Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Thanks, you too.”
“Night.” Luke gives me a chin lift while he walks toward Ciro, Alfio, and the rest of the team.
Just as I press the button for the elevator, the doors open, and I step back when I see my mother-in-law, Bianca, and Yuki.
“Did you have fun?” I ask as they exit the elevator.
“Tons,” Bianca replies.
Saying goodbye to them, I scan my keycard, and as the elevator goes up to my floor, I let out a tired sigh.
When I enter the penthouse, I key in the code on the panel, securing the elevator in place and activating the alarms.
“Princess?”
“In the kitchen.”
I find her loading the dishwasher, and seeing her barefoot and relaxed in our home does something to my heart.
“I love coming home to you,” I say as I wrap my arms around her front and press a kiss to the side of her neck.
“I was thinking we could stay in this weekend, get tons of junk food, and have a movie marathon.” She turns around in my hold. “You’ve been working hard and need the rest.”
“That sounds like heaven.” I press a kiss to her mouth, then, lifting her off her feet, I carry her out of the kitchen and up to our bedroom.
While I strip down to my boxers, Sienna changes into her pajamas, and when we climb into bed, I engulf her with my body and press my face into the crook of her neck.
Taking a deep breath of my woman, my thoughts begin to slow down, and the noise in my mind quiets. My body shudders as it releases some of the stress that comes with the job.
Sienna begins to pull her fingers through my hair, and it makes goose bumps scatter over my skin.
“I love when you do that,” I mumble, already half asleep.
“I know.” Pressing a kiss to my head, she whispers, “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” I drift off as I find peace in my wife’s arms.
Epilogue
Sienna
(Three years later…)
“You have a healthy baby boy,” Dr. Milazzo says as I slump back against the pillows, my skin soaked with sweat and breaths rushing over my lips from just giving birth.
Christiano’s tight grip on my hand begins to ease, and leaning over me, he presses a kiss to my forehead. When I started having contractions, he brought me to the Cosa Nostra’s personal hospital.
A tiny cry sounds up, and my eyes snap to where Simone, the nurse, is tending to our baby.
She wraps him in a soft blanket, and when she brings him to me, my heartbeat speeds up dangerously fast. By the time she lays the small bundle in my arms, the monitors are going crazy.
“Oh my God, Christiano,” I whimper as I look at our son. “He’s so small.”
“He’ll be the most protected child on this planet, princess,” my wonderful husband reassures me for the millionth time. Brushing his palm over my damn hair, he leans closer as he takes hold of our son’s tiny hand. “Thank you for giving me an heir. You were so brave.”
A tearful smile curves my lips. I can’t tear my eyes away from the scrunched-up little face of our baby, thinking I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.
“Hi, Damian, I’m your daddy,” Christiano coos lovingly. “Welcome to the world, son.”
As carefully as possible, I hand our son over to him, so he can hold our precious bundle while the medical personnel finish with me.
By the time I’m moved to a luxurious private room, my eyes won’t stay open and keep drifting off.
Every once in a while, I hear Christiano talk to Damian, who’s making cute fussing sounds.
When I wake up, the room is empty, and not seeing Christiano or Damian, my heart sets off at a crazy pace.
An alarm starts beeping out in the hallway, then I hear Christiano snap, “Fuck.” He rushes into the room, and I notice the face of his watch is showing red as it continues to beep.
“I’m here, baby. You’re okay.” He quickly pushes a button on his wristwatch to silence it, then leans over me. “I’m fine. Damian’s fine. We’re here.”
“Sorry,” I whisper as my heart calms down.
“Don’t apologize,” he murmurs while hugging me. “We’re all safe. I won’t allow anything to happen to Damian. He’s with our fathers. No one can get to him.”
I nod, feeling much better. In my mind, our fathers are indestructible, and knowing they’re with our son, it eases my phobia.
“Can we come in?” I hear Dad ask.
“Yes.” Christiano moves back, and when I see our parents come into the room with proud and happy looks on their faces, a lump forms in my throat.
Dad comes to press a kiss to my forehead. “You did a good job, sweetheart. I want you to rest while we all watch over you, Christiano, and Damian.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”