Page 85 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings
“Don’t put this on me,” I argued.
“Why not?” Ivo challenged. “I’ve cheated before, physically. Don’t mean shit because I always go back to her. This ain’t that, Em.”
“You think sitting there admitting that you’ve committed adultery is helping your case, Ivo? If you cheated on her, you’ll do that to me too.”
“Get the fuck out of here.” He brushed it off and reached for his clothes on the floor.
“Why is that so hard to believe? I’d be a fool to put my trust in you.”
“You want to know the fucking difference?” He stood and put his legs in his pants one at a time. “I’m in love with you, Emerald. It’s always been about obligation with Jordan. Yeah, I love her, married her, committed to a life and all that, but the only woman that could ever claim my heart is sitting right in front of me.” He zipped and buttoned his pants with his troubled eyes focused on me.
Every part of me wanted to believe him. There had been this connection between us since we were young, and even though I’d been gone for years, the minute I entered his orbit, it was like nothing had changed. We tittered on the brink of a relationship for so long, but I never allowed myself to go there with him back then because according to my father, it wouldn’t go anywhere with Ivo. He considered us from two different worlds. Ironic now that since his business went under and he killed himself, I was now living this common, dead-end life. Even with my degree, it was hard finding work out here nowadays.
“I love you, Emerald Crane. I always have, mama.” He hooked his arms around me and got on his knees in front of me with glossy eyes peering into mine. “I know this ain’t how we ever wanted this shit to go for us, but… I can’t… I refuse to live my fucking life without you.”
“But… Jordan, your mother, and this baby… it’s too much. How are we supposed to be together when everything is against us?” I sniffled and shook my head defiantly.
“You trust me enough to let me try and figure this shit out?” he asked, holding me close.
“Your wife wants a baby, how are you going to go around that?”
“What if I give her what she wants?”
“Then what? Turn around and divorce her and co-parent? Doesn’t that seem a little cruel to you? And what about the baby? That child deserves a loving two-parent home, Ivo.”
“I’ll love this baby regardless, Emerald, because it’s going to be yours and mine anyway.”
“That means you’ll also have a tie to Jordan for the rest of your life regardless of a divorce,” I pointed out.
This didn’t make sense. Telling the truth might hurt, but I felt like in the long run that was the best option, and we would just deal with the fallout later.
“I kind of feel like I owe her. We went through so much trying to have kids, and I know it took its toll on her. I feel like it’s even more selfish to leave and go back on my promise to her.”
“So, I’m just supposed to sit around her pretending that we’re not sneaking around behind her back and preparing to break her heart when this is all over? That’s fucked up.” I jumped to my feet and held the sheet against my chest to keep me covered.
I had to be as crazy as he was to even be considering this, but I loved him too, and I wanted us to have a chance. I also knew that karma was real, and I didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s heartbreak. Jordan wasn’t a bad person, and that made it even more shitty of me to be going behind her back like this.
“Then give me time to figure out another solution. Can you do that?” he asked, coming up behind me as I stood at my dresser, staring at my reflection.
His strong arms slid around me, pulling me into him, and he rested his chin on my shoulder.
“I got a new place for you and Sapphire. It’s bigger, three bedrooms, a balcony, and garage. There’s also a brand-new Audi waiting for you to drive.”
“Why would you do all that?” I asked, spinning to face him.
“I told you I love you. I don’t want you to have to worry about that type of shit. Focus on trying to find another job, if that’s what you want. If not, I can take care of you, Em, ain’t no issue with that for me.”
“So, I get to be your little kept side chick, is that it?”
“You taking this all wrong.”
“Am I?” I questioned, drawing my brows together.
“Fuck yeah! I just told you I’m in love with you and you’re the woman I want to be with, and you still questioning every fucking thing! Do you want to be with me?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“I’m making it that fucking simple. Answer the question.”
