Page 106 of Beautiful Devil

GIA

EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER

I can't believehow much has changed in the past two years. Never in a million years could I have dreamed that my life would have taken the turn that it did with Gallo, never mind how things have turned out with my husband. I knew that day in the hospital that if I truly wanted to walk away from Fabi and this lifestyle, that he would have loved me enough to walk away. But, truthfully speaking, I never wanted to leave him. Not really. The only reason I left the house that night was because of what I had overheard him say to Marco. Even though up until that point, he had been showing me that he loved me, I didn’t know it at the time and neither did he, but once I was in that house with Dante, the person who was prevalent in my thoughts was Fabi. Not my parents, not Elle, but him.

My true love.

We went to Italy five months after the incident happened. Fabi wanted me to meet his sister, and we decided that it would also make a beautiful location for a destination wedding. Even though we were technically already married, Fabi was adamant that he wanted me to have my dream day. I told him we didn’t need it; we had each other, and that was all that mattered, but he wasn’t having any of it. So, when he mentioned wanting me to meet Sofia, I decided it would be the perfect place for a small, intimate wedding with just our closest family and friends there to share it with us.

We got married outdoors, with Lake Como as our backdrop, with the same priest who had married Fabi’s parents. I thought it was a beautiful sentiment, the same man who joined his parents in matrimony and saw them start their married life together before moving to America also joining us in matrimony.

I wore a beautiful form-fitting ivory lace dress with scooped sleeves sitting off my shoulder on my arms, and a train that was just the right length. On my feet were a gorgeously stunning pair of sparkly Jimmy Choos, something I could have only ever dreamed of owning before this whirlwind happened. I felt like the ultimate princess walking down the aisle.

Of course, I had Elle as my maid of honor and Sofia as my bridesmaid. She is my sister-in-law, after all. They wore floor-length pale purple chiffon bridesmaid dresses with an open back. Fabi had Marco as his best man, and he’s not as scary and grumpy as he makes himself out to be. He’s a real teddy bear underneath it all, and I’ve grown to love him like a brother. He’s just as protective as Fabi since the incident, even more so in the past few months. Rounding out the bridal party, Fabi also had his friend Dom, from the restaurant he took me to, as a groomsman. They each wore a black tux, a crystal white shirt, black bow tie, and shiny black leather shoes.

My parents both came to the wedding too, and my dad, of course, walked me down the aisle. Things were a little…tense after the incident, but I confronted my parents when they came to the hospital the day after I woke up.

They came to visit every day while I was in the coma. Fabi obviously told them everything that had happened, and he said their reaction was that of heartbreak. When I first saw them, we all broke down in tears, and although mine were partly from anger, I also understood. I understood that they wanted to protect me and keep me safe, but I was also hurt by the lies. I wish they had told me when I was younger; I don’t think I would have been mad then. I could have been prepared. But, can you really be prepared for being kidnapped by an Italian mafia don and forced to marry him then going on to fall in love with him? Probably not.

Then there’s Elle. Fabi said she was a wreck when he called her to tell her what had happened. She was out of town on a work trip and flew home the very next day. She came to the hospital every day after work and spent her evenings by my side, giving Fabi hell too, apparently, for what happened. Eventually, though, she started to come around, and now they get on like brother and sister. Elle comes to the house every Sunday for dinner, and at times it can be…interesting, especially if Dom decides to come for dinner too. I know Elle isn’t looking for anything serious, but their attraction to one another can be seen from a mile off.

Elle and I still try to catch up, just the two of us, for lunch or dinner during the week too, but dining out with a seven-month-old baby isn’t always fun. Although we’re very lucky, Maria has been an amazing help to us. She’s stepped into the role of nanny more than housekeeper now. Each week, she’ll take Nico and tell me to go enjoy some adult time or go out for lunch with Elle. I do try to each week, but I have on occasion had to take Nico with me. As much as I love my baby boy, babies are hard work. Time for yourself is essential, and because we’re so lucky to have Maria, I know he’s in good hands when I’m not there.

After healing from my shoulder surgery, I went back to my old apartment and cleared it out. Took what I wanted and gave the rest to the local women's shelter down the street. As for working…well, much to Fabi’s dismay, I made it very clear that I wanted to go back to work. I wanted something for me, and if he loved me, he wouldn’t try to stop me. I swear it almost killed him to agree, but he did. Luckily, I got a job in IT for one of the city's gossip magazines and can work from home. I did, however, have to go into the office once a month. Of course, Marco was glued to my side with every visit.

A small rustling noise and the start of a low crying sounds out in the room, alerting me that Nico is waking up from his nap. I walk back inside from the balcony, over to his crib, pick him up and begin to pepper light kisses all over his head. He settles quickly as I begin to sway and rock him gently in my arms. Ever so slowly, he opens his beautiful hazelnut eyes, just like his father’s, and as he snuggles in closer, a sentimental smile tugs at my lips. He’s such a momma’s boy, and he loves to snuggle.

“Let’s go see Daddy, shall we?”

I walk out of the room and make my way into Fabi’s office. It's late afternoon, so I know he’ll be finishing up soon. I knock on the door and begin to open it and hear three deep voices talking. I peek around the door and all three faces have turned in my direction. Fabi jumps up from his seat, making his way toward me and Nico. Marco and Luca look at one another and laugh. I reach up on my tippy toes and kiss Fabi as he bends slightly to greet me.

“There are my two favorite people,” he says before giving me a lingering kiss.

“Are you almost done?”

His brows furrow as he senses the unsure tone in my voice. He turns his head to Marco and Luca and nods, telling them to get out.

“Oh, no, it can wait,” I tell him.

“No. We're finished, anyway. Luca, make the arrangements to leave tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

“Capo,” is all he replies as the two men exit his office.

“What is it,dolcezza?” he asks, running his hands down the length of my body before moving around to my ass.

“Oh, no you don't, mister. You’re already in trouble.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“Well, Nico wanted to tell you that he’s very sad.”

He looks down at me with a confused look on his face and a raised eyebrow.

“Dolcezza, he can’t talk. He’s seven months old. He’s not crying. How can you tell he’s sad?” he asks while trying not to laugh.

“Because he's not going to be old enough to remember what it’s like to be an only child and have the full attention of both parents.”

His brows furrow deeper. He's completely confused by my words.

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