A Marriage Fit for a Sinner

His kiss stopped her words. ‘Prison was hell, I won’t deny it. In my lowest times, I thought having children would be the answer. But you’re the only family I need, amore mio.’

Zaccheo was rocking her, crooning softly to comfort her when the doctor walked in.

‘Right, Mrs Giordano. You’ll be happy to hear we’ve got to the bottom of your fainting spell. There’s nothing to worry about besides—’

‘Dehydration and the need to eat better?’ she asked with a sniff.

‘Well, yes, there’s that.’

‘Okay, I promise I will.’

‘I’ll make sure she keeps to it,’ Zaccheo added with a mock frown. He settled her back in the bed and stood. ‘I’ll go get the car.’

The doctor shook his head. ‘No, I’m afraid you can’t leave yet. You need to rest for at least twenty-four hours while we monitor you and make sure everything’s fine.’

Zaccheo tensed and caught her hand in his. ‘What do you mean? Didn’t you say you’d got to the bottom of what ails her?’ His eyes met hers, and Eva read the anxiety there.

‘Zaccheo...’

‘Mr Giordano, no need to panic. The only thing that should ail your wife is a short bout of morning sickness and perhaps a little bed rest towards the end.’

Zaccheo paled and visibly trembled. ‘The end?’

Eva’s heart stopped. ‘Doctor, what are you saying?’ she whispered.

‘I’m saying you’re pregnant. With twins.’

EPILOGUE

ZACCHEO EMERGED FROM the bedroom where he’d gone to change his shirt—the second of the day due to his eldest son throwing up on him—to find Eva cross-legged on the floor before the coffee table, their children cradled in her arms as she crooned Italian nursery rhymes she’d insisted he teach her.

On the screen via a video channel, Romeo leaned in closer to get a better look at the babies.

Zaccheo skirted the sofa and sat behind his wife, cradling her and their children in his arms.

‘Do you think you’ll make it for Christmas?’ she asked Romeo. Zaccheo didn’t need to lean over to see that his wife was giving his friend her best puppy-dog look.

‘Sì, I’ll do my best to be there tomorrow.’

Eva shook her head. ‘That’s not good enough, Romeo. I know Brunetti International is a huge company, and you’re a super busy tycoon, but it’s your godsons’ first Christmas. They picked out your present all by themselves. The least you can do is turn up and open it.’

Zaccheo laughed silently and watched his friend squirm until he realised denying his wife anything her heart desired was a futile exercise.

‘If that’s what you wish, principessa, then I’ll be there.’

Eva beamed. Zaccheo spread his fingers through her hair, resisting the urge to smother her cheek and mouth in kisses because she thought it made Romeo uncomfortable.

The moment Romeo signed off, Zaccheo claimed his kiss, not lifting his head until he was marginally satisfied.

‘What was that for?’ she murmured in that dazed voice that was like a drug to his blood.

‘Because you’re my heart, dolcezza. I cannot go long without it. Without you.’

Eva’s heart melted as Zaccheo relieved her of their youngest son, Rafa, and tucked his tiny body against his shoulder. Then he held out his hand and helped her up with Carlo, their eldest by four minutes.

Zaccheo pulled them close until they stood in a loose circle, his arms around her. Then, as he’d taken to doing, he started swaying to the soft Christmas carols playing in the background.

Eva closed her eyes to stem the happy tears forming. She’d said a prayer every day of her pregnancy as they’d faced hurdles because of her endometriosis. When the doctors had prescribed bed rest at five months, Zaccheo had immediately stepped back from GWI and handed over the day-to-day running of the company to his new second-in-command.

Their sons had still arrived two weeks early but had both been completely healthy, much to the joy and relief of their parents. Relations were still a little strained with her father and sister, but Oscar doted on his grandsons, and Sophie had fallen in love with her nephews at first sight. But no one loved their gorgeous boys more than Zaccheo. The love and adoration in his eyes when he cradled his sons often made her cry.

And knowing that love ran just as deep for her filled her heart with so much happiness, she feared she would burst from it.