His Dirty Bargain

by Fiona Murphy

  “I’ve been drinking water today, I promise.”

  “Doesn’t hurt to drink more.”

  “Why are you being so nice and sweet?”

  Enzo laughs as he hugs me tight. “Because I hate the idea of you miserable and in pain, and if there’s something I can do to help you feel better, then I will.” An eyebrow goes up. “Russell warned me and advised me. He also said I’ll get bonus points when you’re feeling better.”

  “Oh god, he gave away all my secrets, didn’t he?”

  “Mmm, yeah, pretty much.”

  “Traitor, I’ll pay him back.”

  “No, you won’t. He cares about you.” He picks up the remote. “Do we really have to watch reality television though?”

  “Maybe, depends on what’s on.”

  ***

  Chloe

  I stiffen at the ringtone. Shit, Nonna. Guilt fills me—I haven’t talked to her in almost two weeks since the day before I agreed to marry Enzo. We don’t usually go so long without talking. Normally we talk during the day on a weekend, as because of the time difference I need to call before two in the afternoon. But between work and planning for the wedding, even my weekends were full. “Nonna, I’m sorry I haven’t called you sooner. I’ve been crazy busy.”

  “Hmm...I heard how busy you’ve been.” My heart stops. What? “Your man, I like him. I didn’t expect to, but I do.” Holy shit, I suck in air so fast I choke. “Chloe?”

  “I just—I, he called you?”

  “Yes, the day after you became engaged. Lorenzo introduced himself.” How like Nonna to use his full first name, though I have no doubt he asked her to call him Enzo. She might not have been born in Italy, but you would never know it. Nonna is old-world Italian, so much so her English is poor compared to her Italian. I can’t wait to see her and Tony together. “He invited me to the wedding, and to stay with you before and after. He’s sending his jet to pick me up a week before the wedding. He’s a smooth one; he would have to be to get you though, wouldn’t he?”

  Chuckling, I wonder how smooth Enzo was. “What did he say?”

  “Not as much as he could have. He introduced himself, he was surprised I hadn’t called you already. I wondered the same thing. When I expressed concern, he assured me he would do everything he could for your marriage to be a success. He didn’t tell me the most interesting things about himself. I had to find that out from Julia’s granddaughter, Antonia. She brought over her computer and showed me all about your young man.” I bite back a groan. “Unique young man, I think he’s exactly what you need.”

  “Really?”

  “You don’t?”

  “He has his moments.”

  “I have no doubt. Then again, so do you, my dear.”

  “Thanks, Nonna, I love you too.”

  “If you do, then why have you waited so long to tell me your good news?”

  If she can be honest, so should I. “I was worried you would think it was a bad idea and try to talk me out of it.”

  “I would never. Chloe.” A heavy sigh. “I am sorry you thought such a thing. Your young man also said he was worried I wouldn’t want you to marry him, or anyone. It made me think. I see where you might think that, but it isn’t true. I sought for you to learn to be careful with men and your heart. I am happy you found someone who loves and cares about you, who you feel you can trust and love as well. I cannot wait to meet him.”

  All the tension eases inside me. “Thank you, Nonna.”

  “Oh, my pleasure, my love. I will let you go. I’m supposed to meet a friend for dinner. We’ll talk soon.”

  “Okay, love you.”

  “Love you.”

  Ending the call, I sag in relief.

  “You hadn’t told your grandmother yet?” Bethany gasps.

  I wince. “Thanks for helping me feel worse.”

  Rolling her eyes, “Whatever. Why not?”

  “I was worried she’d try and talk me out of it.”

  “Huh, your grandmother really hates men that much?”

  Shrugging. “I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I mean she has her reasons. My grandfather forcing her to endure miscarriage after miscarriage to get the boy he wanted, and taking all her money she inherited from her father. He was her guardian when her father died from the time she was only sixteen. While her father did want them to marry, she doesn’t think he knew what kind of man my grandfather was. They were married when she was only seventeen. She lived through five years of hell. Once she knew my aunt wasn’t a boy, she started planning her getaway. She managed to squirrel away all her jewelry before she had the baby.

