Page 21 of His Broken Queen

“I want a rush on the DNA test.” I headed to the hallway. “I can’t trust him until I know there’s Bilotti blood running through his veins.”

* * *

When I entered the bedroom,the lamp by the bed was on the lowest setting, creating a soft stream of light inside the room. Luciana was curled up in a ball in the exact same position I’d left her in a few hours ago.

After emptying my pockets, I removed my gun, and then took off my shirt. Before getting into bed, I took off my socks and shoes. I didn’t plan on staying long. I had too much to sort out, but I needed to hold her.

She rolled over and faced me when the mattresses dropped from my weight, but she didn’t open her eyes. Her long hair was tangled and spread out on the pillow. She still had on the blue dress she’d worn to celebrate her birthday. When I took her out tonight, I had imagined we would end up in bed, but I never expected it wouldn’t be our bed, and we’d be dealing with a tragedy of epic proportions.

I pulled her onto my chest and held her against me. How was she ever going to forgive me for this? How would I ever forgive myself? My world was dangerous. I knew the risks. I never cared about anyone the way I did for Luciana. With the exception of Gio, everyone in my life was replaceable. Then I met her, and nothing had been the same since.

Lu stirred in my arms. I rubbed her back, trying to lull her back to sleep. She didn’t need to be awake now. It would only cause her pain.

“Romero.” She sat up, her eyes were groggy and her voice was raspy. “Where are we?”

“The penthouse.” I took her hand. “In the city.”

“Stella?”

“She didn’t make it, baby.” I caressed her face. “I’m sorry.”

“I hoped it was a dream.” A tear streamed down her cheek. “It’s a nightmare.”

“I wish I could make this all go away.” I sat up, and then wiped the tears from her face with my hand. “This isn’t the life I want to give you.”

“It’s your life.” She gently touched my lips with her fingertips. “That makes it my life. For better or worse, remember?”

“When you said those vows, you didn’t mean them.”

“Not then, but I do now.”

“You’re too good for me.” I had known that all along, but there was no way I’d ever let her go.

“I’m yours.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “Stella helped me come to terms with our relationship. She told me I needed to forgive myself for what I had done to you. She made me see how much you meant to me.”

“She told me on more than one occasion that I needed to forgive you because it wasn’t your fault. I knew she was right.”

“She was so happy for us.” She quietly wept into my neck. “She said she couldn’t wait for us to renew our vows so she could see how much we loved one another.”

“I’m sorry we haven’t done that yet.” There was so much going on, but I wanted to give her the wedding she deserved this time. Not the one she was forced into. “I’m sorry we waited.”

“Me too.” She lifted her head. “Not because I need another wedding, but because I wanted Stella there to stand by my side when I pledge my life and love to you.” She sobbed. “Now that’s never going to happen.”

I pulled her close to me and let her cry. After a while, her breathing returned to normal and she settled down. She trailed her lips along my jaw, working her way to my lips.

“Can you kiss me?” She pressed her lips to mine.

I gave her what she wanted. What we both needed. A safe place to grieve. A connection we both shared. I softly kissed her, lingering at her mouth, wanting to be close to her. I lowered her to the mattress, taking my time kissing her. There was no urgency, just a desire to be in the moment.

She ran her hand down my chest and to the buckle of my belt. I rested my head on the pillow as she took control of the kiss, probing her tongue inside my mouth. She unbuttoned my pants, but when she lowered the zipper, I gripped her wrist.

“No,” I whispered. “Not tonight.”

“Why not?” She kissed my neck, rubbing her hand along my aroused cock. “I want to.”

“You’re upset and you’re not feeling well,” I reminded her. “I can hold you while you rest. I can be here for you.”

“I need to be with you.” She continued to palm my shaft through my pants. “Please.”

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