Arranged Mafia Marriage

EPILOGUEContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Elsa

“She’s so cute.” Karma blows a raspberry on Avery’s stomach. My daughter giggles, then bursts into laughter. Karma glances at her, an adoring expression on her face. “You gorgeous little thing.” She rubs noses with Avery, who grabs at Karma’s hair and tugs.

“She’s a handful. Once she gets hold of your hair, she’s not going to let go of it easily,” I warn.

“And I’m not going to let go of you, either, am I?” She blows another raspberry, and Avery giggles. She babbles words in her own special language.

“What did she say?” Karma turns to me.

“I believe she’s saying, fair’s fair.” I walk over to rescue Karma’s hair from Avery, which results in Avery throwing her other arm around my neck. She holds onto both of us with a fierceness that belies her little frame.

“So, are things good with you and Seb?” Karma searches my features. “I assume they are, but you know, I have to ask. As the Don’s wife, by default, it makes me the senior-most female in the family, and all that.”

“I’m great,” I smile at her. “Seb hasn’t let us out of his sight since the night the intruder tried to break in. Not that I’m complaining. I’d rather have him for eye-candy, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, trust me, I do. And what about her? How’s she doing with Seb, and all the changes?” She nods toward Avery, who is following our conversation with avid attention. You’d think the girl understood every single word we speak, which I’m fairly sure she doesn’t. But once she starts speaking and picking up words, I’ll have to watch myself around her.

“Oh, she and Seb have a mutual love affair going on. She has him wrapped around her little finger. From the time she wakes up in the morning, until she goes to bed, she has him doting on her. And he does it willingly. He’s arranged his entire life around her. He works from home so he can be sure to eat his meals with her. And he bathes her, then reads to her, and puts her to bed at night, and she… Laps it up.”

“Sounds like the three of you are getting along really well.”

“We are.”

“Sounds like you’re happy,” she says in a soft voice.

Tears prick my eyes, which is silly. “I am,” I agree. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“You deserve it.” She gives me her full attention. “You really do.”

“Thanks.” Avery releases Karma’s hair and wraps both of her arms around my neck. I swing her into my arms, then plant her on my hip. “And what about you? How’s the pregnancy going?”

“It’s fine… so far.” Her face clouds.

“So far?” I take in her features. “What does that mean?”

“Just that…” She glances away, then back at me. “I need to tell this to somebody, I guess.”

“What?”

“I don’t know why it feels like it’s okay to tell you… Maybe because you have a child, so I think you’ll understand.”

“What is it?” Avery wriggles in my arms and I shush her. “You can tell me anything Karma. I can keep a secret.”

“I have this heart condition. It’s one of those things which is not life-threatening, unless it is.”

“Like… when you’re pregnant, you mean?”

“There’s a chance it could flare up and turn life-threatening,” she admits.

“Does Michael know about it?”

She locks her fingers together, then shakes her head.

“Are you going to tell him?”

She shakes her head again.

“What about Aurora?”

“No, absolutely not. If I told her, she’d have me admitted to the hospital, strap me to the bed, and have me monitored day and night.”

“If it’s life-threatening-”

“That’s the thing. It’s not. There’s a chance I pull off the entire pregnancy without anything happening.”

“What are the chances of it happening?”

“It’s a good chance.” She chews on her lower lip. “Believe me, I’m not taking a stupid chance… Or maybe I am. I don’t know. All I know is I want this child so badly. I want Michael to have an heir, you know.”

“But do you think he’d be happy if something were to happen to you, Karma?”

Her shoulders sag a little. “No. When I lost my child from my last pregnancy, it was terrible. It was like something had been taken from me which I didn’t even know I wanted, and then I realized I really did want it. A lot. And then I found out I was pregnant again, and it was like the universe had answered. I mean, if I weren’t supposed to have this child, why would I get pregnant again, right?”

“Karma.” I reach over and wrap my arm around her. “I completely understand how much you want this child. When I became pregnant with Avery, my life changed. Suddenly, it wasn’t about me or my problems anymore. It was about her, about what was best for her. About her future. It’s all I could think of. It’s why… When Seb came into my life, I thought-”

“That you were being disloyal to her?”

I wince. “I didn’t think it was possible for me to be a mother and my own person… someone with my own preferences, and my own identity, but Seb showed me otherwise. It’s because of him, I’m standing here today, holding my daughter and planning my future. I couldn’t have done it without him. It’s why,” I search her features before continuing, “you need to tell Michael about this.”

“If I do, it’ll worry him.”

“If you don’t tell him, and he finds out anyway, he’s going to be a lot more than worried. He’ll be hurt.”

She looks down at her feet. “I know, but I can’t bring myself to tell him. A part of me hopes this entire pregnancy will pass without my having to tell him, you know?”

“I hope it does,” I murmur. Avery chooses that moment to press her palm into Karma’s cheek.

“Aww, baby,” she coos, “you’re such a sweetheart.”

“There are my girls.” Seb walks over to us. And of course, as soon as Avery spots him, she holds her arms out to him. Seb reaches us, and Avery all but jumps into his arms. Avery begins to babble to him, and Seb listens patiently. “Yes, we’ll go home soon Avery.”

“Home.” Avery bounces excitedly. “Story, Dog. Eb.”

“I’ll read you the story about the Big Blue Dog, too.” He confirms.

Avery snuggles into him and glances at me with a big smile on her face.

“You’re spoiling her.” I laugh.

“She deserves to be spoiled, as do you.” Seb wraps his other arm around me, and pulls me close. I melt into him.

Karma glances between us, a big smile on her face. Michael walks over to wrap his arm around her.

“Hmm…” She rubs her cheek against his sleeve. “You smell sooo good, baby.”

Michael chuckles. “So you keep saying.”

I marvel at how adoring Michael is with her. It gives me hope that when Seb tells Michael about Cass’ role in Fabio’s death, he’ll find it in himself to go easy on her. I pleaded with Seb not to tell Michael, but Seb said he owed it to Michael to tell him the truth. He insisted Cass had put me in danger, and Michael needed to be informed of it. I’ll have to find a way to help Cass. I already have some ideas on that, and can’t wait to put them into action.

Michael’s phone rings and he pulls it out. “Pronto.” He uses the Italian word for ‘Hello,’ then listens. He glances toward Seb, whose muscles stiffen.

“Is that right?” Something passes between the two of them. He jerks his chin, then cuts the call.

The silent dialogue between the two men continues. Even Avery must sense the tension in the air, for she falls silent and watches Michael with big eyes.

“Wha-what is it?” I clear my throat.

Neither man responds.

“Michael?” Karma reaches up to pat his cheek. “What’s happening?”

“It’s probably nothing you should worry about,” he replies.

“Now don’t give me that.” She purses her lips. “You promised you’d always share what’s happening with your business, remember?”

Michael blows out a breath, then turns his gaze on her. “If you recall, Luca, Massimo, and Adrian went off with the intruder to help save his family.”

Seb’s grip around me tightens.

“Things didn’t go according to plan.” Michael sets his jaw. “Luca’s missing.”

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