  “She planned to go to Milan where her nanny had moved to and was waiting to help her. But my grandfather must have figured out something was up, because as soon as the baby was born he took the baby home. She tried to get my aunt and mother back, but he told her she could either have her freedom, or she could come back home and have her children and by the way the doctor hadn’t tied her tubes the way she wanted him to, my grandfather would get his son. Nonna felt like she didn’t have a choice, so she left.”

  “How awful. To have to make a choice like that, I can’t imagine it.”

  “She said she regretted it every day for over a year because she might as well have been dead. Her nanny pushed her to get up every day and keep going. Almost two years into living in Milan, she thought she fell in love for the first time. Three months in, she woke up and he was gone along with all of her money.”

  “No way.” Bethany sighs.

  “Oh yeah, she worked three jobs, saving every penny until she had enough to purchase her first apartment. It was a three-bedroom, and she rented out the two rooms while she kept working her three jobs. Then she kept saving and buying properties. Some she fixed and flipped, some she rented out the same way her own father started out doing. After a few years she tried dating again, but men were only interested in her money so she stopped trying.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “Not really. Just because Nonna doesn’t have boyfriends doesn’t mean she stopped having lovers. She encouraged me not to get attached and just enjoy men, but I never could the way she did.”

  “Dang, go Nonna.”

  “I was worried she’d tell me not to marry Enzo, just keep him as a lover. I didn’t want to go into all of it with her.”

  “Well, now you know. This is a good thing.”

  “True, I can’t believe Enzo hasn’t said anything about it yet.”

  Bethany shrugs. “Doesn’t really surprise me, Enzo and his plotting.”

  “Hmm.” I wonder what the plot could be. The last few weeks have been nothing short of heaven. Was he plotting for me or against me or...stop, stop looking for trouble because there’s no better way to find trouble than going to look for it.

  “Hello, earth to Chloe.”

  “What, sorry?”

  “You’re thinking about how awesome Enzo is and how no food in the entire world could be better than making love with Enzo.” She makes kissing noises.

  I blush. “Ugh, it’s even more embarrassing than that.” Shaking my head, I turn my attention to the paint swatches on the wall. “I like this one better.”

  “What were you thinking? You can’t say it then not tell me.” My face flames. “Tell me,” she whines.

  Deflating into the rocking chair in the soon-to-be nursery. “Is it weird how incredibly hot it is to have sex with the express intention of getting pregnant? I want to tear his clothes off every time I see him.”

  Throwing her head back, she laughs. “Oh yeah, totally hot. I’m sure if you get to six months it becomes more of a chore, but in the beginning so damn hot.”

  “So I’m not a freak?” Bethany turns bright red, then starts laughing so hard she has to lean against the wall. “What?”

  “When I first started seeing Dante, I asked the same question: if I was a freak because I loved when he got all He-Man. I mean, none of that ever appealed to me before. I was convinced something
was wrong with me, like what if this was a low-key toxic relationship or I don’t even know. Alicia was all chill, don’t be ashamed of what turns you on and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. As long as he respects you and your body then it’s between the two of you and nobody’s business. Then she admitted she liked to be spanked. Getting turned on about breeding sex, not freaky at all—I hear it’s a totally popular thing. Not nearly as kinky as spanking which, I’m not ashamed to say, is totally hotter than baby-making sex. I think it’s funny women get all caught up in what they should or shouldn’t like when it’s like who the hell is going to police it, and so what if we’re into something that isn’t ‘normal’? Normal is totally subjective, as Dante loves to say.”

  Nodding, I sigh. “You’re right. Usually I couldn’t care what someone thinks of me. I’m not sure why I’m wondering if it’s weird or not.”

  “I think we women need to stop listening to anything but our inner voices of what we like and don’t like. I used to tell my patients that all the time: you know your body best, listen to what it’s telling you. Alicia is finally letting it go. Now that she’s home with Nicky, all that noise she was caught up in has completely disappeared. She gave up on breastfeeding entirely and she’s not even crying about it.”

