Page 138 of Sinful Wrath

He nods, frowning. “Why?”

“Remember what I used to call you at the beginning?”

“Cucci-something?”

I nod, laughing. “Cucciolo.Do you have any idea what that means?”

He frowns harder, shaking his head.

“It means puppy! We have been calling each other pussycat and puppy while fighting like cats and dogs.” I roll over with laughter.

“P-puppy? You were calling me puppy? What the hell?” But then he starts laughing too.

When we calm down, he kisses me, and I just take the moment in.

I’ll never take a moment for granted again. With him or anyone else.

“Is there any update on my papa?”

“Elle’s been with him, and she’s been giving me updates, but there’s been no change.” Mikhail soothingly traces circles on my back.

“I want to see him today.”

My stomach does the loudest rumble.

Mikhail nods. “You can, but first, you need to eat something.”

I grumble as I push off his chest, but he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back down.

“Stay here, I’ll bring you something to eat.” He kisses me softly.

I roll my eyes but don’t fight him as he climbs out of bed. I admire the powerful lines of his body and the intricate tattoos that cover his back as he pulls on a pair of shorts.

I think it’s going to take a while for me to realize that this is not a dream, that I really do get to wake up next to Mikhail every morning.

While I wait for him to return, I lie back against the pillows and rest my hands on my abdomen.

How is it that in a few short weeks I’ve gone from being on the front page of every gossip magazine, spending my nights drinking and partying, to waking up in bed beside the man of my dreams?

When I used to look into the future, I never saw myself as having this sort of life. I think deep down it was because I wanted ittoomuch, and I was terrified it would never happen.

I swallow the lump in my throat as I think of Mikhail and the child we’re going to have together.

I never knew it was possible to be so happy. The only thing that would make it even better would be if my father were to recover, but that is out of my control.

I just have to hope that there’s enough good karma left to bring him back to me.

Mikhail returns with a tray of food, and we lounge on the bed as we tuck in, though the thoughts of my father have somewhat killed my appetite.

“Eat, Lucia. You and the baby need nourishment.”

“Are you going to be this overprotective throughout the entire pregnancy?” I grumble as I pop a piece of fruit in my mouth.

“I’m going to be this overprotective forever.” Mikhail leans down to kiss the corner of my mouth.

“Great,” I mutter through my mouthful of food.

“Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy it.” Mikhail pinches my waist.

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