Page 91 of Merciless Oath

“Enzo, calm down.” I laugh. “I take it you’re happy?”

“Elated,” he sings in a loud opera voice.

“Shhhh,” I warn. “You’re going to wake the monsters.”

“We have to tell them!” he announces, already running out of the room.

Sometimes I forget that when he gets like this, having Enzo around is like having a third child, but his joy is infectious. I run out to the hallway and yank him back by the shirt.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I whisper, dragging him back to the bed. “Tomorrow is Alessia’s day, and I don’t want anything to overshadow it.”

“You’re right.” He instantly quiets down. “This is why I married you, you brilliant, amazing, wonderful woman.”

We climb back into bed, both of us giddy with our little secret. He snuggles up to me again, placing his warm hand across my tiny, growing belly.

“How long?”

“Three months.” I chuckle. “Just like Lux.”

“So funny.” He smiles. “Maybe it’ll be a boy. Enzo Jr.”

“We’re not naming him Enzo Jr.,” I laugh, smacking his shoulder.

“You’re right, Enzo the Second, it is.”

“Stooooop,” I groan, but he takes the rest of my words away with a deep, hot kiss.

I sink into his arms, letting go of the world around me. He slips my shirt off, working his hungry mouth down my chest, skimming over my belly button, going lower and lower.

I moan softly, threading my fingers through his hair, and relax into his touch. Valentina, the mother, the ballet teacher, the daughter, the friend—all those versions of me disappear.

And for a little while, I become just Valentina.

The truest version of myself.

The one I can only be with Enzo.

The end.

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