Bound By Blood Anthology (The Camorra Chronicles 7.50)

“Come on. Let’s have breakfast together,” I said, suddenly starving now that my nervousness had evaporated.

Gianna and I settled at the table beside Marcella, whose lips and cheeks were tinged pink from eating the raspberries. I wiped her face with a napkin then brushed a few strands of her black hair from her face. Gianna set a bowl with oatmeal down in front of my daughter, then two bigger bowls in front of us. They were sprinkled with nuts, so she had actually found them in our cupboards. I’d have to thank Marianna tomorrow for always making sure our shelves were stocked with an array of food.

Marcella hummed when she shoved her spoon with oatmeal into her mouth and I smiled, trying to imagine how I’d be sitting here with two children soon.

“Marci is already ridiculously beautiful. Luca needs to build a tower where he can lock her in once she hits puberty,” Gianna commented.

I snorted then took a spoon of the oatmeal. It tasted better than mine. Maybe I should ask Gianna to come over and cook us breakfast every day. “Do you take cooking lessons with your college classes?”

“God, no. I prefer telling people what they’re supposed to cook and not cook it myself, but oatmeal isn’t really rocket science.”

“If you say so…”

Gianna rolled her eyes then we both burst out laughing. “I wish Lily lived closer so she could just come over like you do.”

“I know,” Gianna said. “But Romero needs to protect his mother and sisters… yadda yadda.”

“Well, he’s the only man in the family, and his youngest sister and mother still need protection. You know how it is.”

“We all need protection, always.”

“Tell me about your classes. Are you still happy with them?” I asked, deciding to distract Gianna from the topic that always riled her up, and at once, her expression transformed.

“I love it. It’s super interesting to learn about the different effects macro and micronutrients have on our well-being.”

“Have you thought about what you’re going to do with your degree once you’re done?” I lifted Marcella out of her high chair because she was getting bored and set her down on the floor so she could get something to play.

Gianna crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “Do you think it’s a waste of time like Luca does?” She huffed. “I get it. I can’t do the Famiglia’s books like you do…”

“I didn’t say that.” Luca definitely had, though, but he and Gianna were like cat and mouse anyway, so it was a given.

“I’ve actually thought it through. I can be useful for our cause with my degree. Our men are protective maniacs; every man in our circle is, so it’s difficult for women to go out by themselves. Not every Made Man has as many soldiers at his disposal as Luca and Matteo do, but they all have wives who want to look pretty so they can make their husbands happy.”

I cocked an eyebrow at Gianna’s derisive tone, even if she had a point.

“So I was thinking of opening a ladies’ gym only for Famiglia women where I can give yoga classes and diet consultations. Money isn’t really an issue so I’d pack it with amazing equipment, look for staff among our women, and Matteo could make sure that we always have a few guards who keep us and the gym safe.”

“That sounds great.”

“I know,” Gianna said with a grin. “I hide a clever brain behind my pretty façade.”

“You’re as vain as Matteo.”

Gianna poked out her tongue at me.

“That’s bad!” Marcella shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her aunt, who turned to her and poked out her tongue again.

Marcella giggled then her own tongue darted out with a cheeky grin.

I sighed, stifling a smile. Maybe it was for the best that Gianna and Matteo didn’t have kids…

When Luca returned from work that evening in time for dinner, I was practically bouncing on my feet and the second he spotted me, his brows drew together.

“What’s the matter?”

He headed over to where I was stirring pasta into a bowl of tomato sauce, and kissed me. Marcella was busy watching an episode of her favorite show. She was allowed to watch it while I prepared dinner and barely looked away from the screen, completely mesmerized. Setting down the spoon, I grinned up at Luca.

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered, remembering the last time I had found out about my pregnancy with Marcella. Luca and I had been fighting during the first few months of the pregnancy so I didn’t tell him until much later and it had been horrible.

Luca blinked then a slow smile took over his face and he lifted me off the ground to crush me against his chest. His lips found mine, soft and warm, and when he pulled back, he looked as happy as I felt. It was a look only very few people ever saw on Luca’s face; Marcella, Matteo, and I were probably the only ones who knew Luca’s honest smile; not the smirk, not the cold smile, not the arrogant smile or the one that was full of threat. No, this one reflected true happiness. I swallowed hard, overcome with emotions.