FrancescaMY ROOM LOOKED THE SAME , but I felt completely different. Instead of the usual fear I experienced within these walls, I was relaxed. There were little touches of mine everywhere, from the lipstick on the side table to the bra I threw on a chair. It was familiar, and I realized I didn't hate being here anymore.Was it because of Faust and Rome? Did I let your charm twist my mind into accepting this?Or was I as dark inside as he believed?Was he also experiencing this insane connection between us, the burning need for each other that felt too big, too important to be just lust?I spent my life looking for something more, a way to find myself outside of my father's orbit, as my mother wanted. And I never felt more myself than when I was with Fausto. It was like he was peeling back the unimportant layers and helping me learn who I was underneath. Not to mention I was discovering that my handsome devil in a three-piece suit could be tender and sweet too.My? Was I really thinki
FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS , life settled into a normal pattern, or as normal as one could expect when you were a mobster's girlfriend. Yes, girlfriend. I had convinced myself that Fausto was my boyfriend, because that was preferable to the real situation, that I was his lover. Everyone knew the truth, however. The only person I was fooling was myself.Most days, my inner lie worked. Everyone at the property treated me with kindness and respect. Everything I asked for was granted, and I felt like part of the family. The only person who didn't warm up to me was Marco, and I found that worrying, considering his closeness to Fausto. Marco's attitude remained polite but cold towards me. I told myself I didn't care, but the question of why sank under my skin like a splinter.My classes were starting next week and I couldn't wait. I found a college with a good agriculture program that had online classes and, as promised, Fausto gave me the money in a trust and bought me a laptop. Meanwhile, o
Francesca“ I THINK MY ASS IS SUNBURNED ,” I said as we walked back to the stables.He smiled, looking very pleased with himself. And why wouldn't he? I had just fucked him stupidly in a pasture under some olive trees. Between my legs was a sticky mess, but it was worth it.— Or maybe you're red from the spanking I gave you last night.Right. Of course, he would remember that.I smiled and tilted my face toward the sun. It was hot, but there was a pleasant breeze, which Fausto said was coming from the sea.Today was one of the best days in a long time. I loved getting back on horseback, and Fausto explained the different terrains and the animals they raised while we rode. Your knowledge of the property never failed to impress me. It was clear he loved the land, and from the stories he told, he obviously spent a lot of time here.We had stopped to eat something, which Fausto took from a bag tied to the horse. There were olives and figs, sausages and cheeses. And one of Zia's sweets, be
FrancescaI WAS WALKING IN MY ROOM , on the verge of hysteria, when Giulio came back from the pharmacy.“Here,” he said, handing me the bag. — I bought five, exactly as you asked.- Thanks. I'm sure it's nothing. It has to be stress.Giulio raised his palms. — I don't know anything about a woman's cycle, but I think you should check it out. Just to keep you calm, right?I swallowed. - I know. You will be?- It is clear. Go. Let's check together.I went into the bathroom and opened the first box. The instructions seemed simple enough. Hold the stick in the pee, let it sit, and read the results. Maybe I should do two tests, just to be sure.With shaking hands, I unwrapped another box and opened the paper on the stick. Holding them both, I sat down and peed, making sure to get each stick thoroughly wet. So I put them on the counter, cleaned them up and called Giulio.He entered carefully, as if he were afraid of scaring me.- Ready?— Set your phone's timer for five minutes. Then we will
FaustI WOKE UP FIRST .Francesca slept next to me, her delicious body pressed to my side. Even though she was angry, she wanted to be close to me.I hadn't lied—I wasn't unhappy with this child. I always wanted to have more children, but Lucia and I never had the time before she was killed. So I never found the right maintainer to trust with raising a child. But I trusted Francesca. As furious as she was now, I had seen her with Lamborghini and the other animals. She had a kind heart. She would be an excellent mother.My dick thickened just thinking about her round belly and swollen breasts. My son's stretch marks growing inside her. I couldn't wait to worship her in her hand and foot. Zia would also be thrilled. My aunt loved babies.Clearly, my stubborn piccola monella wasn't going to get into that situation easily. She would fight it, keep demanding to go back to Toronto. I had to convince her to stay – for her sake and the baby's sake. I would not make my unborn child upset by di
FrancescaWHEN I WENT DOWN FOR BREAKFAST , I found Zia in the kitchen. Fausto had retired to his office an hour ago, and Giulio was probably still sleeping.“Buongiorno, la nipote,” she said, giving me a mischievous halftime smile.What did that word mean? Pregnant lover? Stupid woman who forgot her birth control and let a mob king get her pregnant?With Zia, it was hard to tell. The cunning old woman.I went and kissed her cheek. — Buongiorno, Zia.When I tried to make a cup of espresso, she slapped my hand away. — La caffeina does male al bambino.— There, Zia. I need coffee. — I pointed to the espresso machine. - Please? — I put my hands together as if I was praying and squeezed them, begging. I could die if she didn't let me have coffee.— No. Faust's baby. — She pointed to my belly, as if I needed a reminder.Pouting, I fell onto a stool. - How did you know? — When she frowned, I thought about the Italian I learned. — Come... sapere... bambino? — Sapere, — was the verb, — to know
FaustI SPENT the next few days packing things for Francesca.She presented me with a list of things she needed immediately, like an obstetrician. The doctor, who was said to be the best in Calabria, would see her from next week. Meanwhile, they recommended prenatal vitamins, which I asked Marco to pick up at the pharmacy.Francesca's list also included healthy foods, pasteurized cheese and decaffeinated espresso. Comfortable clothes and belly lotion. Pregnancy and morning sickness relief books.I bought everything and rushed delivery. Whatever my piccolina needed, she would have it.She seemed to accept having the baby. I knew she was working on her list of conditions for our legal agreement, which I would have drawn up and signed. There was nothing I would refuse her as long as it kept her happy.I really looked forward to the cravings and back rubs. Feeling my son move inside her womb. Watching her breasts grow as they prepared to produce milk.I was the luckiest man in Italy.Of c
FrancescaI WAS GOING to my old room when Giulio ran down the hall, head down. “Hey, G,” I called as I closed the door. -You wanted?He looked up and I saw tears streaming down his face. — Not now, Frankie.When he tried to dodge me to get into his room, I held out my hand to stop the door from closing. I slipped inside as he fell onto the bed, face first. - What is wrong?— You will stay by his side. You're practically his wife.He had a fight with Fausto, obviously. — Except I'm not and never will be. So what happened?Giulio whispered: —He found out, Frankie.I knew immediately what he was talking about. I threw myself onto the mattress. - Oh shit. As?- I don't know. I was always very careful.- What did he say?— That I have to break up with Paulo. If I don't do this, he said he would kill Paulo.What the fuck? I took a deep breath, my hands reaching out to steady myself on the bed. —Was he serious?— My father doesn't joke, not about murder. He was very serious.And this man was