Share

12. A Family

last update Last Updated: 2024-07-07 00:00:57

"I need you to be honest with me, Antonio," Valerie said.

Antonio sat across from Valerie, his eyes filled with warmth and sincerity. "I will always be honest with you, Amore," he said, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Valerie's expression twisted into a scowl, her distaste for endearments evident. "Stop it with the nicknames," she barked.

It was clear that she wouldn't tolerate any form of affectionate language from him, but Antonio found it all the more entertaining to push her buttons. He lifted his arms in mock surrender and offered her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry," he said, meeting her intense gaze. "But I can't seem to help myself."

Her body grew taut with tension as she glared at him, demanding answers. "What is your game, Antonio? Why are you forcing yourself into my life?"

Antonio leaned in closer, his expression grave as he rested his elbows on his knees. "Would you believe me if I told you that all of this was for the chance to win your affection?" The words hung heavy in the air between them, charged with emotion and sincerity.

Valerie's piercing green eyes narrowed as she stared at him, her gaze intense and unwavering. She was dressed in an oversized white T-shirt that hung loosely over her slim frame, paired with worn stone-washed jeans that hid her beautiful curves. Her simple attire did injustice to her beautiful body, and yet Antonio fought against the raging desire to take her upstairs and ravish her.

"No, I don't believe you. You don't know me, Antonio. And I don't know you. Why would you suddenly want my affection?" Valerie barked, her voice laced with suspicion and confusion. Her words were like a slap in the face, bringing Antonio back to reality and reminding him of the barriers between them.

"My feelings for you are complicated. I do not understand them myself," Antonio said earnestly.

Valerie rolled her eyes. "Spare me the dramatics, Antonio. I don't have time for your games."

Antonio let out a long sigh. Porca puttana, women are such complicated creatures! A man pours his heart out, and she refuses to acknowledge him! "Bene! Don't believe me then. Why do YOU think I'm doing it?" he asked sheepishly.

Valerie's gaze bore into him, her features hardening like stone. "I see right through you," she accused. "You're only doing this because you crave control. You want to manipulate me, make me feel indebted to you. Showering me with gifts and barging into my life uninvited, all in hopes of getting what you want from me. Like those codes Julian supposedly left with me."

Antonio's jaw clenched as he fought to keep his temper in check. "Is that so?" he asked coolly.

Her eyes narrowed in determination. "Yes," she said firmly.

"If you truly believe that I have ulterior motives, then why not just give me what I want? The codes, I mean," Antonio challenged. The tension crackled between them like a spark waiting to ignite into a blazing fire.

"Because I don't have it, you bastard!" Valerie cried.

Her cheeks turned a fiery red, and her chest heaved with frustration. With a determined bite of her lower lip, she glared at him with her piercing green eyes. Those eyes looked glittery as if tears would fall at any moment now.

Damn, she was gorgeous in her anger. Antonio's mind wandered to all the things he wanted to do to her. Make love to her every night, have more redheaded babies, maybe name them after pasta dishes...

"Antonio!" Valerie's growling voice brought him back to reality.

"Si?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, trying to keep his cool amidst her passionate outburst. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said...I don't have any codes. I don't know where they are. Julian never gave me anything special other than my son," she said, frowning.

"Ah, I see." Antonio's mood brightened at the mention of Landon. "How's my bambino?"

Valerie blinked. "Your...what?"

"Sorry. It means my little boy in Italian," Antonio explained. "How is my little boy?"

"He is not your little boy," Valerie mumbled, but her voice lacked conviction for some reason.

Antonio leaned forward. "Did he like the presents I sent? Your son?" he asked, his tone gentle and curious.

Valerie's response was laced with irritation as she scrunched her nose adorably. "No, he didn't. He is a newborn, after all. He is not old enough to have preferences."

Undeterred by her dismissive attitude, Antonio pressed on. "Well then, did you like the presents I sent for you?"

Valerie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I like them very much. Thank you."

Ah...they were finally getting somewhere. Antonio grinned. "I'm glad to hear that," he replied. "Only the best for my future wife."

"I am not your..." Valerie stopped and groaned as if realizing that arguing with him was pointless. "I appreciate the gifts, I really do. But I can't help you, Antonio. I don't know what Julian did with the codes."

