I wake to the feel of a lead ball on my shoulders. It’s like I’m carrying the weight of the world. Enrico came to bed late last night but he didn’t touch me. He got into bed and turned his back.
I get up and go to the bathroom. Once I’m done, I climb back under the covers.
I’m more hopeful today.
We can fight this.
Good always wins over evil.
Enrico Ferrara is a good man. He’s the best.
I snuggle into his back. Eventually he rolls over, and we lie face to face on our sides.
“Hi.” I smile softly.
“Hey.”
He looks so sad.
“I’m sorry I blamed you,” I whisper.
“Don’t be. It is my fault.” He eyes hold mine and we lie in silence for a while, both deep in thought. He reaches up and trails his finger down my bare arm. “Having second thoughts about a life with me?”
“No.” His face is solemn. “Why would you even say that?” I pull him into an embrace. “I love you. I would never have second thoughts about us. This isn’t your fault, Rico. You can’t help the things that your family have done before you. Tell me about this madman.”
He sighs. “About six months ago, this guy started recruiting men.” He pauses, as if searching for the right words. “He’s burned down five of our brothels. He murdered one of the working girls in Sicily. He even carved his name into her face as a warning to me.”
My face falls. “What does he want?”
“The brothels.”
“Give them to him.”
“It doesn’t work like that.” He sighs sadly. “He’ll beat the girls, get them addicted to drugs, and eventually kill them if they ever try and leave. If I hand him the brothels, I hand over their lives, too.” He fiddles with the sheets between us. “And then he’ll come after us, anyway. It’s a power thing now, and he wants control. The ultimate trophy would be a Ferrara skull.”
Fear runs through me. “Did you tell the police this?”
“Yes, they know what he is: the worst of the worst. He’s killed about fifteen people so far, and those are only the ones the police know about. They want him, too.”
“God, this is one big mess.”
His eyes find mine. “This is why I can’t let you go to work anymore, Olivia. We can’t guard you properly while you’re there. Too many people come and go from your building every day. I know this is overwhelming but I promise you, it will pass. These uprises happen from time to time, and we always win. It’s just taking a little longer than usual to find this guy.”
“Do you think he’s going to try and kill you? And be honest with me… please.”
“I’m not worried about my life.”
My eyes search his as the real reason for his fear presents itself. “You think he’s going to try and kill me next, don’t you?”
He swallows the lump in his throat and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “If anyone wanted to hurt me, that’s the only way they could.”
My eyes fill with tears.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He sighs sadly. “I’m sorry that I dragged you into this life.”
Empathy fills me. “Rici,” I whisper. I pick up his hand and put it over my stomach. “Do you feel this?” I ask.
His hand spreads over my stomach as if it’s magical. Maybe it is.
“We’re having a baby.” I kiss him softly. “And we’re starting our life together-the three of us together. I’ll be fine. You have men everywhere. Nobody can get to us. I’m not going to leave the house until the police find this man, and then we can fight this bogus drug charge. You have the best lawyers who will get you off this. Of course they will because you’re innocent.”
He buries his head into my shoulder and holds me tight in his arms. I can feel his fear in his vise-like grip.
“Promise me you won’t die,” he mutters against my neck.
My vision clouds with tears. What a promise to ask to ask of me. “I promise you.”
Her takes my face into his hands and kisses me. His tongue slowly slides against mine, the emotion between us too much to bear.
I love this man. I love how he loves me. I would walk through Heaven and Hell to feel the way he makes me feel. I hate that he’s scared he’s going to lose me. I hate that he has to go through this. I want to protect him from everything and everyone.
“Now, you promise me something,” I say to try and lighten the mood.
“Anything.” He rolls over the top of me and lies between my legs. I wrap them around his waist. He begins to slowly slide his dick through my sex as we stare at each other.
“Promise me that when this is all over, we can take a vacation to a secluded beach somewhere.” He smiles against my lips. “And we can just be normal and pregnant for a while.”
He chuckles, and he slides into my body. “I promise.” He pulls out and slides back in deeper. “Sunbathing with you never sounded so good. I can’t wait.”
***
Enrico
Olivia straightens my tie as she sits on the bathroom vanity. She’s wearing her white robe, and her hair is in my favorite style of just fucked.
My nerves are at an all-time high. “You’re not leaving the house today, are you?”
“No, Rici.” She smiles at me. “I’m going to read my book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
I tighten the sash around her waist as my stomach churns. I can’t even look her in the eye.
“Hey.” She grabs my face and drags it back up to hers. “You okay?”
I nod, although I’m far from okay. I don’t want to leave her alone for even a second. “I just have to go into the office for a few hours and then I’ll be home. We can watch a movie or something this afternoon.”
“Okay.”
“If you need anything, call Marly. Nobody else is to come into the house.”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, you’ve told me already. Trust nobody.”
I grab the lapels of her robe and stare down at her. She’s so beautiful that my heart constricts. The mere thought of having to live without her terrifies me.
She’s going to be okay.
“You need to get going. The sooner you go, the sooner you can get back.” She smiles.
I take her into my arms and hold her tight. My eyes close to enjoy the comfort she brings me.
“Ti amo,” she whispers into my neck.
“I love you, too.” I squeeze her tighter. I don’t want to let go.
But I know I have to. I have to go try and clean up this cocaine mess.
I bend, pull her robe apart, and I kiss her stomach tenderly. Our baby is the light in my life-the only thing that matters.
“This is your father speaking,” I whisper to it. Olivia giggles as she runs her hand through my hair. “Behave in there today.” I kiss her stomach again, and with renewed purpose, I stand and cup Olivia’s face. I dust my thumb over her bottom lip as I stare into her big blue eyes. “See you later.”
“Bye, baby.”
I grab my briefcase, and with a heavy heart, I leave my love.