Page 88 of Brutal Vows

He sits on the footrest and takes her with only a little awkwardness.

I always quietly yearned for children of my own, but as the curse of my family, I never thought I would have them, but with my big, bad mafia man cradling our goddaughter as though she’s the most precious and fragile thing in the universe, a wave of need grips me.

He’s too dark and sexy to be so trustworthy and supportive.

I want kids with him. As many as possible.

With wonder shining from his slate-grey orbs, he lifts his gaze to mine. As he studies my expression, hunger fills his eyes and wicked delight lifts his lips.

My stomach bottoms out. Lust clenches my core. I shift in my seat as need pulses through my clit.

He tucks Perla in the crook of his arm and reaches for me. I cup the back of his hand, marveling at the scars under my fingers, and nuzzle his palm as I place my hand on our goddaughter’s stomach.

“It looks likemia gattinaneeds another wedding.”

Confusion creases my brow. He leans forward, nips my bottom lip, and pulls back, mindful of the delicate life balanced in his arm.

“You were dripping my cum all day, weren’t you?”

Heat scorches my face as I follow his train of thought.

“You’re mine,gattina. I can’t wait to fill you up and watch your belly grow with our baby.”

His low, guttural voice stokes my need.

Perla hiccups and wriggles. We both look down as she waves her tiny fist at us. I lift my finger off her stomach, and she clamps around it with surprising force.

“I want that, Ermanno. I want kids of our own, but this is perfect, too. Let’s not rush it, okay?”

I don’t think I can handle more happiness. With my devoted mafia man, our goofy mini horse, an extended family, and budding friendships at my new workplace, I’m overwhelmed by how wonderful my life has become.

Emotions clog my throat. Tears trail down my cheeks.

Ermanno drops his forehead to mine and growls, “I’m yours,gattina. Use me however you need. I’ll always be by your side.”

I nod and cling to his hand, using him as a tether to reality as I weather an unexpected storm of emotions.

I’ll never be alone again. Never be shunned, never an outcast, never again be called a curse.

My lethal mafia man will always be there for me.

By the time I wipe the last tears from my face and take a deep breath, Nico carries Serenity out of the bathroom. Their eyes immediately seek their daughter, not because they doubt our ability to protect her, but because she’s their entire world.

Pride flows through me.

I chose wisely.

The Russo family will always be there for each other. Their love reaches deeper than the biological ties between them. They’ll never stray.

Nico settles Serenity against the headboard with a mountain of pillows behind her. She thanks him with a kiss before reaching onto the bedside table.

“I have a request. Well, two, actually,” Serenity says.

With her hair towel dried and a clean set of button-down pajamas dwarfing her frame, she looks so innocent and youngmy heart aches. The sorrow emanating from her eyes doesn’t match.

She holds two items out to me.

I take them and struggle to breathe past the lump in my throat. Perla’s hospital photo and a handwritten note from Nico and Serenity sit in an elegant frame. It’s addressed to Pops.

---