by Emerson Rose
“Doctor Lorenzo is a very smart man and he saw an opportunity to make a lot of money and escape the clutches of the Mafia at the same time. He made a deal with Black and Elijah to fake my death in exchange for his escape from the country and a safe place to spend the rest of his life.
The Norgnhentá and Camorra groups think I died in surgery at his hands. Doctor Lorenzo has been unwillingly tangled up with many Mob families during the course of his career and he wanted to be done with it.”
“He faked your death?”
“Yes.”
“And they believed it?”
“Yes, he was very convincing. He provided a similar body and dental proof. They believe I’m gone.” Another body? I don’t even want to know where they got that.
“How are you going to run Dominus? How are we ever going to be in public again? We can’t hide forever.”
“Alright, here is the part that may upset you a little.”
This is the part that might upset me? Is he fucking kidding me? That train left the station a long time ago. He continues calmly while a storm rages in my mind.
“You know that Elena and I are twins.”
“Yeah, duh.”
“Our birth record shows that we were triplets, not twins.”
I shake my head and scrunching up my face trying to process this new information. Triplets. What the hell? I try to say something, but the words don’t come out and he holds up his hand to stop me anyway.
“Two boys and a girl. There is a record of my brother’s birth but not for his death. He died during childbirth. My parents never told anyone about my brother, they weren’t expecting triplets. The Norgnhentá believe that I died and left my fortune to my twin brother. No one there knew about my relationship with you. We arrived in Italy secretly because, well, because you weren’t exactly a willing travel companion. So, it seems like I stepped in, inherited a fortune, and brought my lovely wife with me to Italy.”
I am speechless. I close my eyes and try to make sense of it all.
It’s like I have a puzzle with a million pieces of the same color. They all look the same making it impossible to figure out.
He was right to keep this one from me. I can’t believe I’m admitting that and I will never say it out loud but this is stress inducing, mind blowing, and life altering information that is not meant for the faint of heart.
He’s quiet while he allows this to sink in. Triplets. They think Marcus is dead. Doctor Lorenzo is with us forever, and I’m supposed to be married to… who?
I align my thoughts enough to ask one question, “What’s your name?”
His strong, comforting arms reach for me. He pulls my limp shocked body into his warm lap.
“I am and I will always be Marcus to you, baby. To anyone outside of these walls I am Dante, Marcus’s identical twin brother.”
“Dante? That’s your middle name.”
“Yes, we thought it would be easier to use something familiar.”
“Won’t they be suspicious?”
“No, siblings often share the same middle name or take their father's last name as their first. My brother’s first name was Dante on our birth record.”
“How were you and your brother identical and Elena isn’t?”
“Dante and I were identical and Elena was a spare.” He chuckles at his little joke.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Why would I? I didn’t think we would ever have children. It didn’t occur to me to tell you about my brother.” That makes sense.
“Nothing has changed, baby, I am still me, you are still you. It’s just the people from my past who think differently, and they don’t matter anymore.”
“Then who’s sending you death threats on an iPad?”
His face falls, and he slumps back into the couch. “I don’t know, but I am going to find out.”
One Hundred Three
I need to see Maria. I don’t care if she’s accepting visitors or not, I’m going. Mr. Black is starting an investigation on the iPad and Marcus is worried about leaving the house. He wouldn’t be letting me go anywhere if I didn’t have an appointment with the Perinatologist already scheduled for today.
We are walking out the door when his phone rings. I can tell it’s Elena from his side of the conversation. They talk for a minute and when he disconnects the call his bronze skin has a green hue.
“Marcus, what is it?” He’s staring straight ahead in thought. I don’t think he heard me and I’m about to repeat myself when he responds.
“They are sending messages to Elena, too.”
“What? Who? What kind of messages?”
“She received an anonymous text message. It’s a song title.”
This isn’t happening. I’ve been trying to put this on the backburner so I can concentrate on Maria and our babies for a couple of hours but this news brings it front and center again.
“What song?” I ask, my words echoing in the large foyer.
“I have never heard it before.”
“What song, Marcus?”
“Kill Everybody. She says the lyrics are as simple as the title.”
I’ve never heard it either but the message is clear. Whoever it is has plans to kill everybody.
“Could they trace where the text came from?”
“No, it was a burner phone. Untraceable.”
“Shit.”
“I am going to call the doctor and cancel your appointment for today. I’ll pay him whatever he wants to come to the house instead.”
I understand his reluctance to be out in public but I have to see Maria.
“Marcus, I am going to see Maria today with or without you. You can do whatever you want with the appointment.”
“It is not safe, Imani. I won’t allow it.”
“I’m not living my life in fear, Marcus. I did that for years, nothing good comes from it. I need to get out of this house. I’m going to see Maria.” He crosses his arms over his chest and sighs.
“No one dares to question my decisions, why do you do that? I am trying to protect you and keep our children safe. Why do you insist on crossing me?”
“I disagree with you, Marcus, because I think for myself. I know why you do what you do, and I feel safe as long as I’m with you. I’m not trying to be difficult but I need to see her.”
