“As long as I am Capo, there won’t be peace with Dante Cavallaro.” Not after the fucking photo incident.

“Dante didn’t hurt me. He wouldn’t.”

I grew tense, old anger rekindling, but I shoved it down. “He is Capo, and we are at war. Next time he gets his hands on you, he won’t let you go, trust me. You are the leverage he and the Outfit need against me. He’s under as much fire as me.” I didn’t mention that he’d been the one who was responsible for the photos. It wouldn’t serve any other purpose than to upset Aria further, and in her state she didn’t need any more stress than she’d already suffered.

Worry flickered in her eyes. “Is your family still going against you? Gianna told me you killed one of your uncles on the night you saw the photos of me and Dante.”

“I did, crushed his throat in front of the gathered Underbosses and Captains.” I didn’t mention that I killed Ermano and Angelo as well, and the fucking bikers, and the Outfit fuckers who had come too close to our borders and gotten caught. I’d sent them back to Dante in several packets. I’d killed so many in the past few weeks.

Aria released a slow breath. “And then you saw me with Dante.”

“I lost it, Aria. I fucking lost it.”

She kissed me. “How could you ever think I’d cheat on you with Dante?”

I ran my hand over her smooth calf and Aria’s lashes fluttered. There were shadows under her eyes. I began massaging her calves, feeling her relax under my touch. Then her eyes opened slowly. “Promise me you will never hit our daughter. I know many men in our world think it’s the only way to discipline children.”

“Aria,” I said fiercely. “Many men in our world think a husband should discipline his wife the same way, and I never raised a hand against you and I won’t. And I fucking swear on everything that matters to me in this world that I won’t ever hurt our daughter.”

The bing of her mobile made her jump and she slanted a glance toward the screen, which rested on the table. Gianna, of course.

Aria sighed, then reached for her phone and typed a quick reply before she turned off the sound and returned it to the table.

“What did you tell her?”

“That I’m in New York with you.”

“That’s all? You know she won’t stop bugging us until you tell her every little detail,” I murmured, leaning forward and running my lips over her delicate throat.

“I turned off the sound.”

“As if that’s going to stop her,” I said, and as if on cue my phone began ringing. “Matteo.” I didn’t even have to look at the screen. Gianna had probably ordered him to check on her sister.

Aria shook her head with a soft smile. “She’s worried about me. I gave her a lot of reason to be worried.”

And I was the fucking reason.

My phone didn’t stop ringing.

Aria leaned back to give me a look. “They won’t give up.”

With a groan, I reached for my own phone and took Matteo’s call. “I’m busy,” I muttered.

“Busy in a good way or bad way?” Matteo asked. I could hear Gianna’s high-pitched bickering in the background.

“I’m not sure what you consider a good way,” I said as I motioned for Aria to lie back. She did without hesitation and I began rubbing her calves and feet. Her face softened even more, and my black-as-tar heart softened in turn at the sight.

“Luca,” Matteo said with a hint of strain in his voice. Gianna must have been grating on his nerves the last few weeks. He was even more volatile than usual, but who was I to talk?

“Is Aria with you?”

“Yes,” I said, as I applied pressure on the sole of Aria’s foot with my thumb, eliciting a soft moan from her.

“For fuck’s sake, Luca, just tell me if she’s okay.”

“She is okay, Matteo. She and I, we figured things out.”

“Thank the fucking Lord.” Gianna spoke in the background again. “Let me talk to him,” Matteo said to her, then to me, “When will you come back?”

“Tomorrow, but only to pick up a few things. Aria will stay in New York with me from now on.”

Aria looked at me then, and I could tell she was pleased.

“Okay,” Matteo said slowly.

I hung up, fed up with Gianna’s voice in the background, wishing I could turn off the sound of my mobile as well, but as Capo that was a fucking no go.

“Will you tell Matteo about the pregnancy?” Aria asked, biting her lip.

“Yes, tomorrow. I need his help upping your protection.”

“Up my protection?” Aria asked. I lifted one foot and pressed a kiss to her ankle. “Oh yes,” I murmured.

Aria didn’t protest. She let out a yawn and smiled embarrassedly. “I’m sorry. I haven’t slept well without you.”

“Me neither,” I admitted. I’d lost count of the times I’d woken at night, reached for her and freaked because she hadn’t been there until I remembered why.

I pushed off the sofa and lifted Aria against my chest. Her arms came around my neck and she pressed her cheek against my shoulder, releasing a small sigh.

“We’re going to bed. You need to rest.”

I carried her up the stairs, through our bedroom and into the bathroom, setting her down in front of the wash table. She shook her head. “I’m pregnant, not immobile.”

My eyes moved down to the bump hidden beneath my shirt. I’d stop at nothing to protect Aria and our daughter. She watched me then nodded. “You won’t budge on the matter.”

“I won’t.”

I helped her out of my shirt and she pulled a nightgown over her head, which showed the hint of her belly. The sight made me fucking happy, which surprised me. I’d never really considered having kids. It had been an abstract concept.

As we got ready for bed, I couldn’t stop admiring her. She washed her face and tensed a moment before her fingers clutched the edge. I grabbed her waist at once. “Aria?”

“Dizzy,” she said apologetically. I lifted her up into my arms and carried her over to our bed, where I laid her down and stretched out beside her, pulling her close. She snuggled against my body, fingers clinging tightly to my biceps as if she was afraid I’d leave if she let me go. She kissed my chest before her eyes rose to mine. I cupped her cheek and she gave me that smile that warmed my cold heart every time.

She fell asleep within a couple of minutes of being in my arms, but I lay awake and listened to her rhythmic breathing for a long time, not because I couldn’t fall asleep but because I didn’t want to. The feeling of Aria in my arms was the best. I carefully moved my hand down until it rested over Aria’s stomach. If I were still capable of that kind of thing, maybe this would have been the moment I cried, but the last time that had happened was when I saw my mother in her own blood after she’d slit her wrists, and it wouldn’t happen again. Yet my chest felt tight with emotion.

chapter 23

LUCA

The next day we returned to the Hamptons to pick up a few clothes Aria needed. She’d stay in New York with me from now on. I wanted her close, and I was needed in New York.