Chapter 25

I dived under the cover and laid down beside her. My arm wrapped around her waist languidly, careful not to squeeze her still flat belly.

Her scent immediately invaded my senses. It made me realize how much I more than just miss her. It was so much more. I dived my nose in between her shoulder and neck and inhaled her even more. I pushed closer against her, eliciting an indescribable warmth which tingled all over my body. The reaction lull me into a state of drowsiness.

“Were you serious?” I must have woken her up. Her voice was husky yet stable.

“Bout what?” I mumbled, scooting my head deeper to her neck.

“That you quit… this life.” She hesitated though I knew what she meant.

“That was the main reason why I left, amore.”

“You mean the first time or the second time?” There was a slight edge in her statement but I could sense a little humor.

I sat up knowing I need to tell her the truth. I ignore my need to cuddle her cause this discussion was far more important. This was mainly the reason why she was so mad at me and even dared to ignore me, who was the don of the mafia.

But now… I’m just a normal man.

Hailynn faces me at my movement. I leaned my upper body against the headboard. I looked down at her and urged her to scooch closer towards me. I pulled her when she didn’t move. I kissed her head and stole a scent.

“I’m sorry if I left you and gave you the wrong signal.” I started. “If I had the choice to stay, I would but I had an emergency in Italy. I had to go back. I’d like to spare you the details since you’re never really fond of this side of my life however I’m already walking on thin ice here.” She snorted. A small smirk appearing in her beautiful face. I can’t help but smile as swell.

“A friend of mine… his father just died.” I continued. “A rival murdered him. I had to fly back and made sure he doesn’t do anything stupid and cause unnecessary war for us.”

Her eyebrows furrowed. “You know… even if you have begged… even if you’ve loved me like no other… I really wouldn’t have accepted you. I can’t live a life knowing I’m always in danger, let alone having a family with someone who’s the leader of a crime organization. We don’t deserve such life, Dante.”

I understood what she meant. I was the one that understood it the most, especially in a child’s perspective. I lost my parents when I was extremely young. Cara lost her mother when she was young too. She was still an infant and almost had no memory of her mother. Uncle Domenico was there for us up until I just turned twenty so we both lost extremely important people in our lives.

I thought about it not long ago that I cannot honestly stay like this all my life. Deep inside, I wanted a family. Sleeping with women or fooling around never really gave me a sense of security. It might give me temporary pleasure but it never lasts long. Not when I’m always skeptical with every person I meet. I was always too guarded. We never know who could backstab me or my family.

This woman was my once in a lifetime opportunity. I would never screw this up now that my dream is coming true.

“So when you said you quit, I believed you.”

I raised a brow in amusement. “What if I lied about that?” I asked hypothetically, teasing her.

Hailynn sat upright and faced me. She snorted in disbelief and amusement. “You don’t lie to me, Dante.” I smirked at her confession. “That’s one thing I am confident and sure about you.”

I chuckled. “Well… if you put it that way.” I teased. My mood suddenly soured when a memory crossed my mind.

'I don’t want this child, Dante. I don’t want this life. And I certainly don’t want you!'

“Amore… please be honest with me.” Her head tilted to the side inquisitively. “Do you really want this? Do you really want a family with me? The twins with me?”

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Hailynn

“Oh.” I answered gloomily.

I could feel Dante’s hesitance. I knew he was sincere when he wanted to work things out with me.

At first, I didn’t expect anything from him. I mean really, with his work and his reputation, I don’t think he’s suited to be a loving father. I wasn’t confident about him. That and the fact that I was furious when he left me and now suddenly begging to have a family with me when he found out I was pregnant.

I don’t even know if I’m also in the wrong here because honestly, I don’t have a single memory of that night. I was so drunk and wasted that I don’t even remember a thing. The last part was when I opened up to him and told him about my parents and my life. Even at that time I was already beyond tipsy.

This man can’t blame me when I ignored him and I found everything he did as bullshit. And also the hormones. I was really just livid.

“Honestly…” I sighed. “I was only caught in the moment of rage. I realized what I said when you told me that we could get rid of them. I didn’t know I was telling stuff that would mean that way. I was just so angry but I could never do that to my own flesh and blood. As much as I hate you, I would never do anything that could hurt them.”

Dante listened to me intently and I know he understood me from the way he looks at me.

I realized… this man had changed a lot. Whether it’s because of me or the twins or anything, I’m happy. I’m happy that he wanted this. He wanted a family with Hailynn Fleury.

He sighed heavily. “I know. I know.” He sighed again. “I guess I’m just hurt that you didn’t want me.”

I eyed him in disbelief. “Why would you be hurt? Dante, you only wanted me because you wanted so much to fuck me-”

“Sshhh, the twins could hear you.” I eyed him in disbelief again. My eyebrow raised while looking at him as if he was crazy.

“That and you wanted children.” I added.

“Maybe I wanted you more than that.”