cream colored roses. My chair is pulled out and every one returns to their seats, there are two across from me that are unoccupied and I wonder who else is coming but my attention quickly returns to Evan as he moves my chair to face him and kneels down in front of me. The act of kneeling is simple and for most no additional meaning would be linked to it. He is simply unstrapping my shoes to make me more comfortable but in my heart it feels like so much more, the adoration in his touch and the reverence he pays while kneeling at my feet feels like I’m being worshiped, cared for, loved on the deepest level possible.

  I watch as he slowly and surprisingly nimbly loosens the tiny buckle with his long fingers and slides the first shoe off. The room has hushed, no one is speaking or drinking or even moving. I turn to see what has them so quiet and find all eyes on us they’re watching Evan’s movements, they see it too, they feel it. This powerful, commanding, intimidating, intense man is literally worshiping me at my feet. He’s removed both shoes and rubs circles into my arches in the way that turns me to jello.

  I’m about to tell him that the massage isn’t necessary when the door opens and the mystery of who will be taking the empty chairs is solved. Gabriella and Simone are being escorted in by the hostess.

  “Surprise, baby.” My eyes dart between Evan and Gabby, he always knows what I need even before I do. I mouth the words thank you silently and allow my sister-in-law to envelope me in a bear hug.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Oh thanks, so do you, wow!” And she does, her black floor length fitted gown accentuates every curve of her body and the off the shoulder barely-there sleeves show off her flawless olive skin. She looks like someone who should be walking the red carpet not attending a family dinner. Simone is the perfect match to her in his black suit, shirt and tie. “When did you get here?”

  “We flew in this afternoon, he didn’t tell you we were coming?”

  “Nooo, he did not.” He gives me a sly side glance as he takes his place at the head of the table. Simone kisses me on both cheeks and moves to sit with Gabriella across from me.

  “It’s good to see you again.” My mother calls from her end of the table.

  “Thank you Chanel, you too. Actually you’ll be seeing a lot more of us from now on, we bought a house in Seattle.”

  “You did?! Did you know about this?” I take one look at Evan and I instantly know he’s had a big hand in their move even before he nods confirming my suspicion.

  “We thought you could use the help.”

  “Help with what?” my mom says perking up. Shit, I guess we won’t be easing into the news. She’s like a pit bull when she senses something’s up and she definitely senses something, she’s on high alert leaning over the table craning her neck to see Gabriella.

  “With the wedding, of course, mom.” Sage sweeps in to save me and I know she knows, somehow she knows. Gabriella realizes her slip and seamlessly catches on to Sage’s comment.

  “Yes, the wedding, I’m sure you have a million things to do for the wedding, don’t you, Mia?”

  Before I can answer, mom chimes in, “You’re moving all the way across the country to help plan a wedding?”

  “Mo-ther!” I exclaim

  “Well it just seems a little extreme, sorry.”

  “It�
��s ok, Chanel, we may as well make our announcement now and enjoy the rest of our evening.” Evan says reaching over to take my hand, we rest them on the table between us.

  “As you all know we are planning a wedding for next month and as we are already married, I’m sure you are wondering what the rush is.” My mother is sitting straight up in her chair vibrating with excitement. She grabs my dad’s hand and he grimaces. Sage is relaxed, as is my oblivious brother-in-law, Kevin, sitting next to her.

  “Would you like to tell them?” I thought I would but I’m suddenly overcome with emotion, this is a moment that was never supposed to happen. I was never supposed to be able to be pregnant. I was never going to allow a man past the mammoth stone castle wall I spent ten years building around my heart. But Evan smashed through that wall pulverizing it with one swift blow changing the course of my life forever.

  My eyes brim with tears as I shake my head no, he squeezes my hand supportively and continues.

  “Mia is pregnant.” My mother screams and jumps up shoving her chair back so hard it tumbles behind her. She rounds the table ascending on me like an eagle plucking a fish from the ocean she nearly drags me up and out of my seat. She’s bawling and squeezing the shit out of me, my dad and Kevin sit mouths agape in total shock.

