Page 87 of I Would Beg For You

I hope…

Chapter 28 Valentino

Tomorrow did come soonenough, but I had the chance to make love to my wife again during the night. No saintly virgin, she proved once again she could be a slutty mistress as she took me for all I had.

I’m still smiling softly in the Levante as Marco takes us back to Morris County. I texted everyone this morning before we left Short Hills, letting them know Naomi and I are married, and I’m bringing my wife home today. Franco and Victor haven’t replied yet, on account of the time difference—one is in Australia doing some hiking, the others on a retreat in some monastery or something in Cambodia, or is it Laos? Francesca won’t be awake yet this early on a Saturday morning.

Luciano hasn’t replied, and I find out why when we stop in front of my house and his Jaguar E-Pace is in the driveway. How quickly did he drive over, beating traffic, too?

Naomi’s hand tightens around mine in the small space between us on the back seat, and I squeeze it back to reassure her. We’re not just coming home—we’re also coming back next door to her father’s house.

One of my crews has been watching the dwelling. Joel Smith hasn’t been back here since the night I broke Naomi out of Pineridge. He’s on his campaign trail as if nothing’s happened. The bastard. I have something planned for him, but not now. There are other matters for me to attend to. First of them being to settle Naomi into her new home.

It feels strange when we alight from the car, and both stop to look at the house ahead of us. Did we ever think we’d end up like this, end up with each other? I for sure never did. The age difference between us, for starters, and the fact she is her father’s daughter, ultimately killed that idea. It had all seemed like impregnable obstacles, though look where we are today. Time works its wonders, eleven years between us when she’s a teenager meaning something and then as an adult, its meaning almost pointless.

As for her being her father’s daughter… I’m pretty sure if someone offered to scratch out all of Joel Smith’s DNA from Naomi’s system, she’d take them up on the offer. There’s no love lost between them now, and as much as I’m glad she knows what a bastard he is, a part of me hurts. For her. Because her love for him had been genuine, and she’d had that flung back into her face so carelessly.

The front door opens, a tall silhouette dominating the space. Tall but lean—Luciano. My brother is waiting for us. He’s also awaiting an explanation from me. No one but Marco, Renata, and Roberto knew Naomi and I were getting married. It killed me to keep my siblings out of the loop, but I first and foremost had to protect Naomi.

I take my wife’s hand, and we start toward the steps leading to the front porch. I give Luciano a chin nod when I get to the door, but he won’t move and let us in. I frown at him, my eyes thunderous.

“Uh-huh,” he says, shaking his head.

“What the fu—”

“Kids here,” he hisses.

I catch a glimpse of a little towhead near his knees. Of course, Luka is here. No swearing, then.

“Seriously, Luciano,” I start.

“Door tax,” he says solemnly.

I blink and stare at him, then a laugh roars out of me. “We’re seriously doing this?”

He opens his eyes wide. “Of course we are. Payback, brother.”

Naomi’s eyes are darting from me to Luciano, an expression of confusion on her features.

I pull out my wallet and take out a hundred-dollar bill, which I hand to her. Drawing close, I dip my head to her ear and explain what’s going on. She seems incredulous at first, then a giggle escapes. She takes the bill from my hand, folds it into a small square, then she steps up to Luciano and places the bill into the front pocket of his shirt. Next, she kisses him four times on the cheeks, then lowers her head waiting for him to clasp her head on both sides with his hands as he drops a kiss onto her forehead.

“Welcome home, Naomi Andretti,” he says and steps back from the doorway.

The door tax is an old tradition Mamma said they used to have in the old country. I’d enacted it fully on Eliza when she came back to the family home after her wedding to Luciano. My brother was just returning the favor today. Or it was payback. Either way, it genuinely warms my heart to see him welcoming Naomi so easily into our family.

“Hello, Luciano,” she’s saying as she reaches out to him for a hug.

“It’s good to see you,” he replies. “You’re okay?”

She nods, the long look they exchange speaking volumes.

“And who do we have here?” she asks as she peers down toward Luka. “Aren’t you a handsome young man.”

Luka gives her a shy smile and then hides behind his father’s legs.

“I’m Naomi,” she tells him.

“Luka, say hello to Zia Naomi. She’s Zio Val’s wife.”

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