by Blue Saffire
“No one would ever find out what I had done. Shannon was mine for the taking and I thought that he would learn to be happy with us. Only he was never happy with me. Shannon he would dote on but me, I have always been the afterthought. He has always picked that mutt over me even after I had her disposed of.”
I have seen and heard many things in my life but the words that have just come out of this woman’s mouth have me stupefied. I knew she was a cold bitch after she hired that maniac Corrade and changed the plans from putting a hit on Vincent to taking out his wife and kid. I lost a lot of sleep over that back then. I would never have agreed to what she had done. The sick bastard took this to a level I wouldn’t dream of having one of my boys go to.
I narrow my eyes at the soulless woman sitting before me. “I am done with this,” I say firmly.
“Are you sure about that? Your son seems pretty invested in all of this,” she says with a smug smile on her ruby red lips.
“You will do well to stay clear of my son. Trust me you would not want any of this information to get back to the wrong people. I can make your life hell,” I growl at Angela Caprisi, a woman I now loath more than what I have allowed her to drag me into, which I didn’t think possible.
“I have lived there already. I don’t fear you trying to take me back,” she says with an evil smile before standing and walking from my study.
My younger greed and stupidity are coming back to visit me. I see it in my dreams. This foolish woman is about to bring chaos to my door.
CHAPTER THRITY FOUR
I am still fuming this morning as Uri has not returned home as of yet. He text me once to tell me he loves me, but that is not the same. I’m irritated with the situation and with myself. I want to be mad at him but I just miss him.
Now that I know how he feels about starting a family I just want to share our news. I need his support because this…of all things scares the shit out of me. I will willingly walk into a room full of men with one weapon and know that I am the only one coming out alive without an ounce of fear, but a baby.
I have no point of reference for this. Uncle Valentine never gave me any training that could prepare me to be a mother or a wife and I haven’t known a good mother since I was four. I barely remember much other than the trauma from the awful event that changed my life forever.
What if I turn out to be a terrible mother because I have been too good of an assassin? These are things I want to talk to Uri about but he isn’t here. I stab angrily at the cereal in my bowl that I can’t even stomach. This morning is the first time I actually had any morning sickness, as if being ready to admit the truth to Uri has brought it on.
“So when do you plan to tell my son he is going to be a Papa?” Donatella chirps happily from her stance at the kitchen sink.
I pinch my eyes shut. How did I think this woman hadn’t figured it out? Now that I think about it. She has become like a mother figure to me in the last year. She has been very instrumental in helping me to mature in my relationship with Uri.
I open my eyes and look up at her. She is giving me a warm smile. “I thought I was going to tell him last night,” I frown.
“Ah… and he had to take off to help Pamela,” she says knowingly.
“Exactly,” I say bitterly.
“Now I understand the strain in his voice this morning,” she nods her head.
“You spoke to him,” I ask more forcefully than I meant to.
“Yes, I called him this morning. He told me he needed to give Pamela a little help. You do know that she is no threat at all to you?” Donatella asks warmly.
I scoff. “I want to believe that but he has jumped from our bed twice to help her. What does that say?” I grumble.
“It says that my son takes caring for those he loves very seriously. He would and has done the same for Luca many times. Luca has just been staying out of trouble lately. Uri is a fixer. He fixes things,” she explains gently.
I frown into my bowl as her words sink in. “Okay, say I can accept that. Last night was important,” I pout.
“Yes dear, it was but think of how important his God daughters’ safety is to him. Luca put Pamela through a lot. He wasn’t the greatest man when they were together. I believe the final straw was when he told her about being engaged. It isn’t my place to tell their story but they had been together for seven years. She had no idea he had a future that did not include her.
“I believe my son took to her not only because she is such a sweet girl but out of guilt for the things Luca has done. Uri stepped into be what Luca wasn’t. There bond is a unique one but what he has with you is something totally different. You have captured his heart in a way no one ever thought possible, especially not Uri.
“Rest assure, when he returns you will have his full attention and you will be able to share this wonderful news. You will love Pamela when you meet her,” Donatella makes her way over to the island where I am sitting and pats my hand.
I snort. “If I ever meet her,” I grumble.
She laughs at me and cups my cheek. “He hasn’t introduced the two of you to protect your feelings. He thought it would be awkward for you with your sister engaged to the man that Pamela was once in love with. Everything Uri does has purpose Valentina. Now let’s talk more about this wedding.”
At that her face starts to beam. It sinks in that Uri’s mother knows way more than he thinks. She pays attention to everything. She hasn’t steered me wrong as of yet. I take a calming breath and shift my thoughts to my second wedding.
~B~
I’m exhausted. Helping Pamela with the girls last night and this morning tossed a dose of reality on what being a father will really consist of. Christ, those two girls have a set of lungs on them. I rub my tired eyes as I walk into the kitchen where I can hear my mama and Valentina laughing.
I stop in the threshold to watch them for a moment. I’m thrown back to the first time I saw the two in the same room together. My mum has become so much happier than she used to be. It seems her husband going into hiding has freed her.
