AllFreeNovel
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“I’m going to find eggnog.” Snow is powdered everywhere outside, I honestly don’t know how the hell the kids are outside.
Wicked closes the door behind us and I shiver, removing my long trench coat. “Get me one!”
“Hey!” Wicked’s hands come to my arms, turning me toward him. His dark eyes search mine and as every second passes, the guilt builds deeper and deeper inside my gut. “What’s wrong so I can kill it?”
I place a gentle kiss on the palm of his hand. “Nothing. I promise. I just had something to do before I got here, and well…” I shuffle out of his grip and place my handbag on the counter. “Let’s just say it wasn’t fun.” The clubhouse looks completely different to what it usually does. Jade and the girls did it good. I probably should have been here to help them, as Wicked’s old lady, but I think they all understand my schedule.
“Wanna talk about it?” he asks, kissing the top of my head. The door closes behind us as Mama and Olivia walk back through.
Shaking my head, I rest on his shoulder as he pulls me down onto his lap. “Nope.” His arm wraps around mine protectively. Wicked and I went back and forth on how we would do Christmas. He wanted to spend time with the MC, but I just wanted something at home. We came to an agreement for Christmas Eve at the clubhouse and Christmas Day at home. Everything is already organized for tomorrow. We have Gio,Marcu, and my aunt and uncle coming, as well as Val and Ivy. I still haven’t met her yet. Mama said that she hasn’t wanted a lot to do with our family since finding out what Victor did when we were younger. I guess she’s decided to burn a bridge to come tomorrow. Or burn a bridge when she gets there. I watch as Royce and Jade cuddle in the corner, Royce nibbling on her neck.
“Guys!” Jade wriggles in Royce’s lap. “We have an announcement!”
My lips curl between my teeth as I take the eggnog Betty hands me, taking the spot beside Wicked. I already know what she’s going to say before she says it.
“We’re having a baby!”
“Oh fuck,” Wicked jokes and I push up from his lap, dragging her off Royce to give her a hug.
“Congratulations, baby mama.” I smirk into her ear. “I hope it’s a girl.”
“Nope! Fuck that!” Royce points his finger at me. “Bro, don’t fucking say that!”
I shrug, dancing my way back onto Wicked’s lap. He bites my earlobe. “Our turn next.”
“Mama!” I scold her as she cusses in the background about her roast chicken. “It’s Christmas. We don’t care about any of that. Come sit down.”
She rests her hands on the counter, her shoulders lifting and lowering as she takes in deep breaths. My hand comes to her frail arm. “Mama, what’s wrong?”
“Why haven’t you asked me, Bubba? Why haven’t you asked me my role with P—” She pauses. “Victor.” I rest against the counter, crossing my ankles together and dazing off into the family room where the giant Christmas tree almost hits the high ceiling. Lights and decorations drape around the branches. Itlooks so good. I can’t believe Gio and Wicked did all of that on their own. Without killing each other.
“Mama, I may not know what happened between you and Skully, but I trust Wicked.” I tilt my head, tracing the lines on her face. “I trust him more than anyone in this world, and I know he knows what happened between you both, and I know that if he thought you weren’t good, you wouldn’t be allowed near me.” I squeeze her arm. “You can tell me in your own time, or not. That is up to you but, Mama, I love you. That’s your trauma that you carry. You do not have to share it with anyone else unless you’re ready to do so.”
Tears fall from her eyes and roll down her cheeks. “I wanted so desperately to get us both away. When you saw me packing my bags, Bubba, it wasn’t because he was sleeping with other women. I used that because the truth was far too much for you to bear.” She finally looks up at me, her blue eyes twinkling with unshed tears. “I was trapped. Something I am sure your sister will not understand.”
“My sister—” I wipe her tears away from her cheeks. “Will learn to understand.”
“She’s with the Bratva, Bubba. Don’t trust her.”
“Mama.” I hide my chuckle behind a smile. “I trust Val. She will be fine.”
Mama waves me off, swiping her tears with a dishcloth. “Go entertain the family. I’ve got this.”
I leave Mama in the kitchen, finding Gio, Marcu, and Wicked in the lounge with Gracie and her daughter. Gracie doesn’t have family, so naturally, she became ours. The doorbell rings and my eyes fly to Wicked.
“Baby… play nice.”
“I’m always nice,” I mumble, reaching the doorknob and swinging the door open.
Val is standing there with a wide smile and arms wide. “Principessa…”
“Valerie…” I let him pull me in for a tight hug, breathing in his cologne. The man is fine as hell… he’s just lucky Wicked…
When he pulls me back, his hands fall from my arms before he turns to the person beside him.
Long blonde hair, blue eyes like Mama, and skin that matches my tan. She’s not a complete replica of me, but you see the similarities. “Ivy.”
Her face cracks into a smile. “Hi.”
