Startled, and maybe feeling a little guilty, Luca helped the woman to her feet, but he didn't stick around long enough to make sure she was okay. He was making a beeline toward the stage. With Luca, Jack, and Gianni running toward them, it looked as if they were in a race. Tammy laughed. Revenge was indeed sweet.
Tammy looked to the other ladies. Every one of them, except for Katherine and Catarina, were laughing, amused by the male outrage. The mothers-in-law were serious about their performance. Both had the bodies of women half their age, and they were flaunting it. Katherine was doing her thing, grinding away on the pole when Joseph shouted, “Katherine Storm, get your ass down here right damn now!”
Katherine’s eyes flew open. She looked down at her angry man and, without a word, skipped her ass off the stage.
Francis looked at Tracy’s curvy body and the bump that sheltered his heir. He was clearly not pleased, but instead of approaching Tracy, he stood and looked around the room. Without so much as a word from Francis, everyone in the entire club stood to exit.
In a matter of seconds, the club was nearly empty. The power that Francis wielded was baffling. Tammy was amazed. With one look, Francis had completely foiled her plot to exact revenge on her meddling fiancé.
“Where’s everybody going? We’re just getting started,” Tammy shouted.
“Get your ass down here!” Luca demanded.
Tammy danced off the stage and flew into Luca’s arms.
“That’ll teach you to ruin my bachelorette party,” Tammy teased.
“Yeah, you taught me, bad girl. But I’m happy to see you. I missed you.”
Tammy smiled up at Luca. “You did?”
“So much,” he admitted. “Come drink with me, bad girl.”
Tammy looked around and was grateful that everyone was either smiling or laughing. Not one of the guys were really angry.
“Um-mm, I saw you dry humping that chick,” Tracy said with narrowed eyes.
“Nah, I didn't even get a chance to dry hump her. You ruined my party.”
Tammy stood on her toes and kissed Luca’s luscious lips.
“I love you,” she told him.
“You’d better. I’m about to make you my wife.”
Tammy pulled away and looked up her gorgeous man. He wasn't sweet. He wasn't tender. He wasn't gentle. But he was hers. For that, she was the luckiest woman alive.
“Let’s go turn up, bae.”
Luca gave her the look that he always gave her when he didn't understand her terminology.
“Let’s go party,” Tammy clarified.
CHAPTER 33
VICTORIA
Victoria handed Jack the diaper bag and placed Jack Jr’s head on her shoulder. She looked up at the Victorian. The floating mansion couldn’t be called a yacht. It was more like a cruise ship. Jasmine squealed with glee when Jack hoisted her in the air and placed her on his shoulders.
“We can board now,” he announced to the rest of the family.
After the short flight from Paris to Morocco, they were getting ready to board the ship that was to take them to Dream Island. On the side of the large yacht, in big bold letters, spelled out THE VICTORIAN. He clearly hadn't chartered the yacht. Victoria turned to Jack. He was grinning like a twelve-year-old boy. His love for his man toys never ceased to amaze her. Jack rarely denied himself anything that he desired and he certainly never denied Victoria, so she had nothing to say about the elaborate purchase.
As Victoria boarded the Victorian, she noted that the yacht shared absolutely no resemblance in size to the yacht that Jack kept at the 31st Street Harbor. Whereas the yacht in Chicago was large, the one that she was standing on was colossal and even more beautifully designed; the perfect combination of class and decadence. She was giddy with anticipation, and since it was Victoria’s first time visiting the island, the rest of the family was excited for her. The thought of what she had missed out on because she, along with Katherine and Emily, had been abducted by Katya Romanov made her want to dig her up and kill her again.
Their bags were left on the dock for the staff to handle, so Jack took the family on a tour. The yacht seemed to have everything. There were fifteen spacious staterooms, a pool, a fifteen person jacuzzi, a cinema, a large gym and spa area, and sauna. There was even a hair salon. The yacht actually had a freaking helideck with hangar and refueling capability. Victoria wouldn't have been a bit surprised if Jack had bought a helicopter just to have something to land on the helideck. The deck and the interior of the yacht was nothing less than stunning.
