Arranged Mafia Marriage

“Better?”

“I am now that you’re here with me.” I reach for his hand and twine my fingers with his.

He peers into my eyes. “Are you-?

“Pregnant?” I bite the inside of my cheek. “I think so.”

“You haven’t checked?”

“I was waiting for you to return.”

“I’m sorry I had to take off on such short notice. I’d have preferred to be here, especially with Christian’s triplet still in a coma.”

“It’s understandable,” I murmur. “It’s been nearly two weeks since he was shot.”

“And we still don’t have a lead on who did this.” He pulls me up to my feet, then scoops me up in his arms. I cuddle into his chest. There’s nowhere else I feel as I do, here with him, in our home. Not that I have been spending much time at home recently either. With Christian leaving for London to track down Aurora, and Michael and Seb leaving to take care of business, it left me and Cassandra, along with Nonna, Massimo, Luca, and Adrian, to take turns being with Theresa.

The woman is stubborn. She refuses to leave his side. It had taken a lot of persuasion, but she finally agreed to head back once a day to shower and change her clothes before returning to keep her vigil.

The doctors moved him into a suite in the hospital which resembles a hotel suite, except for the medical equipment, that is.

It’s a brighter, more cheerful room, and at least, there is an extra bed that Theresa can use. Of course, her preferred spot is in the chair near the bed, holding his hand. She also speaks to him and reads to him, and the doctors say that’s good. It helps to keep his subconscious engaged and gives him a reason to return.

“How is he?” Michael places me down on the bed, then sits down next to me. “I haven’t been to the hospital yet. I came here directly from the airport.”

“He’s the same,” I murmur. “It’s difficult to see him and not think of Xander. Of course, if Theresa has her way, he’ll wake up and think of himself as Xander.” I laugh.

He blows out a breath. “It’s not healthy, the fact that she has her hopes pegged on his waking up and for the two of them to then have a chance at a real relationship, unlike what she had with Xander.”

“It seems cruel to destroy her expectations.” I raise a shoulder. “Also, he did step in front of her and take a bullet for her, so that must mean something.”

“Perhaps…” Michael doesn’t sound convinced.

“Perhaps, he did it out of instinct?” I offer. “Perhaps, it’s that same instinct which will have him look for a relationship with her?”

“Hmm,” Michael’s lips firm. “And Christian? Is he back?”

“They are returning tomorrow. I’m glad you convinced him and Aurora to stay in London and take a few days for themselves.”

“He wanted me to call him if there was any change in his triplet’s condition. But … I get the sense that he is also dreading meeting his triplet when he wakes up.”

“We still have no idea about who he is, do we?”

“I had my contact at the police station run his prints through the database, but we found nothing.”

“Nothing?” I blink.

“Whoever he is, he’s managed to cover his tracks well.”

“Or it could mean that he is innocent?”

“Maybe.” He cups my cheek. “When do you want to take the test?”

I draw in a breath. “Now.”

“You sure? We can wait until you feel stronger.”

“I feel much better now that you’re here.” And it’s true.

As long as Michael is with me, I can face anything. Only question is, what will his reaction be when I tell him about the potential consequences of my pregnancy?

Christian

Earlier today, I spoke with Michael on the phone, and he told me that my triplet is stable but still unconscious.

I felt guilty about staying away when my family needs me, but Michael convinced me that it was just as important for me to woo my wife and bring her back home. I had hesitated and he was insistent that I take as much time as needed to consolidate my relationship with Aurora. He promised that he’d call me if anything changed in my triplet’s condition, and that’s when I finally relented.

We spent an idyllic weekend in Aurora’s apartment, after which she went back to work, returning exhausted every day. Seeing her in her natural habitat, taking in just how much effort she put into her role as a doctor, has put things in a new light. Oh, I knew she was clever and that she was a good doctor, but I had never appreciated just how much of herself she puts into building up her career… To be fair, it’s more than a career; it’s a calling. And it feels wrong to ask her to give it up and move back to Palermo with me.

