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As soon as word spread that the Snake was gone, that we’d killed him, things had gone back to normal. No one challenged us, especially when we released the documents Dante had found at the auction house. Not even the other Dons across the U.S dared to challenge me after all of this. I actually think their respect for me grew after hearing about it. Or so Dante kept saying.
My mother’s cousins had sent her body back. Gemma had poisoned her with a cyanide pill. At least I knew it had been quick. Her funeral had been a few weeks ago, but the pain had stayed with me. I wasn’t sure if it would ever leave.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out into the lobby. I waved goodbye to the security guards at the front desk. We’d hired all new staff for the legal businesses and recruited all new associates for the…less than legal endeavors. It hadn’t been hard to earn their loyalty, not after everything they heard. We had the Arco brothers to thank for that.
Shielding my eyes against the vibrant sunset, I searched for my driver in the parking lot. My eyes caught on the man waiting by the curb, a bouquet of flowers in his hands. Dante leaned against the hood of his car, a smile slowly slipping across his face as soon as he saw me.
My heart still fluttered when I saw him, even months later. I wobbled over to him, doing the best I could with being six months pregnant. He met me halfway, taking my messenger bag from my shoulder before slinging it over his head. He leaned in, planting a soft kiss on my cheek.
“How was work?” he asked, leading me to the passenger side and opening the door. He had to help me in, letting me lean on him as I struggled to slide into the low seat.
“The same as always,” I replied, finally settling in. He handed me the flowers before closing the door. Burnt sienna-colored Daylilies mixed with Angel Amber Kiss Pansies. I had to smile at the cheesiness.
Dante slipped into the car, starting the engine. “I had a pretty good day as well.” He paused, one hand on the throttle, the other resting on the wheel, watching me. Those dark eyes flicked over my face as if memorizing every curve. Every line. He did that often, even now, as if he couldn’t believe that I was still here. Still breathing. Still alive.
With the car in park, he rested his hand against my stomach, despite the fact that we wouldn’t be able to feel much movement until after the twenty-week mark. That didn’t stop him from trying. I think he just wanted to reassure himself that the child was still safe. That he’d kept his promise to keep us both alive. It had taken him a long time to stop glancing over at me every two minutes just to make sure both me and the baby were still there.
The nightmares had taken longer to go away.
“You ready to head home?” I asked, my hand cupping his cheek. “I’m having the worst cravings for some lemon chips.”
His nose wrinkled. “That’s a hard pass.” He shifted the gear into drive, pulling away from the curb. “I don’t care what we eat tonight as long as it’s actually edible.”
“Lemon chips are edible,” I replied, pouting. He laughed, the sound making my heart stutter.
Rolling down the windows, the air whipped through my hair as he turned onto the main road, merging with the evening New York traffic. I caught him peeking over at me every so often, eyes shining bright with what I’d learned to recognize as pure love.
I slipped my arm through his, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I love you,” I said so softly that I almost thought he didn’t hear me.
“I love you more,” he replied, the words rumbling through his chest. “More than anything.”
