by Leah Holt
I should have been thinking about the baby, I should have been trying to stay alive.
But I reacted.
And I couldn't stop myself.
I remembered charging him, I remembered feeling my fingernails against his skin and the sound of my voice as I screeched a noise that couldn't be described as anything other than pure insanity.
I saw white, a bright white haze filled my eyes, blocking out that very moment. I had lost my fucking mind.
Remo pushed me, he had finally made me crack. And it wasn't the fault he wanted to create deep inside me. He wanted me to buckle to him, he wanted to see me crumble under his hands and turn flaccid.
I was far from that. He had poked the bear one too many times. Even if I wanted to keep control and think about what I was doing, there was no way I could.
He had destroyed my life, my family, my love. Everything was burned from his hands. My world was charred and unrecognizable. I had lost it all, but the worst part was I had myself.
And as the haze around me lifted, I was standing over Remo holding a gun. I didn't remember how it got in my hands, I couldn't see the memory of picking it up. His eyes were huge, scared, afraid of the monster he had unleashed.
For the first time ever. . . He feared me.
“Ivy, don't, don't do this.”
“I hate you, I hate everything you stand for.”
His hands were up, palms out, his white flag waving strongly in the air. And I didn't give a shit.
My finger was on the trigger, my arm firmly out with no shaking or trembles. I felt the cold curve of the metal, I could hear the gun breathing in my hand.
“You don't want to do this, killing a man changes you.” Remo's face was gentle, his soft side was trying to manipulate my thoughts.
It wasn't going to work. Nothing he could say would change my mind.
He was a soundless disease that lurked deep in your bones, waiting until you were at your weakest to strike.
I wasn't weak and I never would be.
I was a fighter.
“I know it does.” Calmly, I let my head lean a hair, just enough to cause a quick splash of uncertainty in his eyes.
He didn't know if I was going to do it, he wasn't sure if I had the balls to tear him from this earth.
But he thought wrong.
I knew he wanted me to question what I was about to do, but I wouldn't. I had waited for this, patiently I'd sat back and waited for this very moment.
Pushing up on his elbows, his lip had started to puff up, teeth covered in bright red. “You can't do it, you won't kill me. If you had it in you, you would have by now. You're nothing but weak.”
“You're wrong.” My thumb drew circles on the handle of the gun, my gaze steadying on his. “I just thought you should know. . .” Pausing, I took a step in, lowering the muzzle closer to his face. “Not only did Dante steal my virginity from you—I'm having his baby.”
His eyes flooded with anger, brows veering in. “You fucking whore!”
Bang!
A small plume of smoke wafted up, circling around my hand, and I just stood there staring down at him. I had wondered before what it would be like to kill him, what it would feel like to see him die.
My imagination didn't have shit on the real thing.
I wasn't shaking, I didn't throw the gun away like it was a pile of hot coals singeing my palm. There was a rush, this icy tarnish that coated my veins in cold liquid metal.
And I embraced it, caressing the object that helped me destroy the only true evil to ever enter my world. The power I felt wasn't about taking his life, it had nothing to do with holding someone's soul in my hand.
I didn't feel it. . . I was it.
I was everything a woman should be; strong, smart and beautiful. The scars wouldn't be a daily reminder of what I had been. Not anymore.
They would be a reminder of who I was.
I was power.
Ivy had just taken in her first breath.
I was back.
Epilogue
Four months later
Ivy's small rounded belly bumped against my stomach, a playful giggle teased her lips, making me smile.
Running my fingertips across her stomach, I moved up her ribs and cupped her full breasts. Her figure was changing, filling in with such an intoxicating allure, I found myself touching her every chance I could.
Her laughter switched from high and giddy to low and sensual. Her legs spread open, calling me in. But I hesitated, hovering around her knees and staying upright.
Ever since her stomach had popped, that small bubble made me nervous. Could I hurt her or the baby if I put too much pressure on her? Was there a chance I might smother the small life protected behind a thin layer of muscle and skin?
