Page 65 of The Devil's Secret

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FIVE DAYS LATER

Once we got rid of Victor and his pal, Jared, we wasted no time following some of the other associates of the Bianchis, capturing those we could. But none talked. It’s like they’re more afraid of Faro and his brothers than they are of dying, and their deaths were fucking painful. We made sure of that.

In these past days, Joelle has grown more anxious, the fear of never seeing her son is all she thinks about and talks about. I feel damn useless. But today, I decided to get her mind off the search, even if it’s for a few hours.

Dom would have my head for this if he knew, but he won’t. No one’s there to tell him. Dante doesn’t even know. If he thought I was putting us in danger, he’d beat my ass too.

I knock on the bedroom door, knowing she’s behind it, getting ready for the dinner I arranged at a five-star restaurant, overlooking the water in New York City. The place is exclusive, and not the area the Bianchis or their clowns hang out in. No one will spot us there.

“Come in,” she says from a distance. I enter, not seeing her at first until I step into the walk-in closet and find her staring at herself in the full-length mirror.

The tight black dress hits right above her knees, her ass snugly wrapped beneath it, her long hair curled at the ends, reaching her lower back. The red heels make her taller, only a few inches shorter than me.

“Damn, baby.” I whistle. “Turn around. Let me look at you.”

She does, a sheepish smile creeping over her.

My heart stills as I gaze at the woman I love, my attention swinging from her full red lips to those firm, tanned legs I’d like clasping my face right about now. “How are you this perfect?”

“Oh, shut up.” She waves a hand in the air dismissively. “This is too much.” She fingers the diamond studs I bought her.

I cut through a few steps until I’m near enough to kiss her, my mouth brushing softly over hers. “It’s not nearly enough.” I reach a thumb up, flitting it down the side of her face, careful not to ruin her makeup. “You deserve everything, and I’m gonna be the one to give it to you.”

Her brows dip, exhales a harsh pant, her eyes glazing over. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was dreaming.”

“Not yet, baby. But you will be. When they’re all dead, you, me, and Robby, we can be a family.”

“You’d really want that? Because I don’t want you to feel like you have to take on a child. I’d understand if—”

“What did I tell you?” I cut her off, leaning in, whispering low with a hover against her ear. “I don’t say anything I don’t mean.” I pitch back. “I want this. I want us to be a family.”

She grins wide, blinking through the thick tears threatening to spill down her face. Her arms fold over my shoulders, lips landing on my cheek, and damn, I feel it everywhere.

“So what exactly do you know about raising a kid?” she asks, eyes narrowing with a tease.

“Nothing whatsoever.” I chuckle. “But you’ll be there to teach me.”

“Not sure I know much either.” A weak laugh stitches through her voice.

“Then we'll learn.” I clasp her hands in mine. “Together. You’re not alone anymore, Joelle. You’ve gotme.”

She sniffles. “You’re an incredible man. You know that?” Her features ride with adoration and it warms every fucking part of me. I never knew how good it could feel to fall in love.

“Yeah.” I shrug with a smirk. “I know.”

“Cocky bastard.” She shakes her head with a playful sigh.

I plant my palms on her hips, pulling her up against me with a groan as her lustful gaze aligns with mine, the mood shifting. Her hand crawls down my stomach until a finger swipes over my hard-on, thick, straining within the confines of my pants, wanting inside this woman like a damn beast.

“Shit. What are you doing?” My words turn gruff.

“I need you to stop holding back, Enzo.” She doesn’t turn her eyes away. “I’m not scared. I’m not broken.” A tight fist wraps around my cock. “I want to taste you.”

“Fuck, baby,” I grit. “If you don’t stop moving that hand, I’m gonna fill that filthy mouth of yours.”

“Is that a promise?” There’s a light in her eyes, a devious one. She wants this. And I’m not about to deny her.

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