Antonio waved his hands dismissively. "Do not worry about those codes, Amore. I will find them on my own eventually. I won't bother you about them anymore."

Valerie's eyes brightened with a glimmer of hope. "Really? So you will leave us alone?"

Antonio smiled sweetly at her. "I didn't mean that."

Valerie's expression fell, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Then what did you mean?"

Antonio leaned forward, his intense gaze fixed on Valerie. "What I mean is, I won't constantly hound you about the codes anymore. But that doesn't mean I'm going to vanish from your life, sweetheart. I have my own motivations for wanting to stay involved."

Valerie studied him, her sharp eyes piercing his. "And what could those motivations possibly be?"

Antonio took a moment to choose his words carefully. "Let's just say I have a deep-seated interest in your safety and well-being. And, of course, Landon's as well," he said, hoping she would understand and trust him.

"B...but...why?" Valerie asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Antonio stood up and stalked toward her like a predator approaching his prey. "Because, mia cara," he said, dropping to one knee in front of her and grabbing her hand. "I have grown fond of you."

She only stared, her eyes wide and filled with confusion and curiosity.

Antonio's words were slow and deliberate as he spoke, the weight of his feelings heavy on his tongue. "I care about you," he said, looking deep into Valerie's eyes. "And I care about Landon. Though he may not share my blood, he holds a special place in my heart."

As soon as the words left his lips, he saw the confusion and disbelief in Valerie's expression.

"Antonio," she whispered. "I don't understand why. Why would you care about any of us."

He shrugged. "I don't know why either. Maybe it's because I find you intriguing. You challenge me because you're stubborn. Or perhaps it's because you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met, and I want you in my bed and..." He paused dramatically before continuing. "My life."

Valerie blinked up at him. "Are you serious?"

"Si," he said simply. "Something about you draws me in. And I can't resist."

She was silent for a moment as she processed his words. "What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"I want you to go back to your brother's house, collect your things, and move in with me," Antonio declared. "With your son, of course, so we can be a family."

"You are insane," Valerie said, but the stubbornness in her voice was gone.

Antonio offered her a devilish smile. "Yes, I am. My Nonna tells me that sometimes too. That's what I call my grandma, and she raised me like she was my mother. You will love her."

Valerie's eyes looked clouded as if she was in a daze. "A family? You...me...Landon...your grandmother?"

"Yes," Antonio confirmed. Her breath hitched as he leaned in close, his lips almost touching hers.

Her voice quivered as she asked, "And if I refuse?" Her eyes lifted to meet his, and the tension between them grew palpable.

Antonio lightly brushed his lips over hers. "Then I keep trying until you stop refusing me. I'll do whatever it takes until you're mine," he whispered against her lips, a thrill racing through his body at the thought of making her his.

"And you, Valerie Foster," he continued. "Will eventually be mine."

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • The Mafia Boss's Pregnant Bride   296. Stealth Escape

    Suzi passed out cold.One second, she was clinging to him, still trembling from the aftershocks, and the next, she just…melted. Her head lolled to the side, her breathing turned soft and shallow, and her lashes fluttered shut like a worn-out butterfly finally at rest.Max whispered, “Suzi?”No answer.His heart stuttered until he felt the steady rise and fall of her chest under his palm. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.“She actually passed out,” he murmured to no one in particular.It was kind of cute, actually. A little hilarious. Mostly beautiful. He reached up and brushed a damp strand of hair off her forehead. Her lips were slightly parted, cheeks still pink, and her skin glowed with that faint flush of exhaustion.“You wrecked me,” he whispered. “Then fell asleep like a damn angel.”Carefully, he pulled back just enough to slide out of her, hissing quietly through his teeth at the slick heat that clung to him. She whimpered in her sleep, but didn’t wake. Max soot

