Page 128 of The Deal

With my spare hand, I slide my phone out of my pocket and pull up Dante’s number.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

“Sending my brother all the info we have.”

It’s the middle of the night, and neither of us has managed to get any sleep. The silence feels oppressive as the hours stretch with no word from Dante or Sophia.

I lie here, staring into the darkness, a wave of helplessness washing over me. All I can do is wait, and that waiting feels like torture.

My fear isn’t that Giovanni is in immediate danger—I don’t think his mother would physically hurt him. It’s something worse. The thought that I might never see him again is my greatest concern. I can’t make sense of why he was taken like this … without warning. It’s been gnawing at me relentlessly.

I always knew his mother would return for him eventually—more than likely when the money ran out—but I never imagined it would happen like this. I never got to say a proper goodbye; I never thought his time with us would end in such confusion and chaos.

Her actions make no sense, and that’s what I’m struggling with the most. Was she worried I’d never give him back? That I’d follow through on my threats and try to gain full custody?

Until today, she’d shown zero interest in him. No calls, no messages, nothing. It’s like she didn’t even care, so her irrational move feels like a slap in the face.

I hear Chloe’s soft sniffles against my chest, the sound pulling me out of my thoughts. I lift my head off the pillow and place my lips gently on the top of her head, trying to offer whatever comfort I can. She’s been swinging between anger and despair all evening. I’ve struggled to keep it together, but I need to remain strong for them both.

“We’ll get him back,bella,” I whisper into the darkness, my voice barely a breath. I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself.

My words hang in the air, heavy and hollow, despite theconviction I try to force into them. The truth is I have no idea how this is going to play out.

Chloe doesn’t respond, but I can feel her warm breath against my chest. Her quiet sobs are like a physical ache I can’t bear. These last few days in Italy were supposed to be our honeymoon.

It started as one of the highlights of my trip but soon spiralled into the worst torment I could’ve imagined. The joy we felt just hours ago now feels like a distant, fading memory.

It’s reminiscent of last Christmas, when what started out as one of the best days of my life—spending my first Christmas morning with Chloe and my son—before it spiralled into a living fucking nightmare. My father’s assassination shattered everything in an instant, turning my joy into devastation.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

“Sorry for what?” I ask, confused.

“It’s all my fault.”

“This isn’t your fault at all,bella.”

“He called me‘Mummy’in front of her … and she snapped.”

I slide my hands under her arms, dragging her along my body until our faces are level. “Chloe, she set this up long before that happened. She gave us the restaurant’s name before Giovanni exited the car. This was planned before we even arrived.”

Why? I have no clue. Was it money orientated? If that’s the case, she went about it the wrong way. Pissing me off and putting not only me but my wife through this turbulence is not going to do Sophia any favours.

I gently cup Chloe’s face in my hands, using my thumbs to wipe away her tears. “Sweetheart,” I say softly, “I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked you for what yougave my son. A mother figure he’s always longed for. You love that little boy, just like I do, even though he’s not biologically yours. And I’ll be forever grateful to you for that.”

“It hasn’t even been a day, and I already miss him.”

I fucking miss him too, but I can’t go there with her right now. If I do, I’ll fall apart. Instead, I pull her face closer, pressing my lips to hers. We both need the distraction.

One of my hands skims down her side and over that round peachy arse of hers to grasp her leg, dragging it over mine until she’s straddling my lap. My dick swells as I do.

“I need you,bella,” I whisper against her mouth.

“I need you too,” she replies, deepening the kiss. I’m not sure how I’d get through this or the death of my father if it weren’t for her. She’s the light in my darkness.

Where light and dark collide, miracles arise.

Chloe pulls out of the kiss and drags herself up onto her knees when my fingers move between her legs, working her over until she’s ripe and ready for me.

---