My gaze moves to Valentina and I think of how much happier she has become from the stubborn and brash young woman I first met. A smile takes over my lips. She seems to be glowing this afternoon. The look fills my heart with hope.
There is so much I am protecting her from but I would have it no other way. I would fight a world full of demons to keep her happy and safe. I growl inwardly because I am growing tired of leaving loose ends when it comes to her safety.
It is time I let my uncle know his time is running out. I won’t be playing nice too much longer. “Ah, here is my boy,” my mama pulls me from my dark thoughts.
I move into the room, stopping behind Valentina and wrapping my arms around her waist. I release a breath I hadn’t known I was holding when her body sags back against me. I kiss the top of her head and inhale her sweet scent.
“How are you, Love,” I murmur against her neck.
“Fine,” she shrugs her shoulders.
I release a deep breath. “Mama can you give us a minute,” I ask not looking away from the side of Valentina face.
“Sure,” my mum replies tapping Valentina’s hand in support. “Remember what we talked about.”
I look up at my mum at her words, but she just smiles at me and winks. Something in my chest releases and I for the first time in years feel the love that I had lost for my mama. Not the obligatory love of a child for their mum but the love that comes from knowing the genuine love of a mama and returning the same.
When my mum leaves the room I spin Valentina in my arms and look down into her eyes. I see a mix of emotions there and it tugs at my heart that I hurt her. I don’t know how to make her understand this so I start with the best way I know how.
“In our line of business it is hard not to know the name Briggs. You have heard this name, yes?” I start.
“Yes, I’ve trained with Rita and Jasper before,” she replies with furrowed brows.
I press
my lips. Of course her uncle would send her to train with the best. The Briggs family may not get into the business of the families but to be a Briggs is to be a Mairettie, one does not separate the two. Not if you are truly connected. You have to have deep ties to understand how the two connect. So I have absolutely no surprise to know she has come so close to the Briggs family.
“Well in that case you know Nathaniel or you have at least heard of him?” I prod.
She shrugs while still frowning. “I never met him, but I know of him,” a devilish smile comes to her lips. “Actually, his reputation could put yours to shame.”
I snort. “Careful little one,” I warn. “I like Nathaniel he is an honorable man. I admire the sacrifices he makes for his family.”
“Okay, but what does this have to do with us?” she arches a brow.
“If you know who Nathan is then you also know that his true identity is just as hidden as yours. Pamela is Nate’s woman. My God daughters are his twins. Pamela has just found out who and what Nathan really is. Can you understand what it would be like for you to just find out the monster that I am,” I pin her with my stare so the truth of my words can sink in.
She chews her lip and sags further into my arms. Looking down she nods her head. “Yeah, I get it. To love us is to love the darkness that comes with us,” she whispers. When her head lifts and her eyes meet mine they are softer and hold understanding. “Are they okay? I mean Pamela and the girls?”
“Yes, I have them in my loft for now. She is hurting as can be understood. Nathan is a good man. Everything he does he does for his family,” I say hoping she understands my words are not just meant for Nathan. I too do everything for those I love.
Her arms go around my neck. “She is lucky to have a friend like you,” she gives me a small smile.
“Funny she said that same thing about you. I think I am the lucky one to have the two of you,” I brush a kiss to her forehead.
“You’re right,” she says with a cheeky grin. “Uri?”
“Yes Baby,” I brush her sweet lips with a brief kiss.
“How come I didn’t know you were a God father,” I feel like a heel when I see the hurt and disappointment in her eyes.
I brush a thumb over her full lips. “It has not been made official as of yet. I did intend to bring you along to the christening,” I sigh. “I still feel awkward about the unresolved relationship Luca and Pamela have, but I will not continue to hurt you by keeping my two families separate. As I said before, when things calm down you and Pamela will meet and you will get to know the girls as well.”
“Thank you,” she says lifting on her toes to kiss me. When she goes to pull away I cup the back of her neck and deepen the kiss, holding her to me.
Fire ignites in my veins as I think about us creating our own little family. I’ve turned thirty nine this year. I find myself wanting things I never knew I wanted. I reach down with my free arm lifting her up onto the kitchen island stepping in between her thighs.
I trail kisses down her neck and retrace my path with my tongue. Just being next to this woman drives me insane. My body becomes tight with just her presence in the room. I loosen the tie on the romper she is wearing causing the front to give enough for my hand to slip in and caress her breast.
Valentina arches into me and winces as she whimpers. I pull away to look at her. My mind swiftly starts to think of her last cycle and the last time her breasts were too sensitive to my touch because of her cycle. My eyes search her face before I stare off into space.
I start to count back and think harder. I usually know when the goods are going to be off limits for a few days. My eyes drop back down to hers as my memory of her last cycle is taking me back too far. Suddenly her words from last night and her behavior over the last few weeks come to mind.
A low slow growl works up my throat and her eyes get wide. “How long have you known?” I rasp thickly.
“Baby, I…”
“How. Long.”
