AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I guess that makes sense.” I can tell by the look on his face that he’s surprised by my reaction.
“What? You must have broken that poor girl's heart when you refused to marry her.”
“I don’t think Gabriella Fabriano has a heart.” He laughs to himself.
“Did you know her well?” I wonder how close they became while they were engaged.
“I knew her enough to know I wouldn’t have liked being married to her.” He takes my hand and twists the ring on my finger. “Then I saw you and the game changed.”
“I remember hearing thatshebroke it off withyou,” I tease him.
“I agreed to that to save her humiliation,” he explains.
“I never knew my husband was such a gentleman.” I giggle when he attacks my neck with his mouth.
“Careful, remember what the doctor said.” I hold my tummy when it starts to wobble.
“Oh, I heard him, and I will be takingextremelygood care of you,” he assures me, turning those grazes of his teeth into soft kisses.
“I just hope Cassio can be as happy as us. I think your brother has a lot of love to give.”
“You do get what my father’s doing, don’t you?” Dario pulls away.
“He took the district from Fabriano because of my demands and this is his way of giving it back. Any sons that Cassio and Gabriella have will inherit that district and all will be as it should have been,” he explains. I smile sadly, thinking abouthow happy my father was, to have been given the opportunity to be something better is undoubtedly what cost him his life.
“And you're good with that?” He looks confused.
“No, but you killed the man who killed Lucian and my father. Let the Fabrianos think that they have the Queens district, Cassio will make a great leader. A questionable husband, but a good leader.” I manage a smile. “Honestly all that matters to me is that we’re safe.” I stroke my hand over our growing babies and feel too content to be bitter.
“You're a very special person, Madalina.” Dario’s hand slides onto my cheek.
“Just promise me you won’t give up on Nic,” I beg him.
“You have my word,” he tells me before he kisses my lips.
DARIO
THREE WEEKS LATER
“Stop looking at me like that.” Madalina shakes her head.
“I’m not looking at you like anything.” I laugh to myself as I continue to knead my thumbs into the soles of her feet. It's a beautiful day so we’re sitting outside and myverypregnant wife looks incredible with the sun shining on her face as she stuffs it with ice cream.
“You're looking at me like you're disgusted.” She licks her spoon clean and tries to sit forward so she can place her bowl on the table. I take it from her so she doesn’t have to struggle and shake my head.
“I’m not disgusted at all, I’m just wondering how you could even consider eating that together.” I stare into the empty bowl that ten minutes ago was full of ice cream topped with Tabasco sauce.
“Well, I’m figuring one baby has a sweet tooth and the other likes to make things hot. I’m trying to please everyone.” She shrugs. “You should try it next time.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” I place down her foot and leanforward to take hold of her huge belly. It’s gotten way bigger than I imagined it would, and I love every swollen inch of it. Resting my palms on each side of her, I hold firm and wait to feel some movement.
“Have you figured out what you're going to wear to the wedding, yet?” I ask, looking forward to getting the chance to show her off. In true DeMarco style, my father insisted the wedding happen fast, and Cassio is getting married next week. Everyone who’s important will be there, and I can’t wait for them all to see how full of the DeMarco bloodline my wife is.
“I don’t know. A tent?” She rolls her eyes. “Nothing in my wardrobe fits anymore, not even the maternity clothes you spent a fortune on.” Up until now, I’ve had no complaints about that. My staff know better than to look at what’s mine, and I love that my wife walks around our home with her belly on display because her tops won’t stretch over it anymore. However, she will need something more modest for the wedding.
“I’ll have Paulo come over and hook you up, I hear he’s good.”
“Paulo?” She looks at me with her mouth hanging open. “Do you mean Paulo Fredix?”