  “That’s great, I’m sure it’s a relief for Cesare too.”

  “Oh yeah, for the both of them. Alicia’s like, she doesn’t even talk to other moms, why is she trying to be this super mom and feeling guilty for having a nanny, a housekeeper, and Cesare helping her? Cesare is still worried since it’s only been a week, she’ll revert back to neurotic, but Alicia is adamant she’s over it. She didn’t even hesitate to call for a masseuse to come in today. I’m proud of her. And if you could second it today, that would be awesome.”

  “Totally, yes. I’m bringing her some macarons from our amazing wedding baker.”

  “I’m bringing her a goody basket of face masks and these bath bombs I have fallen in love with. That reminds me, what time is it? Shouldn’t Dante and Enzo be here with the food by now? They left almost an hour ago.”

  I check my phone. “Yeah, I don’t know. I’m surprised Cesare was willing to allow Dante and Enzo to get barbeque from anyone else.”

  “Cesare is channeling Alicia in the letting it go. I think he said something about that’s fine or else we were going to be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

  “Well, it is kind of a lot to have a bunch of people over when Alicia just had a baby two weeks ago. I’m thinking I’ll need that long to recover before I want to get out of bed, let alone host a house full of people.”

  “It won’t be bad. Once your housekeeper is plugged in, it makes your world much easier. I don’t know what I would do without Claudine. Karen is super nice, she’s not as amazing a cook as Claudine, but she’s not bad.”

  “Who is Karen?”

  “Enzo’s housekeeper; well more like lifekeeper. She orders his clothes, you know how their shirts and suits are handmade, handles the dry cleaning, orders the groceries, oversees the house cleaning, cooks, pays the bills, all that stuff.”

  “He has yet to mention this.”

  “Probably because she’s as much a part of his life as Claudine is in ours. She’s just always there, making our lives easier. Trust me, you will love Karen and how she helps you two by dealing with the little stuff that becomes big. Like who the hell really wants to argue about taking out the trash? Who wants to take out the trash? Or honey, did you pick up my dry cleaning, or you forgot my deodorant all that stuff never becomes an argument because it’s not on either of you to worry about. Karen does Enzo’s breakfast, and she’ll do dinner if he asks for it. Like the only times me and Dante argue is when it comes to dinner when we try and figure it out on our own.”

  “I guess. I just don’t know if I want to have someone in my home I don’t know.” Yet the longer I consider it, maybe it’s not such a bad thing. Especially with both Enzo and I working as much as we do.

  “So you’d rather be the one to clean your own toilet, or even deal with the scheduling of someone else to come clean your toilet?”

  I’ve always hated cleaning and if Enzo is all about being neat and tidy, it’s probably a good thing for someone else to handle all of that. “Okay, you’re right. I just wish it’s something Enzo told me.”

  “Told you what?” Enzo is leaning against the open door of the nursery.

  He’s so beautiful, am I ever going to see him and not melt a little inside? I mean it’s only been a month but I’m thinking, no. “About Karen.”

  “What about her?” A small motion of his head calls me to him. I go without hesitation. He catches me around my waist, hugging me close.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never had someone who runs my home.”

  Enzo squeezes me tight. “She’s not running your home, she’s handling the little things so you can focus on the bigger, more important things, like me.”

  “Oh well, in that case I’m grateful to have her.”

  “That’s the way to think of it. You two ready?”

  The drive to Cesare’s house feels endless. It’s a Saturday afternoon and the streets are busy. I understand completely why Bethany didn’t want to move out to the suburbs.

  When we get to the house we find Dominic and Tony already there. Alicia is tucked into a chaise lounge with Sophia in her lap, while Tony is holding Nicky and Matteo is leaning into his lap, talking to his little brother. I melt when Sophia grins up at me. Enzo wasn’t kidding, she’s so adorable I can’t even believe it. Alicia pats the spot beside her for me to sit down. Sophia cuddles into her mother’s neck, shyly smiling at me as she does.

