He looked at me. “Tired.”
“No, I mean because you had to kill Benito for me. Are you okay?”
Romero let out a humorless laugh. He took my hand and led me back into the bedroom. He sank down on the bed and pulled me between his legs, then made me sit down on one of them. “He hasn’t been my first and he won’t be my last, but I enjoyed his death more than the others, and I don’t regret it. I’d do it again and enjoy it just as much.”
Romero
It was the truth and now that Lily and I would start living together, she needed to know it, needed to know every dark part of me. I searched her eyes for a sign of revulsion but there was none. She kissed my cheek before resting her head on my shoulder. Her fingers traced my chest lightly. That and the feel of her firm butt on my thigh stirred my cock, but now wasn’t the time to follow that urge. Not too long ago Lily had to fight off her new husband, had to stab him and watch him die. She needed time to recover. I stood and lifted Lily into my arm, then carried her around the bed and lay her down. She kept her hands wrapped around my neck and didn’t let go even as I tried to straighten. “Lily,” I said quietly. “You need to rest.”
She shook her head and pulled me down on top of her. I braced myself on my elbows so I didn’t crush her under my weight. Lily wrapped her legs around my hips and dug her heels into my lower back, pressing me down.
I didn’t resist. Slowly I lowered myself until our bodies were flush against each other and my cock pressed against her pussy. She raised her head to claim my mouth for a kiss. I stared into her eyes, they were soft and filled with longing. I wasn’t sure how could I have ever believed that Lily didn’t want me. Her eyes showed her love for me as plain as day.
“I need you,” she murmured, lifting her hips a few inches and making my tip glide over her lower lips. I let out a small hiss at the sensation. She was wet and warm. She always felt so fucking inviting. I didn’t need to be asked twice. I always wanted her. I quickly put on a condom, cupped her head and eased into her slowly, and as I did I realized just how much I needed it too. She was tighter than usual, maybe from tension and exhaustion, and I made sure to be careful.
I made love to her slowly. This wasn’t about getting off, about being consumed by desire and lust, this was something to show us everything was okay. A few days ago I’d thought I would lose her forever and now she was mine.
Between soft moans she told me she loved me. I kissed her lips. I’d never been the overly emotional type but I never got tired of her saying those words. “I love you too,” I said quietly. It still felt strange to admit it to someone.
When we lay in each other’s arms afterward, I felt a deep, all-encompassing peace I’d never felt before.
***
I woke at sunrise but Lily wasn’t there. I jerked upright, reaching for my gun on the nightstand, as usual expecting the worst. But Lily was there at the window, looking out. I didn’t have floor to ceiling windows like Luca’s penthouse, but they weren’t exactly small. But Lily had grown up as the daughter of a Consigliere. She’d had the best of everything all her life.
I swung my legs out of bed and walked toward her.
“It’s not as grand as you’re used to. Your family’s townhouse and Aria’s penthouse are much bigger than my apartment. You’re going to be the wife of a mere soldier.”
Lily jumped slightly, then she peered over her shoulder at me.
“Do you really think I care about things like that? When I lived in a huge house and had more money than I could possibly spend I was never happy, but when I’m with you I am.”
“Still, this will be a big change for you,” I said. I wasn’t exactly poor but she wouldn’t be able to afford as much as she had done before.
Lily turned to me fully and touched my cheeks. “I want only you, Romero. I don’t care about money.” She motioned around. “And this is a gorgeous place. Most people would be happy to live here. I love it.”
That was why I knew Lily was the one.
The sun finally peeked over the surrounding skyscrapers. “Look,” I said, pointing out toward the city.
Lily turned around in my arms, her back pressed against my chest, as we watched the sunrise. I wanted to enjoy this moment of peace and quiet, because I knew there wouldn’t be many more moments like that today. The Famiglia was at war with the Outfit now.
“I’m worried about Fabi. I wished there was a way to find out if he’s alright. What if Dante and Father didn’t believe his story? I could never forgive myself if something happened to him because of me.”