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She released a deep breath. “At the moment.”
I flattened my hand over her forehead. “You’re warmer than usual. Have you taken your temperature?”
“Marcello did before bed.” She shoved my hand away. “I’m fine, Bash. Stop worrying about me.”
I didn’t want to say what I was thinking aloud. She had enough shit to worry about. But I wondered if Marcello had come to the same conclusion, if he was taking her temperature and concerned by her stomach issues. She ate the same food as us. It wasn’t food poisoning or a stomach virus.
“It’s our job to worry about you.” I clutched her chin and brought her eyes back to mine. “Let us take care of you, my sweet cherry.”
“Can you fix me a bath?”
I kissed her lips, then lifted her off the piano and carried her into the bathroom. She sat on the edge of the garden tub while I filled it with her bath beads and tested the water for the correct temperature. As the tub filled, I got on my knees in front of her and rested my hands on her thighs. A grin tugged at her mouth, and then her fingers were in my hair, shoving it off my forehead.
I leaned forward and kissed her stomach. She didn’t know what I was thinking, why I was doing this. Every part of me hoped she was sick for a reason. And not because Luca and Marcello needed an heir with a Wellington to maintain their standing with The Founders Society. That would only be a bonus.
I couldn’t wait to see our girl with each of our babies in her belly. Marcello wanted the first child. We had all promised him that, and yet none of us bothered to pull out. Not like I could have, even if I tried.
I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her lips. With all the drama surrounding us, I was afraid to bring a child into this world. But it also exited me.
“I hope you know I love you.” Another peck on her lips. “I love you so fucking much it killed me not to have you in my bed, in my arms, beneath me, on top of me.”
She kissed me back. “I love you, too, Bash.”
I helped her into the tub and got in behind her. She slid backward into my chest, and I rested my hands on her thighs.
“Just so we’re clear.” I tucked her hair behind her ears. “You’re sleeping with me tonight.”
Alex rolled her head to the side and looked up at me. “There’s no place I would rather be.”
As I fixed my hair and makeup in the mirror, Luca lingered in the doorway to the bathroom. My sexy devil leaned against the doorframe, dressed in his usual black three-piece suit. He wore a white oxford beneath the jacket, paired with a blood-red silk tie and black wingtips.
While I was in the shower, someone had left a package on my bed. My outfit for Luca’s birthday celebration. The red toga-style gown matched his tie and dipped low enough to leave little to the imagination. The fabric swayed around my ankles and had a black rope belt that hugged my waist perfectly.
“You look beautiful,” Luca said in that deep, sexy voice that rolled down my arms, causing the hair on my arms to stand at attention. “Like a Roman goddess.”
I dropped the pink lip gloss onto the vanity and smiled at him in the mirror. “Thank you.”
“Our guests are arriving.” He moved behind me and kissed my shoulder. “Join us downstairs when you’re ready.”
* * *
The halls were empty, save for the guards posted at various positions on the ground floor. An eerie silence hung in the air. Even the lights were dimmer than usual.
Decorated like a palace, the Salvatore Estate had high ceilings and windows. Million-dollar paintings hung on the walls. The Salvatores owned rare collectibles and treasures from around the world, most of which they had taken by force. Back in 1990, someone had stolen the Rembrandt painting in Luca’s bedroom. It was still missing. And from what I could tell, Luca owned the original. There was nothing the Salvatores wouldn’t do to get what they wanted.
When I reached the sitting room, I stopped in the entryway, taking in the scenery. Damian and Bastian sat on a couch beside Drake, who kneeled on the floor in front of a speaker with his back to me.
Sonny noticed me first.
His adorable green eyes met mine, a smile on his lips. I knew a monster lurked behind his sexy smirks, but at least he tried to hide it.
Sonny brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled. “Well, look at you, gorgeous as ever.” His gaze landed on my breasts and stayed there for a moment.
I smiled, even blushed a little. “Thanks.”
“I see Luca let you out of your ivory tower,” he joked with laughter in his tone. “You ready for a wild night, Little Wellington?”
“How wild are were talking?”
