Either way, this Dragon had decided to kill Aunt Celina, send Kazimir the head, and hopefully, made amends for his role.
Such a heartbreaking situation all around.
When Jean-Pierre told me the news, I didn’t cry. I’d known that something horrible would happen to my aunt. After what she’d done, there would have been no reasonable, happy ending for her. She’d pissed off too many powerful gangsters and only for the goal of money.
Jean-Pierre held me. “Do you want to hold a service for Aunt Celina?”
“Give me some time.” I rested my head against his chest. “We’ve. . .we’ve been having such a good time. This pregnancy has been doing well, even considering all the horrible stuff that happened. I just don’t want to. . .”
“Bring back the sadness and pain again?”
“Yes.” I sighed. “Did Kazimir send you this head, and why would he do that?”
“Kazimir didn’t send it.”
I moved from his chest and looked up. “Then, who sent it?”
“His mouse.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re friends.”
That had unsettled me. I didn’t trust either the Lion or the Mouse. I was only loyal to Jean-Pierre. If the person wasn’t Corsican, then they were my enemies. He knew I worried, so he kept me informed of his friendship with the Mouse, which grew and strengthened as the rest of the months continued.
Jean-Pierre had men monitoring Emily, seeing the Mouse as the key to taming the Lion. From there, he found that she had her own problems in Moscow. A few members of the Bratva hadn’t been excited about their leader bedding a black woman. Severed monkey heads had been discovered in Emily’s bed and office.
From that, Jean-Pierre seized the opportunity to form loyalty between the Corsican and Bratva. Jean-Pierre went to Moscow himself to help Emily. Surprising her and everyone else.
Louis, Rafael, and Giorgio had even met him there in Moscow.
It had been the most stressful week of my life, but Jean-Pierre had come back unmarked and more powerful than ever.
He’d smiled, when he embraced me. “We’ll have no problems from the Lion or the Mouse.”
After that, life flowed around our castle in a peaceful way. I had my guards and staff, when Jean-Pierre had business or therapy. The latter was a recent topic that left me intrigued. He had begun therapy but wouldn’t discuss it. In fact, he was super secretive about it.
I didn’t know who the doctor was or where he held his sessions. All I knew was that when Jean-Pierre returned from therapy, he looked invigorated and free.
I had my own team of medical doctors, and of course I’d begun therapy too. I was with some sort of doctor at least three days a week. Either it was for the pregnancy or for healing my psyche. I found it to be too much, but Jean-Pierre wanted to make sure the baby and I were healthy and comfortable during this pregnancy.
Perhaps, the therapy sessions helped a little. I was able to shovel out all of the crap in my head. I enjoyed the feeling of my mind, being empty when I left the doctor’s office. I didn’t see Uni anymore, although sometimes, I still petted the air out of habit.
Everything is going great.
Today, was one of my session days. Usually after one, Jean-Pierre picked me up in the limo and we caught a movie and grabbed some dinner.
But today ended up being different.
What’s going on?
When I left the session and walked outside, my main guard stood next to the limo with a white envelope. He handed it to me. “Mr. Laurent left you a message.”
“Thank you, Peter.”
He smiled and opened the door.
I climbed inside and tore through the invitation.
Reine,
My therapy went over its time. I will meet with you in a few hours. Go home and get dressed. Peter knows where to take you.
Love you always,
Jean-Pierre.
My heart beats increased. Anticipation flowed through my veins. Jean-Pierre knew how to surprise and romance me.
What are you doing, baby?
Delirious with excitement, when I got to the house, I hurried to get ready, undressing and showering. The baby twisted around. I was getting an understanding of the child’s placement. When I showered, the baby floated upside down, pressing little feet against my side. The right bulged out, as one foot pushed the skin up a little, looking like an alien trying to tear through my flesh.
You’re excited too? We’re going to have so much fun. Your dad is cool like that.
When I left the shower and entered the bedroom, a large box stood in the center. I opened it. A gown sat inside.
I grinned.
I don’t know, if this gown is going to fit, Jean-Pierre. Did you factor in the baby belly?
I pulled it out.
A knock came at the door.
The baby wound its little body around, pressing a small foot to the left, as if wondering who’d come to see us.