Page 99 of DeLucas After Dark

Beni moved to go toward him, and I pulled him back, turning his face to mine. I could feel the anger rolling off him in waves. I wasn’t afraid of him like this. Couldn’t be when I knew I was the last person in the world that he’d hurt.

“It’s fucking disrespectful.” Beni hissed at me.

“I know … I know. Breathe for me.” I coached him.

“You see this shit…”

“Beast … please. There is a house full of people and my mother is one of them. I need you to stay calm. If you take him outside to beat his ass, that’s fine, but not in here.”

His lip curved upward in a smirk. “I can beat his ass, though?”

“You can. Fists, no guns.” I emphasized. I knew he carried one. “Our child needs their father.”

Beni froze. “Are you…” he looked down at my stomach and then my face.

“I was going to tell you later tonight, but yes.”

Beni roared, picked me up off my feet, and twirled me in circles. He kissed me again, this time urgently and full of excitement.

“Now, go see what’s going on and show him which DeLuca brother runs things around here.” I kissed him and I saw everything inside him calm. The storm in his eyes died and in its place was determination.

“Go show your mother your ring. I’ll be outside. Stay in here until I come to get you.” He studied my face until I nodded in understanding.

“Good girl.” He kissed my forehead. “Don’t let Martina follow us out. Until I find out what the hell this is about, I don’t need either of you near this fucker.”

“Yes, Beast.” God, I wanted him right now.

I stepped back, letting him go. He winked and went to go handle his business.

“Martina!” I yelled at her.

She looked, and I waved her over. She glared at Beni, knowing she was set up. Then she made her way over just as I got to my mother.

“Let me see your ring.” Mommy said to me.

I held my hand out to her. Martina gave me a big ole’ kiss on the cheek.

“Sister-in-law.” She smiled. “How’s it feel to be a part of the family?”

“I thought I was from the way you’re always feeding me.” I joked.

“You were. Now, it’s official. Can we talk about that ring?” She swayed on her feet, making me laugh.

“It is beautiful.” Mommy said.

“Thank you.” I beamed, loving how personal it was.

Beni had made it unique, much like who he was. I looked toward the door he’d exited from and hoped that he remembered exactly what I’d told him. He, Max, and the new brother had disappeared through the front door with a few guards in tow. Whatever was about to happen was serious. Beni needed to keep his cool so he could remind everybody exactly who the boss around here was. Like it or not, that meant that he always had to be in control. Even if he wasn’t.

I was here to remind him of that.

He had this. No matter how much he wanted to smash Tammaro’s face in.

He couldn’t.

Family always took care of family. Even I knew that.

BENIAMINO

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