Victoria looked up at Jack and uttered, “You've been busy.”
“You’ve been through so much. Because of that, I intend to make this a memorable experience for you.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed immediately. “Get out of here. You know damn well this boat is for you,” Victoria chuckled.
“No, ma’am.” Jack shook his head as if he was innocent. “I’m just trying to impress my lady.”
Victoria leaned into Jack and looked him in the eye.
“You impress me every day. How about you impress me in one of those exquisite cabins?” Victoria teased.
“Mmm, you’ll be happy to know that our suite has a private desk. I’m thinking about bending you over the rail and giving you a workout.”
“Shiiid, you ain't bending me over no rail. I might fall in, and I can't drink all that water,” Victoria joked.
“It’s a short trip to the island. Let’s dump the kids on Mom,” Jack suggested.
“What? You wanna dump our beautiful children for a quick roll in the sack?”
“Damn right,” Jack confirmed without shame.
“Cool,” Victoria quickly agreed.
Together they laughed and hurried toward Katherine.
****
While unpacking, Victoria looked around the elegant suite. The island was nothing like she had pictured. For some reason, Victoria thought that the island would have a quaint beach house surrounded by white sand and clear, blue water. But that wasn't the case. The quaint beach house turned out to be a resort with restaurants, a gym, a spa, and even a ballroom. Inside of the lobby, there was a gorgeous waterfall that poured over large decorative rocks. The entire resort was occupied by family, friends, and a few key employees. Then, it struck Victoria. She knew that Jack was ridiculously wealthy, but she truly had no idea what he was actually worth. Even though they were married, and she had every right to know, she never asked. It just never really mattered to her one way or the other.
“What are you over there thinking about?” Jack asked from the doorway of the en suite bath. He was wearing nothing but a towel. His thick, athletic body was still wet from the shower.
Jackson Storm was just too good to be true. He was slap-your-mamma-gorgeous, stupid rich, and well endowed. On top of everything else, he was also an awesome father and a great husband, even if he was a bit controlling and possessive. Victoria sometimes couldn't believe it, but she had found the man of her dreams.
“I was just thinking about that deck action from earlier,” she lied.
And of course, Jack knew that she was lying.
“What were you thinking about, Victoria?” he repeated.
Victoria hung her evening gowns in the closet and turned to him. “If we ran out of money, would you be able to survive?”
Jack laughed and walked over to Victoria. He pulled her into his arms. Victoria inhaled his fresh, manly scent. “Baby, we could live three lifetimes on the money that we have without ever going broke. Don't worry about money. We’ll always be okay. I have trusts set up for you and the kids to ensure that you’ll never have to work again if you don't want,” Jack reassured.
“No, baby,” Victoria said, shaking her head. “It’s not me that I’m worried about. I’m used to not having any money. I just want to know if you’d be able to handle it.”
“Nope,” Jack answered bluntly. “I’ve never been poor. That’s not part of my plan. But I am a man, and my natural instinct
is to fix things. The difference between me and someone born into wealth is the fact I know how I made my money. Therefore, I can make it again. Besides, as long as I have you and the kids, all will be right in my world.”
“Baby, you’ll always have us, for richer or poorer.”
“Good, now hurry up and finish getting ready. We’re gonna be late for dinner,” he said as he entered the walk-in closet. “Oh, babe…can you wear that yellow dress? I love that dress on you.”
“Yes, dear,” Victoria agreed.
CHAPTER 34
TRACY
Everyone was finally seated at the exquisitely arranged table. There was a large centerpiece with Sicilian Honey Lilies, which were Tammy’s favorite flower, and crystal bowls with floating lilies were placed strategically about the entire table. The tablecloth was a crisp white, and the napkins were a soft shade of lilac.
