Page 231 of Vita Mia

“Can we talk?”

“I don’t have long; I need to go to—“

“Make time for me. Please,” she insisted.

Dominic’s brows lowered with concern. “Something wrong with Armando?”

Catalina looked hurt but she masked it the best she could. She took a step toward him then paused. “You are rarely at home at night. Where do you sleep?”

“I don’t sleep. I’m working.”

“That’s a lie. You think I don’t know that you see other women? That you stay away from our bed on purpose? I know Domi.”

“Are you finished?” he asked.

“You punished me. That I understood. Now you’re punishing us both.”

“I’m here, aren’t I? I’m a father to Armando. I take care of you!”

“It’s not enough.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. It’s all I have.”

Catalina walked over to him and he turned to pick up his key. Catalina walked around him so he had to face her. “You love me. The love we had can’t die. No matter how hard you work to kill it. I know you love me and that’s the only way I put up with any of it. The only reason.”

“Are you done?”

“No. You’re done. You’re done with whores, your sick mind games, all of it. It ends today.”

“Or what?” he narrowed his gaze on her.

“Or the great Don of Palermo will have his first born and the mother of his child walk out of his life.”

“Armando Mancini is dead.”

“I’m not talking about Armando. You’re the Don, aren’t you?”

Dominic frowned.

“I’m pregnant Domi. You’re going to be a father.”

“Pregnant?”

She nodded and smiled. “The few times you let me close were enough. We’re going to have a baby. And if you don’t want me and the children then you need to say so now.” She grabbed him by the chin. “Because if you do want us. You will have to prove it.”

His gaze lowered. She let go of his face and looked past her breasts to her belly. He placed his hand there and he could swear he felt it. The life growing inside of her.

“It’s up to you Domi. What do you want?”

“I want you,” he confessed. “I want to feel safe with you again. That you won’t slip away from me again.”

“I’m here. I’ve always been here Domi. Trust me again, let’s be a family. You love Armando like he was yours. And I love you. Be my Domi again. Be a better father than our own.”

Dominic pulled her close and kissed her on the lips. A sweet touch of lips that sent a current of love through her veins and into her heart. She threw her arms up and around his neck and pressed her body against him. She pressed her face to the side of his and held him tightly. He had been punishing her. He couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t understand why anymore. She was all he ever wanted. Not to be the man he had to become.

“I’m sorrypiccoletta,” Dominic said and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“I’m going to be a good wife to you Domi. I will prove it. We’re going to be a family. Our own family.”

---