Page 66 of The Mafia’s Fiancee

One thing at a time. I smiled wider. One baby at a time!

He stared at me, then nodded, like he’d reached a conclusion.

“What? What are you thinking?” I wanted to hear all of his ideas and opinions. This was good news, but it would change so much, too.

“Let’s get married now. Instead of waiting for after my fight with Ferris and going public with who I am.”

My jaw dropped. “Really?”

I didn’t care when and how I’d marry him. I didn’t have a dream wedding in mind. I’d feared the ceremony that I used to assume I’d endure to be stuck with Antonio.

As long as I became Luke’s wife, I didn’t want to concern myself with the details. The dress, the guests, or even if we had a dinner to celebrate afterward. I wanted the everyday companionship with him. That was what mattered, not the one-time wedding event.

He nodded.

“I’m...” I laughed once, too happy to argue. He’d shocked me with that comment, but I wasn’t going to say no. “I’m speechless. I’ll be happy with whatever you want to do. You know that. I just want to be your wife.”

He kissed me soundly, then took my hand afterward. “Let’s go tell them.”

“That we’re getting married ASAP?”

He smirked, glancing back at me. “About the baby!”

We found them out in the lounge up near the front of the house. Nina was seated with them, and it looked like they we’d interrupted a conversation.

Whatever they were discussing, it could wait. Sean lowered his phone, peering up at us. Jimmy furrowed his brow.

“What are you smiling about, honey?” Nina asked Luke.

“I’m pregnant,” I announced. They didn’t need an elaborate revelation either. Sometimes, being direct was best.

They reacted differently, of course. Nina seemed happiest. Jimmy scowled. And Sean dropped his phone to the table and sat back with an exasperated sigh.

“Oh, honey.” Nina smiled at both of us. “I’m so excited to have a grandbaby.” She winked at Luke. “I told you I was wishing you’d find a decent, nice good girl to settle with.” Then she frowned, turning sober. “I didn’t realize the daughter of a rival mafia family was who you’d find, but it’s all working out well.”

I narrowed my eyes as her mood worsened. “Then why are you grimacing.”

She sniffled, immediately concerned. “I’m just scared this baby would be targeted somehow too. By your father,” she said to me. “Or the Marcheses. Or...” She covered her face and drew in a steadying breath, leaning over to get through her moment.

Her concerns were all valid, but I was confident Luke and I would keep our child safe.

Jimmy patted her back.

“We’ll marry now,” Luke announced. “That will protect the baby as well.”

“Hold up.” Jimmy stood, shaking his head. “You can’t marry now. You’re not in power. You’re just...you, the heir Marlo never wanted. He’s still in power and no one can know that you are his son.”

Luke shook his head. “The Marcheses know.”

“My father has to as well,” I added.

The word was already getting out.

“Sure, they can claim to know, but if anyone were to challenge them with that claim, they don’t have proof.” He shook his head, looking off to the side as though he needed to calm himself. “Marlo has always been a rich, greedy bastard, Lucas. He wants the power to die with him.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “So you’ve said. But it won’t. It will go to me.”

“Sure, the documentation will show that you are to inherit it all, but he’s sneaky. He had a hit to take affect after his death to have me killed.”

“And you took care of that.”

Sean stood. “Yes, I killed the man who’d carry out the hit and we canceled the order. But what if there are more contingencies set up? He could have ordered a post-mortem instruction to be carried out if anyone claimed to be his child. We won’t know until he’s dead, dammit.”

I nodded, starting to realize their concerns. “If word gets out too fast, too soon, any of those hits could be done even before Marlo’s death.”

Luke faced me, watching me somberly.

Jimmy stepped forward to claim Luke’s attention. “We have to figure this all out. To ensure everyone can be safe with this transfer of power. He’s got so much locked up while he’s living. Until he’s gone... We have to be careful. You can’t rush into complications—”

Luke held up his hand, silencing him. “Complication? My child is not a complication.”

I couldn’t have fallen any further in love with this man. Already he was fiercely protective of our baby.

“I meant a complication like rushing to get married,” Jimmy clarified.

“No. My marriage won’t be a complication either,” Luke argued, so strong and firm he sounded like a natural born leader already. “I need to make sure Emma is mine and will be protected. Our baby too. If you want me to assume the role as the boss of the Rossini name, and you’ll keep me safe and alive, then you damn well will for my wife and child, too.”