by Penelope Sky
He studied me for a long time, reading the sadness in my gaze, even through a screen. “What’s wrong, Beautiful?”
I wanted to brush it off and say it was nothing, but when I looked at those mesmerizing eyes, I didn’t want to pretend I was okay. With him, I wanted to be completely real, not to hold anything back. He’d become my confidant, someone I could share all my secrets with. “My new sister-in-law can’t have children. The reason why she can’t is…she was taken as a prisoner by some psychopath. He raped and tortured her, and instead of using regular birth control, he decided to tie her tubes so she couldn’t have kids.”
Bosco kept the exact same expression, despite the terrible news I’d just relayed to him.
“It just…” I took a deep breath to still my rage. “It makes me so angry. It makes me so… There are no words. It just breaks my heart, and I’m having a hard time accepting it. My mother told me to let it go and count our blessings as a family…but it’s hard. He should be killed for what did.”
“Then why hasn’t he been killed?” He hadn’t blinked since I’d answered his call. He stared at me with the same intensity as he did when we were in the same room together.
“I guess he’s really powerful. My family wants peace, not to fight another war…”
He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing on my face. “What’s his name?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Then find out,” he said harshly. “And let me know.”
I stared at the anger in his eyes, seeing a look I’d come to recognize easily. “Why?”
“If my woman wants a man dead, I’ll make it happen.”
I stared at him blankly, terrified because I knew he was being completely honest. He never lied, not even about things like this.
“I’ll bring his head to you—so you can give it to your sister-in-law. It’ll give her closure.”
I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I knew he was the most powerful man in this country, so he could make it happen. He could kill this man with the snap of a finger. But it wasn’t my decision to make. My family could have pursued him and burned him alive. They chose to walk away from the fight—and I would honor that. “My family just wants to let it go—”
“I don’t care what they want. I care what you want. I don’t want to see this sad look on your face ever again.”
“It’ll pass. I’m just a little shaken up right now…”
He stared at me for a long time, hardly blinking. His chest rose and fell slowly, his chiseled physique strong and tight even when he was most relaxed. He stared into my eyes like he was looking right at me instead of through a screen. “You look so beautiful right now.”
His words were full of sincerity and hit me right in the heart. “My hair is pulled back. I’m not wearing any makeup, and I’m wearing a shirt that’s way too big…”
“But you’re so beautiful, you don’t need those things. You’re perfect the way you are.”
This man was piercing my heart with his words, saying the most romantic things I’d ever heard. “You aren’t entertaining yourself with other women until I get back, right?” I didn’t know why I said that. I’d tried to deflect his intimate comment with something else.
He shook his head. “There’s only one woman I want. I would much rather be alone than waste my time with a woman who will never compare to you.” He ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at me, that same intense expression on his face. The only words that ever came out of his mouth were true, so he meant every single word.
But I already knew how committed he was—from experience. “I should go to bed…” I hated how comfortable this was, how we could just stare at each other and say nothing. I hated how much I enjoyed being wanted by this man, how he made me feel so beautiful, like I was the most desirable woman on the planet. He wasn’t in the same room with me, but I could still feel his heat like he was right beside me.
“Can you feel me inside you?” he asked, his deep voice masculine and sexy.
I could still feel his weight deep within me, the seed he’d deposited earlier. “Yes…” I pressed my thighs together under the sheets, wishing they were hugging his waist right now.
“Goodnight, Beautiful.”
“Good night, babe.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression intensifying at the nickname. He loved to hear that name on my lips, loved listening to me be possessive of him the way he was possessive of me. He stared at me for a moment longer before he hung up.
I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned all night, freezing cold because Bosco wasn’t beside me with his searing heat. When a few hours passed, I knew it wasn’t gonna happen. Just like when Bosco was at work and I was home alone, it was impossible for me to sleep without him. I usually lay on the couch and watched TV, hoping the mindless entertainment would lull me to sleep and I would know he was home the second he walked through the door.
I made my way downstairs and stepped into the kitchen. The refrigerator had an open bottle of wine, so I poured myself a glass. There were some cheese and grapes, so I stood at the counter and snacked, even though late-night eating would only hurt my waistline.
Footsteps sounded a moment later. “Couldn’t sleep?” Mom came into the kitchen, looking wide awake.
Because I couldn’t sleep without Bosco. “Too excited for tomorrow.”
“Me too.” She grabbed the bottle and poured herself a glass. “Your father is sleeping like a rock. Me…not so much.”
“If you’re so excited, then why do you look so sad?” I asked, popping a cube of cheese into my mouth.
She sighed before she spoke. “It’s just crazy how quickly time passes. I remember the day Carter was born just like it was yesterday. He’s grown into a remarkable young man, and I couldn’t be prouder. It’s just hard to let him go…”
I gave my mom a sad look. “You aren’t letting him go, Mama. He’s right down the street. They’ll have more children, and you’ll have grandchildren running around everywhere. It’s exactly what you wanted.”
“I know…I’m very lucky. I’m glad he found a strong woman like Mia. She’s wonderful.”
