Page 32 of His Stolen Bride

Bella

“I’ve never seen you smile this much.” I glance over at my sister, who’s sitting in one of the chairs in the library. I’ve got a fake little mouse on a string for Lucky to chase after. I never knew how much fun a kitten could be. I watch as he wiggles his little butt before pouncing on his toy.

“Kittens are adorable. How can you not smile at them?”

He catches the mouse and rips into it. I pray for any mice that might make their way into the house. They’ll meet the same fate as all enemies of the Baldino family.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”

I push off the floor and let Lucky have the mouse. I’m going to have to order more.

“He’s been good to me.” I snag a grape from the bowl in front of her. “How about you? How are you feeling?” I step closer and run my hand along her belly. She’s starting to show. We’re running out of time. I stop moving my hand when I think I feel something.

“He kicked. Did you feel it?” Her eyes go wide with excitement.

“Yes, is that the first time you’ve felt it?” She nods with the biggest smile on her face. She’s too shocked to talk. I hate that this is a secret. We should be celebrating.

Here I am building a nursery, and she doesn't have one at all. Still, she smiles as she helps me pick things out. I hate that she’s in this situation. I consider myself the lucky one in some sense, because my father didn’t see any value in me. But Gianna is a whole different story. He considers her beauty a bargaining chip to get him what he wants. He won’t let her go as easily.

“Clearly, he knew his aunt was here,” I tease her and try to rid my mind of all the serious thoughts. I pull my hand away from her belly, and she puts hers there to feel more. She should have seen a doctor by now. Nothing is going as planned. I’m not ever sure what I’m doing. Santino makes me forget about everything outside these walls.

“You could be pregnant soon, too. Everyone knows Santino is on a mission.” I place my hand on my own stomach. She might be right. There isn't a night Santino isn't coming to bed with me. Sometimes he’s even pulling me from the dinner table. His appetite for me still amazes me. He really does make me feel beautiful. Sexy, too.

I have to admit that these have been some of the happiest days of my life. If he’s spending his nights with me, maybe he’ll be one of the few who doesn't have a mistress. I’d bet anything that Cato doesn't. He looks at his wife like she hung the moon just for him.

“Do you think he’s trying to make an heir?” I bite the inside of my lip. It would solidify his position even more. Once I’m knocked up, he might not have the same drive to keep sleeping with me. His mission would be accomplished. I hate that my mind lets me have all these thoughts. My father really did a number on me. Still, all of these points are valid.

“He wants a child. He told you that, didn’t he?”

“Yes.” He didn't say the reason, but he’s said he wanted a few children. I know how much all of this means to Santino. To finally get his claim on a territory. I’ve seen the scars that mark his body. Signs of his fight to get to the top. The devotion he’s given to the Davincis is respectable.

“Do you want kids? Santino was the one who brought up the nursery, but I’ve never heard you mention having babies before.”

“I didn't think it was something I wanted.” Then Santino planted that seed, not only in my head, and it has me craving more. I want a baby from love. Not because he wants an heir. I never thought I would say those words.

I knew I would probably have to have a baby out of duty to my family name, but Santino has me thinking that it’s possible for me to have it all. That the life we would create would be one made out of love.

“And now? Santino has you wanting one!”

I let out a small laugh at her excitement. There has been a lot more of that too, these days.

“I would love a child.” I drop my hand away from my stomach. Even if all of my points are correct, I should be happy. We can have a marriage of convenience. He’s good to me. It’s far better than anything else I envisioned for myself. I never thought I would say those words.

Leo comes striding into the library. I’m thankful because it will nip the girl talk.

“How are you?” I ask, sitting down in the chair opposite of my sister.

“Good.” He leans down and gives her a kiss. We’re the only ones in here.

“She needs to see a doctor soon. Just taking her vitamins isn’t enough.”

“I know,” Leo agrees.

“Maybe Santino can get a doctor to come here.”

“Santino?” Leo swallows hard. He told him. I know Santino already knows, but he never told me about this. Why? Is he keeping secrets? He distracts me with his mouth and decorating so I don’t pay attention to anything else.

“He knows. The other day when he asked to speak to me.” I’d completely forgotten about that. That’s because Santino came out and started kissing me.

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