"So what's up with you and Allesandro?" Thomas asks me in a bored tone. "Did you break up?" "Why, is that what he said?" I haven't seen him in days, and my withdrawal symptoms have been through the roof. Everyone is steering clear of me because I've been exploding over the tiniest things. "He's not really talking to anyone other than shouting." There's mirth in Thomas's eyes. He always seems to be entertained when I'm troubled. At least both me and Alessandro are acting out. That means he's just as upset as I am. Meanwhile, Phoebe is going ahead with arranging a wedding for a bride and groom who can't stand each other right now. "He's pissed because of Kaito, I think he blames me for making friends with the guy." I huff out. Thomas frowns and seems to contemplate what I said. "You think that's the reason he's pissed?" I sigh. "What other reason could there be Thomas? It's not like I did anything else apart from antagonizing Raquel, and if he's pissed about that, he can shove i
I feel slightly stupid as I look at myself in the mirror. Alessandro has never cared about what underwear I wear in the past. Underwear doesn't matter if you intend on ending up naked. But here I am in some scandalous red lace that leaves nothing to the imagination, Phoebe's idea of course. She said I have to apologize and starting with sex is the best way to do that. I pull on my robe and go to the living room area. I don't even know if he's going to come home tonight, we didn't talk about that after we just stood in his office and kissed. I hope Kaito's family finds him, for his sake. My heart pings when I hear the front door open and I rush to watch Alessandro walk through. He stops when he sees me. "Hey." "You came home." He eats up the strides until he reaches me and takes my face in his hand, his lips slamming against mine. Oh, what a way to come home. I moan under his mouth as I clutch his jacket in my arms. He feels like all my desires wrapped up in one. He walks us b
"I'm so glad you and Alessandro finally made up. You were just a terrible person to be around." Phoebe looks at me from the corner of her eye, wary that I might throw her with my teacup. I might still do it, too. "Fuck you." I give her the middle finger. "You know, in a few months you are going to be a mother, maybe you should start practicing using better language." It looks like my sister really has a death wish today. "I'm only saying this out of concern for my nephew and the other two who we are yet to find out." She claps her hands together in glee. "I'm so excited, do you like my outfit?" She looks like something straight out of a Barbie commercial. "You don't think it's too much pink?" I ask sweetly. "No!" She exclaims like I'm insane. " I'm channeling all female energy. I can do with one boy, I'm holding all fingers and toes that the other two are girls." "You do know that we don't know if they're identical or not, right? Because if they are identical, all three of t
I proudly step back as I take in my very first Christmas tree. I turn on the lights, and I laugh in glee as it lights up the huge room. "That's insane!" T.J. bounces on the balls of his feet. I enlisted his help today to put the tree up, and I have to admit that I've never felt this childlike joy before. Maybe I wasn't meant to be this hard-shelled person. Maybe the only reason I was like this in the first place was because I never had the chance to experience the simple joys of a Christmas tree. "You guys did a good job." Alma says from the kitchen. I hold my hand up for a high five from my assistant. "We did a great job." He smashes his hand against mine. "Next year, I'll have three new friends to help me!" I laugh, not telling him that those little friends won't be able to do anything but cry and poop. "But this year you're the only kid getting presents." I ruffle his hair. His eyes go wide with excitement. "Do you think my dad will get me a drone?" "If he doesn't, I'll ge
Phoebe is in disbelief when we stop at Alessandro's private plane. "What the hell is this?" Thomas turns around in his seat to look at us. "The wedding has been compromised. Clearly, someone knew where we were going that wanted to harm us." In this life, I've learned that nothing can surprise me anymore. "What do you mean!" Phoebe cries out. "But I had everything planned!" "Don't worry, okay? We have your plans." Thomas gets out, and I follow him. We round the car to look at the damage that one hit got in. "Do you know who that could've been?" I ask him. He shakes his head. "No, it could've been anyone." There are just too many enemies, I can't even keep track of them all anymore. But my life has always been a shitshow. Why would I expect it to be any different. "So where are we going now?" I want to know. "And did you anticipate something happening? " "Rule number one," Thomas looks me in the eyes. "Always anticipate something happening, got it?" I nod. "When you're a pow
"Good morning, sleepy head." I struggle to open my eyes and moan in pleasure as he rains kisses down my face. "Wake up, baby, we have guests." He chuckles in my ear. In another life I would've attacked him with my knife, but my body is working overtime. This would be a perfect time to kidnap me, actually, because I simply wouldn't have the energy to fight back. "I know you're tired." More kisses on my exposed shoulder. "But it's already eleven, and I told everyone we'll have a wedding brunch." This makes me open my eyes. I'm getting married in one day. Alessandro smiles down at me. "Good morning." I rub the sleep from my eyes. "When did you get in?" He kisses me softly on the forehead. "A few hours ago. Are you okay after yesterday?" There's fury in his eyes, and I lift my hand to rub the frown from his forehead. "I'm good, not even a scratch. Thomas has mad driving skills." I smile. "Okay, let me get up and get the boys fed." He smirks and bends down to kiss me swiftly on
Phoebe squeezes my hand hard as we enter the courtyard where the brunch that is now more likely a lunch is begin held. She knows how much I hate attention. How Alessandro thought this was a good idea is beyond me. And without telling me, too. "Just smile." Phoebe whispers as everyone stops what they're doing and look at us. I think I grimace more than smile as Alessandro stops talking to a man I absolutely don't know and walks over to me with a devilish smile. "Baby, you look beautiful." He bends down to kiss me, and I subtly punch him in the stomach without anybody noticing. "What the fuck is Phoebe talking about some feature in the newspaper!" I whisper through gritted teeth. "I thought I had to lay low!" He has the audacity to look amused. "This way that motherfucker would know that you are mine, that you're pregnant with my babies." Well, if he puts it that way it probably makes sense. "And apparently, I'm the most eligible bachelor in the city. Don't you want people to kno
"You look absolutely beautiful." Phoebe whispers behind me, her face stoic. I look at myself in the full-length mirror and take a deep breath. This is it. I'm getting married. I'm twenty-one, pregnant, and on the verge of making the biggest decision of my life. I don't even feel an ounce of fear. I should, because I'm young and technically inexperienced. Plus, I'm in danger just because I'm with Alessandro. But I'm not scared. I haven't felt so one hundred percent sure about anything before. The flowiness of the dress hides the baby bump that seems to be growing by the day. I'm not scared of that either. My body is a vessel for these boys to come through, and I don't care if it has to stretch to maximum capacity for them. "I'm so proud of you." Phoebe hugs me from behind. I smile at her in the mirror. "For getting knocked up and married?" "No, for being the best fucking person a sister could ever ask for." Tears shine in her eyes. "You are my rock, and I couldn't have asked