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“I was so scared…I just wanted you home and then there you were,” she said as he brushed away the tears that slipped down her cheeks. “How did you know he was coming?”
“I didn’t. I should have but I didn’t know he’d left London. I just knew I would rather spend two nights awake than sleep without you again. I had to get home to you,” he said claiming her lips in a sweet kiss. “I know I did not keep my first promise but this time, I swear, he will not hurt you again.”
“I’m alright now. He only scared me Stefano. You kept him from hurting me.”
“I would die before he laid his vile hands on you,” he stated, and Hailey felt his body tense in pure anger worrying her.
“What did you mean about Demetrius being like Nikolas? Your mother seems so…quiet, contained.”
“Nikolas is no longer part of her life. Demetrius complained to him that he and Kyra were being sent away because she wanted only you and me in her life. While we were on our honeymoon, he laid his hands on her in anger. Olympia informed me of what she had seen when he forgot she was there and my afternoon away from the office Tuesday after we returned, was to see that he left. He has since made threats towards Mother, but she is stronger than we know. She will make it through this.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did not want you to worry that Nikolas would try to retaliate against you the way Demetrius is to get to me. They know you are the one person I care about most. They think quite alike.”
“They won’t be around to harm us though, will they? You and Theo have seen to that,” she said as his hands slid up and down her sides through the silk of her nightgown. “Now…you’ve been away for far too long Husband. Your wife demands sating.”
“Is that so? Well thenyineka mou, what shall I do to you?” he asked covering her lips with his, sliding her nightgown up to reveal her body to him.
“Everything Stefano…everything,” she whispered into his mouth and he took her to the stars before sleeping, her head resting against his heart where she alone made it beat.
Chapter 18
“W
here are you trying to slip off to?” Stefano asked, pulling Hailey back against his chest, lowering his face to her neck breathing her in as he thanked god that she was safe that he’d gotten home in time.
“First the bathroom and then to meet your mom for a ride, I told her we’d go out this morning last night before you got home,” she stated turning over to meet his gaze smiling as he settled a soft kiss onto her lips. “You can come with us.”
“I need to speak with Grandfather regarding Demetrius, Kyra and Nikolas. I suspect that Mother arrived here last night because he has been attempting to contact her to collect what he considers ‘his’ from the house. Since they’re both here and I suspect your parents will be along shortly as well, we shouldn’t remain in bed all day no matter how much I might wish we could.”
“Mmm, that would be nice but some of us have to get to work,” she teased him.
“And it is so far downstairs to the office is it not?” he countered catching her lips in another kiss. “We can work from here today and go to the office for everything else tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a grand idea to me,” she stated reaching over to pick up her robe, sliding into it as Stefano moved to sit on the edge of the bed, lifting her nightgown into his hands.
“It’s beautiful, but nowhere near to your beauty, my darling. I am sorry I did not get to admire you in it longer than I did but I had to know you were truly safe,agape mou.”
“I am, now kiss me and then let me dress, Husband,” she stated with a grin that turned into a sigh as he pulled her up against him. He covered her lips with his before trailing them down her body until he reached her breasts, claiming one then the other before sweeping her up into his arms, carrying her into the bathroom for a shower.
“I once told you that when you were more versed that I would never be able to resist you,” Stefano said kissing her softly as she stood in his arms wrapped in a towel.
“I do not mind in the least,” she replied letting her love shimmer in her eyes as she dressed for her ride. Stefano walked her downstairs, greeting his mother and grandfather who both looked relieved to see them smiling.
“Grandfather while these two beauties are out on a ride, I was hoping to discuss some important business with you,” Stefano stated when they finished the light breakfast Norma prepared and Theo nodded knowing quite well what he meant.
Hailey walked down to the barn with Elena, her arm twined around her own, and smiled softly as Elena kept a slightly tighter grip on her to keep her steady. “I think it’s a beautiful morning for a ride.”
“It is especially when your smile is so bright,” Elena replied holding her close to her side as they stepped onto rockier terrain. “To know that you and Stefano love one another as much as I loved his father is the greatest joy to me. I suspect that Stefano will be quite like Daniel once your baby is born. Right now, it is all about you then work but once he or she arrives, it will be you then your child and then work a far distant thought.”
“I sincerely hope so, and that we will be blessed with another child after this one.”
“That was Daniel’s biggest regret, being unable to have more after his accident. I didn’t mind as much as he did. He spent a year pushing me away thinking he could not love me as he should be able to love me, but I refused to let him walk away from me. To lose him the way we did was the greatest tragedy imaginable. I should not have married Nikolas so quickly. I did not love him.”
“But you were given two more children which must have been comforting to show that love to them,” she said not wanting to make the woman upset.
“I do love them though what their father has allowed them to do is reprehensible. Nikolas may appear mild on the surface but beneath…I was afraid of what might happen to Stefano as a child if I did not give into his wishes.”
