Page 79 of Escape You

The engine rumbled between my legs, and I squeezed my thighs and arms tighter around him. With the sun hanging low in the horizon, he let the bike roll easily out of the parking lot and headed toward the interstate. I relaxed against his wide back. The crisp air mixed with Tyler’s scent and filled my lungs.

In a matter of weeks, my world had expanded from a small town in Jersey with my adopted family to the other side of the Hudson River, a new crew, and a new husband and child. I squeezed my eyes tight, letting the tears stream down my cheek. I’d never had so much to lose in my life. What Tyler and I had built was a bond that could never be broken. That was the thing about family. It made you strong, brave, and crazy enough to want to go against all odds to protect it.

Together, Tyler and I would run the two factions and keep the peace no matter what.

24

First Date

Mia

The morning sun peeked through the velvet curtains in Tyler’s bedroom. We’d already been up to eat breakfast, shower together, and have a few rounds of sex. I spent most of my time in Jersey working on new deals and making sure my guys stayed in line. Tyler had taken residence at Rossi’s old penthouse for continuity sake since the FBI already had the whole place bugged.

We spent our nights there as a normal married couple would, but when we had time off, we’d come to his place to just be us. Tyler cuddled closer to me, placing his large hand on my growing belly. The pregnancy felt real now. We were having a baby in a little over twenty weeks.

“We should go to the Italian place you like for lunch. I feel like we missed out on the whole first date thing.”

I shifted my weight to face him. As it always did, his gaze dropped to my boobs with a smile. I loved that even with a bump he still loved my body. It seemed impossible, but the sex was even better. Everything with Tyler in it was a thousand times better.

“Are you asking me out?”

“Yeah.” He kissed me. “We can have a meal, and I can tell you all about my family. They want to meet you.”

I groaned into the pillow. Being married to Tyler had turned out to be the best thing. Our lives worked well together. But that was here, in a world that was totally alien to his family. I had twenty weeks, tops, before Tyler ran out of excuses as to why they couldn’t come visit. Meeting his parents would require a cover for me. I didn’t think arms dealer or Mafia boss would be a good answer to the proverbial “so, what do you do for a living” question.

“Come on. It won’t be that bad. You already met half my brothers. Derek and Zack are less intense. Mom would love you too.” He pointed at my belly. “Babies are Mom’s kryptonite.”

“Let’s start with dinner and a movie and see how that goes. Luciano’s sounds good. I do have that appointment later today with Pam.”

“We should definitely get our first date out of the way before we find out the sex of the baby.” He laughed, nuzzling my neck.

“Okay. Let’s go now. I’m starving.” I shoved his shoulder when he kissed my neck and moved on to suck on my nipple.

“Fine.” He pouted, watching me until I disappeared behind the bathroom door.

After lunch, we headed to the hospital to see Pam, who was beyond excited to be doing my ultrasound. “I’m crossing my fingers your baby will let me take a quick peek in there.” She squeezed cold gel on my belly.

I winced, and Tyler squeezed my hand for support. He had this whole daddy thing down. I was glad I had him because I had no clue how to be a mom.

“Is that it?” He leaned closer to the grainy, black-and-white image. “I knew it. It’s a boy. And he’s hung.”

Pam giggled. “That’s not even the baby. Relax.” She did a few more swipes around the top until she found what she wanted. Her eyes watered when she looked at me. “You were right, Mia. He’s going to be as good as his daddy.”

As much as Tyler was sure he knew it was going to be a boy, the news left him speechless, and a little pale.

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