Tracy was reading the itinerary. The welcome dinner was first, and a beach party was to be held the next day.
“Gianni, I can't believe you allowed someone else do the cooking,” Amy commented.
“Young lady, I am not here to work. I am a guest. But they chose well. Chef Gellar is brilliant.”
“You mean you chose well,” Luca corrected.
“Who knows better than me?”
“Nobody, baby. Nobody can touch you in the kitchen,” Natasha gushed.
Gianni smiled sweetly at Natasha, and big, bad Gianni was actually blushing.
“Awwww,” was sang collectively across the table.
Tammy looked around the room. The entire Storm and Savelli families were present. Even Mary and Jean-Paul were able to make it in time for dinner. Their flight from Paris was delayed, so they arrived in Morocco too late to take the yacht with the rest of the family. Jack had sent the yacht back to the coast to pick them up. When they arrived, they couldn't stop talking about Jack’s enormous yacht.
Tracy looked around and noticed that everyone was smiling. For a family that had been through so much, they were never lacking for love and support for one another. And they certainly knew how to have fun. They truly appreciated the good times.
“My son looks good on you. You look beautiful, cara,” Francis whispered in her ear.
Tracy turned to face Francis. He was grinning just enough for Tracy to get a glimpse of his perfect white teeth. She placed her hand to his jaw and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was brief but tender.
“Thank you,” she whispered in return.
Francis must have known that Tracy needed to hear that from him. She must have tried on at least five outfits before deciding on an emerald green, wrap dress that tied at the waist. Nothing seemed to fit the way that she wanted it to. Tracy understood that her body was changing, but the dresses she’d tried on were dresses she bought for her new, pregnant body.
Body issues were not new to Tracy. She had always been curvier than most, and her mother never, ever let her forget it. Her mother’s constant scrutiny about her weight had been a long-standing bone of contention. Tracy knew that her mother had no intention of hurting her feelings, but she did. It was when she left her parents’ house that she realized she wasn't fat, like her mom insisted, but more of the bombshell type. But even that came with its own set of problems. The main problem was being the object of the immature man’s sexual desires, who seemed only to pursue her because of fantasies of the video vixen. Getting someone to take Tracy seriously seemed next to impossible.
For so many years, Tracy hid. She hid her so-called obesity from her mom and her video booty from the men. It wasn't until Victoria talked her into modeling for men’s magazines that Tracy began to feel comfortable in her own skin. Victoria promised that it would be empowering, and eliminate her body issues. And for the most part, it did. But now that her body was changing, Tracy was finding herself more and more self-conscious. She would rather look obviously pregnant, or not pregnant at all. It was the stage in between that bothered her. The “is she pregnant or fat” stage had her feeling less than beautiful. But she had to admit that the way Francis looked at her, made her feel complete. Even though he often seemed to command the attention of every straight woman in any room, his eyes made love to only her, as if no one else existed. Even as his family engaged themselves in lively adult conversation, she had his undivided attention.
“I have a gift for you,” Francis told her.
Before she could respond, a server placed an iced saucer of raw, Blue Point oysters in front of her. Francis picked up the appetizer and handed it back to the server.
“She can't eat this. She’s pregnant.”
The server pulled the saucer away as if it were a plate of cocaine. “I am so sorry, sir. I didn't know. Madame is so petite,” the server groveled.
Yeah, okay, petite, Tracy thought to herself. She turned to Francis and smiled. “It’s the mercury. How did you know?”
“I read a book. It’s called, What to Expect When You’re Expecting.”
Tracy’s breath hitched. Just the thought that he was taking such an interest in her pregnancy, and the birth of their child, caused her eyes to water. She shouldn't have been shocked. Francis wasn't the type of man to enter anything without being fully prepared.
“Baby, I’ve been reading the same book,” Tracy admitted.
“Baby? I’m a baby?” Francis asked with knitted brows.
“It’s an American thing,” Tracy giggled. “You’re my baby.”
