Page 68 of De Luca: The Saint

I glance at Giada over Dalia’s shoulder, and she places her hand over her heart. Dalia pulls back and smiles, “I’m glad you’re here. Grumpy over there hasn’t shut up about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I’ve noticed Domenic sitting on the sofa, seeming anxious, but his final thread of patience visibly snaps, “Giada,” and she rushes over by his side.

“Everyone, we have an announcement to make,” he says, his voice deep and filled with emotion.

Dalia walks back over to where she was sitting and retakes her seat while I settle back onto Damian’s lap.

Drake and Dante sit on one of the sofas alone.

Natalia, Giada’s best friend, who I have met a few times, sits on the other side of Giada. We all wait for what Domenic has to say.

He looks at his wife, “Do you want to?”

She giggles while shaking her head, “You go ahead.”

The way he looks at her sends goosebumps across my skin. This tough-as-nails head of a mob family is staring at his wife like she hung the moon. I know Giada well. However, I haven’t had the opportunity to see them together like this. It’s beautiful.

Domenic gazes around the room as he clears his throat, “We’re expecting. Giada is pregnant with our child.”

The room echoes with a collective gasp. I glance at Damian, and he smiles, but I can tell by his expression that he knew already.

“How far along are you?” Dalia asks, and I’m grateful because I was wondering the same thing.

Giada seemed to be putting on weight, but of course, I never questioned it. It never even occurred to me that she might be pregnant.

She smiles wide, beams really, “Four months.”

Everybody rushes over to them, Damian and I included, to offer congratulations on the happy news.

We are the last to get a chance to talk to Domenic and Giada. Everybody mostly scatters, looking for drinks.

Damian shakes Domenic's hand, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

He shrugs his large shoulders, “You were in a bad place, it didn’t feel right to share happy news when you were suffering so much.” A grin overtakes his strong face, “Even I am not that much of an asshole.”

Damian chuckles, “Even assholes have lines they don’t cross.”

I hug Giada, “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you,” I whisper into her hair.

A man I’ve never seen before comes out of the Kitchen and announces, “Dinner is served.”

Damian takes my hand and walks me to the largest dining room table I have ever seen. I’m not sure how many people this giant thing seats, I lost count after ten, but it’s massive and easily fits the entire family plus myself and Natalia. I’m quiet, observing everyone while they talk amongst themselves. I eat slowly, just watching. I don’t miss the two sets of eyes on Natalia.

Dante and Drake watch her like she’s prey, waiting to be devoured. I’ll have to ask Damian about that out of pure curiosity.

The funny thing is that Nat seems clueless about it, or maybe she doesn’t want them to know she’s aware. Occasionally, they remove their powerful gaze from her, glancing at each other but returning to her each time. It’s so intense that it makes it hard to breathe. She must know.

I glance at Domenic, and he shrugs his shoulders. I decide to ignore it. After all, it has nothing to do with me. I dig into the delicious manicotti in front of me. After taking the first bite, I stifle a moan to not embarrass myself, it’s so rich and creamy.

The food keeps coming, course after course, and I’m not sure it’ll ever end, but eventually, it does.

Dessert is cheesecake because it’s Giada’s favorite. She giggles, “It doesn’t always have to be cheesecake, Dom.”

He touches the side of her face affectionately, “Yes, Bellissima, it does. My wife will always have her favorite things in life.”

I fight down a gasp when Damian places his hand under my skirt and travels to my clit. Digging my fork into the cheesecake in front of me, I try to pretend that’s all I’m doing. Dalia glances at me, “You look flushed, are you feeling, okay?”

I nod, “Yes, I’m fine. It’s a little warm that’s all.”

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