by Ashley Jade
"Go to hell, you sick fuck!" I yell.
When his hand skims my belly, I bare my teeth and lunge for him. I'm about to tear right into his jugular, but the next thing I hear are the sounds of heavy fists pounding into flesh.
I look down and scream when I see Ricardo beating the shit out of Luke.
It's so bad there's blood all over the floor and I'm certain he's going to kill him.
The downright murderous look in his eyes is like nothing I've ever seen before.
Actually...that's a lie.
Chills creep up and down my spine the longer I stare at him.
Hell, I can practically see Bruno DeLuca right now, just under the surface, threatening to break free.
It scares me so much, I shout for him to stop—but before I know what's happening, Tyrone's running into the room and dragging Luke's body away.
For a moment, I hope he's dead. I feel a twinge of sadness when I see his chest rising and falling before he gets up off the floor.
Tyrone position's himself between them and Luke uses the opportunity to shoot me a warning glance before he leaves.
I feel sick when I realize that a small part of me is hoping he still wants to fuck me bad enough that he won't call DeLuca and tell him I'm pregnant.
But I feel even sicker when my mind flashes back to Ricardo's eyes in that moment.
I stare at myself in the mirror and despite the chaos of what happened today, I can't help but smile when I look down.
My hand finds my stomach and I give it a gentle rub. I'm not even close to showing yet, but there's something about knowing I'm carrying a baby in my belly that makes me feel so womanly.
For the first time in my life, I'm not ashamed of my body. I'm actually proud of it and what it's doing.
I have so much love flowing through me for this baby it's unreal.
I pat my tummy and smile. "I'm pretty sure you're the best thing that ever happened to me, Thumper. Even when you make me throw up my breakfast and lunch." My hand immediately flies to my mouth because I can't believe I said that out loud, but then I remember that Ricardo's at the gym doing a late night training session with Jackson.
I put my nightgown back on and step out of the bathroom. Then I head straight for the bag that I have hidden.
When I find it, I take out the plush little bunny that resembles Thumper from Bambi and give it a hug.
My eyes prickle with tears because I hate that I can't share these moments with the one other person I should be sharing them with.
But the truth of the matter is, Ricardo can't even manage to protect me from DeLuca—there's no way he's going to be able to protect the both of us.
At least, not without catastrophic repercussions.
Which means it's up to me and only me. Just like it always has been.
"Mommy will find a way to protect you, Thumper. Even if I have to give up my own life...he's not taking yours." I give the bunny another small squeeze as a tear falls down my cheek. "I'll figure something out, I promise."
I'll figure out a way to protect the both of them...even if it's the last thing I do.
Chapter 9 (Ricardo)
I stretch my gloves over my hands and continue walking down the alley.
It's the first time I ever left Lou-Lou while she was asleep in my bed. Hell, it's the first time I ever outright lied to her, but this shit has to be done.
According to Emilio, Luke should be walking out of the club any minute.
Emilio tried to talk me out of doing this—he said it would make DeLuca suspect something between Lou-Lou and me, but it fell on deaf ears.
The piece of shit hurt the woman I love...there's no way in the world I could ever let that go.
I look up just in time to see the slime ball walk out. Anger pulses through me when I see his black eye and bruised face. Fuck, I went too easy on him earlier. I'm losing my edge.
I lean my back against the wall of the building and count his footsteps so I know when to make my next move.
I thought about bringing him to the warehouse, but being that he's been DeLuca's most trusted ally for over 30 years—he knows the drill of being lured there. He also has DeLuca on speed dial and he'd definitely try and weasel his way out of it. He'd probably blame Lou-Lou and try to get her killed.
I hear his footsteps round the corner and I bite back a smile.
A moment later, my fist meets his face and he stumbles back. "What the fuck?"
He shakes his head and looks up at me in surprise. "Jesus, earlier wasn't enough for you?" He scowls. "I know what you think you saw before, Ricardo. But trust me...that was all her. She was begging for it. She's always had a thing for me but I've never taken her up on it because I'm so close with your pops."
He laughs and shakes his head. "She's always been a crazy bitch. Shit, the first time I met her was the night DeLuca and I caught her jumping out of her bedroom window. Broad's got some serious issues." He pats my shoulder. "I completely understand why you two don't get along. Personally, other than her looks, I really don't know what the fuck your father sees in her. So, don't worry, junior—I won't tell your pops about you beating me up earlier."
He continues walking but I drop kick him until he's lying flat on the ground.
"What the hell? I just told you what happened." He makes to stand. "You know what? Forget it, I'm calling DeLuca right now."
I kick him in the balls so hard he goes flying across the pavement.
He curses and bellows in pain.
I walk over to him and he grunts. "You've made your point. Now help me the fuck up."
He extends his hand out to me and I take it.
Then I squeeze it until I feel every single bone in it crack. When I catch sight of the first few tears rolling down his face...I step on his hand and stomp it into the ground.
