Page 27 of Relentless Refuge

I’m impressed. Marco has cleared the entire dining room of people in this little Italian bistro he’s brought me to. One by one, they shuffle out with smiles on their faces and wads of cash in their hands. A few of the gentlemen tip their hats while Marco’s security guards hover around me like I’m the president or something. One woman winks at me in passing and whispers something about “such a romantic man”, which I can only infer is her way of saying her husband is not quite the romantic she hoped she’d marry and she is jealous of the treatment Marco is giving me.

When the room is empty, Marco returns to me with the host on his heels. He offers me his elbow, and I take it graciously. “What was that all about?” I ask him, and he shrugs a shoulder.

“Nothing is too good for you,cara mia. Now, don’t question my affection and just join me for dinner.” His coos of love make me blush. There is something here between me and Marco, and I enjoy it. When we started this arrangement, Mom encouraged me that respect would grow to fondness and then on to love, andI doubted a man like Marco would ever fall for me that way, but I believe her now.

“Aren’t you being romantic this evening? You’ve had a good day, I take it?” I set my clutch to the side and lower myself into the seat he pulls out for me. He leans over my shoulder and kisses my cheek.

“Can’t a man just spoil his exquisitely beautiful wife?” The words make me blush and my cheeks feel hot. He’s complimented me before, but never outside the confines of the bedroom, or if he has, I don’t remember it.

“Mi ecciti, Mr. Romano.” I giggle like a stupid school girl as he nips at my earlobe before retreating. He takes the spot directly to my left and scoots his chair even closer so his fingers can brush mine as he picks up the menu. He has a charming way of disarming me, and I don’t mind. My once nervous apprehension about him has fully dissolved into trust and mutual admiration. I’m falling in love with him deeper every single day.

“Good, I like when I turn you on,” he growls as he brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “Now, how was your day?”

I tell him how I lounged around his home in pajamas, eating snacks and resting. I can’t tell him how I threw up a few times due to morning sickness, since I’m still hiding this pregnancy from him. My trust in his goodness and the fidelity of our relationship is one thing. My decision to reveal an heir who may or may not be my own is another.

“Good, good, well I hope you’re feeling better. I’m sorry I had to pull rank and enforce that you stay home. I can’t have you out and about catching something worse when your immune systemis compromised.” He kisses my fingers again as the waiter approaches. “Two glasses of your finest chardonnay, please.”

“Uh, just one,” I interrupt, not sure how to explain to him that I won’t be drinking. His eyes turn sharply to me.

“Still feeling ill,bella mia?” Concern etches his brow, and I smile softly to put him at ease.

“I’m only just now feeling better, Marco. I hardly think dehydrating myself with wine is the best thing after being sick.” This time, the lie feels like lead in my gut, weighing me down. He’s so sweet and compassionate, caring for me and putting all of his resources at my disposal because I’ve lied and told him I’m sick. I hate that I’m hiding a secret, but I want to discuss the future with my mother and Nicky first. They’ll know what to do and how I should tell him—what I should expect to happen.

“Well, it looks like just the wine for me, and she’ll have a sparkling water.” Marco waves the waiter off after ordering for me, though I could have done it myself. I’m not averse to the treatment, though, so I let his order stand. What I’m curious about, however, is why he suddenly had so many extra men surrounding me.

“I’ve seen the extra security around. What gives?” I take the menu and open it nonchalantly, but I really want to know what’s going on. A man like Marco doesn’t get afraid, but this added measure seems to communicate that he’s fearing something.

“Just trust me. It’s warranted.” He plucks the menu from my hand and says, “I’ve ordered the chef’s specialty for us. Don’t worry, it will go easy on your stomach so you don’t have to worry. No heavy red sauce and no dairy.”

I want to protest and tell him I can order my own food—because honestly, I really wanted a nice plate of spaghetti. But I don’t say a word. He’s right. Not only would the heavy sauce make my stomach queasy if I were just sick, but it would also definitely churn up the stomach acid of morning sickness, and the last thing I want is to be throwing up again already.

“That sounds divine…” I sigh and lean back in my chair. He’s taking all the effort out of this night out. I can’t order my food or my drinks. All I can do is engage in conversation with him and enjoy the night.

“Darnel told me he spoke with Nicolo. You had a meeting with your Family?” His question is innocent enough. I haven’t told him all the details, just that I was going to meet my family and that I wanted to do it alone.

I recount to him what happened, how my Family gathered at the barn and their response to my words. I was scared stiff, but according to Nicky, I came across as stern and bold as my father. “So I hope things are ironed out now, but if not, I’ll just have to talk to them again.”

The waiter sets our drinks out for us and walks away, and Marco waits until he’s gone to speak. “You know I can go with you when you do those things. After all, isn’t that my part of this agreement? What else do you get from all of this if not for my support and strength?”

I pat his hand and smile. “You’re right. I could lean on your strength, and you will provide it. For that, I’m grateful to you. But they already fear you’re taking over. I know that’s not true, but if you were to attend our family meetings to help maintain control, I’m afraid they would only believe that more. This is something I need to do on my own.”

I pause as he sips his wine and wait before pressing him. I don’t like how he keeps things from me and tells me to trust him. This marriage is a partnership, not the typical sort where the man must protect his woman at all costs. I don’t like the secrecy at all.

“Marco, I understand you want me to trust you, but I admit I don’t understand why you can’t just tell me. What’s with the extra security? I’m not a shrinking violet. I am the leader of my Family. I can handle whatever it is.”

He sighs and sets his glass down and takes my hand again. “I’ve heard from my connections in the police department that the enemy is planning something. We know, based on what we’ve done to them, that they will likely escalate to something more dangerous or violent. The last thing I want is your getting caught in the crosshairs. I’ve beefed up security until we know what to expect.”

“I see.” I let him kiss my fingertips, then my palm, and I cup his cheek. “My Family will back you up. Whatever it is. We’ll support you and stand behind you.”

He kisses my palm again, but his phone begins to ring. “Hold that thought,” he whispers as he pulls his phone out of his pocket and swipes to answer.

Marco stands and walks away, leaving me alone at the table. I think of his Family and his enemies. They’ve been at war for so long, I’m not sure if they even know what times of peace mean. I’ve heard the rumors of how long this feud has been going on. I don’t want my Family to be sucked into that and trapped in a never-ending cycle of fighting and death, but Marco is my husband now. This child I carry means we are one, and I can’t let him fight this alone.

So, I pull out my phone and send Nicky a text message, telling him to gather the Family again. The meeting two nights ago didn’t go as planned, but this one will. I will call them all together to tell them Marco’s news and give the order to assemble and plan their defense. We’ll fight as one, or they’ll not be my Family anymore. And since only my most trusted family members have the information I have about running the business, they’ll be forced to fall in line.

“What’s wrong, Bella?” Marco asks, but I don’t tell him. If I tell him I’m meeting my Family to give an ultimatum—shape up or ship out—he’ll stop me. He won’t allow me to even leave my bedroom without a guard. I’ll have to sneak out under the cloak of darkness and hope for the best.

“It’s nothing. I’m worried for you.” I lace my fingers through his, and he pulls me in for a kiss.

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