It’s just the way it is.
When the car comes to a stop, I perk up and try to hear something, anything, to tell me where we are. But nothing.
I groan out in frustration as the door opens, and I feel Angelo’s hands on my body. First, he unbuckles me before gently untying my hands. Then I’m being lifted up into his arms until I’m cradled against his chest. I rest my head on his shoulder knowing that when my stubborn husband decides to keep a secret, he goes all out.
It’s endearing and I fall a little deeper in love with him.
“You were always safe and buckled in,” he assures me, his lips brushing against my temple. “I would never do anything to put you in danger,la mia pace, and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
I sigh and admit, “I know.”
But I don’t offer him anything more than that which makes him chuckle. His chest rumbles against me and, damn it, my pussy clenches around nothing in response.
When he stops walking, he murmurs, “Take off the blindfold.”
I reach up and pull it back off my face and blink up at the gorgeous, massive house in front of us. I glance backward to find the car parked close by and a long driveway behind it. The trees growing around us are big and I can practically see our kids playing in the huge yard.
“Merry Christmas, Dove. Welcome home.”
The longer I look around, the more this area looks familiar. “Is this down the street from Oaklynn and her men?”
Angelo smiles down at me and nods before he carries me up the porch steps and right inside. I’m expecting it to be an empty shell, one we’ll have to fill. I should have known better.
My eyes widen and I’m stunned into silence when we step over the threshold to find the house fully furnished. It’s not just furnished—it’s exactly how I would decorate it.
It’s as if this man has taken all of my dreams and Pinterest board wishes to create my perfect home out of them. I don’t even try to stop the tears from falling when they fill my eyes.
“Angelo,” my voice croaks as he moves slowly through our new home.
He goes from room to room, and I’m blown away with all the details I catch as he shows me around and how easily I can see myself settling into life here. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a home.
“It’s perfect,” I breathe out.
When he shoulders open a closed door, my hands cover my mouth as I let out a sob. It’s the nursery for our little one and it’s everything I want it to be.
“I built the crib myself,” he tells me and I look up into my man’s hazel eyes to find him already looking down at me with so much love. “I wasn’t going to let someone else build the place where our baby will sleep.”
This man. What am I going to do with him?
When I wiggle, he sets me down gently and I cup his jaw in my hands. “This is amazing,” I murmur, “thank you. I love you so much.”
Angelo’s smile is soft, sweet, and a little shy. It’s a part of my husband no one else gets to see except for me. I cherish every moment when he allows me to see the depth of his soul and how good he is, even if he is a mob boss.
He brushes my tears away with his thumbs, his tone filled with affection as he tells me, “I love you,la mia pace. I can’t live this life without you and the peace you bring me.”
I smile up at him and nod slowly, understanding exactly what he means. “Fate’s hand.”
He leans down, his lips hovering right above mine as he whispers, “Fate’s hand.”
When he kisses me, I wrap my arms around his neck and cling to him. Just as it starts to heat up, we both freeze upon hearing a sound from the front door.
Before Angelo can storm toward the sound with his gun ready, we hear Oaklynn’s voice ring out, “Your front door was unlocked. Don’t you know how unsafe that is?”
Baker’s words are filled with amusement as he points out, “I think you’re forgetting about the fortified front gate, the array of cameras, the guard dogs, and the small army of armed men.”
I can’t help but giggle as I share a look with my husband while he grins and rubs a hand over my belly where our son is growing big and strong.
While Angelo leads me out to where our friends are chatting, I can’t help but look back over my shoulder at the nursery ready to become a home to our first baby. I never imagined this life; never thought I would understand the burden of power and the gift of love.
But here I am and I will do whatever is necessary to protect my family. Always.
