Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
The sonogram confirmed it this morning. The first time in five months. I thought it would never happen.
I should’ve pushed this off. I want to have some presence of mind when we dump all this shit on Dante. However, currently, my mind is with Ny and Jace waiting for me at home.
“You all right? I’ve never seen you sweat like this,” Dario says.
“I’m fine. I have a lot on my mind.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I inhale deeply. “Not now.”
“Well, I’m here when you need me.”
I nod. I turn to look at our father. Our father. It’s so clear to see in this moment. We all have on the same black suit and white shirt. We thought it would make things clear to Dante when he arrives.
“Here he is,” Dario says.
Dante strolls in, looking down at his phone. When he looks up, he does a double take and his forehead wrinkles. He shakes his head and comes to hug me first, then moves to Dario.
When he gets to Dad, he hugs him, and Dad holds on tightly as he whispers into Dante’s ear. My heart hurts when Dante’s knees buckle. Dario is there to hold him up.
“I always wished you were my real dad,” Dante sobs. “Why would you lie? I struggled so much. You had the power to fix that.”
“He couldn’t,” I say as I pull my little brother into my arms. “He wanted to, but he couldn’t.”
“You knew?”
“I found out, out of necessity. The same necessity that has kept you and Dario safe for your entire lives,” I reply.
“I… I can’t stay. I need to go.”
“Dante, please. I’ve waited all your life for you to know. Sit, listen, have a meal with me and your brothers.”
“Wait, Dario?”
“Man, there’s a lot going on, I’m still wrapping my head around this. We’ve always trusted Gio. I have a gut feeling it’s the best thing to do right now. My time on the other side changed a lot.”
“How? How can this be best? Who the fuck is Frances if he’s not our dad?”
“He used to be my best friend. Or so I thought.”
Dante stumbles to sit, placing his head in his hands. “Who?” he seethes.
Dad and Dario look at him in confusion. I take the seat next to Dante to answer his question. “Riccardo.”
Dante looks up through his lashes. Ah fuck, this is why he couldn’t know sooner. It’s a good thing Riccardo disappeared. If Dante finds him, he’s going to skin his ass alive.
I lean in and kiss my baby brother’s forehead. “I get it. I understand more than you know. I’m going to make him pay. I promise.”
He stands again and pulls Dad into an embrace. They stand like that for I don’t know how long.
Chapter 66
Together
Nyla
It makes no sense how much I’ve bathed this evening. I’ve sat on the yoni pot and used the yoni oil too. I’ve taken a bath and showered.
When I tell you my stomach is in knots, I’ve run for the toilet a few times. I’ve changed my lingerie four times, trying to keep both Jace and Gio in mind. Now, I sit here on this towel on the floor in the bathroom with my knees against my chest as I rock back and forth.
What if we fail? What if only one egg is fertilized? What if—
I look up as Jace kicks a leg over me and lowers himself as he moves me forward, sitting behind me. I move up on the towel beneath me to give him space. His sweatpants-covered legs encase me.
I’m glad Gio asked him to stay behind while his family hashes out their secrets. Jace kisses the back of my head and starts to rock me.
“It’s going to be fine. Keep your mind on the outcome we want. Let everything else go.”
“I’m trying. I’m so nervous.”
“I know, baby. G texted that he’s on his way about forty minutes ago.”
“Okay, I can do this,” I say to pump myself up.
“We can do this, together,” Gio says as he steps into the bathroom, his dress shirt open and his sleeves rolled up. His socks and shoes already gone.
I’ve never been this nervous to have sex, not even my first time with either of them. I blow out a breath and shake my hands out. Together.
“Ho…how’d it go? Is Dante all right?”
Gio shakes his head. “All that stays outside tonight.”
He moves closer and squats to cup my face. “You look beautiful. Stop worrying. This is what we want. Everyone in this room is a master at getting what they want. This will be no different.”
With that, he stands and holds his hand out to me. I take it and stand. My legs feel so shaky. Jace places a hand on my back as Gio guides us to the bedroom.
When we get to the foot of the bed, he turns and looks over my head at Jace doing that silent thing they do. I gasp as Jace slips his hands into the sides of the baby-blue teddy I have on and starts to knead my breasts.