Page 96 of His to Destroy

I will never let anyone tear this from me.

Not now.

Not ever.

Chapter 20 – Almeria

The kitchen is a warzone of spilled flour, clattering pans, and the smell of burnt toast.

And somehow, it’s perfect.

I lean against the counter, one hand braced against my aching lower back, the other resting protectively over the swell of my belly.

Seven months pregnant, and I’m starting to feel like a very round, very irritable planet orbiting around my chaotic little family.

"Remind me again why we thought homemade sandwiches would be better than just ordering pizza?" I mutter, eyeing the disaster zone in front of me.

Gaspare grins from across the room, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his dark hair falling messily over his forehead.

"Because," he says smugly, expertly flipping a grilled cheese with a flick of his wrist, "you're nesting. And you said, and I quote, 'we need to make Luca’s lunches with love, not laziness.'"

I scowl at him, even as I feel the laugh bubbling in my chest.

"I hate you," I grumble.

He crosses the room in three easy strides, boxing me in against the counter with his arms.

"No, you don’t," he murmurs, dipping his head to nuzzle my neck.

I squeal and squirm, laughing breathlessly as he plants soft, teasing kisses along the curve of my throat.

"You’re impossible," I whisper, smiling against his hair.

"And you," he says, pressing a hand to my belly with infinite tenderness, "are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

My heart flips painfully.

Even after all this time, he still says things like that.

Still looks at me like I’m a miracle.

Still makes me feel like one.

Gaspare brushes his thumb along the edge of my jaw, his other hand still splayed protectively over my belly.

"I’m telling you," he says confidently, "it’s a boy."

I snort softly, shifting against the counter.

"You have absolutely no way of knowing that," I tease.

"I don’t need a way," he says smugly. "It’s instincts. Gut feeling."

I arch an eyebrow. "Since when do mafia Dons trust their guts over science?"

He grins, completely unbothered. "Since my gut led me straight to you."

I roll my eyes, fighting the ridiculous warmth that spreads through my chest.

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