Page 86 of All the Dangerous Things

Nikolai cracked his knuckles, his smile cold and fierce. “Let’s remind everyone who fucking runs Desolation.”

Nah… I’ll fucking remind Carmine who should be running the Cosa Nostra.

Me.

EPILOGUE

GIO

Three months later

Iwas sweaty and sore as I stepped through the front door of my penthouse.

The scent of garlic and basil filled the apartment, and I heard the sounds of pans banging and dishes clanking together coming from the kitchen. Yet, it wasn’t the promise of a home-cooked meal that enticed me but the very thought that my girl was here, and I knew she’d be just as anxious to see me as I was to see her.

I’d never felt as if any place was a real home, but I quickly learned that wherever Tatiana was, that's where home was for me.

It had been three months since I declaredTatiana was mine to her family and the revelation that she was pregnant with my baby came to light. And since then, I’d been inseparable from her. I couldn’t help myself. Wherever Tatiana was, that's where I wanted to be.

After setting my gym bag on the floor by the front door, I took off my sneakers, tore my damp, white shirt off, and wiped the sweat from my face with the material. I’d made sure Tatiana had no choice but to move in with me the moment she told me about the baby. There had been no room for debate. No room for her to consider anything else.

It might have been an overbearing, dominating demand from me, but fuck, the very thought of not having Tatiana by my side was not an option I would live with.

I needed her close, and there was no shame in how I felt. I didn't try to hide or deny my feelings or emotions. Not where she was concerned. My PDA game with Tatiana was off the charts, and I fucking dared any motherfucker to make a snide remark about it or to even think I was weak.

In fact, I wanted everyone to know she was mine. I wanted everyone to knowI would protect her above all else, that I’d keep her safe from the dark world that threatened us daily.

The kitchen was to the left of the front door, but I couldn’t see my girl clearly. I walked over shirtless, my cock already thickening with the very idea I’d be able to touch her soon enough.

I leaned against the entryway to the kitchen and crossed my arms as I just watched her. Tatiana stood at the stove, her back to me, and my gaze traveled up and down her form. Fuck, she looked good in those little black cotton shorts and formfitting white shirt. She was a tiny thing, but her curves were even more generous since she was growing my baby.

She started humming to the soft music coming from her phone that sat on the counter to the side. But her humming was broken up by her occasional curse when she didn’t like how something was going while she cooked.

I smiled, feeling this hard warmth settle deep in my chest. I realized I was rubbing the spot above my heart, that ache something I always welcomed.

My fingers itched to go over to her and undo her messy bun. When she turned partially to the side to grab a ladle, I could see the curve of her slightly swollen belly pressing against her T-shirt. She’d finally started showing over the past month, and it was hard to keep my hands off her even more now.

Knowing she was growingmy childinside of herdid something primal and possessive to me. The sight of her like this made everything male within me clench with ferocity.

I’d reached my limit staying back from her and just watching. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around my girl’s waist, letting my palms slide to her front, and spread my fingers over her gently rounded belly.

“Mmm,” she hummed and sank back into me, her head resting against my chest and her eyes fluttering closed. I dipped my head and kissed the side of her neck. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered and set the ladle down before turning in my arms, rising on her toes, and kissing me softly.

“Mmm.” It was my turn to hum. “I can tell dinner is gonna be fucking good.”

She laughed. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

I dragged my tongue along her lips and dipped the muscle into her mouth. “I can tell because you’ve been tasting the sauce.”

She pulled back and gave me a mock scowl, but the corner of her lips curled in a smile. “I make one good-ass pasta sauce, baby,” she teased.

“Let me taste that pretty pussy, little girl.” I hadn’t meant to be so fucking vulgar, not when she was in a lighthearted mood, but my cock was harder thangranite. Yet, she surprised the fuck out of me when, instead, she sank to her knees and slid my sweatpants down my legs.

I groaned, my cock throbbing as she freed me, my dick springing forward and already leaking pre-cum. I groped the base. The only thing running through my mind was how good she looked, staring up at me with my cock bobbing between us and my crown leaking like a fucking faucet.

“Clean up the mess you’re making of Daddy,” I growled and aimed my cockhead at her mouth. She opened instantly and dragged her tongue along the slit, licking up the pre-cum and swallowing every drop. “Mmm, you’re such a good girl.”

“I’m onlyyourgood girl,” she muttered around my cock before licking the tip again. “I can’t get enough of you,” she added, before taking my length to the back of her throat and gagging just the way I taught her how I liked it.

---