“Then we should celebrate.” I clinked my glass against hers, trying to cheer her up. I knew this was hard for both my parents. They were happy, but also sad that Carter and I were getting older. In a few years, I would be married with a husband and kids too. Neither one of us would need them for anything. It was a change in roles, and soon we would be the ones taking care of them.
She gave me a smile. “Yes. We should.” She grabbed a few pieces of cheese and some grapes. “So, what’s new with you? How’s the shop?”
“It’s going well. It’s been busy despite the winter season. Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of funerals.”
“It’s the flu. It’s terrible this year.” She shook her head slightly. “I’m relieved your father works with grapes more than people.”
“How’s he like working with Griffin?”
“He’s become fond of him,” Mom said. “It took him a while to warm up to him, but he finally has. Says he’s a good worker and he’s good to Vanessa. Some beautiful young woman was setting up a distribution relationship with the winery, and she made a pass at Griffin. Apparently, Griffin lost his shit and said some pretty harsh things to her…so they lost the client.”
“Really?” I asked. “Father and Uncle Crow were there and let it happen?”
“No. Your uncle called her company to follow up, and he heard the story through her.”
“Man…Vanessa must have been pissed.” She’d never mentioned the story to me.
“I don’t think she knows,” Mom said. “Your uncle never told Griffin he heard the story. Decided to let it go. He cares more about his son-in-law treating his daughter right than losing a client.”
“Griffin adores Vanessa.”
“He does,” she said with a nod. “He’s very loyal—which is why your father likes him.”
Bosco
was loyal too. He had a pair of beautiful tits in his face the other day, but he didn’t take the bait. He threw her out just the way Griffin told that woman off. I was starting to see more similarities between the two men.
“Speaking of men… Are you seeing anyone?” My mom asked me the direct question because we talked about this stuff all the time. She’d always been open about it, talking to me like an adult. She had much more progressive views than my father and believed a woman could have the same kind of lifestyle as a man. My father knew Carter slept around for the last decade but never thought twice about it. He had very different expectations for me, so we never spoke about it.
“Not really.” I felt bad lying to her, not telling her that I was in an extremely intense relationship with a man who was claiming my heart as well as my body. I used to be scared of him because of his power and his criminal lifestyle, but now I felt unsafe anytime I wasn’t with him. My hands shook whenever I touched him, and his kisses always drove me wild. I’d never been with a man who could make me feel so good. I was starting to care less and less what he did for a living, starting to ignore the warning Griffin gave me. It seemed irrelevant when the man I knew was so loyal, honest, and kind. “I went on a few dates, but nothing stuck.”
“Keep looking. The right man is out there…searching for you.”
It was getting harder to believe that there was any man out there that I even wanted. I couldn’t picture myself wanting someone more than Bosco. He was the manliest man I’d ever been with. “Yeah. I’m sure he is.”
She finished her wine and left the empty glass in the sink. “I have to be up in two hours…hopefully I can get some sleep. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
“I know…” I probably wouldn’t sleep at all.
She came behind me and squeezed both of my arms as she kissed me on the cheek. “Love you, honey.”
“Love you too.”
I got ready the next morning, wearing a long-sleeved dress with leggings underneath. The wedding was informal, a small celebration with just family and a few friends. There were no bridesmaids, just Carter and Mia and the priest who would marry them.
I went downstairs and made breakfast—French toast, bacon, and eggs. My mom had already left for Carter’s place to help set up, and my father was upstairs getting ready. I made enough for both of us, even though he probably wouldn’t eat anything.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Father came into the kitchen wearing a suit and tie. He hardly wore anything besides jeans and t-shirts with the occasional black leather jacket. His eyes lit up when he looked at me, just like always. “Whatcha got there?”
“I made breakfast. Hope you’re hungry.” I set his plate on the counter so he could eat on the barstool.
“Wow. You’re my guest, so I feel like I should make you something.” He poured a mug of coffee and grabbed some silverware so he could eat.
“No, I don’t mind.” I made myself a plate and stood at the counter across from him. “You look good in a suit. Almost didn’t recognize you.”
He chuckled. “Your mother said the same thing. But it’s only for the day. Tomorrow, I’ll be back in my jeans. You look nice too. That should keep you warm during the ceremony.”
“Yeah. I also have a pretty thick coat.” I sipped my coffee and ate my breakfast, trying not to think about the man who was sitting at his dining table and thinking about me at that moment. My father would be disappointed if I chose to get involved with someone like Bosco. He said he wanted me to settle down with a nice guy…not a criminal mastermind.
“Good. I’m excited for your brother.” He always inhaled his food because he ate a million miles a minute. He pushed his plate aside then fished out a small box from his pocket. “I got this for your brother.” He opened the box and revealed a black watch. It was completely blacked out, sleek and polished. It reminded me of one of his fancy cars.
“Wow, that’s nice.”
“I had it engraved.” He flipped it over to reveal the inscription in the metal.
* * *
To the Man I’m Most Proud of.