“Oh… si….si,” Francis acknowledged with a super sexy grin.
“You are a very handsome man, Francis.”
“Yes. For you.”
Tracy laughed out loud. Had Francis been American, his response would have been terribly arrogant. But he was Francis, the super-fine, Sicilian boss. Of course, he knew that he was handsome.
“Well, thank you for being so handsome just for me,” she said with a smile.
Francis nodded and placed the shell of an oyster to his lips. As he sucked the delicacy into his mouth, Tracy’s lower lips clenched. The man was made, specifically, to be a temptation.
“Will you walk the beach with me tonight?” Francis asked.
“Francis, I would walk the plank with you,” Tracy boldly declared.
Francis laughed and fed her a celery stalk.
“That won't be necessary, bella.”
****
As soon as they stepped onto the beach, Francis lowered himself to his knees and slipped Tracy’s sandals off of her feet. He placed them on the wooden step and stood to his full height. He held his hand out for Tracy, and she eagerly placed her hand in his.
Together they walked along the beach, listening to the waves crash to the shore.
“I want to marry you, Tracy,” Francis said out of nowhere.
“Y-you...what?” Tracy stuttered.
“I know how hard it must be for you to move on. I know that this is something you may not be ready for. I just wanted to tell you my intentions for our future.”
Tracy inhaled the fresh, salty scent of the sea. She didn't know how to respond, so she didn’t. For minutes, they walked without words. Marriage, after Steve’s death, was something she couldn't fathom. Well…at first.
“You will be my wife, Tracy. I know that you need time, and that’s okay. But, you will be my wife.”
“Because I’m pregnant?” Tracy asked in a tiny voice.
“No,” Francis said, shaking his head. “Do you know the feeling that you get from being at home? You're going to be my wife because I want you to be home for me. I would be home for you as well. And, Tracy, I would accept death before sacrificing your happiness.”
Well gotdamn!
Tracy turned to face Francis. She placed both hands in his, and looked him directly in the eye. “I feel guilty, Francis. My feelings for you make me feel guilty.”
Francis nodded. “I know, cara. I know. But those will be feelings that you have, you’ll have to learn to deal with. In time, they will go away. We are a family now, bella; mother, father, and
baby. I know that your feelings for me and your child will be stronger than your guilt.”
Tracy covered her eyes, unable to control the tears that flowed. She felt pain, sorrow, and misery. How was she supposed to let go? She flew into Francis’ arms and held him tighter than she had ever held on to anything in her life.
“I loved him, Francis. I loved him so much!” she cried.
Francis wrapped his strong arms around her and held her as she wept.
“I know you loved him, but you love me now. You're mine now. And your man would be pleased because he loved you. Now you have a man that would give his life for you, for your happiness. That’s what Steve would want for you.”
With her head pressed against his strong chest, Tracy continued to weep. She knew he was right. She and Francis were two-thirds of their family. It was time to accept the fact that Steve was gone, and it was time to admit that Francis was not only a part of her life but an enormous part her life. She wanted him. She dreamt of him. She missed him when he wasn't around. She did love him. As painful as his death had been, Tammy had come to the realization that Steve was no longer Tammy’s future, Francis was.
CHAPTER 35
TAMMY
After their fun day party on the beach, Tammy looked around at her friends and family and concluded that planning a party before their wedding rehearsal was not the best idea. Earlier, as they partied under the warm sun, there was no shortage of tropical drinks. Now, her entire wedding party was a bit buzzed. Tammy sat in the front, shaking her head as she watched her attendants tripping over each other on their way down the aisle. She was afraid that none of them would remember a single instruction that the planner was attempting to give.
Her wedding was to be by the pool, while her reception would take place in the ballroom. Tammy had opted for a simple, but elegant ceremony, but the reception would be the epitome of opulence. She was excited, way more excited than nervous. Tammy couldn't care less if her friends pissed themselves down the aisle as long as the end result was her marrying Luca.
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