Running my hands down her smooth thighs, I kept my arms locked tight as I propped myself up. “Am I hurting you?” I asked, afraid to squish our small bundle hidden inside her.
“No, I'm fine, the baby is fine. You're not going to hurt me, Dante, come here.” Wrapping her hands around my neck, she pulled my lips to hers.
Her kiss was soft and tender, making my heart speed up and cock push against the inside of her thigh.
I loved this woman, and it was hard to believe she loved me too.
After everything we had been through, all the hurt and pain I had caused her and so many other people. . .
I wouldn't have blamed her if she wanted to run far away from me.
Our tongues linked, twirling and dancing, licking and slipping together. Lowering to my forearms, I held my body above her, cautious of how much weight I was putting down.
“Stop it, you're not going to hurt us.” Ivy's head pressed back away from me, spooning into the pillow. “You're tense, I can feel it. Just relax.”
“I'm sorry, I can't help it.” Rolling off to the side, I kissed her stomach. “I'm just afraid I'm going to hurt the little guy.”
“Guy? How do you know it's not a girl?”
Shrugging a shoulder, I wiggled the baby bump in my palm. “I can feel it.”
“What if it's a girl?”
“Then she'll have a really long, boring life.”
Ivy's eyes lit up, her mouth opening to laugh as she asked, “And why is that?”
“Because she won't see the light of day till she's thirty. That's my only condition if our baby is born with a vagina. I don't think I could handle the idea of her dating, and boys, and fuck knows what else.”
“Language,” she whispered, covering imaginary ears by holding the sides of her belly. “I read the baby can hear everything we say.”
“That doesn't help then.”
“Doesn't help what?”
“I was worried about squishing you before—now I'm worried about the illicit sounds you make when I'm deep inside you. They're not kid-friendly, Ivy, you go well past PG rated.”
Slapping my chest, Ivy rolled her eyes. “Now you're really being ridiculous.”
“Am I? You just blocked our unborn child's ears. Who's the ridiculous one here?”
“Alright that's it.” Throwing her leg over my waist, Ivy lurched onto my chest, forcing me onto my back. “I'm taking over, you're starting to kill the mood.”
Her tits rested as two perfect tear drops, nipples hard and begging to be sucked. Rocking her hips, I felt her heat warm my skin. If she wanted control, she could have it.
She looked amazing, perfect, completely and utterly gorgeous. I loved seeing her body and knowing our baby was inside there. It did something to me, turning me from stone cold to rock hard.
There was nothing in this world that was more arousing than her plump, round belly carrying life and knowing it was mine.
“I think I can get used to this, I like when you take charge.”
“Oh yeah, you enjoy when I mount you and force myself on you?” Her fingers walked over my abs, drawing long strokes in the contours and creating a path to my shoulders.
Biting my lip, I jerked my hips up. “I
absolutely do, Princess.”
Her pussy brushed my length, the smooth petals opened wide, hugging my thick cock. I wanted her to guide me inside. The tip of my cock was already sticky, eager and needy to get home, to be in the only place on this earth that felt perfect.
Digging her nails into my shoulders, Ivy raised up, positioning herself on the head of my dick and lowering down so slow, it was borderline torture.
Her lips perched in a teasing grin, eyes twinkling with small bursts of light. Fuck, those eyes were enough to push me over, sending me into catatonic shock.
It took everything I had not grab her hips and slam her down. My hands were there, squeezing around her thighs, itching to just give her that extra push.
But I held back, letting her take her time.
Her head fell back, lashes fluttering in a half blink. “Dante,” she moaned, picking herself up and dropping back down.
Goosebumps broke over her skin, her nails digging in a little harder, holding her up. “Fuck me, Ivy, it's your turn to fuck me.”
Her swelling tits bounced, jiggling and smacking against each other. Reaching up, I plucked her tender nub and watched her shiver. Ivy's pace quickened, each thrust of her hips came down harder and faster.
