Not a question, but I answered, ignoring my blazing cheeks. “If it was just sex, sure. But it’s more complicated.”
“Life is complicated,” Penelope dismissed me. “If you have a connection with him, don’t treat that lightly.”
“Lifeiscomplicated,” I insisted.
My cousin sighed. “It is.”
Once again, we were plunged into grief that wasn’t going away. I swallowed hard, fighting back tears.
“Have you been to the doctor?” I asked but had to clear my throat to get the words out.
Penelope shook her head. “I wanted to make it to fourteen weeks. Nothing they can do at this point.”
“Right.”
“But I’ll go tomorrow.” She sat up, a determined set to her jaw.
I pushed myself up, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. “You should rest.”
“Why? It won’t change anything,” she said, and there was a bitter note to her usually sunshiny self.
Tugging her shoulders, I pulled her onto the bed. “Rreesssttt.”
“Fine,” she grumped.
“And you need to tell Alessio.”
My cousin shook her head while a voice from the door asked, “Tell me what?”
We jumped, and I let out an embarrassing squeak. Looming against the frame was the clean-cut beast, wearing the trappings of sophistication and wealth. My mind absently calculated the ways he was similar—that lethal aura, the shimmering strength, the hard cut of his jaw. While he carried power, the don wasn’t Ivan.
Saints above, I’m so screwed.
“Hi, lupo,” Penelope croaked, but further words ended in tears.
I gave her a squeeze as the don crossed the room. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
“Thanks for coming,” my cousin sobbed.
“Always,” I wheezed, my own chest clogged tight.
Alessandro gave me a clipped nod before turning his whole attention on his wife. His soulmate. The other half that made him whole.
That was what I wanted.
And I wasn’t settling for anything less.
But as I closed the door on the scene, a small voice whispered through my mind.
Maybe it’s in a different package, but what if you found it?
I balled my hands at my side. If I had, I had to make damn sure of it. There was no room for mistakes or second chances when it came to contemplating spending life in the underworld.
Chapter 25 – Ivan
Mancini:Thank you.
Me:I didn’t do it for you.