The very same hand that he tried to shove down Lou-Lou's pants.
"What the hell's your problem, man?" he barks through loud sobs.
I grab his shirt, pick him up off the ground and shove him into the building.
"My problem," I grit, as I knee him in the stomach. "Is that you touched what's mine and I don't take kindly to that, shithead."
He looks up and recognition flashes across his face. He opens his mouth wide. "Well, I'll be damned..it's you."
I don't know what he's talking about and I really don't give a fuck.
At least, not until he says, "Wish I'd figured that out before I told him his little whore was fucking someone else."
I feel the color drain from my face and panic grips me.
He snickers and reaches for his phone with his good hand. "Man, I'm definitely going to tell your pops about this."
It's obvious he doesn't register the hand that's making its way around his throat. "No, you won't," I say as I begin strangling him and his phone drops. "Because you'll be dead."
My smile grows wider as he begins choking and his eyes start popping out of his head.
I practically salivate as I watch life leave his face and I feel his body go stiff.
I pick up my phone and call Emilio. "Call a cleanup crew."
I hear him sigh before he says, "Alright I'm on it." He starts to hang up the phone but I halt him. "I have to ask you something."
I let go of Luke's throat and watch his body drop to the ground.
Then I lean over and spit on his face before walking away.
"What's up?" Emilio asks.
"I have a few questions about the council and DeLuca." I swallow the lump forming in my throat. "And my mother."
I slip into bed next to Lou-Lou who's sleeping soundly. She looks so beautiful, I have to catch my breath.
Her hand stretches out until she finds my waist and her head nuzzles my shoulder.
I think she's still sleeping but she looks up at me. "I love you," she says while stroking my cheek.
Her touch is soft and sweet and I can't help but lean into it. My chest clenches because I realize all over again just how much I love
her.
She shifts so she's lying on top of me. "I'm happy you were born, Ricardo." Her voice shakes. "I really need you to know that."
She reaches down and links our hands together. "And no matter what happens—I will always love you."
Her eyes become glassy and tears start flowing down her face.
I know she's scared.
Hell, I'm fucking petrified.
Especially now that I know Luke told DeLuca she's been sleeping with someone else.
I decide I'm not going to tell her about Luke just yet. She's already a wreck. I don't want her having a panic attack that will cause her to do something stupid...like run away.
Or worse...calling DeLuca and admitting her transgressions, thinking he'll respect her honesty and go easy on her.
That would be the worst thing she could do.
And seeing as DeLuca didn't hop on a plane right after Luke told him what he suspected...there's a chance he doesn't believe him.
I freeze and my heart stops.
Because if he does believe him?
No matter how much he says he loves her...DeLuca will kill Lou-Lou.
I break out in a cold sweat and this palpable need to protect her washes over me.
I have to protect her...and there's only one way I can think of to do that.
It's the same thing that's protecting me right now...DeLuca blood.
After talking to Emilio, he let it slip that DeLuca was supposed to pay for killing my mother.
According to him, women who bring DeLuca's into the world are just as protected as we are. At least, they're supposed to be.
But, the only person DeLuca had in his life that they could ever retaliate against and kill...was me.
Well, before Lou-Lou that is.
Emilio told me that's the reason he kept her under wraps for so long. He even went as far as to forbid her to ever leave his mansion without him. He was afraid of the council finding out about her and seeking their vengeance.
However, now I know that Lou-Lou carrying my child will keep her from being killed by DeLuca as well as the council.
Because my child will be the next in line. And if he even attempts to go after her, I have every right to petition the council for permission to kill him.
Hell, even if I don't petition them...I doubt they'd go after those I care about for protecting my wife and child.
Fuck, the solution to this mess was staring me in the face the entire time.
I know the chances of conception from one-time unprotected sex aren't all that great, but it's a chance I'm willing to take right now.
Insatiable need consumes me and I surge forward. I close the divide between us by crushing my mouth against hers and pulling her on top of me.
I need to hold her, kiss her and touch her. I need her like I need my next breath.
But most of all...I need to protect her.
The kiss is hungry and all consuming, both of us struggling for air but refusing to break apart.
My hands claw the small of her back and I tug her closer to me.
She sits back, gasping for air, her legs on either side of mine.
She runs her hand along my jaw and I run my hands along the white satin of her nightgown before proceeding to shred it right down the middle until she's fully exposed to me.
She stares at me wide-eyed and I instantly become rock hard as I take in her naked body. She sighs as I begin tracing her tiny curves. I run my hands over her thighs, her ass, her hips, and her waist. My cock twitches, desperate to be inside her.
I lean forward and flick my tongue against her nipple before sucking it into my mouth entirely. I see a shiver course through her and I release the tight bud with a wet plop before doing the same to her other nipple.
My fingers work their way down to the damp crotch of her panties and before she knows what hit her, I shred that delicate fabric too.
I slide down my boxers and grip her hips. "Lean back."
She eagerly complies and my balls ache when I catch sight of her glistening sex spread for me.