Her ass rolled, legs spreading wider to take every last inch I had to give her. Licking her walls, she milked my cock. Each thrust was met with a full moan, our bodies moving in sync, breathing heavy and thick.
Ivy's legs began to shake, her thighs trembling against my waist. She drew in a harsh breath, cooing instantly and falling to my chest. Feeling her come, that sensation, the way her pussy tightened around me. . . That was what I loved the most.
Pleasing her, satisfying her; that was all I ever wanted.
The tingles swept through my stomach, drawing in my balls. My cock went rock hard, throbbing and purging deep into her soul.
We were no longer two separate people. Our lives were connected forever by trust, by love, and by blood.
Scooping the hair off her neck, I kissed her shoulder and up her throat. “Did you like that?”
Lifting her head, Ivy flipped her eyes up to the ceiling. “Yeah, it was alright.”
“Alright? That's it, just alright?”
At that very moment, I heard a slow, ominous clap. Popping my head up over her shoulder, Sesto was leaning in our doorway, a huge shit-eating grin on his face.
“Really, you fucking pervert?”
“That was a grand performance you guys, seriously, very romantic.” Grabbing his chest, he stuck his tongue out and looked like he was about to throw up.
Ivy jumped off me, snagging the blanket and holding it to her chin. “What are you like, fourteen, Sesto?”
Chuckling, he strolled into the room like we weren't both laying there naked, and sat on the edge of the bed by my side. Ruffling my hair, he smiled and said, “Come on now, I just wanted to make sure you took precautions. You did take precautions, didn't you? You don't want to go getting her knocked up.”
Swatting him away, I tried not to laugh. “Fuck you, asshole. Get out of here.” Shoving him off the bed, I threw a failed punch at his ribs.
“Alright, alright, I just have to keep an eye on my little brother, that's all.” Walking to the door, he turned back over his shoulder. “Oh, but hey, next time, maybe try closing the door. I mean, we all live here, so. . .”
“Go!” I yelled, throwing my pillow at him.
His body ducked behind the wall in the hall, his head floating back in with that annoying fucking grin. “I do have a question though.”
“What?”
“Things are moving pretty smoothly and all, you think you could handle things for a little bit on your own?”
“Why, what the hell do you have planned?”
“There's something I left unfinished a while back, I kinda wanted to go get it.”
I was trying to read his mind, but he wasn't giving me much. His fingers tapped nervously against the door frame, eyes wide and darting around my face.
What the hell is he going to do?
“Sesto, what are you talking about?”
“Look, you got this whole boss thing down, you don't need me. And honestly, I don't know if I can be in this a hundred percent until I do this. My head just ain't right, not yet.”
“Will you just spill it already?”
“Dante.” His brow jetted up, forehead wrinkling in the same wave of lines our father once had.
No questions. I got it.
“Alright, alright, go, I'll be fine.”
Slapping the wood, he nodded. “Ivy, keep an eye on him, don't let him fuck anything up while I'm out.”
Saluting, Ivy jerked her body square. “Yes, Sir.”
“You're both a couple of smart asses, you're perfect for each other.” Shaking his head, he pointed at Ivy. “Oh, and don't go having that baby while I'm gone.”
Smirking, I cocked my head. “Ses, she's like six months. How long do you plan on being gone?”
“As long as it takes.” Winking, his hand slipped free of the door and his feet thudded down the stairs.
And like that, he was gone.
“Where do you think he's going?” Ivy asked, cuddling up into my arms and running her hand up and down my chest.
“I'm not sure, but it's something he doesn't want to talk about.” Pulling her in tighter, I stroked her arm. “When are your parents coming down?”
“Next week. My mom said my dad should be home from rehab by then, and she's really looking forward to a fresh start.”
After all the shit with Remo, Ivy was finally able to find out the truth. And she was right. Against all the thoughts I had about her father, he didn't do it for the money.
