“We were both drowning in our loss, and Irene capitalized on that.”
“Why would she hurt you, though?” Mom asks, probably still trying to figure out why some people are just evil.
“A power trip.” I shrug and let out a sigh. “Some people just get off on hurting others, I guess.”
Mom shakes her head, still unable to come to terms with what happened. “Tell me everything.”
I shake my head, not wanting to relive any of it. “No. There’s no reason to delve into the past. It’s over and done with.”
“Is it really over and done with?” Mom questions, not looking so sure.
“Yes.” A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. “Nikolas helped me deal with everything.”
An eyebrow lifts on Mom’s face. “How are things between the two of you? I know the wedding was… ah… sudden and quite the shock.”
“You should’ve warned me,” I tell her, needing to get it off my chest. “You should’ve put me first and told me what was happening.”
Regret tightens her features until she truly looks remorseful. “I’m sorry, agápi mou. Nikolas can be so intimidating, but you're right, I should’ve warned you.”
Letting bygones be bygones, I give Mom’s knee a squeeze then smile at her. “I’m happy.”
Her regretful expression turns to one of hope. “Really?”
I nod, my smile growing. “I’ve learned to love Nikolas, and he loves me too. Actually,” I let out a chuckle, “he worships the ground I walk on. I couldn’t have asked for a better husband.”
Mom throws her arms wide open, happiness and relief bubbling over her lips as she laughs. “That’s so good to hear. My heart can rest now.” When I hug Mom, she lets out a sob. “I’m so happy.”
“It all turned out for the best,” I murmur, emotion welling in my chest, now that we got to clear the air between us.
A server brings two ice teas, and we pull apart. I take huge gulps to quench my thirst before Mom starts talking about the event she’s hosting for her group of friends.
We spend the rest of the afternoon catching up with each other’s lives, and honestly, as much as I dreaded it, I actually enjoy visiting with Mom.
Chapter 39
Nikolas
By the time I get home, it’s already past one a.m.
Unhappy that I didn’t get to spend dinner with Tess, I yank off my tie as I take the stairs up.
We managed to get another Sicilian soldier, and it took way too fucking long to get some information out of him. But eventually, he broke and confirmed the man we’ve been watching is Manno’s nephew and second in charge.
When I walk into the bedroom and see Tess fast asleep in bed, I let out a sigh. I head straight for the shower, needing to wash the fucking day away. I hurry through my nightly routine and hardly take time to dry myself off before walking naked out of the bathroom.
Crawling onto the bed, I pull the covers away from Tess. She stirs, and opening her sleepy eyes, a lazy grin forms on her beautiful face. “Hey, you’re home. Finally. What time is it?”
“Just after one,” I reply as I take hold of her shorts and panties. Dragging the clothes down her legs, I throw them to the floor. I place my hands on her thighs and push her legs open while ordering, “Take off the shirt, Theresa. I need you naked.”
She obeys, and as she tosses the fabric somewhere on the floor, I position myself at her entrance and thrust hard, sinking to the hilt inside my wife. A satisfied groan rumbles from my chest, and I lie down on top of her, covering every inch of her body with mine.
Finally, I’m home.
Tess wraps her legs around the back of my thighs, her hands finding my jaw so she can drag her fingers through the stubble she loves so much.
Our eyes lock and seeing the affection in hers, my chest almost explodes. “Christ, Tess, I need you to love me more than my next breath.” I frame her face with my hands, my chest pressing hard against her breasts. “I fucking live for you.”
“I know,” she whispers, her voice soft and warm. “I know, zoí mou.”
Hearing her call me her life, once again, a smile forms on my face. I pull out of her, only to slowly sink deep inside her body again, the way she stretches around my girth, fucking addictive.
“I need to hear the words again,” I whisper against her mouth as I slowly thrust inside her, relishing every second I get to be with her.
With our eyes glued to each other, Tess looks at me as if I’m her entire world. “I’m falling for you, Nikolas.”
My eyes drift shut, the words settling in the deepest part of my heart, branding themselves on my soul, shuddering through my body.