I fist the base of my cock and circle my piercing around her engorged clit, cursing as her juices begin dripping down my length, making my balls tingle and the head of my cock swell.
She gives me a questioning look when I don't reach for a condom and
I meet her gaze. "Let me love you, Lou-Lou." I kiss the underside of her wrist. "I need to feel you...all of you."
She draws in a shaky breath and I lift her hips, yearning to fulfill this ravenous craving I have for her.
"Ride me, baby," I grind out.
She rests her hands on my chest and I groan as she proceeds to envelop me in her tight, warm heat.
"I love you," I whisper as I raise my hips and begin slowly thrusting inside her.
God, do I love her.
Given there's no barrier, every single sensation between us is intensified.
I've never made love to a woman before in my life...never had the desire, or any reason to.
Until her...until this very moment.
"I love you, too," she whispers as she begins to move, matching my thrusts.
I roll my palms over her nipples and cup the weight of her breasts in my hands as she continues moving on top of me, finding the perfect rhythm. "That's it, baby. Just like that."
Goosebumps appear over her flesh and I fasten my hands on her hips and lean up to kiss her neck.
I plant a trail of soft kisses along her throat, between her breasts, and back again as a tear falls down her cheek.
I gently kiss that tear away, cup her face in my hands, and look her right in those beautiful doe eyes of hers.
The moment is so powerful between us it doesn't even require words.
Her breath begins to quiver and she lets out a moan as she continues writhing on top of me, making every single part of my body catch on fire.
I've never wanted a woman in my entire life the way I want her...and on a certain level, there's something scary as fuck about that.
I doubt she realizes it...but Lou-Lou owns every part of me—which means she can smash those parts to smithereens.
But in this moment, I can't help but think it would be worth the pain—just to have an ounce of pure love that I've never experienced before.
I inhale her scent as I feel her start to clench around me.
The light from the moon outside illuminates her features and she looks like an ethereal goddess.
I've never seen a more breathtaking vision and I know I'll remember this moment for the rest of my life.
She tosses her head back and begins chanting my name, her slick walls gripping me tighter and tighter until she screams and moans as she climaxes.
I suck in a breath because the sight of her riding me while having an orgasm is erotic, powerful, and sexy as hell.
My balls draw up and I can tell I'm close. Wanting to bring her over the edge again, I circle her clit with one hand and switch positions so that I'm on top now.
I pin her hands above her head and thrust into her harder and deeper. I can feel her pulsing around my cock, the muscles of her sex clutching me as she starts to spasm and scream.
My entire body tightens as I groan her name, thrust once more, and come as deep inside her as I possibly can—all while praying for a miracle that will keep her safe.
I kiss her forehead and she looks up at me. Her eyes are hooded and sleepy, exhaustion etched across her beautiful face. For a moment, she looks like she wants to say something but I press my lips to hers and tell her that I love her again.
I tell her that I'm going to keep her safe. I tell her that she's mine and everything will be okay.
When her eyes finally close, I make my way down her body until I'm hovering above her stomach.
I draw small circles across her rib cage with my thumbs and I plant a tender kiss on her belly. "Ti amerò fino al giorno della mia morte ... e non solo." The both of you.
I close my eyes. Then, I pray harder than I ever have
for the miracle of all miracles.
A miracle that will protect the woman I love.
A miracle that will break the real DeLuca curse...and let good conquer evil.
Chapter 10 (Lou-Lou)
My stomach rumbles and I dig in my purse for another ginger snap.
I take a few bites and pat my belly.
I called the clinic because I was worried after Luke's attack and asked for the earliest appointment they had.
Which, of course, happened to be at the butt-crack of dawn.
After sneaking out of the apartment and leaving Ricardo a note on his pillow—telling him I was going to the library, the doctor said all was fine with the baby but wanted me to have some more lab work done just to make sure.
Seeing as I was already out, and I knew Ricardo was at home still sleeping, I had time to sprint to the lab before he woke up.
Or at least, I thought I did.
I had every intention of making it back in a timely manner, but on my way home morning sickness decided to make me its bitch.
I remembered reading that ginger snap cookies were supposed to be a good remedy to combat it, so I stopped by a store to buy a box.
So far, the baby seems to really be enjoying them.
I peel the annoying band-aid off my arm and walk across the street to the nearest trash can.
That's when my phone begins vibrating and Ricardo's name flashes across the screen.
That's also when I see a black SUV out of the corner of my eye. The windows are all tinted and dread fills me.
Please, god don't let this be DeLuca.
I take my hand off my belly, slip my phone back in my purse, and tell myself to calm down.
I turn around and start walking down the street, all while saying a silent prayer the SUV doesn't follow me.
I'm seriously regretting my decision not to drive to the lab now.
I only walked because I heard exercise was good during pregnancy.
I blow out a breath and start walking faster. I'm only a few blocks from the apartment and if I pick up my pace, I can make it back to safety.
