Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 132791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Sleep and I finally got reacquainted. All thanks to my husband.
He spent every night worshipping my body, sucking my nipples, kissing and licking between my legs, sometimes putting his fingers there, too, and bringing me to soul-destroying orgasms after which I slept like a baby. Something about the way he exhausted my body awarded me with a peaceful slumber no brisk walk or a workout ever managed.
Tiernan still showed no interest in the baby, in his kicking, ultrasound pictures, or well-being. The pregnancy was a black cloud hanging over our heads. It seemed to serve as the thickest, most indestructible wall between us. But it always boiled down to the same thing—if Tiernan truly cared about me, he’d accept my child, too.
Because me? I’d welcome everything and anyone he brought with him.
My brothers visited me often enough. I took lunches with Enzo and Luca, who practiced their ASL with me. Even Achilles dropped by whenever he checked in on his so-called investment next door. Every time he popped up at Tierney’s apartment to look for signs of a lover, he made sure to bring me something from the deli. Calzone or gelato. His visits surprised me the most. Because I knew Achilles didn’t try to impress anyone, myself included, so if he chose to spend any amount of time with me, it was because he truly wanted to get to know me.
As for Mama, she sent things with Enzo. Books she thought I’d like, cookies she’d baked, and maternity clothes she’d bought for me.
“What is she trying to achieve by not speaking to me? My secret’s already out,” I vented to Enzo one day, when we were both watching Parks and Recreation on my couch.
“You were the only thing she could control.” Enzo shrugged, looking fifty shades of the golden boy that he was. The prettiest of the brothers. The kindest. The most secretive. “You know she loves you. She just doesn’t know what to do with herself, now that you have a life of your own.”
“Is this because I didn’t want to marry Angelo?”
“Doubt it,” Enzo admitted. “She dropped the subject like a hot potato after her talk with Tiernan.”
“How’s the search for my attacker going?”
I knew Tiernan was working on it, but I didn’t ask about it. I didn’t want to poke my own raw wound. But I also wanted to know when they found him. I needed that closure.
“There’re a few roadblocks in Tiernan’s way,” Enzo said vaguely, rubbing the back of his neck. “But he’s working on it. He needs some hard evidence before he calls in more people for interrogation. Anyway, back to Mama.” He changed the subject. “Just remember she loves you to death, yeah?”
“She should be happy for me.”
“She thinks it’ll blow up in your face. Tiernan doesn’t have the best reputation.”
“And what do you think?”
Enzo ran his knuckles along his jawline. “I think if anyone could melt the iceberg also known as Tiernan Callaghan’s heart, it’s you, sis.”
_______
My blissful lucky streak came to an abrupt end one morning when Tiernan was pouring me a cup of coffee and Imma was huffing and puffing, scrubbing the same spot on the already pristine kitchen island with a frown.
“You have to visit your mama today,” she declared in Neapolitan, her stern glower warning me off arguing. “It’s her birthday, and she misses you dearly.”
I grabbed my phone and texted Imma since she didn’t know ASL. If she misses me so, she is welcome to visit me. Write a letter. Maybe even an email. I have an address now.
Imma read the text, her scowl deepening, and shook her head. She blew away the silver flyaways framing her tanned face.
“She is a prideful woman, and she spent her entire life protecting you. You’re being a brat.”
She took away my chance to go to school. To gain an education. To have friends.
“She did what she thought was right at the time.”
Tiernan slid my coffee across the island, leveling me with a questioning look.
“There’s a formal dinner at the house. Tonight at seven,” Imma said. “You should go.”
With that, she turned around and left the kitchen, leaving her phone behind so I wouldn’t be able to answer her. I watched her back disappear behind a door. She was completely unreasonable. Mama was the one who cut me off for wanting to live a normal life. I felt like I was living in an upside world.
Tiernan slid onto the stool next to me. His smirk was as menacing as nightshade.
“What’s funny?” I scowled at him.
“Your attitude.” He grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, taking a juicy bite. Even the way his white teeth sank into the flesh of the apple made my insides clench with desire. “You act like a rebellious teenager. You sass back. You’re growing the fuck up.”