“For sure, only three weeks, but I have suspected for about two month before that,” she says and bites her lip.
“You have been carrying our child for nearly three months and you are just telling me,” I say incredulously.
“Yes, but I didn’t know you would want this,” she says with panic in her eyes.
“When are you going to stop assuming to know what I do and don’t want? You have been wrong every time.” I shake my head at my wife but cutoff her next words as I crush my lips to hers. I gently lift her from the counter and head for our bedroom. Once in our bedroom I place her on the bed and peel her out of her clothes.
Still fully dressed I hover over her taking in the changes that I should never have missed in the first place. I move to her taut belly and place my ear to her stomach. My heart swells when her laugh fills the air and her fingers run through my hair. I squeeze my eyes shut.
“You can’t hear anything yet silly,” she laughs.
I turn my head and press my lips to her still flat belly. “Just indulge a new papa. My son is growing inside you,” I say in awe.
Another laugh bursts from her lips. “Your son?”
I look up to see her lifting a brow at me. “Yes, our son,” I smile up at her.
She beams and places a hand on her stomach. “I will just be happy if she or he is healthy and happy.” A haunted look fills her eyes and I know where her mind has gone.
I climb up her body and lay beside her. “Our child will be healthy and it is my job to ensure you are both happy. You will make such a wonderful mama. To all of our children,” I say pointedly.
She turns her head and looks me in the eyes. The clouds in her beautiful blue eyes recede as she reaches to cup my jaw and run her fingers through my beard the way she always does. “Thank you, honey. I needed to hear that. I’m scared shitless,” she chuckles softly.
“We are a team remember. We do this together. I love you,” I kiss her lips and pull her into my side. This changes everything. “We return to Italy at the end of next month.”
“I figured that was coming,” she sighs. “Raphael sent me a text this afternoon.”
I sit up and look down at her. “Excuse me,” I hiss narrowing my eyes. This motherfucker has just lost his mind. I am one bear he should never poke. “What exactly did the dense bloke text you?”
Valentina frowns, pressing her lips. “This is not over,” she rolls her eyes.
“Fucking right it isn’t over,” I growl.
“Uri, I didn’t tell you to upset you. I just thought you should know.”
I point a finger at her. “You go nowhere without Fin. Understood,” I command.
She rolls her eyes again. I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and drag her up to me until our noses touch. “Understood?”
“Yes,” she says breathlessly, pushing her breasts into my chest.
Then like the vixen she is she temps me by darting her tongue out to taste my bottom lip. I groan and lower my mouth to hers. This is what I need, to get lost in my wife for a few hours.
CHAPTER THRITY FIVE
“Papa, I’m tired,” I whine as I wiggle my feet that I can no longer see.
“Yes, but you are just back home. I have missed watching you swell with my first grandbaby. This is a treat to have you here,” my father rasps with a wide grin on his face.
I have missed him too. I had to beg Uri to return to the States to have our little one. I am still a bit annoyed Uri refuses to let me find out the sex. He still thinks we are having a boy but I don’t think so.
When Uri finally caved he had my doctor fly on our private jet with us. I wasn’t really against that. I was just shy of eight months pregnant. Now that I am eight months pregnant I have to fight Uri to go anywhere. My father had to nearly threaten the man to allow me to come to dinner tonight.
Uri wasn’t able to come with me as something came up last minute, so in his mind I needed to stay home. There was no way. I miss my dad and uncle. I needed time with my family. T
his pregnancy really has me wanting more time with the people I care about.
Uri has spoiled me beyond belief the entire time. This baby will no doubt be spoiled rotten from day one as well. If Uri isn’t bad enough my father and Donatella have pampered me just as much no matter where on the map they have been.
Right now I just want to go home. My father has insisted that I stay until Uri returns to pick me up but I was ready to go home and pass out an hour ago. I yawn and rub my eyes for the millionth time. My ankles and back hurt and I just want my husband and my bed.
“I told you I would come by tomorrow. I just can’t sit here a minute longer,” I huff.
Uncle Valentine chuckles. “I’ll take her home,” he offers with a world of affection on his face.
“Why not let Vincent take her home so he can get a little more time with her,” Angela suggests.
My head snaps back and I narrow my eyes at her. Angela never willingly offers up my father’s attention away from her. I rub my belly as I glare at the woman I have never had a warm feeling toward, nor she toward me.
“That’s a great idea,” my dad replies. “Text Uri and let him know I will be bringing you home. He can go straight there.”
“Papa are you sure? It’s a long drive. You don’t have to,” I say as I look at my father’s tired eyes.
I know he won’t be driving as much as having one of his guys drive us, but he looks tired just the same. He stands from his chair and moves over to me. Placing a kiss on my cheek he pats my tummy.
“Let’s get my little soccer player home,” my father says with joy in his voice.
This little one has been kicking me every time my father or Uncle speak. Much the same happens when Uri is in the room speaking. I think my little girl is going to have the men in this family wrapped around her little finger. They can all think it is a boy if they want to. I know better.