I’m not in their company that often, but when I am, I want to rip his hands off her and riddle him with bullets.
“If I can get him to agree to anything, it will be NYU in the fall,” she adds.
“You want to go back?” I ask.
“That was always the plan.” She stares straight ahead, not even looking at me.
You’d think I’d be used to it by now.
From the second she got married, she put up these concrete barriers to keep me out, and they never waver. It’s almost as if she can’t tolerate me anymore. I’d blame it on my whoring, except she erected those walls way before I resumed fucking other women.
Not that any of my casual encounters with nameless, faceless women mean anything more than a physical release. I never go back for seconds, and the only woman I see when I close my eyes at night is mydolcezza.
“I thought you said he agreed you could return to your studies when the twins started high school,” I say, refocusing on the conversation.
She shrugs, and a muscle flexes in her jaw. “Things change,” she cryptically replies.
My eyes meet Ben’s, and I see my concern mirrored in his gaze.
I’m sick of hiding in the shadows, watching her internalize everything. I hate seeing how blatantly unhappy she is. I never wanted that for her. As much as I hate Gino Accardi, I still hoped their marriage would work out and she would be content. It’s obvious that’s not the case, and I want to kill him for hurting her.
How does he not see the treasure he has by his side? How does he not want to spend every second of his time with her? How can he not want to worship her body, protect her heart, and nurture her soul?
I would give anything to trade places with that man just for a chance to breathe the same air as her.
She remains, to this day, the absolute love of my life.
I will never get over losing her.
I will never want any other woman.
Sierra threads her fingers through Ben’s hair, and they share an intimate look as they silently communicate.
“Are you going to tell us or should we guess?” Serena smiles at her sister, before glancing sideways at Alesso.
Alesso’s name is actually Alessandro, but Rowan coined his pet name when they first met, and it’s stuck. Alesso is one of our most loyalsoldati. There is no one else Ben trusted to guard his wife, even if it’s a waste of Alesso’s skill to assign him as Sierra’s bodyguard. It’s a great honor to be asked to protect the boss’s family, and I don’t think Alesso is unhappy at all.
Especially when he gets to share living space with Serena. I don’t know if anything has happened between them, but they are close friends, and Serena has come to rely on him a lot.
My brother Frank seems content living here too and looking after Rowan. I know he misses the action, but he’s unattached, and he has no plans to marry. Thank fuck my sister Giuliana is married with a baby on the way, because Mama has lost hope that either of her sons will take a bride. She regularly gets on my case, even though I have told her she is wasting her time.
I know what my reason is, but I’m unsure why my brother is so opposed to marriage. We’re close enough but not that close we confide our deepest secrets and darkest fears to one another.
“It’s nothing,” Sierra says, sharing another look with her husband. She casts a glance at Natalia for a brief second. “We can talk about it another time.”
“How about drinks on the veranda?” Ben suggests, planting his wife’s feet on the ground with tender care.
“Not a chance.” Serena grins over the rim of her wineglass. “Just tell us.”
Sierra’s pretty face startles in surprise. “You know?”
“I’m your sister, and I know the telltale signs when I see them.” Her grin expands. Alesso looks confused, and Natalia moves in her seat, her eyes scrunching up.
Ben drags Sierra back onto his lap, and he’s smiling as he nods at her. I know what the announcement is. Sierra took me into her confidence when she wanted to surprise Ben and needed my help. Ben places his hands over Sierra’s flat stomach. “We’re having a baby,” he confirms, beaming like a Cheshire cat. His joy is transparent, and it’s hard not to get caught up in it. He’s had the biggest smile on his face since he found out.
Serena shrieks, jumping up and running around the table. She flings her arms around Sierra and Ben. “I knew it! I am so happy for you both. This is the best news.”
“Congrats, guys.” I salute the boss, having already hugged it out with him the other night after Sierra broke the good news to him.