  “Say hello,” Alicia murmurs.

  Sophia parrots the word.

  “Hi, what’s your name?” I ask.

  Giggling, she answers, “Sophia. I am Sophia.”

  “Hi, I’m Chloe.”

  Sophia giggles again and buries her face in Alicia’s neck. “She isn’t a talker yet. Matteo does all her talking for her.”

  “She’s gorgeous.”

  “I think so, but I might be biased.”

  “I got some delicious treats for you.”

  She takes the bag. “These look yummy, thank you. I think I’m going to save them for when I don’t have to share them.”

  A gasp of awe sends my head over to Bethany where she is sitting next to Tony, who was holding the baby. Cuddling him close, she sighs. “He even smells amazing. I’ll take him home for the night. I’ll bring him back tomorrow, I promise.”

  “No, my baby,” Matteo exclaims as he puts his hand on the baby.

  “I’m just kidding.” Bethany laughs as she kisses Matteo on his head. “I won’t take him home.” Matteo nods then climbs into Tony’s lap.

  “How are the wedding plans coming?” Alicia asks.

  “Good, everything is set. I can’t believe how easy it was. I’m sure it helped we’re keeping it small.”

  “Or maybe the way Enzo is throwing money left and right to make it happen.” Alicia laughs.

  “Maybe that too,” I admit.

  “Where are you guys going for your honeymoon?”

  I have no idea. I look to Enzo across the room, where he’s sitting with Dominic. A shot of electricity runs through me at the way I don’t have to say a word for him to look up and meet my eyes. “Alicia wants to know where we’re going for our honeymoon. I was wondering the same thing.”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “I haven’t thought about it.”

  “Then think about it.”

  Rolling my eyes, I look to Alicia. “I have no idea.”

  Laughing, “Is there any place you want to go?”

  “Not really. I was lucky enough growing up my Nonna was adamant my education go beyond the schoolroom, so we visited several different countries. We took two weeklong vacations every year, and by the time I left Italy I had gone through two passports.”

  “Okay, everyone. Come and g
et it,” Cesare calls out.

  Alicia sits up, and when she does, we’re both shocked when Sophia throws herself at me. Oh, so little, so soft, so sweet. Her arms wrap tightly around my neck as she speaks a gibberish only she understands in my ear. Heaven; I remember Enzo’s face as he talked about Sophia and I agree completely. Looking up, I find Enzo staring at me. He crosses the room, and I’m caught off guard when Sophia squeals in happiness and launches herself at him. My heart catches in relief when, laughing, he holds her tight.

  “Alicia should have warned you she does this a lot.”

  “Any warning would have been good. She really is adorable.”

  “Yeah, and she knows it too.”

  It’s almost the end of the night when I finally get to hold Nicky. I understand why Bethany had a hard time giving him up. He’s a sweet, calm baby who cuddles into you the moment he’s in your arms. I can’t get over the scent of him as I lean close to smell his head again. I swear I can feel my uterus contract in longing.

  Bethany leans against me; our eyes meet and she smiles. “I know, right?”

  19

  Enzo

  Chloe is quiet all the way home. Her mood isn’t readable the way she usually is, and unease builds within me. Closing the door to our bedroom against the cats looking for attention, I lean against the door to watch her. She undresses in the walk-in closet the way she normally does. I love the way she has grown comfortable with her body, as she walks naked into the bathroom to brush her teeth. There’s no anger, no annoyance I can pick up on, yet still she says nothing. It isn’t even until she’s climbed into bed that she looks over at me.

  “Are you coming to bed?”

  “Am I welcome?”

  Rolling her eyes, she sighs. “Of course you are. I don’t want to argue before we go to bed.”

  “We’re going to argue?”

  As she leans back on her hands I try to focus on what she’s saying, not the way her nipples are hardening under my eyes. “I’m not sure yet. How come you didn’t tell me you called Nonna?”

  I straighten, surprised. “How come you have only spoken with her today?”