  “I knew it.” Sage says sounding proud of herself for figuring out our secret on her own but she’s still in for a big surprise. I’m sure she would never guess the next bomb Evan’s about to drop.

  “Mom, hey it’s ok, shush.” I pat her back in an attempt to comfort her but it’s no use she’s over the moon at the prospect of being a grandma again. She was heartsick when Sage and Kevin decided not to have any more children.

  “I’m just so happy for you, how did this happen? I mean I know how it happened but how did it happen happen?”

  “I don’t know, Mom, it’s a miracle.” Dad peels her arms from my shoulders before kissing me on the cheek with tear filled eyes.

  “Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m so happy for you.” He turns to Evan “For you both.” Evan nods slowly, lazily closing and opening his eyes while he leans back elbows on the arms of the chair, fingers forming a steeple looking proud and even a little smug.

  “There is more,” he says and I shrug at my dad.

  “Have a seat, Dad, he’s right, there’s more.” My dad narrows his eyes trying unsuccessfully to figure out what’s going on but eventually he returns to his seat. Sage is more alert now. Her curiosity is peaked. She reaches around Kevin to pat my hand.

  “Good work sis, congratulations,” she says softly. Of all the people in the world, no one knows how much I suffered after my attack and the years that followed more than my mother and Sage. No one knows how insanely important this miracle is, well no one other than Evan.

  “Thanks, it’s crazy.”

  “That’s an understatement, I can’t believe it.”

  “Well you're really not gonna believe this next part then.”

  “Hurry up then, don’t keep us waiting, what is it? How much more could there possibly be?”

  “One more.” Evan says but no one catches his hint so I expand on his cryptic answer.

  “Twins.” The smile on my face spreads so wide it hurts. Mom’s hands fly to cover her face and I think I hear Kevin choke on his water.

  “Twins?!” Sage shrieks.

  “Yup, there are two of ‘em.”

  Collapsing against the back of her chair she puffs out, “Oh my God, no fucking way!”

  “Sage! Language!” Mom can’t stand swearing and the ‘F’ word is her most hated curse, even after the shock of a lifetime learning we are having not one but two babies she’s still relentless about correcting us.

  “Sorry, mom.” I say for Sage, she’s not really paying attention to mom. I have always been the one with the potty mouth, but today I’m apologizing for Sage. The fallout from the bomb we’ve just detonated is still settling when two waitresses come through the door carrying trays of drinks. Somehow my husband has learned everyone’s preferred alcoholic beverage and the waitresses slide through the room delivering them all to the correct person. They are followed by two waiters who arrange appetizers on either end of the table and then like magic all four of them are gone.

  I look at the drink before me turning it and frowning. Martinis are my standard drink when I go out but this does not look like a martini, it doesn’t look like any drink I’ve ever seen. “What is this?”

  “A mocktail, it’s iced green tea elixir with ginger and lemon.”

  “Mocktail, huh? Never heard of it.”

  “Try it.” I hesitantly take a sip ready to scrunch up my face in distaste but it’s not bad, in fact, it’s really good. Of course it is, he knows things about me I haven’t even figured out yet.

  “How did you know what everybody drinks?”

  “Research.”

  “How did you know I’d like this?” I hold up the glass with a sprig of mint sticking out the top.

  “Ginger.”

  “Oh…” memories of that first morning in Italy when Cecelia made me ginger tea and a hard-boiled egg to settle my morning sickness return. Everyone is chatting among themselves about our news and their surprise at Evan knowing what drink they prefer so they don’t hear when I ask him if everyone knows about Cecelia’s death.

  “Gabriella and Simone know, of course, but I don’t know about your family.”

  “Ok, I’ll tell them, I want them to come to her funeral. They all loved her when they visited Italy for Christmas. I’m sure they would want to go.

