Page 37 of The Beast of London & His Pet

I fell asleep within seconds cocooned in his arms.

Chapter 23

Alessio

Tonight everything became undeniable, it hit me while I held her beneath me as she took every last bit of my beastly wrath. She wasn't a baby making machine or a wife to tick a checkbox due to my age.

As I cleansed and cared for her I imagined our life together. A life where we grew old together, with the years etching our story into our skin. Children with her smile and mischievousness. She was unique in so many ways that I could never compare her to any other woman from my past.

The thoughts were bittersweet because to love her this deeply, to the point of obsession, could put her life in danger. I glance at her innocent sleeping face and place my leg over hers before resting my hand over her breast. My chest tightened with a fierce protectiveness. If anyone tried to harm Francesca, I would burn them alive.

In my world love was a liability and obsession was a death sentence, but as I laid my head on the pillow, inhaling the scent of my wife I knew that I would choose her. She wasn't brought up in the Mafia but her unshakeable honesty would harness unwavering loyalty. I hadn't known Francesca for long but knew she would never betray me.

I closed my eyes with a faint smile at the thought of our family.

???

“You are so fucked when we get home,” I whispered into her ear but her Nonna swivelled around, frowning at me, until she noticed Francesca giggling.

“Oh, goody,” she said as her grandmother smiled at us before turning towards the stove again. “Would you believe me if I told you I took cooking lessons?”

Not only could my wife cook Italian food, but she also made pasta from scratch. Yet she made me eat the most disgusting dish I had ever tasted. We had been ordering out or eating ready-made meals. I narrowed my eyes at Francesca and realised she had most likely cooked them.

“No, Kitten, I wouldn't believe you,” I said, kissing her cheek until I heard someone clearing their throat loudly.

It wouldn't be my parents so I knew it was her Nonno. I stepped back resisting the urge to slap her ass as I did.

“Lasciali in pace, vecchio. Non ricordi com'era essere innamorati?” her Nonna said rapidly as she hit the wooden spoon against the metal pot.Leave them alone old man. Don't you remember what it was like to be in love?

He gave me the evil eye as if it was my fault all the while Francesca looked on innocently. Luckily, my Mum came into the kitchen and broke up the tension while I slipped out. Sunday lunch was becoming dangerous.

I was about to go into the dining room, but my dad would be waiting there to grill me about his grandchildren. I smiled when I thought of my growing family. Armando, Silvio, Nero and now Francesca’s grandparents.

I stepped into the dining room, and my Dad looked up at me, wiggling his dark eyebrows.

“It’s only been six weeks, papà,” I said rolling my eyes.

“But the Caruso seed is strong,” he said with a smile before it faltered. “You don't need Viagra, do you?”

“Dad, Armando was winding you up. I do not need Viagra,” I said trying to keep my anger in check.

“That's good to know,” Vittorio said from behind me. “But your statement reminds me of that old English saying. Doth the lady protest too much.”

My Dad started to laugh as they discussed William Shakespeare and Vittorio’s butchered version of the quote.

Bloody Viagra, my arse.

???

Francesca stifled another yawn as I drove us home. It was only seven pm so she shouldn't be so tired. She had cooked and brought a few dishes to her grandparents, but other than that she hadn't done much. She yawned again and I frowned at her.

“Why are you so tired, Kitten?”

“Probably because you and donkey dick kept me up half the night,” she said before she yawned again.

“Hmm,” I said not convinced it was my fault or my dick’s fault. “Maybe you should go to the doctor for a check-up. You could be anaemic.”

“Yes, Dr Caruso,” she said poking my arm with a smile. “Oh, before I forget, my Nonna heard a rumour that you needed Viagra. She was asking me if it was true. I told her that I would look into the matter and get back to her.”

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