Ivy's dad had two choices; give me your daughter or lose your whole family.
He had a gambling problem, a big one. I had no idea that Remo was running some shit on the side. Not only was he working with us, but he was also a fucking loan shark.
Remo let her father get in way over his head, all to get what he wanted. He could have cut him off, he could have made him work to pay him back another way, but he didn't. He wanted Ivy, and he was willing to let her father dig a hole so deep he couldn't get out.
Her father wasn't really given an option at all. It was either take the offer he gave, or Remo was going to snuff out the whole damn family.
And Remo would have done it, he would have killed them all and left her father to wallow in his own tears. He didn't want to let Ivy go, he never wanted to let Remo slip away with her that night. But he did what he thought he needed to in order to save the rest of his family.
I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision, it had to weigh heavy on him. I doubt he'd ever forgive himself for it. But Ivy wouldn't allow him to feel that type of pain, she refused to let him think that he'd made the wrong choice.
I think if Ivy had to do it all over again, she would, just to save her family herself.
The slaughter at the yard went down as a bad deal. With all the blood that was spilled there, my father's murder got tossed on the back burner. They were no closer to solving it, not that they were even close to begin with.
Six men had died in that building, that overshadowed the single death of one mob boss. My father wasn't worth the trouble anymore, the cops had bigger game to find. We were in the clear.
But I felt lighter knowing that the crusade for vengeance was over and my father could rest a little easier. Ivy could breathe, our lives could move on.
Vince was the only thing from that night I felt sorry about. His injuries were too severe and he died two days later in the hospital. That hit a nerve, I didn't want him to lose his life over this, but it was out of my hands.
Ivy had surprised me, she stood up and did the right thing. I shamed myself for ever doubting her. I had been worried she wouldn't have it in her to kill him, I was so fucking wrong. The girl was stronger than I gave her credit for. Who knows where I'd be, or where any of us would be if she hadn't taken control.
But it's over now, it's been over.
My brother and I started up Dad's business again, more cautious and alert of who we trusted and who we worked with. Things were going good.
Brushing her skin with my fingertips, I leaned my head onto hers. “Ivy?”
“Yeah?” Her face twisted up, hand caressing my jaw.
“Do you remember when I asked you if you'd marry me when everything was all over?”
Giggling, she smiled. “Yeah, I remember that.”
“Well?”
“Well what?”
Reaching under the mattress, I tugged out a small black box and placed it on my stomach. “Will you marry me?”
Shooting up, her eyes were huge as saucers, searching me for any sign that I was joking. “What's this?”
“Open it.”
Taking the box in her hand, she let it sit in her palm for a second and just stared at it.
“Go on, open it up.” Gripping her shoulder, I shook her lightly.
I watched her fingers shaking as her thumb pressed the front and pulled back the lid. Tears instantly fell from her eyes, slipping off her cheeks and splashing onto my ribs.
“Dante, wow, I don't, I don't know what to say. Oh wow, wow.”
Her chest beat against mine, her heart pounding so insanely fast, I could feel each and every thud. “Yes you do. Will you marry me, Ivy?”
Snapping her head up, the tears continued to fall, her sniffles light and short. She wasn't saying anything and I started to worry.
Reaching into the box, I plucked the shiny diamond from its base and grabbed her left hand. Slipping the ring onto her finger, I kissed her forehead. “Tell me I can keep you forever, tell me that I never have to live a day without you.”
Crushing her lips against mine, Ivy's words buzzed over my mouth. “I do, of course I do. I never want to be without you, I love you.”
Our hearts were beating together, our lips sealed tight, and then it happened. I felt it, I felt a small bump against my side. Ivy started to laugh, rubbing her belly. “Did you feel that?”
“Was that the baby? Did I really just feel the baby kick me?”
Shaking her head yes, I pressed my palm flat against her belly and felt our baby dance. Ivy had been feeling the little one kicking her on occasion, light flutters here and there. But this was the first time I actually got to feel the life inside her.