-Father-
* * *
“Aww, that’s so sweet.” I picked it up and examined it, touched that my father would be so thoughtful. He was usually erratic and rushed, rarely taking the time to slow down to have heart-to-heart conversations. “He’ll love it.”
“I think so too. I tried to think of something special, something he doesn’t already have. So I thought he could always look at this when he’s down or when he needs to remember who he is…especially if I’m not around anymore.”
“Father, don’t talk like that.” Listening to Bosco mourn his mother made me terrified of losing my own parents. I wouldn’t know what to do without them. I loved them so much.
“Sorry, sweetheart. Didn’t mean to upset you.” He put the watch back in the box and placed it in his pocket. He rose from the seat and reached inside his other pocket. “I know this is Carter’s day, but when I saw this, I had to get it.” He pulled out a small black box and opened the lid so I could see what was inside.
It was a diamond necklace, and the pendant was a rose. It was covered in diamonds, shining under the lights from the ceiling. Judging by the way it sparkled, I knew this was the real deal, something my father spent a lot of money on. The only real diamonds I ever wore were the ones Bosco gave to me. This necklace flashed just the way those did. “Father…”
“I thought of you the second I saw it. I had to get it.” He pulled the necklace out of the box, unclasped the chain, and then placed it around my neck. He closed the clasp then turned me around so he could take a look. “What do you think?”
I touched the pendant with my fingertips. “I love it…it’s beautiful. Thank you.” I moved into his chest and hugged him.
He hugged me back and kissed my forehead. “I won’t be the man who gets to buy you diamonds much longer. So I guess this is for me more than it is for you.” He pulled away, affection in his eyes and a slight smile on his lips.
“That’s not true. You can buy me diamonds whenever you want…not that I need them.” I knew watching my brother get married was difficult for both of my parents, especially when I would follow soon afterward. It was only a matter of time. “And there will never be a man in my life who can replace you.” I was lucky I grew up with two loving parents. There was never a time in my life when I had to worry if my parents really cared about me. Not everyone was so lucky—but I won the lottery.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. That’s how life is. You’ll find a man who takes care of you, who respects and honors you, and I’ll be happy to give you away. But for now, you’re still my little girl—and I will treasure this time as long as I can.”
Even though it was in the middle of winter, it was a beautiful wedding. With white lilies on the grass and a great view of the Tuscan hillside, it was a special moment. It was cold, but it hadn’t rained in weeks, so the soil was dry. It was just the family sitting in the chairs, and we waited together as Carter stood at the front. Luca was beside him, wearing a black suit.
He looked adorable.
Mom was already crying. Father had his arm wrapped around her as he rubbed her back.
I sat beside Vanessa, seeing her bundled up Griffin’s coat because he made her wear it. It was zipped up in the front, keeping her pregnant belly warm. He had his strong arm wrapped around her, smothering her with his body heat.
It was hard not to think of Bosco.
It was a Saturday, so he was probably working tonight. I wondered if Ruby would be there. If she was, it didn’t matter. Bosco didn’t want her.
The harp began to play, and Mia made her way down the aisle. Though Carter had asked Conway to be his best man, Mia had made a different request. Conway escorted her, letting her rest her arm through his. They moved slowly to the music, and we all rose in our seats to see Mia float by like an angel.
In a long-sleeved white dress with her hair in curls, she looked beautiful. She was smili
ng and crying at the same time, her eyes glued to Carter.
Carter didn’t smile, but he gave her the same kind of intense expression that Bosco gave to me. He loved her completely and utterly—and it was written all over his face.
Conway let her go when they arrived, and he clapped his cousin on the shoulder before he took a seat with Sapphire and Reid.
Mia kneeled down to kiss Luca on the head. She gave him a big hug before she rose to her feet again.
Carter kneeled down and picked up Luca, holding him with one arm as he faced Mia. “Is it okay if I marry your mom, little man?”
Luca wrapped his arm around Carter’s neck as he sat in the crook of his arm. “Yeah, Dad.”
It must have been the first time he’d called Carter that, because Carter’s eyes immediately softened in a way they never had before. There was a slight hint of moisture in his eyes as he kissed Luca on the head. “Thanks, son.”
Mia was already crying—and they hadn’t even started the ceremony.
My phone buzzed with emails for phone orders, so I took it out of my clutch and put it on silent before I set it on the table. There were tall heaters everywhere, keeping us warm as we sat at the tables and had dinner.
Mia and Carter danced on the back patio, swaying softly to the music for their first dance. It was just us and my maternal grandparents, who came from America to live here when my mother married my father. It was a small wedding—but it was perfect.
I sat with my mom and dad, watching them enjoy the sight of their grown son in love.
When the dance ended, they moved to their seats so they could enjoy their dinner.
“I’m going to the bathroom.” I set my napkin on the table and walked away.
“Alright, honey.” Mom helped pull out my chair so I could get up before she pushed it back in.
I walked into the house and down the hallway to the bathroom. The door was locked, so I stayed outside for a minute.