Page 91 of Bittersweet Endings
Without a word, I grabbed a washcloth, ran it under cold water, and pressed it to the back of her neck. She tensed for a second, then exhaled, her body sagging against my touch.
“You good?” I asked.
She let out a breathless laugh. “Clearly not.”
I smirked. “Fair enough.” I kept the cloth in place, watching as her breathing evened out in the mirror. “You’re having my kid, babe. This is just the start. I’m staying for the whole damn thing.”
Her lashes fluttered, her grip tightening on the sink. “You don’t have to…”
I turned her towards me, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to look at me. “Yeah, I do. And I will. So get used to it.”
Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but I wasn’t having it.
I smoothed my thumb over her jaw, holding her there. “We’re doing this together, little doll. You and me.” I paused. “I’m your Capo. You listen to what I say. I’m here, baby.”
She swallowed hard, her gaze searching mine. I could tell she wanted to smack me, but she wasn’t at her best. Then, she gave me the smallest nod, and I guided her back to her seat. She shot me a glare, as if to suggest I was being dramatic, but I knew she wasn’t okay. She barely made it three steps before sagging against me, proving my point.
I sat first, pulling her onto my lap. She curled into me like she belonged there and I grabbed a blanket, draping it over her legs. Her body was still warm as I pressed a kiss to her temple.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, softly, she murmured, “What the hell are we about to do?”
I smirked, dragging my fingers through her hair. “We’re going to face the families. Show them that JP is done, that I’m in charge now.”
She hummed, thinking it over. “And what about me? The enemy?”
I tilted her chin up again. “I don’t give a fuck.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Carmine, you should…”
“Nothing else matters,” I told her. “You’re mine. And our baby is the future. That’s the only thing that counts.”
Her lips parted, something flickering behind her eyes. Shock, relief. Maybe even a little bit of fear. I didn’t care. I’d made my choice.
And Octavia was it.
Lorenzo barked out a choking noise from across the cabin. “Ugh, what the fuck?”
Octavia and I both turned to find him staring at his phone with a look of absolute disgust.
“What?” Octavia asked.
Lorenzo scrunched his nose and read off his screen. “Did you know that the baby is already growing tiny fingernails inside you?” He peered up at us. “That’s fucking nasty.”
Octavia snorted, shaking her head, but before she could say anything, my brother took a step forward, his eyes narrowing on her stomach.
“Can I touch it?”
“Fuck off,” I answered for her.
Lorenzo held up his hands and laughed. “Damn, all right,Capo.No need to get jealous. It’s not like I want to bond with the little demon spawn. Just curious.”
I shot him a glare, and he grinned wider while dropping back into his seat.
“This is gonna be fun,” he muttered to himself, still scrolling. “I’m gonna learnsomuch fucked-up shit about pregnancy just to annoy the both of you.”
“You should’ve brought Matteo.” Octavia sighed.
I stroked her hair, while Lorenzo stared at his phone and gagged again.
