“There’s a way to deal with Carlo that could make him crawl into a hole for a while,” he adds.
“What do you mean?”
“If word of Lucia’s pregnancy gets to his men...”
I raise a hand to silence him. “Never. No one can know about this—ever.”
“But it’s your ace in the hole. You’d degrade Carlo so badly that everyone in Italy, young and old, would spit on his honor.”
“This isn’t about Carlo. We’re talking about my child, a child I won’t let be branded a bastard. That’s why I’ve gone to such lengths to get Lucia’s divorce finalized. Besides, no one knows Carlo locked her in a gilded cage and kept his dick in his pants the whole time. If this leaks, there’s no stopping filthy rumors that the baby might be his. The last thing I want is for Carlo’s goddamn name to even brush against what’s mine. I’ve endured that once before, but not anymore. My wealth, my power, my woman, my child—they are mine, without question or compromise.”
Rafael seems to understand and doesn’t press the issue. After a brief pause, his voice returns. “Lucia’s asked for curtains for the windows. She doesn’t like the city view.”
I tense up at the mention of her name. “Get her whatever she wants. Immediately.”
He gives me a deep, meaningful look.
“What?” I ask.
“Did you know there was a pool below?”
The memory of that night makes my heart race. I shake my head. “Even if I’d known I’d be jumping into the fires of hell, I still wouldn’t have hesitated to follow Lucia down.”
***
Lucia is curled up on the couch, a coffee mug in her hands, staring at the TV. She’s wearing a soft white dress that gently hugs the curve of her growing belly. It’s strange. Ten days ago you could barely see it. Now there’s a clear bump under her dress. That’s my baby, growing and gaining life day by day. The thought fills me with a pride and excitement I’ve never felt before.
When I first got Lucia pregnant, revenge against Carlo was my only motive. I knew the news of her pregnancy would drive him insane. But now, this tiny being who hasn’t even entered the world yet has awakened a fierce protectiveness in me. I’d burn the world down to keep it safe, both of them.
Even with her swollen belly, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I can’t stop thinking about the last time I was inside her, the last time I emptied myself into her pussy. Months ago. Since the first time I had sex at fourteen, I’ve never gone this long without it. It’s unbearable.
While I was planning to take her, I tried fucking a few whores to take the edge off. But as soon as they crossed into my space, all my desire vanished. Because they weren’t her. As for Emily? Not once was I tempted. Sure, all it would’ve taken was a snap of my fingers, and she would’ve had her panties off in seconds. But she wasn’t my type—not her face, not her demeanor. Compared to Lucia’s regal presence, Emily felt like a backwoods girl pretending to belong.
Out of all the afflictions this world offers, I never thought I’d catch the cancer of monogamy.
Lucia hasn’t noticed me yet, but I’ve been watching her for a few minutes now, the woman I’ve only recently realized is more valuable to me than anything. I’m still furious. Furious at myself for not being able to let go of the idea that she might have feelings for Carlo. Whatever those feelings may be.
I want her to look me in the eye and tell me she wishes Carlo dead. But every time, instead of giving me that satisfaction, she throws that gratitude bullshit in my face and drives me mad like a rabid dog.
Finally, I step out of my corner, drawn toward her like metal to a magnet. The moment she sees me, her expression turns stormy. I glance at the TV screen. She’s been quietly watching a documentary about Italy. Those sly thoughts of mine rear their ugly heads again. Could she be missing Carlo? Jealousy is such a pathetic feeling, and I hadn’t realized how much it could eat at me.
I drag my eyesaway from the TV and meet her tempestuous face. I don’t know if it’s her beauty that’s intensified tenfold, or if I’m just seeing her more clearly than ever. I move closer and sit beside her, my arousal swelling with every passing second, defiant, uncontrollable.
She sets her coffee mug on the table and shifts back a little.
I soften my voice, trying to keep the tension at bay. “You don’t need to be afraid. I’m not here to hurt you.”
She lets out a bitter scoff. “The brief, unfortunate history we’ve had together suggests otherwise. I should be afraid of you, Tony. Because every time you show up, something terrible happens to me.”
Leaning back, I rest my arm along the couch, feeling the strain of my growing hardness.
“Doesn’t your experience also suggest you should be more careful about how you speak to me?”
Her eyes dart nervously, my words clearly sinking in. She places a protective hand over her rounded belly, shifting uncomfortably on the couch as she exhales shakily.
“How dare you threaten me after everything you’ve done? What more do you want from me, huh? I’ve done everything you asked. I left my whole life behind. Why is nothing ever enough for you?”
“You haven’t done anything for me. You kept your mouth shut because you were scared of Carlo and spread your legs for me because of your lust. Isn’t that the truth?”
