Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Afterward, I turn on the shower and help her into it. I soap and clean her, taking my time. I knead her tired muscles and make sure every inch of her is pristine, from her toes to her hair. I kiss her when I’m done, and the look she gives me nearly stops my heart. It’s loving and pure, like a goddess descending from the sky.
When she’s dried off, dressed in comfy clothes, and lying in bed, I decide now’s the time to tell her the truth.
“I don’t think you should stay with me.”
She stares, frowning like she’s waking up from a dream. “I don’t understand.”
“This war. What’s happening with Demir. And our baby. I’m too dangerous, amore mio.”
“You’re seriously doing this again?”
“It’s not like that.” I kneel down beside her and try to take her hand, but she yanks it away. Fine, I understand why she’s upset, but this is bigger than both of us. “We have the baby to think about now. The Famiglia owns a house down in Sea Isle City, right next to the beach. It’s a beautiful place. You’ll be comfortable and safe there.”
“I’m not letting you send me away.”
“Just until the war is over. I’ll make sure my most skilled and trusted soldiers protect you. I’ll visit if I can. But until you’re safe—”
“No,” she says, sharper now, and pushes herself out of bed.
“Please, Lucy. You’re still recovering.”
“You don’t get it.” She shakes her head, her face turning red with anger. “I’m not some toy you can throw back in the box when you don’t want it anymore.”
“That’s not what I’m doing. You have to understand that.”
“And you have to see that I’m staying here with you, Adriano. You’re my husband. You’re my partner.” She presses a hand to her belly. “You’re the father of my child.”
That kills me. The thought of her living in New Jersey while our child grows in her belly is like a knife to my heart. But I keep seeing Demir with that gun pressed to her head, and I know that could happen again if I don’t do something drastic to make sure she’s safe.
I don’t want to send her away. It breaks me. But I have to be strong for her, even if she doesn’t want it.
“You’re better off far away from me,” I say coolly, while inside I’m melting to pieces. “Please, Lucy, just listen.”
“No. Screw you.” She storms over to her closet and starts grabbing clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“Sleeping somewhere else.”
“Lucy!”
“Don’t worry, I’m getting away from you, just like you want. But I’m not going far.” She stomps to the door and glares back at me. “This is my home now. Whether you like it or not.”
Then she leaves.
Well, fuck.
I sit down on the edge of the bed with a long sigh.
So long as she’s still in the house, it’ll be okay. I’ll talk to her again when she calms down and make her understand that this is for the best. She’ll come around. She’ll be okay.
Because if she’s not?
I won’t be able to live with myself.
Chapter 35
Lucy
It feels a little weird camping out in Adriano’s father’s old suite. The rooms are now empty of all the old man’s belongings, but it’s as if his ghost still lingers. There is new furniture, most of it not even fully put together yet. I sleep on a bed with just a brand-new sheet and a lumpy pillow.
“I’m aware that I overreacted a little bit, okay?” I pace back and forth across the empty living room. Kennedy’s sitting on the floor, legs crossed, Chinese food spread out in front of her. “But he pisses me off so much.”
“You’re pregnant. You get a pass.” She grins at me, poking chopsticks in my direction. “I still can’t believe it.”
“That makes two of us.” I collapse back onto the floor and groan as I lie on my back. “Is he going to do this forever? Pull me in, love bomb me, treat me like a princess, then suddenly shove me away all over again? I’m legitimately getting whiplash.”
“He’s complicated.”
“He’s a brooding, self-absorbed prick.”
Her eyebrows raise. “A really hot brooding, self-absorbed prick.”
“I’m aware,” I grumble and stretch my legs. “Seriously, Kennedy. Am I just being stupid here? Should I go to the beach house?”
She’s quiet for a minute as she eats. I pick at some noodles, but I haven’t had much appetite lately. It’s like I’m getting the opposite of hunger cravings. The morning sickness hasn’t been too bad, so I’m not worried about that. I just don’t feel like eating. Still, I force some down since it’s better for the baby.
“I think you get a say in where you live. It’s your life too. But I also understand why Adriano might want to send you far away from everything that’s going on.”