  “All right, before we leave we can tell them about it.” I smile a small sad smile.

  “Thank you for understanding.”

  “Understanding what, baby?”

  “That I need to lay her to rest properly.”

  “Of course, and you are right she deserves that. I was thinking in a business manner instead of emotionally. I hate that she is gone, I thought if we avoided the ceremonial part of it maybe it would be easier.”

  “Nothing is going to make it easier but we have to do it, we have to say goodbye.” His hand moves to absently touch the cross that lies against his skin under his suit, it’s always there he never takes it off, it’s a part of him. I don’t even notice anymore.

  “Where did your cross come from, did someone special give it to you?”

  “Yes. It was Cecelia. She was always trying to find ways to protect me.” I reach under the table and squeeze his knee.

  “I’m glad she did. She must have known there were better days to come for you.”

  “Yes, she must have.” Our serious moment is over when Simone taps his knife against his water goblet drawing everyone’s attention to him.

  “I wanted to propose a toast to Evan and Mia.” He slides his chair out and stands while everyone holds up their glass

  “I don’t know two people more deserving of happiness than the two of you. I haven’t known either of you for long but one thing was blatantly obvious the second I laid eyes on you together. You have a big love, a true and lasting love, the kind that is able to withstand some of life’s most difficult hardships and you both still come out on the other side glowing and better than before. To a long life together full of one blessing after another.” Everyone raises their glass to toast.

  “Thank you, Simone, that was beautiful.” I sniff and Evan hands me his handkerchief. “Don’t worry everything makes me cry lately.” I say when a worry line creases his forehead and he looks to Evan who nods.

  “She is not exaggerating about that.”

  “Oh hush.” I swat at him. Simone doesn’t sit after his toast like I expect him to though. When everyone has settled he begins to speak again.

  “Now I’d like to make a little announcement of my own. I’ve been assured that this will not steal any thunder from Evan and Mia’s big announcement, I don’t think anything could ever top that!”

  “Here here!” My dad c
alls out. “Gabriella has agreed to marry me.” He looks down at Gabby with adoration and she reaches up to lace her fingers with his.

  “Oh! Hey! Did you know about this? Of course you did, how could you not tell me?” I fire at Evan

  “They wanted it to be a surprise.” He shrugs. I hop up too quickly and of course, Evan has anticipated this, he stands with me steadying me on my bare feet before letting me go.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” I rush around the table and lean down to hug Gabby while the rest of the party congratulates them and raises their glasses in another toast.

  “I’m so happy for you, Gabby! Do you have a ring?”

  “Mmhm.” She holds out her left hand and on her finger is the most beautiful pink diamond I’ve ever seen.

  “It’s pink!” I gasp

  “Yes, he was going for something different.” I take her hand in mine and examine it closer.

  “He did a wonderful job, it’s breathtaking!” I turn to Simone.

  “Congratulations Simone, welcome to the family, you sure you’re ready for this?” He locks eyes with Gabriella.

  “Absolutely, I’ve never wanted anything more.” Aw crap, more tears I dab them away with the handkerchief still in my hand and return to my seat. The main course is served by the ever efficient staff but I’m not able to eat much. My appetite is still out of whack so I sit back and pick at my food and watch our families get to know each other.

  “Have you chosen a date for the wedding?” My sister asks Gabriella

  “Not yet, we wanted to get through Evan and Mia’s wedding and the birth of the babies first. Sometime next year probably.” Next year…in just one year Evan and I will have had a wedding, a honeymoon, and two babies, it doesn’t seem possible.

  “Do you want dessert, baby?” Evan interrupts my day dreaming and I look down at my pathetic attempt at eating dinner.

  “No, I’ve wasted enough food today, I think.”

  “I noticed. Is there anything else that sounds good? I can have the chef make you anything.”

  “No, it’s fine, another mocktail sounds good though.” His face brightens.