Knowing Carlo, interrupting him mid-work would only delay his attention, so I stayed quiet. As expected, he didn’t acknowledge me until he was done. Ten minutes later he tossed the iPad to the other side of the bed. In a blink, he reached back, grabbed me, and pulled me into his lap like it was some kind of wrestling move.
I gasped, my eyes flying wide as I gripped his arm. “Carlo!” I cried, anxiety lacing my voice.
He looked at me in surprise. “Are you scared, baby?”
I nodded, my face probably more innocent than I meant it to be. His brows pulled together, like he couldn’t believe it, but then his expression softened. He pulled me tighter against his chest, murmuring, “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He pressed a kiss to my hair, his tone gentler now. “I thought you noticed when I came into the shower earlier. You were so lost in your thoughts you didn’t even realize.”
His lips hovered by my ear as he whispered, “What’s been on my little lamb’s mind?”
I smiled, then gently shifted on his lap to face him. Looking into his questioning eyes, I took his hand and guided it to my stomach.
“Just a little dot.”
His brow furrowed, confused. I placed my hand over his and said softly, “A seed you planted here. And now I have to take care of it... until it grows, until it comes to life.”
For a moment, his mouth parted in shock, then realization hit. His hand pressed more firmly against my stomach, and a stunned, joyful laugh burst from his lips. He lowered me gently onto the bed and leaned over me, his kiss soft and reverent.
“My little lamb has a doll in her belly,” he murmured.
He untied my robe and lowered his head, pressing his lips to my flat stomach. His kiss lingered as he whispered, “Hello, little doll. I can’t wait to meet you.”
Then he looked up, eyes locking with mine. His lips met mine in a slow, lingering kiss. “Thank you, baby... for everything you’ve given me. You take care of our little doll, and I swear I’ll protect both of you.”
I ran my fingers through his hair, feeling the love and certainty in every word. “I know you will,” I whispered. “You always do.”
His lips curved into a smile, but then his expression shifted, turning serious. “Did you ask the doctor about sex? I don’t want to hurt you.”
I giggled at the concern in his voice. “There’s no problem, my love. The doctor said it’s perfectly fine.”
He leaned in closer, shoulders relaxing. “You surprised me, and now I owe you another surprise sex. And you know how much I hate being in debt.”
I burst out laughing, until Carlo silenced me with a deep, breathtaking kiss.
THIRTY-TWO
Emily
Carlo and Maxim were watching a boxing match on TV, their grunts and occasional bursts of laughter filling the room. On the other side, Lorenzo and Giorgio were hunched over another TV, completely absorbed in some video game.
Sometimes I wondered if these four had the most boring lives imaginable, with no flashy hobbies and no real creative outlets. But when Giorgio shouted victoriously and Lorenzo groaned as he handed over the money he’d lost, I reconsidered.
Brando walked in. Dressed sharp as ever, radiating masculine confidence and that expensive cologne he always wore, he still had the kind of presence that made people look twice. Under Carlo’s protection, no one dared cross him at the casino.
I set down the book I’d been reading and smiled at him. He kissed my cheek like always, charming and smooth... but something was off. His energy wasn’t the same. It hadn’t been for weeks now.
Brando had been pulling away, showing up less and less at the mansion, and when he did, it was like he was only half there, lost in his own head, distant, a shadow of the vibrant, teasing brother-in-law I’d grown to love. His laughs sounded forced, his eyes drifted mid-conversation, and even the casual banter with the guys felt strained.
Carlo had noticed it too; he’d pulled Brando aside a few times, asked point-blank if something was wrong, if the casino stress or the family pressure was getting to him. But Brando shut it down every time, cold, clipped answers like “It’s nothing” or “Just business,” that wall slamming up so fast it killed any chance of pushing further.
It worried me, but tonight, with the baby news hanging in the air like a lifeline, I hoped it might crack through whatever fog he was in.
“We need to talk,” he said to Carlo.
Carlo lowered the TV volume and got to his feet, about to lead Brando to his study, but I gently caught his hand. “I think maybe... you should give Brando the good news first. It might lift his spirits.”
Carlo smiled in understanding and gave a small nod. Brando’s questioning gaze shifted to me as I stood.
