Page 105 of Born into Sin

He smiles at my request and leans down to pick me up, carrying me into the sunroom that he’s been fixing up for me. There are a few more comfy chairs, two bookshelves, and a hammock chair. When I point to it, he lets out a soft laugh. It’s big enough for both of us, but he still keeps me on his lap as he sits back into it. The sun streams in from all the windows, and it’s quickly become my favorite room in the house. When we’re situated, he gently presses the ice to my cracked ribs. Brushing back my hair, he kisses my forehead.

“Much better,” I sigh when he starts to gently rock us.

“I’m sorry you’re still so sore, baby. We’re going to get you all fixed up, and then we’re getting married, and then I’m going to enjoy watching my wife slowly grow bigger with our baby.”

I can’t help but smile at how damn happy he sounds. Resting my head against his chest, I snuggle into him, more than ready to become his wife.

One Month Later

“You look so beautiful.”

I look over at my mom and smile. We’ve both been crying all morning, but ever since having my makeup finished, I’ve been trying like hell to keep my eyes dry. I know it’s a losing battle, but I’m still trying. We’ve been planning this wedding for a month, and even though Dominic hired a wedding planner so I wouldn’t have to worry about anything, it’s still been a crazy time. It doesn’t help that my morning sickness kicked in a few days ago. I’ve been spending every morning with my head in the toilet, an event that Dominic insists on being present for so he can hold my hair and rub my back, and then the rest of our days have been spent visiting with his aunt and uncle, who recently flew in from Italy for the occasion. A bunch of his distant relatives also decided to come over, and, as a sign of respect, all his men will be here too so they can witness their boss getting married.

I push aside all thoughts of how many sets of eyes are going to be on me today and turn my focus back to my reflection in the large mirror in front of me. Dominic’s Aunt Maria got in touch with me shortly after he told them about our engagement and asked me to send her my measurements. The pregnancy isn’t showing yet, but we all know that’s not going to last much longer. She’d worked whatever kind of Italian magic she has, which probably had a lot more to do with throwing the Alessi name around instead of wands and potions, and surprised me with a handmade Valentino wedding dress. I’d nearly fainted when I’d seen it and scared Dominic half to death, but in my defense, it is the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen.

The delicate lace and high neck make it look both feminine and modest, but even though it’s modest, there’s nothing frumpy about it. It hugs me like a second skin until it fans out gently around my legs. Dominic loves knowing that he’s the only one who’s ever seen me naked, so while the lace gives a muted view of the cleavage that’s definitely grown during my pregnancy, it’s still hiding me from full view.

“You just look so beautiful,” my mom says again, wiping at her eyes.

I squeeze her hand and smile. “So do you, Mom. You look amazing in that dress.”

She’d kept with my pink theme and chosen a dress that’s a few shades lighter than the bridesmaid dresses I’d picked out. It’s in the same style too, an apron neckline with spaghetti straps that crisscross all along the open back. The soft fabric billows out the perfect amount, falling right at their ankles to show off the pink heels they’ll all be wearing. I’m also wearing my pink heels, the ones that Dominic is obsessed with, but mine are hidden beneath my white dress. I plan on flashing him later on during the reception.

“I’m so happy for you.” My mom reaches up to fix the delicate veil that falls along the back of my hair. She laughs at the tears that start to fall again. “Promise me you won’t move to Italy. I can’t handle having you that far away, especially once our grandbaby gets here.”

“I promise I won’t. Dominic wants to stay here, and so do I. I can’t imagine being separated from you all.”

Dominic’s aunt and uncle would like nothing more than for us to move to Italy, but neither one of us wants that. Our future is here, and we both know it. I give my mom another hug, and then she kisses my cheek and tells me she loves me.

“I’d better go check on things and make sure Dominic is doing okay. I’ve never seen him look so nervous before.” She laughs and squeezes my hand one last time. “I still can’t believe I’m younger than my son-in-law. We always thought Mia would be the one to go and do something crazy, but you’ve one-upped her this time, kiddo.”

I smile at my mom’s teasing. “I’m sure that won’t last for long.”

“Oh, don’t I know it,” she says, giving me a wink. “Let’s enjoy it for the day, though. She can do something crazy tomorrow. Today’s your day, baby. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

I bite my lip to keep from crying and watch her walk out the door. Turning back to the mirror, I make sure everything is in place, when I hear a soft knock.

“Come in,” I say, expecting Svetlana, but it’s my dad who walks through the door. The piercings are obvious, and his hair is still a tad too long, but most of his tattoos are hidden by the tux today, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looked nervous.

“Princess,” he whispers, smiling at the sight of me in my dress. He quickly closes the distance and wraps me in a hug that’s not near as delicate as the one Mom gave me. “Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here, honey. We can sneak out the back. I’ve already mapped out an escape route. No one will be the wiser.”

I laugh because I know he’s joking…well, mostly joking.

“I don’t want to run away, Dad. I want to marry him.”

He sighs and kisses the top of my head. “I know you do. I just thought I’d offer it in case you didn’t know it was an option.”

Pulling back, he looks at me, and the fatherly love in his eyes has mine tearing up.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married, princess. You were supposed to wait until you were in your late twenties at the earliest. I’m not ready to say goodbye to you yet.”

“Dad, this is not goodbye. I’m not going anywhere.”

He raises a pierced brow at me. “He’s taking you to Italy.”

“For our honeymoon,” I say with a laugh, “and we’re coming back in two weeks.”

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