He drops his head back and stares at the ceiling for a moment. I wait for his decision and when he lowers his head he closes the gap between us and gathers me up to carry me to the car.
“Pregnancy is making you irrational, lady.” I tighten my arm around his neck and kiss the scruff on his cheek. The Escalade is waiting in the circle, and Mr. Black is behind the wheel.
“I thought you liked driving.”
“I like focusing my attention on you more.” He reaches across the space that divides us to take my hand. He lifts it to his warm lips and kisses my knuckles.
The drive is quiet, both of us are caught up in thoughts of who could be targeting the family as we work our way through the streets of Seattle.
Before I know it, we are pulling under a canopy in the front of a low building attached to Trinity Hospital. Mr. Black jumps out and disappears inside, returning with a wheelchair.
I hate being treated like glass but I get it. Inside, I check the time, we have about five minutes until my appointment.
“Did you get ahold of her? Does she know we are coming?”
“Yes and yes,” he answers.
“How did she sound?”
“Weak and tired.” My heart falls as visions of a cancer-ridden Maria fill my mind.
“What stage is it?” I’ve been avoiding this question. She’s been in the hospital since we got home from Italy, it has to be bad.
“Three.” Three, well, that’s bad but at least still treatable.
“What’s the plan for her care?”
“They did a hysterectomy and now they’re waiting to start radiation and chemotherapy until she’s a little stro
nger.” I nod and wish we could skip my appointment and go straight to see her.
“We are not skipping your appointment.” I huff and slouch down into my wheelchair. I need the doctor to release me from bed rest so I can walk on my own two feet to see her.
My appointment doesn’t take long, and after my ultrasound, I am given the green light to get out of bed. No more being carried around like a child, thank God!
When we exit into the hall, I can feel Marcus itching to pick me up, and I feel a little sorry for him. It was his way of showing how much he cares.
“You can still carry me once in a while at home if you want.”
“Oh, I plan on it. I’m carrying you straight to our bed the second we hit the door.”
“Oh, yeah? Do you think I need a nap or something?”
“Not exactly.” His eyes travel down my body, as we stand alone in the elevator. He drags them back to my face after thoroughly mindfucking me.
His focus is on my lips, he pushes my coat aside and snakes his hand under my sweater and down the front of my leggings until his fingers glide over my overly sensitive mound. He presses my back against the wall and my heart pounds. I grip the rail for support and I need all the support I can get when Marcus decides to cast a spell on me in public. I feel his warm breath on my mouth before he covers it with his, muffling a moan.
The car slows and I know the doors are going to open but I’m helpless under his spell. When I hear the warning ding, I tense. He simply ends the kiss and continues to slide his long finger over the pulsing ball of nerves between my legs.
When the door opens, he casually moves me in front of him without breaking contact with my core. A woman and two doctors enter the car.
“Good afternoon,” he says, nodding to the group, and they return his greeting as if nothing out of the ordinary were happening.
To them it looks like he has his arms wrapped around my waist affectionately. My coat hides his roaming hand. I bite my lip hard trying to stifle the little sounds that threaten to escape as he continues his exquisite torture, teasing and stroking his fingers in a figure eight. The doctors chat and as always the woman does a double take of my husband.
The soft elevator music plays a strangely appropriate musical arrangement of Slave to Love while my body hums in his arms.
The car descends and my desire rises. His solid length is pressing against my ass and I’m nearing the end of my rope. Things are about to get really embarrassing really fast if he doesn’t stop.
“Shush,” he whispers in my ear.
“I… I…” Everyone in the car is in front of us. He lifts his free hand to cover my mouth.
“You will come quietly, baby.” And I do. I squeeze my eyes shut and neon sparks explode behind my lids as I bite down hard on his hand at the exact moment the elevator dings and the doors slide open. He slides his hand up to my belly and he guides me out on unsteady legs. My heart flying and my core is still pulsing from the unexpected orgasm.
“What are you doing?” I hiss when we are clear of everyone. He has his hand on the small of my back as we walk down a corridor that connects the clinic to the hospital.
“Being bitten by my wife,” he says, holding up his hand to show me a crescent shaped, bite mark on his finger. I stop and grab his hand.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know I…” He smiles wickedly, and my sympathy dissipates. “You’re so bad.”
“You know it, baby.”
I drop his hand and huff spinning away on my heel. I flip my hair into his face and he chuckles. How can he be so intensely sexy one minute and so infuriating the next?
“Don’t be angry, baby.” He strolls behind me as I stomp two steps in front of him.
“Just take me to her.”
“I’m trying to, but you aren’t letting me lead.” I slow my stride and let him lead. I could ask for her room at the information desk, but he knows exactly where she is and I’d rather not waste time. We fall into step with each other, and he laces his fingers with mine.
“I love you.”
I roll my eyes and accept his version of an apology. “I can’t stay mad at you, it’s not fair.”
“Why ever would you be upset with me? Did I not just blow your mind in that elevator?” I can’t argue with that, but he could have waited until we got home.