  • The Mafia Boss's Pregnant Bride   295. Permission

    She couldn’t remember if she said it out loud, or just thought it hard enough to count, but Max responded anyway. He kissed her until she forgot her own name, then pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes. His forehead pressed to hers, his breathing uneven, their lips close enough for the air to buzz between them.“You can say no,” he whispered.She choked on her answer, her tongue thick, her mind a haze of everything except the word yes. She nodded, over and over, until she felt her face burn.Max’s expression cracked, something wild breaking through the patience he’d forced himself to wear. He reared up and took off his boxers, exposing himself to her without shame or warning.She saw him, fully, for the first time. The stories she read never prepared her for this.Suzi’s knees snapped together like a pair of startled clams. His enormous, thick cock loomed and dread filled her stomach.There is no way in hell that thing is going inside her.Max grinned as if reading her thoug

  • The Mafia Boss's Pregnant Bride   294. Not Like the Garden

    Max let his hand rest at her hip. Suzi almost moaned as the heat of his skin soaked through hers.“May I?” he asked.Suzi looked at his hand, knuckles freckled, half-tensed from restraint. She didn’t flinch or answer right away.What was he asking for again?“Suzi,” he said, voice more firm this time. “May I take you to bed?”Oh.She lifted her head. “Y-yes.”He lifted her in his arms before she changed her mind. She made a soft, unguarded sound and clung to his shoulders.“You are so light,” he murmured as he carried her to the bed.He set her down on the edge and knelt between her thighs.Oh, dear god…he could see her thing from up close now.He was so close she could feel the pulse of his breath against her thighs. She was nearly dying from embarrassment, but she watched him, unable to look away, and he kept looking right back.Max eased her knees apart, slow and careful, and lowered his face until his lips were only a breath away from hers. He nuzzled the soft crease there, his wa

  • The Mafia Boss's Pregnant Bride   293. Scars

    Max reached out, his hand hovering just above her waist.He hesitated for a moment, ready to stop if she moved away, but when she didn’t, his palm rested gently on her side, his thumb tracing the edge of her mark. His fingers brushed against the curve of her breast. They were not big, but the perfect size and shape that would fit perfectly in his palms.He drew in a careful breath. This close, he picked up the faintest scent of her skin…clean soap, something floral and sweet. She tensed, breathing so shallow she might as well have not been breathing at all. Her skin was soft like silk under his touch. He could touch her all night, he decided.He kept his fingers steady, sliding them along her waist in small, patient increments, feeling the softness under his touch. His lips pressed to her shoulder, not quite a kiss, more a careful test.Her breath shuddered. She had stopped hiding, arms slack at her sides, every muscle in her body tuned to him. He felt a weird relief as she began to

  • The Mafia Boss's Pregnant Bride   292. Let Me See

    Max stood and stretched his back. The dress had looked beautiful, but it also looked like a medieval puzzle trap wrapped in lace. He walked over to the minibar and grabbed a bottle of water, taking a slow sip before glancing back toward the bathroom door.A quiet voice floated out.“…Max?”He froze mid-sip. “Yeah?”There was a pause, then a muffled sigh. “I can’t get the zipper down.”He tried not to smile, setting the water aside. “Want me to help?”Another pause.Then a soft, hesitant, “Yes, please.”Max crossed the room, keeping his steps slow and careful like he didn’t want to spook her. When he reached the door, he didn’t open it, just rested his palm flat against the wood.“Is it okay if I come in?”“Just… don’t look.”“I’ll be a gentleman. Promise.”He waited one more second, then pushed the door open gently.Suzi stood with her back to him, her hair pinned up and the delicate white gown clinging to her figure. She was holding the fabric near her chest, the zipper clearly stuck

  • The Mafia Boss's Pregnant Bride   291. Honeymoon Suite

    Max kept his arms wrapped around her long after her sobs had stopped.Suzi was quiet now, her breath soft and steady against his chest. Every few moments, her lashes fluttered like she might start crying again, but she didn’t.He held her closer, resting his cheek against the top of her head. She was so light in his lap, curled in on herself like a little girl.He didn’t know what to do with the ache in his chest. It wasn’t supposed to feel like this. Not yet. Not this strong. But the more she broke, the more something deep in him stirred to life.When her breathing finally evened out, he glanced down and saw her eyes closed, her lips slightly parted. Her face was still damp from tears, but she’d fallen asleep. Completely.He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, and traced his fingertips over the birthmark covering her face careful not to wake her.Jeez…he couldn’t even understand what was so bad about it. If anything, it made her look unique, out of this world. When the car stop

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status