So, I haven’t. Instead, I’ve focused on the now, and the time I have with her. I’ve made sure that there was food to eat-yes, I did order it in- when she got back and ensured that she got a good night’s sleep. After I fucked her, of course.

That’s how we passed most of the week, and now it’s Friday, and I’m scheduled to fly home tomorrow.

The doorbell rings, and I let in the caterers. They get to work laying the table, complete with cutlery, candles, and wine glasses. They place the prosecco in the bucket and leave. Just in time, for a few minutes later, Aurora walks in.

She takes one look at the table and pauses. “Wow,” she breathes, “what are you celebrating?” She kicks off her boots, takes off her coat and drops it, along with her bag, on the sofa in the living room. She walks over to the table and raises the lid of one of the dishes. The tangy scent of spaghetti fills the space. “Oh, yum.” She reaches for a fork, and I click my tongue.

“Now, now, don’t be naughty, my Flower.”

“But I’m hungry,” she whines. “I’ll take only a bite; I promise.” She dips her fork into the food, scoops up some of the strands, and brings it to her mouth.

“Oh my god,” she groans, “this is so good. Did you have it catered from a Michelin-starred restaurant?”

“Even better.” I smirk. “I had Zia Anita’s Cucina make it special for us.”

“Zia Anita?” She blinks. “You have an aunt who lives here?”

“She’s actually my cousin’s husband’s sister’s uncle’s wife.”

“Huh?” She scowls. “Isn’t your cousin’s husband’s sister’s uncle the same as your cousin’s husband’s uncle?”

My grin widens, and she frowns. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“Almost.” I laugh. “She really is a distant relation who moved to London thirty years ago and now runs one of the most authentic Sicilian restaurants in all of London.”

“Right…” She licks her lips. “Well, whoever she is, her spaghetti rocks.”

“I’ll be sure to tell her that.” I walk over, then scoop up some of the sauce from the corner of her lips and bring it to my mouth. “Hmm…” I survey her features. “You’re right; it really is delicious.”

Her pupils dilate, and by god, I’m sure I can smell the ripe scent of her arousal. I wrap my fingers around her wrist, then bring the fork to my mouth. I swirl my tongue around the tines, and a whine spills from her lips.

“Not fair,” she whispers, “you’re seducing me.”

“Was under the impression that it was the other way around. You’re seducing me, baby.”

“Me?” She glances down at her scrubs, then back at me. “I’m hardly dressed for seduction.”

“You could wear a sack, and the moment I take in your curves-which, by the way, no cloth can ever hide from me-I’m a goner.”

She laughs. “Sometimes, I don’t know if I should believe you or not.”

“Oh, believe me, baby.” I ease the fork from her fingers, drop it on the table, then bring her palm to my crotch. “See what you do to me?”

Her breath hitches. She massages the evidence of my arousal, and fuck, if my dick doesn’t thicken further.”

“And here I was, trying to make sure everything is perfect today.”

“Everything is perfect.” She squeezes the column between my legs, and my groin hardens. My balls ache, and hell, if it isn’t tempting to throw her onto the table and fuck her senseless, but that won’t do.

“It’s our last night together,” I whisper. “I want it to be a night to remember.”

“Oh,” her features seem to crumple, “that’s right.” She pulls away from me, but I don’t release her. She glances away, and her chin trembles.

“Hey,” I wrap my arm around her and bring her closer, trapping her hand on my crotch between us. “Don’t be upset, Flower. You know I’ll come back to you as soon as possible.”

“It won’t be soon enough.” She shakes her head. “You’ve not even left, and I already miss you.” She presses her lips together as if she regrets her outburst.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“I miss you already, as well,” I admit. I press a kiss to her forehead, then to the tip of her nose. “I have no idea how I’m going to live without you, but I need to get back; my family needs me.”

“I know.” she bites down on her lower lip.

“Fuck,” I groan, “don’t do that. You’re not allowed to do that. Only I can bite down on your lip, Flower.” I lick her mouth, and as soon as she releases the hold on her lip, I close my teeth around it. I tug, and she trembles. I lick the abraded flesh, and a moan squeezes past her lips.

“Christian,” she moans, “please fuck me.”