“There were people in there. They could have heard.”
“So? That’s what makes it exciting.”
“So? That’s embarrassing.”
“I wouldn’t let that happen. I let you bite me, didn’t I?”
“Well, yes.”
“Alright then, subject closed.” When we arrive outside the door to Maria’s room, he stops and turns me to face him with his hands on my shoulders.
“Maria hates weakness. She is very proud. That’s why she didn’t want to see anyone. I convinced her to let you come, but just barely.”
“Well, I’m not going to say anything to upset her. I’m a nurse, remember? I know what to expect.”
“I know, but you love her, it’s different.” He’s right, as always. Tears well up in my eyes and threaten to fall. He cradles my face and catches them with his thumbs when I blink.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” He crouches down until we are at eye level and mouths the words I love you before turning me toward the door. He swats my ass lightly, “Now go and make her smile” I blink back my tears and plaster a big smile on my face before pushing my way into her room. It’s dark, and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust from being in the bright lights of the hallway.
Maria lies frail in the middle of her bed, sleeping. I turn and place my finger to my lips to warn Marcus not to wake her. He cocks his eyebrow and when I look back she’s peeking out of one eye.
“Faker,” I say and laugh when she opens both eyes and smiles.
“I heard you two whispering outside my door. I raised this boy, you know. I have the hearing of an owl.”
“Owls have good hearing? I thought bats had the best hearing?”
“Well, bats then. I hear everything.”
“Everything?” I ask, thinking of all the loud sex we have had under the same roof. She lifts one corner of her mouth in a coy smile and I blush.
“Everything, hija.”
“Oh brother, how about we change the subject? How do you feel? When was your surgery? Why didn’t you tell me? How come you wouldn’t see me?” Oh my God, I’ve become my mother. Thankfully, my obnoxious behavior makes her to smile.
“Sorry.”
“It’s alright. I’m doing fine. I had surgery the first day we were home. I didn’t tell you because you had a lot on your mind, and I don’t like people seeing me in my pajamas. Did I cover everything?”
“That you did, Maria,” Marcus says, sidling up behind me to slide his arms around my waist and pat my tummy.
“Oh, I hear you have exciting news.”
“You don’t have to pretend, I know you know I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, that's not what I mean. You have double trouble brewing in there.”
I lean my head back onto Marcus’s shoulder.
“You told her.”
“Yes, I did.”
“I will have just enough time to finish my treatment and help you with the babies.” She clasps her hands together, and my heart swells with love for this woman who is offering to dedicate the last years of her life to helping me raise my children.
“I can’t wait for that.” I move out of Marcus's arms and sit on the edge of her bed.
“When do you get released?”
“Two more days of the terrible food in this place and I’m coming home, unless I can escape sooner. Do you think you could bring a car tomorrow?” She's teasing, but I would do it, no questions asked.
“Hey, I worked in this hospital for ten years and the food is pretty good. It’s nothing like your home cooking, of course.”
“Oh, I bet you can’t wait for me to come home and make you a
hardboiled egg and some ginger tea,” she says full of sarcasm.
“You make the best ginger tea, but no one is going to let you cook. I’m going to take care of you for a change.” Her face dims and I realize my mistake, she lives to take care of others, it makes her happy. She’s been doing it her entire life.
“Well, for a little while I mean. When you’re up to it I’d love to have you cooking for us again.”
Marcus pats me on the back.
“We should go and let you rest so you can come home soon.”
“Aw, do we have to go?”
“It’s OK. You go, take care of those babies and get some rest.” She smiles and slips her soft hand over mine and I have to admit a good long nap sounds great.
“Come, let her rest,” Marcus says, tugging on my hand. I kiss her on the cheek and back away so Marcus can slide in and kiss her on the forehead. My heart swells when I see her eyes brighten under the light of his love. His amazing addictive magnetism doesn’t end with me.
“I’ll bring a car for you tomorrow.” I give her a sly wink.
“I’ll be ready to go,” she says.
Marcus looks back and forth between us suspiciously.
“We’re kidding, hijo. Go. I promise to stay until the doctor says it’s OK to go home.”
He scowls and I cover my mouth to stifle a giggle while Maria shoos us away. On our walk back to the parking lot, I wrap both of my arms around his waist when we reach the Escalade.
“I adore you, Mr. Castillo.”
“I’m quite smitten with you as well, Mrs. Castillo. Let’s go home.” He places his hand on the handle of the door and an explosion rocks the hospital behind us, moving the ground under our feet.
The power of the blast pushes us against the Escalade and I squat down. Marcus covers my body with his and my ears start to ring. I feel Marcus’s chest vibrating against me as he speaks but I can’t hear. He guides me around to the driver’s side away from the blast and works fervently to get the door open. When he does, he shoves me inside and I go willingly until it hits me that Maria is inside that hospital. I can’t leave until I know she’s safe.
I start to fight and he grabs my arms giving me two hard shakes. He speaks directly into my face so I can read his lips.
