Page 37 of His Stolen Bride

My stomach growls. Santino pulls back from the kiss.

“I need to feed you.” He takes my hand and leads me out of our bedroom and down the hallway. The renovations are coming along nicely. When money isn't an object, you really can get things done quickly. This place is starting to feel like home in more ways than one.

Every time something is completed, I rush to find Santino and make him come see the progress. I get this giddy happy feeling whenever he likes what I’ve done. I could probably paint this place pink and he’d say he liked it. He said the only thing he cares about is that I’m making it our home.

“Hey, lovebirds,” my sister Gianna says as we enter the kitchen.

“Morning.” I give her and Leo a smile.

“I’ll make you a plate.” Santino grabs a dish before I can protest. He always gives me too much. One night I told him what it had been like living with Giuseppe. He wanted to dig him up and kill the man all over again after that conversation. His anger at my past treatment by Giuseppe only turned me on. I found a good way to get Santino to calm down, though.

“And, how are you?” I rub my hand across Gianna’s belly.

“Good.” I stare at her for a second and notice the dark circles under her eyes.

“You’re worried?”

“Everything is so nice here. When Father finds out. . .” Her words are whispered.

I rest my forehead against hers. “I would never let anything happen to your or my nephew.”

“It’ll be okay, sweetheart.” Leo pulls her over and kisses the top of her head. She melts into him. Santino sets my plate down for me as Lucky winds between my ankles, a purr already vibrating through his fluffy orange body.

“I gave my word to my wife that I will handle this. Gianna doesn’t have to worry.”

“I know, but we all know what’ll happen when my father gets tired of playing keep-away. I don’t want to start a war.” She sighs heavily.

I grab her hand and give it a squeeze. “It’s the only way. I can’t hand you over. I won't be able to do it. Even if you asked me to, I wouldn't. I’d lock you in the basement until it was handled.”

She lets out a small laugh. She thinks I’m joking. I’m not. Santino’s hand on my hip flexes. He knows my words are true.

“Sir, if you have a moment?” Lucenzo asks. His face is unreadable.

“Eat. I’ll be back.” Santino kisses my neck.

“Everything okay?” I turn to him.

“My wife came on my face before she showered with me. I’d say things are more than okay.”

“Santino!” I smack his chest, my face warming. He and Gianna both laugh.

“Leo, you're with me.”

Leo gives my sister a kiss before joining Santino. My husband has been including my best friend in more and more family business, and I can’t thank him enough. Leo is already learning so much, becoming stronger and wiser under Santino’s steady tutelage.

“We aren't giving you up. You aren’t going anywhere unless you want to. We will fight to the death,” I vow to my sister.

“That’s what I’m worried about.” She sits heavily beside me, and I wrap my arm around her.

“We are strong. We’ll survive, and we’ll welcome a new life into the world very soon. We’ll destroy anyone who threatens that future.” I might not want to carry the Carrera name, but that blood runs through my veins. If my father wants a war, I’m more than willing to give him one. I’m not scared of him anymore. Not with Santino by my side. He’s made me strong, and I have no doubt my husband will keep his word to me.

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